■CYCLING
Armstrong trails Rabon
Lance Armstrong’s hopes of a Vuelta de Murcia victory were all but dashed when he finished more than a minute behind leader Frantisek Rabon in Saturday’s time-trial. Armstrong trailed Team HTC-Columbia rider Rabon by 1 minute, 23 seconds ahead of yesterday’s flat 121km stage, where few serious breakaways were possible. The seven-time Tour de France champion spent much of the offseason trying to improve his time trial performance, but he finished eighth on Saturday after clocking 26 minutes, 28 seconds along the 22km course. Denis Menchov of Russia was second in the time trial and trails Rabon by 38 seconds overall. Team Sky rider Bradley Wiggins, a Tour front-runner, was third with a time of 25 minutes, 58 seconds to sit 53 seconds behind the Czech leader. Armstrong’s teammate Andreas Kloden is fourth overall, 57 seconds behind Rabon.
■BOXING
Alexander KOs Urango
Devon Alexander of the US knocked out Colombia’s Juan Urango with a right uppercut after 1 minute, 12 seconds of the eighth round to unify the WBC and IBF light welterweight titles on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Alexander (20-0, 13 knockouts) made a successful defense of his WBC title, while taking away the IBF title from Urango. Urango had won the sixth round on all three judges’ cards and carried the action in the seventh, but Alexander abruptly turned the fight around and ended it in the eighth. First, he knocked down Urango with a startling right uppercut. The Colombian, however, got up quickly, but appeared dazed. Alexander pounced with the right cross that wobbled Urango and then followed up with the uppercut that finished the job.
■TENNIS
Hantuchova beats Cibulkova
Daniela Hantuchova came from a set down to defeat fellow Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 on Saturday in the semi-finals of the Monterrey Open. Second-seeded Hantuchova is looking for her fourth WTA title in the final against either third-seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or unseeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova at the outdoor hard-court event. Pavlyuchenkova and Sevastova were to play their semi-final early yesterday after their scheduled match on Saturday was postponed because of heavy rain.
■GOLF
Villegas takes Honda lead
Camilo Villegas emerged from a shaky back nine with a three-stroke lead after shooting a three-under 67 during the third round of the Honda Classic on Saturday. The in-form Colombian, joint overnight leader with Anthony Kim of the US, charged out of the blocks with four birdies on the front nine, before stumbling with three bogeys to fall back into the pack at the PGA National Championship course. Villegas recovered with two birdies, however, to finish with a total of 11-under.
■GOLF
Noh wins Malaysian Open
South Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul demonstrated nerves of steel to win the Malaysian Open by one shot yesterday after a magical final-hole birdie. The 18-year-old floated a superb chip shot from behind a hospitality marquee to within four feet as his four-under 68 edged out compatriot K.J. Choi, who closed with a 69. Noh finished with a winning total of 14-under 274 in Kuala Lumpur as joint overnight leaders, Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Britain’s Rhys Davies, slipped back with 71s.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely