■ BASEBALL
Coach sentenced to jail
The Japanese ex-coach of a Taiwanese baseball team was sentenced to 20 months in jail in the first verdict in a match-fixing case that rocked Taiwan’s favorite game, a court spokesman said yesterday. Shin Nakagomi, the Brother Elephants’ former head coach, was convicted of collaborating with bookies in five matches in 2008 and last year to pocket NT$1.5 million (US$46,800), the spokesman said. Shin could pay a fine of NT$1.8 million in exchange for a four-year suspended sentence, the Taipei District Court spokesman said. He did not know if Shin would choose this option. Shin was arrested late last year at an airport. He was planning to return to Japan following reports that he and several players were suspected of involvement in the scandal.
■ CHESS
Jinky not Fischer’s daughter
DNA tests have shown that chess genius Bobby Fischer was not the father of a nine-year-old girl from the Philippines, bringing a paternity claim against his estate to a close, two lawyers familiar with the case said. The test result was announced in Reykjavik District Court, lawyer Gudjon Olafur Jonsson, who represents Fischer’s two US nephews in their own claim on his estate, said on Tuesday. Fischer’s remains were exhumed last month so samples could be taken to determine if he had fathered Jinky Young, whose mother Marilyn said she had a relationship with the chess icon. Jinky, who lives in the Philippines with her mother, flew to Iceland last year to provide her own sample. “I can confirm that the result of the DNA report excluded Bobby Fisher from being the father of Jinky Young, and therefore the case has come to a close,” said lawyer Thordur Bogason, who represents Jinky.
■ BASKETBALL
Greece wipe Canada’s floor
Greece did Canada no favors on Tuesday’s opening day of the Acropolis basketball tournament, winning 123-49 for its largest victory margin. Serbia had earlier come from behind to beat Slovenia 82-81. All four teams are finalists at this year’s FIBA World Championship to be held in Turkey from Aug. 28 to Sept. 12. Center Sofoklis Schortsanitis led Greece with 24 points on 11-for-12 shooting, but he injured his right hand when fouled driving toward the basket with three minutes, 30 seconds to go in the third period and Greece leading 72-26. He left the court screaming in frustration without even attempting the free throws. Guard Jevohn Shepherd scored 12 points for Canada. Greece used its trademark stifling defense from the start and never let Canada into the game. The Greeks led 28-6 after the first quarter and 58-20 at halftime. The hosts didn’t relent in the second half, leading 84-32 at the end of the third period. The Greeks shot 42-for-54 from the field, including 13-for-18 3-pointers. Canada shot 15-for-58.
■ CRICKET
Scots level Afghans
Josh Davey’s astounding return of five wickets for nine runs helped Scotland level their two-match one-day series against Afghanistan with a six-wicket victory in Ayr, Scotland, on Tuesday. The 20-year-old had just one wicket from three matches when he came on to bowl first change following Afghanistan’s decision to bat first, but the seamer was soon into his stride and Afghanistan were indebted to Samiullah Shenwari’s 46 for getting them to 120. Former England all-rounder Gavin Hamilton and Ryan Flannigan fell early in Scotland’s reply, but opener Fraser Watts made 55 not out and Richie Berrington hit 33 as the hosts won with more than 16 overs remaining.
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