BASEBALL
Iwakuma gets okay for MLB
Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma has been given permission by his team to sign with a MLB club. The Rakuten Eagles of Japan’s Pacific League said yesterday that the 29-year-old right-hander is free to pursue a contract with a major league team through the posting system. Iwakuma, who has a 10-9 record this season with a 2.82 ERA, started for Japan in the final game of last year’s World Baseball Classic, where Japan successfully defended its title. Under the posting system, major league teams bid for the rights to negotiate with Japanese players who have yet to acquire free agent status.
HORSE RACING
Japanese duo finish second
Japanese trainer Yoshitaka Ninomiya and jockey Masayoshi Ebina suffered more Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heartache in Paris on Sunday. Eleven years ago the pair teamed up in the European showpiece with El Condor Pasa only to be edged out by half-a-length by the great Irish champion Montjeu. This time round it was the turn of 22-1 chance Nakayama Festa to be denied — but only by a head by Epsom Derby winner Workforce, the 6-1 fourth favorite. The four-year-old Japanese colt produced a brave, battling display, leading in the Longchamp straight only to lose out in the closing stages. Third-placed Sarafina (12-1) was two-and-a-half lengths away.
EQUESTRIAN
Jung takes individual gold
Michael Jung of Germany continued his incredible run at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, as he rode a clear round during stadium jumping on Sunday to secure the individual gold medal in eventing. Jung and his horse, La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, led after every portion. Riders try to complete all three legs of eventing with the fewest number of faults and Jung had just 33, all of which came in dressage. Britain’s William Fox- Pitt finished second with 42 and Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand took the bronze with 43.5. Eventing is also a team competition and Fox-Pitt’s performance helped lead Britain to the gold medal. Canada received the silver, while New Zealand took the bronze.
RUGBY UNION
Wallabie buys NZ goalposts
Former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer was the surprise winner of an online auction in New Zealand for at set of rugby union goalposts that stood at the All Black’s spiritual home for 50 years, organizers said yesterday. Dwyer paid NZ$15,050 (US$11,200) for the goalposts from Auckland’s Eden Park, where the All Blacks won their only Rugby World Cup in 1987, the ground’s management said. Money raised from the sale of the steel goalposts, which weigh in at 700kg each and stand 18m tall, will go those affected by last month’s magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Christchurch.
INDYCAR
Franchitti takes third title
Dario Franchitti is not thinking about his place in IndyCar history just yet. The 37-year-old Scotsman won his third series title on Saturday night, finishing eighth in the season finale in Homestead, Florida, to beat Will Power by five points. Franchitti became the first driver to repeat as champion since Sam Hornish Jr did it in 2001 and 2002. He did it by whittling away at Power’s substantial 59-point lead with four races to go. Team owner Chip Ganassi says Franchitti is already among the sport’s all-time greats, while teammate Scott Dixon says Franchitti is at the peak of his ability.
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