SOCCER
N Korean joins Swiss club
North Korea defender Cha Jong-hyok has arrived in Switzerland to play for second-tier club FC Wil more than three months after his signing was announced during the World Cup. Wil says on its Web site that Cha joined teammates — including compatriot Kim Kuk-jin — for his first practice on Monday. The club says the 25-year-old player’s move was delayed by structural changes at the North Korean soccer federation. Cha started all three matches for North Korea at this summer’s World Cup in South Africa. Wil lie 14th in the 16-team Swiss second division.
TENNIS
Date downs Robson in Osaka
Four-time champion Kimiko Date Krumm needed just over an hour to beat Britain’s Laura Robson in the first round at the Japan Open in Osaka yesterday. The 40-year-old Japanese powered through 6-3, 6-3. The 16-year-old Robson hit six double faults and managed to break Date, the sixth seed in Osaka, only once in four attempts. Another former champion, Jill Craybas, joined Date in the second round by beating Natalie Grandin of South Africa 6-4, 6-2. Third seed Shahar Peer of Israel and seventh seed Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic safely went through, but eighth seed Greta Arn of Hungary fell to Olga Savchuk of Ukraine 6-1, 6-2. Peer outclassed up-and-coming Japanese Misaki Doi 6-2, 6-3, while Benesova downed American Christina McHale 6-4, 6-3. Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn overcame an early service break in the second set to beat Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia 6-2, 7-5.
SOCCER
Benjani quits internationals
Zimbabwe team captain Benjani Mwaruwari told state media yesterday that he has quit international soccer to concentrate on his career in England’s Premier League. The 32-year-old forward, who signed a one-year deal with Blackburn Rovers in August, announced his decision just days after Zimbabwe were held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde. “After the game I went to speak with [team coach] Norman [Mapeza] and thanked him for giving me a chance to play in the game against Cape Verde and that I was sorry we couldn’t do enough to win the game and get maximum points,” he said in the Herald newspaper. “I still have a few more years playing club football, but I feel that I have done my part for my country, and it’s sad that things didn’t work out the way we wanted and probably I didn’t get the number of goals that the supporters wanted me to score.”
HOCKEY
Tests show Pavelec fainted
Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec apparently fainted in his team’s NHL season opener, but the Czech will undergo more medical tests as a precaution. Pavelec collapsed during Friday’s 4-2 victory over Washington, falling backward onto the ice and suffering a concussion seemingly for no reason while players were at the other end of the ice awaiting a face off. The Thrashers said on Monday that tests showed Pavelec had fainted, which could have been brought about by conditions such as stress and prolonged standing. Pavelec, 23, was unconscious and taken from the ice on a stretcher, not regaining consciousness until he was in an ambulance on his way to the hospital, where he spent two nights undergoing tests on his brain and heart. Doctors released Pavelec on Sunday after finding no major problems but he will have more tests. Only if all tests are negative will he be allowed to resume play after his concussion headaches clear.
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