FOOTBALL
Favre’s ankle fractured
Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has a fracture in his left ankle that could end the 41-year-old’s NFL-record consecutive games streak. Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress said on Monday an MRI on Favre’s ankle revealed the injury after Minnesota’s loss at Green Bay. Childress says Favre is wearing a walking boot. Childress says Favre’s streak will not affect his decision whether to play him on Sunday at New England. The coach says they have to do what what’s right for the Vikings. Favre threw three interceptions against his old team, the Packers, and hurt the ankle when he was hit on one the interceptions.
RUGBY UNION
Wilkinson’s shoulder injured
Jonny Wilkinson is one of five players to report injured for England duty ahead of next month’s internationals. The Toulon flyhalf, who is the record points scorer in Test rugby, complained of soreness in his shoulder when he joined up with the England squad on Monday. Sale’s Charlie Hodgson has been called up as cover for Wilkinson, who led England to the 2003 World Cup title. Four players — prop Joe Marler, flanker Tom Wood, No. 8 Dan Ward-Smith and center Brad Barritt — were called up earlier on Monday as injury cover for David Wilson, Hendre Fourie, Simon Shaw and Riki Flutey. The injured players are battling to be fit for the first of England’s four matches next month — against New Zealand at Twickenham on Nov. 6.
BASKETBALL
Blazers sign center Oberto
The Portland Trail Blazers signed free agent Fabricio Oberto of Argentina to help the team at center while Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla rehabilitate from injuries. Terms of the deal were not announced. Oberto, 2.08m, played last season with the Washington Wizards after four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. He was starting center when the Spurs won the NBA championship in 2007. Earlier on Monday the Blazers let go second-year forward Jeff Pendergraph, who injuries his knee in the preseason and will require surgery.
ROWING
Disease kills gold medalist
Former Olympic rowing champion Andy Holmes, who won gold medals with Steve Redgrave at the 1984 and 1988 Games, died aged 51 on Sunday, British Rowing announced on Monday. Holmes was taken ill last week with what media reports said was suspected to be a case of the rare bacterial disease leptospirosis, also called Weil’s disease. In a statement on its Web site, British Rowing said it was announcing his “tragic and untimely death with great sorrow.” Holmes won gold at Los Angeles in 1984 in the coxed four with Redgrave, Martin Cross, Richard Budgett and Adrian Ellison. Four years later in Seoul he won gold in the pair, again with Redgrave, and bronze in the coxed pair, steered by Pat Sweeney.
CRICKET
Ponting back for Sri Lanka
Australian captain Ricky Ponting will return to action against Sri Lanka next week as Australia enter final preparations for the Ashes series against England, officials said yesterday. Ponting and opening batsman Shane Watson were both named in the 15-man squad for three one-day internationals next week after being rested for the 2-0 limited-overs defeat in India. Ponting faced calls for his resignation after returning from the Test series defeat to India, which pushed Australia down to fifth in the rankings — one spot below archrivals England.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just