BASKETBALL
Orlando transforms team
The Orlando Magic underwent a stunning transformation with a pair of blockbuster trades on Saturday, acquiring Washington Wizards’ troubled All Star Gilbert Arenas along with Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson. The three-team deal saw the Magic ship forward Rashard Lewis to Washington for Arenas while moving Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat, a first round draft pick next year and US$3 million to the Phoenix Suns for Turkoglu and Richardson. Washington had long been expected to offload Arenas, who had an expensive contract and had pleaded guilty in January to felony weapons possession for bringing four guns into the team’s locker room. “This trade allows us to continue to rebuild around our core group of young players and provides financial flexibility as we move forward,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have been able to accomplish those goals, while also getting back a two-times All Star in Rashard Lewis, who brings us versatility, three-point shooting and a veteran presence.”
ICE HOCKEY
Sweden beat Finland
Mattias Sjogren had a goal and two assists to lead Sweden to a 6-1 win over defending champion Finland in the second round of the Channel One Cup in Moscow on Saturday. Earlier, Alexander Radulov scored a goal and assisted on another to help Russia to a 3-1 win over the world champion Czech Republic. Sweden capitalized on Finland’s sloppy defense and a shaky performance from goalie Eero Kilpelainen. Sjogren assisted Daniel Brodin as the winger scored from a rebound to put Sweden ahead eight minutes, 15 seconds into the first period. Janne Pesonnen equalized from close range eight minutes later, but Sebastien Erixon restored Sweden’s lead with a solo effort at 18 minutes, 38 seconds. Joakim Lindstrom made it 3-1 on a power play midway through the second period and Sjogren scored a short-handed goal eight minutes later.
FOOTBALL
Jake Heaps on touchdowns
Jake Heaps threw four touchdown passes and finished with 264 yards passing to help Brigham Young University beat overmatched Texas-El Paso 52-24 in the New Mexico Bowl as college football’s bowl season got underway in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Saturday. It capped a big turnaround for the Cougars, whose 1-4 start included a rare loss to instate rival Utah State. At that point, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall told his team it would be a remarkable feat to reach a bowl game and win it.
GOLF
Rain inundates Durban holes
Organizers of the 100th South African Open were forced to reduce the tournament to 70 holes yesterday after heavy rain at the Durban Country Club left the fourth green unplayable. Rain has caused havoc throughout the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour tournament as only two-and-a-half hours play were possible on Thursday. That meant that only two rounds were completed over the first three days, with organizers hoping to complete the last two rounds yesterday. However, heavy rain resulted in the green on the par-three fourth hole becoming waterlogged and officials deemed it unplayable. South Africa’s Ernie Els leads the tournament on 13-under-par with compatriot Retief Goosen one shot behind through one hole of their third rounds.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and