STOCK CAR RACING
Bayne, 20, wins Daytona 500
Trevor Bayne, in only his second top-level race, became the youngest Daytona 500 champion, winning the US stock car classic on Sunday only a day after his 20th birthday. In a race that produced a record 16 caution flags, Bayne held off a fistful of veteran racers in his Ford over a final two-lap race to the checkered flag to become the second-youngest winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup series history. “I don’t even know where to go,” Bayne said. “I didn’t even know how to get to Victory Lane.” Bayne pulled off an unlikely triumph for the Wood Brothers team, a famed stock car pioneer group that collected its 98th series victory, but its first in a decade and first at Daytona since 1976. “I keep thinking I’m dreaming. I really do,” Bayne said. “To win our first 500 in our second-ever Cup race, it’s unbelievable. Wow.”
RUGBY UNION
Ma’a Nonu banned for tackle
Wellington Hurricanes center Ma’a Nonu was handed a one-week ban yesterday after being dismissed following a dangerous tackle in the Super rugby clash against the Otago Highlanders at the weekend. The 57-cap All Black will miss the Hurricanes match against New Zealand rivals the Canterbury Crusaders this weekend as a result of the suspension. Nonu was shown the yellow card for a professional foul after 29 minutes of Friday’s match after referee Stuart Dickinson had warned the Hurricanes about infringements at the breakdown. His second yellow, and consequent red card, came when he shoulder-charged Highlanders’ scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan and caught his New Zealand team mate in the neck after 50 minutes. He was later cited for the dangerous tackle.
SPEEDSKATING
Cho wins short track gold
Simon Cho claimed gold in the 500m at the short track speedskating World Cup on Sunday, a day after the American lost a race by one one-hundredth of a second. Cho won in 41.070 seconds. Wenhao Liang of China was next in 41.196 and Thibaut Fauconnet of France followed in 41.250. Cho won the overall event, finishing with 3,978 points.
ATHLETICS
Triple jump record broken
Teddy Tamgho has broken his own triple jump world record, leaping 17.91m at the French indoor championships to better the mark by 1cm. The 21-year-old Frenchman had set his previous mark at the world indoor championships in Doha, Qatar. Tamgho said: “I’m not in excellent shape, but I still beat the world record,” adding that “the 18m will come little by little.” Tamgho is preparing for the European indoor championships next month in Paris. He is coached by former long jump Olympic champion Ivan Pedroso of Cuba.
SURFING
Garcia, Flores in brawl
Former world champion Sunny Garcia and fellow surfer Jeremy Flores of France have been disqualified from two surfing events over an assault complaint. Garcia and Flores were involved in a fight with a surfer at a pro contest at Burleigh Heads on the weekend. The incident happened after Garcia’s 15-year-old son, who was free surfing, was threatened by another board rider. Flores claims he was defending Garcia’s son when the former world champion joined the fight. An amateur cameraman who recorded the fight said he was attacked by Garcia, but he later dropped the complaint and police said yesterday no further action would be taken. Flores was disqualified from the Burleigh Heads event, and Garcia from an upcoming competition.
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
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