FIELD HOCKEY
England defeat Australia
England scored their first goal and first win against Australia in Women’s Champions Trophy field hockey in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, the 3-2 result on Friday ensuring both will meet for fifth place today. Germany record their biggest win over China, 4-1, and they will meet again today to decide seventh and eighth.
RUGBY UNION
Tonga down Fiji 45-21
Flyhalf Kurt Morath kicked 20 points as Tonga upset Fiji 45-21 in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup yesterday in Lautoka, Fiji, damaging the home side’s billing as the top Pacific hope at this year’s Rugby World Cup. Fiji entered the match as a warm favorite, but started poorly and found itself down 23-9 and the match almost lost by halftime. A penalty try helped Tonga build a 33-9 lead 10 minutes into the second half before Fiji rallied with two tries to cut the margin to 33-21. Tonga’s lead briefly looked shaky, but it recovered its momentum to score two tries in the game’s last three minutes, through Vilimi Iongi and Alisona Taumalolo, for an emphatic victory.
BOXING
Mayweather takes legal hit
Unbeaten US fighter Floyd Mayweather might not be climbing into the ring with Filipino star Manny Pacquiao any time soon, but he has taken a hit in their ongoing legal battle. US District Judge Larry Hicks has denied a request by Mayweather to delay a deposition in Pacquiao’s defamation case against the US fighter, who Pacquiao claims defamed him by saying he used performance-enhancing drugs. Hicks upheld a lower court order for Mayweather to give his deposition, which had been scheduled for June 17, saying Mayweather’s request for a postponement was “without merit,” having no legal basis behind it. “Floyd Mayweather Jr still is refusing to show up for his deposition,” Pacquiao’s attorney Daniel Petrocelli said. “He continues to defy the court’s order.”
GOLF
Woods touts heat-rub
US golf star Tiger Woods has appeared in his first new TV commercial since his epic fall from grace in 2009 over a sex scandal. The 35-year-old former world No. 1 appeared in a 15-second commercial for a Japanese heat-rub, which debuted on Japanese television on Friday. Katsuhiro Kaji, a spokesman for Kowa Co, which makes the Vantelin Kowa rub said the firm made the offer to Woods late last year. He refused to reveal details of the deal. “We don’t think there is any,” he said when asked if there was any risk in using the disgraced superstar, who is currently sidelined by injury. It is Woods’ second endorsement contract with a Japanese firm. He signed a three-year deal with Asahi Soft Drinks in 1997 at an estimated ¥900 million (US$11 million) to promote a canned coffee brand.
FOOTBALL
Talks break for holiday
NFL club owners and players broke off talks for the US Independence Day holiday weekend on Friday, the 108th day of a lockout that threatens the approaching season. A 15-hour negotiating session ended early on Friday and a shorter set of talks was staged on Friday before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and players chief negotiator DeMaurice Smith called off talks until Tuesday in New York. The delay means no deal will be done by the July 4 holiday, the date some on both sides have said would be critical to having a deal in place in time to stage the mid-July start of training camps as normal.
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