WEIGHTLIFTING
Muslim woman lifts barrier
Kulsoom Abdullah did not win, but she notched a victory for diversity at the US weightlifting championships on Friday as she competed in clothing that covered her legs, arms and head. Abdullah was cleared to compete in clothing that met the standards for modesty of her Muslim faith after the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) ruled two weeks ago that competitors could wear a full-body “unitard” under the customary weightlifting uniform. IWF rules previously stated that a weightlifter’s knees and elbows had to be visible so officials could confirm a lift was properly executed. Abdullah, a 35-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, competed before a small crowd of fellow lifters, their families and friends. Wearing a black hijab and a black, short-sleeved shirt with a tan, long-sleeved undershirt and long black socks, Abdullah cleared a snatch of 41kg and a clean and jerk of 57kg. Abdullah finished fifth out of six competitors in the 48kg senior women’s weight class.
ICE HOCKEY
Crosby resumes on-ice work
Sidney Crosby has resumed on-ice workouts in his comeback from a serious concussion, giving the Pittsburgh Penguins and NHL a boost of optimism about his return for next season. Crosby, who has not played since Jan. 5, is training near his home in Halifax, Nova Scotia, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, which said it confirmed the development with the Penguins and Crosby’s agent. Crosby last tried some on-ice workouts in April during the Penguins’ first-round series in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but was shut down because of headaches.
FRANCHISES
Red Devils top value list
English Premier League champions Manchester United have retained their title as the world’s most valuable sports team, according to Forbes magazine’s annual top-50 list. The Red Devils, who have an estimated 333 million fans around the world, topped the list with a worth of US$1.86 billion, just ahead of the Dallas Cowboys (US$1.81 billion). The top-50 included seven soccer teams, with Real Madrid coming in fifth and Arsenal seventh. Barcelona, considered the world’s best team, came in at a relatively low 26th despite their on-field success. All 32 franchises in the NFL made the top-50 with six in the top-10. The only US team in the top 10 that did not play football was MLB’s New York Yankees, who were third overall. Ferrari was the top motor racing team, listed at 13th, while the New York Knicks (47th) were the leading basketball franchise.
CYCLING
Top team looks to keep HTC
HTC-Highroad manager Bob Stapleton said he would not rule out merging with another team if he fails to find a major sponsor before the end of the year. Smartphone giant HTC’s contract with Stapleton’s world No. 1 team expires at the end of this year. While still in discussions with Taiwan’s HTC, Stapleton has been actively courting companies who he hopes would sign a multi-year deal worth at least 10 million euros (US$14 million) a year. Stapleton said he is still hoping to persuade HTC not to abandon ship. He believes that in marketing terms, his cycling team has given the firm untold value. “We’re still talking with HTC. Our top focus is for them to recognize the value they have in continuing to sponsor this team. We estimate they’ve had 400 million euros of measured media value during the deal,” he said.
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
A soccer jersey carrying a national map including disputed Western Sahara has become a hot commodity in Morocco after a diplomatic dispute with Algeria. Retailers said RS Berkane jerseys have been flying off the shelves after a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup match against Algerian club USM Alger was canceled last month over the jerseys. “We are overwhelmed by the influx of messages and requests,” said Brahim Rabii, representative of the official RS Berkane jersey distributor. Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021, partly over the issue of Western Sahara. The former Spanish colony is largely controlled by Morocco, but claimed
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