WEIGHTLIFTING
Taiwan’s Ho wins gold
Taiwan’s Ho Hsiao-chun won a gold medal in the under-56kg women’s weightlifting event at the Universiade in Shenzhen, China, yesterday. It was the first gold medal for the nation in the world university sports contest that runs until Tuesday. Ho, a National Taiwan Normal University student, lifted 94kg in the snatch and 117kg in the clean and jerk to finish with a total of 211kg, beating contestants from North Korea and Turkey into silver and bronze respectively. The 24-year-old weightlifting veteran, who became a gold medalist at the National Middle School Games at the age of 17, is also highly likely to qualify for next year’s London Olympics, Ho’s coach, Chi Chun-an, said. President Ma Ying-jeou sent a congratulatory message to Ho immediately after she won the gold medal.
TABLE TENNIS
Taiwan clinch bronze
Taiwan clinched two bronze medals at the Summer World University Games in Shenzhen, China, on Monday after reaching the semi-finals of the women’s and men’s table tennis team events. Neither team were able to earn spots in their events’ gold medal games after losing their semi-final encounters. The women’s team earned bronze by defeating Russia 3-0 in the quarter-finals, but then narrowly missed out at a chance of gold by losing to Japan 3-2 in a semi-final encounter that came down to the final singles match between Japan’s Yuka Ishigaki and Taiwan’s Chen Szu-yu. Ishigaki lost the first two sets, before rallying to even the match and then rattled off the final four points of the final set to clinch a 5-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 victory. Taiwan’s men earned bronze after topping Hungary 3-0 in the men’s team quarter-finals, before losing to China 3-0 in the semis.
FOOTBALL
Bishop misses Obama meet
Talk about a false start — Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop did not get to join his teammates at the White House because he forgot his ID on the team plane. Speaking to reporters in Green Bay on Monday, Bishop said he was sure he had his wallet when he got on a team bus bound for the White House as the Super Bowl champions prepared to finally make their lockout-delayed visit on Friday. When security began checking IDs, Bishop suddenly realized he did not have his. Security was not willing to make an exception to let him in without identification, so he had to stay on the team bus. Bishop said he called his family, updated his Twitter account and took a nap while his teammates met US President Barack Obama. “It was pretty disappointing,” Bishop said. “I think it was a historic time, something you can tell your kids or your grandkids one day. To have missed that opportunity, it definitely stung a little bit, but, spilled milk.” Surprisingly, Bishop said he hasn’t taken a lot of ribbing from his teammates — or his Twitter followers. “You know what? I thought I would take more, but even on Twitter and from the guys, it was such a big moment, to have missed it, I think they felt bad for me,” Bishop said.
SOCCER
Mbia out for six weeks
Olympique de Marseille announced on Monday that Cameroon international defender Stephane Mbia will be out for at least six weeks after suffering a foot fracture during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at AJ Auxerre. The 25-year-old suffered the injury in the last minute of the game and tests on Monday confirmed that he has fractured the fifth metatarsal of his left foot.
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