RUGBY UNION
Fans book hotel in England
Two fans of South Africa scoured the Wellington suburb of Eastbourne for their hotel, only to find it was half a world away in the British seaside town of the same name, a report said yesterday. Michael and Sunette Adendorff traveled to the New Zealand capital to watch the Springboks play Wales in the Rugby World Cup believing they had secured accommodation at the Majestic Hotel, but instead of enjoying the “splendid” beach views advertised on Majestic’s Web site, they found themselves wandering Wellington’s streets unable to locate the hotel on their GPS navigator, the Dominion Post reported. The penny finally dropped when the pair asked for directions at a local shop and pharmacist Linda Burke explained the hotel was actually 19,000km away on the south coast of England. Burke said Michael Adendorff, who made the online booking, told her he had thought it was strange when the hotel charged him in sterling, not New Zealand dollars. Rather than see the pair without a roof over their heads, Burke took them into her own home for two nights.
CRICKET
Trott, Cook win awards
England batsman Jonathan Trott was named International Cricket Council Cricketer of the Year on Monday for his achievements in a year when he compiled 1,042 runs at an average of 65.12 in 12 Tests. Trott, 30, struck four centuries and three half-centuries. In addition, he played 24 one-day internationals, hitting 1,064 runs at an average of 48.36, with two centuries and nine half-centuries. In that period, England retained the Ashes in Australia and won Test series against Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan. “It’s fantastic to be part of a successful team and I never envisaged winning this award, and it’s a brilliant feeling to be recognized,” Trott told an awards ceremony in London. Trott’s teammate, Alastair Cook, was named Test cricketer of the year after compiling 1,302 runs in the review period at an average of 51.74, including six centuries and four half-centuries.
BASEBALL
Ramirez arrested, charged
Former World Series Most Valuable Player Manny Ramirez was arrested on Monday after a domestic dispute at his South Florida home and charged with battery, police said. Ramirez, 39, and his wife were arguing in their bedroom when he slapped her face, causing her to hit her head on their bed’s headboard, according to a police report. She told the deputy she was afraid the situation would escalate and called police. Ramirez denied hitting his wife, according to the report. Ramirez’s wife had injuries consistent with her story, but did not want medical treatment. Ramirez retired in April from the Tampa Bay Rays after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
TENNIS
Williams escapes with fine
Serena Williams escaped with a US$2,000 fine on Monday when tennis officials ruled that her verbal abuse of an umpire during Sunday’s women’s US Open final was not a major offense. The American was investigated by the Grand Slam Committee after she unleashed a torrent of abuse at Eva Asderaki, the Greek umpire who oversaw her shock loss to Australia’s Sam Stosur. Williams, who was on the last day of a two-year probation over an ugly incident at the 2009 US Open, could have faced a more severe penalty, including a hefty fine and a possible suspension, but officials took a lenient line.
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
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was