FOOTBALL
Tight end sorry over photos
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski apologized in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on Wednesday for posing in pictures with pornographic film performer BiBi Jones, saying he never meant to hurt the team’s reputation. The pictures, posted on her Twitter account, featured her wearing his jersey and one in which he was shirtless. They were taken last week when the Patriots had an off week in the NFL schedule and he was in Arizona.
BOXING
Mayweather acquitted
Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr was acquitted on Wednesday of charges he threatened to send armed friends to harm two security guards at a gated community in suburban Las Vegas. Mayweather, undefeated in 42 bouts and widely regarded as the best defensive fighter of his generation, was found not guilty by a judge, court records showed. The ruling said prosecutors failed to meet the burden of proof. The boxing star was charged with misdemeanor harassment stemming from accusations a year ago that he threatened the guards by saying his “homies” had guns and would be called to “take care” of the two men, according to the criminal complaint. “This was a homeowner’s association dispute that got blown out of proportion,” said his lawyer, Richard Wright. Mayweather was angry at the guards and raised his voice, but never threatened them, Wright said.
BASKETBALL
NBA holds marathon talks
NBA owners and players have ended a marathon negotiation session, meeting for more than 15 hours in talks aimed at ending the lockout. The talks were centered on the salary cap system, a person with knowledge of the discussions told reporters, adding that “both sides are demonstrating a commitment to getting a deal done.” The sides returned to bargaining with a small group meeting less than a week after three intense days of mediation didn’t produce a new labor deal. Wednesday’s negotiations marked the second-longest bargaining session since the lockout began on July 1. The talks stretched into early yesterday morning, the first time bargaining has gone past 3am.
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
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care