SOCCER
Blues sign defender Cahill
Chelsea strengthened their bid for silverware this season by completing the signing of England central defender Gary Cahill from Premier League rivals Bolton Wanderers on Monday. The 26-year-old Cahill reportedly cost £7 million (US$10.7 million). The fee was lower than would normally be expected for an England international because Cahill would have been able to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. “Chelsea is a massive club,” Cahill said. “It is a club that looks to win trophies season in, season out, and it is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that.”
SOCCER
Ivory Coast down Libya
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou scored on the hour mark to give Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Libya on Monday in an Africa Cup of Nations warm-up match. It was the second victory in four days for the joint title favorites in Abu Dhabi after Kalou and Didier Drogba grabbed the goals that sank Tunisia 2-0 on Friday. Libya, fairy-tale qualifiers after playing while a civil war raged in the country last year, came under increasing pressure at the Al Nayhan Stadium and finally caved in 15 minutes into the second half. Defender Igor Lolo delivered a deep cross and Kalou rose between two defenders to nod the ball wide of Libya goalkeeper Samir Aboud.
FOOTBALL
Tebow named as starter
Tim Tebow earned the right to enter training camp as the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback next season after turning around the team’s season and guiding them to their first playoff berth in six campaigns, the team said on Monday. Tebow took over the starting role after Denver got off to a 1-4 start to the season and led his team to the AFC West Division title. “Tim has earned the right to be the starting quarterback going into training camp next year,” said John Elway, executive vice president of football operations for the Broncos. “Obviously, the passing game was not where we want it to be. We’re looking forward to this off-season to be able to see him improve in that area.”
BASKETBALL
US names 20-man squad
The US has added Blake Griffin of the Clippers and LaMarcus Aldridge of the Trail Blazers to the 18 holdovers who hope to go for more basketball gold at this year’s Olympics. The US announced a 20-player pool on Monday, a list from which the 12-man Olympic squad will be chosen in June. Returning from the team that won the gold in Beijing are: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Back from the reigning world champions are: Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Tyson Chandler, Eric Gordon, Rudy Gay, Kevin Love, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook and Andre Iguodala.
OLYMPICS
Kiwis tout sheep shearing
The New Zealand Farmers Federation has called for sheep shearing to become an Olympic sport, hailing top wool-clippers as world-class athletes. Federation spokeswoman Jeanette Maxwell said shearing is now a bona fide sport that deserves international recognition. “Surely, time has come to elevate shearing’s sporting status to the ultimate world stage?” she said in a statement. “One way would be to make shearing a demonstration sport at a Commonwealth Games, if not the Olympics itself.” Maxwell said shearers clip up to 700 sheep over an eight-hour period, in a feat that has been likened to running two marathons back-to-back.
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
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
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