BASKETBALL
LeBron to visit Taiwan again
NBA star LeBron James will visit Taiwan again this summer, the US media reported on Monday. The report said that James, a forward for the Miami Heat, will visit Taiwan, China, India and South Korea at the invitation of food company Dunkin’ Brands Inc, which manages the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands. James was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons. James first visited Taiwan in August last year. In addition to James, NBA sensation Jeremy Lin, a point guard for the New York Knicks, will hold a basketball camp in Taiwan again this summer.
OLYMPICS
Septuagenarian to compete
When Hiroshi Hoketsu first went to the Olympics in 1964, he was 23 years old and the Games were in his native Tokyo. Now almost 71, Hoketsu will be going to the Olympics again this summer — to compete, not to watch. Hoketsu last week qualified for the individual dressage competition on Japan’s Olympic team for London and will be Japan’s oldest Olympian — again. He already competed at the Beijing Games four years ago. Although the team selection has not been announced officially, Hoketsu has no doubt he will be competing in the individual event. He will compete on a 15-year-old mare called Whisper, who Hoketsu describes as “a little bit old, but still a good age.”
SOCCER
FA weighs up new managers
At least three managers are on the England shortlist and the Football Association could appoint Fabio Capello’s successor as soon as next month, without conducting a job interview. Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is the leading contender to take England into the European Championship in June, but the FA is now willing to allow its new coach to start after the tournament, if that is a deal-breaker. Before any official approach is made, the FA hopes to privately discover whether its preferred candidate wants the job. “Our next step is to narrow that target list down to a very small number of key people who of course we believe actually want the position. There may be other people who don’t actually want this position,” FA chairman David Bernstein said.
TENNIS
McIlroy dabbles in new sport
Golf’s new world No. 1 Rory McIlroy tried his hand at a different sport on Monday, winning a rally against Maria Sharapova during his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki’s tennis exhibition match. Wozniacki summoned McIlroy from his courtside seat at Madison Square Garden in New York and handed him the racket in a lighthearted moment before the final game of her match, which she lost 6-3, 6-4. McIlroy resisted at first, but then placed the tennis ball down on the blue surface, addressed it as if hitting a golf chip shot, then picked it up and started a friendly rally with world No. 2 Sharapova. After trading some gentle shots, the Russian sent an overhand long to the delight of the crowd and McIlroy quit while he was ahead, scurrying back to his seat. McIlroy, who rose to the top of the world rankings after winning the Honda Classic in Florida on Sunday, told reporters at the BNP Paribas Showdown it was “nice to take a little break from golf.” The Northern Irishman acknowledged he was not quite ready to eclipse Wozniacki in the tennis world rankings. “Another couple of years,” the 22 year old said. Wozniacki said she did not send McIlroy candy or flowers after his victory on Sunday. “I don’t want his head to become too big, so no,” she joked.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and