Eleven hearing-impaired Taiwanese athletes are competing this week at the World Deaf Athletics Championships in Toronto, Canada, dreaming of winning medals but also looking to gain international experience.
The squad’s head coach, Hsiung Pao-sung, said the team’s strongest events are expected to be the 3,000m steeplechase, the hammer throw, the javelin and the 4x100m relay. On Monday, the first day of competition, two Taiwanese runners made it through the first heats of the men’s 400m and 1,500m, while two others were knocked out in the 100m and 40m.
Chao Yu-ping, secretary-general of the Chinese Taipei Sports Association of the Deaf, said he hoped the team would perform well to bring glory to Taiwan, but also saw the competition as good preparation for the Deaflympics next year in Sofia, Bulgaria.
In the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei, local athletes won 11 gold, 11 silver and 11 bronze medals — including one silver and three bronze medals in athletics — to finish fifth on the medals table.
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
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