BASKETBALL
Wade given one-game ban
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade was handed a one-game suspension without pay on Thursday for kicking out at Charlotte’s Ramon Sessions in a contest the previous evening. The NBA issued the sanction after Wade flailed his leg and made contact with Sessions’ groin area during the Heat’s 105-92 victory over the Bobcats in Charlotte on Wednesday. While it was unclear whether the action was intentional, Sessions confronted Wade directly after the play, the league took action and released an official statement. Miami’s All-Star guard was to serve the penalty during yesterday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. Wade is averaging 20.2 points per game for the Heat, the defending NBA champions (20-6), who currently lead the Eastern Conference.
FOOTBALL
Sherman wins appeal
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman said on Thursday he has won his appeal and avoided a threatened four-game ban for violating the NFL’s anti-doping policy. Sherman, who went to the league offices in New York for the appeal last week, said on Twitter on Thursday that he had won his case. He will be eligible to play for Seattle during the playoffs. “Thank you @nfl for upholding the truth,” Sherman tweeted. Sherman had steadfastly denied taking performance enhancing drugs since NFL.com and other US media late last month said that he and fellow Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner had both tested positive for the prohibited stimulant Adderall.
TENNIS
Djokovic denies reports
Novak Djokovic on Thursday denied reports that he had bought up the world’s entire supply of donkey cheese, a delicacy which retails for around US$250 per kilogram in his native Serbia. World No. 1 Djokovic was reported to have purchased the cheese, known as pule, from the only farm which supplies it and that it would be served at a chain of restaurants which he owns in Serbia. “I did not expect this story was going to get so much attention, and everywhere in the world too,” Djokovic said. “It is not completely true that we have bought the whole supply of donkey cheese, even though it was the first time in my life I heard that donkey cheese existed. There is a certain farm in Serbia that produces it and, as I understand it, it is the only farm in the world to do so, which is very interesting. They came to our restaurant and offered cooperation, so that is all. We are now thinking and seeing what we can do with that, but it is not true that I already bought the whole supply,” he said. Djokovic, who is in Abu Dhabi to play in the Mubadala World Championship exhibition tournament, admitted that he was a fan of the cheese.
BOXING
Golden Boy signs Ogogo
Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions has signed 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Anthony Ogogo and expects the British middleweight to make his professional ring debut early next year. “Anthony Ogogo has everything you look for in a boxer,” Golden Boy Promotions chief executive officer Richard Schaefer said. “He can fight, he has style and charisma and he has amazing crossover potential. I have no doubt that Anthony has the skills in the ring and the personality outside of it to make him a global boxing star. We are proud to have him on our team and this is just the first step in our growing commitment to British boxing.”
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