BASKETBALL
Kings’ Cousins punished
Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins was suspended for a game without pay and fined US$20,000 for separate incidents in a loss to Houston, the NBA announced on Thursday. Cousins was to miss Friday’s road game against the Los Angeles Lakers for punching Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley in the stomach. The incident took place with 9 minutes, 44 seconds remaining in the first quarter of Sacramento’s 129-103 home defeat at the hands of the Rockets. Cousins was issued the fine for abusive comments to a referee and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter of the same game. Cousins argued a call against him for fouling Rockets center Dwight Howard and was issued his 14th technical foul of the season. When that caused Cousins to lose his temper even more, he was issued a second technical for an automatic ejection from the game. He later had to be restrained as he was ushered off the court, but Cousins tweeted an apology after the game. He is one technical foul shy of having the number accumulated that would bring him another suspension for too many technicals in a season.
CRICKET
Aussie Warner gets fine
Australia batsman David Warner was fined 15 percent of his match fee on Thursday for suggesting South Africa’s A.B. de Villiers was guilty of ball tampering during the second Test. Warner, who punched England batsman Joe Root in a nightclub last year, said in a radio interview that De Villiers might have used his gloves to rough up the ball. The Australian accepted the sanction from match referee Roshan Mahanama, an International Cricket Council statement said. “It was disrespectful for David to publicly denigrate an opponent when commenting on a match-related incident,” Mahanama said. “I’m sure David will be careful when making public comments in future.”
TENNIS
Suarez Navarro advances
Top-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro advanced to the Brazil Cup semi-finals on Thursday after No. 5-seeded Monica Niculescu of Romania retired with an apparent right-ankle injury. Niculescu had been struggling to move around the court and at one point lost eight games in a row before pulling out while trailing the Spaniard 4-6, 6-0, 4-1. The 15th-ranked Navarro is to play third-seeded Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic, runner-up in the Brazil Open last week. Zakopalova advanced after Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania retired while down 3-6, 2-5. Second-seeded Garbine Muguruza of Spain beat qualifier Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium 6-2, 6-7 (7/1), 6-3 and is next to play Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan, who defeated sixth-seeded Alexandra Cadantu of Romania 6-3, 6-3.
RUGBY UNION
Sexton injures thumb
Ireland’s Six Nations hopes suffered a worrying setback on Thursday when flyhalf Jonny Sexton was ruled out for between 10 days and six weeks with a thumb injury, his French club Racing Metro announced. Sexton suffered the injury during Ireland’s 13-10 defeat to England at Twickenham last weekend, Racing coach Laurent Labit said. The 28-year-old Sexton, who has won 41 caps, is to miss today’s French Top 14 match at Castres and is already a doubt for the following weekend’s Six Nations clash at home to Italy. After facing Italy, Ireland are to conclude their campaign against France in Paris on March 15.
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely