FOOTBALL
Manning cleared to play
Peyton Manning, who led the Denver Broncos to an appearance in last month’s Super Bowl, has been fully cleared to play next season, according to a report on the National Football League’s Web site on Monday. The 37-year-old quarterback’s annual checkup was mandated as part of the five-year, US$96 million contract he signed in 2012 after missing the 2011 NFL season following multiple surgeries on his neck. The examination was considered a formality since Manning played in each of his team’s 19 games during the campaign last year, which ended with a loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl. After getting the all-clear, Manning’s US$20 million salary becomes guaranteed for this season, according to a report that cited a source in the Broncos’ organization. Manning, Manning, who set single-season records in the campaign last year for touchdown passes and passing yards, is expected to take aim at Brett Favre’s career touchdowns record, needing 18 more to lead the all-time list.
BOXING
Figueroa not to defend crown
Unbeaten US fighter Omar Figueroa will not defend his World Boxing Council lightweight crown on Saturday after injuring his left hand during training, promoters announced on Monday. The bout was among three title fights scheduled for the undercard of Sunday’s non-title bout between Mexican super welterweights Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 42-1-1 with 30 knockouts, and Alfredo Angulo, 22-3 with 18 knockouts. Figueroa, who suffered the injury on Friday, will not put his title on the line, but his scheduled opponent, Canelo’s older brother Ricardo Alvarez, will face Mexico’s Sergio Thompson. Remaining world title bouts will include Mexico’s unbeaten WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz, 27-0 with one draw and 15 knockouts, against Mexican southpaw Cristian Mijares, 49-7 with two drawn and 24 knockouts.
BASEBALL
Maybin out on injury
Promising San Diego Padres outfielder Cameron Maybin will miss two to three months after rupturing his left biceps tendon while making a diving catch in a spring training game, the team said on Monday. Maybin, 26, suffered the injury in robbing Los Angeles Dodgers’ Juan Uribe of an extra-base hit to the right-center field gap on Sunday, MLB.com reported. The injury-plagued Maybin missed all but 14 games last year with a right wrist injury that required surgery and a torn ligament in his left knee. Padres manager Bud Black was asked if Maybin should have been more cautious, especially in an exhibition game. “You can’t play at a lesser level, you’ve got to play a spring training game like a regular-season game,” Black said. “Cam is a guy who plays the game like it’s meant to be played.”
ICE HOCKEY
Orlov suspended
Russian defenseman Dmitry Orlov has been suspended by the NHL for two games for boarding Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn. The suspension, announced on Monday, will cost Orlov US$7,076.92 in salary. Orlov launched into Schenn during the third period on Sunday of the Washington Capitals’ game and he was assessed a major penalty. The infraction helped the Flyers rally from a 4-2 deficit for a 5-4 overtime win. After the suspension was announced, the Capitals recalled defenseman Jack Hillen from Hershey of the AHL. Hillen had been with Hershey for a conditioning stint after rehabbing a fracture in his right leg.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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