FORMULA ONE
De Cesaris dies in bike crash
Former Formula One driver Andrea de Cesaris has died following a motorbike accident on Rome’s ringroad, Italian media reported on Sunday. The 55-year-old, whose record for the most races without a win still stands, made 208 starts for 10 different teams, including McLaren, between 1980 and 1994. “All at McLaren send condolences to ex-McLaren #F1 driver Andrea de Cesaris, who sadly passed away today,” the British team said on Twitter. His death came on the day when French F1 driver Jules Bianchi suffered a severe head injury and was fighting for his life after hitting a recovery tractor at the Japanese Grand Prix. De Cesaris took only one pole position in his career, as a 22-year-old with Alfa Romeo at the USA West Grand Prix in Long Beach in 1982 — at the time a record for the youngest driver to qualify at the front of the grid. He finished second twice and made five Formula One podium finishes in total. The Italian also scored the first points for the Jordan team in 1991.
FOOTBALL
Bart Starr suffers strokes
The wife of Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr says in a statement that he is recovering from two strokes and a mild heart attack and is making progress in rehabilitation. Starr’s wife, Cherry, provided an update on her husband’s condition on Sunday through a statement released on the Green Bay Packers Web site. She says Starr’s doctors confirmed that the 80-year-old suffered two strokes early last month, as well as a mild heart attack. Cherry Starr says her husband’s progress has been slowed by seizures, which are now under control through medication. Starr led the Packers to five NFL titles and two Super Bowl championships. He was Green Bay’s head coach from 1975 to 1983. Cherry Starr says she and her husband appreciate the support and prayers from fans.
SOCCER
Romario elected to senate
Brazilian striker-turned-politician Romario was elected to the Brazilian Senate on Sunday with 63.4 percent of the vote for the Rio de Janeiro seat. The 48-year-old former soccer star — a 1994 World champion and Socialist Party candidate — finished well ahead of Democratic Party rival Cesar Maia, who had received 20.5 percent with 90 percent of votes counted. In the 2010 general election, Romario was elected a congressman for the Socialists. A trenchant critic of the World Cup held in his homeland earlier this year, Romario alleged corruption through over-billing on swanky new stadiums. The former PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona striker also slammed the Brazilian Football Confederation as plagued by corruption.
BASKETBALL
Cavs beat Maccabi 107-80
LeBron James scored 12 points before resting in the second half as the Cleveland Cavaliers gave new coach David Blatt a pre-season win over his former team, beating Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv 107-80 in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday. James has been monitoring a sore back in training camp. He was kept out of a practice on Friday and Blatt is being cautious with the four-time MVP. James emerged from the locker room at halftime with ice wraps on both knees and one on his back. He spent the rest of the night watching his teammates wear down one of Europe’s best squads. It was an emotional night for Blatt, who led Maccabi to several titles, including the Euroleague championship last year. Kyrie Irving added 16 points and Kevin Love 11 rebounds for the Cavs. Sylvan Landesberg scored 23 for Maccabi.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
Playing soccer and competing for trophies is the best way that many transplanted Hong Kongers and Macanese have found to stay in touch, and to interact with Taiwanese society, said officials at the Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Football Friendship Cup, which was held on April 13. Twelve clubs, mostly of players and coaches originally from Hong Kong and Macau, took part in the tournament in New Taipei City. The event is sponsored by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council. Participating teams were from the wider Taipei area, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung and other areas. They divided into two