RUGBY UNION
Chiefs stay top, despite bye
The Waikato Chiefs held their perch atop the Super Rugby table, despite having a bye at the weekend, but saw their lead trimmed from eight points to two ahead of the Canterbury Crusaders. The Durban-based Stormers are third, though their lead atop the South African group was cut to two points when they lost 29-22 to the Johannesburg-based Lions, who moved into second on that table. A bye proved more costly to defending champions the Highlanders (23 points) who found themselves shuffled back to fourth place in the New Zealand conference and to fifth on the overall table. The Pretoria-based Bulls beat the Queensland Reds 41-22.
TENNIS
alconi faces Soler-Espinosa
Irina Falconi of the US defeated Lara Arruabarrena of Spain, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 on Saturday to reach the final of the Claro Open Colsanitas at Club Campestre El Rancho in Bogota on Saturday. She was to play Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain, who ousted Paula Cristina Goncalves of Brazil, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2. Arruabarrena had a better time in the doubles, winning the final 6-2, 4-6, 10-8 with Tatjana Maria of Germany against Gabriela Ce of Brazil and Andrea Gamiz of Venezuela.
GOLF
Lorenzo-Vera leads in Spain
Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France shot an even-par 71 to take the lead at the Open de Espana on Saturday. The new leader, who has never won on the European Tour, eagled the 17th hole to build a two-shot advantage, but a bogey on his last left him one stroke ahead of the trio of Martin Kaymer (71), Joost Luiten of the Netherlands (70) and Andrew Johnston of England (74). Defending champion James Morrison (74) and fellow Englishman Ross Fisher (72) were another shot back. Heavy winds made low scores difficult at the Valderrama course for a second straight day.
Obama, Curry team up US President Barack Obama has teamed with reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry on a public-service announcement calling for mentoring of young people. A video was shown on Saturday on ABC’s NBA Countdown ahead of Curry’s playoff opener with defending champions the Golden State Warriors against the Houston Rockets. Curry and Obama golfed together in August last year and Curry also visited the White House with the Warriors in February. The announcement was done through “MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership” and motivated by Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, which raises awareness and calls for action to help young people reach their full potential. CRICKET Inzamam to be selector Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is to be appointed the nation’s chief selector after he was released from his role as Afghanistan head coach. The 46-year-old Inzamam guided Afghanistan to the Super 10 stage of the World Twenty20 in India last month, during which they defeated eventual champions the West Indies. He had a contract with the Afghan board (ACB) until the end of the year. ACB head Shafiq Stanikzai said he had received a request from his Pakistan Cricket Board counterpart Shaharyar Khan to release the former batting great from his contract. “Today Shaharyar Khan called me and asked a favor to release Inzamam-ul-Haq as they are keen to hire him,” Stanikzai told reporters. Pakistan exited the World Twenty20 after losing three of their four games in the Super 10 stage, prompting head coach Waqar Younis to resign.
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