RUGBY UNION
Tokyo celebrates World Cup
Sports fans yesterday gathered in Tokyo’s Shibuya entertainment district to mark two years until Japan hosts the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the first time the tournament will be held outside the traditional rugby-playing countries. Rugby World Cup tournament director Alan Gilpin unveiled the Webb Ellis Cup, saying “this vibrant and special nation will be the center of the sporting universe for an amazing six weeks.” To promote the tournament, the trophy, which is awarded to the winning team, will make a 46-day tour of the host nation. On Sunday, Gilpin told local organizers that their preparations are not progressing as smoothly as they should.
SOCCER
Giggs, Scholes no-show
Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have angered Indian fans by failing to turn out for a futsal tournament in which they were billed as the star attractions. The Hindu newspaper said the pair were “understood to be ‘tired’” on their arrival in Bangalore for the event on Tuesday. Scholes, 42, is meant to be captain of the Bangalore team and Giggs, 43, for Mumbai in the Premier Futsal tournament. Scholes did participate in the Mumbai leg of the tournament on Saturday, but the pair were not even on the bench for the first game in Bangalore and fans were not impressed. With the tickets costing as much as US$156, including a “meet and greet session with the legends,” disgruntled fans were quick to dismiss the event as a money-making exercise.
SOCCER
Brazil snub Matildas
The Australian women’s soccer team have taken a dim view of the handshake snub they received from Brazil players after beating the South Americans 3-2 in a home match on Tuesday. At the end of a heated contest in Newcastle, Australia, some Matildas players were ignored as they approached their opponents to shake hands, triggering a storm of criticism on social media. “Not shaking hands, it’s not an Australian thing, but I’m not really going to comment on it because it’s not something I think is very... I don’t really like it, but whatever,” Australia striker Sam Kerr told local media. Matildas coach Alen Stajcic agreed the Australians had rattled Brazil. The sixth-ranked Matildas have won their last five international matches and clinched the inaugural four-team Tournament of Nations in the US last month.
BASEBALL
Gordon hits season record
The Kansas City Royal’s Alex Gordon hit MBL’s record 5,694th home run of the year on Tuesday night, breaking a season record set in 2000 at the height of the steroids-era. Gordon’s home run off the Toronto Blue Jay’s Ryan Tepera, which cut the Royals’ deficit to 5-2, was his eighth this season and the 159th of his 11-year big league career. It was the 17th of the night and came just after the Detroit Tiger’s Alex Presley tied the record when he connected at home against the Oakland Athletic’s Daniel Gossett. There were 5,610 homers last year, an average of 2.31 per game, and this year’s average of 2.53 entering Tuesday’s action projects to 6,139. That would be up 47 percent from 4,186 in 2014. Power subsided after the start of drug testing with penalties in 2004. The home run average dropped in 2014 to its lowest level since 1992.
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