ATHLETICS
Hughes survives shooting
British sprinter Zharnel Hughes on Tuesday escaped without injury after being shot at during an attempted robbery in a Jamaican car park, local media reported. The 22-year-old was approached by an armed assailant and held at gunpoint as he prepared for training at the University of the West Indies Usain Bolt Track in Kingston. “I was putting on my sneakers at my trunk and this guy just came up pointing a gun in my face. He asked me for my phone, and I ran off and the guy opened fire,” Anguilla-born Hughes told newspaper the Gleaner. The report added that a licensed firearm holder at the venue returned fire, but there were no injuries. Hughes, who represents Racers Track club and has trained with sprint great Usain Bolt in the past, reported the matter to the police.
CRICKET
Sri Lanka crush Bangladesh
Sri Lanka yesterday bowled out Bangladesh for just 82 runs in a one-day international in Dhaka, with Suranga Lakmal leading a ferocious bowling attack with 3-21. The visiting bowlers demolished Bangladesh’s batting lineup, with Dushmantha Chameera, Thisara Perera and Lakshan Sandakan chipping in with two wickets each. Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 26 runs for Bangladesh after skipper Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and opted to bat first. Sabbir Rahman was the only other batsman to reach double figures, with 10 runs on a woeful morning for the hosts. The 10-wicket win left Zimbabwe in third place in the tri-series and handed Sri Lanka another match against hosts Bangladesh in tomorrow’s final.
CRICKET
Pakistan rout New Zealand
Pakistan yesterday crushed New Zealand by 48 runs in the second Twenty20 in Auckland to notch their first victory of the tour over the Black Caps. The tourists finally found form with both bat and ball to level the three-match T20 series after a humiliating losing streak that included a 5-0 one-day international series whitewash. They set an imposing target of 202 after winning the toss and electing to bat, with half-centuries for Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. In response, New Zealand’s top order crumbled to 64-6 under a combination of tight bowling and commitment in the field from Pakistan. “Pakistan were excellent tonight in all departments and we weren’t that good in any department,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “When you catch them on a great day, you get the result we got.”
OLYMPICS
N Koreans arrive in South
Twelve North Korean female hockey players have crossed the border into South Korea to form the rivals’ first-ever Olympic ice hockey team for next month’s Pyeongchang Winter Games. The South Korean Ministry of Unification said in a statement that the North Korean athletes arrived in the South yesterday morning, along with a coach and two support staff. The North Koreans are to travel on to a southern training center, where they are to be united with their South Korean teammates. The rival Koreas recently agreed to field a single women’s hockey team as part of Olympics-related rapprochement deals struck following months of nuclear tensions. The deals include athletes of the two Koreas marching together under a single flag during the Feb. 9 opening ceremony.
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