FOOTBALL
Gleason awarded medal
The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed legislation to award former New Orleans Saints defensive back Steve Gleason the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor the US Congress can bestow on a civilian. The award is to recognize Gleason’s efforts in raising money and awareness for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. Should he receive the medal, he would be the first NFL player to be given the honor. With the US Senate unanimously endorsing Gleason for the honor in June, all that remains is for US President Donald Trump to sign the bill. Gleason played seven seasons in New Orleans and became a legend with a blocked punt in 2006 that came to symbolize the city’s resiliency in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
SOCCER
Greek referees go on strike
This weekend’s Greek Super League fixtures have been called off after referees opted to go on strike to protest a “cowardly attack” on one of their colleagues. Thanasis Tzilos was set upon by masked men near his home in Larissa on Wednesday, with the FIFA-level referee needing treatment at a hospital for head and leg injuries before he was released a day later. “We express our indignation of the cowardly attack against our colleague Thanasis Tzilos and the repeated attacks on referees,” the association of referees said in a statement. “We will not allow those people to continue trying to terrorize us.” The attackers remained unidentified. No top-flight games are scheduled from Monday to Jan. 1, with the competition set to resume after the protest concludes on Jan. 4, league organizers said.
BOXING
Stevenson still in a coma
The promoter for Adonis Stevenson on Thursday said that the boxer remains unconscious and has not improved since doctors sedated him and placed him on a ventilator after a Dec. 1 knockout loss. “Doctors do not venture an opinion on what lies ahead” for the 41-year-old fighter, Yvon Michel said. Stevenson is in intensive care at Quebec City’s Hopital de l’Enfant-Jesusstill and “needs mechanical assistance to breathe.” Stevenson’s condition deteriorated after he was helped to the dressing room following a fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk of Ukraine at the Videotron Centre. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was admitted with a traumatic brain injury that required immediate neurosurgery. Intensive care specialist Alexis Turgeon on Dec. 5 said that most patients have lasting effects from such injuries.
FOOTBALL
Gordon suspended again
The NFL on Thursday suspended New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon, hours after Gordon announced that he planned to step away from football to address his mental health. Gordon has been returned to the suspended list indefinitely for breaching the terms of his reinstatement from a year-long ban for substance abuse. The 27-year-old was suspended the entire 2015 season and has been banned a total of 56 games in his career, all for drug offenses. “We support Josh Gordon in his continued efforts to focus on his health. His attempt to do so is a private matter, which we intend to respect,” the Patriots said in a statement.
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
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just
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