ICE HOCKEY
Guilty plea in deadly crash
The driver of a truck involved in a fatal crash with a bus carrying a Canadian junior team on Tuesday pleaded guilty to 29 counts of dangerous driving causing death or bodily harm. Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, 29, is to be sentenced later this month after his brief plea hearing in Melfort, Saskatchewan. He faces up to 14 years in prison over the incident, which left 16 people dead, 10 of them players aged 16 to 21, and injured 13. The Humboldt Broncos’ bus was traveling to a playoff game in Saskatchewan on April 6 when it collided with Sidhu’s truck at a highway intersection. Canadian police said the semi-trailer was exceeding the speed limit and failed to stop.
GOLF
Curry’s tournament axed
The PGA Tour has pulled the plug on a new tournament hosted by NBA star Stephen Curry with time running short and failure to arrange details including the course and sponsorship. The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the development, and Curry told the newspaper he is not giving up on the idea. “We are still committed to bringing an event to San Francisco,” Curry said. “It just won’t be this year.” Talks with Pleasanton-based Workday unexpectedly broke off, the newspaper said. The tournament was to be played from Sept. 19 to 22, but it still did not have a director and there were concerns that work to Lake Merced Golf Club could not be completed in time.
FOOTBALL
Kraft wins ‘Jewish Nobel’
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been awarded Israel’s Genesis Prize in recognition of his philanthropy and commitment to combating anti-Semitism, prize organizers announced yesterday. The US$1 million award, widely known as the “Jewish Nobel,” is granted each year to a person recognized as an inspiration to the next generation through professional achievement and commitment to Jewish values. Kraft, who grew up in an observant Jewish home, has been an outspoken supporter of Israel and has arranged trips for NFL Hall of Famers to the Holy Land. His prize money is to be donated to initiatives combating anti-Semitism, other forms of prejudices and what some portray as attempts to delegitimize Israel.
TENNIS
Seeds tumble in Auckland
Top seed John Isner yesterday crashed out of the ASB Classic as a calf injury dashed four-time champion David Ferrer’s hopes of a fairy-tale final appearance in New Zealand. Isner was sent packing after fellow American Taylor Fritz held his nerve in two tiebreaks to win 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5), while compatriot Tennys Sandgren brushed aside third seed Marco Cecchinato of Italy 6-3, 6-3. Second seed Fabio Fognini narrowly avoided the same fate, with German’s Peter Gojowczyk taking the match to a third-set tiebreak before the Italian prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5). The draw now has only two seeds remaining. Former world No. 3 Ferrer has retired from Grand Slams, but is making a few appearances at his favorite ATP tournaments this year, with Auckland first on the list. “Remember, I won the last point,” he joked before limping off center court to a standing ovation. Meanwhile, Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated Ugo Humbert of France 6-4, 6-4 to set up a quarter-final against Fognini.
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
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care