RUGBY UNION
Read to join Japan’s Toyota
All Blacks captain Kieran Read yesterday announced he would leave New Zealand after the World Cup to play club rugby in Japan for Toyota Verblitz. The 33-year-old backrower had already indicated he was unlikely to continue in Test rugby after the World Cup and was considering other opportunities. “Every young rugby player in New Zealand dreams of the opportunities I have had to represent the All Blacks and the Crusaders, and I know I’ll look back at the end of the year with a great deal of pride to have worn those jerseys for as long as I have,” Read said. “My family and I are looking forward to an overseas experience and Japan presents an awesome opportunity to immerse ourselves in Japanese culture.”
E-SPORTS
First woman joins NBA 2K
Chiquita Evans on Tuesday became the first woman ever selected in the NBA 2K League Draft, going 56th overall to Warriors Gaming Squad. The 30-year-old Chicago gamer, whose tag is Chiquitae126, became emotional as she realized her groundbreaking role beyond being the second pick in the fourth round. She is to be among 126 players in the league, which had no women in its inaugural campaign. “A lot of people want my perspective on the gaming scene for women in general and want me to answer questions,” Evans said. “I feel like it will improve, but it starts with women ourselves. We have to go out here and get ourselves known. We have to learn to have tough skin and just go out there and compete, no matter what anyone says.” The gym trainer credited playing basketball at the high-school, college and semi-pro levels with building the toughness she needed to excel as a gamer.
BASKETBALL
Three guilty of bribery
A US federal judge in New York City on Tuesday sent three men caught in a federal probe of college basketball kickbacks to prison, but gave them relatively lenient sentences for a striking reason: Corruption is so common in the sport. Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced former Adidas marketing director James Gatto to nine months, while Merl Code, a consultant with ties to Adidas, and agent Christian Dawkins each got six months. Gatto was convicted of making the payments to star high-school players in a bid to tie them to the sportswear firm later in their careers. Evidence showed that the family of Dennis Smith Jr, who is now a point guard with the New York Knicks, received US$40,000 through this process. In imposing the lighter sentences, Kaplan said that the men had led “good and productive lives” and “learned their lesson,” and that similar crimes had allegedly been committed in college basketball “with some frequency.”
MOTOGP
Indonesia anticipates return
MotoGP’s return to Indonesia after more than two decades has been met with jubilation on the island of Lombok, where sports fans hope it will revive their earthquake-ravaged economy. MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports last month announced that it had signed a five-year deal with Indonesia Tourism Development Corp to hold an event on the island in 2021. The race is to be hosted on a new street circuit that would reportedly be 4.32km long with 18 corners. The custom-built street circuit would reportedly be a world first.
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