SOCCER
Draw delays Uruguay
Uruguay drew 2-2 with Japan and delayed their likely qualification to Copa America’s knockout stage until the last round of the group stage. Koji Miyoshi opened the score at 25 minutes, hitting the ball hard to the left of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Luis Suarez leveled at 32 after a penalty-kick awarded by video review following a foul by a Japanese defender. Miyoshi added Japan’s second at 59 in a rebound after Muslera tried to block a cross from the left. At 66 minutes, Uruguay drew with a header by Jose Gimenez after a corner-kick. Uruguay have four points in two matches and lead Group C. Defending champions Chile could have reached six points with a win over Ecuador yesterday. Japan have one point and Ecuador have none. Uruguay and Chile play tomorrow, the same day that Japan play Ecuador.
GOLF
Weather hits opening day
Hannah Green on Thursday did not let an equipment oversight spoil her opening round at the Women’s PGA Championship, shooting a bogey-free 68 for a one-shot lead. The Australian had a hard time keeping warm and dry, because she forgot to put rain gear or towels in her bag. “I only brought one jacket and I was freezing cold,” she said. However, Green fought the elements and finished with a slim lead over runner-ups Mel Reid of England and South Korea’s Kim Hyo-joo on a day when just 16 players broke par in Chaska, Minnesota. Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-ling carded a one-over-par 73 to land in 32nd place, while compatriot Chien Pei-yun was 14 back at 46th with a 74.
OLYMPICS
Hosting rights returned
The International Olympic Committee on Thursday gave India the all-clear to resume bidding for major sports events, lifting a ban that had been triggered when Pakistani athletes were denied visas to compete in the country. The committee in February suspended all Indian applications to host events after two Pakistanis were denied visas to compete in New Delhi. The denial of entry visas for two shooters, who were due to take part in a World Cup event in February, followed an attack by a Pakistan-based militant group in Kashmir. The Indian Olympic Association last year laid out an ambitious road map to host the Youth Olympics in 2026, the Asian Games in 2030 and the Summer Olympics for the first time in 2032.
OLYMPICS
Bill to address US reform
A top US Olympic and Paralympic Committee official on Thursday said that the organization is addressing its failure to protect its athletes from the sexual abuse of a team doctor, comments that come days after legislation was introduced aimed at reforming the body. US Representative Diana DeGette on Monday announced that legislation that would create a commission to look into the committee and its national governing bodies. The bill would require the US Congress to appoint a 16-member commission, which would include at least eight athletes, to study how the committee operates and provide Congress with a list of reform recommendations. The commission would have the power to subpoena witnesses and information from federal agencies as part of its review. The bill is similar to one introduced in the US Senate in January.
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