BADMINTON
Tai falls in quarter-finals
Taiwanese badminton star Tai Tzu-ying yesterday failed to reach the Yonex Japan Open women’s singles after she losing to Michelle Li of Canada. Tai, the world’s top-ranked female badminton player, was defeated by Li 15-21, 21-15 and 20-22 in a match that lasted 60 minutes. In the first game, Tai fell behind early, but managed to bounce back to tie the game 12-12 at point, before sliding to 15-21 at the end. In the second game, Tai took a 17-15 lead and kept up the pressure on Li, the world’s No. 14, to win 21-15. Tai continued to play well in the third game, scoring 4 consecutive points, but Li fought back and eventually defeated her Taiwanese opponent 22-20. It was payback time for Tai, who quashed Li at the All England Open in March, winning in two straight sets 21-12, 21-15 in only 28 minutes. The Yonex Japan Open, a Badminton World Federation World Tour 750 event, ends tomorrow. It has a total purse of US$750,000.
SOCCER
Arsenal stars fight off crooks
Arsenal players Sead Kolasinac and Mesut Ozil on Thursday evening fought off knife-wielding carjackers in a terrifying ordeal in north London that was captured on video and circulated on social media. In the footage, Bosnian defender Kolasinac is seen leaping from the vehicle to confront the masked aggressors, who had pulled up alongside the car on motorbikes in the Golders Green district of the capital. Both attackers appeared to brandish knives at the 26-year-old Kolasinac. “We have been in contact with both players and they are fine,” an Arsenal spokesman said. Police confirmed that they had responded to reports of an attempted robbery. “It was reported that suspects on motorbikes had attempted to rob a man who was driving a car,” a Metropolitan Police Service spokesman told reporters. “The driver, along with his passenger, managed to get away unharmed and traveled to a restaurant in Golders Green, where they were spoken to by officers... There have been no arrests. Enquiries continue.” Kolasinac and German midfielder Ozil are not the first soccer players to be targeted on London’s streets. In 2016, Andy Carroll, a former West Ham United player, was threatened at gunpoint on his way home from training.
SOCCER
Wolves win in Europa return
Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday marked their return to European soccer after a 39-year absence with a 2-0 home win over Crusaders of Northern Ireland in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round. Diogo Jota and Ruben Vinagre were on target at Molineux in the first-leg clash. However, it was a nervous evening for the Premier League side, with Vinagre’s goal only coming in injury-time after a mistake by goalkeeper Sean O’Neill. Rangers were also 2-0 winners over bogey team Progres Niederkorn at Ibrox. The part-timers from Luxembourg dished out one of the biggest upsets in Rangers’ history when they dumped Pedro Caixinha’s side out of the same competition two years ago. Joe Aribo and on-loan Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo were on the score sheet in a game that saw skipper James Tavernier miss a second-half penalty.
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