■BOXING
Flyweight falls to his death
Former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight champion Noriyuki Komatsu has been found dead after falling from a waterfall, Japanese media reported yesterday. The 29-year-old is believed to have accidentally fallen into the pool below while carrying out ascetic training after visiting a Kyoto temple for meditation courses. Komatsu, who made a failed attempt to win the WBC world flyweight title in 2005, had a professional record of 24 wins, six defeats and six draws.
■ATHLETICS
Bolt denies marijuana use
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt says he doesn’t use marijuana. On Sunday, the Jamaican sprinter was quoted in a German newspaper as saying he smoked marijuana when he was very young and learned how to roll a joint. Bolt released a statement on Monday through his manager admitting he tried marijuana at a “tender age,” but saying he had not used it again since. He also apologized for suggesting all young Jamaicans roll joints and urged young athletes not to do drugs of any kind.
■BOXING
Valuev in Chagaev rematch
Russia’s WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev was on Monday given the opportunity to avenge his sole professional defeat by Ruslan Chagaev as the Team Sauerland promotion group won the purse bid for the bout. Chris Meyer, part of Team Sauerland, said their intention was to hold the title fight in Helsinki on May 30. Chagaev is officially recognized as “champion in recess” after he failed because of injury to defend his title on two occasions against the present incumbent. Valuev suffered the only loss of his career in April 2007 when Ruslan Chagaev clinched a close majority decision in Stuttgart, Germany. However, Valuev regained his crown once Chagaev was named “champion in recess” when he beat John Ruiz in August last year. Valuev expressed his delight at the chance to gain revenge. “I have been waiting for this day for two years,” he said from his training camp in Japan. “I will finally make amends for the only loss of my career.”
■RUGBY UNION
Botha to miss three matches
Northern Bulls lock Bakkies Botha has been suspended for three Super 14 matches over an incident in the weekend game against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney, officials said on Monday. The Springbok forward was charged with striking and appeared before judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan along with members of the Bulls’ team management and legal representatives. Wheelahan categorized the offense as mid-range, which could incur a five-week penalty, SANZAR, the ruling body for rugby union in the southern hemisphere, said in a statement. But after taking into account mitigating circumstances, the suspension was reduced to three weeks.
■SOCCER
Anorthosis’ Ketsbaia quits
Temuri Ketsbaia on Monday resigned from his position as manager of Cypriot champions Anorthosis Famagusta only months after taking them to the Champions League group stage, the club said. A statement from the club said the 40-year-old Georgian had handed in his resignation to the board during a routine meeting on Monday evening. Ketsbaia told the board the decision came after much “soul searching,” but was done for the “best interests of Anorthosis.”
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about £2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from