RUGBY WORLD CUP
Kleeberger’s beard inspires
Canada flanker Adam Kleeberger’s hirsute fashion statement has caught on among the crowds at the World Cup, something captain Pat Riordan described as “awesome.” Kleeberger sports a huge beard, fake ones of which have been worn by increasing numbers of Canada fans, who often also don costumes like lumberjacks or mounties. “The beards are pretty popular,” said Riordan, himself clean-shaven. “I couldn’t believe it getting off the plane in Napier, there were little kids and old ladies who had the beards on. The bus driver had a beard on. So someone’s doing well there.”
ICE HOCKEY
Doughty, Kings reach deal
The Los Angeles Kings have reached a verbal agreement on a multi-year contract with restricted free agent defenseman Drew Doughty. Financial terms of the deal announced on the team Web site were not released, however, the Los Angeles Times reported the agreement to keep Doughty as a Kings player was worth US$56 million over eight years. The Kings open the regular season in Stockholm on Oct. 7 against the New York Rangers and Doughty is expected to be in the lineup after finally reaching a deal following some lengthy negotiations. “I definitely didn’t want to miss that,” Doughty told the league’s official Web site, NHL.com. Last year, the 21-year-old Doughty was a finalist for the Norris Trophy awarded to the NHL’s best defenseman and was named a Second Team All-Star.
CRICKET
ICC hopes Interpol can help
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is in talks with Interpol about joining forces to help combat corruption in the sport. Ronnie Flanagan, chairman of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit, said he hopes the international police agency and his body can “mutually cooperate and work together.” FIFA recently pledged to pay Interpol US$29 million to help soccer crack down on the growing threat of match-fixing. However, speaking on the sidelines of a World Sports Law Report conference in London, Flanagan said cricket lacks the funds to pay Interpol. Even if an agreement with Interpol is signed, Flanagan says “unfortunately investigations themselves fall back to our unit.”
INDYCAR
Unser Jr arrested for DWI
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr was arrested on Thursday on charges of drunken driving after authorities said he was clocked at more than 160kph on the streets of New Mexico. Jennifer Brown, a spokesperson for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, said the 49-year-old Unser was arrested shortly after 3am outside of Albuquerque, where deputies found he was going about 163kph while racing another vehicle. Unser was charged with reckless driving and aggravated driving while intoxicated and released from jail on his own recognizance. IndyCar said in a statement that officials of the open-wheel series were aware of the charges and had suspended Unser from his duties as a race control official and driving coach.
A seven-year-old horse had to be euthanized on Friday after breaking its back on the final fence of a Grand National steeplechase race that it won despite sustaining the serious injury. It follows the death of four horses at the Cheltenham Festival last month — including one after the prestigious Gold Cup. Gold Dancer was competing in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase during Ladies Day at Aintree’s Grand National Festival. The horse managed to cross the finish line approximately four lengths ahead of runner-up Regent’s Stroll. “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after
Taiwanese gymnast Tang Chia-hung on Sunday topped the men’s horizontal bar event at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, scoring 15.233 to take his third title this season. Tang delivered an outstanding performance in the final, earning a difficulty score of 6.500 and an execution score of 8.633 with a 0.1 stick bonus. His closest competitor was Milad Karimi of Kazakhstan, who finished second with 14.933 points. It was Tang’s third gold medal in the FIG World Cup series this year, following his horizontal bar wins in Azerbaijan on March 8, and in Turkey on March
The Daredevils yesterday took eight catches in the final as they eked out a victory in the Taiwan Cricket Triangular Tournament against PCCT at Yingfeng Cricket Ground in Taipei’s Songshan District. PCCT’s batting lineup collapsed after they asked the Daredevils to bowl in the T20 decider of the weekend tournament that also involved the Formosa Cricket Club. PCCT were bundled out for 76 in 16.2 overs against a disciplined Daredevils attack. Ninad Malwade was the top scorer in the innings with 21, but he was among those who offered chances to the fielders. Shane Ferreira and Jason Cameron took three wickets each, with
This year’s Taiwan Athletics Open, which offers Taiwanese athletes an opportunity to compete against their international peers, would be held under a new name after its organizers had earlier announced the event’s cancelation. In a statement issued yesterday, the Chinese Taipei Athletics Association said the competition would still take place on June 6-7 at Banciao Stadium, but under the name “New Taipei City Athletics Open 2026.” The event was given a new name to emphasize its local identity and conform with the international practice of naming World Athletics Tour events after cities, the association said. It said it would soon
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