ATHLETICS
Commentator sings anthem
A Russian TV commentator on Saturday rushed to the rescue to sing the right national anthem when organizers played the wrong tune during a medals ceremony at the world championships. Russian biathlon commentator Dimitri Guberniev leaped into action to join the gold-medal-winning Russian men’s relay team on the podium as an anthem used between 1990-2000 was mistakenly played instead of the current version, which he and the quartet duly sang. The organizers were swift to apologize and quick to find the right tune, which they eventually played. The Russian quartet beat archrivals France in the relay, with hosts Austria taking bronze.
BOXING
Broner defeats Granados
Boxing in his hometown after a tumultuous year of legal and personal troubles, Adrien “The Problem” Broner on Saturday night fought to a split decision over Adrian Granados in a 10-round welterweight bout at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. Broner (33-2, 24 KOs) had fought just once in the past 15 months. It was the four-time champion’s first fight since losing the 140-pound World Boxing Association (WBA) title for failure to make weight. He also served jail time in July last year after being tardy for his trial for assault and robbery charges. Broner later said on Instagram that he was contemplating suicide. Granados (18-5-2, 12 KOs) wanted to keep the decision out of the judges’ hands with Broner fighting in his hometown. However, two judges narrowly scored in favor of Broner, 97-93, 96-94. Granados, a Chicago native, and Broner are close friends and former sparring partners.
BOXING
Watson hurt in carjacking
Former world title contender Michael Watson and his caretaker were both hospitalized after falling victim to an “acid attack” that appeared to be part of a failed carjacking attempt. The incident took place on Thursday in Chingford, east of London, according to a statement issued by London’s Metropolitan Police Service on Saturday. The statement said the injuries Watson and his aide had suffered were “not life-threatening.” Watson is one of the most popular figures in British boxing, a survivor of life-threatening injuries in a career-ending 1991 defeat by domestic rival Chris Eubank when the pair met for a World Boxing Organization super middleweight title bout in London. Two men, aged in their 50s, told police that they had been sprayed in the face with a “suspected noxious substance” by two suspects attempting to steal the car, who fled the scene in a different vehicle.
RUGBY UNION
Dan Vickerman dies aged 37
Former Australia lock Dan Vickerman died at home in Sydney on Saturday night, the Australian Rugby Union said yesterday. He was 37. Authorities had yet to comment on the cause of death. South African-born Vickerman played 63 Tests for Australia after his debut in 2002 and featured in three Rugby World Cup campaigns before being forced to call time on his career because of a leg injury less than a year after the 2011 tournament. “Dan was an uncompromising competitor who forged a wonderful international Rugby career, despite a number of injury setbacks along the way. He was an enforcer on the field and a much-loved character off the field. He cared deeply about the game and the players, helping players transition into life after Rugby in his role with RUPA [Rugby Union Players’ Association] following his retirement,” union CEO Bill Pulver said.
Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League. “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021. Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the
Mohamed Salah’s Egypt knocked reigning champions Ivory Coast out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 3-2 win in the quarter-finals on Saturday, while Victor Osimhen starred as Nigeria beat Algeria 2-0 to set up a clash with hosts Morocco. In Agadir, Morocco, a thrilling last-eight tie saw Omar Marmoush and Ramy Rabia net in the first half for the Pharaohs before an own goal by Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh brought the Ivorians back into it. Salah then got Egypt’s third early in the second half and they held on after Guela Doue again reduced the deficit. Egypt is to face Senegal
AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE: Sabalenka aims to follow up with a third Australian Open win, while Taiwanese Joanna Garland claimed a WTA 125 title in Canberra Aryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova in straight sets to reach her third Brisbane International final in a row yesterday, a week ahead of the Australian Open. Sabalenka looked in great touch against the tricky Czech, who had won their last three meetings and went into the match as one of the few players with a winning record over the world No. 1. However, Sabalenka showed her class and power as she broke Muchova once in each set to take the semi-final 6-3, 6-4 in 89 minutes to face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the final. “I struggled against her a couple of times [in
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points while adding eight assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 124-112 home victory over Miami, improving the NBA’s best record to 33-7 after outscoring the Heat 70-53 in the second half. “We locked in defensively. We were finally able to get some stops,” Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins said. “We were able to get out in transition a little bit, get going offensively and find the flow.” Jalen Williams scored 18 points, while
RSS