BOXING
Spence on form after crash
Errol Spence on Saturday overpowered challenger Danny Garcia in his first fight since surviving a near-fatal car accident to retain his World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation welterweight titles. The 30-year-old Spence put on a virtuoso performance, winning almost every round in a 147 pound (67kg) homecoming fight at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The undefeated Spence, who suffered serious injuries after being thrown from his car in the drunk-driving smash, won by a unanimous decision, proving he is still the same boxer as before the accident in October last year. “The moment is surreal especially coming back from my accident year ago,” Spence said. “Be patient with me... I had to shake off some cobwebs.”
ATHLETICS
Duplantis, Rojas win top title
Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis and Venezuelan triple jumper Yulimar Rojas were on Saturday named the male and female World Athletes of the Year. Duplantis, a world silver medalist in Doha last year, set a world record by clearing 6.17m in Torun, Poland, in February and then bettered that by 1cm in Glasgow the same month. The 21-year-old won all 16 of his meetings this year to register a perfect season. “I just wanted to go out there and show the world what I was capable of and put my name out there with some big performances,” said Duplantis, who is the youngest athlete to win the award. Rojas set the South American indoor triple jump record when she bounded 15.03m in Metz, France, and then broke the 16-year-old world indoor triple jump record when she leaped 15.43m at the Madrid World Athletics Indoor Tour meeting. “I honestly didn’t expect this, I really cannot believe it,” Rojas said. “It is such a joy.”
FORMULA ONE
Grosjean back in the seat
Romain Grosjean on Saturday sat in a Haas Formula One vehicle again for the first time since escaping from a fiery crash with just burns to his hands during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Just six days after the 34-year-old Frenchman extricated himself from the blaze that engulfed him on the opening lap of the race on Nov. 29, he was back in the paddock again. He later posted a photograph of himself in his vehicle on social media, adding the message: “Not my usual racing gloves on, but sitting back in @haasfeteam felt really good. I was so happy.” Pietro Fittipaldi, who was substituting for Grosjean in the Sakhir Grand Prix yesterday, was set to start his Formula One career from the back row of the grid after collecting grid penalties when his team used new electronic components in the third practice. Valtteri Bottas pipped stand-in Mercedes teammate George Russell to take pole position.
SKIING
Men’s World Cup delayed
The second run of the men’s FIS Alpine Ski World Cup giant slalom in the Italian Alps was yesterday postponed because of bad weather. “The safety of the skiers cannot be guaranteed in today’s race,” given the continuous snowfall since Saturday, organizers said. The weather at Santa Caterina di Valfurva was expected to improve, allowing the slopes to be prepared to hold the race today. Croatia’s Filip Zubcic produced a storming second descent to win the first run on Saturday, with Slovenia’s Zan Kranjec second and Swiss racer Marco Odermatt third.
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