RUGBY UNION
Savea named captain
Ardie Savea’s “different” style of leadership yesterday earned him the All Blacks captaincy, as he was named to lead the side for the first time against Australia next weekend. Veterans Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett were named as Savea’s vice-captains for their remaining five matches in the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks announced on social media ahead of the Wallabies clash in Perth. Regular skipper Sam Cane is injured and unlikely to rejoin the team before their end-of-year northern tour, while Sam Whitelock and Aaron Smith, who have already captained the side this year, did not travel to Australia, with their wives due to give birth soon. Coach Ian Foster said he considered a number of strong candidates to take over the leadership before opting for the 52-Test Wellington Hurricanes captain. “It’s a changing time and we’ve gone with a changing strategy,” he told Radio Newstalk ZB. “I love that he has a very different style of leadership. He’s very empathetic, he’s got a great affinity right across the group and reads the group well from a family and emotional side, and I think that’s a really important quality to have in the situation we’re in.”
BOXING
AIBA ‘debt-free’: president
The International Boxing Association (AIBA), which has for years been plagued by serious mismanagement, is now debt-free, its president said on Friday. Debt had at one stage exceeded US$20 million and the organization was on the verge of default, but newly appointed AIBA chairman Umar Kremlev said that the amateur boxing governing body attracted sponsors that erased previous debt. “As of today we have no debts,” Kremlev told a news conference in Belgrade, where the AIBA is organizing International Boxing Day. “We already raised [US]$50 million and fulfilled our promise before the election. International companies are supporting the AIBA, but we are not finished — [US$]50 million is not the limit.” He said that the AIBA is “working and improving relations” with the International Olympic Committee, which stripped the body of the right to run the event at the Tokyo Olympics due to its tainted image.
HORSE RACING
Driver aged 86 wins
Tony Dandeo on Friday became the oldest driver to win a harness race in New Jersey when the 86-year-old guided Stick That Lip Out to a two-length victory at Freehold Raceway. Dandeo broke the mark set by George McCandless, who drove Kehms Scooter to victory at Freehold on Oct. 20, 1994, at the age of 83.
MOTORSPORTS
Six crash at W Series
Dutch driver Beitske Visser and Norwegian Ayla Agren on Friday were discharged from hospital following a six-car pile-up in qualifying for the W Series race at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Formula One support series for women said that the pair, plus Britons Abbie Eaton and Sarah Moore, Spaniard Belen Garcia and Liechtenstein’s Fabienne Wohlwend, who were taken to the medical center for checks, had been given the all-clear. “Thankfully it seems everyone is okay. The cars have stood up unbelievably well to what looks like a massive crash,” director of racing Dave Ryan said. The crash happened as the cars began the climb up the fast sweep of Eau Rouge toward Raidillon, with Moore and Eaton spinning into the barriers and being hit by the others. Eaton and Visser’s cars were launched into the air by the impact, with Wohlwend’s car turned upside down. The session was restarted.
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