BASEBALL
‘Shotime’ term highlighted
“Shotime,” as baseball star Shohei Ohtani is known in the US, yesterday was named the Japanese “buzzword of the year” after he won one of US baseball’s top awards and lit up his home country. Ohtani, often compared to baseball legend Babe Ruth because of his ability to pitch and hit at an elite level, last month won the Most Valuable Player award for MLB’s American League, becoming the second Japanese player to do so. The MVP award prompted newspapers in Japan to hand out extras and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to tell reporters he felt very proud of Ohtani’s accomplishment. The Japanese government floated the idea of presenting the People’s Honor Award to Ohtani after the baseball award, but the Los Angeles Angels player declined, saying it was still “too early.” Besides “Shotime,” “real two-way player,” used to describe his versatility, was also chosen as this year’s top buzzword by a committee of experts organized by Japanese publishing house Jiyukokuminsha.
SOCCER
Gabriel fights off attacker
Arsenal defender Gabriel fought off an attacker wielding a baseball bat during an attempted robbery at his north London home in August, the Daily Mail reported on Tuesday. Gabriel and a friend were followed home by two men wearing masks and hoods who tried to steal his car, phone and watch, the report said. A video appeared to show one of the attackers lunging at Gabriel with a bat before the Arsenal defender punched him in the face and grappled with him. The attacker, Abderaham Muse, was jailed for five years over one count of robbery and one of possession of an offensive weapon after police traced DNA from his hat, which fell off during the scuffle, the report said. Two accomplices have not been caught. “No injuries were suffered, but a great deal of shock was caused,” prosecutor Martin Lewis told the Harrow Crown Court, the Daily Mail reported. “They happened to pick on two victims who were very fit and able to look after themselves.”
SOCCER
Belarusian official detained
Czech police have detained Belarus Football Federation president Vladimir Bazanov and his wife on suspicion that they breached COVID-19 pandemic rules by not having applied for an exemption to travel restrictions, local media reported on Tuesday. Bazanov had been due to attend a women’s World Cup qualifier between the Czech Republic and Belarus, Denik N reported. The Belarusian Football Federation declined to comment. The game was eventually postponed due to COVID-19 cases identified among the visiting team. Czech police said they could not confirm that Bazanov and his wife had been detained, saying only: “Two foreign nationals were caught who are suspected of having entered the Czech Republic and stayed here in a breach of current safety measures of the Health Ministry.” A spokesman for the Czech Football Association said that its Belarusian counterpart and UEFA had turned to the Czech association for help. Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Eva Davidova said the ministry could not confirm that Bazanov was in the country or whether he had applied for a Czech visa.
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