TENNIS
Naomi Osaka pregnant
Naomi Osaka is pregnant and plans to return to competition next year, the Japanese player said on Wednesday. The former world No. 1 posted what she called “a little life update for 2023” on social media, including a picture of an ultrasound. The 25-year-old Osaka has been dating Cordae, a rapper, for years. “I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone: ‘That’s my mom,’” Osaka wrote.
SOCCER
Bayern in ’keeper hunt
Bayern Munich want to sign a goalkeeper following an injury to Germany captain Manuel Neuer, but the options on the transfer market in the winter period are limited, manager Julian Nagelsmann said yesterday. Speaking in Doha at the end of a one-week training camp ahead of the Bundesliga season restart next week, Nagelsmann said that, while 34-year-old Sven Ulreich was ready to step in to replace Neuer, the club still needed another ’keeper. “Our job is to look at the market, although it’s difficult in the winter [transfer window] to find goalkeepers, as there are not that many options on the market that make sense for us,” Nagelsmann told a news conference. “It is a complex market, the one for goalkeepers. We are trying to do something. Ulreich has done it well in training here, but we are obliged to bring in another ’keeper, irrespective of who is No. 1 and 2.” Neuer was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a broken bone following a skiing accident.
MOTORSPORTS
Hyundai sign Abiteboul
Hyundai yesterday named former Caterham and Renault Formula One boss Cyril Abiteboul as the new principal of their World Rally Championship (WRC) team. The 45-year-old Frenchman left Renault in January 2021 after being in charge of the team since 2017, when they rebranded as Alpine. “Cyril’s experience in Formula One will help us to explore new opportunities for growth and improvements as we look to mount a more intensive fight for titles in WRC and to support our customer racing teams,” Hyundai Motorsport president Sean Kim said in a statement.
MOTORSPORTS
Kenyan driver charged
Kenyan prosecutors yesterday said that rally driver Maxine Wahome was facing a murder charge following the death of her boyfriend and fellow rally driver Asad Khan. Wahome, 26, is accused of attacking her 50-year-old boyfriend at their apartment in the capital, Nairobi, last month. Khan succumbed to injuries on his right ankle after a week in hospital. Senior magistrate Bernard Ochoi yesterday said that the case had evolved from the previous count of assault to murder. “The state is required to conduct investigations on the new matter and since we’ve yet to receive the report from the scene of crime, we will grant 14 more days to complete the investigation,” Ochoi said. Wahome, who won acclaim when she became the first Kenyan woman to win the third-tier WRC Safari Rally in June last year, has denied any wrongdoing. The court in Nairobi on Dec. 14 granted her bail of 100,000 Kenyan shillings (US$807). Ochoi yesterday directed Wahome to continue reporting to investigators each week until the court makes a ruling.
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