BADMINTON
Hangzhou awarded finals
International badminton’s flagship event, the World Tour Finals, are to be held in Hangzhou, China, for the next four years. The world’s second-largest economy is seen as a key area for the sport’s growth and development. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has previously talked of “ever-growing numbers of both competitive and recreational-level players” and a sky-rocketing fanbase in the nation. This year’s season-ending BWF World Tour Finals are to be held from Dec. 13 to 17, the federation announced on Wednesday. “Hangzhou with its superb sporting infrastructure and experience in staging elite international events is an ideal host for our finals,” BWF secretary-general Thomas Lund said.
RUGBY UNION
Joseph to return to Otago
Japan coach Jamie Joseph is to return to the Otago Highlanders after the Rugby World Cup to take up a new head of rugby role overseeing recruitment, retention and mentoring head coach Clarke Dermody at the Super Rugby team. The former All Blacks and Japan flanker coached the Dunedin-based Highlanders to their only Super Rugby trophy in 2015 before taking charge of Japan the following year. Joseph said that the four-year deal with the Highlanders was a great opportunity to “give back” to the club and the region. “I did my study at the University of Otago, played for Otago, and my family have enjoyed being raised and schooled in Dunedin,” he said in a statement. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time as head coach of the Highlanders, so I am genuinely excited about returning to the south [of New Zealand] to offer my services to the club in 2024.” The departures from Otago of Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell and Josh Dickson to Japan after the World Cup would add to Joseph and Dermody’s challenge to turn around the fortunes of the worst-performing New Zealand Super Rugby side in this year’s tournament.
CRICKET
Johnson takes 3 for 1
Oval Invincibles fast bowler Spencer Johnson on Wednesday produced the most economical 20-ball effort in The Hundred, claiming three wickets for just one run in his stunning debut in the tournament. Two days after being picked in the Australia squad for the T20 International series in South Africa later this month, the 27-year-old justified his selection by firing down 19 dot balls from a maximum of 20 deliveries as his team trumped the Manchester Originals by 94 runs. After the Invincibles racked up 186-5, Johnson did not concede any runs in his first five balls, and gave away only a single to England white-ball captain Jos Buttler in his second set of five. The left-arm quick returned to bowl 10 straight deliveries during which he mowed down the Manchester lower order, taking three wickets including two bowled. “I’m speechless, not really sure what’s going on,” said Johnson, who played the final of the Global T20 Canada on Sunday. “I’m pinching myself... I’ve had a bit of a tough run with injury, but I’m 27 now and come out the other side. I’m just really enjoying my cricket and lucky to be here.” Oval captain Sam Billings admired Johnson’s ability to swing the bowl at high pace. “To provide a performance like that against Jos Buttler and Phil Salt as well, two of the best players in the world at the moment, I can’t really put into words how special that bowling performance is,” Billings said.
A seven-year-old horse had to be euthanized on Friday after breaking its back on the final fence of a Grand National steeplechase race that it won despite sustaining the serious injury. It follows the death of four horses at the Cheltenham Festival last month — including one after the prestigious Gold Cup. Gold Dancer was competing in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase during Ladies Day at Aintree’s Grand National Festival. The horse managed to cross the finish line approximately four lengths ahead of runner-up Regent’s Stroll. “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after
Taiwanese gymnast Tang Chia-hung on Sunday topped the men’s horizontal bar event at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, scoring 15.233 to take his third title this season. Tang delivered an outstanding performance in the final, earning a difficulty score of 6.500 and an execution score of 8.633 with a 0.1 stick bonus. His closest competitor was Milad Karimi of Kazakhstan, who finished second with 14.933 points. It was Tang’s third gold medal in the FIG World Cup series this year, following his horizontal bar wins in Azerbaijan on March 8, and in Turkey on March
The Daredevils yesterday took eight catches in the final as they eked out a victory in the Taiwan Cricket Triangular Tournament against PCCT at Yingfeng Cricket Ground in Taipei’s Songshan District. PCCT’s batting lineup collapsed after they asked the Daredevils to bowl in the T20 decider of the weekend tournament that also involved the Formosa Cricket Club. PCCT were bundled out for 76 in 16.2 overs against a disciplined Daredevils attack. Ninad Malwade was the top scorer in the innings with 21, but he was among those who offered chances to the fielders. Shane Ferreira and Jason Cameron took three wickets each, with
This year’s Taiwan Athletics Open, which offers Taiwanese athletes an opportunity to compete against their international peers, would be held under a new name after its organizers had earlier announced the event’s cancelation. In a statement issued yesterday, the Chinese Taipei Athletics Association said the competition would still take place on June 6-7 at Banciao Stadium, but under the name “New Taipei City Athletics Open 2026.” The event was given a new name to emphasize its local identity and conform with the international practice of naming World Athletics Tour events after cities, the association said. It said it would soon
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