LPGA JAPAN
Wakimoto two shots clear
Rank outsider Hana Wakimoto stayed two shots clear at the halfway stage of the LPGA Japan Classic yesterday as Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn moved up to tied second on the leaderboard. Japan’s world number 236 Wakimoto carded a four-under-par 68 for 13-under overall at Seta Golf Course.
The 27-year-old, who equaled the 18-hole tournament scoring record with a 63 on the opening day, had one bogey and five birdies in her second round. Wakimoto is making her tournament debut and has never won on the LPGA Tour. She has had two top-10 finishes this year on the Japanese tour, which she joined in 2018. Jutanugarn, a two-time major winner, was 11-under after two rounds along with American Yealimi Noh. Jutanugarn shot a six-under 66 in a bogey-free round that featured six birdies. South Korea’s Ko Jin-young shot 70, leaving her in tied fifth at nine-under-par. The former world No. 1 and two-time major winner made three birdies, but blotted her copybook with a bogey on the 17th hole. Reigning US Open champion Yuka Saso improved to eight-under-par after carding 67. Saso was tied with Japan’s Ayaka Furue, who won the Evian Championship in July for her first major, and South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran. Australia’s Minjee Lee tumbled down the leaderboard to a share of 52nd after a 75. Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-ling carded a three-under 71 leaving her in tied 43rd, while Chien Pei-yun shot a two-over 75 leaving her in 76th.
NBA
LeBron endorses Harris
LeBron James, the National Basketball Association’s all-time leading scorer, endorsed US Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris for president on Thursday, making him the latest celebrity to back her against Republican candidate and former US president Donald Trump. “What are we even talking about here?? When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS,” James said on social media.
HORSE RACING
O’Brien looks to City of Troy
Aidan O’Brien is taking aim once again at the Breeders’ Cup Classic and this time he believes three-year-old City of Troy has the speed and heart to deliver the Irish trainer the elusive championship. O’Brien has saddled 17 horses in the race and despite two runner-up finishes, has never walked away with the top prize in the US$7 million Classic.
FORMULA ONE
Verstappen hits back
F1 leader Max Verstappen hit back at critics of his driving on Thursday, saying he was a triple world champion who knew what he was doing. Red Bull’s Verstappen was twice penalized for forcing his McLaren title rival Lando Norris wide and going off and gaining an advantage when they clashed in last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix. Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, told a Sky Sports podcast that Verstappen had used his car as a weapon and accused him of “Dick Dastardly stuff” — a reference to the 1960s Wacky Races cartoon villain. Asked at Brazil’s Interlagos circuit about Hill’s remarks, Verstappen said: “I don’t listen to those individuals, I just do my thing… I’m a three-time world champion. I think I know what I’m doing.”
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
Taiwanese shortstop Cheng Tsung-che on Friday made history for the Boston Red Sox’s Triple A affiliate, hitting the Worcester Red Sox’s first cycle, while netting two runs, as they beat fellow Taiwan teammate Stuart Fairchild’s Columbus Clippers. The 24-year-old former Pittsburgh Pirates prospect went 4-4, completing a full cycle, starting with a triple in the second inning off Ryan Webb in the WooSox’s 9-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians’ Triple A affiliate. He scored in the same inning after teammate Vinny Capra, a fellow former Pirate, grounded out. The Pingtung County native followed that up with a walk in the third, an
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