BADMINTON
Taiwan exit in China
Taiwan yesterday were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Sudirman Cup at the Xiamen Fenghuang Gymnasium in China, losing 3-0 to Japan, while hosts China advanced to the semi-finals after beating Malaysia by the same score. Japan took three hours to defeat Taiwan. Hiroki Midorikawa and Arisa Igarashi breezed past Ye Hong-wei and Hu Ling-fang 21-18, 21-18 in the mixed doubles before world No. 16 Koki Watanabe overcame seventh-ranked Chou Tien-chen 21-13, 20-22, 21-14 in the men’s singles and world No. 4 Akane Yamaguchi downed Wei Chi-hsu 21-9 17-21 21-18 in the women’s singles to seal Japan’s sixth straight semi-final appearance. China face Japan in today’s semis at the team tournament, which is held once every two years. The teams in other semi were to be determined by the Denmark-South Korea and Thailand-Indonesia quarters.
Photo: AFP
BASEBALL
Man in critical condition
A man who fell from the 6.4m-high Clemente Wall in right field at PNC Park on Wednesday during the MLB game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs was in a critical condition on Thursday morning. Pittsburgh Public Safety, which includes Pittsburgh Police and Emergency Medical Services, wrote on X that the “incident is being treated as accidental in nature.” The man who fell was identified as Kavan Markwood, according to information supplied by the Southern Alleghany School District. District Workforce Development Coordinator Laura Thomson said in a statement that the district is keeping the “former student and standout athlete” in its thoughts and prayers. Thomson’s statement said that Markwood “is best known for his resilience, strength and kindness. He is a friend to all — someone who lifts others up and faces challenges with courage and grace.” Markwood fell onto the warning track in right field just as Pirates star Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run double.
Photo: AP
SOCCER
Spain superfan dies
Manuel Caceres, the drum-pounding Spanish superfan known worldwide as “Manolo el del Bombo,” died on Thursday, silencing the rhythmic heartbeat that had accompanied Spanish soccer for more than four decades. He was 76. With his trademark oversized Basque beret and red No. 12 shirt, Caceres became as much a fixture at Spain matches as the players themselves — a percussive national treasure whose relentless drumming provided La Roja’s unofficial soundtrack. “My aim is to retire after 12 [FIFA] World Cups, which will make me 77, if Spain qualify for all of them. I’ll be there even if I have to go with a walking stick,” he told reporters at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Caceres fell two tournaments short of his ambitious goal, attending 10 World Cups, having missed the 2022 showpiece in Qatar. His final appearance came at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium during their UEFA Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands in March. “I’ve given up everything for football — my businesses and everything — but I’m still alive. I’m happy, I can follow Spain wherever I go. What more could I ask for?” he told reporters at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. “One of our most loyal fans has passed away, someone who was always with us through thick and thin. We know you’ll keep rocking our hearts. Rest in peace, Manolo,” the Spain team wrote on X.
Photo: Reuters
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in has pleaded with South Korea fans to get behind the team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after more boos were aimed at coach Hong Myung-bo despite leading them to qualification. South Korea reached next year’s finals in North America without losing a game, but that does not tell the whole story. The country’s soccer association has been in the firing line, having scrambled about to find a successor after sacking the unpopular Jurgen Klinsmann in February last year. They eventually settled on Hong, the decorated former skipper who had an unsuccessful stint as coach in 2013-2014, during which
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Ferrari’s F1 fortunes might be flagging, but the Italian team start this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans as favorites, targeting a third consecutive triumph in motorsport’s fabled endurance classic. Roger Federer is acting as celebrity starter with the tennis icon getting the 93rd edition of the jewel in four-wheeled endurance racing’s crown under way tomorrow. Twenty-four hours later, through daylight, darkness and dawn, the 21 elite hypercars are to battle it out over 300 laps (more than 4,000km) in front of a sold-out 320,000 crowd burning the midnight oil with copious quantities of coffee and beer. Ferrari made a triumphant return after
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