Page 1666 - Sports
Rested Woods ready for Wells Fargo return
Tiger Woods embarks on the latest stage of his comeback at the Wells Fargo Championship on Thursday, refreshed from an extended post-Masters break and still thankful for the back surgery that saved his career. The 14-time major winner has not played since finishing tied for 32nd at Augusta National last month, and returns to Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina this week for the first time since 2012. The 42-year-old former world number one told reporters on Wednesday he had benefited from an extended break from golf following Augusta. "I threw my clubs in the closet for about 10 days, got away from the game," Woods said. "I didn't touch a club, didn't make a golf swing. Then I started to lift a little bit, to get my muscle strength back and eventually my speed. I've got it all back now. "It felt great. It felt good to just shut it down, to reflect, analyse, and try and think about how I can win events." Woods only returned to the USPGA Tour this season after missing most of
Tennis umpire says he was fired for discrimination complaint
A black former tennis umpire said in a lawsuit that he was forced out of the sport because he complained about racial bias, including that another umpire called him a "monkey," allegations that the United States Tennis Association denied. The suit filed last week in federal court in Brooklyn against the USTA contends Anthony Nimmons, who started umpiring in 1994, was demoted and ultimately fired for speaking up about a racist environment in the world of tennis officiating. It seeks unspecified damages. The USTA "strictly prohibits discrimination and retaliation in its workplace," organization spokesman Chris Widmaier said Wednesday. "We categorically deny the claims of Mr. Nimmons and will vigorously defend the suit," he added. Among the incidents Nimmons says he reported to the nation's governing body for professional tennis was an encounter with a white umpire at the 2013 U.S. Open in New York City who allegedly taunted him by by saying, "Hey Tony, if you were a hungry monkey and I .
Kop that! Liverpool ready for new golden era
Fuelled by Mohamed Salah's astonishing feats and inspired by Jurgen Klopp's tactical mastery, Liverpool are ready to launch a new golden era after sealing their return to the Champions League final. For the first time in 11 years, Liverpool have reached the showpiece of Europe's elite club competition as a dramatic 4-2 defeat against Roma in Wednesday's semi-final second leg clinched an incredible 7-6 aggregate success. Rome was the perfect setting for Liverpool's return to splendour after the Eternal City played host to the club's 1977 and 1984 European Cup triumphs. If Liverpool beat holders Real Madrid in the final in Kiev on May 26, they will celebrate the first silverware of Jurgen Klopp's three-year reign on the grandest stage of all. For Klopp, getting his hands on the Champions League trophy would be concrete proof his Red revolution has been worth all the blood, sweat and tears. And it would be fitting for the 50-year-old German to enjoy a breakthrough moment at the same age .
Olympic 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop 'tested positive' for EPO
Former Olympic 1500 metres champion Asbel Kiprop vowed Wednesday to clear his name after reports he has tested positive for the endurance-boosting drug EPO. Kenyan newspaper The Standard reported a high-profile athlete had failed a doping test, without naming Kiprop. British newspaper the Guardian quoted Kiprop as saying: "As an athlete, I have been at the forefront of the fight against doping in Kenya, a fight I strongly believe in and support. "I would not want to ruin all what I have worked for since my first international race in 2007. I hope I can prove that I am a clean athlete in every way possible." Kiprop's agent, Frederico Rosa, told the Guardian he had also heard the rumours but had no further information. The sample is believed to have come from an out-of-competition test taken late in 2017. It would be a serious blow to Kenyan athletics if it is confirmed that 28-year-old Kiprop, one of the biggest names in the country's stellar cast of middle-distance athletes, has ...
Roma's Monchi calls for VAR, bemoans 'incredible' refereeing mistakes
Roma sporting director Monchi claimed that VAR "must" be brought into the Champions League after "incredible" errors by the officials during his side's semi-final loss to Liverpool. Eusebio Di Francesco's Italian outfit threatened a repeat of their quarter-final comeback against Barcelona, but fell to a 7-6 aggregate defeat despite a 4-2 second-leg win at the Stadio Olimpico. Although Roma were awarded a penalty in each game of the last-four tie, Monchi insisted his team would have reached the final if VAR had been used. "Congratulations to Liverpool but it is necessary to analyse what happened," he told Italian television. "There were two very clear penalties that were missed tonight and that changed everything, and in the first leg they scored an offside goal. "The VAR must come into the Champions League. I don't understand why there is no VAR in the most important competition." UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has said that video technology will not be introduced for next season's
'Proud' Semenya back on track after IAAF rule change
Caster Semenya will bid to move the spotlight from new IAAF rules for female athletes who have high testosterone levels firmly back to the track as the Diamond League gets under way in Doha on Friday. The South African, the double Olympic 800 metres champion, will race in the 1500m in the opening of the IAAF's elite 14-meet competition. It will be her first outing since the rule changes were announced. Semenya has long come under scrutiny because of her powerful physique and deep voice related to hyperandrogenism, the medical condition which causes a person to produce high levels of male sex hormones. The new rules introduced by track and field's governing body and which come into effect on November 1, 2018, will allow such athletes to compete only if they take medication to reduce naturally occurring levels of testosterone. The rules, which the IAAF puts under the heading "Difference of Sexual Development" (DSD), cover races from 400m to the mile, including 400m, hurdles races, 800m,
Liverpool goes from qualifier to Champions League finalist
Way back in August when Liverpool was sweating its way through the play-offs just to qualify for the Champions League group phase, going all the way to the final wasn't even on the Reds radar. Not after a season in which Liverpool didn't even play in Europe. Not when no one could have imagined that Mohamed Salah would develop into a scorer to rival Lionel Messi. Or that Liverpool would score a Champions League-record 46 goals surpassing the mark set by Barcelona in 1999-2000. Yet 10 months later, Liverpool is going to face two-time defending champion Real Madrid for the most coveted trophy in club football. Liverpool advanced to its first Champions League final in more than a decade despite a 4-2 loss at Roma on Wednesday. The Reds scored two early goals and that was all they needed to advance 7-6 on aggregate after a 5-2 win in the first leg of the semifinals. "We came in as a qualifier and now we're in the final," Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp said. "Now we will go to Kiev, which ..
Liverpool reaches CL final despite 4-2 loss at Roma
Liverpool advanced to its first Champions League final in more than a decade despite a 4-2 loss at Roma on Wednesday. The Reds scored two early goals and that was all they needed to advance 7-6 on aggregate after a 5-2 win in the first leg of the semi-finals. "Tonight was all about getting the job done," said Liverpool midfielder James Milner, who scored an own goal. "We're through to the final now and we've got there by beating some very good teams along the way." Sadio Mane took advantage of a misplaced Roma pass to put Liverpool ahead nine minutes in and Georginio Wijnaldum restored the advantage with a header after Milner's own goal. Edin Dzeko equalized for Roma early in the second half and Radja Nainggolan scored two late goals for the hosts as the Giallorossi narrowly missed out on another miracle after their stunning 3-0 second-leg victory over Barcelona in the quarterfinals. Roma were left feeling aggrieved about two penalty decisions that weren't given. "The VAR would have ..
Australia appoints a baggy green believer in Langer
As a player, Justin Langer was renowned for his utter commitment to the Australian cause -- as a coach, he will bring similar zeal to the task of restoring pride in the scandal-tainted baggy green cap. The 47-year-old, appointed national coach Thursday, is a striking contrast to his laid-back predecessor Darren Lehmann, who resigned in the wake of the ball-tampering affair in South Africa. Intense, disciplined and hard-working, Langer will not tolerate the boys-club mentality that Lehmann's critics allege fostered a toxic culture in the Australian side. "I am very excited about the scope I now have to coach the country that supported me so much in my cricketing career," he said. "There will be some significant challenges ahead for our group, but there is a wealth of talent in Australian cricket that I know will do us all proud." Langer played 105 Tests from 1993 to 2007, averaging 45.27 and amassing 7,696 runs, including 23 centuries. He has previously worked as Australia's batting ...
Liverpool enter Champions League final
Liverpool are headed to their first Champions League final since 2007 despite falling 4-2 here in the semifinal second leg against AS Roma.
Justin Langer appointed Australia coach, vows to "earn respect"
Justin Langer vowed to fix the scandal-hit Australian cricket team's behaviour and win back respect after being named head coach in all three formats of the game Thursday. The former Test opener, 47, starts his new role on May 22 for a four-year term which takes in two Ashes series, a World Cup and a World Twenty20 tournament. He takes the reins at a time of crisis following the 12-month suspensions of ex-captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner over a ball-tampering scandal which also saw previous coach Darren Lehmann quit. "The expectations are high in the Australian cricket team. We have got to make sure the behaviours are good. If we do that, I think the outcomes will look after themselves," Langer told a media conference. "I think one of the things that's really important is that we keep looking to earn respect. To me, respect is worth more than all the gold in the world." Cricket Australia has ordered a review of the damaged sport's culture in the wake of the scandal ...
Cricket Australia appoints Justin Langer as new head coach
Cricket Australia on Thursday appointed former Australian cricketer Justin Langer as the new Head Coach of the Australian Men's Cricket Team."Justin was the clear standout, particularly based on his recent coaching and player development achievements," Stuff.co.nz quoted Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland as saying.Langer will replace Darren Lehmann who announced his resignation as head coach of Australia in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal.The former test opener will coach Australia in all three formats of the game One Day Internationals (ODI), Twenty20s (T20) and Tests. His four-year term as coach beginning on May 22 will include two Ashes series, a World Cup and World Twenty20 tournament, confirmed Cricket Australia."There will be some significant challenges ahead for our group, but there is a wealth of talent in Australian cricket that I know will do us all proud," Langer said in a statement."I'm thoroughly looking forward to working with all players, as
Indian race-walkers depart for World team championship
The Indian Race Walking team departed on Wednesday to participate in the IAAF World Race Walk Team Championship to be held at Taicang, China on May 5-6.The Indian team comprising National record holder Irfan KT, Vikash Singh and Neeraj Kumar will compete in Men's 20km category while Sandeep Kumar and Jitendra Singh will participate in Men's 50km competition.In Women's 20km, Khushbir Kaur, Soumya B, Ravina and Shanti Kumari will represent India.The Indian race walking team for Asian Games to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from August 18 to September 2 will be selected based on the performance of the athletes in Taicang.However, Manish Kumar Rawat who finished sixth with the timing of 1:22.22 at the Commonwealth Games 2018 last month has been rested and his performance of 1:22.22 achieved at Gold Coast will be considered for selection in the team for Asian Games.The qualification guidelines set by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for the men's 20km is 1:22.00 while it is 1:34.54 for ..
IPL: Delhi pip Rajasthan by 4 runs to stay alive
Captain Shreyas Iyer and stumper Rishabh Pant struck rollicking half centuries to keep Delhi Daredevils' play-off hopes alive in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the hosts pipped Rajasthan Royals by four runs by D/L method in a rain-truncated clash at the Ferozshah Kotla here on Thursday.
Pant, Iyer strike fifties in Daredevils' win in rain-hit game
Young Rishabh Pant cracked a blistering 69 while captain Shreyas Iyer (50) hit his fourth half-century of the season as Delhi Daredevils kept themselves in the race for IPL play-offs with a nervy four-run win over Rajasthan Royals here tonight. The Royals invited Daredevils to bat but were guilty of feeding the home batsmen with deliveries either too short or too full, making the job easy for the hosts after rain made it a 18-over per side affair. Rain brought a premature end to the Daredevils innings when the hosts were 196 for six in 17.1 overs and Royals were set a revised target of 151 from 12 overs under Duckworth/Lewis method. After receiving some battering from Joss Buttler, who thrashed the home bowlers with seven sixes and four fours in his 67-run knock, Daredevils restricted the Royals to 146 for five to notch up the win. Daredevils have now moved up to sixth from eighth position with this win. Young Prithvi Shaw (47) was yet again in sublime touch and raised a 73-run stand .
KKR's Rana misses training with back spasm
In-form Kolkata Knight Riders' middle order batsman Nitish Rana could miss Thursday's IPL game against Chennai Super Kings due to a lower back spasm.
IPL: Pant, Iyer lift Delhi to 196 before rain ends innings vs Rajasthan
Skipper Shreyas Iyer and stumper Rishabh Pant smashed rollicking half centuries to power Delhi Daredevils to a massive 196/6 in 17.1 overs against Rajasthan Royals in a rain-truncated Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Ferozshah Kotla here on Wednesday.
Djokovic eyes Roland Garros and promises his form will improve
Novak Djokovic, whose latest comeback in Barcelona last week ended after one match, believes he will improve before Roland Garros. The former world number one has not won a Grand Slam title since the 2016 French Open. "Basically it is now all about improving my fitness," Djokovic told reporters in Belgrade when asked about Roland Garros and Wimbledon. "I believe that things will sort themselves out very soon and I hope for some better results in the next few weeks," the Serbian said. At the Barcelona Open Djokovic was knocked out by Slovak Martin Klizan, ranked 122nd in the world. The defeat was not the shock it once might have been. After losing in the Australian Open fourth round in January, Djokovic had surgery on his right elbow. The injury had been troubling him for almost two years during which time the 12-time major champion suffered a prolonged slump. Djokovic said today his problems with the elbow seemed to be fixed and added that he had been playing without pain for the past
Pant, Iyer strike fifties in Daredevils' big total in rain-hit game
Young Rishabh Pant cracked a blistering 69 while captain Shreyas Iyer (50) hit his fourth fifty of the season as Delhi Daredevils posted a challenging 196 for six against Rajasthan Royals in a rain-truncated IPL match here tonight. The Royals invited Daredevils to bat but were guilty of feeding the home batsmen deliveries which were either too short or too full, making the job easy for the hosts after rain made it a 18-overs per side affair. The young Prithvi Shaw (47) was yet again in sublime touch and raised a 73-run stand with his captain for the second wicket after the side lost Colin Munro (0) in the fourth ball of the innings. After Shaw's dismissal, Iyer and Rishabh Pant combined to punish the wayward Royals' bowlers, adding 92 runs for the third wicket in just 7.1 overs. Iyer hit his fourth fifty in last five matches as he consumed 35 balls for his 50, hitting three sixes and as many fours. Pant hammered the Royals bowlers all around the park in his 29-ball knock, studded with
Bengaluru thrash Aizawl to keep AFC Cup knock-out round hopes alive
Bengaluru FC thrashed a listless Aizawl FC 5-0 to keep their AFC Cup knock-out round hopes alive here today. Daniel Segovia (17th and 62nd minutes) struck twice while captain Sunil Chhetri (16th), Udanta Singh (30th) and Daniel Lalhlimpuia (89th) scored once each in the Group E match at the Kanteerava Stadium. Bengaluru and New Radiant of Maldives, who comfortably beat Abahani Limited Dhaka 5-1 at home earlier in the day, now have 12 points each with one match left in the group stage. Despite today's win, Bengaluru are still on a sticky wicket to qualify for the knock-out round. A shock 0-2 defeat to New Radiant in Male last week had meant that Bengaluru's chances of making the zonal semifinal of the tournament don't entirely rest in their hands. Coach Albert Roca's side will have to beat Abahani in their last group match on May 16 in Dhaka and hope that the Maldivian side do not win against Aizawl FC on the same day in Guwahati. If both Bengaluru and New Radiant win both their last ..