Tue, Mar 31, 2009 page19

• Sports Briefs

  • AGENCIES
  • • 
    • 
    • 

  ■RUGBY UNION

  Mackay stable after crash

  ACT Brumbies lock Shawn Mackay is in a critical but stable condition in a Durban, South Africa, hospital after being hit by a vehicle in the South African city over the weekend, the team said yesterday. The Australian Super 14 team, on tour in South Africa, said the accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when Mackay was struck by a security vehicle while crossing a road. Mackay sustained a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation, a compound fracture to his left leg and multiple facial fractures and lacerations, the Brumbies said on their Web site. The forward underwent surgery and will remain in traction in a medically induced coma for the next 48 hours as he undergoes further medical treatment, they said. Mackay was returning to the hotel when he was struck. The Brumbies said the accident was being investigated by Durban police.

  ■CYCLING

  Guo wins gold in Poland

  China’s Guo Shuang took the gold medal in the world track championships in Pruszkow, Poland, on Sunday and Australia finished top of the medals table. Guo held off France’s Clara Sanchez and Willy Kanis of the Netherlands to claim China’s only medal of the event. In the men’s Omnium, Howard Leigh outclassed Canada’s Zachary Bell in the five-event series to win Australia’s fourth gold medal. Australia’s four golds, four silvers and two bronzes put them top of the final medal standings. France came second with three golds, two silvers and one bronze and favorites Britain took two golds, four silvers and three bronzes. In a tense men’s sprint final, France’s Gregor Bauge saw off Malaysian challenger Azizulhasni Awang in the deciding round of three. Bauge’s team mate Kevin Sireau took bronze. In the women’s points, consistent placing gave Giorgia Bronzini of Italy victory. Cuba’s Yumari Gonzalez Valdivieso was second and Britain’s Elizabeth Armitstead third.

  ■NASCAR RACING

  Johnson wins at ‘paperclip’

  Jimmie Johnson nudged Denny Hamlin aside in the third and fourth turns with 15 laps to go in Martinsville, Virginia, to give team owner Rick Hendrick a perfect place to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his first victory in NASCAR’s premier series: Victory Lane. Johnson, dubbed “Mr Martinsville” by Jeff Gordon, lived up to his moniker, winning for the fifth time in the last six races on the smallest, trickiest track in the series. It was his sixth victory at the 0.85km oval, second only to Gordon’s seven among active drivers. Hamlin, the defending champ, never challenged Johnson after he slid high into the banking after the bump and pass and his winless streak extended to 32 races. Hamlin finished second, followed by Tony Stewart, Gordon and Clint Bowyer. The victory was the 18th for Hendrick Motorsports at Martinsville, where a victory by Geoff Bodine 25 years ago gave the fledgling company a needed boost.

  ■BASKETBALL

  James Posey suspended

  New Orleans Hornets forward James Posey was suspended for one game by the National Basketball Association on Sunday for tossing a ball at the feet of a referee following a foul call against him. Posey was ejected on Friday during a 103-93 Hornets’ loss to New York Knicks after he hurled the ball at the feet of referee Gary Zielinski. While trying to grab a defensive rebound, Posey was whistled for a loose ball foul, prompting the outburst. Posey, averaging 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds a game, was forced out of Sunday’s Hornets game against San Antonio.
• Most Popular

  • 1

    China ship used Taiwan ports for months

  • 2

    Japanese ship makes first solo trip through the Strait

  • 3

    Taiwan mulls stricter citizenship rules

  • 4

    Award winner and singer-songwriter Khalil Fong passes away at age 41

  • 5

    Taiwan to keep advanced chip tech