■GOLF
Van Pelt wins PGA Tour title
Bo Van Pelt won his first PGA Tour title when he birdied the second hole of a sudden death playoff to beat fellow American John Mallinger in the Milwaukee Championship at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Sunday. Van Pelt eased home a three-foot putt after missing a 26-footer to claim his first tour victory in 229 tournaments. He and Mallinger both birdied the first playoff hole after finishing regulation at 13-under 267 over the Brown Deer Park Golf Course.
■GYMNASTICS
FIG reprimands Taiwan
The governing body of gymnastics has fined and criticized the Taiwanese federation for its conduct in a doping case involving a teenage athlete. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) banned Chiu Shih-Hui, an 18-year-old aerobic gymnast, for two years after he tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. The ban was applied retroactively from the day of the doping test and runs through Nov. 2 next year. In a ruling issued on Saturday, FIG harshly criticized the Taiwan federation, which was “reprimanded with an accompanying heavy fine” of an undisclosed amount. It was sanctioned for “repeatedly failing to communicate with the FIG and neglecting to assist its gymnast,” the global governing body said.
■MOTOR RACING
Surtees dies in F2 race
Henry Surtees, the son of 1964 Formula One Champion John Surtees, has died after being struck in the head during an F2 race on Sunday. The 18-year-old Surtees was knocked unconscious after being hit by a tire from another car, causing his car to crash into a barrier in the second of the weekend’s races at Brands Hatch. He was airlifted to Royal London hospital, where was later pronounced dead. Surtees, who finished third in Saturday’s opening race for his first F2 podium finish, had starred in F3 last year.
■SOFTBALL
US advance to final
Ashley Hansen clubbed a grand slam and Jennie Finch threw a two-hit shutout as the US advanced to the World Cup of Softball championship game with a 8-0 win against Australia in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Sunday. The teams were set to meet again in the championship game yesterday after Australia, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, bounced back to beat Italy 8-0 in five innings later on Sunday. In the day’s other games, Haruna Sakamoto hit a grand slam off US college softball player of the year Danielle Lawrie as Japan eliminated Canada from finals contention with a 5-4 win.
■DIVING
Chen, Wang cruise to gold
Olympic champions Chen Roulin and Wang Xin of China cruised to the gold medal in 10m synchronized diving at the world championships on Sunday. Chen and Wang compiled 369.18 points, leading after all five rounds. Mary Beth Dunnichay and Haley Ishimatsu of the US took the silver medal with 324.66 points, and Mun Yee Leong and Pandelela Rinong Pamg of Malaysia were third with 321.66. Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion of Canada finished fourth, and Olympic silver medalists Briony Cole and Melissa Wu of Australia were fifth. Meanwhile, Julia Pakhalina of Russia won the gold medal in women’s 1m springboard diving, her first title at a worlds or Olympics in nine years. Pakhalina led from start to finish and totaled 325.05 points through the five-dive final. Wu Minxia of China took the silver medal with 311.90 points and Wang Han of China was third with 303.95. Tania Cagnotto of Italy finished fourth.
Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen yesterday exited at the BWF World Tour Finals in China, losing in the semi-finals to China’s world No. 1 Shi Yuqi. Shi, who was named the BWF Men’s Singles Player of the Year, had a 9-4 record against Chou going into the match. He extended that record to 9-5 with a 21-14, 21-18 victory. Chou advanced to the men’s singles semi-finals on Friday by upsetting top-seeded Anders Antonsen of Denmark in a must-win match at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium. The 16-21, 21-18, 21-15 victory saw Chou secure his second semi-finals appearance at the tournament, despite his relatively older
‘REMARKABLE’: Gaelic football is a traditional Irish sport that blends the skills of soccer and rugby, and hurling is an ancient sport played with a wooden stick and ‘sliotar’ The Taiwan Celts Gaelic Football Club marked a milestone achievement at the Asian Gaelic Games in Bangkok on Nov. 23 and 24, with two sides advancing to the knockout stages and competing at hurling for the first time. The event brought together 68 teams from 16 clubs across Asia, with more than 800 players in men’s and women’s tournaments. Gaelic football is a traditional Irish team sport that blends the skills of soccer, rugby union and basketball. Hurling is an ancient Irish sport played with a wooden stick, called a hurley, and a small ball, or sliotar. The Taiwan Celts’ women’s team reached
India’s chess star Gukesh Dommaraju returned to a hero’s welcome in his home city yesterday after becoming the youngest world champion aged only 18. Hundreds of fans crowded the arrivals area of Chennai International Airport, cheering alongside banks of television cameras as Gukesh made his way out of the airport after victory in taking the World Chess Championship title. “It means a lot to bring back the trophy to India,” Gukesh told reporters, with garlands of flowers draped around his neck, brandishing the glittering trophy in his hand. “I can see the support and what it means to India, I
LIVERPOOL WIN: The 50th Champions League goal by Mohamed Salah helped the leaders of the Premier League to keep their perfect record intact Real Madrid’s big stars on Tuesday turned on the style to revive the Spanish giant’s faltering UEFA Champions League title defense. Galacticos Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham all scored in a thrilling 3-2 win against Serie A leaders Atalanta BC. However, Madrid still had to ride their luck as Mateo Retegui fired over from in front of goal in stoppage-time when handed a golden chance to level the game. It was only Madrid’s third win in the competition’s revamped league phase and leaves the 15-time champions in the unseeded playoff positions in 18th place. “It’s a very important win. Not everyone wins
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