GOLF
Taiwan’s Chien leads
Chien Pei-yun of Taiwan yesterday shot an eight-under 64 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA Tour event in Thailand, the first of three tournaments on the LPGA’s Asian swing. The 33-year-old had an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey on the Siam Country Club Old Course at Chonburi southeast of Bangkok. Chien is winless on the LPGA Tour, but has had 10 career top-10 finishes. Kim Sei-young shot a 66 and was in second place.
Photo: AP
TENNIS
Teen Fonseca wins
Joao Fonseca on Wednesday became the first player born in 2006 to win an ATP Tour-level match when the 17-year-old Brazilian beat seventh-seeded Arthur Fils 6-0, 6-4 at the Rio Open. Fonseca defeated the No. 36-ranked Frenchman in front of raucous fans at the clay court tournament in Rio de Janeiro. He knelt on the court in tears to celebrate. “This is where I belong. I want to be in these huge stadiums,” he said. “Now it is all about focusing on the process.” His next opponent is Christian Garin of Chile.
SUMO
Hakuho faces demotion
Sumo’s greatest champion, Hakuho, is facing an embarrassing demotion in his new role as stablemaster after his protege was accused of physically abusing other wrestlers, local media reported. Hakuho, who won a record 45 tournaments before retiring in 2021, is set to be fined and downgraded to the lowest rank for sumo elders for failing to control the behavior of Hokuseiho, the reports said. After dismissal and a recommendation to retire, demotion in rank is seen as the most serious punishment for sumo elders. The 22-year-old Hokuseiho, who is 2.04m tall, is alleged to have punched his lower-ranked stablemates and stolen money from them. The reports said that the Japan Sumo Association at an emergency board meeting today would discuss a recommendation that Hokuseiho retires from the sport. The association is also expected to decide a punishment for Hakuho, who reportedly told sumo officials that he was not aware of Hokuseiho’s alleged actions.
MOTOCROSS
Jayden Archer dies
Freestyle motocross competitor Jayden Archer, the first rider to perform a triple backflip in competition, has died while practicing in Melbourne. He was 27. The accident occurred on Wednesday, but there were few details released. Victoria state police yesterday said that they would not comment on individuals or incidents due to privacy concerns. Archer had been a member of the Nitro Circus crew for more than a decade. The group confirmed his death in an Instagram post. “Jayo was the epitome of passion, hard work & determination,” Nitro Circus said. “He pushed what was possible on a dirt bike to heights never seen before. A positive influence to those around him. And above all else a great human being and friend to us all. We love you mate. Ride in peace.” Australian media reported that Archer, a two-time X Games medalist, was planning to attempt a world-first quadruple backflip later this year.
Manchester City have reached do-or-die territory in the UEFA Champions League earlier than expected ahead of what Pep Guardiola has described as a “final” against Club Brugge today. City have disproved the suggestion a new format to Europe’s top club competition would remove any jeopardy for the top clubs as Guardiola stares down the barrel of failing to make the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in his career. The English champions have endured a torrid season both in their English Premier League title defense and on the continent. A run of one win in 13 games, which included Champions League
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about ￡2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Less than a week after splashing out a world-record fee for Naomi Girma, Chelsea has spent big again to bring England midfielder Keira Walsh back to the English Women’s Super League. Walsh left European champions Barcelona after more than two years to join Chelsea for a reported ￡400,000 (US$496,000) on Friday. Walsh was the world’s most expensive player for two years after moving to Barcelona from Manchester City for a reported ￡400,000 in 2022. That status now belongs to Girma, the US defender who cost Chelsea a reported ￡900,000 to sign from the San Diego Wave. Still, it means 27-year-old Walsh — a technically
Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday poured in 35 points as the Thunder grabbed a bounce-back 118-108 victory in Portland to push their NBA-best record to 37-8. The Thunder, surprised by the short-handed Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, fended off a late surge from the Trail Blazers to snap their four-game winning streak. Jalen Williams scored 24 points and Isaiah Joe added 16 off the bench. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, back after a five-game absence with a calf injury, added 14 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a big block. The Western Conference leaders were under pressure late as Portland, trailing by 15 heading
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