GOLF
Pan grabs third in Mexico
Taiwan’s C.T. Pan on Sunday overcame a slow start at the Mexico Open to tie for third place in Vallarta. The 32-year-old — who turned professional in 2015 and won his maiden, and only, PGA Tour title in 2019 — shot a six-under-par 65 in the fourth round to finish alongside Germany’s Stephan Jaeger and American Justin Lower with a 14-under 270. Pan had eight birdies in the final round, helping to make up for a level opener, which he followed with two four-under-par rounds to stay in contention. American rookie Jake Knapp won his first Tour title, finishing 19-under par, despite an even final round.
SOCCER
Shinji Okazaki to retire
Former Japan international Shinji Okazaki, who won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, yesterday announced that he would retire at the end of the season. The hard-working forward played a key role as the Foxes upset the odds to win their first league title, making 36 Premier League appearances and scoring five goals in the 2015-16 season. The 37-year-old also finished as Japan’s all-time third-highest scorer with 50 goals in 119 appearances. “I have decided to retire at the end of the season,” Okazaki wrote on Instagram. “I have given everything as a football player but I have realised that my body is worn out and I am reaching my physical limit.” He is currently at Belgian side Sint-Truiden, after playing for several Spanish clubs following his Leicester exit in 2019. He has struggled with injury this season and has not played since December last year.
SOCCER
Honduras striker in coma
Honduras striker Alberth Elis remained in an induced coma on Sunday after a serious head injury, with his French club FC Girondins de Bordeaux saying it was “impossible” to comment on his vital signs. Elis, 28, was knocked unconscious just 40 seconds into Saturday’s Ligue 2 game against En Avant Guingamp when he met a cross and collided with the head of defender Donatien Gomis. Although Gomis recovered quickly, Elis was treated for several minutes on the pitch before being sent to a hospital where he underwent surgery on Saturday evening. “Alberth Elis suffered a head trauma which led to him being placed in an induced coma,” Bordeaux said in a statement. “We will follow the evolution of his state of health in the hospital in the coming days.”
GOLF
Englishman’s fortunes turn
Only a week after he was delivering groceries to make ends meet, the 2,930th-ranked golfer Joe Dean on Sunday finished tied for second at the Kenya Open to earn himself more than US$200,000 and a huge shot of confidence for the future. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” the Englishman said. “It’s what people dream of, it’s what I’ve been aiming to do for a long time.” Dean shot a four-under 67, including five birdies, to share second place with Spaniard Nacho Elvira, two shots behind tournament winner Darius Van Driel. The 29-year-old Dean had to go back to working for a British supermarket chain after he missed the cut in Doha earlier this month. “I’ve never been one of the most overconfident people. Coming into this week was a bit daunting,” he said. “Luckily, I managed to get over that quickly and figure out how to get around the golf course.”
Taiwan kept their hopes of advancing to next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Saturday, backed by solid pitching. Taiwan last night played against Nicaragua. As of press time, Nicaragua was leading 6-0. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan on Saturday kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen struck out one and allowed no hits, except for a hit-by-pitch over
Team Taiwan are set to face Spain in a win-or-go-home match tonight for the final berth at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), despite losing to Nicaragua 6-0 in the WBC qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Sunday. The home team’s loss on Sunday means Nicaragua finish first in the qualifier round in Taipei with a perfect 3-0 record and advances to next year’s finals. After crushing South Africa 9-1 earlier on Sunday, Spain took second place in the four-team qualifier with a 2-1 record. With a 1-2 record, Taiwan finished third while South Africa placed at the bottom with
Taiwan kept its hopes of advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome last night, backed by solid pitching. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The win was crucial for Taiwan, as a loss would have eliminated the team from contention for the next WBC. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸) struck out one and allowed no hits, except for
LONG TIME COMING: With the addition of Marcus Smart, the Washington Wizards finally held a team to under 100 points, the last team this season to do so The Detroit Pistons on Monday won their seventh straight game in the NBA with in-form Cade Cunningham making 32 points and grabbing nine rebounds in a 106-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pistons, who are in the playoff position, moved to 32-26, their best record at this stage of a season for 17 years. It was an all-round effort from Detroit with Tobias Harris adding 20 points and Jalen Duren making 19 rebounds along with his 12 points. It was a tight contest until Detroit pulled away late in the third quarter to tie their longest winning streak since the 2014-2015
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