BODYBUILDING
Taiwanese wins in China
Chen Hsueh-lin this week won a gold medal at Mr Universe China, emerging as the best-performing Taiwanese in the three-day tournament. Chen triumphed in the men’s masters category, which features competitors older than 40, while compatriot Wu Chin-lung placed third. Chen also won bronze in men’s bodybuilding, while Hsu Feng-shuo, who finished fourth in that category, was also the runner-up in men’s classic bodybuilding. The international championship, organized by the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation, was held at the Western China International Expo City in Chengdu from Wednesday to Friday.
SOCCER
Acid attack victim discharged
A top Malaysian soccer player who sustained severe burns in an acid attack was discharged yesterday from a hospital where he had undergone multiple surgeries, the CEO of his club said. Selangor FC and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim sustained burns on the neck, shoulder, hands and chest in the assault at a shopping mall outside the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on May 5. Faisal’s case was the most high-profile of separate crimes committed against four top-flight Malaysian players this month, which are not believed to be linked but have nonetheless shocked and angered the nation.
BASKETBALL
Clark wins first WNBA game
Women’s basketball sensation Caitlin Clark on Friday drilled a dagger three-pointer to help the Indiana Fever notch their first win of her debut WNBA season, 78-73 over the Los Angeles Sparks. Clark, whose record-setting exploits in collegiate basketball brought unprecedented attention to the women’s game, has struggled since Indiana made her the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. She endured another tough shooting night on Friday, but finished with her first WNBA double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
SOCCER
Barcelona fires Xavi
Barcelona on Friday sacked coach Xavi Hernandez after the Catalan giants failed to win a trophy this season, but just weeks after he and club president Joan Laporta agreed he would stay in the post. Xavi would take charge of the team’s final La Liga match today at Sevilla before departing. Former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick is heavily tipped to replace Xavi. “It’s never easy to leave the club of your life, but I am very proud,” Xavi wrote in an open letter published on social media. “From Sunday I will be just one more Barca fan, in the stands, whether it’s the Olympic Stadium or in a few months in the new Camp Nou. Because before being a player or a coach, I am a fan of Barcelona and I only want the best for the club, who will always have me at their disposal.”
OFFENSE SHINES: First baseman Pan Chie-kai hit a solo homer in the fifth inning as all 10 batters Taiwan used contributed at least one hit toward their team total of 14 One day after their first shutout loss at the WBSC Premier12, Taiwan yesterday bounced back with a commanding 8-2 victory over the US, keeping their hopes for a spot in tomorrow’s final alive. The win in the Super Round marked Taiwan’s first triumph over the US at a top-tier international baseball tournament since 2003. Their previous win over the US was at the 2003 Baseball World Cup, with only one win in the previous 10 matchups since 1999. Yesterday’s game was tightly contested through the first six innings, with the margin never exceeding two runs. However, the tide turned in the top of
“Please love us. Please cheer us on. We have been working hard. Do not give up on us.” Taiwan captain Chen Chieh-hsien’s heartfelt plea echoed across the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 tournament after a historic victory. Rather than boasting, Chen was making an earnest appeal after leading Taiwan to a 4-0 victory over Japan to claim their first major international baseball title at the senior level. Chen’s decisive three-run homer in the fifth inning and his Premier12 leading .632 batting average secured him the Premier12’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) title. He was also named one of the tournament’s outstanding defensive players
WELL-AGED: Although the youngest team in the tournament, Taiwan featured several veteran stars, including Sunday’s home-run hero Chen Chieh-hsien “I will never forget today,” veteran Taiwanese pitcher Chen Kuan-yu said after Taiwan on Sunday night blanked Japan to secure their first ever gold in the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 championship. Chen, who at 34 is the oldest member on the team, said Taiwan “made every difficult step to come to today’s victory. I will never forget today.” Taiwan made history when they won their first gold medal of the Premier12 tournament, beating Japan in a 4-0 shutout victory in the final at the Tokyo Dome. It was a jaw-dropping victory for many baseball commentators who went into the game with
Nikola Jokic on Saturday scored 34 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to spark the Denver Nuggets over the Los Angeles Lakers 127-102, continuing their dominance of the NBA rivalry, while Scotty Pippen Jr scored a career-best 30 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies past the Chicago Bulls, 142-131. The Nuggets won for the 13th time in the past 14 contests against the Lakers, including ousting the Lakers in the playoffs the past two seasons. Serbian star Jokic failed to achieve his sixth consecutive triple-double, managing only eight assists, but his effort was plenty as Michael Porter Jr added 24 points and 11
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