SOCCER
FA slams radio remarks
Football Australia (FA) yesterday condemned “inappropriate and unacceptable” remarks by a radio host about their women’s team and urged more respectful commentary on women’s sports. Marty Sheargold was widely criticized after saying on nationwide radio station Triple M he “would rather hammer a nail” through his penis than watch the Matildas at next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup at home. “Got any men’s sport?” he added, to laughter from his cohosts. The FA said that “such remarks not only diminish the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our women’s national football team, but also fail to recognize the profound impact they have had on Australian sport and society.”
Photo: EPA-EFE
GOLF
No modeling plans, Ko says
Lydia Ko yesterday said she would rather grace the fairways on the golf course than strut down the catwalk after appearing on the cover of the latest edition of Vogue in South Korea. The Paris Olympics gold medalist and LPGA Hall of Famer was featured as one of the inspirational women who shared their stories of work and success. Speaking ahead of this week’s HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, the Seoul-born New Zealander said she had a great time being in a fashion magazine outside of golf clothes, “but modeling is probably not what I’ll do in the near future.” “There are countless hours they [models] put in to do the perfect walk or shot or have their signature look,” the 27-year-old three-time major champion added. “I’m definitely not going to be walking down the hotel hallway trying to see what my walk is going to be like.”
Photo: AFP
BASEBALL
Harper gets Phanatic tattoo
Bryce Harper’s love for the Phillie Phanatic runs skin deep. The Philadelphia Phillies star arrived at spring training sporting a tattoo on his right arm of the team’s iconic mascot zooming around on an all-terrain vehicle. Harper worked with Utah-based tattoo artist Hannah Matthews on the fine-line design on the outside of his right arm just above the wrist. The two-time National League Most Valuable Player and eight-time All-Star has regularly yucked it up with the Phanatic since signing with the Phillies in 2019. Harper sported cleats and a headband featuring the large, furry, green bird-type creature and wielded a Phanatic-themed bat while facing the New York Mets in London last year. “I just love Philly,” Harper told MLB.com. “I love the Phanatic. It’s just fun.”
Photo: AP
BASKETBALL
Taurasi announces retirement
Six-time Olympic champion Diana Taurasi on Tuesday announced her retirement from the WNBA, closing the book on one of the most decorated careers in all of basketball. The league’s 42-year-old all-time leading scorer won three championships in her 20 years with the Phoenix Mercury. “Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest competitors to ever play the game of basketball on any stage,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. “She has earned the unquestioned respect of players around the globe, delivered electrifying moments and captivated fans again and again.” The first basketball player to earn six Olympic golds, Taurasi’s 10,646 career points is nearly 3,000 clear of the next highest scorer, Tina Charles.
Photo: Reuters
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
Team Taiwan avoided missing the World Baseball Classic (WBC) for the first time by defeating Spain 6-3 in a do-or-die game in Taipei last night. After narrowly escaping a mercy-rule loss to Spain in the WBC Qualifiers opener on Friday last week, the home team — winner of last year's WBSC Premier12 title three months ago — got their revenge against the 2023 European champions at Taipei Dome. "It felt quite different from when we won the Premier12," Taiwan captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) said after the game, recalling the ups and downs the team has experienced over the past few days. Unlike in
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