CHINA DAILY | HONG KONG EDITION Wednesday, March 31, 2021 | 19 SPORTS
Marshon’s misery WINTER OLYMPICS Figure skaters’ flop delivers wakeup call
China’s solitary silver the highlight of sole representative in the ladies’ event, finished 21st, while the duo otherwise poor performance at worlds of Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu took 13th spot in the ice dance, each earning a qualification berth in By SUN XIAOCHEN gold in Beijing. their respective disciplines for next [email protected] “This is a good start for us,” Han year’s Olympics. told the Olympic Channel after Along with Han and Sui, Peng Despite the strong return of its Thursday’s free skate. “Our plan Cheng and Jin Yang also secured an ace couple in the pairs event, Team this year was to recover. We wanted Olympic pairs berth, thanks to a China’s slim pickings across the to stay healthy... so we can compete fourthplace finish. China is now other disciplines at the World Fig in the Winter Olympic Games.” aiming to secure a third pairs entry ure Skating Championships has “We did what we can do right at the next qualifying event — the sent alarm bells ringing at home now,” Sui added. “We only prac Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany in ahead of Beijing 2022. ticed on the ice for two months aft late September. With China a traditional power er the recovery (from Han’s According to International Skat house in the sport, a solitary silver surgery).” ing Union rules, each country or medal and just five Olympic quali “We’re glad that we can compete region can qualify a maximum of fication spots at last week’s worlds at a pretty good level. However, three skaters, or pairs, in an Olym in Stockholm fell well below expec we’re not at our best yet, only 70 to pic event — as long they are ranked tations to raise concerns that golds 80 percent of our best selves, but high enough. could prove elusive at the Winter we do think we’ve made huge Despite the daunting challenges Olympics on home ice next year. progress in just two months.” ahead, Lori Nichol, a Canadian Just two months into their reun Some disappointing executions choreographer who has been work ion, twotime world champion pair from Han and Sui’s compatriots in ing with Team China for over a dec Han Cong and Sui Wenjing the face of stiff competition from ade, is remaining upbeat on the impressed in their first official out Russia and Japan, however, provid host’s Olympic prospects. ing since Han was sidelined follow ed something of a wakeup call for Based in Toronto, Nichol has ing hip surgery last April, winning China ahead of the Beijing Games. been overseeing Han and Sui’s China’s only medal in the Swedish Arriving in Sweden fresh from progress during the pandemic via capital, and their fifth at the winning the Cup of China title in online Zoom calls. worlds. November, men’s singles skater Jin “The Olympics are always a huge Even with minor flaws in Sui’s Boyang, a twotime bronze medal pressure for everyone; everybody jumps, the Chinese duo, who won ist at the worlds (201617), came up would like to do their best there,” the world title in 2017 and 2019, well short in his quest to bring Nichol, a World Figure Skating Hall looked to be approaching their home a third medal. A series of of Fame member, told NBC Sports best. Their trademark tripleflip botched landings in both the short last week. throws and some difficult lifts program and free skate saw Jin fin Reflecting on Han and Sui’s helped them score 148.09 points in ish a lowly 22nd. chances, she commented: “You the free skate for a 225.71 total to Attempting a routine considered know you want it, so let’s focus finish less than two points behind to be of a worldclass difficulty lev minute by minute, day by day, week winners Anastasia Mishina and el, the 23yearold failed to land any by week, and we will be there.” Aleksandr Galliamov. Russia’s of his quadruple jumps properly in Nichol is planning some magical Marshon Brooks of the Guangdong Southern Tigers rises for a layup as Liu Zeyi of the Zhejiang Golden Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii the free skate, scoring 91.74 points moves for Sui and Han’s goldmed Bulls defends during a Chinese Basketball Association game in Zhuji, Zhejiang province, on Monday. Kozlovskii took third spot. lower than his winning total at the al bid, but how and where their cre Brooks, the defending CBA champions’ leading scorer, ruptured his Achilles tendon in a 125119 victory Having battled back from a stag Cup of China in Chongqing, a leg of ative partnership will continue over the Golden Bulls. “Very tough time for me. I’ve worked my entire life to get to this point. I feel like I gering array of injuries, including the ISU Grand Prix series. amid the pandemic is unclear. was the best player I’ve ever been this season due to hard work and dedication, but this is indeed a part Sui’s repeated ankle problems, Jin’s poor showing at the worlds, “I try not to think about that,” she of life. I can’t feel sorry for myself during this time. I must keep my head up and attack the recovery proc since 2012, the Chinese pair drew coupled with veteran Yan Han’s said. “I focus just on the music and ess as soon as I can,” Brooks wrote on his Weibo account. The 32yearold former NBA player averaged enough encouragement from last 13thplace finish, means China can our approach. And whether it is me 27.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 46 appearances this season. His injury is another week’s routines to believe they can now only send one of these skaters going there or them coming here, blow to Guangdong’s hopes of retaining the CBA title, with the team still awaiting the return of star cen turn the silver they won at the 2018 to the home Olympics. or Zoom, it’s all possible to make ter Yi Jianlian, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in last season’s league finals. XINHUA Winter Games in South Korea into Teenager Chen Hongyi, China’s great work.”
SOCCER Aguero departing City an indisputable club legend
Sergio Aguero, Manchester City’s had a “huge sense of satisfaction straight seasons for City and will go reached the final of the English record scorer, will leave the English and pride” about playing for City for down as one of the greatest strikers to League Cup, the semifinals of the FA club after 10 years when his contract a decade and is ready to “continue have played in the Premier League. Cup, and the quarterfinals of the expires at the end of the season. competing at the highest level”. He is the league’s highestscoring Champions League — a trophy The 32yearold Argentina striker “Sergio’s contribution to Man overseas player. His haul of 181 puts Aguero has yet to win at the club. has 257 goals for City, the most chester City over the last 10 years him fourth on the alltime scoring He has, though, won the Premier famous being his stoppagetime cannot be overstated,” club chair list, behind Alan Shearer (260), League four times, the League Cup winner against Queens Parks Ran man Khaldoon Al Mubarak said. Wayne Rooney (208) and Andy Cole five times, and the FA Cup once. gers on the final day of the 201112 “His legend will be indelibly etched (187). Aguero was able to change his season that clinched the team its into the memories of everyone who Aguero also has a Premier game to fit in with the style of play first league title in 44 years. loves the club and maybe even in Leaguehigh 12 hattricks. demanded by Pep Guardiola after A key player in the growth of the those who simply love football.” Aguero said he forged “an inde the Spanish coach took charge of Abu Dhabiowned club as a major Al Mubarak said a statue of Ague structible bond with all those who City in 2016. He transformed him force in England and Europe, Ague ro has been commissioned to stand love this club — people who will self into more of an allround player, ro has struggled with injuries over alongside those currently being always be in my heart”. with the ability to drop deeper and the past year and been restricted to made to honor the player’s former “I will continue to give it my link play, but never lost his fearsome just 14 appearances in all competi teammates, David Silva and Vincent utmost for the rest of the season to ballstriking and poacher qualities tions this season. The penalty he Kompany. win more titles and bring more joy inside the area. converted against Fulham on March That trio, along with midfielder to the fans,” Aguero said in his Twit Aguero has previously spoken 13 was his 181st goal in the Premier Yaya Toure, were central to City’s ter post. “Then, a new stage with about returning to Argentina to fin League but his first in the division success over the past decade. new challenges will begin.” ish his career with his first club, since January 2020. Aguero, who joined from Atletico City is on course for the “quadru Independiente. Sergio Aguero fires home a penalty at Fulham on March 13. The In a Twitter post on Monday to his Madrid in 2011, scored at least 28 ple” this season, as it leads the Pre 32yearold will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after 14 million followers, Aguero said he goals in all competitions in six mier League by 14 points, has AP scoring 257 goals in 10 years at the club. REUTERS
Scoreboard
BASKETBALL NBA Phoenix 31 14 0.689 3½ 17. Billy Horschel (USA) 4.44 ICE HOCKEY Group H Results of the National Basketball Association LA Clippers 32 16 0.667 4 18. Im Sungjae (KOR) 4.25 At Blida, Algeria CBA (NBA) games on Monday (home team in CAPS): LA Lakers 30 17 0.638 5½ 19. Paul Casey (ENG) 4.25 NHL Algeria 5 (Mandi 24, Feghouli 58, Mahrez 64pen, Results from the 202021 Chinese Basketball WASHINGTON 132 Indiana 124 Denver 28 18 0.609 7 20. Lee Westwood (ENG) 4.09 Results of the National Hockey League games on Bounedjah 72, Boulaya 88) Botswana 0 Association (CBA) games in Zhuji, Zhejiang prov Miami 98 NEW YORK 88 Portland 28 18 0.609 7 21. Harris English (USA) 4.08 Monday (home team in CAPS): At Harare ince, on Monday (home teams in CAPS): BROOKLYN 112 Minnesota 107 Dallas 24 21 0.533 10½ 22. Scottie Scheffler (USA) 4.07 Edmonton 3 TORONTO 2 (OT) Zimbabwe 0 Zambia 2 (Daka 20, 90+2) Zhejiang Lions 116 Beijing Ducks 93 New Orleans 115 BOSTON 109 San Antonio 23 21 0.523 11 23. Matthew Wolff (USA) 3.97 PITTSBURGH 2 NY Islanders 1 Fujian 114 Shenzhen 102 Dallas 127 OKLAHOMA CITY 106 Memphis 22 22 0.500 12 24. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 3.91 Philadelphia 4 BUFFALO 3 (OT) TENNIS Guangdong 125 Zhejiang Golden Bulls 119 Memphis 120 HOUSTON 110 Golden State 23 24 0.489 12½ 25. Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 3.56 COLORADO 5 Anaheim 2 DETROIT 118 Toronto 104 Shanghai 103 Shanxi 93 Sacramento 22 25 0.468 13½ 26. Ryan Palmer (USA) 3.52 VEGAS 4 Los Angeles 1 ATP/WTA Miami Open Sacramento 132 SAN ANTONIO 115 New Orleans 21 25 0.457 14 27. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 3.51 Winnipeg 5 CALGARY 1 Results on Monday (xdenotes seeding): UTAH 114 Cleveland 75 Standings after Monday’s games (tabulated Oklahoma City 19 27 0.413 16 28. Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 3.50 SAN JOSE 4 Minnesota 3 (SO) Men’s 3rd rd GOLDEN STATE 116 Chicago 102 29. Adam Scott (AUS) 3.49 under games played, won, lost and winning per Houston 13 33 0.283 22 Diego Schwartzman (ARG x5) bt Adrian Mannari LA CLIPPERS 129 Milwaukee 105 30. Victor Perez (FRA) 3.49 no (FRA x25) 61, 64; Sebastian Korda (USA) bt centage): Minnesota 11 36 0.234 24½ SOCCER Aslan Karatsev (RUS x17) 63, 60; Marin Cilic 1. Guangdong 48 43 5 89.6% Eastern Conference Fedex Cup Rankings (CRO) bt Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) 63, 64; Andrey 2. Liaoning 47 39 8 83% GOLF 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers W L Pct GB Through March 28 Results on Monday: Rublev (RUS x4) bt Marton Fucsovics (HUN x29) 3. Zhejiang Golden Bulls 46 37 9 80.4% Philadelphia 32 14 0.696 World rankings 1. (1) Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 1565, 2. (2) Jus Group B 62, 61; Hubert Hurkacz (POL x26) bt Denis Shap 4. Xinjiang 47 31 16 66% Brooklyn 32 15 0.681 ½ ovalov (CAN x6) 63, 76 (8/6); Milos Raonic (CAN Through March 28 tin Thomas (USA) 1508, 3. (3) Patrick Cantlay At Blantyre, Malawi 5. Zhejiang Lions 47 27 20 57.4% x12) bt Ugo Humbert (FRA x20) 64, 75; Lorenzo Milwaukee 29 17 0.630 3 1. Dustin Johnson (USA) 11.26 (USA) 1280, 4. (4) Viktor Hovland (NOR) 1215, 5. (6) Malawi 1 (Mbulu 16) Uganda 0 Sonego (ITA x24) bt Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) 76 6. Shandong 47 27 20 57.4% Charlotte 23 22 0.511 8½ 2. Justin Thomas (USA) 9.26 Xander Schauffele (USA) 1155, 6. (5) Dustin John At Ouagadougou (8/6), 63; Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x2) bt Kei Nish 7. Shenzhen 46 25 21 54.3% New York 24 23 0.511 8½ 3. Jon Rahm (ESP) 8.68 son (USA) 1139, 7. (45) Billy Horschel (USA) 1061, Burkina Faso 1 (B. Traore 50) South Sudan 0 ikori (JPN x28) 63, 36, 61 8. Sichuan 47 25 22 53.2% Atlanta 23 23 0.500 9 4. Collin Morikawa (USA) 7.47 8. (7) Harris English (USA) 1011, 9. (8) Tony Finau Group D Women’s 4th rd 9. Qingdao 47 25 22 53.2% Boston 23 24 0.489 9½ 5. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 7.26 (USA) 1005, 10. (10) Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 977, At Kinshasa Ashleigh Barty (AUS x1) bt Victoria Azarenka 10. Beijing Ducks 46 24 22 52.2% Miami 23 24 0.489 9½ 6. Xander Schauffele (USA) 6.81 11. (9) Brooks Koepka (USA) 960, 12. (18) Jon Democratic Republic of Congo 1 (Kasengu (BLR x14) 61, 16, 62; Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x7) 11. Jilin 47 24 23 51.1% Indiana 21 24 0.467 10½ 7. Patrick Reed (USA) 6.21 45+2pen) Gambia 0 Rahm (ESP) 956, 13. (13) Max Homa (USA) 955, 14. bt Marketa Vondrousova (CZE x19) 61, 62; Ana 12. Beijing Royal Fighters 47 22 25 46.8% Chicago 19 26 0.422 12½ 8. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 6.00 At Luanda (12) Jason Kokrak (USA) 923, 15. (15) Daniel Ber stasija Sevastova (LAT) bt Ana Konjuh (CRO) 61, 13. Shanghai 47 22 25 46.8% Toronto 18 29 0.383 14½ 9. Webb Simpson (USA) 5.94 ger (USA) 922, 16. (11) Matt Jones (AUS) 921, 17. Angola 2 (Cafumana 63, Augusto 69) Gabon 0 10. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 5.84 Group G 75; Elina Svitolina (UKR x5) bt Petra Kvitova (CZE 14. Guangzhou 47 21 26 44.7% Washington 17 28 0.378 14½ (14) Carlos Ortiz (MEX) 897, 18. (16) Im Sungjae 11. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 5.82 At Cairo x9) 26, 75, 75; Bianca Andreescu (CAN x8) bt 15. Shanxi 46 17 29 37% Cleveland 17 30 0.362 15½ (KOR) 885, 19. (17) Patrick Reed (USA) 882, 20. (20) 12. Brooks Koepka (USA) 5.82 Egypt 4 (Elneny 15, Sherif 18, Salah 21, 25) Comor Garbine Muguruza (ESP x12) 36, 63, 62; Sara Orlando 15 31 0.326 17 Cameron Smith (AUS) 829, 21. (19) Collin Morika 16. Fujian 47 10 37 21.3% 13. Tony Finau (USA) 5.35 os 0 Sorribes Tormo (ESP) bt Ons Jabeur (TUN x27) Detroit 13 33 0.283 19 wa (USA) 828, 22. (26) Sergio Garcia (ESP) 822, 23. 17. Tianjin 47 10 37 21.3% 14. Viktor Hovland (NOR) 5.19 At Lome 64, 06, 61; Maria Sakkari (GRE x23) bt Jessica 18. Nanjing 47 8 39 17% Western Conference 15. Daniel Berger (USA) 4.70 (21) Kim Siwoo (KOR) 791, 24. (22) Stewart Cink Togo 1 (Eninful 90+4pen) Kenya 2 (Abdallah 29, Pegula (USA x29) 64, 26, 76 (8/6); Naomi Osaka 19. Jiangsu 47 8 39 17% Utah 35 11 0.761 16. Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 4.49 (USA) 784, 25. (23) Lee Westwood (ENG) 776 Juma 65pen) (JPN x2) bt Elise Mertens (BEL x16) 63, 63.