CCRICKETRICKET | Page 3 RRUGBYUGBY | Page 6 Indian selectors All Blacks bet on Pant as defence denies Dhoni’s future Pumas historic remains unclear result with win

Monday, July 22, 2019 SWIMMING Dhul-Qa’da 19, 1440 AH Sun, Horton drama GULF TIMES overshadows Peaty’s WR, Ledecky shock SPORT Page 4

ATHLETICS Barshim strong on Diamond League return in London Agencies International Stadium in the Qatari quickly in the 100m fi nal and never ASIAN 200M RECORD London capital in September. looked like being caught by home China’s Xie Zhenye set a new “First of all I am really happy to favourite Dina Asher-Smith, win- Asian record in winning the men’s be back,” Barshim said yesterday. ning in a time of 10.78 seconds. 200m in 19.88sec while Jamaica’s atar’s world champion “It has been a while since I have World 200m champion Dafne Akeem Bloomfi eld won the 400m Mutaz Essa Barshim is been in an arena and the Diamond Schippers was disqualifi ed after a in 44.40sec. fl ying strong on his way League, July last year. false start at the Diamond League China’s Xie Wenjun won the back from an injury as “I feel great especially coming event. 110m hurdles in a time of 13.28sec. theQ high jumper made a fantastic back to London. I have so many No Americans were in the 100m World indoor 1500m record holder return to Diamond League action in great memories of being here. I fi eld at the London Stadium be- Samuel Tefera of Ethiopia ran the London yesterday. wanted to do better of course but I cause their world championship fastest mile of the year so far in a time The 28-year-old jumped 2.27m have things I can work on and I just qualifi ers are coming up this week. of 3:49.45, beating Norway’s Filip In- yesterday to fi nish second at the need to compete more. Kenya’s Obiri, world champion gebrigtsen by just 0.15sec. London Anniversary Games yes- “High jump is very technical and in the women’s 5000m, posted a The mile is not an Olympic or terday as Syrian Majd Eddin Ghazal you need time to get back into your time of 14 minutes 20.36 seconds — world championship distance. took his fi rst Diamond League vic- rhythm but I am in the right place, I the best of the year so far. Ingebrigtsen, 26, who set a new tory with a 2.30m eff ort. did not feel any pain today which is Dutch runner Sifan Hassan, who Norwegian record, is the older The 2017 World Athlete of the a good thing and I just need to com- broke the 23-year-old women’s brother of 18-year-old Jakob In- Year returned to training in April pete more. mile record in Monaco last week, gebrigtsen, who fi nished second in this year, and has now breached the “It is very important to fi t and had to settle for bronze. Saturday’s 5000m. Sweden’s Dan- 2.27m mark twice since returning healthy to perform on home soil in Britain’s Lynsey Sharp was a iel Stahl won the men’s discus with to competitive action last month in Doha.” popular winner in the women’s a throw of 68.56m. Sopot, Poland. 800m, outlasting Australia’s Ca- Britain’s men’s sprinters won the Barshim, who suff ered a liga- SPRINT QUEEN triona Bisset to win in a time of 4x100m relay, clocking 37.60sec, ment injury in his left ankle last FRASER-PRYCE CRUISES 1:58.61. the fastest time of the year. year in Hungary while attempting a Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce fi red a In other women’s track events, There are Diamond League world record height of 2.46m after warning to her sprint rivals ahead Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton won the events to come in Birmingham, clearing 2.40m for a win, is aim- of the world championships as Hel- 400m hurdles in 54.16 sec. Paris, Zurich and Brussels in the ing to peak at the right time for the len Obiri set the fastest time of the Germany’s Malaika Mihambo lead-up to the world champion- IAAF World Championships Doha year in the 5000 metres yesterday. won the women’s long jump with a ships in Doha, which start on Sep- Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim celebrates as he clears 2.27m in the men’s High Jump event during the 2019, which will be held at Khalifa Jamaica’s Fraser-Pryce got away leap of 7.02 metres. tember 27. IAAF Diamond League Anniversary Games in London yesterday. (AFP)

GOLF Irishman Lowry weathers storm to win British Open Cheered on by a sellout crowd, the 32-year-old from Ireland lifted the Claret Jug by a six-stroke victory in Portrush

Reuters Portrush, United Kingdom

rishman Shane Lowry staved off the biggest nerves of his golfi ng life and handled dif- fi cult conditions to win the IBritish Open by six strokes amid emotional scenes at Royal Por- trush yesterday. Fervently cheered on every shot by the sellout crowd, the 32-year- old from Clara was never seriously troubled in the fi nal round as he carded one-over-par 72 in strong winds and intermittent rain which buff eted the late starters. “My mum and dad, they sac- rifi ced so much for me when I Lowry poses with his family and the Claret Jug, the winner’s trophy at was younger and I’m so happy I The Open, in Portrush, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) can hand them this trophy to- night,” Lowry said as he clutched the Claret Jug, his voice cracking with emotion. He fi nished at 15-under 269, while Englishman Tommy Fleet- wood, the only player to apply any semblance of pressure on Lowry, shot 74 for second place. Lowry had teed off with a four-shot lead and as the other contenders fell away it quickly turned into a head-to-head duel between Lowry and Fleetwood. “I got off to a very shaky start,” said Lowry, who had to sink a six- foot putt to salvage bogey at the fi rst. “I didn’t feel great out there. It’s probably the most uncom- fortable I’ve ever felt on a golf Ireland’s Shane Lowry celebrates after his win in The Open Championships at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland yesterday. (AFP) course. You’re trying to win an Lowry celebrates with his father Brendan after the win. (Reuters) Open in your home country, it’s Even three straight bogeys just keep the ball in play and if I own by the singing gallery who from south of the border, after incredibly diffi cult.” around the turn hardly dented his make the odd par it will be pretty packed the stands. Padraig Harrington in 2007 and Claret Jug. “We’re all one country when it But once he settled down and lead, and a six-foot birdie at the good. After hitting his fi nal approach 2008, to lift the Claret Jug, a fi t- Harrington and 2010 US Open comes to golf,” Lowry said. looked at a leaderboard he no- 15th hole that extended his margin “It turned into a two-horse shot he held his arms aloft in cel- ting end to the fi rst Open played champion Graeme McDowell “I said to my caddie walking ticed that nobody was making a to six strokes allowed him to al- race between me and Tommy to- ebration and hugged his caddie, in Northern Ireland since 1951. were among those who greeted down the last, ‘I can’t believe this run at him. most enjoy a processional victory wards the at the end which was assured fi nally that there would Players from Ireland and Lowry next to the 18th green, is me, this is mine’. He needed to avoid any big march up the fi nal three holes. quite nice because I could keep be no late disaster. Northern Ireland have won while McIlroy, the local favour- “I’ve watched the Open since numbers on his card and duly did “It was just so diffi cult,” he an eye on him.” fi ve of the past 13 Opens, with ite who missed the cut, was no I was a little kid and to be named so, making nothing worse than said. “I kept telling myself bogeys Lowry savoured the walk up GREETED BY HARRINGTON Darren Clarke (2011) and Rory doubt cheering from afar, Irish champion golfer of the year is bogey. are not going to hurt you, let’s the 18th, greeted as one of their He became the second player McIlroy (2014) also hoisting the eyes smiling all over. just incredible.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, July 22, 2019 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Clanton and Jasmine sizzle Lowry’s career to win inaugural LPGA team event

AFP Los Angeles pile up six straight birdies from comes full circle the 12th through the 17th holes. “It’s so funny, this is the tour- ydney Clanton and nament that I wanted to come Jasmine Suwannapura and play in. I was like, ‘Team combined to fi re an event, I’m in, let’s go.’ 11-under 59 in Satur- “So, I’m blessed for the op- Cday’s fi nal-round four-ball to portunity, I’m blessed that Jas- win the LPGA’s Dow Great Lakes mine came and let me come play on Irish soil Bay Invitational in Michigan by with her.” six strokes. Jasmine, who won her previ- He became only the second player from the Republic of Ireland to win the Claret Jug America’s Clanton and Thai- ous title at the 2018 Marathon land’s Jasmine opened the day Classic, called it “pretty awe- at Midland Country Club with a some,” adding that the four-ball fi ve-stroke lead. format, in which both players They both bogeyed the open- complete each hole and the best ing hole, but from there they score counts, made for a fun day. were off and running, putting 12 “I like this kind of format,” she birdies on their team scorecard said. “You’ve got two chances on on the way to a 27-under par to- each hole. You’re just trying to tal of 253. go for it and make some birdies. They were six strokes clear That’s the best thing you can do of South Korea’s Ko Jin-young in golf. and Australian Minjee Lee, who “You know that you have two posted a 58. opportunities each hole to make Thai sisters Ariya and Moriya birdie, that keeps things fun.” Jutanugarn and South Korean The Thai, whose maiden vic- duo Choi Na-yeon and Jenny tory last year came after a ca- Shin both posted 61s to share reer-threatening broken back third on 260. in 2016, was especially pleased Jasmine notched her second with her performance on the LPGA title while Clanton won greens. her fi rst — punching her tickets “I’ve been working hard with to the upcoming major cham- my game and every week is get- pionships the Evian Champion- ting better with my irons and ship in France and the Women’s everything. It’s just only the British Open. putts didn’t come yet. “I couldn’t even dream up to “So it’s a good feeling that I have won a Symetra event ear- can actually make some putts lier this year and then to come or really important putts just to out and win with Jasmine,” said keep it going and make my part- a delighted Clanton, who bird- ner feel like, ‘Yeah, I’ve got your ied four straight to help the team back.’”

Ireland’s Shane Lowry celebrates after winning the British Open golf Championships at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland yesterday.

AFP US Open at Oakmont. followed, but he steadily found ways possessed the game of a He says a more relaxed ap- Portrush, United Kingdom The son of Gaelic football his feet on the tour and took major champion. proach has helped him return to player Brendan Lowry, who won his second title at the Portugal “(Coach) Pete Cowen tells an the upper echelons of the game, the All-Ireland title with Off aly Masters in 2012. amazing story. (He) went to the as he is projected to climb back hane Lowry burst onto in 1982 alongside his brothers He announced himself to a Irish squad training down in to 17 in the rankings on Monday. the professional scene Mick and Sean, claimed one of wider audience with a two- Dublin and the guy said, ‘Who “I feel like I’m a diff erent per- with an incredible vic- the unlikeliest of titles on his stroke win over Bubba Watson in do you like?’ And he obviously son. I don’t think I’m a much tory as an amateur at the European Tour debut in 2009. the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone In- said, ‘Rory McIlroy looks pretty diff erent golfer, but I feel like I’m IrishS Open a decade ago, and Lowry entered that Irish vitational, and then put himself good, but that slightly over- a diff erent person now. he delivered again yesterday by Open at County Louth without in pole position to grab a fi rst weight kid with the glasses on, “It probably doesn’t mean as romping to a memorable British a world ranking, but fi red a 62 major title at Oakmont. who was Shane Lowry at the much to me as it did then.” Open triumph at a wind-swept en route to an eventual win over Lowry played brilliantly to time, he looks good’,” said Mc- That did not appear to be Royal Portrush. England’s Robert Rock on a third seize a four-shot advantage Dowell. the case on the last green at The 32-year-old became sudden-death play-off hole. heading into the fourth round “So he’s always been tal- Portrush yesterday, though, only the second player from the That victory had him ear- that Sunday in 2016, but he ented.” Lowry slipped down the as Lowry took the acclaim of Republic of Ireland to win the marked as a potential star of cracked, falling to a 76 and a tie rankings after his US Open dis- thousands of jubilant fans on a Claret Jug, after Padraig Har- European golf, but until this in- for second, three strokes behind appointment from a career-high spine-tingling walk up the 18th rington, to the delight of the credible week on the Causeway winner Dustin Johnson. 17th, fi nding himself the world fairway, with his arms held aloft. home crowds as the Open was coast, he had perhaps slightly But he said that experience number 92 after the Open 12 The party could last long into given a dream result on its re- under-achieved despite some had put him in good stead this months ago. the night, after the fresh-faced turn to Northern Ireland after a high moments. time around. He found form this year, lad who had become only the 68-year absence. Lowry missed out on the “Obviously I learned a lot that though, winning his fourth Eu- second home winner of the Irish The stunning six-shot win, 500,000-euro winning prize, day. I learned a lot about myself ropean Tour title in the Abu Open 10 years before, saw his after leading by four strokes though, due to his amateur sta- at Oakmont.” Dhabi Championship and fi n- career come full circle as, with Cydney Clanton of the United States (R) and Jasmine Suwannapura overnight, also banished the tus, and he quickly turned pro Northern Irishman Graeme ishing in the top 10 at May’s PGA a big smile across his bearded of Thailand celebrate on the 18th green after winning the Dow Great demons of Lowry’s collapse the next week. McDowell, the 2010 US Open Championship, his fi rst top-10 face, he lifted golf’s oldest major Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan. when four clear in the 2016 Three straight missed cuts winner, said that Lowry has al- at a major since Oakmont. trophy.

RUGBY BARBASOL CHAMPIONSHIP Nervous Steyn has eye on return to World Cup stage Herman maintains

Reuters draw from the squad with injury. because I’ve been in the squad with the Boks who are already return match in Rotorua on Sat- Johannesburg “I was nervous,” Steyn said for just two weeks and I’m still in New Zealand for Saturday’s urday. one-shot lead after a 30-minute appearance trying to get used to all the Rugby Championship clash as “The players who remained in off the bench at Ellis Park. “My structures. Erasmus takes a 34-man squad Fiji last week underwent specifi c AFP site the British Open at Portrush. orld Cup winner wife was pacing up and down at “I can’t say we don’t get to Wellington. physical conditioning so I expect Los Angeles “Pretty interesting getting a Frans Steyn ad- the hotel before we left for the coached that well in France, but “It will be a massive game. them to come fi tter and fresh phone call from the president,” mits he was a bag game. Watching her made me Rassie and his team have really We’ll have to wait and see if I this week,” McKee said. said Herman, whose 24-un- Wof nerves before nervous. stepped up. They’ve done a great get picked. If I don’t play, I’ll be “We expect Japan to play a im Herman rolled in two der par total of 192 put him one his return to the South Africa “When we started to warm up job.” there supporting the guys who very up-tempo game. Once eagle putts in a 10-un- stroke in front of Kelly Kraft. side in their 35-17 Rugby Cham- at Ellis Park, I calmed down a lit- Steyn says he is not sure where do. again we will have to work very der par 62 on Saturday Austin Cook fi red a 63 to share pionship victory over Australia tle bit.” he stands in terms of World Cup “If I play, I’ll try my best. Dur- hard in our defensive system and to maintain a one-shot third place on 196 with Bill Haas, on Saturday as he targets a late Steyn can play fl yhalf, full- selection, but adds that the fact ing my time here there probably look to dominate the physical leadJ heading into the fi nal round who carded a 65 at Keene Trace push for a place in the Spring- back and inside centre, but be- that the Boks beat Australia with will be some screw-ups. But I’ll collisions.” of the US PGA Tour Barbasol Golf Club in Nicholasville, Ken- boks’ World Cup squad. lieves the latter position is his essentially a second-string side do my best.” Only fi ve of the squad are Fiji- Championship in Kentucky. tucky. Steyn lifted the Webb Ellis best as he looks forward to mak- shows the depth in the squad. Meanwhile, Fiji head coach based. Herman, a former assistant Herman, seeking a second Cup in France 12 years ago, but ing up for past disappointments “Two years ago, who would John McKee on Sunday named McKee said the home and pro at Trump National Bedmin- PGA Tour title to go with the has 56 caps in 13 years, often in in a career that has perhaps not have thought we would beat a strong 27-man squad, domi- away matches against the Maori ster in New Jersey, said this week Houston Open trophy he claimed and out of the side at the whim seen him fulfi l his rich potential. Australia like this? I was sitting nated by Europe-based players, All Blacks were positive for the that advice from US President in 2016, rolled in an eagle putt of of coaches and sometimes him- “I’ve been around and I’ve in France, and I wouldn’t have for their opening Pacifi c Nations team despite the series being Donald Trump during a round 11 feet at the eighth and drained a self. It was his fi rst appearance had my bad years,” Steyn said. predicted this, even if I was in Cup match against Japan next drawn. this month had spurred him to 10-footer for eagle at 15. since June 2017. “Careers have ups and downs. the squad. weekend. “There have been some good make putting changes that were He added six birdies in a bo- But his experience and ver- It’s one of those things. Mine has “It’s just unbelievable what He has recalled nine players learnings from our two matches paying off this week. gey-free eff ort. satility is attractive to current gone up and down, as everybody Rassie and SA Rugby have done. who remained in Fiji after they against the Maori All Blacks and And he said the president Kraft rolled in a 64-foot eagle coach Rassie Erasmus, who se- in this room knows. It’s unbelievably special for the beat the Maori All Blacks in Suva players have benefi ted from the called him to off er encourage- putt at the 15th to go with nine lected Steyn last year, only for “I’m actually happy that I players.” last week, and retained 18 play- physical matches over the past ment heading into the weekend birdies — including a 15-footer at the Montpellier player to with- didn’t start against Australia, Steyn is expected to link up ers from the squad who lost the two weeks,” he said. of the tournament played oppo- the last. Gulf Times Monday, July 22, 2019 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Wood eyes Ashes role Indian selectors bet on despite injury blow AFP Pant as Dhoni’s future London ngland paceman Mark Wood has set his sights on recovering from in- jury in time to play a roleE in the Ashes against Aus- tralia. Wood will be out for up to six weeks after suff ering a remains unclear side strain during last Sunday’s historic World Cup fi nal victory over New Zealand. Dhoni has not given a hint of what his plans are and made himself unavailable for the Caribbean trip The 29-year-old won’t play in next week’s one-off Test Reuters against Ireland at Lord’s or the Mumbai fi rst Test against Australia when the Ashes get under way at Edg- baston on August 1. But Durham ndia’s cricket selectors yesterday star Wood still hopes he can get named Rishabh Pant as their pre- back to full fi tness in time for the ferred wicketkeeper for all three last two Tests in the fi ve-match formats for next month’s tour of series. “I might make the last IWest Indies with the future of long- couple (of Tests). It all depends serving glovesman Mahendra Singh on selection,” Wood told BBC 5 Dhoni still shrouded in mystery. Live’s Sportsweek yesterday. Dhoni, 38, has been the subject of “Hopefully the injury will intense speculation on his retirement have healed by then and I’ll be from international cricket over the past back with the speed and will few days since India’s semi-fi nal exit have played a few games for from the World Cup. The veteran of 350 Durham. My side injury is four one-dayers, who quit playing Tests at to six weeks, so hopefully I’ll still the end of 2014, has not provided even play a part towards the end of a hint of what his plans are and made the season, but if not it’s been a himself unavailable for the trip to the fantastic summer so far for Eng- Caribbean where India will play three lish cricket. There’s still plenty T20s, three ODIs and two Tests. Virat more to go and hopefully for me Kohli attended the selection meeting there’s still a bit more cricket to having received a “special invite” to it. play.” “He’s expressed his unavailability for Wood played a key role this series,” Chief selector MSK Prasad throughout the World Cup, but told reporters. “We had certain road- was clearly in pain as he strived map and plans till the World Cup. Sub- to maintain his bowling speed sequently, we’ve laid down few more during his 10 overs in the fi nal plans and we thought of giving as many against New Zealand. He said he opportunities as possible to Rishabh was still pinching himself after Pant and to see he is groomed.” England’s heroics at Lord’s. “To Widely considered as the best ‘fi n- be honest, it’s so hard to believe,” isher’ in contemporary cricket, Dhoni he added. has recently struggled to start his in- “You’d think by now it would nings while his ability to put bowlers to have sunk in but to be world the sword at the end has also been on champions, it still gives me the wane. goose bumps listening back to Dhoni’s glovework, however, still re- it and watching it. I’m still feel- mains top class and questions have been ing on top of the world. I know I raised by former cricketers, pundits and might have an injury, but I didn’t local media if it was the right time for look past the World Cup initially. him to step away and help India groom I know the Ashes is round the his successor. corner but I’m over the moon The next 50-over World Cup is still that I’ve got the dream of the four years away but the World Twen- World Cup.” ty20 will be held in 2020 and Dhoni Rishabh Pant (left) will be ‘groomed’ as India’s first choice wicketkeeper with amid intense speculation over Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s future. (Reuters) enjoys unwavering support from India captain Virat Kohli who has publicly kicking off the new World Test Cham- was yet to regain complete fi tness fol- selectors’ plans. “He (Gill) went to New Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, backed him on numerous occasions. pionships, India named a full-strength lowing his toe injury. Zealand when K L Rahul was suspend- Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, “Retirement is purely individual. A 16-man squad for the series in which India’s selectors opted to rest ace fast ed and now Rahul has come back so he Umesh Yadav legendary cricketer like MS Dhoni, they experienced wicketkeeper Wriddhiman bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the limited- (Gill) is in the waiting list. Defi nitely he ODIs: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit know when to retire,” Prasad said. “But Saha was recalled after being out in- overs matches while including uncapped will be considered in the future.” Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh what is the future course of action, what jured for more than a year. speedster Navdeep Saini in the squad. Left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed was Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, is the roadmap that we have to take is in His replacement Pant, 21, has used It appeared to be the end of the road also recalled to the ODI squad, while Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep the hands of the selection committee. I his chances well and hit a century in an for wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, who pace bowler Deepak Chahar and all- don’t think we need to discuss anything Oval Test last year while also smash- was India’s reserve wicketkeeper at the rounder Washington Sundar made their Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kedar Jad- on it, because fi rst of all he’s not avail- ing an unbeaten 159 against Australia in World Cup, with Manish Pandey and way back into the T20I squad. hav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar able. Second, we have already started Sydney in January. Regular Test opener Shreyas Iyer included to stake their Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini grooming some youngsters.” Prithvi Shaw and all-rounder Hardik claims for the middle order batting slots. INDIA SQUADS FOR T20s: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Media reports in the lead-up to the Pandya were out with injuries with the When asked about Karthik, Prasad said: WEST INDIES TOUR Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh selection had said that Dhoni had opted latter also not named in the squads for “We had certain plans till the World Cup Tests: Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Ra- Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, out of the tour to spend the better part white ball cricket. and post the World Cup, we need to give hane, Mayank Agarwal, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Krunal Pandya, Ravin- of two months with the Parachute Regi- Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan opportunities to those youngsters who Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Ro- ment of the Indian Army, where he has has recovered from his broken thumb will go on to play for long.” dra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Rahul the rank of honorary Lieutenant Colo- that forced him to leave the World Cup Prasad also said that young batsman hit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel nel. With the two Tests in Caribbean midway but all-rounder Vijay Shankar Shubman Gill remains very much in the Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini

BOTTOMLINE ROUND-UP World Cup fi nal umpire admits ‘error’ Zimbabwe pull out AFP Taufel had told Fox Sports Australia the of Bangladesh Colombo umpires made a “clear mistake” as the batsmen had not crossed for their second run. But the Australian also defended the triangular series he umpire who awarded England match umpires, who he said had to make six runs from a freak overthrow in a complicated judgement, and said it imbabwe Cricket, which statutes again,” the statement the last over of the World Cup fi - would be “unfair” to say the decision al- has been suspended by added. If Zimbabwe don’t end nal has admitted he made an “er- tered the outcome of the tournament as it the International Cricket up participating, the series is Tror” and should have given one run fewer, was impossible to now what would have Council (ICC), has an- likely to be turned into a bilateral a report said yesterday. A throw to the happened in the fi nal balls had fi ve been Znounced that the national team aff air. stumps defl ected off the bat of a diving awarded. will not travel to Bangladesh for Ben Stokes as he tried to complete a sec- Dharmasena also said that there were the triangular series including MORGAN TO PLAY IN BPL ond run and raced to the boundary, with far too many things going on at the time. Afghanistan in September. Bangladesh Premier League Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena “One must understand that there were At the ICC annual conference (BPL) franchise Dhaka Dyna- awarding six. too many things on our plate. We had to which concluded on Thursday in mites have roped in England Three balls later the scores at 50 overs watch the batsmen complete the fi rst run, London, a unanimous decision limited-overs skipper Eoin Mor- were tied as England reached 241 all out the ball being fi elded, how it was handled was taken after they felt that gan for the upcoming edition of replying to New Zealand’s 241-8. It took by the fi elder and whether the batsmen Zimbabwe Cricket had not been the tournament. the nail-biting fi nal to a Super Over completed the second run. able to provide a process for Morgan, who led England to which again was tied but England lifted “And where the throw would come conducting free and democratic their maiden men’s World Cup the trophy by virtue of having scored from, the striker’s end or non-striker’s elections. The ZC, in a statement title, will be playing alongside more boundaries end,” said the former off -spinner who on Saturday, notifi ed its inability Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Critics, including former leading um- was part of the Sri Lanka team that won to stage domestic competitions Al Hasan, who led the franchise pire Simon Taufel, said England should the World Cup in 1996. or fulfi l the obligations of the to their only title in 2016. have been awarded fi ve runs, not six, “In this case, we were all happy that the Future Tours Programme after Dhaka Dynamites have failed as the batsmen had not crossed for the batsmen had completed the second run ICC’s suspension which also to clinch the title in the last two second run at the moment the ball was because the ball ricocheted off Stokes’s saw the freezing of funds for editions under Shakib despite thrown. Former Sri Lankan Test player bat at the time of him completing the the cricket board. “In all this, reaching the fi nals. Dharmasena told the Sunday Times he second run. So, we assumed that they players and staff are bearing the Meanwhile, South Africa’s JP did not have the benefi t of television re- had crossed each other at the time of the brunt of the standoff and they Duminy will play for Rajshahi plays which showed the batsmen had not fi elder releasing the ball,” he said. might be forced to go for months Kings. Duminy recently an- crossed. It was later reported that the Maryle- or forever without their salaries nounced his retirement from “I agree that there was an error of bone Cricket Club (MCC), custodians of and match fees,” the ZC said in a ODI cricket following the judgement when I see it on TV replays the Laws of Cricket, was considering to statement. conclusion of World Cup. The now,” Dharmasena, who was umpiring review the overthrow rules in light of the “We would like to see our 35-year-old, who announced the fi nal with South Africa’s Marais Er- Dharmasena said he signalled six after “While they cannot check TV replays, incidents that occurred during the World teams playing again as soon his retirement from domestic asmus, told the local Sunday Times. “It’s consulting the other match offi cials.”So, they all confi rmed that the batsmen have Cup fi nal. as possible and the ZC board cricket earlier this year, had easy for people to comment after seeing I did consult the leg umpire (Erasmus) completed the second run. This is when I The MCC feels overthrows are worth is ready to cooperate with the expressed his desire to continue TV replays. But we did not have the luxu- through the communication system made my decision. I will never regret the taking a look whenever it next reviews the SRC and other stakeholders to playing T20 cricket for South ry of TV replays at the ground and I do not which is heard by all other umpires and decision I made. Besides, the ICC praised laws of the game which is the responsibil- get Zimbabwe back to operating Africa and also participate in regret the decision I made.” the match referee,” he told the newspaper. me for the decision I made at that time.” ity of the MCC laws sub-committee. within the confi nes of the ICC leagues around the world. Gulf Times 4 Monday, July 22, 2019 SPORT

WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS TENNIS Jarry wins fi rst ATP Sun, Horton drama title in Bastad overshadows Peaty’s WR, Ledecky shock Nicolas Jarry of Chile celebrates his victory over Juan Ignacio ‘I was aware that the Australian athlete had dissatisfaction and personal feelings towards me’ Londero of Argentina in Swedish Open final yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP RYBAKINA TOO STRONG Bastad FOR TIG IN BUCHAREST Elena Rybakina opened her WTA account yesterday with hilean Nicolas Jarry a comprehensive 6-2, 6-0 vic- collected his fi rst ATP tory over the unranked Roma- title when he beat nian Patricia Tig in the Bucha- Juan Ignacio Londero rest Open fi nal. 7-6C (9/7), 6-4 in the fi nal of In spite of her defeat it was a the clay court Swedish Open in major triumph for 24-year-old Bastad yesterday. Tig who was playing her fi rst The 23-year-old Jarry land- tournament since September ed 10 aces and converted both 2017 following injury and then break points he created to the birth of her daughter last beat the Argentine in 90 min- November. utes. The world number 64 The Russian-born Kazakh improved on previous career- Rybakina was ranked 106 in best runner-up fi nishes in Sao the world at the start of the Paulo last year and Geneva in tournament and the 20-year- May, when he was beaten in old is projected to move into the fi nal by Alexander Zverev. the top 85 today.

FERRO BEATS CORNET TO ISNER BOOKS NEWPORT WIN FIRST WTA TITLE FINAL AGAINST BUBLIK Fiona Ferro won her fi rst WTA Three-time champion John title on Sunday after beating Isner fended off fourth-seeded French compatriot Alize Cor- Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-7 net 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 in the fi nal at (4/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 Saturday Lausanne. to reach the fi nal of the ATP The 22-year-old beat Cor- grass court tournament in net in one hour and 40 minutes Newport, Rhode Island. to make sure the third seed Isner, trying to get his sea- didn’t retain her title in her son back on track after he was 13th fi nal on the top women’s sidelined by a stress fracture in circuit. The win, which lifts his foot after reaching the fi nal Ferro from 98 to 74 in the WTA in Miami in April, will take on rankings, follows fi rst round seventh-seeded Alexander eliminations at Roland Garros, Bublik of Kazakhstan, a 7-6 Australian Open and Wimble- (7/5), 3-6, 6-4 winner over don. Spain’s Marcel Granollers.

BADMINTON

Adam Peaty of Britain gestures after winning the 100m breaststroke semi-finals at 18th FINA World China’s Sun Yang celebrates after winning the 400m freestyle final at the Swimming Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, yesterday. (Reuters) 2019 World Swimming Championships in Gwangju yesterday. (AFP) Chou Tien-chen

Reuters fi dent he could always go lower more and you’re not going to when I tightened up she ran me The Australian, who labelled Gwangju, South Korea even he was stunned at swim- get her, then suddenly I just felt right down. Sun a “drug cheat” ahead of that wins Indonesia Open ming 56.88 in the semi-fi nals. something,” said the 18-year- “I’ll rebound off of this and get Rio fi nal, stood motionless be- “It feels incredible. I’ve been old Australian. The defeat would focused on my next races.” hind the runners-up spot at the AFP Akane Yamaguchi clinched riple Olympic champion chasing that for three years now, only make it harder to beat the Australia’s women delivered podium, while Sun stepped for- Jakarta the title after defeating India’s Sun Yang accused rival ever since I touched the wall in American at next year’s Tokyo a world championships record ward to collect a 10th gold medal Pusarla V Sindhu 21-15, 21-16. Mack Horton of disre- Rio I knew I could go faster,” he Olympics, said Titmus, who of 3:30.21 in the 4x100m free- at the worlds and Italian Gabri- She only advanced to the fi nal specting China yester- said. He was careful not to get came home in 3:58.76 - 1.21 sec- style relay to win gold ahead of ele Detti picked up the bronze. aiwan shuttler Chou for the fi rst time after demol- Tday after the Australian refused carried away, however, with the onds ahead of Ledecky. the United States and Canada, “I was aware that the Austral- Tien-chen won the men’s ishing Taiwan’s world number to take the podium following small matter of today’s fi nal still “I know she’ll be back, she’s while the Americans won the ian athlete had dissatisfaction singles at the Indonesia one Tai Tzu-ying on Saturday. their 400m freestyle clash at the to take care of. the greatest ever so this isn’t men’s race ahead of Russia and and personal feelings towards Open badminton tourna- In the women’s doubles, Jap- World Swimming Champion- “I’ve come here to win a world going to bother her. I think it’s Australia. me,” Sun told a news conference. mentT yesterday, his fi rst title in a anese duo Yuki Fukushima and ships in Gwangju. title and that’s tomorrow and probably going to drive her to But the main drama came after “But it was unfortunate be- Super 1000 level event. Sayaka Hirota beat their com- The controversy overshadowed that’s still my main focus, so this train harder and next year there the men’s 400m, where the bad cause disrespecting me is okay, The world number three patriots Misaki Matsutomo an incredible night in the pool, was just a bonus and I’ll use this will a real battle.” blood that has been simmering but disrespecting China was became the fi rst Taiwanese to and Ayaka Takahashi 21-16, 21- where Briton Adam Peaty be- energy tomorrow,” he added. between Sun and Horton since very unfortunate and I felt sorry win the title at the Indonesia 18. In an mixed doubles, Zheng came the fi rst to swim the 100m Ledecky had been aiming for a PODIUM DRAMA the 2016 Olympics spilled over about that.” Open, after defeating Den- Siwei and Huang Yaqiong out- breaststroke in under 57 seconds fourth straight world title in the Ledecky, who still has the 200, at the medal ceremony. Horton, who also kept Sun at mark’s Anders Antonsen 21- classed Wang Yilyu and Huang and Australian teen Ariarne Tit- 400m and everything looked to 800 and 1,500m ahead of her in Sun, competing in South Ko- arm’s length as they posed for 18, 24-26, 21-15 in 91 minutes. Dongping 21-13, 21-18 to clinch mus ended Katie Ledecky’s reign be going according to plan as she Gwangju, was stunned by the rea despite the Court of Arbitra- photographs with their medals, “It was a good game, both the title. The men’s doubles fi - in the 400m freestyle. powered into the lead, only for defeat. tion for Sport (CAS) set to hear did not want to get drawn into of us pressured each other nal was an all-Indonesian aff air Peaty has been hammering Titmus to claw back the defi cit “This stings a little, it’s not a doping case against him, won another war of words. for 90 minutes, it was a long with the world’s top-ranked away at the ‘Magic 57’ mark over and hit the front over the fi nal 50. what I’m not used to,” she said. a record fourth straight 400m “His actions and I guess how game... and exhausting,” the pair Marcus Gideon and Kevin the last couple of years, setting a “To be honest, I kind of “I felt like I stayed pretty calm crown with Horton, who beat it’s been handled speak louder 29-year-old said through an Sukamuljo besting Mohamed world record of 57.10 in Glasgow thought to myself just hang in through the race and again when him to the title at the Games, in than anything I’ll ever say,” he interpreter after the match. In Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan in 2018, and while he was con- there but she’s going to have I made I move she responded and second place. said. the women’s singles, Japan’s 21-19 and 21-16.

CYCLING Alaphilippe leaves Pyrenees in Tour lead AFP Fleche Wallonne and Milan-San hind his teammate. “I lost time in maybe there’s third one up the Foix, France Remo. the time rial and it changed noth- road,” said Simon, who has told Thomas struggled on the fi nal ing, yesterday he lost some time AFP he will target winning the climb into the clouds, but then and it changed nothing and today Tour de France possibly in 2021 ulian Alaphilippe dug closed the gap on the leader to again I moved closer. If I am going after going for gold at the Tokyo deep to keep the overall 1min 35sec by dropping him with full gas at some point in the race 2020 Olympic Games road race. Tour de France lead yes- a late burst after initially looking for sure I will talk with him,” said terday as Simon Yates like he was going to lose precious Bernal, who received high praise STANDINGS capturedJ his second stage of this time on the overall leader. from sports director Portal. ST AGE year’s race and defending cham- “Tactics-wise, we were stuck “He’s intelligent, he wants to 1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/De- pion Geraint Thomas kept his a bit between a rock and a hard win but he knows his place,” said ceuninck) 61hrs 00min 22sec, title hopes alive after a late surge. place, but the positive is that the Portal. “He waited for G (Tho- 2. Geraint Thomas (GBR/INE) at Few believed Frenchman legs responded a little bit bet- mas) and G heard him talking to 1min 35sec, 3. Steven Kruijswijk Alaphilippe would emerge from ter today. It was a decent day us on the radio and told him to (NED/JUM) 1:47, 4. Thibaut Pinot two daunting summit fi nishes in all round to be honest,” Thomas go,” he said, illustrating the two (FRA/FDJ) 1:50, 5. Egan Bernal the Pyrenees with the lead, but said after the stage. have a good understanding. (COL/INE) 2:02, 6. Emanuel at the Foix Prat d’Albi fi nish he “I was suff ering at times and Yesterday’s stage winner Si- Buchmann (GER/BOR) 2:14, 7. donned the yellow jersey for an the rest day will be welcome for mon Yates also won Thursday’s Mikel Landa (ESP/MOV) 4:54, 8. astonishing 11th time as reward everyone,” added Thomas of stage, also on a long distance Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) for his swashbuckling perform- Monday’s second rest day before breakaway, but his twin brother 5:00, 9. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN/ ances that have lit up this tour. the Tour heads north towards Adam’s Tour de France chances AST) 5:27, 10. Rigoberto Uran “I expected to lose a bit of time the Alps for a fi nal three days of look completely cooked as he (COL/EF1) 5:33, 11. Richie Porte today. I’m delighted that I’m still high altitude reckoning. lost time again. Vuelta a Espana (AUS/TRE) 6:30, 12. Warren in the yellow jersey. I gave my Ineos sports director Nicolas France’s Julian Alaphilippe celebrates his overall leader’s yellow jersey on the podium of the fifteen stage champion Simon said he had Barguil (FRA/ARK) 7:22, 13. Nairo best to fi ght and retain the lead,” Portal said the British team were of the 106th edition of the Tour de France yesterday. (AFP) mixed feelings about his per- Quintana (COL/MOV) 8:28, 14. said the 27-year-old world No 1 “fi ne” with where they were so formance. Roman Kreuziger (CZE/DDT) Alaphilippe. far. way to go and we are hoping he stage and then left all the chief lose too much time to him. He’s “I came here to help my broth- 11:04, 15. Daniel Martin (IRL/ “We knew it would be a hard “We’re in second place with G blows,” he said. contenders behind him after in great form, but look, he’s not er Adam, and that hasn’t gone to UAE) 11:39, 16. Guillaume Martin day, I paid for my eff orts in the (Thomas)” said Portal. “We were Thomas singled out Thibaut attacking halfway up the Prat the only one,” said the 33-year- plan,” he admitted after his twin (FRA/WGG) 13:42, 17. Fabio Aru fi nale,” admitted Alaphilippe not expecting this from Alap- Pinot for praise after the 2018 d’Albi 11km ascent, now stands old Ineos captain. had a poor time in the Pyrenees. (ITA/UAE) 14:15, 18. David Gaudu of the Deceuninck Quick-Step hilippe, he’s been imperious.” champion lost 49sec to the only 15sec behind the Welshman. Thomas’s co-captain, the “But I had a second objective (FRA/FDJ) 14:31, 19. Romain Bar- team who turned up at the Tour “It’s exciting, he’s the man of Frenchman. “We’ll have to really keep an 22-year-old Colombian Egan and that was to win a stage. I’ve det (FRA/ALM) 27:12, 20. Xandro after multiple wins including the the tour so far, but there’s a long Pinot, who won Saturday’s eye on him now, we don’t want to Bernal is now fi fth, just 27sec be- now won two and who knows, Meurisse (BEL/WGG) 28:25. Gulf Times Monday, July 22, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB NHL Oilers acquire veteran Neal from A’s stay hot, sink Calgary Flames

AFP late by a hand injury which re- Los Angeles quired surgery. Neal has 514 points in 766 NHL games with the Stars, he Edmonton Oilers Pittsburgh Penguins, Nash- Twins on Davis’ and Calgary Flames ville Predators, Golden traded a pair of high- Knights and Flames. Lucic priced forwards on struggled mightily with the TFriday in a deal that sees Oilers this past season, scoring James Neal and Milan Lucic just six goals in 79 games. switch allegiances in the Battle of Alberta rivalry. The Oilers dealt underper- MCGINN, HURRICANES 9th-inning single forming Lucic to the Flames for AGREE TO 2-YEAR DEAL Neal, who won a silver medal The Carolina Hurricanes and ‘The A’s always find the players to be able to compete, and this year is no exception’ with Canada at the 2009 World forward Brock McGinn have Championships in Switzer- agreed to a two-year, $4.2mn Reuters land. Calgary will also receive a contract, avoiding arbitration. Minneapolis third round draft pick. McGinn will earn $1.9mn in Neal, who guided the ex- 2019-20 and $2.3mn in 2020- pansion Vegas Golden Knights 21. hris Davis hit a two-run single to the Stanley Cup fi nals two “We’re relieved to have this with two outs in the top of the seasons ago, is the more likely settled before going to arbitra- ninth, as the Oakland A’s ral- of the two to have a bounce tion,” said Don Waddell, Caro- lied for a 5-4 victory over the back season next year. lina’s general manager and KMinnesota Twins on Saturday night in While Neal has scored at president. Minneapolis. least 20 goals in four of his last “Brock was an important Oakland was down to its fi nal out fi ve seasons, the 31-year-old part of what we accomplished against Twins’ reliever Taylor Rogers (2- Lucic is edging closer to retire- last season and we’re happy to 2) when Mark Canha was hit by a pitch. ment after scoring just 16 goals have him as part of our group Ramon Laureano followed with a double over the past two years. moving forward.” down the left fi eld line, with Canha stop- Neal was made expendable The Boston Bruins swept ping at third. because of a high priced con- the Hurricanes in the Eastern Davis then cracked a line drive off the tract that will see him make Conference fi nals. glove of diving fi rst baseman Ehire Adri- $5.75mn per season over the The 25-year-old had 26 anza to bring home the game-winning next four years. Lucic will earn points (10 goals, 16 assists) in runs. $6mn a season over that time. 82 games with the Hurricanes Laureano was a triple shy of the cy- Neal was originally chosen in 2018-19. He also appeared cle, and Canha hit a two-run homer and in the second round of the in 15 games during the Stanley scored twice for Oakland, which won for 2005 NHL draft by the Dallas Cup playoff s, tallying six the eighth time in nine games. Robbie Stars. points (two goals, four assists). Grossman and Chris Herrmann each had He brings solid leadership to He scored the series-clinch- two hits for the A’s. the Oilers with a resume that ing goal in double overtime Blake Treinen (3-3) picked up the win includes scoring 11 points in in Game 7 of the Canes’ fi rst- with an inning of scoreless relief, while 20 games in helping lead the round series against Washing- Liam Hendriks picked up his eighth save, Golden Knights to the 2018 ton. A second-round pick in getting Mitch Garver to ground into a NHL fi nals where they lost to the 2012 NHL Draft by Caro- double play with the bases loaded and one the Washington Capitals in lina, McGinn has 76 career out in the bottom of the ninth. fi ve games. points (36 goals, 40 assists) in Garver, Nelson Cruz and Miguel Sano He has been bothered of 240 career games. each homered, and Max Kepler and Sano each had two hits for the Twins. Minnesota took a 2-0 lead in the fi rst inning on home runs by Garver and Cruz. Garver hit Oakland starter Brett Ander- son’s second pitch of the game 410 feet into the bleachers in right-centre for his 17th homer of the season. Cruz followed one out later with his 19th, a 436-foot drive to centre. Oakland came back to take a 3-2 lead in the seventh. A two-run home run by Canha, his 16th of the season, tied it and also extended the A’s streak with at least one homer to 20 Oakland Athletics designated hitter Khris Davis hits a RBI double against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field. games, the second longest in Oakland A’s PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports history. Laureano followed with his 20th homer, a 413-foot drive to right centre. Abreu and the visiting Chicago White Sox Giolito bounced back after giving up Sano tied it with his 14th homer of the beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in 11 innings nine earned runs over 10 innings in his RESULTS year leading off the bottom of the seventh, on Saturday, sending the Rays to their past two starts. He allowed one run on a 443-foot drive into the third deck in fi fth straight loss. seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out A’s 5-4 Twins left, which also ended the night for An- Chicago was down to its fi nal out when nine and walking one. White Sox 2-1 Rays derson. After a pair of singles, Jonathan James McCann homered off Emilio Pagan Austin Meadows and Joey Wendle Yankees 11-5 Rockies Schoop’s sacrifi ce fl y scored Adrianza - to tie it 1-1 in the ninth. had two hits each for the Rays, who have who was pinch-running for C.J. Cron - to Moncada led off the 11th with a walk scored just six runs over their past four Red Sox 17-6 Orioles regain the lead for the Twins. against Adam Kolarek (3-3). games. The Rays got the leadoff runner on Angels 6-2 Mariners Anderson allowed three runs on four Chaz Roe came on to face Abreu and base in seven straight innings but scored Blue Jays 7-5 Tigers hits in six-plus innings, striking out two Moncada broke from fi rst on a 2-1 pitch. only when Garcia homered. Dodgers 10-6 Marlins and walking one. Twins starter Jose Berri- Abreu sent a slow bouncer to right fi eld After carrying a potential combined os pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, scatter- and Moncada came all the way around to perfect game into the ninth inning before Cubs 6-5 Padres ing fi ve hits and three walks while striking score. Jace Fry (2-4) pitched one inning for allowing a run July 14 in Baltimore, Rays Astros 6-1 Rangers out four. the win and Alex Colome earned his 21st starter Ryan Yarbrough retired the fi rst 12 Brewers 8-3 D’backs “The A’s always fi nd the players to be save. Avisail Garcia homered for the Rays’ White Sox batters before McCann led off able to compete, and this year is no excep- run. the fi fth inning with a single. Nationals 5-3 Braves tion,” Cruz said. Garcia’s 13th homer of the year came Yarbrough allowed two hits in six in- Mets 11-4 Giants against White Sox starter Lucas Giolito nings and struck out fi ve without a walk. Royals 1-0 Indians WHITE SOX WIN IN 11TH AS and bounced off one of the banners hang- Garcia walked against Evan Marshall RAYS LOSE 5TH STRAIGHT ing high on the back wall at Tropicana leading off the ninth and Wendle followed Pirates 5-1 Phillies Yoan Moncada scored the go-ahead run Field, a projected 459-foot blast, accord- with a single, but Tampa Bay couldn’t Reds 3-2 Cardinals all the way from fi rst on a single by Jose ing to Statcast. produce a run.

NBA Korver agrees to one-year deal with Bucks Reuters seasons with the Sacramento Kings. New York He averaged 5.1 points in 38 games last season after putting up 7.9 per contest in 52 games (two starts) as a ree agent swingman Kyle rookie. Korver has agreed to a one- year, $2.6mn deal with the BUFORD TO MOVE OUT OF Milwaukee Bucks, according SPURS’ GM ROLE toF ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. General manager R.C. Buford has Korver, 38, will be entering his 17th had a huge hand in the San Antonio year in the NBA and joining his sixth Spurs’ success over the last decade team. He also was traded to both and a half, but he’s stepping aside to Memphis and Phoenix this off sea- take a new role in the organization, son, with the Suns waiving him ear- according to The Athletic’s Jabari lier this month. Young. Milwaukee also agreed to a two- Assistant GM Brian Wright will way deal with guard Frank Mason, replace Buford, who will move into according to The Athletic. A 42.9 an unspecifi ed role, the report states. percent career shooter from 3-point Wright would continue to report to range, Korver was widely targeted in Buford in the new hierarchy. free agency. Buford and Spurs coach and presi- He played for Bucks coach Mike dent Gregg Popovich have worked Budenholzer for three years in At- together since 1994, when Buford lanta, which might have factored was hired as the team’s head scout. into his decision. Korver reportedly The two have won fi ve championships picked the Bucks over the Philadel- during that time, including four since phia 76ers. Buford was named general manager. Korver split last season between Buford twice was named the NBA’s the Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Executive of the Year (2014 and Jazz, averaging 8.6 points, 2.3 re- 2016). bounds and 1.2 assists in 19.1 minutes Wright joined the Spurs in 2016, per game. having worked his way up from an In 1,174 career games, he has aver- intern with the Orlando Magic in aged 9.9 points in 25.7 minutes per the mid-2000s to assistant general game. Mason, 25, played the past two manager with the Detroit Pistons. Gulf Times 6 Monday, July 22, 2019 RUGBY

FOCUS COMMENT Rusty All Blacks have plenty All Blacks defence of room for improvement

Reuters denies Pumas historic Wellington ll Blacks coach Steve Hansen will breathe a huge sigh of relief that his fi nal prepara- tions for the Rugby World Cup got off to a winning start, but he would also know thereA was still plenty of room for improvement over the next two months. result with 20-16 win An under-strength All Blacks side, lacking dis- cipline, held on to deny Argentina their fi rst vic- ‘We are very disappointed and we didn’t play as well as we can but with work we are getting closer’ tory over the world champions, with a 20-16 vic- tory in their Rugby Championship clash in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The All Blacks defence stood out in the second half, while Hansen was also pleased with the ef- forts of some of the newer members of the team. “We found a lot of things (out) and most of them were pretty positive and that was pleasing,” Hansen said of a squad that included fi ve debu- tants and seven others with 10 or less caps. “We knew we’d be rusty and we were but the young guys we wanted to look at got an opportu- nity to play in a place like this, which is diffi cult to play at any time, and most of them put their hands up.” The side were shorn of several hundred caps of test experience with players from the Canterbury Crusaders, including regular captain Kieran Read and lock Sam Whitelock, being rested ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Springboks in Wel- lington. Experienced players like Brodie Retallick, Beau- den Barrett and captain Sam Cane showed leader- ship in the fi nal stages of the game, which Hansen felt would only serve the team well in Japan later this year. “You take all the leadership out from that Cru- saders group... to have this group go through what they went through, it’s like winning the Lotto,” Hansen added. The 60-year-old Hansen, who is leaving the job after the Rugby World Cup, however, was aware there were elements that would need to be worked on ahead of the Rugby World Cup. The Pumas’ kicking game, a tactic likely to be also utilised by the Springboks, Ireland and Eng- land at the global showpiece, put the All Blacks under immense pressure. Even the normally assured fullback, Ben Smith, had trouble attacking the ball in the air and was beaten to a kick by Emiliano Boff elli close to the line that led to the Pumas’ only try. The All Blacks also failed to fi nish off several line breaks, a rarity in international rugby in the mod- ern age with fast defensive patterns, by trying to force a pass or turning the ball over. “You can’t just snap your fi ngers and get the end result just like that,” Hansen said. “At times our Argentina’s flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez (centre) runs through a tackle by New Zealand’s All Blacks flanker Sam Cane (right) and hooker Dane Coles during their Rugby Championship match at the Jose accuracy and combinations weren’t quite there Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. (AFP) (and) it takes time and timing together. But we will get better. We’re not going to panic.” Reuters grounding a fi ne kick into the All alties which they converted into Argentina believed they had their few errors come along, but I’m sure Buenos Aires Blacks’ in-goal area by fl yhalf Nico- points with centre Ngani Laumape best-ever chance to break their we’ll be able to sort that out pretty las Sanchez. charging over from scrumhalf Aaron duck against New Zealand, espe- quickly,” he told reporters. Kolisi out of Rugby Championship The Pumas then dominated pos- Smith’s tap penalty after 18 minutes. cially after the Jaguares, the team Asked if it was the hardest match ew Zealand held on by the session and territory but failed to Another Sanchez penalty restored that provides most of the Pumas the All Blacks had ever had against South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will take no part skin of their teeth for a 20- score again, having another try ruled Argentina’s lead but two penalties players, reached the Super Rugby the Pumas, he said: “It was my fi rst in this year’s Rugby Championship after he was 16 victory over Argentina out by the TMO 13 minutes from the from Beauden Barrett had New Zea- fi nal, where they lost to Crusaders match so I can’t really say but there left out of the squad for the Springboks’ remain- in a tense Rugby Cham- end after wing Ramiro Moyano put a land back in front. two weeks ago. Pumas captain Pa- were four points in it, it was bloody ing matches away in New Zealand and Argentina. Npionship clash at Velez Sarsfi eld on foot in touch. Lock Brodie Retallick then scored blo Matera said: “We are very disap- close and it went down to the wire.” Loose-forward Kolisi is recovering from a knee Saturday. Argentina made a good start, another ultimately decisive try just pointed and we didn’t play as well Apart from a draw between the injury sustained for the Stormers in Super Rugby An All Blacks side lacking several taking a six-point lead with penal- before the interval when he inter- as we can (in the fi rst half) but with sides in Buenos Aires in 1985, the in May, with his priority now to be ready for the top players led 20-9 at halftime but ties from Sanchez and Boff elli in cepted a Sanchez pass. work we are getting closer.” closest Argentina had come to vic- Boks’ opening game of the Rugby World Cup in failed to score in the second half and the opening six minutes and might Argentina came out in the second Back row forward Luke Jacob- tory before Saturday was a 24-20 Japan against New Zealand on September 21. were indebted to their defence for have added a try but for some good half determined to make amends son, who made his All Blacks debut defeat at the River Plate stadium in The Boks announced a 36-man tour party for denying the Pumas a fi rst-ever vic- defending by title holders New Zea- and could have cut the defi cit to one off the bench, said they had lacked 2001. both games, with the team to camp in New tory over New Zealand in 29 tests. land. point but for a rare penalty miss by some rhythm. South Africa beat Australia 35-17 Zealand after Saturday’s clash in Wellington, and Fullback Emiliano Boff elli scored The All Blacks then got a grip on Sanchez soon after their try. “There were a lot of stoppages in the day’s other match in Johan- then head to Argentina for their final game of Argentina’s only try two minutes the match and forced the Pumas Yet they had the All Blacks on the which I didn’t expect but then it nesburg to go top of the table with a this year’s competition in Salta on August 10. into the second half, catching and into mistakes that resulted in pen- back foot for long spells. was the fi rst match of the year so a bonus point after scoring fi ve tries.

SPOTLIGHT We expect to peak at World Cup, says Cheika AFP “There were times we managed Johannesburg to pick apart their rush defence and we made enough breaks. We scored two tries after the two were disal- ustralia coach Michael lowed. But the yellow card against Cheika refused to blame (prop) Taniela Tupou was the wrong two disallowed tries in call, the other guy should have got the fi rst half for their 35- it,” Cheika said. 17A defeat at the hands of South Af- The Wallabies coach said even rica in their Rugby Championship though he was aware most people match on Saturday, saying his team would be writing off their chances had several opportunities after that at the World Cup later this year to win the game. after losing for the 10th time in 13 The Springboks shaded a tight Tests, he believed the embattled fi rst half 14-10, but were fortunate side is making progress. because the Wallabies had two tries “A lot of people think we’re a long disallowed - correctly - one for a way back, but we’re doing every- forward pass from centre Tevita Ku- thing we can to make sure that we ridrani to fl anker Lukhan Salakaia- peak at the World Cup. It’s diffi cult Loto and the other because wing to use the word ‘happy’ after a Test Dane Haylett-Petty knocked the loss, but I did see some progress. ball on over the tryline. “We have certain plans for at- “We still had opportunities, even tack and defence and the commit- at the end. We created a lot of op- ment is there to play that way. That portunities, but we also gave a cou- will build as the season goes on and ple of tries away that we should there are big things later in the year. have scored,” said Cheika. “Brisbane (against Argentina “In situations like that, you’ve next Saturday) will provide a great got to react with calm, take your opportunity to build on this per- chips and try and cash out at the formance, we just need to convert end. Apart from the two tries not more of our opportunities. But even given, a lot of small things went today, when the guys were under against us and meant we couldn’t pressure, every player was getting turn the momentum our way. in and trying to shut things down. “In the fi rst half we dominated “We’ll keep doing that and it will territory, but we’ve got to learn build into something. Today was when we don’t have a lot of ball, like disappointing but it’s all part of in the second half, we have got to be the push to the World Cup,” Cheika tighter because we were a bit loose. said. Australia’s Izack Rodda (centre left) and South Africa’s Lood de Jager fight for the ball during their 2019 Rugby Championship match at the Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, July 22, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Bale could be on his way to China as Real career nears end Manager Zidane says the club were working on off loading the forward

By Sid Lowe in Madrid cheaply, his wages account for over The Guardian €100mn between now and the end of his contract in 2022. China’s transfer window closes in nine days. eal Madrid and Gareth Bale If a deal can be done, it would be seen are working on his exit from as a victory for the coach, but Barnett the Bernabeu after six years in insisted: “If and when Bale goes it is be- Spain, with China off ering him cause he wants to, not because Zidane aR way out. The relationship between pushed him. I don’t know if Madrid are the Welshman and Zinedine Zidane has working on this; I certainly am.” broken down entirely with Bale’s agent, “Bale’s not in the squad because the Jonathan Barnett, calling the coach as a club is working on his exit,” Zidane fol- “disgrace” after he admitted he hoped a lowing a 3-1 defeat to Bayern on Satur- departure was “imminent”. day in which 22 players got a game. “We Having previously insisted that Bale will see what happens in the coming did not want to leave, progress is now days.” being made on a move which both the The coach admitted that the decision club and the player hope to conclude was his and, pushed on when the situ- within the week. Zidane said Real were ation might become clear, replied: “I’m working on Bale’s departure after leav- not going to talk about that. We’ll see if ing him out of the squad to face Bayern it’s tomorrow, (so much the) better. It is Munich in pre-season. not personal at all: there comes a time He said that he hoped that there when things are done because they would be a solution, and perhaps within have to be done. I have to take the deci- a day or two. Despite that, there is still sion and we have to change. The situa- work to be done and there is no guaran- tion will change. I don’t know if in 24 or tee yet that a deal will be concluded. A 48 hours, but it will change. And that’s continuation of the stalemate remains good for everyone.” a possibility, with Real still reluctant to He added: “I am the coach and I speak accept a free transfer. They had hoped to the club and we have to take the de- to raise money from his sale to fi nd their cision. The exit is the coach’s decision rebuilding, with Paul Pogba Zidane’s and the player’s too; he knows the situ- The relationship between Gareth Bale primary target. ation, so let’s see how we resolve this.” and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane Bale’s options have been limited “Zidane is a disgrace for talking has broken down entirely. (Reuters) by his age, salary and transfer fee and about Bale like that,” Barnett respond- his camp initially insisted that he had ed. “He shows not respect for a player no intention of moving. Currently on who has done so much for Real.” €17mn a year after tax, he has refused Zidane has sought to increase the to take a pay cut. Europe’s biggest clubs pressure on Real president Florentino have been unable to put together a con- Perez to force Bale out but while his vincing package. position was clear, this is the fi rst time Manchester United were not pre- he has publicly claimed that there is pared to bid and Bayern Munich could progress. Real had been yet to receive not aff ord him. There had been sugges- a fi rm off er and Perez had arrived in tions of a return to Spurs, but Bale had Houston where he discussed the issue ruled out a loan. with his coach and suggested that, in the fi rst time represents a signifi cant to win the 2018 Champions League fi - he returned nine months later, he was “it’s clear what I have done,” Yet his China’s Super League clubs can the event of Bale staying, it would be shift. They remain furious with Zidane. nal against Liverpool with a stunning even more determined and made no se- bluntness this time was still striking. match Bale’s wage demands, and there sensible to accommodate him. But the The coach tried to make Bale play in a overhead kick – his fourth European cret of his intentions. There was no at- Barnett’s response underlines a break- is a determination to continue signing situation is becoming increasingly dif- position that he did not want to occupy Cup in six years in Spain. tempt to bring Bale back into his plans, down in the relationship and makes the big names, but 100% tax on transfers fi cult to sustain. during his fi rst spell as Real manager After that fi nal, Bale said that he despite the departure of Cristiano Ro- fact that any kind of rapprochement is makes it diffi cult to put an agreeable That Bale’s camp, which had contin- and then began denying him opportu- would have to consider his future. In- naldo. unlikely now. A wildly successful era in off er to Real, who may have to cede. ued to insist on his intention to stay, has nities. Bale was off ered no explanation stead, it was Zidane who left Madrid. At the end of last season, having con- Spain looks set to come to a sad and un- While Real are reluctant to release him publicly entertained the possibility for for his absences. He came off he bench He had wanted to sell Bale then; when sistently left Bale out, Zidane admitted: expectedly bitter end.

FRIENDLY FOCUS Bayern steal spotlight with Kane stunner earns Spurs victory AFP win in Hazard’s Real debut Singapore AFP Los Angeles arry Kane scored a stunning 93rd minute winner from the halfway line as Tottenham Hotspur edged ayern Munich spoiled Juventus 3-2 in an entertaining Eden Hazard’s Real Ma- pre-seasonH friendly in Singapore yesterday. drid debut, downing the The England captain latched onto Lucas Spanish giants 3-1 in a Moura’s short pass and launched a fi rst- friendlyB in Houston on Saturday time shot high over a scrambling substitute night despite goalkeeper Sven keeper Wojciech Szczesny as Spurs rallied Ulreich’s sending off . Corentin past new manager Maurizio Sarri’s Italian Tolisso, Robert Lewandowski champions in front of a delighted National and Serge Gnabry had given Stadium crowd. Bundesliga champions Bayern “It’s probably one of the best goals of my a comfortable 3-0 lead before career. I noticed the keeper was often off recent Real Madrid signing Ro- of his line and thought if I get a chance to drygo grabbed a consolation goal shoot I will and it just went in,” Kane said. with a brilliant free kick. A youthful Spurs dominated the fi rst half That followed Ulreich’s de- as Juventus struggled to adapt to their new parture in the 81st for a foul on coach’s “Sarri-ball” tactic of playing out Brazilian teen Rodrygo outside from the back with short, quick passes. the area. Rodrygo, Luka Jovic and Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard (right) controls the ball as Bayern Instead of moving the ball forward, Ju- Ferland Mendy all made their Munich’s Joshua Kimmich chases during the first half of the ventus often found themselves defending Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (right) in action during the International Champions Cup debuts for rebuilding Real Ma- International Champions Cup friendly match. (USA TODAY Sports) desperately after being caught in possession friendly match against Juventus in Singapore yesterday. (AFP) drid — all coming on at halftime as Spurs pressed high up the pitch with the as Zinedine Zidane changed his Courtois fended off a blast it three goals in two matches on Premier League side going on to take a de- rest after a long campaign,” Spurs manager back four minutes later, leaving to rapturous entire side. from Coman in fi rst-half in- Saturday night with a brace that served lead on the half-hour mark. Mauricio Pochettino said. “The result was applause by an adoring crowd when he was Hazard’s fi rst outing in a Ma- jury time to keep Bayern from boosted Arsenal to a 3-0 win Son Heung-min started the move by not the most important thing today, the substituted immediately after scoring. drid jersey since his high-priced stretching their advantage before over Fiorentina in a pre-season holding up play and feeding Troy Parrott for performance was and how we continue our Spurs were level in the 65th minute, how- move from Chelsea had domi- the break. While Real Madrid ap- friendly in North Carolina. a clear run at Gianluigi Buff on in the Juven- preparations for the upcoming season.” ever, when Champions League semi-fi nal nated the headlines. plied plenty of pressure, Hazard The 20-year-old striker, who tus goal, with the 17-year-old forward’s low Juventus had more success after the break hero Lucas fi red home record signing Tan- But despite getting a start- was circumspect, often opting to fi red the game-winner two min- strike parried by the veteran keeper straight when they increased their tempo and went guy Ndombele’s low cross, the French mid- ing nod he made little impact at pass off to his new teammates. utes from time in a win over into the path of an unmarked Erik Lamela more direct, and halftime substitute Gonza- fi elder fi nding the Brazilian with his fi rst the NRG Stadium — home of the The closest the 28-year old Bayern Munich on Wednesday, for a routine tap-in. lo Higuain levelled the score in the 56th touch after coming on as a substitute. NFL’s Houston Texans, where the Belgian came to his fi rst Real Ma- picked up right where he left off “It was a very good game, very competi- minute with a drilled strike after exchanging Kane and Higuain both squandered good European giants produced plenty drid goal was in the 39th minute, with goals in the 15th and 66th tive. To be honest, we are still short in our neat passes with Federico Bernardeschi. chances to score winning goals in the fi nal of lively end-to-end action from when he found space on the left minutes. Joseph Willock added preparations and I wasn’t planning to play Buoyed by the equaliser, Juventus were 10 minutes before the England striker pre- the kickoff . and bent a shot toward the far an exclamation point with a goal this way so early in the pre-season... we soon ahead when Cristiano Ronaldo arrived vented the contest going to a penalty shoot- It needed a stellar display from post only for Neuer to punch it to make it 3-0 in the 89th. were still hoping to give some players more late to drive home Mattia De Sciglio’s cut- out with the most brilliant of strikes. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer away. Zidane’s wholesale chang- Fiorentina could have made to keep Real Madrid at bay. Bay- es at the interval did nothing to things more diffi cult for the Gun- ern led at the interval thanks further Real Madrid’s cause, even ners but for a series of missed to Tolisso’s 15th-minute strike. though they controlled posses- chances in the fi rst half and solid GRIEZMANN ‘CRIED WITH JOY’ AT BARCELONA MOVE Thomas Muller freed Kingsley sion early in the second half. work by Emi Martinez in the Ar- Coman whose cross made it to Lewandowski doubled Bay- senal goal. Madrid: Antoine Griezmann admitted daily Marca. “I was with my friends, with my to win everything. It’s diff icult but we will Tolisso — who was denied by Real ern’s lead in the 67th control- The victory in sweltering heat yesterday that he was moved to tears of wife, with my children and it was an incred- have to work for it.” Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois ling a high ball from Niklas Sule, before a crowd of 34,902 at Bank happiness when his big-money move to ible moment.” Shortly after Barca had announced the on his fi rst attempt but slotted turning and fi ring into the bot- of America Stadium in Char- Barcelona finally came through after a The 28-year-old added he was targeting signing of Griezmann, Atletico complained home the rebound. tom corner. lotte made it three wins in three controversial exit from former club Atletico European glory with Barcelona after two they and the Frenchman had negotiated Down a goal with halftime ap- Two minutes later Madrid gave matches for Arsenal in a tour Madrid. The World Cup winner is in Tokyo humiliating exits for the Catalans from the the deal before the buy-out price dropped proaching Real Madrid poured it the ball away deep in their own that began with unsettled cap- with Barca ahead of a clash with Chelsea Champions League in the last two years from 200mn euros at the start of July, add- on. Karim Benzema let a golden end and an unmarked Gnabry tain Laurent Koscielny refusing tomorrow after the La Liga giants shelled — to Roma and Liverpool — after throwing ing that they had already “begun appropri- chance go begging in the 43rd, was able to control the ball and to make the trip in a bid to force out 120mn euros ($135mn) to match his re- away commanding first-leg leads. ate procedures” to defend their “rights and meeting a cross from Isco but fi re past Keylor Navas in goal. a transfer to one of the French lease clause amid a blistering row between “If you ask the fans, they will tell you legitimate interests”. knocking his eff ort wide. Neuer clubs. the player and the two clubs. “I called my (they want to win) all three titles (La Liga, Spanish media claim that Atletico will go came up with another impres- NKETIAH STRIKES AGAIN Tomorrow, Unai Emery’s men father and I started crying with joy because Champions League and Copa del Rey), and to FIFA to argue that Barca owe them more sive save in the 45th, diving to his IN ARSENAL’S 3-0 FRIENDLY take on Real Madrid at FedEx the transfer was all done, it all was over,” that goes for the players and the leaders than the fee they eventually paid earlier right to grab Luka Modric’s eff ort WIN OVER FIORENTINA Field, home of the NFL’s Wash- Griezmann said in an interview with sports too, and me too,” he said. “We have a team this month. from 10 yards out of the air. Youngster Edward Nketiah made ington Redskins.

Monday, July 22, 2019 GULF TIMES BOXING

FOCUS Brilliant Pacquiao downs Thurman for WBA crown 40-year-old floors Thurman in the first round and remains on the front foot throughout a 12-round duel

AFP Las Vegas

ilipino legend Manny Pacquiao rolled back the Pac- years to become the old- quiao, est welterweight cham- who earned pionF in boxing history with a an estimated thrilling split decision victory $20mn from over WBA champion Keith Thur- Saturday’s man on Saturday. fi ght, is now a The 40-year-old Pacquiao, 10 major player in years older than the previously the competitive undefeated Thurman, delivered welterweight di- a vintage performance before vision once again a sell-out MGM Grand Garden after capturing Arena crowd of 14,356 which in- Thurman’s WBA cluded former welterweight king welterweight ‘super’ are- Floyd Mayweather. champion belt. na as Pacquiao fl oored Thurman The eight-division world Pac- with an electrifying combination champion said he will now return qui- in the fi rst round and remained to the Philippines to resume his a o im- on the front foot throughout a work as a senator before deciding mediately set about pulsating 12-round duel. on his next move inside the ring. building an advantage. Although the bloodied Thur- “I think I will fi ght next year,” Towards the end of the round, man rallied in the later rounds said Pacquiao, who was due to fl y the crowd erupted as Pacquiao to narrow Pacquiao’s lead, the out of Las Vegas for the Philippines sent Thurman crashing to the judges scored it in the Filipino’s shortly after the fi ght. “I will go canvas, uncorking a left to the favour. Two judges scored it 115- back to the Philippines and work ribs before detonating a right 112 for Pacquiao with the third and then make a decision.” hand on the American’s jaw. scoring it 114-113 for Thurman. That set the tone for the early “It was fun,” Pacquiao said NO COMPLAINTS rounds, with Pacquiao urging afterwards. “My opponent is a Thurman meanwhile had few Thurman on before using his su- good fi ghter and boxer. He was complaints in defeat, embracing Keith Thurman struggles to get perior handspeed and footwork strong.” Pacquiao after the fi nal bell in up after being knocked down by to bamboozle his rival. Thurman had riled Pacquiao in recognition of an epic contest. Pacquiao. (AFP) A dazzling combination wob- the build-up to the fi ght by vow- “I knew it was too close,” bled Thurman again at the end ing to “crucify” his deeply reli- Thurman said. “He got the “My numbers just weren’t up of the second, and Pacquiao de- gious opponent, and later prom- knockdown so he had momen- to par to be victorious tonight,” lighted the crowd with an Ali ising to send the Filipino icon tum in round one. Thurman said. “The fi ght just fl ew shuffl e as the round closed. into retirement. “This was a beautiful night of by. I knew I had to do something Although Thurman improved, Pacquiao, who improved to 62- boxing. I wish I had a little bit more big in the later rounds but he was Pacquiao was able to control the 7-2 with 39 knockouts, was gra- output to go toe to toe. I felt like he just too good.” tempo and had Thurman in trou- cious in victory. was getting a little bit tired, but he Earlier, a pumped-up Pacquiao ble again in the fi fth round with “I’m not that kind of boxer did have experience in the ring. I had danced into the ring to the blood pouring from his nose. who talks a lot; we were just pro- would love the rematch.” strains of Rocky movie anthem Pacquiao drew on all of his moting the fi ght,” he said. Offi cial statistics showed Pac- Eye of the Tiger to bring the crowd experience in the 12th, skipping “I want to clap my opponent. quiao landed 195 of 686 punches to its feet. out of range cleverly to keep He’s very tough. He can fi ght. thrown, while Thurman connect- Deafening chants of “Manny, Thurman at bay and score a fa- This guy is a warrior.” ed with 210 of 571. Manny” rolled around the packed mous win.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was ringside for the bout Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao poses for a selfie with his wife Jinkee after his victory over US between Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman in boxer Keith Thurman in their WBA super world welterweight title bout on Saturday. (AFP) Las Vegas, United States, on Saturday. (AFP) ‘Wow, wow, wow!’ Philippines goes wild for ‘force at 40’ Pacquiao

AFP their fists in the air during the “It was wow, wow, wow! He is mood in Manila’s Marikina sub- feats have put the Philippines on President Rodrigo Duterte’s endurance than an older fighter,” Manila first round of the welterweight amazing. He showed himself a urb where a 68-year-old fan col- the boxing map. spokesman hailed his ally’s said Willieboy Ramos, 50. fight as Pacquiao floored the true Filipino, a hero,” 51-year-old lapsed as he was watching the His rags-to-riches rise from high victory. Pacquiao, who reversed a 2016 WBA champion 10 years his Raquel Sanders told AFP after bout in a gym. He was rushed to school dropout to millionaire “Our pound-for-pound King did decision to retire, repeatedly ans in the Philippines junior, and went on to win by watching the bout in a Manila the hospital but declared dead champion is a source of inspira- not show any signs of intimida- says boxing is his passion and he roared their approval and split decision. sports complex. on arrival, police said. tion in a nation mired in poverty. tion as he embodied what a still feels young. Frose to their feet yesterday, Despite Thurman’s threat to send The excitement also lit up the on- The man had a heart illness and In Pacquiao’s heyday, authorities Filipino spirit is all about — a Philippine boxing chief Ed Picson imitating the punches of Manny Pacquiao into retirement in the line world with fans in the social could have gotten “excited” said his fights stopped traff ic and fighter,” Salvador Panelo said in said only Pacquiao could decide Pacquiao, as they declared that Las Vegas showdown, fans of the media-obsessed nation using the and “overjoyed” upon watching crime. a statement. on his future. their idol was still a boxing force eight-division world champion hashtag #StillA40rce. Thurman getting knocked down, But Pacquiao, also an elected Some Pacquiao fans said while “His place in world boxing as a at the age of 40 with his stun- were thrilled to see him eat his “Senator Pacquiao proved that Marikina police said, but added senator, stirred controversy their idol had proven his mettle, legend is secure... He has noth- ning victory over American Keith words as they packed into gyms, age is just a number and (he) still doctors had yet to issue a medi- when he entered politics as he he showed signs of ageing. ing more to prove,” said Picson, Thurman. military camps and movie thea- can make another legend,” said cal report. endorsed the death penalty “He can still fight but not a long secretary general of the Associa- Filipinos from street vendors to tres all over the country to watch Twitter user @rinrin_irene. Pacquiao is considered a nation- and issued gay slurs in 2016 for bout because he gets tired. A tion of Boxing Alliances in the lawmakers went wild, pumping the fight. However, tragedy dampened the al hero by many as his athletic which he later apologised. younger fighter would have more Philippines.