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MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015 SPORTS

‘Balotelli must improve’ Arsenal to buy Paulista Ronaldo’s suspension worry BARCELONA: Villarreal have agreed to sell Brazilian defender Gabriel LONDON: Out-of-favour Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli needs to improve BARCELONA: A suspension for Cristiano Ronaldo is the latest concern for Paulista to Arsenal with Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell going the other coach Carlo Ancelotti whose Real Madrid side are looking far from the slick in training if he wants to get back into the squad, manager Brendan way on loan until the end of the season, the Spanish club said on Saturday. machine that strung together 22 straight victories before Christmas. Rodgers has said. Italian Balotelli, who is yet to score a league goal in 12 The 24-year-old centre back will undergo a medical with the London club Ronaldo was the inspiration behind that Spanish record-winning appearances since his 16 million pounds ($23.98 million) move from AC on Monday before signing a deal. streak but he had one of his poorest matches in a Real shirt in Milan in August, was left out of the squad that drew 0-0 with second-tier He said goodbye to Villarreal fans ahead of their La Liga clash with the 2-1 victory over Cordoba on Saturday, the win coming Bolton Wanders at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. Levante on Saturday, a tie Villarreal won 1-0. “Villarreal CF and Arsenal FC Liverpool started the game without a recognised striker on the pitch, lat- have come to a preliminary agreement, that will be completed on Monday, through a late penalty from Gareth Bale. Real still lead the La er introducing forward Fabio Borini while target man Rickie for the transfer of Brazilian defender Gabriel Armando de Abreu,” Villarreal Liga table by a point and have a game in hand but they have Lambert remained on the bench. said on their website. an in-form Barcelona breathing down their necks. While Real Rodgers revealed after the match that the 24-year-old “Once Gabriel passes the physical examination, he will join the Gunners are stuttering, Barca have clicked into gear and tore apart Elche Balotelli had not done enough in training to warrant inclu- in the Premier League.” The Brazilian, who can also play at full back, has 6-0 and Atletico Madrid are also looking strong, four points sion for the cup tie. “He knows exactly what is required to be played 50 times for the Spanish club. Media reports have said the fee is in behind after a 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Ronaldo in this squad before he can be in the team,” Rodgers said the region of 20 million euros ($22.4 million), which is his buy-out clause. was unable to make an impact against Cordoba and of the striker. “I am judging it every day Gabriel Paulista began his career with Brazilian side Vitoria, the same his frustration saw him lash out with his hand in training-Mario is exactly the same as northeastern club where Bebeto, David Luiz and Dida started out, before against Jose Crespo which the referee missed and every other player, there is no special signing for Villarreal at the beginning of last season for around three mil- then minutes later he was sent off for kicking out treatment for anyone.—Reuters lion euros.—Reuters at Edimar.—Reuters

Hakuho leads march of new Mongolian warriors

TOKYO: Hakuho returned to his corner for a third time to grab another fistful of salt, his face a picture of concentration, his eyes narrowed and focused as a packed Ryougoku Sumo Hall bristled with antici- pation. He turned, tossed the granules high into the air and made his way back towards the centre of the dohyo (ring), slapping his thighs and pump- ing himself up as he completed a centuries-old pre- bout ritual. Opposite the Mongolian-born yokozu- na (grand champion) stood, somewhat fittingly, Japan’s top-ranked wrestler Kisenosato, the last barrier between Hakuho and a history-making tri- umph. Seconds later, Hakuho fended off his oppo- nent’s initial barrage of slaps and pushes before planting his feet, seizing the momentum and force- fully marching Kisenosato out of the ring for his 13th straight victory in the New Year Tournament. Haukho allowed himself a smile and nodded knowingly. His 33rd Emperor’s Cup was won with two days to spare, sumo’s chronicles had been rewritten and his quest to surpass legend Taiho’s all-time tournament victories record was complete. The 29-year-old’s landmark triumph on Friday evening was also the starkest reminder yet that the most Japanese of sports had become the domain of Mongolian wrestlers both in the ring and now the history books. Sumo had been practiced by only Japanese competitors from its first organised basho (tournament) in the 17th century until a little more than a hundred years ago, when foreign-born wrestlers began to participate. The first wave of overseas powers had a distinct- ly Polynesian flavour with Takamiyama laying down a marker for Hawaiian-born wrestlers in the late 1960s, before Konishiki rose to prominence two decades later and Akebono became the first for- eign yokozuna in 1993.

MONGOLIAN INFLUX Samoan Musashimaru was the second non- MEMPHIS: Grizzlies guard Beno Udrih (19) drives between Philadelphia 76ers forwards Furkan Aldemir (19) and Malcolm Thomas (11) during the second half of an NBA bas- native grand champion when he was promoted to ketball game. —AP the top rank in 1999 and his 12 basho victories marked the onset of foreign domination that Mongolia took over with the controversial Asashoryu leading the way. Grizzlies coast over 76ers Currently, all three yokozuna are Mongolian- Hakuho, Harumafuji and Kakuryu-with the last Japanese grand champion retiring in 2003 and final MEMPHIS: Zach Randolph had 17 points 91, but he missed a free throw then fouled Kemba Walker, was 5 of 9 from the field and JAZZ 108, NETS 73 homegrown tournament winner coming nine years and 14 rebounds and Jeff Green scored 18 Meyers Leonard on a 3-point attempt on made all six free throws as the Hornets Gordon Hayward scored 24 points and ago when Tochiazuma won his third and final as the Memphis Grizzlies coasted to a 101- the other end. Leonard made all three free snapped the Knicks’ three game win streak. Trey Burke had 19 as the Utah Jazz rolled basho. 83 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on throws to put Portland up 97-91 with 1:07 The Knicks played without Carmelo over the reeling Brooklyn Nets. Joe Ingles Saturday night. left and Washington couldn’t catch up. Anthony, who was held out to rest his knee had a season-high 16 points and DantÈ While Japanese fans bemoan a lack of local com- Vince Carter added 13 points as the John Wall led the Wizards with 25 points on the second night of a back-to-back. Tim Exum had 13 in his second straight start in petitors at the highest level, Edo-Tokyo Museum Grizzlies (31-12) won their sixth in the last and nine assists. Hardaway Jr. led the Knicks with 25 points front of Burke, who came off the bench. director general Makoto Takeuchi, who teaches the seven games. Memphis led by as many as Aldridge had said he was expected to and Lance Thomas had 16 points and eight Jarrett Jack had 16 points and Mason history of the sport to new sumo recruits, feels too 25 in the second half, allowing coach Dave miss from six to eight weeks for ligament rebounds. Walker missed his third game in Plumlee added 11 for the Nets, who have much is being read into the situation. Joerger to rest his starters in the fourth surgery. But just hours before the game, the last five after his knee flared up. dropped three of four.—AP “As a Japanese, it is regrettable that a record quarter. Marc Gasol, selected as an All-Star the Blazers announced on Twitter that the held by a Japanese wrestler is broken by a foreign- starter, finished with nine points, as did three-time All-Star would play. er. This is true,”Takeuchi told Reuters. point guard Mike Conley. Rookie Jerami NBA results/standings “I do not actually care about the nationality of Grant led the Sixers (8-36) with a career- BUCKS 101, PISTONS 86 wrestlers, as long as they make efforts to under- high 16 points, while Michael Carter- OJ Mayo scored 20 points, and the Charlotte 76, NY Knicks 71; Milwaukee 101, Detroit 86; Memphis 101, Philadelphia 83; Utah 108, stand and learn what sumo means.” Williams was the only other Philadelphia Milwaukee Bucks relied on perimeter Brooklyn 73; Portland 103, Washington 96. The essence of sumo to most Japanese is player in double figures with 10 points, shooting and defense in the win. The Bucks Eastern Conference Western Conference hinkaku (dignity), something a yokozuna must pos- going 3 of 12 from the field. The Sixers shot went 11 for 17 from 3-point range, includ- Atlantic Division Northwest Division sess to earn the respect of fans, the media and his 38 percent for the game and committed 24 ing a 4-for-5 performance from Mayo. The W L PCT GB Portland 32 13 .711 - peers to help plant a legacy of greatness both dur- turnovers. reserve guard made three 3s in a 47-second Toronto 28 15 .651 - Oklahoma City 22 21 .512 9 Brooklyn 18 26 .409 10.5 ing and after a wrestler’s career. span of the second quarter to spark an 18-2 Denver 18 25 .419 13 TRAIL BLAZERS 103, WIZARDS 96 run that gave Milwaukee a 54-40 lead with Boston 15 26 .366 12 Utah 16 28 .364 15.5 “Sumo is not just a sport... it is not just about Philadelphia 8 36 .182 20.5 LaMarcus Aldridge returned to the Trail 4:27 left in the second quarter. Minnesota 7 35 .167 23.5 who wins and who loses. In addition to the results, NY Knicks 8 37 .178 21 Pacific Division Blazers two days after saying he was going Milwaukee also opened the second half Central Division wrestlers are required to have hinkaku and the Golden State 35 6 .854 - to have thumb surgery and had 26 points with a 17-2 run. The Bucks led by as much Chicago 29 16 .644 - beauty of every movement is a reflection of their LA Clippers 29 14 .674 7 and nine rebounds in a victory over the as 30 in the third quarter of a rare easy vic- Cleveland 24 20 .545 4.5 dignity that we can appreciate,” Takeuchi added. Phoenix 26 19 .578 11 Washington Wizards. Damian Lillard added tory. The Detroit Pistons’ Brandon Jennings Milwaukee 22 21 .512 6 “Sumo has this extra value that other sports do 20 points and seven assists as the Blazers scored 16 points before leaving late in the Detroit 17 27 .386 11.5 Sacramento 16 27 .372 20 LA Lakers 12 32 .273 24.5 not.” snapped a two-game losing streak. third with a lower left leg injury. Indiana 15 30 .333 14 Southeast Division Southwest Division Tied at 79 midway through the fourth Memphis 31 12 .721 - LACKING DIGNITY quarter, Wesley Matthews made two 3- HORNETS 76, KNICKS 71 Atlanta 36 8 .818 - A perceived lack of hinkaku blighted Asashoryu’s Washington 29 15 .659 7 Houston 30 14 .682 1.5 pointers that gave Portland an 87-85 with Brian Roberts scored 17 points, and the Dallas 30 14 .682 1.5 reign as a yokozuna, with the Mongolian having Miami 19 24 .442 16.5 3:28 left. Lillard’s 3 extended the lead 92- Charlotte Hornets beat the New York Knicks Charlotte 19 26 .422 17.5 San Antonio 28 17 .622 4 several scrapes with sumo authorities during a 85. for their ninth victory in the last 11 games. Orlando 15 31 .326 22 New Orleans 22 21 .512 9 career that saw him win an impressive 25 tourna- Nene’s layup closed the Wizards to 94- Roberts, who started in place of the injured ments but was cut short by a retirement in 2010 he felt was forced upon him following an alleged assault charge. Hakuho, born Monkhbatyn Davaajargal in Ulan Bator, has avoided such contro- versies and risen through the ranks on the back of Geisenberger leads luge World Cup his great strength, agility and flexibility. Many have compared his rural upbringing in WINTERBERG: Natalie Geisenberger claimed her sev- victory in the team relay yesterday. bined time of 1 minute, 53.829 seconds, beating com- Mongolia to that of the great Japanese wrestlers of enth luge World Cup success in eight races and helped Geisenberger, the Olympic and World Cup champion, patriots Dajana Eltberger by 0.195 and Anke the past, able to develop his core power by horse Germany to a third straight weekend’s clean sweep with was fastest in both runs of the women’s race for a com- Wischnewski by 0.342. “I keep trying to prepare myself riding and carrying heavy objects as a youth. as well as I can for each race. It’s not boring for me,” His determination and extra training set him Geisenberger said after her 30th World Cup win. apart from his stable mates and rivals, but like Summer Britcher of the United States was 0.621 back Asashoryu, he struggled to win over the Japanese in fourth, followed by Canada’s Alex Gough, 0.892 back. public with a tendency to over-celebrate victories Tatjana Huefner went out early, leaving Eltberger as and displays of disregard towards defeated oppo- Geisenberger’s closest rival in the standings. With four nents. races remaining, Geisenberger has increased her lead to It was perhaps a meeting with Taiho in 2008, 244 points. who became a father figure to the young The 26-year-old Geisenberger later helped Germany Mongolian, and his marriage and subsequent par- to victory in the team relay. Geisenberger, enthood that have helped calm down the wrestler and doubles team and as he marched towards greatness. were all quickest in their individual runs to win in a “Even though he has more wins than Taiho, it combined time of 2:26.434. does not mean he has surpassed him as a person,” Loch and Eggert/Benecken had won the men’s and Takeuchi added. “Hakuho must be given credit, doubles’ races respectively on Saturday. Austria’s Birgit Platzer, Reinhard Egger and / though, in that he is really trying to become as sim- were second in the team relay, ahead of ’s ilar as possible to those historical champions. “Not Ekaterina Baturina, Stepan Fedorov and Alexandr only does he want to wrestle like them, he wants to Denisyev/Vladislav Antonov. —AP become a man like them as well.”—Reuters WINTERBERG: Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger speeds down the course to win the women’s luge World Cup race. —AP