WEDNES DAY, DECEMBER 4, 2013 SPORTS

Overweight Solis stripped Jimenez wary of threat of the WBA superfly title Kim Yu-Na steps back

TOKYO: WBA super champion Liborio Solis has been stripped SEOUL: South Korea’s two-time world figure skating champion Kim Yu- HONG KONG: Miguel Angel Jimenez denied yesterday he was a shoo-in to successfully defend his Hong Kong Open title because golf’s biggest stars of his belt after failing to make the weight for a unification title bout Na said yesterday she had chosen a relaxed return to competition as against IBF holder Daiki Kameda yesterday, the Japan Boxing had decided to skip the tournament for other events. The veteran Spaniard is she resumes her preparations for the Winter Olympics following an this week bidding for a fourth victory in the southern Chinese city, but insist- Commission said. The bout will take place later Tuesday as scheduled at injury. “I think I should be able to skate more relaxed than in the past,” the Bodymaker Colosseum in , western Japan. If ed his task had not been made easier by the absence of the likes of 2011 the reigning Olympic champion told reporters before departing for champion Rory McIlroy. The $1.3 million Hong Kong Open, Japan’s Kameda, 24, beats his Venezuelan oppo- Croatia to take part in her first competitive outing of the season, the nent, he will own both titles. If he loses, they will which runs from Thursday until Sunday, clashes with the relatively marginal “Golden Spin” event in Zagreb. The 23-year-old has $6.5 million NedBank Golf Challenge in South Africa be vacant. If the match ends in a draw, the been kept off the ice by a metatarsal injury in her right foot that she and a Tiger Woods-hosted competition in California. Japanese boxer will retain his International sustained in September. Kim said she has been slowly working herself Without a title sponsor to boost the prize fund and Boxing Federation title but the World Boxing back to competitive shape in an attempt to peak in time for the appearance money, many of the game’s top play- Association title will remain vacant, the commis- Olympics in Sochi in February. “I started my season later than others, ers have opted to miss the European Tour event sion said. In his first weigh-in on Monday, the 31- and I’ve worked that much harder to make up for the lost time,” Yonhap at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. “It’s a year-old Solis was 1.4 kilograms above the news agency quoted Kim as saying. “The biggest goal is to skate clean pity we don’t have more weeks in the year,” 52.1 kg limit. Solis was still 1.1 kg over- programs and leave a good impression, and also give myself good 49-year-old Jimenez said, adding that weight in his second weigh-in an hour lat- memories. The Zagreb event is not as big as a Grand Prix stop, and I the schedule is “very, very tight”. “It is er and he refused to step on the scales hope to stay relaxed on the ice.” The South Korean superstar had made very important for the tournament to for a third time inside the two-hour a competitive return in December last year after a break of more than have all the big names but it’s very tough time limit to make the weight.—AFP 18 months from the sport. — AFP when you have different tournaments in the same week. — AFP Tigers trade RHP Fister to Nationals for three players

DETROIT: The busy traded right- earlier Monday. Kelly played six positions for the are thrilled to welcome him aboard.” hander to the Tigers last season at all three spots in the out- The 22-year-old Ray was 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA for three players Monday night in a deal field along with third, second and first base for Class A Potomac and was 5-2 with a 3.72 ERA between teams with deep rotations. Detroit while hitting .222 with six homers and 23 RBIs. for Double-A Harrisburg, giving the Tigers a acquired infielder Steve Lombardozzi, minor Fister will likely replace Dan Haren in the they think will start the season at Triple- league lefty and reliever Ian Krol for Nationals’ rotation and join Stephen Strasburg, A Toledo with the ability to possibly pitch in the Fister, a 14-game winner for the AL Central Jordan Zimmermann and Gio Gonzalez. The 29- majors if needed in 2014. Krol made his major champions. Tigers president and general man- year-old Fister was 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA last sea- league debut in June for the Nationals after ager Dave Dombrowski said the trade was not son and was 32-20 in two-plus seasons in they acquired him from Oakland. The 22-year- done to save money in hopes of keeping Max Detroit, which acquired him in a trade from the old lefty was 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA in 32 games in Scherzer beyond next season. . He struck out an AL-record Washington. “It gives us some flexibility for some other nine batters in a row against the Kansas City The 25-year-old Lombardozzi hit .259 with things we want to do,” he said on a conference Royals late in the 2012 season. two homers and 22 RBIs in 118 games for the call. Dombrowski said dealing Fister did not The 6-foot-8 Fister fared well in the postsea- Nationals last season. The switch-hitting spark- have anything to do with his hope to give son, even when he was hit in the head by a line plug played 48 games at second base, 23 in left Scherzer, the AL Cy Young Award winner, a new drive. He shook off the scary moment in Game 2 field and four games at third base in 2013. He contract before he becomes a free agent follow- of the 2012 World Series against San Francisco will replace Ramon Santiago on Detroit’s roster ing the 2014 season. “I don’t think that plays and took a shutout bid into the seventh inning next season. “This was not an easy trade for (the into it at all at this point,” Dombrowski insisted. in what ended up being a 2-0 loss to the Giants. Nationals) to make, either,” Dombrowski said. Detroit has had an active offseason so far, and Over three postseasons with the Tigers, he had Washington went into the offseason hoping to Dombrowski said he isn’t done making moves, a 2.98 ERA in seven starts and a relief appear- add another starter it could count after having saying his top priority is to add a closer. ance. “He’s been a very solid pitcher for us since some uneven results from Haren last season The Tigers traded slugging first baseman the day we got him,” Dombrowski said. “He has and Edwin Jackson in 2012. Both of those right- Prince Fielder and his $214 million contract two pitched well in big games.” handers were seen as short-term solutions and weeks ago to the Texas Rangers in part to Dombrowski said he’s not surprised at least they ended up leaving as free agents after potentially save more than $75 million, giving some Tigers fans weren’t happy when they pitching for the Nationals for one season. CONNECTICUT: Patric Young #4 of the Florida Gators goes up to dunk the ball in front them even more financial flexibility. They got trade was announced because the team traded Haren essentially replaced Jackson. Fister of DeAndre Daniels #2 of the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during the second baseman Ian Kinsler for Fielder in the the “known for the unknown.” “People in general now essentially replaces Haren, who recently game at Harry A Gampel Pavilion on December 2, 2013. — AFP swap of All-Stars. They also allowed All-Star don’t like those type of moves,” he said. The signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after shortstop Jhonny Peralta to leave as a free Tigers still have Scherzer, Justin Verlander and going 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA for Washington. agent for St. Louis after replacing him during Anibal Sanchez atop their rotation. “This is an Also, the Nationals and Ross Ohlendorf agreed No 24 Gonzaga last season with rookie Jose Iglesias just before exciting day for the Washington Nationals,” gen- to a $1.25 million, one-year contract. The right- Peralta was suspended for 50 games in the eral manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement. hander went 4-1 with a 3.28 ERA in 16 games, Biogenesis drug scandal. “We’re not cutting pay- “We feel we’ve added a talented, young veteran seven starts, last season. The 30-year-old roll whatsoever,” Dombrowski said. The Tigers to our starting pitching corps. Doug is battle- Princeton star can earn up to $3 million in crush Fairfield did agree to a $1 million, one-year contract with tested through playoff experiences, and the bonuses tied to starts, innings pitched and relief utility player Don Kelly that avoids arbitration depth he brings to our staff is exceptional. We appearances.—AP SPOKANE: Haiden Palmer led four starters in Everybody on the team follows his lead.” double figures with 18 points as No 24 Gonzaga coasted to an 82-42 win over Fairfield Monday No 12 South Carolina night. The Bulldogs (5-1) were ahead 27-21 whip NC Central 79-27 Worries for Myanmar whey went on a 15-0 run to close the first half to COLUMBIA: Tiffany Mitchell scored 19 points double up the Stags (3-3) 42-21 and were never to lead red-hot No 12 South Carolina to a 79-27 threatened. Gonzaga continued the run by scor- win over North Carolina Central on Monday, giv- ing the first eight points of the second half. ing coach Dawn Staley her 100th win early in as competition starts Sunny Greinacher scored 14 points, Lindsay her sixth season. The Gamecocks (8-0) shot 58.5 Sherbert had 13 and Keani Albanez 11. The percent. Mitchell was 7-9, backup Alaina Coates NAYPYIDAW: Empty seats and security concerns ball final. Chief among organizers’ concerns will be everything can be done smoothly. Bulldogs shot 52.3 percent, 56 from 3’s (9-16) was 7 of 8 for 15 points and Aleighsa Welch was top the list of worries as Myanmar gears up for the flare-ups in ethnic unrest after bomb blasts and Cooperation between ministries is very weak,” and forced Fairfield in 22 turnovers, good for 30 6-6 for 13 points. Raquel Davis had 14 points for Southeast Asian Games, the biggest sports event clashes in parts of the country in recent weeks. he said. Naypyidaw will host most of the Games, points. GU point guard Jazmine Redmon the Bulldogs (4-3). NC Central shot just 16 per- ever held in the former pariah state. Thousands of “Thousands of athletes and officials and also thou- while the former capital Yangon, 300 kilometers missed her three shots but had 6 assists and 5 cent (8-50), including 1-14 from 3-point range. athletes, officials, fans and media will converge for sands of fans will come,” a senior police official told south, has men’s football, body-building, weightlift- steals. The Zags had just six turnovers. Fairfield Staley is only the seventh head coach in South the Games, which are slowly getting under way AFP. “Although we tried our best for security with ing and kempo, a martial art. Competition is already was led by Katie Cizynski with 17 points. After a Carolina’s 40 years of playing women’s basket- ahead of the opening ceremony on December 11. enough numbers, I’m a little bit nervous.” under way in an eclectic roster which ranges from hot start, the Stags cooled off, shooting 40.5. ball and the fourth to win at least 100 games. Two years after the end of military rule and the lift- Organizers have tried to fill seats at the brand-new Olympic staples such as swimming and athletics to They were also out-rebounded 34-29 after South Carolina made short work of the ing of Western sanctions, Myanmar is hoping to venues in Naypyidaw (“Royal City of the Sun”) by home-grown disciplines all but unknown outside matching Gonzaga early. Bulldogs, shooting 69.2 percent while rolling to shine in the international spotlight during the 22- offering free tickets for all events apart from foot- the region. Chinlone, a Myanmar sport involving a 46-15 halftime lead. The Gamecocks scored day event. ball. However, with residents in short supply at the delicate foot control of a wicker ball, is one of the No 12 Connecticut the first five points and then went on a 15-0 run But officials are also keen to avoid the spectacle sprawling and far-flung capital, whose huge boule- opening events, as is the Indonesian-origin martial beat No 15 Florida for a 26-4 lead at the 8:18 mark. of empty venues in the new national capital, vards are often devoid of traffic, swathes of empty art of pencak silat. Vovinam, an acrobatic STORRS: Shabazz Napier is the top player on Naypyidaw, and any security threat from Myanmar’s seats are likely. And although officials insist prepa- Vietnamese fighting sport, is another on the list and No 12 Connecticut and is one of the most clutch No 17 Iowa State various rebel groups. Logistical hurdles also loom rations are complete, worries persist over how among the 460 gold medals on offer, 11 are for players in the nation. The point guard, who led pounds Auburn including an expected lack of hotel rooms to Myanmar will accommodate all the visitors. “Hotel petanque, a legacy of French colonialism in the the undefeated Huskies to another win Monday AMES: Dustin Hogue set career highs with accommodate the expected 6,000 athletes and rooms cannot be enough because many foreigners region. For the formal opening ceremony on night with a buzzer-beating jumper, has higher 22 points and 16 rebounds, and 17th-ranked 3,000 media, plus officials and fans. While not quite and many visitors will come,” a government official, December 11, up to 30,000 spectators including comparisons in mind. “Growing up I wanted to Iowa State pounded Auburn 99-70 on Monday on the scale of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China’s who did not want to be named, told AFP. “Tens of heads of state will be present at Naypyidaw’s be Superman. Everyone wants to be a hero,” he night for its sixth straight win. Melvin Ejim bold statement of arrival, the Games mark an thousands of people will join the events. Hopefully Wunna Theikdi Stadium.— AFP said, surrounded by media after a lovefest with added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the important moment for Myanmar’s image and pres- the UConn fans in Gampel Pavilion. “I just felt I Cyclones (6-0), who are the Big 12’s last unbeat- tige. Myanmar, a founding member of the competi- was fortunate enough to be in the right spot at en team. Iowa State used a 27-5 run midway tion, has not played host since 1969, since when its the right time.” That would have been the free through the first half to build a 15-point lead. It deteriorating economy has forced it to take a back throw line, where he gathered a loose ball after jumped ahead by as much as 60-33 early in the seat. The country is now desperate to put on a teammate DeAndre Daniels tipped back Napier’s second half in cruising to its fourth win by at good show for its neighbors at the tournament, miss of an off balance shot and buried a jumper least 29 points. Chris Denson had 27 points for which is held every two years and is one of the at the buzzer to give the Huskies a 65-64 victory Auburn (4-2), which shot 35.5 percent and got region’s sporting highlights. As final preparations over No 15 Florida. “It went in slow motion,” said beat on the boards 47-36. Hogue, a 6-foot-6 jun- Napier, who scored 26 points and made a four- ior from Yonkers, NY, averaged 12.9 points and continued around Naypyidaw, the capital built point play with 33 seconds to go. “Point nine. 5.4 rebounds last season at junior college power under military rule, Vice President Nyan Tun called Point eight. I just tried to shoot the ball as quick Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. He was on athletes to “strive for a golden age of Myanmar as I can but still shoot it regular. As soon as I let it averaging 10 points and a team-high 8.6 boards sports”. go I felt it was going in.” Napier, limping a bit on a for the Cyclones, but he quickly moved past He said the onus was on “improving the reputa- left ankle he hurt while making the four-point those numbers against the Tigers. Hogue had tion of the country and making history to be play, escaped a trap around 30 feet from the bas- 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first 111/2 regarded as sporting heroes”, according to an offi- ket, recovered the ball and got off a wild shot minutes, keying that huge Cyclones run that cial release. Myanmar is one of Southeast Asia’s that missed but was tipped blindly back by put them ahead 32-17 with 5:57 left in the first poorest countries, with about a third of the popula- Daniels. “I was just trying to get a tip-in in case he half. Hogue hit 6 of 7 shots in the first 20 min- tion of in poverty, meaning expectations are set missed,” Daniels said. “I guess I glanced it a little utes in leading Iowa State to a 47-28 lead. reasonably low. But Myanmar will hope to improve bit but what an amazing player Shabazz is. He hit Auburn had won four of its first five games, a on the last edition in Indonesia in 2011, which was NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar police officers pictured outside the sport center ahead of the a great shot. He willed his team to win that game. stretch that included a 19-point loss to plagued by corruption and delays and finished with Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Naypyidaw. — AFP He never gave up. The heart that kid has. Northwestern State. a deadly stampede among fans at the men’s foot- MLB teams face deadline to offer deals

NEW YORK: As Scott Kazmir and Willie amount if the player is eligible for arbitra- son for the American League Central divi- year contract with shortstop Brendan pending a physical expected to take Bloomquist found new teams and other tion. sion champions, who last month traded Ryan, who became their starter in place later this week, a baseball official big-money free agents negotiated, Clubs often use the so-called tender slugging first baseman Prince Fielder to September when Derek Jeter went back with knowledge of the deal said, also dozens of Major League Baseball players deadline as leverage to force agreements Texas for second baseman Ian Kinsler. on the disabled list. speaking on condition of anonymity with lower profiles waited to find out with players they won’t go to arbitration “It gives us some flexibility for some Kazmir was closing in on a $22 million, because the deal wasn’t final. Bloomquist whether they would be dumped on the with. Among the players let loose were other things we want to do,” Tigers gener- two-year contract with the Oakland spent his first seven MLB seasons with market by their clubs Monday night. MLB Boston Red Sox right-hander Andrew al manager Dave Dombrowski said, insist- Athletics. The deal is pending a physical Seattle and the past three with Arizona, teams had until midnight EST (0500 GMT Bailey and outfielder Ryan Kalish, New ing the trade wasn’t made to free money examination, a person familiar with the hitting .317 for the Diamondbacks this Tuesday) to offer 2014 contracts to York Mets right-hander Jeremy Hefner for a long-term deal for AL Cy Young situation said, speaking of anonymity year. Catcher Dioner Navarro agreed to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters. and Kansas City Royals infielder Chris Award winner Max Scherzer, who can because the team hadn’t finalized the an $8 million, two-year contract with Once a player receives a contract offer, Getz. There were pair of trades as the leave the Tigers after next season. With deal. The 29-year-old left-hander went Toronto. The 29-year old batted .300 with his team no longer can release him deadline approached. Washington an excess of catching after reaching an 10-9 with a 4.04 ERA in 29 starts and 158 a career-high 13 homers and 34 RBIs for before the start of the season without obtained right-hander Doug Fister from agreement to sign Brian McCann, the innings last season for Cleveland. The the Chicago Cubs last season. An MLB All- giving him termination pay. That means a Detroit for infielder Steve Lombardozzi New York Yankees traded Chris Stewart to Athletics probably won’t pursue a new Star in 2008, he has not played more than club would be responsible for about one- and left-handers Robbie Ray and Ian Krol. Pittsburgh for a player to be named. The deal for 40-year-old Bartolo Colon. 89 games in a season since 2009 because sixth of the salary, which could be a large Fister was 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA last sea- Yankees also finalized a $5 million, two- Bloomquist agreed to return to Seattle of injuries.— AP