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Saturday, September 28, 2019 ATHLETICS Muharram 29, 1441 AH Gold no mission GULF TIMES impossible for Netherlands’ Sifan SPORT Page 2

SPOTLIGHT Samba fi res gold warning by topping qualifying times ‘This is the first race after the injury. Even though the time does not suggest so, but it was a big injury’

By Mikhil Bhat Talking about his Worlds debut, he Doha said, “Just having the US on your chest takes you to another level. I just felt like I cannot let my teammates down.” nyone who has followed the There was a lot more to witness as the men’s 400m hurdles in the last seventeenth edition of the IAAF World two years, very well know that Athletics Championships got off to a the discipline has seen a ren- roaring start at a packed Khalifa Inter- Aaissance of sorts in recent times. national Stadium yesterday. More than a quarter of a century af- Braima Dabo of Guinea-Bissau and ter American Kevin Young set the world Jonathan Busby of Aruba off ered a visual record of 46.78 in Barcelona, Qatar’s Ab- lesson in sportsmanship in the fi rst heat derrahman Samba became only the sec- of the men’s 5,000m fi rst round when ond man to breach the magical 47-sec- the latter lost his legs halfway through ond mark when he ran a 46.98 in Paris the fi nal lap, and had to be helped last year. through to the fi nish line. This year, however, world cham- Dabo held on to Busby for the rest of pion Karsten Warholm of Norway and the lap as the decibel levels at the sta- American sensation Rai Benjamin too dium rose high in appreciation. have breached the barrier, setting up This was after Ethiopian Selemon a mouth-watering clash at the Doha Barega enjoyed a massive cheer from the Worlds. huge contingent of African fans at the Yesterday, home star Samba ran the state-of-the-art stadium for his win in fastest time of the day – 49.08 seconds, 13:24.69. Olympic silver medallist Paul modest by his standards – with Japan’s Chelimo of the US ran the fastest time Takatoshi Abe fi nishing behind the Qa- of the 5,000m heats, 13:20.18, and cel- tar athlete in the third heat. ebrated with arms spread wide. And he The two went faster than the Norwe- fi nished with only one shoe on. gian star Warholm, who won the fi rst Chelimo’s compatriot Christian Tay- heat in 49.27 seconds, while Benjamin lor stopped short of the 17.10m mark in was the tenth fastest overall in 49.62s the triple jump competition but reck- after topping the fourth heat. oned his 16.99m was good enough to But heats are by no measure an indi- take him through to the fi nal passing on cation for things to come today as the on his last attempt. competition heads into the semis today Portugal’s Pedro Pablo Pichardo and and then into the fi nals on Monday. Hugues Fabrice Zango of Burkina Faso However, Samba did not fail to fi re a were the only ones with the Big Q (pass- warning shot when asked if a gold is a ing the qualifi cation standard) at the fair expectation of him. “Gold,” pat came end of the qualifi cation round with the his reply, adding, “and something else.” Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba (C) leaps over a hurdle on way to winning bis 400m hurdles heat at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday. T J Holmes of the US Cuban-born Pichardo jumping a 17.38m Never has Young’s 1992 record been and Netherlands’ Nick Smidt are also seen. and Zango a 17.17m. under a bigger threat than this year, es- In the women’s pole vault, 17 athletes pecially with Samba making his inten- year, Samba said, “Actually that’s good. him to the fi nish,” Warholm said after including 2017 champion Katerina Ste- tions crystal clear, and the rest of the Especially in hurdles when you see the the heats. fanidi of Greece and European indoor fi eld in top form. athletes running so close to each other, “But also Rai is chasing me since Zu- champion Anzhelika Sidorova cleared “This is the fi rst race after the injury. they make each other go fast, and make rich and he wants to beat me. the standard of 4.60m for their place in Even though the time does not suggest the race exciting.” “I do not feel pressure and I do not the fi nal. so, but it was a big injury. I am Ok today Warholm, for his part, understands think of the time too much but I just World record holder Beatrice Chep- though. With this result I am so happy the enormity of his task given that his need to execute what I am supposed to koech (8:44.32) of Kenya topped the ti- and I am looking forward to tomorrow,” title defence is under a threat. “It was a do. On the other hand, the time is im- mecharts for the fi rst round of the wom- the 24-year-old said. solid run. I enjoyed it. Of course, Samba portant too.” Benjamin, 22, said he was en’s 3000m steeplechase with a time Asked if he was worried given the is competing on his home soil so every- “focused on myself” and that he was of 9:18.01, beating American Courtney times of Warholm and Benjamin this body will watch him and literally push “really excited for tomorrow”. Frerichs in the second heat.

BOTTOMLINE Coleman turns heat on rivals with blazing 9.81

By Mikhil Bhat ever, two days before his hearing The 37-year-old won the sec- fi nish line. Doha earlier this month, the US Anti ond heat in 10.06 seconds ahead “Things have been going Doping Agency (USADA) with- of Canadian Andre de Grasse in good. I didn’t get the best start drew the charges. 10.13 seconds. but I came through. I feel pretty It felt great.” That’s all And here he was at the air- “It feels great to be back in good with myself knowing that that you could get out of conditioned Khalifa Interna- Doha. I have a lot of history I can stay tall and run from be- American sprinter Chris- tional Stadium yesterday. here,” Gatlin said after his heat. hind,” Blake said after his nar- tian Coleman right after He won the sixth and fi nal “I wanted to come back and row win. he“ ran the only sub-10 second heat of the blue riband event be healthy. I had an injury two Nigerian Divine Oduduru, the time of the day in the men’s with ease, topping the time weeks ago, so I am happy to second fastest man in the fi eld 100m heats on the fi rst day of charts with a 9.98-second run. run my fi rst race healthy and be this season, did not start his the IAAF World Championships The heats started with Afri- dominant. I want to go home, heat, which was won by Brazil- Doha 2019 yesterday. can champion Akane Simbine rest and get ready for the next ian Paulo Andre Camilo de Ol- The 23-year-old had run the winning in a fi ne time of 10.01 round. iviera in 10.11 seconds. fastest time this season, a blis- seconds ahead of Canadian Aar- “Moving forward, I just want “I am happy to be here, with tering 9.81 seconds at the Pre- on Brown in 10.16 seconds. to stay focused on my race and my race but I want more. I want fontaine Classic in Palo Alto, American Justin Gatlin was execute each phase and be able to run well the semifi nals and California, in June. back in the city where he ran a to come out on top.” reach my goal of running the Even as he registered four personal best of 9.74 seconds Praising the hosts, he said, fi nal,” the silver medallist from more sub-10 second times this four years ago in the Doha Dia- “The Qataris are very impres- the Pan-American Games ear- season, Coleman’s participation mond League. And not even a sive with all their technology. lier this year said. at the Worlds had been under a minor hamstring injury he sus- They take pride in what they do. “Doha is good and the atmos- cloud after it emerged that he tained a few weeks ago in Zagreb The technology is world class phere has been great. We also had missed three doping tests. could stop the defending World and cutting edge for both the want to defend out relay gold (L-R) Japan’s Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, USA’s Even his participation in To- champion from throwing in his athletes and the spectators.” from the World Relays in Japan. Christian Coleman and Brazil’s Rodrigo Do kyo next year was thrown in hat at a time when there has Jamaican Yohan Blake won The team is ready.” Nascimento compete in the 100m heats in the doubt given that he could have been a lot of noise around the the fourth heat in 10.07 seconds The semi-fi nal will be at 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships at the been banned for a year if the young blood in the post-Usain just about edging out French- 6:45pm today, with the fi nal Khalifa International stadium in Doha yesterday. case went against him. How- Bolt era. man Jimmy Vicaut (10.08) at the scheduled for 10:15pm. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, September 28, 2019

FOCUS HAMMER THROW US trio look Gold no mission to impress IAAF Doha

ith four-time champion Anita Wlodarc- zyk sidelined with injury, the focus here will fall on the US trio of DeAnna Price, Brooke Andersen and Gwen Berry who impossible for Sifan Woccupy the top three spots on the world season’s lists, a fi rst in the event for the North American athletics Few would be surprised if the US-based athlete added 10,000m title to her growing CV juggernaut so late into a season. Indeed, hopes are high that one of the three will secure the fi rst medal IAAF in the event for the US at a World Championships. Doha Price, the winner of last year’s IAAF Continental Cup, appears to be the likeliest candidate. The 26-year-old, who reached the 2016 Olympic onfusing form lines among many and 2017 World Championships fi nals, has won fi ve of the chief protagonists make the of her seven competitions and produced the season’s fi rst women’s track fi nal of the IAAF two farthest throws, a 77.43m eff ort in Bloomington World Athletics Championships in late June and a 78.24m North American record to DohaC 2019 a diffi cult event to read. win the US title in late July. That’s nearly a metre and World and Olympic champion Almaz Aya- a half better than anyone else in the world. na underwent double knee surgery in July last Berry, 30, fi nished second to Price at the US Cham- year and, after making just one outing so far pionships with a 76.46m eff ort, her season’s best, this year, recently announced that she won’t and two weeks later took the Pan-American Games be able to defend her title in Doha. crown. Andersen, who reached a lifetime best of It seems a tad absurd to talk about Sifan 76.75m this year, has thrown farther than Berry, but Hassan as a potential gold medallist having like Berry, has struggled with consistency. only made her 10,000m track debut in May, More likely to yet such her outrageous versatility it is far challenge Price FACTBOX from mission impossible. will be China’s To illustrate her extraordinary range, the Wang Zheng, the Starts at 7.25pm Dutch athlete posted a world record for the bronze medal- WR: 82.98 Anita Wlodarczyk, mile in July and boasts a European record of list in 2013 and August 28, 2016, Warsaw 1:05:15 for the half marathon. runner-up in Lon- YB: 78.24 DeAnna Price, Claiming victory in 31:18.12 on her lone don two years ago. United States 10,000m appearance in Stanford, few would While she hasn’t DC: Anita Wlodarczyk, be surprised if the US-based athlete added thrown quite as far Poland this title to her growing CV. – her season’s best OC: Anita Wlodarczyk, The Kenyan team also boasts a special is 76.26m from Poland 10,000m rookie of their own in world 5,000m July’s national champion Hellen Obiri. The 29-year-old championships world cross-country champion made a win- – she has been the event’s picture of consistency in ning 10,000m debut in Nairobi before plac- 2019. Wang has won 11 of her past 12 competitions, ing second behind Agnes Tirop at the Kenyan including the Asian title at Doha’s Khalifa Stadium in April, leads the IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge FACTBOX standings by more than two metres, and owns four of the season’s 10 best throws. With Wlodarczyk absent, Start 9.10pm Malwina Kopron and Joanna Fiodorow lead the Polish WR: 29:17.45 Almaz Ayana, Ethiopia, August challenge. The 24-year-old Kopron was a surprise 12, 2016, Rio bronze medallist two years ago and threw her season’s YB: 30:37.89, Letsenbet Gidey, Ethiopa best of 75.23m in her fi nal pre-Doha competition to DC: Almaz Ayana, Ethiopia win the Skolimowska Memorial on 14 September. OC: Almaz Ayana, Ethiopia Fiodorow, twice a bronze medallist at the Europe- an Championships, has a 74.71m season’s best from early June but has impressed in her run-up to Doha, Championships in 31:25.38. Such are her cre- winning the Europe-USA match on 10 September dentials, Obiri too is a serious podium threat. and fi nishing second to Fiodorow in Chorzow four Tirop won 10,000m bronze at the 2017 days later. Fiodorow was sixth at these champion- World Championships and should also be in ships two years ago. Others expected to fi gure in the the mix. Her form is good, as evidenced by podium chase include Alexandra Tavernier of France, her 5,000m performance in London in July, the world bronze medallist in 2015 who improved her where she climbed to sixth on the world all- own national record to 74.84m in June, and Hanna time list with 14:20.68. Malyshik of Belarus, also a world and Olympic fi nal- Rosemary Wanjiru (31:11.79) completes ist who has reached 74.95m this year. the Kenyan team. Ethiopia has named a fur- ther four athletes from which they will select three to join Ayana. Letesenbet Gidey sits at the top of the 2019 world list after blasting to 10,000m victory at the Ethiopian Trials in 30:37.89. The world cross-country bronze medallist also clinched victory at her nation- al championships over the 25-lap distance and comes into the event boasting outstand- ing credentials. Gidey’s compatriot Netsanet Gudeta and Senbere Teferi shared the Ethiopian half- marathon record of 1:05:45 in Ras El Khaim- ah earlier this year in an epic duel which the latter edged in a photo-fi nish and both could the US Championships, registered a slick challenge over 10,000m in Doha. Gudeta 30:49.57 in Stanford and will be hoping to (30:40.85) and Teferi (30:45.14) placed sec- upgrade on her ninth-place fi nish at the pre- ond and third at the Ethiopian Trials. vious World Championships. The best of the rest could be the vastly ex- Great Britain’s European Cup winner perienced US champion Molly Huddle. The Steph Twell (31:08.13) plus her compatriot 35-year-old, who claimed fourth spot over Eilish McColgan (31:16.76) may also feature. 10,000m at the 2015 World Championships, European silver medallist Susan Krumins of made her marathon debut in April, recording the Netherlands, Germany’s European U23 USA’s Deanna Price competes in the women’s ham- 2:26:33 in London, and will have benefi ted champion Alina Reh and Japan’s Asian silver mer throw heats at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics from the experience. medallist Hitomi Niiya will all look to have Championships at the Khalifa International stadium Emily Sisson, runner-up to Huddle at their say. in Doha yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS Cuba’s Echevarria favourite to men’s long jump IAAF FACTBOX in Shanghai, is another enjoy- list Zhang Yaoguang, with a best Doha ing his best season to date. A PB of 8.25m, looks to be a threat as Time: 8.40pm of 8.32m in London and a handy does 2016 world indoor bronze WR: 8.95M Mike Powell, United third-place fi nish at the IAAF medallist Huang Changzhou. uan Miguel Echevarria States, August 30, 1991, Tokyo Diamond League fi nal in Zurich The Chinese challenge is com- will start clear favour- YB: 8.65M Juan Miguel Echev- further underline the Jamaican’s plete by 2015 world bronze med- ite to become the fi rst arria, Cuba credentials. allist Wang Jianan, who is still Cuban world long jump DC: Luvo Manyonga, South Just under a year away from aged just 23. championJ since four-time gold the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, In eight of the past 16 editions Africa medallist Ivan Pedroso reigned OC: Jeff Henderson, United Japanese long jumping is looking of the World Championships supreme from 1995-2001. States. in rude health led by 2014 world the USA has secured men’s long The world No 1 announced his U20 bronze medallist Shoutarou jump gold but on current form it arrival as a global star in 2018, Shiroyama. looks a stretch that they will add securing the world indoor title, medallist will once again be a The 24-year-old jumper a ninth title. leaping into the world all-time factor. claimed victory in Heusden with Olympic champion Jeff Hend- top 10 with 8.68m and jumping Manyonga’s compatriot a windy 8.32m and followed erson leads their team but apart a mighty wind-aided 8.83m in Ruswahl Samaai, the world this up with a national record of from an early season leap of Stockholm. bronze medallist, will also be a 8.40m in Fukui to move to third 8.38m at altitude he has strug- This year the 21-year-old has threat in Doha. Four times an on the 2019 world list. gled to come close to this mark been no less impressive, reg- IAAF Diamond League podium Further buttressing the and fi nished fi fth at the US istering a monster – and again placer this season, he is so often Japanese challenge is world Championships. His teammates wind-assisted – 8.92m in Ha- there or thereabouts and is likely U20, Asian and World Univer- Trumaine Jeff erson (8.18m) and vana before going on to take the to feature. sity Games gold medallist Yuki Steffi n McCarter (8.25m) have Pan American title and later the Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece Hashioka, who has soared out to shown ability but lack consist- Diamond League crown in Zu- has proved the king of Europe a PB of 8.32m this year. The third ency and have limited interna- rich with a world-leading 8.65m. over the past couple of seasons, string Japanese athlete Hibiki tional experience. His main opposition is likely snaring senior European indoor Tsuha is also a quality performer Also competing in Doha are to be the charismatic defend- and outdoor titles plus the con- with a best of 8.23m. European indoor silver medal- ing champion Luvo Manyonga. tinental U23 crown. His champi- In recent seasons China has list and Stockholm Diamond The South African has not quite onship record is to be respected developed a growing reputa- League victor Thobias Montler touched the heights of previ- and it will be interesting to see tion in the men’s long jump and of Sweden and Zarck Visser, who ous seasons but has still per- how he responds on the global once again they look to mount a leapt 8.41m during his domestic formed consistently well and a stage. prominent showing. South African season but has yet season’s best of 8.37m indicates Tajay Gayle, winner at the Asian Games and Asian to register an eight-metre jump the 27-year-old Olympic silver IAAF Diamond League meeting Championships silver medal- internationally this year. Gulf Times Saturday, September 28, 2019 3

SPOTLIGHT Fraser-Pryce – Jamaica’s ‘pocket rocket’ with golden touch AFP website The Undefeated last year. times it’s challenging to see Doha Fraser-Pryce may want more some of the young people that I from the track but she has plenty grew up with not making it – not going on off it. doing better for themselves – I amaican sprint legend She owns a hair salon – not want [them] to understand that Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce a great surprise given her pen- I embody everything that we has already battled her chant for dyeing her hair exotic are,” Fraser-Pryce told The Un- way from abject poverty colours. She also spends a lot defeated. toJ a level of relative riches that of time talking to youngsters in “For me, being a part of the will allow her to give her son her community about improving community still, knowing that I Zyon a more comfortable up- their lives. am who I am now, I think it gives bringing than she experienced. “If you understand Shelly, them hope and I want to always Yet the engaging 1.52 metres (5 she’s a behind-the-scenes per- have the young people in my foot) 32-year-old ‘pocket rocket’ son,” her local priest, Winston community believe that any- is not done yet. Jackson, told Jamaican newspa- thing is possible.” The enduring Fraser-Pryce per The Gleaner in 2012. Fraser-Pryce was at least able won the fi rst of her two Olympic “If she’s going to help some- to repay part of what she owed 100 metre titles in 2008. She has body, she will do it in private. her mother with the money that four individual World Athletics She doesn’t like all the excite- track success brought. Championships golds. ment.” In the Fraser household be- In 2013, in Moscow, she be- Her work with children has a cause there was often no money, came only the third woman personal side after a childhood even for food, if Maxine didn’t to achieve a sprint double and in a violent ghetto in Kingston – have a successful day. could repeat the historic feat in a cousin was shot dead close to “She was strict with us and Doha. the family home – but where she worked hard as a street vendor Her main rivals for the 100m, refused to accept her lot was to to make sure we went to a good which gets underway today, are just survive. school,” Fraser-Pryce told the likely to be compatriot Elaine Much of this steeliness was Daily Telegraph in 2009. Thompson and Briton Dina Ash- infused into her psyche by her “It was hard for her. Some- er-Smith. mother, Maxine who brought times, we didn’t have enough Yet Fraser-Pryce is fortunate up Shelly-Ann her two broth- to eat. I’d go to school with no even to even be running after ers up on her own in the Water- lunch money and my school missing the 2017 season with a house neighbourhood, telling would have to provide it. diffi cult pregnancy. her daughter: ‘you have a talent “My mom wouldn’t let me “Honestly, I think my son go and use it.’ go outside. Coming back from kind of put things in perspec- school, the gang men sometimes tive, where I can say, ‘I’m OK, I ‘NO LUNCH MONEY’ would say things but I would have my son, now I’ve achieved “I love my community and I love walk by, never answer and my so much, but I still want more,’” the fact that this is where I’m mom would go tell them leave she told sports and pop culture from and even though some- me alone.”

FOCUS France’s Diniz the man to beat in 50km walk His performance at the 2016 Olympic Games may be remembered for all the wrong reasons, but since then Yohann Bertemes hopes to Diniz has barely put a foot wrong. One year after his dramatic downfall in Rio, the French race walker was victori- ous at the IAAF World Championships London 2017. In fact, his 3:33:12 clocking there was arguably the performance of the championships. Not only was it the second-fastest time in history, just keep making history 39 seconds shy of his world record, but he was utterly dominant. None of the other 47 men in the field covered even ‘In Doha, I hope to make it one kilometre faster than 4:16. Diniz clocked 4:15 or quicker in 27 of his 50 to the final but I’m going kilometres, topped by 4:03 for the 48th kilometre (6:31 mile pace). Injury forced to take things step by step’ Diniz to miss the European Champion- for Luxembourg ships last year, but he returned to 50km action earlier this year, winning the IAAF bining throws, jumps, sprints and European Cup title in 3:37:43 – a time no Doha weightlifting, Bertemes’ 2018 season one else in the world has bettered since proved a large step forward in his ca- April 2015. At 41, Diniz is still the best reer. He regularly threw beyond 20 race walker in the world over the 50km f the record-breaking eight metres, setting three national records, distance. He is not unbeatable, though, men who have hurled the highlighted by a 21.00m eff ort to place and – as the race in Rio showed – a lot shot beyond 22 metres this sixth at the European Championships can, and will, happen in a 50km race. season, there is little doubt in Berlin. Olympic champion Matej Toth hasn’t theO most unexpected of the group has “The 2018 season gave me a lot of raced so far this year due to a ham- been Bob Bertemes. confi dence,“ he says. “To throw 21 string injury earlier in the season, but Hailing from the small landlocked metres at the Europeans was unbe- the 36-year-old’s recent preparation European country of Luxembourg, lievable. Prior to the Europeans I had has reportedly been solid. The 2015 and boasting a PB of 21.00m lead- some good throws, which were close world champion sits third on the world ing into this year, the 26-year-old to 21 metres but I never managed to all-time list with 3:34:38, but given the was perhaps not the most immediate stay in the ring, so it was awesome to conditions in Doha, the race will be less choice to be the latest member of the throw a PB on such a big stage.” about fast times and more about smart 22-metre club. Continuing with the same train- racing – an area in which Toth excels. But at the low-key JP Kops and JM ing model as the previous year, he was Wang Qin made a breakthrough in Reuter Memorial meeting in his na- satisfi ed with his 2019 indoor cam- Huangshan earlier this year, clocking tive Luxembourg in August, Bertemes paign, during which he set an outright 3:38:02, the fastest time by a Chinese elevated himself to a new shot put national record of 21.03m in Potsdam race walker for seven years. He also stratosphere with a booming national and placed fi fth at the European In- performed well in his two biggest races record heave of 22.22m. door Championships in Glasgow with last year, finishing fifth at the World “In training I had a good feeling 20.70m. Race Walking Team Championships that I could produce a long throw but Throwing an Olympic qualify- and second at the Asian Games. Niu I hadn’t thought of throwing 22.22m,” ing mark of 21.10m was one of his big Wenbin and Luo Yadong, who clocked Bertemes says. “I thought that if I got goals for 2019 and he achieved it in 3:41:04 and 3:41:15 respectively in things going, I could throw a 21.60m his fourth competition of the outdoor Huangshan, join Wang on the Chinese plus. But I guess that’s rotation; when season, setting a national record of team. After breaking the 20km race you are in a good shape and relaxed, 21.29m in Zenica in June. His dazzling walk world record in 2015, Japan’s anything is possible.” 22.22m eff ort came four competitions Yusuke Suzuki missed the entire 2016 Growing up in the small town of later. and 2017 seasons through injury. He re- Belvaux in South Western Luxem- That mark has elevated the Luxem- turned to action last year and has since bourg, Bertemes, at the age of six, de- bourgian to sixth on the 2019 world built on that, recording his second and cided to follow in the footsteps of his list and a whole new level. Facing ex- third-fastest times ever for 20km. older brother by joining the local track tra media scrutiny and interest from It’s the 50km, however, that he will and fi eld club. he missed out on qualifi cation for the the other throwers since that PB, he contest in Doha. The 31-year-old made Boasting his sporting genes from Rio Olympics while at the 2017 IAAF moves on to the IAAF World Champi- an impressive debut at the distance both parents, who were handball play- World Championships he washed up a onships in Doha full of confi dence, but in April, clocking a national record of ers, Bertemes insists he was passed disappointing 31st out of 32 competi- also with realistic goals. 3:39:07. Another strong showing in down his physical and mental at- tors with a best eff ort of 19.10m. “In Doha, I hope to make it to the fi - what will be just his second 50km race tributes from a combination of both. “The 31st place perfectly summed nal but I’m going to take things step by could land Suzuki with his first senior “My dad once told me he was re- up my whole 2017 season,” he ex- step,” he says. “I’m fi rst going to fi rst global medal. Asian Games champion ally good at doing squats when he was plains. “I had the worst outdoor sea- focus on the qualifi cation round. From Hayato Katsuki and former national younger and I really got that physical son of my life and I never got things there, anything is possible.” record-holder Tomohiro Noda are talent from him,” he explains. “But going in the right direction. If he achieves his goal in Doha, he Japan’s other entrants for the 50km. I got the mentality from my mum; “But it was an important lesson for will become the fi rst athlete from Lux- Following a bronze medal in 2015, two when she wants something doing, she qualify for the fi nal but it got into my your limits and how to push them even me, and I look back on London as a embourg to reach a World Champion- medals in 2017 and a podium sweep at will get it done.” head,” he explains. “I was so nervous, further,” he says. “I also learned how turning point in my life.” ships fi nal. last year’s World Race Walking Team From the age of 12, Bertemes’ then I couldn’t even get a measured throw. to handle stress because our instruc- Out of the ashes of his London dis- In the longer term, he hopes to es- Championships, hopes are high for coach made the decision he might be I never wanted a repeat performance, tors put us in many stressful situa- appointment, he sought change and tablish himself among the world elite another strong showing from Japan. best suited to the throws. He tried the so since that competition I always tions to see how we would perform.” switched in late 2017 from his Luxem- and win major championship med- Norway’s Havard Haukenes, European discus and the javelin but felt most try to stay relaxed and not overthink In 2015 a signifi cant technical bourg base to connect with his current als. The last global athletics medal to bronze medallist Dzmitry Dziubin of comfortable in the shot circle, and things.” breakthrough unlocked the key for coach, Khalid Alqawati, who is based be snared by an athlete from Luxem- Belarus and Canada’s Evan Dunfee from the age of 15 specialised in the Year on year he continued to make greater success. At the European In- in Mannheim, Germany. bourg was delivered by Josy Barthel, should all feature among the leading discipline. steady progress. In 2013 he fi red the door Championships in Prague, he The move from his homeland was who struck 1500m gold at the 1952 contenders. Bertemes rapidly advanced to an shot out to a national record of 18.78m heaved the 7.26kg metal ball out to a not easy but has proved the right one Olympics in Helsinki. international level, competing at the with the senior implement and in 2014 national record of 20.56m in qualifi ca- as Alqawati sought to utilise Berte- And the motivation of competing 50KM WALK 2011 European U20 Championships he breached the 19-metre line for the tion and fi nished fi fth in the fi nal with mes’ speed and powerful legs by rein- for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Starts at 11.30pm and the following year at the World fi rst time, climaxing his campaign a best of 20.48m. Later that year at the venting him from glider to a rotational should not be underestimated. WR: 3:32:33 Yohann Diniz, France, U20 Championships in Barcelona. with a 19.36m hurl. He also experi- IAAF World Championships in Beijing thrower. “I always try to represent my county August 15, 2014, Zurich In the Catalan capital he equalled enced a four-month period training he registered 19.87m in qualifi cation “He (Alqawati) was sure I could in the best way I can,” he explains. “It’s YB: 3:37:43 Yohann Diniz his national U20 record with a 19.33m with the army. Today he is a full-time to fi nish just seven centimetres shy of throw 21 metres as a rotational throw- diff erent coming from a little country DC: Yohann Diniz, France eff ort in qualifi cation, but in the fi nal athlete and only represents the army a place in the fi nal. Nevertheless, he er,” he adds. “He always sees the best and, for me, it´s easier to stay in touch OC: Matej Toth, Slovakia he failed to record a mark – an experi- on offi cial occasions, but he looks back described the competition there as an in each person and helps them to re- with the people coming to competi- Favourites: Yohann Diniz, France; ence which proved pivotal in his career fondly on his military training. “unreal experience”. alise to be the best version of them- tion or cheering for me. Matej Toth, Slovakia; Wang Qin, development. “It really helped me a lot, you learn For the next couple of seasons, selves.” “For sure, this gives me extra moti- China. “For me, it was really crazy to so much about yourself and about however, his career plateaued. In 2016 Training 10 times a week, com- vation to perform well.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, September 28, 2019 SPORT

RUGBY WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT Turning pressure into points key Irish steel out to against top teams, says Tonga assistant

Reuters but when you have the ball in the crumple Japan’s opposition’s 22, you’ve got to be Kobe, Japan able to turn that pressure into points.” ntensity and bravery can Like Tonga, Argentina also lost ‘Hopefully it will be a cohesive performance only take the lower-tier na- their World Cup opener, going tions so far against rugby’s down 23-21 to France in Tokyo from us, because it will have to be’ elite sides and the key to after fi ghting back from a 20-3 Irunning them close is to turn defi cit at halftime. Ferraris pressure into points, Tonga for- Despite some pundits sug- wards coach Grant Doorey said gesting the defeat would knock yesterday. the stuffi ng out of the Pumas The Pacifi c Islanders gave a and boost Tonga’s chances of a good account of themselves in shock win, Doorey said Argen- a 35-3 defeat to England in their tina, semi-fi nalists at the last World Cup Pool C opener on World Cup, would still provide Sunday but were disappointed formidable opposition. not to make more of their oppor- “I’m not sure if there’s any tunities at the Sapporo Dome. good time to play Argentina,” They will get another chance he added. “They’re a qual- to test themselves against a top- ity tier-one nation with lots of tier nation today when they face experience in their team. We’re Argentina at the Hanazono Rug- just grateful to be here and play by Stadium in Osaka and while against a very strong team.” Tonga have identifi ed weak- Argentine scrumhalf Tomas nesses in the South Americans’ Cubelli said the fi rst few days af- game, exploiting them is a diff er- ter the French defeat were tough. ent story. “We started out hurting be- “When you look at an opposi- cause we failed to get the result we tion you always see weaknesses,” were after and into which we had the Australian said. “We’ve got put so much work,” he said yes- to be good enough to execute in terday. “But that’s the logical na- those important moments. ture of the game, where you have “To put those tier-one na- some weeks easier than others. tions under pressure, it’s OK to I think this made us stronger.” be in the fi ght, to be courageous, The Pumas had left no stone and put lots of defensive pres- unturned when it came to pre- sure on them for periods of time, paring for Tonga, he added.

Ireland’s James Ryan (centre) and Jack Carty (left) take part in a Captain’s Run training session at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa in Shizuoka, Japan, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP tain raiser, sparked by a hat- where pint-sized scrum-half from us, because it will have to two further victories, although Fukuroi, Japan trick from Kotaro Matsushima, Yutaka Nagare will see way be.” they narrowly failed to reach Tonga’s assistant coach Grant Dooley takes part in a Captain’s Run one of several lightning Japanese more of Josh Van Der Flier than the quarter-fi nals — the target training session at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka, wingers head coach Jamie Joseph he would probably wish. ELEMENT OF SURPRISE Joseph has set them this time Japan, yesterday. (AFP) reland go into this week- calls his fl eet of “Ferraris”. With Sexton out, Jack Carty Japan broke into the world’s top around. end’s Rugby World Cup The Brave Blossoms have one takes over at fl y-half in only his 10 under Joseph’s predecessor Joseph has sprung a surprise clash with hosts Japan way of playing — fast — and second Test start, but Schmidt Eddie Jones, and have become by relegating his marauding INJURY SCARE Iwithout talismanic play- will look to shift the ball wide to insisted he was more than up to almost a permanent fi xture there captain Michael Leitch to the maker Johnny Sexton but they Matsushima and William Tupou the task. under former All Blacks Joseph. bench for today’s game, mean- will still expect to overpower as quickly as possible in Shi- “He came on and played really But they no longer carry the ing Pieter Labuschagne leads the Brave Blossoms and preserve zuoka today. well against Scotland,” said the element of surprise following Japan for the fi rst time. Ireland, Season over for Samoa their winning record. Ireland though are banking Kiwi-born coach, who resisted their heroics at the last World who themselves have never won Joe Schmidt’s side, who on their rush defence in mid- the temptation to make wholesale Cup four years ago, when they a World Cup knockout game, came into the tournament as fi eld to smash those supply changes and stuck with 11 of the produced the biggest upset in are likely to prove too big a hur- WC try scorer Amosa the world’s top-ranked team, lines, just as they did against side who proved too strong for the tournament’s history by dle. But a defi ant Labuschagne crushed Scotland 27-3 with a Scotland when Chris Farrell, their Celtic rivals. stunning South Africa 34-32 in promised Japan would not wilt AFP “He’s unavailable for 8-9 clinical performance in their Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose “He cleared our lines really their opening game on the Eng- under the pressure of being the Bègles, France months, so season over. Our doc- Pool A opener last weekend. ran riot. well and the distance of his an- land’s south coast. tournament hosts. tor is in the process of bringing Japan thrashed Russia 30-10 Expect Ireland to swarm over gled kicks was spot on. Hopefully The Japanese, then coached “It brings the best out of you,” him to France so we can carry out in last Friday’s World Cup cur- all Japan at the breakdown, it will be a cohesive performance by Jones, went on to record said the Pretoria-born fl anker. amoa back-rower Afa the surgery here. On a sporting Amosa has been ruled out level it’s a big loss,” he added. for the rest of the season Samoa head coach Steve Jack- with a serious knee in- son said earlier in the day un- ‘Just relax and catch it’: Japan coach’s high ball advice juryS suff ered during the Rugby capped Alamanda Motuga will World Cup victory over Russia, replace Amosa in their World Japan defence coach Scott countering an Irish back three he ranged back three. Winger Kotaro Matsushima, who next to you, we could end with the owner of his club Bordeaux- Cup squad and the seven-a-side Hansen had some simple advice described as probably the most “If you think about the tactics scored a hat-trick in the Pool A a positive outcome. But first, Begles Laurent Marti said yes- specialist could feature in their for his back three ahead of an experienced in world rugby. of the high ball... if you break it opener and keeps his place on the player who catches the ball terday. next game in tournament against expected barrage of high balls Opting to add some extra height, down, it’s more than one man the right wing, said he was also must make sure that he catches Amosa, 28, left the fi eld during Scotland on Monday. from Ireland in today’s Rugby Joseph brought in 1.88 metre catching it, it’s the detail up front, ready to be tested in the air at it properly.” the 34-9 win after scoring the Bordeaux-Begles sit second in World Cup clash: “Just relax and Ryohei Yamanaka at fullback, it’s the pressure on the kick, it’s the Shizuoka Stadium. Matsushima, who faced Ireland Pacifi c Islanders’ second try of the French Top 14 table and travel catch it.” shifting Will Tupou to the wing the way we’ve allowed them to “Yes, I think that our opponent in both 2017 tests when the pool the game. to Montpellier tomorrow looking Japan dropped routine catches and 1.77 metre Lomano Lemeki have space and time.” will be giving us pressure, so first favourites ran out easy winners, “According to information re- to maintain their unbeaten start in their nervy opening 30-10 win to the bench. “Collectively we’ve looked at that. thing is to endure that pressure,” said conceding easy penalties ceived by the club’s doctor Afa to the campaign. Due to Amosa’s over Russia and coach Jamie “Just relax and catch it,” Hansen For us, it’s not just on one man Matsushima said. could have a “dreadful” outcome has suff ered a tear to his anterior absence Marti’s outfi t could ex- Joseph said his changes at full told a news conference when but at the end of the day, just “Even if we lose a ball, by having with very few chances to score. cruciate ligament and his medial tend Masalosalo Tutaia’s tempo- back and wing were aimed at asked for his advice to the rear- relax and catch it. Play footie.” a connection with the player Hansen agreed. Reuters cruciate ligament is also dam- rary World Cup cover contract to aged,” Marti said. until the end of the season.

GOLF Scott grabs one-shot clubhouse lead at Silverado Rose, McIlroy climb into Alfred Dunhill contention Australian Adam Scott birdied walk back into it last week and two of his final three holes and feel at least confident enough AFP made three more birdies in the fi - grabbed a share of the lead with that I’m not going to be horrible London nal seven holes to position himself American Andrew Landry in the when I tee off today.” nicely with tomorrow’s round at first round of the Safeway Open Scott was at five-under on the St. Andrews to come. McIlroy, who in Napa, California, on Thursday. day when he stepped up to the ustin Rose and Rory McIlroy is playing alongside his dad in the Former Masters winner Scott, par-five fifth hole, where he stormed up the leaderboard pro-am tournament, also made a who started on the back nine curled in a 54-foot eagle putt after the second round of the scintillating start with an eagle and at the Silverado Resort, mixed before capping off his round Alfred Dunhill Links Cham- three birdies in his fi rst fi ve holes at an eagle with six birdies and a with four consecutive pars. pionship,J but England’s Matthew Kingsbarns. bogey for a seven-under-par 65. Former British Open champion Jordan leads by one shot at the half- One more birdie at the 12th and Scott, 39, said he benefited from Francesco Molinari finished way stage. par golf the rest of the way saw the taking time off after the Tour one shot back at six-under-par, Jordan struck a stunning eight- Northern Irishman complete a 66 to Championship in Atlanta last along with American Matthew under par round of 64 at the Old move to eight-under. month. NeSmith. Course in St Andrews to move to Two-time Alfred Dunhill cham- “I think it’s easy to walk away Molinari, who also started on 14-under, one shot clear of Scot- pion Tyrrell Hatton also moved into from hitting balls for a couple the back nine, erased an early land’s Calum Hill, Swede Joakim contention with a four-under round weeks, but it’s not easy to switch birdie with a bogey at the Lagergren and fellow Englishman at Kingsbarns to move to 10-under, your mind out of thinking about par-four 14th hole when he Matthew Southgate. while Open Championship runner- your swing or thinking about missed an 11-footer. Rose is among a six-strong group up Tommy Fleetwood is nine-under your chipping or your putter or But the Italian was solid the rest two shot off the lead after a superb after a three-under round yesterday. what driver setting you want of the way and made six more front nine at Kingsbarns. Each player plays a single round this year,” Scott told the Golf birdies, including three over The world number four carded at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Channel. “But I did,” he added. his final five holes, and is one an eagle and six birdies to make the Carnoustie on the fi rst three days “I kind of had it all lined up to back of the lead. turn in 28. A double bogey at the before the cut with Sunday’s fi nal Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy during the second round of Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where I could walk away and Reuters 11th halted his progress, but Rose round at St Andrews. in Kingsbarns, Scotland, yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Saturday, September 28, 2019 5 SPORT

CRICKET ROUND-UP Klusener appointed Karachi’s ODI return Afghanistan coach ormer South Africa all- TAYLOR RETIRES FROM rounder Lance Klusener INTERNATIONAL CRICKET has been appointed as OVER ANXIETY ISSUES new head coach of Af- World Cup-winning England ghanistan,F the country’s cricket wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has board announced yesterday. announced her retirement from delayed as Sri Lanka Klusener, who played 49 Tests international cricket because of and 171 ODIs for the Proteas an ongoing battle with anxi- between 1996 and 2004, takes ety. Taylor’s 6,533 runs in 226 over from former West Indies appearances across all formats batsman Phil Simmons who left places her second on England’s after the World Cup. all-time list, while she is widely “I am extremely excited and regarded as one of the best wick- match washed out honoured to be given the op- etkeepers in the world. portunity to work with some of The 30-year-old, part of the best talent in world cricket,” England’s victorious World Cup Tomorrow’s match rescheduled to Monday to avoid possible rain said Klusener, whose coaching team in 2017, withdrew midway credits include a recent stint as through the recent Ashes series. assistant batting coach for the In recent years she has missed a South Africa T20 team in India. number of series due to mental “Everyone knows the fearless health issues. “This has been a brand of cricket Afghanistan tough decision but I know it’s play. I am very confi dent that the right one, for me and for my with some hard work we can health moving forward,” said become one of the best sides in Taylor, who made her interna- the world. I am really looking tional debut in 2006. forward to working with the “I can’t thank my teammates Afghanistan team and helping enough, both past and present, them take their cricket to the and the ECB for being support- next level.” ers and friends along my jour- Klusener will start with the ney. Playing for England for so series of one Test, three ODIs long has been a dream come true and three T20Is against West and I have been blessed with so Indies at ‘home’ in November- many great moments through- December. out my career.”

Covers are laid out on the pitch as heavy rain washed out the first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi yesterday. (AFP)

AFP Since then Pakistan have been forced to time.” Karachi will still host the remain- current tour, Pakistan have put in place Karachi play nearly all of their “home” matches in ing ODIs on the tour, with tomorrow’s stringent security measures normally re- the United Arab Emirates due to security match rescheduled to Monday to avoid served for heads of state. concerns. Heavy showers began as soon possible rain. The two teams will also play All the arrangements are being led by eavy rain washed out the open- the teams were whisked into the National three Twenty20 internationals in Lahore the country’s military, with around 2,000 ing match of Sri Lanka’s tour of Stadium under tight security in the after- next month. security personnel on alert at the team’s Pakistan before play began yes- noon. The disappointment from specta- The latest series is an attempt by Paki- hotel and at the ground. But the security terday, disappointing cricket tors was palpable. “I came... to celebrate stan Cricket Board to bring international guarantee did not stop the withdrawal of Hfans who had fl ocked to the stadium for the return of cricket in Karachi but it cricket back into the country following several key Sri Lankan players, including what was to be the fi rst ODI played on a turned out to be a damp squib,” said Abu the 2009 attacks. Zimbabwe were the regular ODI captain Dimuth Karunaratne Karachi pitch in a decade. Bakar, a school student who came to the fi rst team to tour in Pakistan for six years as well as former captains Angelo Math- Teams have been reluctant to visit the stadium with classmates. when they played two Twenty20s and ews and Dinesh Chandimal. The tour was cricket-mad country since a deadly mili- “It’s so sad,” said Rubeena Ahmed, a three one-day internationals in Lahore also put on hold after the Sri Lankan gov- tant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in bank employee in the stands. “I took half in 2015. That was followed by a World ernment received information of a pos- Lahore in 2009, and Karachi has not host- a day off to watch my favourite players XI tour and home T20 matches against sible terror threat, before an all-clear was Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener played 49 Tests and ed a one-day international since then. playing a one-day match after such a long Sri Lanka and the West Indies. For the issued last week. 171 ODIs between 1996 and 2004. (AFP)

Former Pakistan coach Arthur defends remarks about Wasim, Misbah FOCUS

Karachi: Pakistan’s former crick- team and would have loved et coach Mickey Arthur yester- to continue. But now we have Qatar fi nish ICC CWC day defended his comments that moved on and I wish Pakistan linked former captains Wasim team the best of luck under Akram and Misbah-ul-Haq to Misbah.” Challenge League on a high his ousting last month. Arthur Wasim and Misbah both caused a stir in Pakistani cricket defended their actions following By Sports Reporter Jelany Chilia picked two. circles earlier this week after he the World Cup. “I have played Doha Vanuatu had a revised target of 177 in 44 overs went into detail about his axing for Pakistan and I serve Pakistan after rain interruption, but could only manage in an interview with ESPNcricin- cricket in some capacity or the 171. Shane Deitz top-scored with 50, while Joshua fo podcast Stump Mic. other, so when I was asked to atar fi nished third in the ICC World Cup Rasu made 32. Munaweera conceded only 23 runs Following a disappointing join the committee to decide Challenge League in Kuala Lumpur, in 8 overs while picking up four wickets. Moham- World Cup performance, the disappointment I have out of second of that job.” about the head coach I gave my Malaysia on Thursday. In their fi nal ed Nadeem and Kamran took two wickets each. Pakistan Cricket Board set up the whole lot is that there were The comments caused a stir honest opinion,” Wasim said in Group A match, they beat Vanuatu by There are two Challenge Leagues A and B, each fiQ ve runs on the Duckworth and Lewis method. comprising six teams that will play 15 matches a committee including Wasim some people I really trusted who in Pakistani media, where cricket Karachi. and Misbah to shape the team’s ultimately didn’t follow through,” gossip is widely reported. Speak- Misbah added that Arthur Qatar will now play two more tournaments, each over two and half years as they aim to reach future direction. The commit- said Arthur during the interview. ing to AFP by phone from Perth, was entitled to his opinion. “I after which the top team will advance to the 2023 the World Cup in India. Canada, Denmark, Ma- tee decided against renewing “And it just happened to be that said he had the right to speak his think what he has said is his ICC World Cup in India. laysia, Singapore, Qatar and Vanuatu form group Arthur’s contract, which paved Misbah was on the committee mind after faithfully serving the opinion,” said Misbah. Canada topped the six-nation event after col- A, whilst group B consists of Bermuda, Hong the way for Misbah to be named that didn’t renew our contracts team for three years. “Whatever he has thought lecting eight points, edging Singapore on basis of Kong, Italy, Jersey, Kenya and Uganda. the country’s chief selector and and becomes this heir-appar- “I was dignified in my com- he has said. I always say that better run-rate. Qatar secured 6 points with wins Teams will compete in Challenge League A and new head coach. ent,” he added. ments because I love Pakistan, everyone has his opinion. As a over Singapore, Malaysia and Vanuatu. B once a year respectively in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Arthur said he had supported Arthur refused to speak ill of the players I worked with, spent member of the cricket com- Qatar’s win against Vanuatu was largely thanks The league will see a total of 90 competitive 50 the participation of both Wasim Misbah in the interview. “Misbah time with for three years and mittee we gave our honest to pacer Gayan Munaweera’s four-wicket haul. over List A matches for teams ranked 21-32. The and Misbah on the commit- will do a good job, Misbah is a respect Misbah and Wasim,” opinion. I had good relations Batting fi rst, Qatar were restricted to 185 runs 49.1 top team in each league at the culmination of the tee but was disappointed with good guy and Pakistan cricket Arthur said. “I felt disappointed with Mickey,” he added. “Good overs. Opening batsman Kamran Khan (31), Riz- competition will secure two of the six places in the decision after placing his made their decision. I was disap- because I had some unfinished relations are always there and lan (39) and skipper Iqbal Hussain (39) were the the Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifi er Play-Off trust in them. “I guess the only pointed because I loved every business to do with the Pakistan will remain there.” main contributors. Simpson Obed and Apolinaire to be held in 2022, alongside the bottom four of Stephen shared six wickets for Vanuatu, while Men’s CWC League 2.

MLB Kershaw shines as Dodgers complete series sweep over Padres Reuters lined a single to left-centre and beat allowed on three hits and two walks place in the National League Central San Diego the relay from center fi eld Manuel with six strikeouts in six innings. The with three games to play. The Brewers, Margot to shortstop Luis Urias to Dodgers fi nished the regular season who have already clinched a playoff catcher Austin Hedges, who dropped with a 13-6 record against the Pa- spot, also remained one game behind hris Taylor scored from fi rst the throw as Taylor was sliding into dres, including a 7-2 mark at Petco Washington for the top NL wild-card on a two-out, sixth-inning the plate. Park. The Padres were 1-5 on their fi - spot, as the Nationals beat the Phila- single by Max Muncy and Los Kershaw, who entered the game nal homestand and fi nished 36-45 at delphia Phillies 6-3 on Thursday. Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw with a 5.24 ERA over his previous six home. Rookie Aristides Aquino belted a out-duelledC San Diego starter Joey starts and has struggled in the fi rst fi rst-inning solo home run among his Lucchesi with six scoreless innings inning throughout the season (6.00 BREWERS SWEEP REDS three hits for the Reds, who played on Thursday afternoon as the visit- ERA with 10 homers), survived a scare IN PLAYOFF RUN host to Hall of Fame radio broadcaster ing Dodgers completed a three-game in the fi rst. Margot lined out to the Meanwhile, Orlando Arcia ripped a Marty Brennaman’s fi nal game of his sweep with a 1-0 win. Kershaw, who wall in centre to open the game and three-run double in the fourth in- 46-year career with the team. teamed with four relievers on the Josh Naylor followed with a double to ning as the Milwaukee Brewers com- Brennaman, 77, announced in Jan- Dodgers’ National League-best 16th right. pleted their second straight series uary that he would retire after the shutout of the season, picked up the But Kershaw retired 14 of the next sweep with a 5-3 victory over the host season. win to fi nish the regular season with 15 hitters he faced leading into Luis Cincinnati Reds. a 16-5 record. Lucchesi fell to 10-10. Torrens’ pinch-hit single leading off Ben Gamel and Manny Pina each MLB RESULTS Kenta Maeda came on to retire all the sixth. Kershaw fi nished his last added an RBI double and Chase An- Brewers 5 Reds 3; White Sox 8, Indi- start before the playoff s giving up no derson (8-4) allowed one run on fi ve three Padres he faced in the ninth ans 0; Athletics 3, Mariners 1; Angels with the tying run on second to earn runs on two hits and a walk with seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts 4, Astros 3 (12 innings); Twins 10, his third save of the season. Taylor strikeouts over the six innings. over fi ve innings for the Brewers, who Tigers 4; Dodgers 1, Padres 0; Nation- drew a two-out walk from Lucchesi in Meanwhile, Lucchesi didn’t allow have won seven in a row and 18 of the sixth and broke from fi rst as Luc- a hit until Will Smith led off the fifth their past 20 contests. als 6, Phillies 3; Rangers 7, Red Sox 5; chesi made his pitch to Muncy. with a single past Urias into center. Milwaukee moved one game behind Marlins 4, Mets 2; Giants 8, Rockies 3; Taylor never broke stride as Muncy Lucchesi’s fi nal line was the one run the idle St. Louis Cardinals for fi rst Pirates 9, Cubs 5 Milwaukee Brewers Josh Hader pitches against Cincinnati Reds. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Saturday, September 28, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Kyrgios on ‘best behaviour’ aft er Sabalenka upsets suspended ban

AFP sive meltdown at last month’s Sydney Cincinnati Masters which saw him smash two racquets, launch an abusive tirade at the chair ombustible tennis star umpire before appearing to spit Barty to set up Nick Kyrgios yesterday at the offi cial during a second- insisted he’ll be on his round match. “best behaviour” for the He was fi ned US$113,000 for Cnext six months after being put ball abuse, leaving the court on probation by the ATP follow- without permission, an audible ing a series of recent on-court obscenity and unsportsmanlike outbursts. conduct during his loss to Rus- The temperamental Austral- sia’s Karen Khachanov. Wuhan Open fi nal ian was hit with a suspended Kyrgios, 24, has fi ve days to 16-week ban on Thursday which appeal the suspended ban, but can be lifted after a six-month has yet to indicate whether he ‘I’ll be there for the fight. Doesn’t matter who is going to be there in the final’ probationary period provided he will or not. While he was penal- meets certain strict criteria. ised for the Cincinnati outbursts, AFP It includes seeking support he avoided further punishment Wuhan, China from a specialist in behavioural for calling the ATP “pretty cor- management during the off - rupt” during the US Open after season. he “clarifi ed” his comment. eigning Wuhan Open “Guess I’m on my best behav- Kyrgios, who boasts a long list champion Aryna iour for 6 months,” he told his 1.2 of misdemeanours, was sched- Sabalenka said her mn Instagram followers, while uled to play the China Open next yesterday’s semi-fi nal adding the hashtag #detention. week but pulled out on Thursday, victoryR over world number one In response to one user saying citing a collarbone injury. Ashleigh Barty tastes sweeter he should have been banned for “I’ll be heading back to Aus- than last year’s tournament win life, the Australian replied: “Well tralia to rest and recover. See you after her tough journey on this no not really. I’m chilling, relax- all soon,” said the 27th-ranked year’s tour. ing. I’ll speak when I want.” fi rebrand after his fi rst-round The 21-year-old Belarusian The ATP opened a probe into exit at the Zhuhai Champion- power-hitter proved she was Kyrgios following an explo- ships. back in top form and well past her slump as she dismissed Barty 7-5, 6-4 in 103 minutes — set- ting up a fi nal showdown with American Alison Riske, who toppled Petra Kvitova 7-5, 7-5. Sabalenka fi red 24 winners and saved four of the fi ve break points she faced against Barty, who needed treatment for a left calf injury halfway through the sec- ond set. It was her 11th consecu- tive win in Wuhan and takes her career record in China to 28-6. “It means a lot for me,” said the ninth-seeded Sabalenka. “It feels even better than last year... This year it was a really tough season for me. To get back on that level, it feels much more enjoyable.” Looking to become the fi rst INJURY SCARE player to successfully defend the Wuhan title — and to be the sec- ond two-time champion along- Nick Kyrgios reacts during his first round match against Andreas side Kvitova — Sabalenka vows Seppi of Italy at the Zhuhai Championships in Zhuhai, China, on to battle until the last ball. Wednesday. (AFP) “I’ll be there for the fi ght. Doesn’t matter who is going to be there in the fi nal,” she said. Barty said she was not con- Haggerty retains ITF presidency cerned about her calf injury, but ahead of Davis Cup reform conceded she would need to be vigilant during the tricky fi nal David Haggerty of the United gerty’s changes to the Davis stretch of the season. States, who was behind recent Cup format. “It’s important at this time of changes to the Davis Cup, The 119-year-old competition the year to listen to your body,” was re-elected as president has traditionally been struc- said the 23-year-old Aussie. of the International Tennis tured around a 16-nation World “There were certain things I Federation (ITF) until 2023, the Group, contested over four wasn’t able to do.” governing body announced weekends during the year, but Barty explained that she felt yesterday. will now switch to an 18-team the injury early in the fi rst set Haggerty, 62, who has been finals, with the inaugural edition and that it “progressively got Aryna Sabalenka hits a return against Ashleigh Barty during their semi-final match at the Wuhan Open in Wuhan, China, yesterday. (AFP) in the position since 2015, re- in Madrid in November. worse” as the match went on. ceived 60.5% of the vote, more Spanish footballer Gerard Pique “I’m sure it’s nothing that is spot in the biggest fi nal of her second of the year, having fi n- Wimbledon, lifted the trophy in “I feel like it’s taken me a than double that of Indian Anil and his Kosmos investment too alarming,” she added. career. ished as runner-up to Sabalenka s-Hertogenbosch, and posted while. I had spurts of it. To get Khanna who was second. firm brought the broadcast Riske, the world number 35, Projected to break the top 30 in Shenzhen last January. four top-10 wins so far. the consistency has been a dif- The former chief of the US rights to the tournament which rallied back from 3-5 down in for the fi rst time in the world The 29-year-old is enjoying “I always thought I was good, ferent story. I feel like I have a Tennis Association also beat will be rivalled by the ATP’s new the second set, saving four set rankings on Monday, Riske is the best season of her career, but I never really embodied that. really good grasp on it. I’m 29, so Canadian David Miley who had World Team Cup which will be points, on her way to victory through to her sixth fi nal at a in which she reached a maiden In the big moments, I wasn’t re- it’s about time I get something discussed going back on Hag- held in January in Australia. over Kvitova that earned her a Chinese tournament, and her Grand Slam quarter-fi nal at ally delivering,” admits Riske. right here.”

FORMULA 1 SPOTLIGHT It’s all back to front Verstappen beats Leclerc to set as Hamilton blasts ‘reversed grid’ plan pace in Russian GP practice Hamilton added: “The chang- AFP Sochi, Russia es made in recent years have not Reuters Ferrari by 133 points in the con- improved anything so, appar- Sochi, Russia structors’ standings. ently, the people who invented But they head into tomorrow’s orld champion them have no idea about racing. Russian round, a race they have Lewis Hamilton He said he did not understand ax Verstappen won every year since it joined the blasted Formu- the thinking for a reversed grid. knocked Ferrari rival calendar in 2014, reeling from la One chiefs for “I really don’t get it and then Charles Leclerc off three successive defeats at the W“having no idea” about the sport we start driving slower in For- the top of the time- hands of rivals Ferrari. A fourth as blueprints ahead of a 2021 mula One. Who wants that? You Msheets to go fastest on the open- loss this weekend, unprecedented overhaul and plans to experi- want technology to propel you ing day of practice for the Rus- for the German outfi t in Formula ment with a reversed starting and innovate more and more. sian Formula One Grand Prix. One’s turbo-hybrid era, will set grid next year came under re- “If this is what you want, then The Red Bull driver was nar- alarm bells ringing at their Brack- newed fi re yesterday. you don’t understand a thing rowly edged out by Leclerc, win- ley headquarters. For Ferrari it “In my opinion, the reverse about Formula One.” ner of two of the last three races, will off er evidence that their re- starting position is an excuse — Renault driver Daniel Ric- in yesterday’s opening 90 minutes surgence, albeit late, is real. because they don’t dare make ciardo said he shared Hamilton’s of running. But the Dutchman, “There is still quite a lot of lap any decisions,” said fi ve-time reservations over a reversed also a two-time winner this year, time to be gained on our side,” world champion Hamilton on grid which would see the fastest struck back with a one minute said Leclerc, who has started the sidelines of the Russian qualifi ers start from the back. 33.162-second lap after lunch, Max Verstappen speaks with a technician in the team’s box during the second practice session for the the last three races from pole Grand Prix this weekend. “They “I think it would dilute a lot ending the day 0.335 seconds Formula One Russian Grand Prix at The Sochi Autodrom Circuit in Sochi, Russia, yesterday. (AFP) and was left fuming after Fer- have a bad approach and daren’t of the weekend. It’s like some quicker than the Monegasque. rari’s strategy denied him a third make any decisions. “Why do other sports I follow — the prod- “Today was very positive and pion, with the German slipping braking problems in the opening potential – Hamilton and Mer- consecutive win in Singapore cars have to become heavier? uct becomes diluted if you have the car worked really well on both from third to fi fth. But it was an session and is hoping for a wet cedes remain on course for a last week. “The balance was not Catching up is still a problem reverse-grid races and this and tyres,” said Verstappen, who is uncharacteristically off -colour qualifying session today. record sixth title double. exactly how I wanted it to be, es- and I stick to that position.” that,” said the Australian. carrying a fi ve-place engine-re- day for the usually dominant “We’ve just been trying to The Briton, winner of eight pecially in the qualifying runs. The proposal to use a reversed “I think the reversed grid is a lated grid penalty. Valtteri Bottas champions, with the silver cars fi gure out how we can improve races this year, leads Bottas by But the race pace looked very grid has divided opinion among bit desperate — and I don’t think was third ahead of championship hindered by niggling problems the car but it’s not an easy task,” 65 points in the overall standings strong,” the 21-year-old added. close observers of the sport as we’re in a desperate time at all. leader Lewis Hamilton. in the morning and a lack of pace the fi ve-time champion added. and is 96 clear of Verstappen and dy set to start tomorrow’s race American owners Liberty Media “There’s some sports — like The Mercedes team mates that saw them end the day more Despite their lack of form which Leclerc, his closest non-Mer- from the back of the grid in his seek superfi cial and synthetic the UFC (Ultimate Fighting moved ahead of Ferrari’s Sebas- than half a second off Verstap- some commentators suspected cedes challengers who are joint Honda-powered Toro Rosso, the changes that may create more Championship), the mixed mar- tian Vettel, whose win in Singa- pen’s best. “It’s been a day of was down to sandbagging – third, with six races to go. 25-year-old ground to a halt in incident for a global television tial arts and all that — and it has pore last week ended a 13-month discovery and exploring,” said when teams deliberately run The German team, winners of the morning with a suspected audience — and more profi ts got to a point where they’re hav- drought for the four-time cham- Hamilton, who complained of slower to hide their car’s true 10 of this season’s 15 races, lead fuel system issue. with an expanded race calendar. ing fi ghts every weekend. Gulf Times Saturday, September 28, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA LIGUE 1 Mbappe set to be Real Madrid face back for PSG aft er month's absence

AFP the bar high. “The challenge for Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France this season will be to maintain a high level each match,” said Mar- Atletico in derby quinhos. “We must inspire our- ylian Mbappe is avail- selves to rise to this challenge.” able to make his return Lyon’s bright start under Real Madrid are top of the table as their turnaround has been impressive from a thigh injury fi rst-time manager Sylvinho is when Paris Saint-Ger- a distant memory with the club mainK visit Bordeaux in Ligue 1 winless in fi ve matches since AFP Madrid this weekend, coach Thomas beginning the campaign with Tuchel said yesterday. World two resounding wins. The latest Cup winner Mbappe, 20, has setback came at Brest where the eal Madrid and Atletico Madrid been sidelined with since the hosts twice recovered to earn a have each averted a mini-crisis victory over Toulouse on August 2-2 draw, a result that dropped already this season and one of 25. He missed the surprise mid- Lyon into the bottom half of the the rewards for the winner of the week loss to Reims. In a further table. “We didn’t play well. I’m derbyR today would be to stall their rival’s boost to PSG’s attacking options, not satisfi ed, once again we lost recovery. which has left Neymar and Eric the three points in the fi nal min- In a press conference last week, Zined- Maxim Choupo-Moting as the utes,” said Sylvinho, whose team ine Zidane was asked six questions about main forwards available, Tuchel host fourth-placed Nantes today. his future as coach of Real Madrid, one also confi rmed that summer “We have a lack of confi dence of them whether he was irritated by Jose signing Mauro Icardi is fi t to play and it generates fear. I am a little Mourinho’s very public hankering for the a partial part. concerned about the results, but job. “I know how it works,” Zidane said. The former Inter Milan front- the fi rst step is to restore con- “It’s not about whether it bothers me or man is back after missing two fi dence. To do that, we need to doesn’t bother me. If you lose, things matches since sustaining a mi- win matches.” Monaco picked up have to change.” nor problem in the victory over their fi rst victory on Tuesday and A few hours later, Atletico were held Real Madrid on September 18. will host Brest, while Marseille to a 0-0 draw at home to Celta Vigo, a “Kylian and Mauro are in the — held to a 0-0 draw at base- blunt display that raised familiar con- squad and are available to play ment side Dijon — are at home to cerns about the threat of their attack some minutes,” Tuchel said. De- Rennes tomorrow. and made it two draws and a defeat in a spite the positive news the Pa- FIXTURES week. “Atleti fans are demanding so I am risians are still without Edinson (all times 1800 GMT unless Cavani who is struggling with not surprised by the criticism at all,” said stated) Today: Lyon v Nantes Diego Simeone. “Coaches are always to a hip injury. After travelling to (1130), Bordeaux v Paris Saint- blame when you lose.” Bordeaux today, Tuchel’s squad Germain (1530), Angers v Ami- Yet at the Wanda Metropolitano this head to Galatasaray for Tues- weekend, it will be La Liga’s fi rst against day’s Champions League game. ens, Metz v Toulouse, Monaco v third, even if the ascendancy of Madrid’s PSG remain top of Ligue 1 on Brest, Nice v Lille, Reims v Dijon two premier clubs perhaps says as much goal diff erence, above surprise Tomorrow: Strasbourg v about the chaos of the opening few weeks second-place side Angers, but Montpellier (1300), Nimes v in Spain as it does about the strength of defender Marquinhos said they Saint-Etienne (1500), Marseille v their revivals. Real Madrid are top and must strive to consistently keep Rennes (1900) while Zidane discounts the fact, their turnaround has been impressive. It began against Sevilla, who could have gone top themselves, and at the Ra- mon Sanchez Pizjuan, where Madrid had previously won just once in seven years. “The satisfaction is tremendous,” said Real Madrid’s Casemiro (left), Luka Modric (centre) and Gareth Bale joke around during a training session in Madrid. (AFP) Zidane. “We have been questioned a lot.” It began on the back of losing 3-0 to lieve in what we do,” Zidane said. “Now Costa’s drought, which had seen him go seen whether Barca can now leave behind Paris Saint-Germain too in the Champi- we are at our beginning.” without a goal since March. “Strikers live their own sticky patch, and without Li- ons League and, even further back, a tur- Atletico is an opportunity to maintain off goals,” said Simeone. “His goal is good onel Messi, who is nursing a thigh injury. bulent summer that saw Zidane frustrat- momentum and it might be that a draw, for him and good for the team.” Valverde might take encouragement ed by key targets, like Paul Pogba, missed at this early stage in the season, is ac- After starting the season with three from last season when his side won only and wanted departures, like Gareth Bale, ceptable to both, particularly ahead of consecutive victories, Atletico were being once in fi ve games through the end of failing to materialise. the second round of Champions League circled as genuine contenders for the title September and early October. They went Many though questioned his relation- group games next week. but defeat to Real Sociedad and the stale- on to win the title by 11 points. ship with the club’s president Florentino Certainly, Atleti needed their win away mate against Celta had tempered expec- Perez and in that context off the pitch, at Mallorca on Wednesday, even if Al- tations. One win has restored belief but FIXTURES (TIMES GMT) there was a readiness for disappointment varo Morata’s mindless sending off , eight this game will be taken as an early litmus Today: Athletic Bilbao v Valencia (1100), on it. When results dipped and perform- minutes after coming on as a substitute, test for the threat that these teams pose. Getafe v Barcelona (1400), Granada v ances failed to improve, the sense was means the Spaniard will be suspended for Neither will want to fail it. Leganes (1630), Atletico Madrid v Real it had been coming. Beating Sevilla and the derby this weekend. Barcelona’s stuttering start has argu- then promoted Osasuna on Wednesday Morata’s absence makes it all the more ably been the most worrying of all but Madrid (1900) has turned the tide, not least because likely Diego Costa will keep his place they too enjoyed a rejuvenating win over Tomorrow: Espanyol v Real Valladolid there was a resilience and purpose so up front alongside Joao Felix, particu- Villarreal in midweek, ahead of their visit (1000), Eibar v Celta Vigo (1200), Alaves previously lacking. In each game, Madrid larly after it was their goals that sealed to Getafe today. Scepticism around coach v Real Mallorca (1400), Levante v managed not to concede a single shot on the Mallorca win. Simeone said Atletico Ernesto Valverde is never far from the Osasuna (1630), Sevilla v Real Sociedad Kylian Mbappe has been sidelined with a thigh injury since PSG's target "What has changed is that we be- had been working individually to solve surface at Camp Nou and it remains to be (1900) victory over Toulouse on August 25. (Reuters)

QNB STARS LEAGUE PREMIER LEAGUE Duhail face Shahania today Spurs and Chelsea seek home comforts By Sports Reporter Paulo Edmilson and Mohanad have not only scored the least AFP Doha Ali in their last match and Faria number of goals (2), the same London is hopeful they will be fi t to face as Qatar SC, but they also have Shahania today. the worst goal diff erence (-12) l Duhail will look to ex- Duhail be eyeing their sec- against their name. iverpool and Manchester City are tend their unbeaten run ond successive victory, and the Meanwhile, leaders Al Sadd again threatening to streak clear in as they face bottom club third so far, as they look to stay in will not be in action this week as the Premier League title race with Al Shahania at the QNB contention for the title race with their match against Al Arabi has their main challengers looking ill- StarsA League in the Al Arabi Sta- leaders Al Sadd. been deferred due to their par- Lequipped to keep up. Both teams were ir- dium today. The Former champi- On the other hand, Shahania ticipation in the AFC Champions resistible last season, with runners-up ons have eight points and are in are lying at the very bottom of League fi rst-leg semifi nal against Liverpool fi nishing 25 points ahead of third- the fourth position in the table. the 12-team table and have yet Al Hilal in Doha on October 1. placed Chelsea, and they look a class apart Rui Faria men’s despite their un- to open their account, just like Today, three more matches again in this campaign. beaten run are not at their fl uent Qatar SC. Shahania, under the will be held with Al Ahli taking The two front-runners will each expect to best, hampered by injuries to tutelage of Spaniard Jose Murcia, on Al Rayyan, Al Gharafa facing pick up another three points this weekend key players. Duhail had missed badly need a positive result fol- Al Sailiya and Qatar SC run into despite being on their travels as Liverpool the services of Yousef Msakni, lowing a spate of defeats. They Al Khor. go to Sheffi eld United and City visit Everton. Leicester, Arsenal and West Ham are their closest challengers and early leaders in the fi ght for the fi nal two Champions League ARSENAL BOSS EMERY DEFENDS places despite just three wins apiece after six rounds of matches. Tottenham, Chelsea DECISION TO MAKE XHAKA CAPTAIN and Manchester United, all of whom have struggled badly, are under pressure to get Chelsea are at the start of a new era and there were encouraging signs for Fran Lampard in London: Arsenal manager Unai Emery hopes to has inside is very, very important. Sometimes he back on track on home soil this weekend. last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool. (AFP) change “outside” perceptions of Granit Xhaka makes mistakes. But the most important thing is City showed no mercy against Watford after naming the Swiss midfielder as the Gunners’ to analyse, to learn and correct those mistakes.” last weekend, hammering the Hornets 8-0 side against Southampton today. ties, but the Red Devils’ lack of goalscoring new club captain. Xhaka has skippered Emery’s Arsenal were trailing 2-1 to Villa when Xhaka in a staggering display of dominance that But a relaxed Pochettino said there was a threat was again exposed. Teenager Mason men in all six games he has played so far this sea- was withdrawn before going on to win the game even visiting goalkeeper Ben Foster admit- fi ne line between success and failure, point- Greenwood scored the only goal of the night son following the departure of Laurent Koscielny 3-2 despite being down to 10 men. Many fans ted could have resulted in an even more ing to the disallowed goal at Leicester last for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, who have to Bordeaux. would like to see Xhaka dropped for a central damaging scoreline. week, which stopped them going 2-0 up in a not found the net more than once in a game However, Emery had held off on naming a midfield pairing of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Yet Pep Guardiola’s men could fi nd game they ended up losing 2-1. “ since the opening weekend of the season. permanent captain until he took a vote from his Torreira and Emery said the captaincy will not themselves eight points behind in the title Chelsea fared far better in the League Cup A groin injury to Marcus Rashford exac- players, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hector influence his team selection. “The performance is race come kick-off at Goodison Park today as a 7-1 rout of Grimsby handed Frank Lam- erbates that problem and Anthony Martial Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil mak- giving me the next first XI, the next players to play, should Liverpool maintain their relentless pard his fi rst victory in charge at Stamford is a doubt to face an Arsenal side that have ing the rest of a five-man leadership group. not the captains,” added Emery. run. Jurgen Klopp’s side have the chance to Bridge. In contrast to Spurs, though, Chel- conceded nine goals in their past four league Xhaka, 27, has been fiercely criticised for his Arsenal’s defence has been boosted by the win their 16th consecutive Premier League sea are at the start of a new era and there games. Solskjaer may therefore be forced to performances since joining the club in 2016 and return of Rob Holding, Kieran Tierney and Hector game in the early kick-off today in Sheffi eld. were encouraging signs for Lampard in last hand 17-year-old Greenwood just his sec- was booed off by Arsenal fans when he was substi- Bellerin, who all played in Tuesday’s League Cup Liverpool have not lost in the league to a weekend’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool. ond Premier League start. tuted during last weekend’s clash with Aston Villa. win over Nottingham Forest, and Emery said it side outside the traditional “Big Six” since Defensive issues remain, with the Blues “First he’s mature, he has experience,” said Emery was ‘amazing news’ to have them back in conten- January 2018. Tottenham fl uff ed another yet to keep a clean sheet in nine games under PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES yesterday ahead of ahead of Monday’s Premier tion. “We can be a better competitive team with chance to land a fi rst trophy under Mauri- Lampard, but N’Golo Kante’s return from Today: Sheff ield United v Liverpool, cio Pochettino in midweek, with an embar- injury does off er some much-needed pro- League trip to Manchester United. them,” Emery said. “For us every player being Bournemouth v West Ham United, Aston rassing third-round League Cup defeat by tection for the backline. Brighton’s visit to “We are living under pressure, under criticism, available... is the perfect moment. We are really Villa v Burnley, Chelsea v Brighton & Hove as a coach, as a player, as a club. But really the happy with Rob Holding, Hector and Kieran. Now fourth-tier Colchester on penalties. Spurs the Bridge on Saturday also starts an entic- Albion, Crystal Palace v Norwich, Tot- most important thing is to stand up each moment, we have two injuries, Lacazette (ankle) and Emile have won just two of their opening eight ing run of fi xtures for Chelsea to haul them- tenham Hotspur v Southampton, Wolver- go ahead with his qualities, with his behaviour, Smith Rowe (concussion). Hopefully in a few games in all competitions and four of their selves back into the top four, with South- with his commitment. In the dressing room the weeks they can be training with us and available past 17 dating back to last season. ampton, Newcastle, Burnley, Watford and hampton Wanderers v Watford, Everton v players voted him as the first (in the leadership to play.” Arsenal are fourth in the table with 11 With Bayern Munich to visit on Tues- Crystal Palace to come. Manchester City group). I know, I spoke with him, we want to points from six games while United are eighth, day in the Champions League, that record United turn to Greenwood United also Tomorrow: Leicester v Newcastle United change that opinion outside. That respect he three points behind. threatens to get even worse unless Pochetti- narrowly avoided a League Cup shock by On Monday: Manchester United v Arsenal no can get a response from his stale-looking beating League One Rochdale on penal-

Saturday, September 28, 2019 GULF TIMES

SPOTLIGHT Coleman deserves every opportunity: Coe

By Mikhil Bhat that we take whereabouts very serious- Doha ly. Athletes understand that. That’s the Bach congratulates Coe on re-election part of the eco-system. So one infrac- tion should set off alarm bells for them. Olympic supremo Thomas Bach company. nternational Olympic Commit- “But the decision that WADA and congratulated Sebastian Coe on his “As an IOC member you are responsi- tee (IOC) President Thomas Bach USADA took was a sensible one to re- re-election as president of the ruling ble for all sports. We had to look urged a “fresh look” into the recent view those regulations, and to make athletics body IAAF and suggested into a possible conflict of interest,” events that have once again shone sure that there are no anomalies. We the Briton could finally join the Inter- Bach said, adding that the theI spotlight on the Russian doping have to be very careful not to play fast national Olympic Committee (IOC). case is close to being resolved. scandal, even as International Asso- and loose with the reputation of the The two-time 1,500 metres Olympic Bach did not want to confirm that Coe ciation of Athletics Federations (IAAF) athletes. champion Coe has presided over the could already be elected into President Sebastian Coe backed “I am pleased that Coleman is here, IAAF since 2015, but despite a pro- the IOC at next year’s Tokyo Olympics. Christian Coleman despite questions and I want to make sure he is given eve- posal from Bach is yet to gain Coe and world football boss Gianni on the American sprinter’s wherea- ry opportunity to compete and be the entry into the IOC because of a pos- Infantino are the two most bouts infraction. face of these championships.” sible conflict of interest because he prominent sports leaders not in the The US Anti-Doping Agency (USA- Coe and his IAAF colleagues had ex- was co-owner of a sports marketing IOC. (DPA) DA) earlier this month withdrew their tended their sanctions on Russian ath- case against Coleman, allowing him to letes after it emerged that there were participate at the IAAF World Athletics “inconsistencies” in a cache of labora- laboratory in January. “Situation is in the hands of the Championships Doha 2019. Coleman tory data handed over to investigators. Asked about the fresh issue, the WADA, and they are going by a due had been charged with missing three his right to be the face of athletics in of the sport. This will follow him, as it Russia stands to be declared non- IOC chief, said, “The Russian Olympic process, as RUSADA has the right to tests in a span of 12 months. the post-Usain Bolt era, especially with should,” former 200m and 400m great compliant by WADA if it fails to explain committee has served its sanctions for be heard, and they will come up with A few hours before Coleman was at US legend Michael Johnson making a Johnson told BBC Sport. within three weeks why evidence of what happened during the Games in a decision within WADA, and the IOC the Khalifa International Stadium track statement to that eff ect. However, former 1500m Olympic some positive tests handed over by a 2014. Now what we hear is that there will fully respect it. This is why I, at for the 100m heats, Coe was asked “It completely disqualifi es him, at champion Coe disagreed, saying, “No whistleblower does not show up in data may be a new situation. There has to be this moment, I can’t speculate or com- whether the 23-year-old had forfeited this point, from ever being that face I don’t agree with that. It’s important provided by Moscow’s anti-doping a fresh look at this. ment.”

FOCUS LEARNING CURVE Dabo wins over Qatar’s Barrow crowd with his out aft er sporting gesture brave eff ort ‘I knew I wasn’t going to beat my personal record, so when I realised that, it was better to go for the main aim, which was to finish the race’

Reuters of the race.” Doha Despite the searing tem- peratures in Doha, the race was run in pleasant spring- uinea-Bissau’s like conditions thanks to the Braima Dabo will innovative air-conditioning not win any medals system at the Khalifa sta- at the World Cham- dium. Gpionships but he won the The heat was won by admiration of the crowd yes- Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega terday by helping exhausted in a time of 13 minutes 24.69 Aruban Johnathan Busby seconds but it was the he- Qatar’s Owaab Barrow (L), Japan’s Yuki Koike, and Italy’s Filippo across the 5,000 metres fi n- roic eff ort unfolding behind Tortu in action in the 100m heats yesterday. ish line in an astonishing dis- the winner that brought the play of sportsmanship. crowd to its feet. By Sports Reporter around them,” said Barrow, It was an agonising but As the pair crossed the fi n- Doha who had won 110m hurdles heartwarming end to the ish line nearly fi ve minutes gold at the Youth Olympic opening heat of the men’s later, Dabo held Busby until Games in Buenos Aires last 5,000m as a distressed Bus- emergency personnel ap- ne of the young and year, after his preliminary run. by, near collapse, was res- peared, with the Aruban put upcoming Team “It is my country, and I was cued on the fi nal lap by Dabo in a wheelchair and taken Qatar athletes, Ow- focused on doing my best and and helped home, with the from the track. aab Barrow, put up running a personal best.” two men crossing the line to There was no immediate aO credible eff ort in the men’s Talking about his year so far, a rousing ovation at Khalifa word on 33-year-old Busby’s 100m preliminaries to make it he said, “This year has been Stadium. condition. to the heats on the fi rst day of about preparing and training “The main objective was to “He thanked me and he the Doha Worlds. for diff erent competitions. We represent my country as well was suff ering, he couldn’t The 18-year-old, who trains have been to South Africa and as possible and I’m happy really speak....in any case, with coach Lee Christopher Germany, and we were just I could help the other guy,” we don’t speak the same lan- at the Aspire Academy, had preparing for World Champi- Portuguese-speaking Dabo guage so our conversation to wait for all the preliminary onships Doha 2019.” told Reuters. “I saw he was was never going to be very rounds to conclude, after fi n- In the heats, however, Bar- not running in the right way, long,” said Dabo. ishing third in the fi rst in a row pulled up past the halfway he was leaning, I realised he Asked about the crowd’s personal best time of 10.64 mark indicating a niggle, fi n- wasn’t going to fi nish. reaction to his gesture of Aruba’s Jonathan Busby seconds. ishing in 12.82 seconds, even “I knew I wasn’t going to sportsmanship a humble is helped to the finish line Winner of the each pre- as Brazilian sprinter Paulo An- beat my personal record, so Dabo, 26, said nothing had by Guinea-Bissau’s Braima liminary round and fi ve ath- dré de Oliveira, silver medallist when I realised that, it was changed. Suncar Dabo. letes with the fastest times in the discipline at this year’s better to go for the main aim, “I continue being the same were to reach the heats later Pan-American Games in Lima, which was to fi nish the race. as before — I’m proud to be in the evening, and his eff ort Peru, topped the fi eld in a time My thoughts were to help here representing my coun- was good enough to send him of 10.11 seconds for a semi- him fi nish, that is the point try.” through. fi nal spot. “It was a good experience Looking forward to what for me to run. I am still a fi rst looks like a promising future, BOTTOMLINE year junior and to run at the Barrow said, “Next year we World Championships among have the World Juniors 2020 the elite and top athletes is a in Kenya, and let’s hope for the Lasitskene ready to train abroad for Olympic chance great experience, even to be best.”

Reuters train abroad,” twice world champion state-sponsored doping in the sport. fied in his first heat. Doha Lasitskene told reporters at the world Russian authorities have denied the The 19-year-old Norwegian, Euro- Britain’s Sharp eliminated in 800 metres heat championships on Friday. “It’s possible existence of a state-sponsored dop- pean champion last year in the 1,500 that it will be necessary. I don’t want to ing programme but have accepted that and 5,000m, finished fourth, enough to DOHA: Britain’s Lynsey 2016. The event is missing tri- ussian high jumper Maria miss a second Olympics.” senior officials were involved in pro- secure a place in the final, but was sub- Sharp, one of the expected ple world and double Olympic Lasitskene is ready to leave The 26-year-old, who stressed she viding banned substances to athletes sequently disqualified for “stepping medal contenders in the champion Caster Semenya, Russia and train abroad for a did not plan to continue competing and covering up positive tests. inside the rail”. women’s 800 metres at the who has challenged the IAAF’s chance to compete at the 2020 under another passport, was among The International Association of Organisers the IAAF said the Norwe- World Championships, was recently-introduced testoster- RTokyo Olympics as the country faces the Russians barred from the 2016 Rio Athletics Federations (IAAF) earlier gian team had appealed. surprisingly eliminated in her one regulations. The South potential exclusion from the Games Olympics after a WADA-commissioned this week decided not to reinstate the His two brothers, Filip and Henrik, opening heat yesterday after African lost her appeal at the over alleged manipulation of anti-dop- report revealed a state-backed doping Russian federation ahead of the world both reached the final. Henrik, 28, won running out of gas down the Court of Arbitration of Sport ing laboratory data. programme across many sports. championships. the European title in the 1,500m in 2012 final straight. (CAS) against the rules that The World Anti-Doping Agency Lasitskene has since been cleared by Reuters reported in June that two and Filip, 26, the European title over The 29-year-old was on the mean middle distance female (WADA) said this week it was looking to the IAAF, the governing body of global coaches and one doctor serving doping the same distance in 2016. shoulder of French leader athletes with a high natural determine if the Russian anti-doping athletics, to compete internationally as bans were still working with Russian Despite the searing heat in Doha, the Renelle Lamote coming off level of testosterone must agency RUSADA was compliant with a neutral after demonstrating she was athletes. race was run in pleasant spring-like the final bend but was over- take medication to reduce it. international anti-doping regulations competing in a doping-free environ- The IAAF Task Force overseeing the conditions thanks to the air-condi- taken by Rose Mary Almanza QGerman decathlete Rico after it found inconsistencies in Mos- ment. She won her 2017 world title as a federation’s reinstatement progress tioning at the Khalifa stadium. of Cuba and Rababe Arafi of Freimuth, a two-time world cow’s lab data. neutral athlete. said coaches working with banned ath- Their compatriot Karsten Warholm, Morocco to finish fourth. championship medallist, has If the agency was found to be non- “It’s impossible to get used to it,” she letes called into question the federa- defending champion in the 400 metres Sharp’s time of two minutes ruptured the cruciate ligament compliant it could jeopardise the said of Russian athletes’ neutral status. tion’s anti-doping efforts and hindered hurdles, comfortably reached the semi- 3.57 seconds was not fast in his right knee and believes country’s chances of being in Tokyo, “It’s unpleasant. We want to wear an- its reinstatement. finals by winning his heat as did his enough to secure one of the he has “almost zero chance” with International Olympic Commit- other uniform.” Meanwhile, the Ingebrigtsen family’s major rival Rai Benjamin of the United fastest losers’ spots. of competing at next year’s tee chief Thomas Bach saying a fresh Lasitskene is one of the few Rus- dream of having three brothers in the States. European champion in 2012, Tokyo Olympics. Freimuth, 31, look at Russia’s participation might be sian athletes critical of the country’s 5,000 metres world championship final Warholm ran the second-fastest time the Scot finished sixth at the said yesterday he suff ered the needed. athletics federation, which has been was shattered on Friday when Jakob, in the event at the Weltklasse meeting Rio de Janeiro Olympics in injury while playing basketball. “If that moment comes, then I would suspended since 2015 over evidence of the youngest of the trio, was disquali- in Zurich last month.