SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2016 SPORTS

Marques aiming to be ’s Bond girl in modern pentathlon

RIO DE JANEIRO: There are few sports up in 2003, becoming national champi- same since London 2012, but with the “To be able to compete together Olympic history took place in modern that owe their origins to the ancient on just a year later. addition of a fencing bonus round, with your sister, there is nothing more pentathlon during the 1976 Games in equivalent of a Bond movie - but mod- But a series of titles, including gold which sees the athletes compete in a special,” Margaux said. “I think this could Montreal. ern pentathlon is one of them. It was at the 2007 and one-on-one format on a single piste be the most special Olympics just in Soviet athlete Boris Onischenko was created by French baron Pierre de becoming the first Olympic medal win- after the traditional round robin in a bid that respect.” There could also be sib- one of the stars of the discipline. He Coubertin, the founder of the modern ner in modern pentathlon in the entire to up their score. ling rivalry on the men’s team. Nathan had helped his country win the team Olympic movement, and combines all Southern Hemisphere has made the The combined event has also been Schrimsher was the first American ath- event in 1972, where he was also an of the aspects of traditional combat. country sit up and take note. slightly altered to involve four 800m lete in any sport to qualify for the Rio individual silver-medallist, and he won The basic premise is of a soldier Marques also won gold at the 2015 laps of running, instead of 1000m, each Games and younger brother Lucas is his the world championship three times. trapped in a castle on a lake. He must Pan American Games and silver at the still prefaced by laser shooting at five reserve teammate. At the age of 38, Onischenko was fence his way out before swimming to 2013 world championships, where she targets, with the intention of restoring Sydney siblings Max and Chloe expected to bow out of his last the shore, riding an unfamiliar horse lost out to Olympic gold medalist Laura more weight to the shooting element. Esposito will also both be competing in Olympics with a medal. out of the village and running through Asadauskaite. The introduction of the combined the modern pentathlon and the family However, during the fencing section a wood shooting at enemies. “There are advantages: knowing the event was one of two dramatic changes link doesn’t stop there. it was discovered that he had wired his Modern pentathlon was first held at facilities, having a huge crowd behind between Beijing Right alongside them will be their epee so that he could trigger the elec- the 1912 and an event me, my family being able to see me 2008 and London, with the other father and coach, Daniel Esposito, who tronic scoring system with his hand and for women was added in 2000. It con- race,” the 32-year-old Marques said. being the replacement of air pistols represented Australia in the sport in the register a hit at will. Onishchenko was sists of fencing, swimming, show jump- “Aside from all this though, there is a with laser ones, for safety reasons. 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and also disqualified and escorted from the ath- ing, shooting and running. very great pressure.” qualified for the 1988 Seoul Olympics letes’ village by Soviet officials that very The 32-year-old again faces stiff FAMILY AFFAIRS but had to pull out due to injury. night. ONE TO WATCH competition, with the top seven from For the first time in modern pen- Chloe, 23, finished a surprise seventh Two months later it was reported Cheered on by a home crowd, London all returning. Asadauskaite of tathlon history, two sisters will compete in London and is now targeting a first that Onischenko had been called Brazilian Yane Marques will be bidding Lithuania will be favorite, along with in the same Games. It will be a third medal in modern pentathlon for before Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev to improve on the bronze medal she Germany’s Lena Schoneborn, the 2008 successive Olympics for 24-year-old Australia. It is 18-year-old Max’s first for a personal scolding, dismissed won four years ago. Modern pentathlon Olympic champion and 2015 World American Margaux Isaksen, who was Olympic Games. from the Red Army, fined 5,000 was a little known discipline in Brazil champion. fourth in London, just two seconds rubles, stripped of all his sporting when Marques, who was born in a small RULE CHANGES away from a medal, and a first for SKULDUGGERY honors, and was working as a taxi town in the Brazilian northeast, took it The core sport remains largely the younger sister Isabella, 22. One of the biggest scandals in driver in Kiev. — AP

In-form Ali boosts Pakistan

LONDON: Azhar Ali’s fine form with the bat two-wicket blast that saw them reduced to gave Pakistan the perfect boost ahead of 49-2. But a third wicket stand of 125 the first Test with England next week as he between Ali and Younis turned the match stroked his second successive century in back in Pakistan’s favour until Younis fell on their tour match with Sussex on Friday. 59 to a catch by Ajmal Shahzad off the Ali, who made an unbeaten 101 in the bowling of Danny Briggs. Misbah quickly second innings of their game with replaced his team-mate and kept Pakistan Somerset earlier this week, hit a fine 145 — on track, reaching 221 for three at tea, admittedly against an under-strength sec- before he became another victim of Archer ond-division county side attack-as the when he trapped him lbw on 68. Ali too tourists finished the first day on 363 for five. was to fall before stumps, Archer having Veterans Younis Khan and Misbah-ul- him caught by Ben Brown. Haq made half centuries with Sussex thank- Score summary after first day of Pakistan ful that debutant pace bowler Jofra Archer tour match with Sussex. didn’t suffer from nerves as he returned At Hove impressive figures of four for 49. Pakistan 363-5 (Azhar Ali 145, Misbah- Indeed the 21-year-old West Indian had ul-Haq 68, Younis Khan 59, J C Archer 4-49) the Pakistanis in trouble early on with a v Sussex. — AFP

High-jumper Inika McPherson stands out with look, talent

EUGENE: Calling Inika McPherson the most the US team for 2011 worlds, US indoor unlikely of Olympians wouldn’t be much of runner-up in 2012, outdoor runner-up in a stretch. She’s 5-foot-4 and competes in ‘13 and outdoor champion in ‘14. Then, she the - a discipline usually domi- tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a nated by taller women. McPherson is also metabolite of cocaine. only a few months removed from a 21- “It was more, ‘what’s going to happen month suspension after testing positive for now?’” she said. McPherson worked at a cocaine. And yet, the 29-year-old will be on temp agency and frequently drew assign- the US team in - and sure to ments at the George R. Brown Convention stand out, thanks to her blue-striped hair, a Center in downtown Houston as a dish pair of red lips tattooed on the side of her washer. Sometimes, people who didn’t Aries Merritt face and a made-for-the-movies story that know her would ask: What do you want to included washing dishes to make ends do one day? meet while she was waiting for the drug Her answer never wavered, even if it ban to elapse. drew some raised eyebrows: Make the Aries Merritt tries to make “I think everyone should march to their Olympic team. “I never took my eye off the own beat, just really live life. But I came to focus or the dream of what I wanted to the point where I was harming myself and accomplish,” McPherson said. Olympic team with new kidney my dreams,” said McPherson, who finished It was hard for her and her coach, Patrick third at trials by leaping 6-4 - Pyle, to always find a training facility. So EUGENE: Hurdler Aries Merritt captured a 2013. For years, it turns out, his kidneys had to hit that part of my scar repeatedly. My body is or one foot higher than she stands. they improvised in a gym at 24-Hour bronze medal at worlds last August with his kid- been faltering, to the point where he ran the used to my trail leg. Everything should be fine.” That positive test was jarring - to her Fitness, simulating the high jump by run- neys operating at barely 10 percent. No wonder final at worlds on Aug. 28 at about eight pounds Maybe so, but then there’s this - concern over and her family. Her life at that point was ning up to the basketball rim and trying to he’s beaming at the prospect of competing at under his normal weight and with his kidneys the mosquito-borne Zika virus should he be on moving “too fast,” she explained. grab it. Turns out, McPherson has such full health again. barely functioning. the team for Rio. He’s more susceptible to infec- McPherson tested positive after an in- hops she can actually dunk a tennis ball. The chance to defend his Olympic title in the In the final, he wound up third, just 0.01 sec- tion. “If I make it, I’m going,” Merritt said. “It’s real- competition sample she provided on June “We chose to go those unorthodox 110-meter hurdles in Rio is a very real possibility. onds behind Hansle Parchment of Jamaica for ly important to live that Olympic dream and try 29, 2014, at the USA championships in routes to keep things very fresh,” Pyle All that’s standing in his way is a top-three finish second. Sergey Shubenkov of Russia captured to achieve that Olympic goal of trying to win Sacramento, California. Her suspension was explained. “That way you didn’t have the at US Track and Field Trials this weekend. gold. He called it an even more fulfilling medal that gold medal and showing everyone around announced that December, with the ban stress and the everyday routine of being at Doctors didn’t think Merritt would be ready in than his Olympic gold. the world your story and your struggle.” made retroactive to July 27, 2014. It gave the track.” time after receiving a new kidney from his sister A few days later he flew home to Phoenix and A few other things to watch out at trials: her a chance to return in time for trials. Whatever they were doing certainly 10 months ago. They grew even less optimistic was on the operating table. His sister, LaToya JAGER-MASTER: Four-time national champi- “It was a surprise to me. I was like, ‘What worked. McPherson finished third behind when he developed complications that resulted Hubbard, is a big part of this, too - donating one on is a heavy favorite in the final of is going on? No way this can be happen- 32-year-old Chaunte Lowe and 18-year-old in another surgery - this one to place the kidney of her kidneys. “One thing about Aries, when he the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He won his first- ing,’” said McPherson, who lives and trains , the daughter of long- deeper into his abdomen. puts his mind to it, he can do anything,” said his round heat. in Houston. “It was something that hap- time NFL quarterback Randall What the doctors didn’t factor in was Merritt’s sister, who will be at the trials. “He’s determined HURDLES: Brianna Rollins had the fastest pened that I really learned from. Cunningham. McPherson had even more passion for this sport, and his desire for an to go back and regain his title so that when he time in the prelims of the 100-meter hurdles, just pressure because, being away so long, she Olympic repeat. “If I was to win, it would be ugly leaves the sport, it’s his.” Still, it was a long road ahead of Keni Harrison, the hurdler who broke DIFFERENT ROUTE didn’t have the Olympic qualifying stan- - I’d be on the track crying somewhere, because to recovery. “After surgery, my belly button was Rollins’ American record in May. Don’t ever put yourself in that position dard of 6-4. She had to hit that at trials to of all the pain, all the suffering, all the depres- literally to the far right of my stomach. It wasn’t SUHR THING: Defending Olympic champion or in that environment.” The toughest part secure her spot. sion I went through to get to this point,” said the in the right spot,” Merritt said. “It’s a year before and the rest of the pole vaulters begin was having a conversation with her mom - 30-year-old Merritt, who’s the world record hold- everything settles in its normal place.” As he qualifying. The 34-year-old is the big favorite that she didn’t have a drug problem, that NOT A PROBLEM er in the hurdles. dealt with his failing kidneys, there were some among a youthful group that includes Sandi she was just as perplexed. “I wasn’t concerned at all, because I had He heads into Friday’s first round of Olympic bleak days for Merritt, like when doctors said he Morris, who turns 24 on Friday, and 19-year “My mom was concerned at the begin- (reached the standard) a couple of times trials in good shape. But he’s not exactly race might not run again. “Elite athletes don’t usually Alexis Weeks, who won an NCAA title for ning, ‘What’s going on in your life that you before I got here,” McPherson said. “I was sharp. He suffered a groin injury recently that go through kidney transplants,” Merritt said. Arkansas at Hayward Field in June. would test for that?’” McPherson explained. going to get it.” McPherson is hardly your curtailed his training. He’s only raced a handful “(Doctors) deal with regular people. I’m not say- LET’S DISCUS: finished with “But we sat down and talked. “Not to put it average height for a high jumper. Consider: of times heading into trials. ing I’m not regular. I’m above the average on a the top throw in qualifying. Don’t discount on the people I was around, but I turned Lowe is 5-9 and Cunningham 6-1. “It’s going to take focus. It’s going to take fitness level. They’re just giving me the textbook Lance Brooks, the 2012 Olympian who works into one of those people. I was hanging out “I have to work a little harder than the determination and grit,” the 2012 Olympic gold advice they’d give anyone else, not knowing construction to earn extra money for training. with the wrong crew, going a different taller jumpers,” she said, laughing. “It’s all medalist said. Nobody would question him in what I can or my physical limits.” SPRINT SERVICE: LaShawn Merritt continues route. I’m thankful for that whole experi- good.” One thing’s for sure: She stands out. either of those categories. For a while, it hurt to hurdle. His trail leg kept his quest to make the Rio team in the 200 with a ence, because I can share that so others She dyes her hair whatever color strikes her Merritt kept his ailment secret until just hitting him in the side of the incision. “I couldn’t semifinal heat. He’s already qualified in the 400. won’t have to go through that.” and went with blue for the trials because, “I before worlds last August: He was suffering from do (indoors) because it was too painful at the Not to be outdone, 400-meter trials champ It was painful to be away from a sport looked around and saw a lot of blue.” a rare genetic disorder that was diagnosed in time,” Merritt explained. “My body wasn’t ready starts qualifying in the 200. — AP she fell in love with in fourth grade, after a She also has more than 30 tattoos, gym teacher set up a makeshift high jump. including the eye-catching lips ink. She They would run into the gym from the said it represents how a mother or a grand- doorway and bound over the bar. mother will kiss you on the cheek. Soon, Rain, tears and teens with She’s always been good, real good. She she wants to add another tattoo - the went to the University of California, where Olympic rings. she finished fourth at NCAA indoor cham- Her family also is scrambling to get tick- Olympic track spots on the line pionships as a senior. Everything was pro- ets to Rio. They don’t want to miss this gressing on an upward trajectory - made show.—AP EUGENE: The defending Olympic pole vault make the eight-woman final. seconds. It was her first race in nearly a year at champion warmed up, then cooled down, then “Tears are going to come,” she said. “Right her favorite distance. She said “nothing’s really ran through the whole process again, as the now, I’m just in shock.” Later, after the rain had changed” with her aching right ankle, despite driving rain pelted the field Friday at US stopped but the track was still slick, American four days of rest.— AP Olympic Trials. record-holder Keni “The more time you have to think, the more Harrison stumbled to a sixth-place finish and you’re like, ‘Wow. This is how bad things hap- a spot on the couch next month. Brianna Rollins, pen,” Jenn Suhr said. Suhr escaped the badness. the 2013 worlds gold medalist, won in 12.34 sec- Several other big-name athletes weren’t as onds, a comfortable .16 ahead of , lucky on a rain-drenched afternoon at Hayward who was considered a bigger threat four years Field. On a day that saw LaShawn Merritt lower ago at trials. Harrison was supposed to be the his world-best mark at 200 meters to 19.74 sec- woman to beat this year. onds in a semifinal heat, no less - and two high- “It happened so fast,” she said, clearly holding school kids, Michael Norman and Noah Lyles, back tears. “I’ll have to watch film. It’s unfortu- earn spots in the final, there was just as much nate, because my season was going so well. But buzz about those whose chances got washed this stuff happens.” away in the rain. It also happened to Shamier Little. The worlds First among them was hurdler Dawn Harper- silver medalist in 400-meter hurdles didn’t make Nelson, whose run at a third Olympic medal it out of her semifinal heat. Allyson Felix took to came to a stunning halt in 100-meter semifinals, the track well before the rain hit, and coasted Inika McPherson when she finished third - not good enough to through her 200-meter qualifying heat in 22.93 Jenn Suhr