WEDNES DAY, DECEMBER 4, 2013 SPORTS Overweight Solis stripped Jimenez wary of threat of the WBA superfly title Kim Yu-Na steps back TOKYO: WBA super flyweight champion Liborio Solis has been stripped SEOUL: South Korea’s two-time world figure skating champion Kim Yu- HONG KONG: Miguel Angel Jimenez denied yesterday he was a shoo-in to successfully defend his Hong Kong Open title because golf’s biggest stars of his belt after failing to make the weight for a unification title bout Na said yesterday she had chosen a relaxed return to competition as against IBF holder Daiki Kameda yesterday, the Japan Boxing had decided to skip the tournament for other events. The veteran Spaniard is she resumes her preparations for the Winter Olympics following an this week bidding for a fourth victory in the southern Chinese city, but insist- Commission said. The bout will take place later Tuesday as scheduled at injury. “I think I should be able to skate more relaxed than in the past,” the Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka, western Japan. If ed his task had not been made easier by the absence of the likes of 2011 the reigning Olympic champion told reporters before departing for champion Rory McIlroy. The $1.3 million Hong Kong Open, Japan’s Kameda, 24, beats his Venezuelan oppo- Croatia to take part in her first competitive outing of the season, the nent, he will own both titles. If he loses, they will which runs from Thursday until Sunday, clashes with the relatively marginal “Golden Spin” event in Zagreb. The 23-year-old has $6.5 million NedBank Golf Challenge in South Africa be vacant. If the match ends in a draw, the been kept off the ice by a metatarsal injury in her right foot that she and a Tiger Woods-hosted competition in California. Japanese boxer will retain his International sustained in September. Kim said she has been slowly working herself Without a title sponsor to boost the prize fund and Boxing Federation title but the World Boxing back to competitive shape in an attempt to peak in time for the appearance money, many of the game’s top play- Association title will remain vacant, the commis- Olympics in Sochi in February. “I started my season later than others, ers have opted to miss the European Tour event sion said. In his first weigh-in on Monday, the 31- and I’ve worked that much harder to make up for the lost time,” Yonhap at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. “It’s a year-old Solis was 1.4 kilograms above the news agency quoted Kim as saying. “The biggest goal is to skate clean pity we don’t have more weeks in the year,” 52.1 kg limit. Solis was still 1.1 kg over- programs and leave a good impression, and also give myself good 49-year-old Jimenez said, adding that weight in his second weigh-in an hour lat- memories. The Zagreb event is not as big as a Grand Prix stop, and I the schedule is “very, very tight”. “It is er and he refused to step on the scales hope to stay relaxed on the ice.” The South Korean superstar had made very important for the tournament to for a third time inside the two-hour a competitive return in December last year after a break of more than have all the big names but it’s very tough time limit to make the weight.—AFP 18 months from the sport. — AFP when you have different tournaments in the same week. — AFP Tigers trade RHP Fister to Nationals for three players DETROIT: The busy Detroit Tigers traded right- earlier Monday. Kelly played six positions for the are thrilled to welcome him aboard.” hander Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals Tigers last season at all three spots in the out- The 22-year-old Ray was 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA for three players Monday night in a deal field along with third, second and first base for Class A Potomac and was 5-2 with a 3.72 ERA between teams with deep rotations. Detroit while hitting .222 with six homers and 23 RBIs. for Double-A Harrisburg, giving the Tigers a acquired infielder Steve Lombardozzi, minor Fister will likely replace Dan Haren in the pitcher they think will start the season at Triple- league lefty Robbie Ray and reliever Ian Krol for Nationals’ rotation and join Stephen Strasburg, A Toledo with the ability to possibly pitch in the Fister, a 14-game winner for the AL Central Jordan Zimmermann and Gio Gonzalez. The 29- majors if needed in 2014. Krol made his major champions. Tigers president and general man- year-old Fister was 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA last sea- league debut in June for the Nationals after ager Dave Dombrowski said the trade was not son and was 32-20 in two-plus seasons in they acquired him from Oakland. The 22-year- done to save money in hopes of keeping Max Detroit, which acquired him in a trade from the old lefty was 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA in 32 games in Scherzer beyond next season. Seattle Mariners. He struck out an AL-record Washington. “It gives us some flexibility for some other nine batters in a row against the Kansas City The 25-year-old Lombardozzi hit .259 with things we want to do,” he said on a conference Royals late in the 2012 season. two homers and 22 RBIs in 118 games for the call. Dombrowski said dealing Fister did not The 6-foot-8 Fister fared well in the postsea- Nationals last season. The switch-hitting spark- have anything to do with his hope to give son, even when he was hit in the head by a line plug played 48 games at second base, 23 in left Scherzer, the AL Cy Young Award winner, a new drive. He shook off the scary moment in Game 2 field and four games at third base in 2013. He contract before he becomes a free agent follow- of the 2012 World Series against San Francisco will replace Ramon Santiago on Detroit’s roster ing the 2014 season. “I don’t think that plays and took a shutout bid into the seventh inning next season. “This was not an easy trade for (the into it at all at this point,” Dombrowski insisted. in what ended up being a 2-0 loss to the Giants. Nationals) to make, either,” Dombrowski said. Detroit has had an active offseason so far, and Over three postseasons with the Tigers, he had Washington went into the offseason hoping to Dombrowski said he isn’t done making moves, a 2.98 ERA in seven starts and a relief appear- add another starter it could count after having saying his top priority is to add a closer. ance. “He’s been a very solid pitcher for us since some uneven results from Haren last season The Tigers traded slugging first baseman the day we got him,” Dombrowski said. “He has and Edwin Jackson in 2012. Both of those right- Prince Fielder and his $214 million contract two pitched well in big games.” handers were seen as short-term solutions and weeks ago to the Texas Rangers in part to Dombrowski said he’s not surprised at least they ended up leaving as free agents after potentially save more than $75 million, giving some Tigers fans weren’t happy when they pitching for the Nationals for one season. CONNECTICUT: Patric Young #4 of the Florida Gators goes up to dunk the ball in front them even more financial flexibility. They got trade was announced because the team traded Haren essentially replaced Jackson. Fister of DeAndre Daniels #2 of the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during the second baseman Ian Kinsler for Fielder in the the “known for the unknown.” “People in general now essentially replaces Haren, who recently game at Harry A Gampel Pavilion on December 2, 2013. — AFP swap of All-Stars. They also allowed All-Star don’t like those type of moves,” he said. The signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after shortstop Jhonny Peralta to leave as a free Tigers still have Scherzer, Justin Verlander and going 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA for Washington. agent for St. Louis after replacing him during Anibal Sanchez atop their rotation. “This is an Also, the Nationals and Ross Ohlendorf agreed No 24 Gonzaga last season with rookie Jose Iglesias just before exciting day for the Washington Nationals,” gen- to a $1.25 million, one-year contract. The right- Peralta was suspended for 50 games in the eral manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement. hander went 4-1 with a 3.28 ERA in 16 games, Biogenesis drug scandal. “We’re not cutting pay- “We feel we’ve added a talented, young veteran seven starts, last season. The 30-year-old roll whatsoever,” Dombrowski said. The Tigers to our starting pitching corps. Doug is battle- Princeton star can earn up to $3 million in crush Fairfield did agree to a $1 million, one-year contract with tested through playoff experiences, and the bonuses tied to starts, innings pitched and relief utility player Don Kelly that avoids arbitration depth he brings to our staff is exceptional. We appearances.—AP SPOKANE: Haiden Palmer led four starters in Everybody on the team follows his lead.” double figures with 18 points as No 24 Gonzaga coasted to an 82-42 win over Fairfield Monday No 12 South Carolina night.