Sports

Surfing gives hope to Brazilians with disabilities

by Rodrigo ALMONACID SANTOS, Brazil (AFP) — Doctors told Malu Mendes that she would never walk normally again, but now she is a world champion at riding waves. Miguel Almeida can barely see but has been able to sense the formation of waves since he was a child. Like many Brazilians, both have managed to overcome their physical disabilities thanks to surfing. They head to the beaches of Santos in mid-morning to enjoy the waves. […]

US gymnast tests positive for Covid-19 at Olympics

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A female US gymnast has tested positive for coronavirus at an Olympic training camp and another athlete is self-isolating, team chiefs and Japanese officials said on Monday. The gymnast was named by her father as 18-year-old Kara Eaker who is in Japan as a reserve on the squad led by superstar Simone Biles. Eaker is in isolation, along with another “close contact” on the team, her father Mark told CNN. He […]

Bucks focused as fans eye end to 50-year NBA title drought

MILWAUKEE, United States (AFP) — Milwaukee Bucks supporters are buzzing about the possible end of a 50-year NBA title drought while star Giannis Antetokounmpo fights to keep his focus with a crown tantalizingly near. The Bucks lead the best-of-seven NBA Finals 3-2 over Phoenix with game six Tuesday at Milwaukee, where 20,000 fans will fill the arena and 25,000 more will jam the “Deer District” outside to watch on huge videoscreens. “You can feel the […]

Coronavirus hits Olympic Village for first time

  by Talek HARRIS Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The chief of the Tokyo Olympics tried to reassure “worried” athletes on Saturday as the Games Village was hit by its first coronavirus case, six days before the pandemic-delayed event opens. As thousands of competitors pour into Japan for the Games, which will largely take place without spectators, the positive test for an unnamed person in the Village heightened worries over biosecurity. About 11,000 […]

Virus cluster at Japan hotel hosting Brazilian Olympians

  TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — At least eight staff at a Japanese hotel hosting Brazil’s Olympic judo team have tested positive for coronavirus, local officials said Thursday. Health and sports officials at Hamamatsu city, west of Tokyo, said virus screenings were done before the judo delegation of around 30 members arrived there on Saturday. None of the infected individuals came in contact with the athletes, they said. The news comes as Tokyo prepares to host […]

Leonard undergoes knee surgery: Clippers

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard faces a lengthy injury layoff after undergoing surgery to repair torn knee ligaments, the team said Tuesday. Leonard missed the final eight games of the Clippers’ playoff campaign after injuring his right knee against the Utah Jazz last month. The team initially said Leonard had sprained the knee but said in a brief statement on Tuesday he had suffered a partial tear of […]

Durant gets US back on track in Argentina blowout

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored 17 points as the United States bounced back from consecutive defeats to score a convincing 108-80 victory over Argentina in a pre-Olympic exhibition on Tuesday. Gregg Popovich’s US squad, the reigning Olympic champions, had been jolted by defeats to Nigeria and Australia in the opening two games of their Las Vegas training camp before heading to Tokyo for the Olympics next week. But a more polished […]

McGregor undergoes surgery, vows to return to octagon

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Conor McGregor underwent three hours of surgery on Sunday, less than 24 hours after suffering a “clean” break of his left shinbone during a devastating UFC defeat to American brawler Dustin Poirier. Doctors revealed that McGregor broke his left tibia and fibula bones in the opening round of the non-title lightweight bout in Las Vegas. McGregor said in a video message posted on social media that he expects to […]

Giannis joins Jordan, Shaq, LeBron in NBA Finals history

MILWAUKEE, United States (AFP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo joined an elite list of stars with back-to-back 40-point NBA Finals performances, but the Greek star forward stressed Sunday that “I’m no Michael Jordan.” Antetokounmpo became only the sixth player in NBA Finals history with 40 points in consecutive games, hitting 41 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a 120-100 Bucks victory over Phoenix. Milwaukee pulled within 2-1 in the best-of-seven championship series while the 26-year-old Greek forward, […]

Giannis scores 41 as Bucks trim Suns’ lead in NBA Finals

MILWAUKEE, United States (AFP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 41 points and grabbed 13 rebounds on Sunday to lead Milwaukee over Phoenix 120-100, reviving the Bucks’ chances to win their first NBA title in 50 years. The 26-year-old Greek forward joined Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 and LeBron James in 2016 as the only NBA Finals players with back-to-back 40-point, 10-rebound performances. Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo, who had 42 points and 12 rebounds in a […]

Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam postponed over coronavirus

  BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — The Southeast Asian Games, which were due to take place in Vietnam this year, have been postponed because of the pandemic and will most likely be held in 2022, a member of the organising council said Thursday. The regional Olympics were scheduled to be held in Hanoi and 11 other locations from November 21 to December 2. But Vietnam is struggling to contain a new coronavirus outbreak, and many Southeast […]

Booker looking at quick turn from NBA Finals to Olympics

PHOENIX, United States (AFP) — Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker won’t be done with basketball after the NBA Finals, with plans to join the US Olympic team after the championship showdown against Milwaukee. The 24-year-old guard, a two-time NBA All-Star, will be joined by Bucks’ rivals Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton on the 12-man US roster that is set to play its first game in Tokyo on July 25. If the NBA Finals reach the […]