Pickrem splashes to silver medal
Canadian Sydney Pickrem rebounded from last year’s disappointment by taking silver in the 200-metre individual medley on Saturday at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Tokyo. Pickrem lowered her Canadian record to two minutes, 9.07 seconds to finish second in the event she was disqualified from at last year’s world championships after she choked on water in the final and got out of the pool. Japan’s Yui Ohashi raced to victory in a time of 2:08.16. Also, Canadians Taylor Ruck, Kayla Sanchez, Rebecca Smith and Alexia Zevnik took bronze in the women’s 4x100 freestyle relay in 3:34.07. Australia won gold in 3:31.58, while the United States took silver in 3:33.45. Competition continues today.
BASKETBALL Wade only considers Heat for NBA return
If Dwyane Wade plays this season, it will be in a Miami Heat uniform. It’s still a significant “if.” Speaking Saturday night during an appearance at the Jr. NBA World Championship, Wade told reporters that he doesn’t have a timetable for when he’ll make a decision on whether to return to the Heat this season. He did make clear, however, that the Heat are the only team he’s considering. Wade and Udonis Haslem, both of whom would be entering their 16th seasons if they continue, remain unsigned with about six weeks left before the start of training camp. Haslem has spent his entire NBA career with the Heat. Wade said there is “no clock” on his decision. The Heat have indicated repeatedly they would like both Wade and Haslem back.
SOFTBALL Canada nearing final at women’s worlds
Canada is a win away from reaching the final at the 2018 women’s softball world championship. All that stands in its way is host Japan. The Canadians will play Japan on Sunday with a spot in the championship on the line after back-to-back victories in the playoff round of the tournament, which also doubles as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Canada downed Puerto Rico 10-4 and followed that up with a 12-0 drubbing of Australia on Saturday. Meanwhile, the United States await the winner after the defending champions earned their place in the final with a 4-3 win over the hosts. Jennifer Richelle Gilbert led the way for Canada against Puerto Rico, going 3 for 3 with a home run, double and five RBIs.
RUGBY Canada Selects open French Tour with loss
The Canada Selects dropped the first match of their France Tour on Saturday, falling 47-17 to reigning French club champions Castres. Captain Phil Mack and Theo Sauder had a try apiece for the Canada Selects, while Guiseppe Du Toit added seven points through two conversions and one penalty. Canada, ranked 22nd, is using the two-game exhibition series in the French cities of Lacaune and Issoire to prepare for a November repechage tournament in Marseille, France that serves as a last chance to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Canada, No. 21 Hong Kong and No. 29 Germany will be joined by the second-place team from the ongoing Rugby Africa Gold Cup at the repechage.
SOCCER Pique confirms he’s done with Spain
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique confirmed Saturday he has retired from Spain’s national team. The 31-yearold Pique said he told new Spain coach Luis Enrique that the World Cup was his last tournament with “La Roja.” Pique said “the decision had already been made a long time ago and it was well thought out.” Pique had announced before the World Cup that he did not plan on returning to the national team after the tournament in Russia. The central defender made his international debut in a friendly in 2009 and played 102 matches with Spain winning 73 of them. He also scored five goals. He was a key member of Spain’s World Cup-winning side in 2010 in South Africa.