Semenya dominates 800m, Baker upsets Colemant
EUGENE, OREGON: South Africa’s Olympic and world champion Caster Semenya put aside controversy and ran the fastest women’s 800 metres of the year at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meet on Saturday.
In the sprints, America’s Ronnie Baker upset compatriot Christian Coleman, the indoor 60m record holder, in the 100m in a wind-assisted 9.78 seconds while countryman Noah Lyles claimed the 200 in a personal best 19.69 seconds.
Semenya, whose middle-distance running career could be under threat because of a new IAAF hyperandrogenism rule, clocked one minute 55.92 seconds in a dominant performance as she ran the fastest 800m on American soil.
“When you live, you gain experience, I’m more mature. I’ve learned about everything, especially in sports,” she added. “I just want to inspire people, and inspire the youth, to show them that if you believe, anything was possible.”
CHINA REGAIN GLORY WITH THOMAS CUP WIN
BANGKOK:CHINA’S men took home the Thomas Cup on Sunday, clawing back to beat Japan 3-1 and compensate for their early exit from the previous tournament in 2016.
Japan’s flashy left-hander Kento Momota stunned world No 5 Chen Long 21-9, 21-18, giving the underdog team crucial early momentum.
China rallied after the stunning loss, with world No 3 doubles pair Liu Cheng and Zhang Nan levelling the contest.
The 22-year-old singles star Shi Yuqi then stayed one step ahead of Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto with a 21-12, 21-17 win.
Clinching the third and deciding match was doubles pair Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen, who sprang back from a set down to achieve a nail-biting win over Keigo Sonoda and Yuta Watanabe 17-21, 21-19, 22-20.
JAMES DOMINATES AS CAVS STAY ALIVE
LOS ANGELES: Lebron James produced another epic playoff performance Friday as the Cleveland Cavaliers stayed alive in the NBA playoffs with a 109-99 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Trailing the Celtics 3-2 and facing elimination in the Eastern Conference finals, the Cavaliers triumphed in a bruising encounter on their home floor to knot the best-of-seven series at 3-3 and force game seven in Boston on Sunday.
In order to punch their ticket to a fourth straight NBA Finals, the Cavs will have to be the first team to win on the road in the series, and the first to beat Boston at home in this post-season.
MOLINARI WINS PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
LONDON: Italian Franceso Molinari won the PGA Championship title at Wentworth on Sunday as Rory Mcilroy faded in the final round to miss out on the chance of victory in the European Tour’s flagship tournament for the second time.
The pair started the day level on 13 under par and while Molinari carded a flawless 68 to finish at 17 under, Mcilroy’s 70 left him two shots adrift in second place.