Sports
Spring sumo tournament unlikely to be held in regular fashion: JSA
The upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament is unlikely to proceed as planned due to the growing coronavirus crisis, the Japan Sumo Association said Friday. The JSA is mulling whether to cancel the tournament, scheduled for March 8 to 22 at Osaka's Edion Arena, or hold it behind closed doors. "The… Read
Chinese swimmer Sun Yang banned for 8 years in doping case
When the hammer came down on a container holding a vial of Sun Yang's blood, it ultimately shattered the career of China's greatest swimmer. The three-time Olympic champion was banned for eight years on Friday, likely ending the 28-year-old Sun's racing days before he could defend his 200-meter freestyle title… Read
FIFA warns coronavirus could postpone international matches
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has refused to rule out postponing international soccer matches in response to the escalating global threat of the coronavirus. This weekend's matches in the leading two divisions in Switzerland, where soccer's global governing body FIFA has its headquarters, were postponed on Friday after the government banned… Read
Major shake-up on cards for New Zealand rugby as financial uncertainty bites
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) launched a consultation process on Friday that could see a major shake-up of how the game in the rugby-mad country is run and financed, which could include the injection of private equity. The consultation process stems from a review of the health of a sport that… Read
Japan's sports world puts itself on hold in fight against coronavirus
In a united effort, the Japanese sports world has introduced a drastic range of self-imposed restraints to combat the coronavirus outbreak ahead of this summer's Tokyo Olympic Games. Sports organizations nationwide are heeding a call to postpone, cancel or otherwise modify big events over coming weeks to mitigate the spread… Read
Sunwolves' matches moved from Japan to Australia over coronavirus
The Japan-based Sunwolves' Super Rugby matches at home to the ACT Brumbies and Canterbury Crusaders have been moved to Australia over the coronavirus outbreak, the governing body SANZAAR said in a statement on Friday. The Sunwolves were due to host the Brumbies in Osaka on March 8 and Crusaders in… Read
Europa League: Arsenal out, Man United advances
From savior to scapegoat in 10 nerve-shredding minutes, Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang went through the full range of emotions as his team was knocked out of the Europa League in agonizing fashion on Thursday. On a night when Portuguese sides Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon were all eliminated and one… Read
Djokovic reaches Dubai semis
Novak Djokovic won his 16th match of an undefeated season, hammering Russia's Karen Khachanov 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday for a place in the Dubai Championships semifinals. The world number one, playing in the UAE for an 11th time, will face third seed Gael Monfils, who beat French compatriot Richard Gasquet… Read
FIFA kicks off process to agree on match calendar from 2024
FIFA began the process Thursday of sorting out how to fit international games into soccer's congested schedule from 2024, with complex talks expected to find agreement with clubs, leagues and player unions. The so-called International Match Calendar decides the dates for national team games — when clubs must release players… Read
Vettel fastest for Ferrari, Hamilton has engine trouble
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel clocked the fastest lap on the penultimate day of Formula One preseason testing on Thursday, while Lewis Hamilton’s session was cut short by mechanical trouble. Hamilton’s Mercedes came to a stop on the track at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, bringing out a red flag and causing the… Read
