A
y
e niv rsar n
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011
Years
sp orts Cubs add 2 right-handers FLORIDA: The Chicago Cubs bolstered their bullpen by signing righthanders Manny Corpas and Andy Sonnanstine to one-year contracts, the Major League Baseball team said yesterday. Sonnanstine, who spent all or parts of the last five seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, has a career record of 28-31 with one save and a 5.26 earned-run average. His best season was in 2008 when he was 13-9 in 32 starts helping Tampa win the American League Championship. Corpas, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2010, has spent his entire career with the Colorado Rock ies posting a record of 12-16 with 34 saves and 51 holds in all or part of five Major League seasons. — Reuters
Olympic champ indicted TOKYO: Japan’s retired double Olympic judo gold medalist Masato Uchishiba was indicted yesterday on charges of raping a teenage girl at a Tokyo hotel. Uchishiba, 33, who won the 66kg title at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and retired from competition last year, was arrested three weeks ago. He has acknowledged that he had sex with the unnamed girl, but has insisted it was consensual, police have said. The Tokyo public prosecutors office said in a statement that Uchishiba had sexual intercourse with the girl in a hotel room on September 20 when she was “unable to resist as she was in a profound sleep due to intoxication.” Uchishiba was hailed as a hero at home when he became the first
Japanese to win a gold medal in any sport at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when Japan won just two medals in men’s judo, an alltime low. He was sacked nearly a month ago by a provincial university where he had been coaching its women’s judo team since April 2010. He became a visiting professor at the school last January. Kyushu University of Nursing and Social Welfare has accused Uchishiba of sexually harassing a teenaged member of the team after getting her drunk at a hotel in September during a training camp. According to media reports, quoting police sources, Uchishiba had a drinking session with the girl and other people at a Japanesestyle pub near the hotel before the alleged incident. — AFP
Injured Human sidelined TOULOUSE: Toulouse prop Daan Human will be sidelined for the second time this season after being diagnosed with a fractured bone near his left eye socket, the South African said yesterday. Human fell victim to a blow by Thibaut Privat during Toulouse’s 45-25 win at Montpellier at the weekend. The South African had only resumed competition at a European Cup match against Harlequins two weeks ago following a four-month lay-off with a left arm injury. He now expects to be out for around a month. Toulouse manager Guy Noves said the club had not yet decided whether to cite Privat over the incident. “ We haven’t ruled out the possibility of citing Privat for hitting out needlessly at a player who had only just returned,” from injury, Noves said, adding that the blow had “come from behind”. Human joins compatriot Gary Botha on the French champions’ injury list. Hooker Botha, who suffered a bone fracture in his right leg in the same match, was later ruled out for the rest of the season. —AFP
Kuwait’s shooters and officials pictured at the Kuwait International Airport.
Kuwait shooting team receives hero’s welcome By Abdellatif Sharaa KUWAIT: Shooters returning from Qatar were warmly greeted by Kuwaiti officials, family members and a large crowd, following their successful par ticipation in the Arab Games held in Doha, where Kuwait’s shooters collected 17 medals. The Kuwait team was received by the President of Kuwait and Asian Shooting Federation and Vice President of ISSF Sheik h Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, President of the Arab Shooting Federation, Vice President of KSSF
and member of ISSF Administrative Assembly Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi and board members at Kuwait International Airport. Al-Otaibi said “Kuwaiti shooters performed at their best and collected a good number of medals - keeping the prominence of Kuwait’s name in this important event”. He dedicated the outstanding achievement to HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the government and people of Kuwait. He thanked the Qatari Emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khaleefa Al-Thani
and Crown Prince Tamim bin Hamad and all officials of the Arab Games and the Qatari people for their hospitality. Meanwhile, the Secretar y General of the Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations lauded the results made by Kuwait shooters, adding that Kuwait will continue its hard work to ensure good achievements in all events. “The focus now is on the Asian Championship to be held in Qatar in January,” he said, adding that the championship’s importance comes from the fact that it qualifies winners to the London 2012 Olympics, “and we are very opti-
mistic to gain a qualification during this championship.” Kuwait’s Olympic Shooter Fuhaid Al-Daihani, who won the gold of the Double Trap singles and silver for the team, said the competition was particularly strong and heated because of the high technical standards of the shooters. “Gulf Shooters are the world champions, and that is why competition was really strong for the Arab title. Experience made it possible for us to compete and hit the clay targets better,” Al-Daihani said. The Golden Girl Mariam Irzouqi who won two gold and two bronze
medals was ver y happy for her achievements. “I had to concentrate. Continuous training enabled me to win,” she said. Irzouqi thanked Sheikha Naeema Al-Ahmad and Sheikh Salman for supporting her. Meanwhile Afrah bin Hussein, who won the skeet teams gold medal said they were so confident as they targeted for the best. Shooter Khalid Al-Subaie urged the chairman of Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahaf to reward the shooters for their outstanding achievements as they prepare for the Olympic qualifications.
Mariam Irzouqi (right) seen with her mother and sister Heba (left)
Nets overpower Wizards Youthful Kings reign over slow-starting Lakers WASHINGTON: New Jersey’s Kris Humphries finished with 21 points and 16 rebounds to help the Nets overcome a big deficit and beat the Washington Wizards 90-84 on Monday in the NBA season opener for both teams. Deron Williams had 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for New Jersey, which trailed by as much as 21 points in the second quarter, but began to turn things around with a 16-2 run. Backup shooting guard Nick Young led Washington with 16 points in just 18 minutes. He missed a large part of the second half with a foot injury but returned. KINGS 100, LAKERS 91 In Sacramento, Marcus Thornton scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter as Sacramento opened its season in grand fashion, beating the Los Angeles at home for the first time in more than three years. Tyreke Evans added 20 points for the Kings, who had lost nine of 10 to the Lakers and five straight at home. Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and Metta World Peace - formerly known as Ron Artest - added 19 for the Lakers, who opened the season with consecutive losses for the first time since 2002-03, putting a damper on the start of new coach Mike Brown’s tenure. WARRIORS 99, BULLS 91 In Oakland, Stephen Curry had 21 points and 10 assists as Golden State beat Chicago,
giving new coach Mark Jackson his first victory. Monta Ellis scored 26 points for the Warriors, who lost their opening game on Christmas Day. Luol Deng, whose block sealed Chicago’s season-opening win over the Lakers, had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls, who trailed by as much as 19 before making a late surge to get within five points with 36.3 seconds remaining. BOBCATS 96, BUCKS 95 In Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte erased a 14-point deficit to beat Minnesota by the narrowest margin. DJ Augustin scored 19 points while rookie Kemba Walker added 13, including two free throws with 9.9 seconds remaining. Brandon Jennings had 22 points for the Bucks. MAGIC 104, ROCKETS 95 Ir Orlando, Hedo Turkoglu scored 23 points to lead five Magic players in double figures as Orlando beat Houston. Orlando got 13 points from Turkoglu and eight points from J.J. Redick in the fourth quarter to help the Magic stave off a handful of second-half charges by the Rockets. Kyle Lowry had 20 points and 12 assists for Houston, which closed within four in the fourth quarter, but the Magic were able to hit some timely 3-pointers late to help secure the victory. PACERS 91, PISTONS 79 In Indianapolis, Roy Hibbert had 16 points
and 14 rebounds to help Indiana defeat Detroit. David West, Indiana’s big free agent addition, had 11 points and 12 rebounds, even though he made just 3 of 12 field goals. The Pacers shot just 37 percent from the field, but got away with it because they outrebounded the Pistons 53-40. Indiana had 18 offensive rebounds and 14 second-chance points. Jonas Jerebko and Rodney Stuckey each scored 17 points for the Pistons, who never led. RAPTORS 104, CAVALIERS 96 In Cleveland, rookie Kyrie Irving scored just six points and hardly played like the No 1 draft pick as Toronto spoiled the Cleveland guard’s NBA debut. Irving, who played just 11 college games before turning pro, finished just 2 of 11 from the field he made a meaningless 3-pointer in the final minutes. The Cavs are counting on the 19-year-old to turn around a team that won just 19 games last season. Toronto, which went only 22-60 last season, won its first game under coach Dwane Casey. THUNDER 104, TIMBERWOLVES 100 In Minneapolis, Kevin Durant scored 33 points to lead Oklahoma City to victory over Minnesota. Russell Westbrook added 28 points, six assists and six rebounds for the Thunder, who have started off a season loaded with expectations at 2-0. Kevin Love
had 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves, who hung with the Western Conference favorites all game long. NUGGETS 115, MAVERICKS 93 In Dallas, Ty Lawson scored 20 of his 27 points in the first half for Denver, which faced little resistance on its way to victory over Dallas. The reigning champions were drubbed for a second straight game, routinely giving up easy baskets in both. They allowed Denver to score 20 unanswered points in the second quarter and were down by 33 late in the third. Denver, playing its season opener, scored on 19 of 25 second-quarter possessions. The Nuggets made only 12 baskets in the second half, yet still cruised to victory. Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 20 points, and didn’t play in the fourth quarter for the second straight game, yet another indication of how badly things are going for the Mavs. HORNETS 85, SUNS 84 In Phoenix, Eric Gordon made a 20-footer from the top of the key with 4.2 seconds to play in his New Orleans debut to give the Hornets a victory over Phoenix. Gordon, who came to New Orleans in the trade that sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers, gave his team its only lead since the first two minutes of the second half. Suns rookie Markieff Morris threw the ball away on Phoenix’s final
possession. Gordon scored 20 points and Carl Landry added 14 for New Orleans. Robin Lopez scored 22 points, more than he had in any game last season, for the Suns. SPURS 95, GRIZZLIES 82 In San Antonio, Manu Ginobili scored 24 points as San Antonio got some payback after its stunning playoff collapse last season, beating Memphis. Tony Parker added 15 points and seven assists for the Spurs. The Grizzlies remained winless on opening night since the franchise left Vancouver in 2001, and this blowout was a disappointment for last season’s most improved team. TRAIL BLAZERS 107, 76ERS 103 In Portland, LaMarcus Aldridge had 25 points and seven rebounds as Portland opened its season with a win over Philadelphia. Gerald Wallace added 21 points and nine rebounds for the Blazers, who let an early lead slip away but regained the upper hand in the second half by going small and picking up the pace. Reserve Lou Williams had 12 of his 25 points in the second quarter and two clutch 3-pointers at the end for the Sixers, who open the season with a five-game road trip. The Sixers shot 48 percent from the field, but the Blazers took 97 shots to Philadelphia’s 83. — AP