The China Mail

Anthony, Jackson nail US double at world indoors

Jordan Anthony was crowned sprint king at the world indoor championships on Friday as shot putter Chase Jackson ensured a double golden start for the US team in Torun, Poland.

Zarco seizes his moment as rain disrupts Brazil MotoGP practice

The opening practices for the first MotoGP race in Brazil in over two decades turned into a damp squib on Friday after rain delayed the start of both sessions and then returned to send riders back into the pits.

US newcomer Anthony crowned world indoor sprint king

US newcomer Jordan Anthony announced himself on the global stage by scorching to gold in the men's 60m at the world indoor championships in Torun, Poland, on Friday.

Coroner 'not satisfied' boxer Hatton intended to take own life

A coroner said Friday she "cannot be satisfied" that former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton intended to take his own life, with the inquest into his death hearing how he had made significant future plans.

Arsenal must 'attack trophy' in League Cup final, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal team to "bring it home" as he prepares for Sunday's League Cup final against Manchester City, desperate to shed the Gunners' tag as nearly men.

Audi team principal Wheatley in shock exit after two races

Audi, who are just two races into their Formula One journey, have parted company with team principal Jonathan Wheatley "with immediate effect", the German team announced on Friday.

Spurs boss Tudor hopes for 'nice surprises' in relegation fight

Tottenham interim boss Igor Tudor hopes the club's medical staff can deliver some "nice surprises" over the next few weeks as he gears up for Sunday's relegation tussle with Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal must prove they are winners in League Cup final, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta said Sunday's League Cup final against Manchester City would be a defining moment for Arsenal as they seek to shed their tag of "nearly men".

Liverpool showdown brings back 'beautiful memories' for PSG coach Luis Enrique

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said Friday that the prospect of a Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool brought back "beautiful memories" of last year's encounter between the sides which his team won on penalties.

Ntamack returns for Toulouse to face France rival Jalibert

France hooker Peato Mauvaka said on Friday his Toulouse and Test team-mate Romain Ntamack will want to prove his worth against Matthieu Jalibert this weekend when the two fly-halves come face to face in a titanic French Top 14 tussle in Bordeaux.

England stars have 'last chance' to earn World Cup spots: Tuchel

England boss Thomas Tuchel said this month's friendlies are the "last opportunity for players to compete for their ticket" to the World Cup but insisted "no one is on the plane" yet.

League Cup final a 'big moment' for Man City, says Guardiola

Pep Guardiola believes Sunday's League Cup final against Arsenal is the acid test of his side's "level" as Manchester City aim to get their season back on track.

Injured Ronaldo misses Portugal World Cup friendlies

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury, was on Friday left out of the Portugal squad to play pre-World Cup friendlies against tournament co-hosts Mexico and the United States later this month.

Coach Valverde to leave Bilbao at end of season

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde is to step down at the end of the season after a hugely successful third spell in charge, he announced Friday.

Liverpool suffer Salah blow in chase for Champions League

Mohamed Salah will miss Liverpool's trip to Brighton on Saturday with a muscle injury -- a major blow for manager Arne Slot as he hunts a Champions League place next season.

Mahuchikh soars to world indoor high jump gold, Hodgkinson cruises

Ukraine's world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh dominated the women's high jump to win the first gold on offer at the world indoor championships in Torun, Poland, on Friday.

Spain include Joan Garcia as one of four new call-ups

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named in-form Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia in his 27-man squad on Friday as one of four maiden call-ups for friendlies later this month.

Salah ruled out of Liverpool's Brighton clash

Mohamed Salah will miss Liverpool's trip to Brighton on Saturday with a muscle injury -- a major blow for manager Arne Slot as he chases a Champions League place next season.

England recall Mainoo, Maguire for pre-World Cup matches

Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo as well as Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on Friday earned international recalls as Thomas Tuchel named a 35-man squad for pre-World Cup friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

Snooker great O'Sullivan makes history with highest-ever break

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan made professional snooker history on Friday by crafting the highest break ever of 153 at the World Open in China.

China swim sensation Yu, 13, beats multiple Olympic medallist

Chinese swimming sensation Yu Zidi added to her fast-growing reputation as the 13-year-old phenomenon beat multiple Olympic medallist Regan Smith in the women's 200m butterfly in a personal-best time in Shenzhen.

James ties NBA record for most regular-season games in latest milestone

LeBron James tied the NBA record for most regular-season games played in style with a triple-double in the Lakers' win at Miami on Thursday.

Australia must be 'smart' to beat Japan in Asian Cup final: coach

Coach Joe Montemurro told his Australia team Friday they must be adaptable and "smart" to win the Women's Asian Cup for the first time since 2010 and avenge two gut-wrenching losses against Japan in the continental final.

Wembanyama lifts playoff-bound Spurs, Doncic and James fuel Lakers

Victor Wembanyama's game-winner lifted the San Antonio Spurs to a 101-100 triumph over Phoenix and into the NBA playoffs Thursday as the Los Angeles Lakers kept up their postseason push with an eighth straight victory.

Vinicius, Real Madrid must prove consistency in Atletico derby

Real Madrid have a host of brilliant players, including winger Vinicius Junior, but both he and the team as a whole must prove they can play consistently on Sunday against Atletico Madrid in a La Liga derby clash.

Kane credits Kompany's Bayern 'evolution' as treble beckons

Harry Kane praised coach Vincent Kompany's role in Bayern Munich's evolution this campaign as a history-making season beckons for the German giants.

PSG look back to their best, but not yet out of sight in Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain's comprehensive victory over Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 suggests they are coming back into the form which swept them to European glory last season, but they have not appeared as motivated in the chase for yet another Ligue 1 crown.

Troubled Spurs face Forest showdown, Chelsea need top-four surge

Relegation-haunted Tottenham face a crunch clash against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest as the fight for Premier League survival reaches boiling point.

Australia must be 'smart and adapt' to beat Japan in Asian Cup final: coach