分类： sports

The Phoenix Suns have touched down in Macau, setting the stage for two highly anticipated pre-season games against the Brooklyn Nets, marking the NBA’s first return to China since 2019. The matches, scheduled for Friday and Sunday, will be held at the Venetian casino and hotel arena in Macau, a special administrative region renowned for its vibrant casino culture. This event signifies a pivotal moment in the NBA’s efforts to rekindle its relationship with China, which had been strained since 2019 due to political tensions. The games are part of a multi-year partnership between the NBA and Chinese tech giant Alibaba, announced late last year. Notably, the Brooklyn Nets are owned by Alibaba’s chair, Joseph Tsai. This marks the first NBA fixture in Macau since 2007, underscoring the league’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the region. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the “tremendous interest in the NBA throughout China,” highlighting the league’s strategic push to tap into the country’s burgeoning basketball fanbase. Basketball’s popularity in China surged after Yao Ming was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2002, with the NBA estimating in 2019 that 300 million Chinese citizens played the sport. The upcoming games are seen as a milestone in the gradual reconciliation between the NBA and China, following a period of tension sparked by a 2019 controversy involving a Houston Rockets executive’s social media post supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protests. The incident led to a temporary suspension of NBA broadcasts in China, but games have since returned to Chinese TV channels. Fans in Macau have expressed their excitement, with many viewing the event as a long-awaited reunion with the league. Lyu Yizhe from Xiamen shared, “We’ve been preparing for this for two months. It feels special because we’ve been NBA fans since the Michael Jordan era.” Mole Zeng from Hangzhou added, “As the NBA grows in China, more star players will come here to meet us.” The games not only celebrate basketball but also symbolize a renewed cultural and commercial bridge between the NBA and China.

In a thrilling encounter at the Women’s Cricket World Cup, South Africa pulled off a stunning three-wicket victory against hosts India, thanks to a remarkable performance by Nadine de Klerk. The match, held in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, saw De Klerk score an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls, including five sixes and eight fours, to guide her team to a hard-fought win. South Africa chased down India’s total of 251 with just seven balls to spare, finishing at 252-7 in 48.5 overs. De Klerk’s innings was complemented by skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s steady 70 off 111 balls, which laid the foundation for the chase. Earlier, South Africa’s bowlers, led by Chloe Tyron (3-32) and De Klerk (2-52), had restricted India to 102-6 at one stage. However, Richa Ghosh’s explosive 94 off 77 balls, featuring four sixes and 11 fours, helped India post a competitive total. This victory marks South Africa’s second consecutive win after an initial 10-wicket loss to England, propelling them to fourth place in the standings. The Proteas will next face Bangladesh on Monday. De Klerk, named Player of the Match, expressed her elation, stating, ‘I just wanted to finish the game and give us the best chance. I love being under pressure, and this win gives us a lot of confidence.’ India, now third in the standings with two wins from three games, will face defending champions Australia on Sunday.

YOKOHAMA, Japan — The Baycurrent Classic, the PGA Tour’s sole event in Japan, kicked off with a strong showing from American golfers Max Greyserman, Bud Cauley, and Brian Campbell. Each carded an impressive 4-under 67 in the opening round on Thursday, securing a shared lead at the Yokohama Country Club. This year marks the tournament’s relocation from its previous venue east of Tokyo, where it was held as the Zozo Championship since 2019.

Eight players, including Australian star Adam Scott, trail the leaders by a single stroke, while seven others are two shots behind. Notably, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, both members of the U.S. Ryder Cup team that recently faced defeat, finished with even-par 71s. Defending champion Nico Echavarria of Colombia posted a 70, while Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, ended the day with a 72.

Greyserman, who narrowly missed victory last year by one shot after Echavarria’s birdie on the final hole, expressed his admiration for Japan’s culture and fans. Reflecting on the challenging conditions, he remarked, ‘In those difficult conditions, I’ll take that any day.’ He also acknowledged Echavarria’s past success, hinting at his own aspirations for the week. ‘Nico got it done that week. So maybe I can get it done this week,’ Greyserman added.

The tournament continues to draw attention as players vie for the title in one of the PGA Tour’s most unique international stops.

Danilo Yavhushyshyn, a 21-year-old Ukrainian sumo wrestler, has made a remarkable ascent in Japan’s traditional sport, adopting the ring name Aonishiki Arata. Leaving Ukraine shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, he has rapidly climbed the ranks, recently defeating Mongolian-born Hoshoryu, one of Japan’s two grand champions, or yokozuna. At a recent press conference, Aonishiki focused on his sumo journey, avoiding political discussions despite Ukraine’s ongoing conflict. He shared insights into his rigorous training, dietary habits, and efforts to master Japanese, a language he has quickly learned since arriving in Japan. Aonishiki, who hails from Vinnytsia in west-central Ukraine, discovered sumo at the age of six. While his family now resides safely in Germany, he expressed hope that his success in sumo could inspire his fellow Ukrainians. Aonishiki’s rise is part of a broader trend of non-Japanese wrestlers excelling in sumo, including Mongolians and Hawaiians. Another Ukrainian, Shishi Masaru, also ranks highly in the sport. Ukraine’s strong wrestling tradition, highlighted by Zhan Beleniuk’s gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, has contributed to sumo’s popularity in the country. Aonishiki, who weighs 125 kilograms, aims to gain 10 kilograms to compete more effectively in a sport where many wrestlers exceed 150 kilograms. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to his craft and expressed a desire to visit Ukraine, his homeland, when conditions permit. He also revealed his interest in obtaining Japanese citizenship in the future.

In a gripping encounter on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia secured a narrow 3-2 victory against Indonesia, inching closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The match, held in Jeddah, saw Saudi Arabia needing just one more win against Iraq next Tuesday to secure the top spot in Group B and book their seventh appearance in the prestigious tournament. The Asian qualifying format awards automatic berths to the winners of each group, while the runners-up proceed to a fifth round. Indonesia, under the guidance of former Netherlands and Barcelona star Patrick Kluivert, opened the scoring with Kevin Diks converting a penalty in the 11th minute. However, Saudi Arabia quickly responded with Saleh Abu Al-Shamat equalizing six minutes later. Firas Al-Buraikan then put the hosts ahead with a penalty in the 37th minute. Al-Buraikan extended the lead with another goal just after the hour mark, but Diks narrowed the gap with a second penalty in the 89th minute. Despite Mohamed Kanno’s red card in stoppage time, Saudi Arabia held on for the win. ‘One more step to go. God willing, we’ll make it happen,’ Al-Buraikan remarked in a post-match statement shared by the Asian Football Confederation. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s hopes of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1938 hinge on their upcoming match against Iraq. In other Group A action, Qatar was held to a 0-0 draw by Oman, with both teams expressing mixed sentiments about their performances. Asia has eight automatic World Cup spots, with Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Jordan already securing their places in the previous qualifying round.

The NBA is making a significant return to China with preseason games in Macao, marking its first appearance in the country since 2019. The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns are set to play two exhibition matches, signaling a revival of the league’s presence in a region that boasts one of its largest fanbases. This comes after a period of strained relations following a controversial tweet by former Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey in 2019, which led to China severing ties with the NBA. The league’s efforts to rebuild its relationship with China have been gradual but are now gaining momentum. NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum emphasized the importance of bringing live games to global fans, particularly in China, where over 300 million people play basketball. The games are seen as a bridge to reconnect with Chinese fans and strengthen the NBA’s global outreach. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade friction between the U.S. and China, the NBA views sports as a unifying force. Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted basketball’s unique ability to bring communities together, both domestically and internationally. The Nets and Suns will play at Macao’s Venetian Arena, owned by Las Vegas Sands Corp., with Sands President Patrick Dumont also serving as governor of the Dallas Mavericks. The Nets’ owner, Joe Tsai, chairman of Alibaba, and the presence of Chinese rookie Yang Hansen, drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, further underscore the league’s commitment to the Chinese market. Yang expressed excitement about the NBA’s return, hoping to play in front of his home crowd in the future. The NBA’s influence in China is undeniable, with stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Victor Wembanyama drawing massive crowds during their visits. The league’s social media engagement in China has also surged, driven by the growing popularity of basketball. Suns guard Jared Butler described the trip as a bonding experience, reflecting the broader sentiment that these games are more than just exhibitions—they are a step toward rebuilding a vital relationship.