Athletics
Mo Farah won a bronze medal as Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor won back-to-back World Half Marathon titles in testing conditions in Cardiff on March 25.
Farah’s time of 59 minutes 59 seconds in a fast-paced race was 27 seconds off his own European record. Defending champion Kamworor won in 59:10 despite falling at the start, while compatriot Bedan Karoki finished second. “I’m disappointed,” said Farah, adding it was “massive motivation for Rio”.
“But there were better athletes who won on the day, the guys were strong and I couldn’t go with it. I did run a fast time but as an athlete you always want to win,” said the double Olympic and world champion.
World Athletics Indoor Championships, Portland, USA (March 17 – 20)
Dutch middle distance runner Sifan Hassan won gold in the 1,500 metres at the world indoor athletics championships in Portland, the US.
The 23-year-old took control of the race with fewer than three laps to go, completing the distance in 4.04,96. Hassan, who was born in Ethiopia, beat Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum and Gudaf Tsegay into second and third place. Hassan is current European indoor 1,500 metres champion and won bronze at the world outdoor championships in Beijing last year. She was a favourite to take the world title.
Cricket
Pakistan’s head coach Waqar Younis resigned on April 4 following his team’s humiliating exit from the World Twenty20 tournament at the group stage. The 2009 champs had been widely blasted by fans following a lacklustre performance with just one victory against lowly ranked Bangladesh and big losses to India, New Zealand and Australia.
Football
Transfer news: Barcelona are reportedly preparing a summer assault on former Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil as doubts linger over his future at Arsenal. According to Marca, the Germany international has lost faith in the Gunners’ ability to compete with the best clubs in Europe and will not accept the club’s proposal of a contract extension beyond 2018.
Subsequently, the newspaper claims Ozil may be cashed in sooner rather than later, to the extent that Barca have already made contact with the player to learn his intentions.
Barcelona are also reportedly ready to enter the running for the transfer of Leicester City forward Riyad Mahrez.
The Catalan giants are looking to add attacking players to their squad, with Luis Enrique keen on the Algerian as a replacement for Pedro after his exit last summer.
Motor Sport
Argentina Motorcycle Grand Prix (April 4)
Rookie Khairul Idham Pawi created history by becoming the first ever Malaysian to emerge victorious in the MotoGP World Championship after winning the Moto3 race at the Argentina Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The Honda Team Asia rider crossed the line in a time of 41 minutes and 35.452 seconds at the Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit ahead of Spaniard Jorge Navarro (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and South African Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who were second and third, 26.170s and 30.060s behind Khairul.
Khairul, who was competing in only his third race in Moto3, said he was very happy with the setup of his machine for the race.
“It feels great to get my first win, the setup of my bike was very good and it gave me a lot of confidence to push hard. I did not feel pressured. I just tried my best to keep my focus and maintain my lead,” said Khairul.
Rugby
Sonny Bill Williams’ potential return to French Rugby club Toulon has come as news to Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Williams has been rumoured to be interested to returning to the NRL in 2017, with his former club the widely tipped destination.
However, the cross-code star’s manager, Khoder Nasser, met with Toulon’s boss Mourad Boudjellal to discuss a short-term deal that would likely keep him in France until at least early next year.
But Robinson, who has maintained a close relationship with Williams since he left the Roosters to return to the 15-man game at the end of 2014, said he was unaware of the New Zealander’s next move.
“That’s speculation. I’m reading what you’re reading,” he said.
Tennis
Miami Open, Florida, USA: (March 21 – April 3): Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis suffered yet another early exit on the American hardcourts with the pair bowing out in the second round of the Miami Open at Key Biscane, Florida, in straight sets. They were the defending champions for the women’s doubles crown.
The Indo-Swiss pair lost 4-6, 2-6 to Margarita Gasparyan and Monica Niculescu in a little over an hour’s time.
