Football: Ramos injured again amid doubts over Real Madrid future

Sergio Ramos has suffered a hamstring injury, Real Madrid announced on Saturday, raising the possibility the defender has played his last game for the club. 

Ramos will not be available now for Madrid's game against Sevilla on Sunday, which could prove crucial to La Liga's title race, with Atletico Madrid also facing Barcelona later on Saturday. 

And with only four matches left of the season, Ramos might not play again for Real Madrid given he is yet to renew his contract, which expires this summer. 

Spain coach Luis Enrique may also be concerned about the 35-year-old's fitness ahead of the start of Euro 2020 next month. 

"Following the tests carried out on Sergio Ramos by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with tendenitis in his left hamstring," a club statement read. 

It is the third injury this year for Ramos, who went straight into the starting line-up for Wednesday's Champions League defeat by Chelsea after a month out with a calf problem. 

Ramos' 21 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions is his lowest in 15 seasons playing for the club. 

The Spaniard joined Madrid from Sevilla in 2005 and is one of the club's most successful ever players, having won five La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and two Copa del Reys.

Agence France-Presse

Serena Williams gives birth to baby girl - coach

Serena Williams has given birth to a baby girl, the first child for the former world number one tennis player, her coach Patrick Mouratoglou said on Twitter on Friday.

The 35-year-old American, who is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, has not competed since winning the Australian Open in January but has posted several videos to social media showing her hitting balls during her pregnancy.

"Congratulations @SerenaWilliams for your baby girl. I am so happy for you and I feel your emotion," Mouratoglou wrote.

"Btw ... I wish you a speedy recovery... we have a lot of work ahead of us," he added.

Williams has dominated the sport for the past decade and is one grand slam short of Australian Margaret Court's record of 24 major titles.

She confirmed her pregnancy in April hours after triggering frenzied speculation when she accidentally posted a short-lived selfie on social media with the caption: "20 weeks".

Williams, the world's highest-paid female athlete, was about two months pregnant when she captured her 23rd grand slam singles title at the Australian Open.

She told Vogue magazine last month about her "outrageous plan" to defend her title in Australia, where the year's first grand slam will be played from Jan. 15-28.

Other women have left the tour to have children and returned at a high level, although none has done so at Williams' age.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium retired and had a child before coming back at age 26 and winning three grand slam titles.

Australians Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Court also won grand slam titles after having children.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Transgender teenage wrestler wins Texas state championship

High school athlete Mack Beggs, a teenager who is transitioning from female to male, won his 110-pound weight class in the Texas girl's state championship on Saturday, according to media reports.

Beggs, 17, and many of his opponents want him to wrestle against boys, but the transgender boy wrestled in the Texas championship for girls because of state sport regulations, which require athletes to compete according to birth gender.

The wrestler, a junior at Trinity High School in the Dallas suburb of Euless, had a 52-0 record ahead of the weekend tournament and was favored to win the 110-pound weight class in the championship.

On Saturday, he beat Chelsea Sanchez 12-2 to earn the championship.

In some of his first media comments since the story was widely reported, Beggs said "I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for my teammates," the Dallas Morning News reported on its website.

"That's honestly what the spotlight should've been on, my teammates," he added.

Beggs' family has sought to have him wrestle as a boy, and some of his opponents have said he has an unfair advantage among girls because of the testosterone he is taking as a part of his transition.

The University Interscholastic League, which governs school sports in Texas, said that the state's education code allows the use of a banned drug such as steroids if it "is prescribed by a medical practitioner for a valid medical purpose."

About a week ago, Beggs won a regional championship after a female wrestler from a Dallas-area high school forfeited the final.

The parent of another girl who wrestles for the same Dallas-area high school had filed a lawsuit trying to block Beggs, saying his use of testosterone increases his strength, which could pose a risk to opponents.

Nancy Beggs, Mack Beggs' grandmother and guardian, told the Dallas Morning News after the forfeit in the regional championship match: "Today was not about their students winning. Today was about bias, hatred and ignorance."

According to transathlete.com, which provides information for transgender athletes, Texas is one of seven U.S. states with policies it sees as discriminatory against transgender athletes.

Lou Weaver, who runs transgender programs for the LGBT rights group Equality Texas, said Beggs is abiding by current state rules, which need to be updated, "so that guys like Mack can wrestle with their peers, which would be on the boys' team."

(Reporting by Chris Michaud and Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Kim Coghill)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis to survive Sharapova storm, generation change: experts

PARIS, France - Rocked by Maria Sharapova's failed drugs test confession and the sun threatening to set on a golden generation, tennis faces huge challenges to maintain its impressive global profile.

But despite Sharapova, the world's highest earning sportswoman, confronting a potentially career-ending ban, industry insiders insist that the sport can ride out the storm.

"The Maria Sharapova doping story, whilst not ideal for the sport, is certainly not damaging enough to really affect tennis in the same way as we saw perhaps with cycling or sprinting," Jon Stainer, managing director of sports sponsorship experts Repucom, told AFP.

"In both those cases, doping was being carried out by a number of athletes for a sustained period."

Sharapova has amassed a personal fortune of $200 million and, according to the 2015 Forbes rich-list, the 28-year-old Russian earned almost $30 million last year, the bulk of which came from off-court endorsements.

The five-time major champion earned more than great rival Serena Williams, the undisputed world number one and 21-time Grand Slam title winner, who banked almost $25 million.

As an indication of their significance to the sport, the two women also have huge social media profiles which dwarf their top 10 rivals.

Williams has six million Twitter followers; world number seven Sharapova boasts more than two million.

But the five players between them in the rankings -- Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska, Garbine Muguruza, Simona Halep and Carla Suarez Navarro -- have under 600,000 between them.

The ruling WTA would be forgiven for hoping that the charismatic, photogenic but unpredictable talents of Caroline Wozniacki and Eugenie Bouchard can soon make a Grand Slam breakthrough.

Sharapova, for her part, has not ruled out a return although her fate is in the hands of others.

"I am determined to play tennis again and I hope I will have the chance to do so. I wish I didn't have to go through this, but I do -- and I will," she said.

Although Sharapova has seen her money-spinning relationships with Nike and Porsche suspended, her racquet manufacturer Head has stayed loyal. Even on the sidelines she remains a formidable business prospect.

'BEAUTY SELLS'

"Beauty sells," she once famously said and business experts tend to agree.

"Sharapova is the most marketable female athlete in the world, ranking above the likes of Serena Williams and (Alpine skiier) Lindsey Vonn," added Stainer.

"According to our Celebrity DBI Index, of the 76 percent of people that know of her globally, 74 percent say they like her and 75 percent say they find her aspirational.

"Brands are currently waiting to see what further fall-out there might be but are seemingly cautious not to cut ties too quickly as those that do may allow other rivals to easily take their place."

Meanwhile, there is a question mark over the staying power of Williams, who will be 35 in September and remains frustratingly one major title short of equalling Steffi Graf's Open era record of 22.

But she's not the only one fighting time.

Roger Federer, the record 17-time Grand Slam champion, will turn 35 in August and has been without a major since Wimbledon in 2012.

The Swiss was tennis's top earner in 2015 -- and fifth on Forbes' all sports list -- with $67 million.

Current world number one, Novak Djokovic, six years Federer's junior, raked in $48 million.

Their longtime rival Rafael Nadal, the winner of 14 majors, will be 30 in June and last year, for the first time since 2004, he failed to win at least one major in a season.

But Nadal still made $32.5 million.

Djokovic and Andy Murray, 28, will of course remain to carry the banner and even if the sport faces a scramble for its next poster boys and girls, experts insist tennis is bigger than individual attraction.

Japan's Kei Nishikori, who is 26, and 25-year-old Canadian Milos Raonic are seen as key to future growth outside of Europe.

Then there are the four Grand Slams which are "incredibly strong brands in their own right", added Stainer.

"In terms of commerciality, the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova have taken the women's game to a new level, but women in sport is a much more attractive concept to sponsors now more than ever.

"Tennis's appeal across a large number of international markets and audiences types means it is protected somewhat from individual and isolated issues such as this (the Sharapova affair)."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Gay mows down Bromell to book World Championships return

Tyson Gay powered past teenaged challenger Trayvon Bromell to win the US 100m crown in 9.87sec and book his first trip to the World Championships since 2009.

Gay, 32 and trying to regain the sport's summit after a one-year drugs ban, rated the triumph as perhaps the most important of his career.

"I feel like it was the toughest," he said, noting that rising talents like Bromell were raising the stakes in US sprinting.

He credited his veteran skills with getting him through the rounds with enough left to overhaul the 19-year-old Bromell, relegating him to second in 9.96.

"He got out good, it was just one of those 10-years-of-experience, dig-down moments -- I had to get him," Gay said. "It felt good though."

Mike Rodgers was third in 9.97 to grab the final berth on offer for the August 22-30 World Championships in Beijing.

They'll join teammate Justin Gatlin, who has a bye into the 100m in Beijing thanks to his 2014 Diamond League title and is focusing this week on the 200m and a possible double world championships challenge to Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt.

Gay won 100m, 200m and 4x100m gold at the 2007 World Championships and took 100m silver behind Bolt at the 2009 Worlds.

He missed the 2011 World Championships after a hip injury forced him out of trials, and withdrew from the 2013 World Championships in Moscow as he awaited the verdict in his doping case.

"Just being able to come back from a mistake, show the world that you can make up for the mistake -- it means a lot," Gay said.

America's women sprinters sent a strong signal in a women's 100m won by Tori Bowie in 10.81sec.

Bowie powered past English Gardner, who finished second in 10.86 with collegiate standout Jasmine Todd third in 10.92.

- Making a statement -
The six women under 11 seconds was a first in a US 100m final, topping the five at the 2013 championships in Des Moines.

"I for sure think we made a statement to the world today," Bowie said.

Carmelita Jeter, the 2011 world champion and three-time Olympic medallist, missed out on a Beijing berth, finishing seventh in 11.01.

The final, in a legal wind of 1.2 metres per second, followed a scintillating semi-final show in which Bowie's wind-aided 10.72sec was the top qualifying time, ahead of Jeter's 10.76 for second in the same heat.

Gardner had won her semi-final in 10.79, the fastest time in the world this year with a legal wind that was matched by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at the Jamaican trials in Kingston on Friday.

There was a shocker in the women's 400m semi-finals, as reigning Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross failed to make the final, finishing fifth in her heat in 50.95sec.

Richards-Ross could still get a 4x400 relay berth for Beijing -- a chance to add to her tally of five world titles.

But it was a blow for the runner who missed the 2013 Worlds in Moscow with a foot injury.

Francena McCorory led the way into Saturday's final with a time of 49.85 -- shaving one-hundredth of a second off her own world-leading time of 2015.

Olympic 200m gold medallist Allyson Felix made it safely into the final as she attempts to give herself the option of contesting the 400m in Beijing, where she has a bye into the 200m.

Sharika Nelvis clocked a season-leading 12.34 to top the times in the women's 100m hurdles heats.

She improved on the 12.35 posted by Jasmin Stowers in Doha on May 15.

Keni Harrison followed Nelvis into the semi-finals with a time of 12.46, followed by Stowers (12.47), and last year's Diamond League winner in the event Dawn Harper-Nelson (12.48).

Reigning world champion Brianna Rollins also made it into the semi-finals with a time of 12.72.

Nelvis said the depth of talent in the event was a constant motivator.

"Every round I'm trying to kill it," she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Meet the last man to beat Mayweather

When Floyd Mayweather Jr. faces Manny Pacquiao in boxing's richest ever fight, one observer will have a unique perspective.

Serafim Todorov is the last man to beat Mayweather. But while the American has since become one of the wealthiest athletes on the planet, his Bulgarian conqueror is full of regrets.

"I don't really talk to people anymore. I've suffered from depression countless times in my life. Even now I'm depressed. I just live a mundane life with my family," he said.

Sofia, Bulgaria's capital city, isn't a center of sporting excellence but it is home to the last man to beat Mayweather in a boxing ring.

Heading into the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Todorov was at his peak as a boxer. Supremely confident, talented and experienced, he faced the teenaged American in the featherweight semi-finals.

"Floyd was a young 19-year-old boy. I didn't know who he was and the only time I've seen him before was in the us. I was calm because I studied his previous matches and I felt comfortable because i was on a medal winning streak and the only thing on my mind were my punches and my movement," recalled the Bulgarian.

Todorov won by a point and said he still watches the fight every day. Between the semi-final and the final he turned down a lucrative offer to turn professional because he was so certain he would win gold. He never did.

"If I were there right now I would tell myself to sign the contract and stay in America. If I knew that my life would go downhill from there, I would have signed the contract right away. I can't forgive myself. I've been depressed all these years and I really regret it. Since I came back to Bulgaria, every day is torture for me," he said.

Instead, the promoters signed Mayweather and he's become one of the richest athletes on the planet. According to some reports, he will earn $180 million from fighting Manny Pacquiao. Todorov, on the other hand, lives on state benefits of less than $500 a month.

Todorov said he's not envious of Mayweather and proudly showed some of his trophies from a glittering amateur career - although the biggest memento is missing.

"What about your olympic medal?" he was asked.

"I donated to a museum but when I went back it was closed and my medals were missing,” replied Todorov.

But at the local boxing gym, Todorov's whole demeanour changes. His eyes sparkle and he instinctively moves like the champion boxer he once was.

His future looks brighter with a job offer on the cards and, to his son, he's still a hero.

"I feel like a winner and I'm proud because Floyd is unbeaten at the moment and I'm really proud that only I was able to beat him. The whole world knows about me now. I feared they might have forgotten me," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bruce Jenner has told the Kardashians he is transgender: People

Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner has told family members, including reality TV personalities the Kardashians, that he is becoming a woman and they have pledged their support, People magazine reported on Wednesday.

The 65-year-old former decathlete, who according to published reports will star in an upcoming reality series documenting his transition, made the revelation to his ex-wife Kris Jenner, his children and her sons and daughters from a previous marriage.

"Bruce told them everything - where things stood, what his plans were for the future, and what everyone could expect," a source identified by People as a "family insider" told the magazine. "Everyone basically knew what was up, but it was still a shock to hear it outlined so explicitly."

The source told People that all of Jenner's family members "came around pretty quickly" to the news, adding: "All they want is for him to be happy."

News website Buzzfeed.com has reported that Jenner, who won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, would come out as transgender in an interview with TV personality Diane Sawyer on ABC.

Buzzfeed and other entertainment news outlets have also reported that Jenner would star in a reality TV show about his transition on the E! television network.

Representatives for ABC and for E! have declined to comment on those reports to Reuters. Jenner's agent Brian Dow did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Kim Kardashian hinted to TV program "Entertainment Tonight" last week that Jenner was "going through" something. "I feel like that's his journey to talk about," she said.

The Kardashian sisters, and their brother, are from Kris Jenner's previous marriage to Robert Kardashian.

Jenner's website, brucejenner.com, contains only a message saying that content would be coming soon and offering a contact for personal appearances, speaking engagements and "public awareness campaigns."

Since 2007 members of the Kardashian family, including Jenner's daughters, have starred in a popular reality TV series on E! "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" that have turned them into household names and tabloid fodder.

The story can be viewed here: here,,20898548,00.html

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Eric Kelsey and Andrew Hay)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

When did Kiefer earn his first million?

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena, one of the most recognizable athletes in the Philippines today, is an endorser aside from being a basketball player.

ALhough he became a star because of his performance inside the basketball court, Ravena has since gained more fame because of the numerous endorsements he has with various products – some of which aren't at all related to sports.

So when did the 21-year-old Ravena earn his first million?

"I was 17," Ravena revealed to Anthony Taberna on "Tapatan Ni Tunying" on Thursday.

At the time, Ravena was coming off a spectacular high school career that saw him lead the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to a "three-peat."

Informed by Taberna that when he was 17, he was earning only P100 pesos in his job, Ravena simply smiled and said: "Sobrang blessed lang (ako)."

Aside from his endorsements, Ravena became ubiquitous due to his numerous magazine covers and television commercials. It also helps that he is active in social media and regularly engages fans.

Even though he is still an amateur player, Ravena has already earned some money because of his performance on the court.

During the awarding ceremonies of the UAAP Season 77 men's basketball tournament, Ravena walked away with a total cash prize of P280,000 after garnering several awards from the league's sponsors, while also winning the UAAP Most Valuable Player trophy.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Prosecutor: Pistorius 'using emotions as an escape'

PRETORIA - The prosecutor in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial on Monday accused the track star of using emotional breakdowns under cross-examination to evade answering questions about the night he killed his girlfriend.

The Olympic and Paralympic sprinter, who faces life in prison if convicted of murdering Reeva Steenkamp, says he shot the 29-year-old model in a tragic accident, firing at what he thought was an intruder hiding behind a locked toilet door.

The athlete has broken down numerous times during the 22-day trial, including retching into a bucket. He burst into tears again on Monday morning when recounting the moment he screamed at what he thought was a burglar, prompting the judge to call a 30-minute adjournment.

"Get the fuck out of my house! Get the fuck out of my house!" a trembling Pistorius said when asked to state precisely what he screamed at the perceived intruder.

He then burst into tears as family members in the public gallery rushed to comfort him.

Towards the end of the day, he again began to cry when answering questions about the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel, whose reputation as one of South Africa's toughest attorneys has earned him the nickname 'The Pitbull', said the athlete was just putting on an act to avoid having to answer his questions.

Nel questioned why Pistorius would get upset when being asked about whether he did or did not open doors leading from his bedroom to a balcony to shout for help minutes after the shooting.

"I cannot see how that can cause you to be emotional because you cannot remember how to open a door. We're not talking about Reeva," Nel said, referring to previous breakdowns, which have usually been when he describes the shooting.

"You're not using your emotional state as an escape are you?" Nel said, raising his eyebrows and shaking his head.

The murder trial has captivated South Africa and millions of athletics fans around the world who viewed Pistorius, known as the 'Blade Runner' because of the carbon-fiber prosthetics he uses on the track, as a symbol of triumph over adversity.

His disabled lower legs were amputated as a baby but he went on to achieve global fame, winning Paralympic gold medals and reaching the semi-finals of the 400 meters in the 2012 London Olympics against able-bodied athletes.

(Writing by Joe Brock; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Chris Tiu recalls encounter with Jeremy Lin

MANILA, Philippines – About two or three years ago, athlete-TV host Chris Tiu had the opportunity to play in a pick-up game against Jeremy Lin, the NBA’s latest breakout star.

“We were in Las Vegas with Smart-Gilas [the Philippines’ national men’s basketball team]. We were training in a camp there and at the same time, at the same venue, nandu’n din sila nagpa-practice...

“I think at the time, they were about to join the NBA draft. So they were preparing for the NBA draft, ‘yung mga prospective rookies nagte-training din do’n,” Tiu related in a taped interview aired on “24 Oras” on Feb. 15.

He admitted that he wasn’t able to see “anything super spectacular” from Lin then, but added that his injury may have had affected his performance.

Lin is the first American of Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Previously “overlooked” and "undervalued," he had been making waves in the professional US basketball league scene over the last few weeks for guiding the New York Knicks to their now seven-game winning streak. Lin joined the team on December last year and made his winning first game only on Feb. 4 against the New Jersey Nets.

Tiu expresses his admiration for the Harvard-educated player.

“Jeremy, of course he can score. But ‘yung talagang kakaiba sa kanya is his ability to create [opportunities] for his team mates. Ang galing niya pumasa, fast break, or ‘pag dum-rive siya.

“Oo magaling siya mag-assist, and para sa ‘kin ‘yun talaga ‘yung hinahanap ko sa mga players,” Tiu shared.

He added, “’Yung kanyang faith in God, I think it’s something that… I mean, that was one of the main reasons why he was able to succeed despite everything he went through.”

source: mb.com.ph