Top Shot

Bonds relaxed before historic batting bid

SAN DIEGO, California: Barry Bonds, poised to become the home run king of baseball, was relaxed on Sunday when he spoke to reporters after drawing level with Hank Aaron at the top of the all-time list.

Bonds had said "the hardest part is over" when he equalled Aaron's mark on Saturday and he did not have the stress of playing in Sunday's game, which his San Francisco Giants lost 5-4 to the San Diego Padres, their third consecutive one-run defeat.

"There's no pressure on me now," Bonds said. "Mechanically, I've made some corrections (in my swing). If I keep my mechanics right, you guys won't be around for long."

A horde of around 400 reporters has followed Bonds since he hit homer No 754 on July 27 and will again be in attendance for San Francisco's Monday night game at AT&T Park against the Washington Nationals.

Bonds is expected to start in leftfield and bat in his customary cleanup spot.

Santana's 4th stint at Flamengo starts with 3-0 defeat

RIO DE JANEIRO: Joel Santana's fourth stint as Flamengo coach began with a 3-0 defeat at Santos on Sunday which left Brazil's most popular club rooted in the relegation zone.

Santana, who led Flamengo to safety two years ago in his previous spell at the club, was recalled to replace Ney Franco and try to produce a repeat performance.

But Flamengo found the notoriously inconsistent Santos on a good day as they fell 2-0 behind after 32 minutes through goals by Pedrinho and Marco Aurelio.

Midfielder Kleber curled in a 30m free kick five minutes after halftime to complete the scoring and leave Flamengo 19th in the 20-team table.

Santos, under former Brazil and Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, climbed to ninth with 24 points.

Defending champions Sao Paulo won 2-0 at Gremio to go top.

Gebrselassie wins easily in New York

NEW YORK: Ethiopian distance champion Haile Gebrselassie marked his New York City debut on Sunday with an easy half-marathon victory in 59 minutes 24 seconds.

Gebrselassie broke away from a leading pack after 13 kms to set the second fastest time ever recorded in the United States after his own mark of 58:55 in Tempe, Arizona, last year.

American Abdi Abdirahman was second, a distant 65 seconds behind, and Boston and Chicago marathon champion Robert K. Cheruiyot of Kenya was third in 1:00:58.

"A dream came true this morning. Today I am so happy," said 34-year-old Gebrselassie, who won the Olympic 10,000 metres titles in 1996 and 2000.

"I was surprised the pace was so fast in the first half and when they pushed it I said, 'thank you'," said Gebrselassie, now unbeaten in eight starts over the half marathon.

"I knew I was in good shape so it was just 'bye bye' then."

(China Daily 08/07/2007 page23)