Digest

SHOOTING

Zhang hits golden target at World Cup

Chinese shooter Zhang Jingjing won gold in the women's 25-meter pistol at the ISSF World Cup Final in Putian, Fujian province, on Wednesday－her first title since coming back from maternity leave.

The three-time world champion, who returned to the shooting range in December last year, hit 37 out of 50 targets to seal China's first gold of the event. South Korea's Kim Minjung of South Korea was second (33), with Germany's Monika Karsch third (29).

"I'm so happy that I won gold. I just steadied myself to shoot one after another, regardless of the results," said the 30-year-old, adding that she was fighting for victory together with her whole family.

Zhang was hugely disappointed to finish fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, with Wednesday's result a big boost for her Tokyo 2020 prospects.

"I will be fully concentrated on training, and will try my best at the upcoming Olympics," she said.

SOCCER

Moreno says Spain departure 'bittersweet'

Robert Moreno admitted his departure as Spain's head coach leaves him with a "bittersweet feeling" but avoided criticizing either Luis Enrique or the Spanish Football Federation in a statement released on Wednesday.

Enrique will replace Moreno for Euro 2020, resuming the role he left in June to take care of his daughter, who died of bone cancer in August.

"If I went into my last few hours or even my last few days, I would only enter into a spiral of reproaches and recriminations. I'm not going to do it. I don't see any point," said Moreno.

"I have a clear conscience. It's impossible to thank everyone, but I want to say that I sincerely respect everyone and their opinions. I've always been a man of my word, that I wouldn't stand in Luis Enrique's way if he decided to return to coach."

Moreno had overseen Spain finishing top of its qualifying group after an unbeaten campaign. Of the matches that he was officially in charge, the 42-year-old Moreno won four and drew two.

BOXING

Tokyo Olympics snub for tainted Rio officials

Boxing referees and judges involved in the Rio Olympics, who were all suspended following the Games, will not be allowed to officiate at Tokyo 2020, an International Olympic Committee task force said on Wednesday.

All 36 referees and judges in Rio were suspended in the wake of the Games as the International Boxing Association (AIBA) carried out an investigation, following allegations that fights were fixed.

Several judges and referees were sent home from the Brazilian capital following a number of questionable decisions during the boxing tournament.

At Tokyo, referees and judges will be picked from a pool of officials comprised of qualified AIBA-certified individuals who have been reviewed to ensure they meet the selection criteria.

BASKETBALL

Blazers waive injured Spanish veteran Gasol

Two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol said on Wednesday he has been waived by the Portland Trail Blazers, who inked him to a one-year contract before the season in hopes he would be able to return from a left foot injury.

"As of today, I will no longer be a member of the@TrailBlazers player roster, so I can focus all of my energy on my rehabilitation," the 39-year-old Spaniard said on Twitter.

ESPN reported that Gasol and the Trail Blazers were discussing details of a coaching role for the future Hall of Famer. However, in a video posted on Twitter, Gasol said such a job would be a stopgap, and his aim remained to regain his fitness and resume his playing career.

"I have the same excitement and passion for the game of basketball that I had when I first started playing," Gasol said. "And I will work as hard as I can on my recovery with a clear goal in mind: to get healthy in order to play the game that I love."

Gasol, the third overall pick in the 2001 draft, has played 18 seasons in the NBA, winning titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 and earning six All-Star nods.

GOLF

Koepka quits US team due to knee problem

World No 1 Brooks Koepka pulled out of the US Presidents Cup team due to a knee injury on Wednesday and was replaced with Rickie Fowler by playing captain Tiger Woods.

"Today, I am announcing my withdrawal from the US Presidents Cup team because of my knee injury," Koepka said in a statement on the tournament's website. "I notified captain Tiger Woods that despite constant medical care and rehab, I am not able to play golf at this time.

"I consider it to be a high honor to be part of the 2019 team and I regret not being able to compete."

Koepka has played a limited amount of golf since the Tour Championship and not at all since the CJ Cup in South Korea in late October.

He had been in a race for fitness for the Dec 9-15 Presidents Cup, which will pit the US against an International Team at Australia's Royal Melbourne Golf Club.