Digest

SAILING

Li elected global body's first Chinese president

Li Quanhai

Li Quanhai has been elected World Sailing's new president, the global governing body announced on Sunday.

The 58-year-old becomes the first Chinese to hold the office, with his term lasting until 2024.

After two candidates were eliminated in a first round of voting, Li topped the poll with 68 votes ahead of incumbent president Kim Andersen of Denmark (60).

Li, the director-general of China's National Olympic Sports Center and the former secretary-general and vice-president of the Chinese Yachting Association, said that he will work hard to make sailing more exciting and easier to participate in.

Li had previously served on World Sailing's board of directors for eight years, and CEO David Graham said: "The future of World Sailing is in very capable hands and I look forward to working with our new board."

BASKETBALL

Hudson's haul halts Jilin's perfect start

Lester Hudson starred with a 24-point haul as the Shandong Heroes sent the Jilin Northeast Tigers crashing to their first defeat of the CBA season in Zhuji, Zhejiang province, on Monday.

Hudson also had seven rebounds and three assists to lead five teammates with double-digit scores. Jilin's Jiang Weize finished with 20 points and Jiang Yuxing notched 18.

After a seesaw first half, Hudson took over as Shandong punished a litany of Jilin errors to prevail 106-93 by the final buzzer.

"We made an offensive adjustment before the game which worked. I hope our team will perform better next game," said Shandong head coach Gong Xiaobin.

Jilin coach Wang Han was left to rue his team's late lapses. "We made major mistakes in the last quarter," Wang said. "The problem on protecting defensive rebounds has to be solved." Earlier, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers defeated the Tianjin Pioneers 117-106.

SNOOKER

Ding knocked out of Champions tourney

Chinese No 1 Ding Junhui failed to reach the semifinals of the Champion of Champions tournament following a 6-4 defeat to Australian Neil Robertson in Milton Keynes, England on Monday.

Ding edged veteran John Higgins 4-3 while Robertson swept Jimmy White 4-0 in their respective Group 1 semifinals at the 16-player invitational tournament.

In the Group 1 final, Ding led 2-1 before Robertson found his rhythm to open up a 4-2 lead. World No 10 Ding fought back to tie the match only for defending champion Robertson to prevail in a scrappy finish.

"Ding fought back in a lot of the frames and won some on the colors, so I had to hold my nerve a little bit, especially with that black at 4-4 which I had to play with a lot of pace," said Robertson. "I'm really pleased with how I finished it off."

SOCCER

Suning, Evergrande advance to CSL final

A stunning long-range strike from Luo Jing fired 10-man Jiangsu Suning into the Chinese Super League (CSL) final, where it will face Guangzhou Evergrande.

A 78th-minute Wu Xi equalizer had canceled out Yang Shiyuan's opener for Shanghai SIPG to send the first of Monday's semifinal second legs in Suzhou into extra time.

Luo's sensational effort in the 107th minute sealed a 2-1 victory (3-2 on aggregate) for Jiangsu, which had Abduhamit Abdugheni sent off in the 57th minute.

In Monday's other semifinal, defending champion Evergrande advanced with a 3-1 triumph over Beijing Guo'an following last week's scoreless first leg. Former Barcelona midfielder Paulinho bagged a second-half brace after an Anderson Talisca penalty had opened the scoring for Guangzhou. Zhang Yuning netted Beijing's only goal.

Maradona reportedly admitted to hospital

Argentine legend Diego Maradona was admitted to hospital on Monday for medical checks, local media reported.

His hospitalization was not believed to be related to the coronavirus pandemic which is ravaging the South American country, according to several reports.

Maradona, who has a history of drug and alcohol abuse and poor health, is considered at high risk of coronavirus complications should he be infected. He has suffered two heart attacks in the past and contracted hepatitis.

The 1986 World Cup winner celebrated his 60th birthday last week, after emerging from a period of precautionary self-isolation after a bodyguard showed symptoms of the virus but later tested negative.

The ex-Argentina captain and coach is being treated at a clinic in La Plata, near Buenos Aires, where he coaches local team Gimnasia.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Garoppolo, Kittle out indefinitely for 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers will be without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and All-Pro tight end George Kittle for an extended period of time after they got hurt against Seattle.

A source said Monday that Garoppolo's ankle injury and Kittle's foot injury will sideline them indefinitely. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced their status.

ESPN first reported the severity of the injuries, saying Garoppolo will miss at least six weeks with a high ankle sprain and Kittle will be out eight weeks with a broken bone in his foot.

San Francisco already has been forced to play without defensive ends Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Solomon Thomas; top cornerback Richard Sherman, No 1 receiver Deebo Samuel; and running backs Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman and Jeff Wilson Jr. for extended periods of time this season.

Xinhua - Agencies