Digest

OLYMPICS

China names artistic gymnastics squad

China's artistic gymnastics team announced its squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Saturday.

Former all-around world champion Xiao Ruoteng and two-time parallel bars world champion Zou Jingyuan lead an experienced squad, which is almost unchanged from the group that went to the 2019 world championships. Lin Chaopan and Olympic debutant Sun Wei complete the men's all-around lineup.

The women's all-around team is comprised of Tang Xijing, Lu Yufei, Zhang Jin and Ou Yushan. Uneven bars world champion Fan Yilin and balance beam starlet Guan Chenchen will go for individual glory.

"Most of the coaches have no hesitation on Xiao, Zou and Sun, but find it's hard to choose between Lin Chaopan and Zhang Boheng," said Wang Hongwei, the head coach of the men's team.

In Tokyo, China will bid to bounce back from the disappointment of failing to secure a single gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games. China edged Russia to win the men's team world title in 2018, but the following year relinquished the crown to Russia.

BASEBALL

Ohtani becomes MLB's first two-way All-Star

Shohei Ohtani achieved a first in the near-century history of baseball's All-Star Game: selection as both a position player and a pitcher.

The Los Angeles Angels' two-way sensation was among the starting pitchers picked Sunday for the American League staff for the July 13 showcase at Denver's Coors Field. Ohtani, who leads the majors in home runs, had already been elected by fans to start for the AL at designated hitter.

Boston has the most All-Stars for the first time since 2009, sending five. Designated hitter JD Martinez, starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and reliever Matt Barnes were chosen to join a pair of starters: shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Rafael Devers.

Houston and Toronto have four All-Stars each.

Ohtani received 121 votes in balloting by players, managers and coaches announced three days after fan-elected starters were revealed.

Babe Ruth's pitching days were largely behind him by the time the All-Star Game started in 1933. Ruth made one pitching appearance that year, the final one of his career on the last day of the season. He last pitched with regularity in 1919.

MOTOR SPORTS

Verstappen extends lead over Hamilton

Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen won the Austrian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday, clinching a third straight victory and extending his lead over title rival Lewis Hamilton to 32 points after nine races.

It was Verstappen's fifth win of the season compared to three for Hamilton, who dropped down from second place to fourth late on after going too wide on a turn and rolling over a kerb, damaging one of his tires.

Hamilton has not won for two months as Dutchman Verstappen produced another clinical drive in front of his adoring orange-shirted fans in Spielberg.

"I'm a bit amazed myself how today went," the 23-year-old said. "The car was on rails on every tire set we put on. It was really enjoyable to drive."

Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas was second ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris, who had the fourth podium of his career.

GOLF

Dethroned Ko bounces back with Texas triumph

Ko Jin-young two-putted for par on No 18 to win the Volunteers of America Classic in Texas on Sunday, just one week after losing her world No 1 ranking.

In her first start since Nelly Korda overtook her, the South Korean carded a two-under 69 for a one-stroke victory over Finland's Matilda Castren.

Ko was No 1 from July 2019, a streak of 100 consecutive weeks. But winning her eighth career LPGA Tour title on Sunday helped take some of the sting off being knocked off her lofty perch.

"I was thinking I had a lot of pressure with the No 1 ranking," Ko said. "But I made it this week. I'm very happy."

Ko, who earned $225,000 for the victory, finished with a 16-under 268 total to edge Castren who closed with a 69 on the Old American Golf Club in Dallas.

Ko has now captured at least one win in five straight seasons going back to 2017. Her previous wins include the 2018 Women's Australian Open and 2019 ANA Inspiration. Before Sunday, her most recent triumph was last year's CME Group Tour Championship.

Mexico's Gaby Lopez closed with a 65 to finish in solo third, two shots adrift of Ko. Lopez made her only bogey on the last hole.

BASKETBALL

Luka stars as Slovenia punches Tokyo ticket

NBA star Luka Doncic delivered a triple-double to lead Slovenia over Lithuania 96-85 on Sunday and into the country's first Olympic basketball tournament.

Slovenia punched its ticket to Tokyo with the victory in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Doncic, 22, scored 15 of his 31 points in the second quarter and added 11 rebounds and 13 assists to lead Slovenia.

"We worked hard for this," said Dallas Mavericks star Doncic, who was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

"I don't care about the MVP," Doncic said. "We won here, we're going to the Olympics, the first time for our country. It's amazing. I think every kid in Slovenia dreams about being in the Olympics. I did, too."

In Croatia, Germany beat Brazil 75-64 to book its first Olympic berth since 2008. Elsewhere, Italy and the Czech Republic also qualified.

Agencies