Digest

TABLE TENNIS

Japan upsets China for women's team crown

Japan defeated defending champion China 3-1 to claim the women's team title at the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday.

China was dealt a blow early in the title showdown as Wang Yidi fell to Miwa Harimoto in full games. Although Sun Yingsha leveled the contest with a 3-0 victory over Mima Ito, China was once again in an inferior position after Chen Xingtong, who had replaced Wang Manyu in the roster ahead of the tournament, lost 3-1 to Miu Hirano.

Harimoto became a major contributor to Japan's victory as the 16-year-old edged Sun 3-2 in the fourth match.

Also on Wednesday, two Chinese pairs, Lin Gaoyuan/Wang Yidi and Lin Shidong/Kuai Man, reached the mixed doubles last 16 with straight-game victories.

Running from Monday to Sunday, the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana feature a total of seven events, namely men's and women's team, singles and doubles events and mixed doubles event.

VOLLEYBALL

Zhu Ting joins Italian side Conegliano

Zhu Ting

Italy's Imoco Volley Conegliano announced the signing of Chinese volleyball star Zhu Ting at a news conference on Wednesday. Zhu, who will wear the No 4 jersey, has committed to playing for the club over the next two seasons.

Expressing her excitement about this new chapter in her career, Zhu told Xinhua: "Conegliano is a strong team with a rich tradition and has been champions in recent years. They expressed interest in having me join, and I felt it was a great opportunity. It was a mutual decision."

This will be Zhu's third overseas stint in her professional career. From 2016 to 2019, she played for Turkiye's VakifBank Istanbul, where she helped the team claim two CEV Women's Champions League titles. More recently, from 2022 to 2024, she played for Italy's Savino Del Bene Scandicci, leading it to its first-ever CEV Cup victory.

Discussing her current condition, Zhu shared that she has been focusing on rest and recovery since the Paris Olympics.

"I'm in fairly good shape right now," she said. "The team arranged some tests yesterday, and the results were positive. However, I still need a bit more time to fully recover and be match ready. My injuries are healing, and everything is under control."

SOCCER

Klopp to return as head of Red Bull operations

Jurgen Klopp

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a new role as head of soccer operations at Red Bull, which owns the RB Leipzig, Salzburg and New York clubs, the company said Wednesday.

Klopp left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years in charge, during which he rejuvenated the club and won the Premier League and Champions League.

His announcement in January that he was leaving came as a shock to the club's fans but Klopp said he was exhausted by the role.

The 57-year-old's new job with the Austrian energy drinks giant will not involve hands-on coaching.

According to a statement released by the company, "Klopp will not interfere in the day-to-day business of the clubs, but rather take on a higher-level strategic position."

Klopp himself said: "I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs.

"After nearly 25 years on the sideline, I couldn't be more excited to be involved in a project like this."

Keeper Alisson set for six weeks out

Alisson Becker

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks with a hamstring injury, which would rule him out of matches against Chelsea and Arsenal.

The 32-year-old Brazil international was hurt during last weekend's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace and went off late in the second half.

Reports in the British press say tests have shown Alisson is not likely to be fit to play until after next month's international break.

That would mean the first match he would potentially be available for would be the trip to Southampton on Nov 24.

Arne Slot's Premier League leader faces Chelsea on Oct 20 and Arsenal a week later, while its next two Champions League fixtures pit it against RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen.

Caoimhin Kelleher, who missed the Palace match through illness, will be expected to deputize, as he did last season when Alisson was ruled out with another hamstring injury.

Greek Baldock, 31, found dead in pool

Panathinaikos and Greece international George Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool on Wednesday, Greek news reports said.

The 31-year-old English-born right-back died at home in the southern Athens suburb of Glyfada, state agency ANA said.

State TV ERT said the player was "at the bottom of the pool" and a bottle of alcohol was found at the scene.

ANA said Baldock's wife, who is abroad, alerted the owner of the residence after unsuccessfully trying to reach the player on the phone.

Baldock had joined Panathinaikos in May after a seven-year spell with Sheffield United, relegated from the English Premier League to the Championship last season.

He had 12 caps, but had not been selected for the team's Nations League match against England at Wembley on Thursday owing to injury, ERT said.

Xinhua - Agencies