Horrific injury overshadows CSL’s latest star arrivals

The CSL’s summer transfer window saw yet another record fee paid, as more international players arrived in China, but the league’s top scorer, Demba Ba, is looking at months on the sidelines after a bad leg break.

It is a measure of how much the pulling power of the Chinese Super League (CSL) has exploded over the past year that the summer transfer window, which closed last week, contained a handful of blockbuster deals, but was still considered quieter than expected.

Topping the list was Brazilian international Hulk, whose $60 million transfer from Zenit St Petersburg to Shanghai SIPG broke the Chinese transfer record for the fifth time this year – although the other four times occurred at the start of the year when the current football frenzy truly began in earnest.

Hulk appreciating the flowers (and his pay packet)

But if Hulk’s move from Russia to China – or from one second-tier league to another – can be dismissed as a player who is more interested in maximizing his bank account than testing himself against the best in the world, Graziano Pelle’s move from Southampton to Shandong Luneng certainly raised some eyebrows.

NBA All-Star Game pulled from Charlotte

The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people. The league had expressed its opposition to the law known as HB2 since it was enacted in March, and its decision Thursday came less than […]

The post NBA All-Star Game pulled from Charlotte appeared first on The Japan Times.

Ichiro just four hits from 3,000

Ichiro Suzuki moved within four hits of reaching 3,000 for his career and the Miami Marlins pounded out 16 hits in a 9-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. Batting leadoff, Ichiro had an infield single in the third inning and a base hit to right in his last at-bat in the eighth. It […]

The post Ichiro just four hits from 3,000 appeared first on The Japan Times.

Froome widens lead with 18th stage win

Chris Froome won a mountain time trial and opened up a seemingly insurmountable lead of nearly four minutes over his closest challenger in the 18th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday. Riding in a yellow bodysuit and yellow aerodynamic helmet, Froome pumped his right fist after clocking slightly more than half an hour […]

The post Froome widens lead with 18th stage win appeared first on The Japan Times.

George Washington launches probe of hoop coach

Just months after then-sophomore Yuta Watanabe, a rising star, and the George Washington men’s basketball team captured the National Invitation Tournament title in New York, Colonials players have made allegations of abuse by coach Mike Lonergan, as reported Thursday by The Washington Post. The university has launched an investigation, the school confirmed in a statement. […]

The post George Washington launches probe of hoop coach appeared first on The Japan Times.