http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/rowing-britain-makes-waves-at-world-cup-826364.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/rowing-britain-makes-waves-at-world-cup-826364.html?r=RSS <p> British crews opened their Olympic campaign by scooping up five gold and two silver medals and topping the overall points at the first round of the rowing world cup. Ghosts were laid and opportunities realised, not least by the men&rsquo;s four who, robbed of trying out their new line-up when newcomer Tom James went out with a rib injury, outshone their event with young Tom Lucy as substitute. </p> Others Mon, 12 May 2008 02:16:45 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-witter-faces-uncertain-future-after-bradley-loss-826291.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-witter-faces-uncertain-future-after-bradley-loss-826291.html?r=RSS <p>Junior Witter endured a dreadful night in Nottingham on Saturday, losing both his World Boxing Council light-welterweight title and any faint hope of a fight against Ricky Hatton. Witter was defending his title for the third time against his unbeaten No 1 contender Timothy Bradley in a fight that was a risk but at the same time still looked within Witter's capabilities.</p> Others Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/equestrianism-whitakers-amai-displays-london-potential-with-grand-prix-victory-826300.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/equestrianism-whitakers-amai-displays-london-potential-with-grand-prix-victory-826300.html?r=RSS <p>Michael Whitaker appeared to have a bright star of the future in his stable when he rode Beatrice Mertens Amai to win yesterday's Grand Prix on the closing day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.</p> Others Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/fishing-lines-farewell-to-fred-a-genial-giant-who-was-first-among-equals-825868.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/fishing-lines-farewell-to-fred-a-genial-giant-who-was-first-among-equals-825868.html?r=RSS <p>Everyone seems to have a Fred J Taylor story. My favourite one concerning the great man happened on a cold, wet winter's day, the sort of day when sensible fishers sit in front of a fire and think: "Glad I didn't go out today!"</p> Others Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-hoey-an-inspired-choice-says-moynihan-825875.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-hoey-an-inspired-choice-says-moynihan-825875.html?r=RSS <p>Kate Hoey's role as sports adviser to the new London mayor, Boris Johnson, has been strongly backed by the British Olympic chairman, Colin Moynihan, a key member of the 2012 Olympic Board. Moynihan says he is surprised at suggestions that some 2012 officials are "aghast" that the ex-Labour sports minister could also have a seat in the organising committee's boardroom. One is said to have described her as a "total nightmare". But Moynihan says: "I disagree fundamentally with that. She is an inspired choice. Her knowledge of London sport is second to none and she has always put sport above party politics. Neither do I accept she is anti-Olympics. I worked with her on a major review for sport and her view, quite rightly, is that the Olympics should not be taking money away from grass-roots sport." We understand that Games chief Seb Coe is also happy to have Hoey on board, where she and Johnson will provide a much-needed challenging eye to 2012 expenditure after some of the apparent acquiesence to the financial excesses of Ken Livingstone.</p> Others Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/oconnor-ready-to-ride-crest-of-wave-so-that-british-crew-all-pull-together-825880.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/oconnor-ready-to-ride-crest-of-wave-so-that-british-crew-all-pull-together-825880.html?r=RSS <p>It was Victoria Pendleton who declared recently how remarkable it is what the British can achieve in sport by sitting on their backsides. She was talking, of course, about the phenomenal successes she and her fellow cyclists had obtained, but an examination of the outstanding results from recent Olympics suggests that the prolific pedal-pushers are not alone in taking their gold medal victories sitting down.</p> Others Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-825881.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-825881.html?r=RSS <p>It's Saturday night in Vilnius, and you've just been walloped 48-0 by the Lithuania rugby union team (no, we didn't know they had one either). Do you a) go out to dinner in the town centre; b) drown your sorrows with a reported 74 beers; or c) orchestrate a mass striptease on an ornamental staircase? Last week, the 22 members of the Austria rugby squad decided on all three, but several questions remain. Who counted the beers? Why did Austria's captain choreograph the proceedings in English throughout? And where were the Vilnius police? If you want to see just how strong in the tackle the Austrians are, you'll find them on YouTube.</p> Others Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/swimming-one-last-record-to-break-for-the-reverend-who-walks-on-water-825889.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/swimming-one-last-record-to-break-for-the-reverend-who-walks-on-water-825889.html?r=RSS <p>Mingle with the 400 athletes from 45 nations assembled in Manchester this weekend for the Paralympic World Cup and you will be uplifted by scores of heart-warming stories of courage and high achievement born out of adversity, not least that of the paraplegic padre.</p> Others Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-witters-title-blown-away-by-bradleys-powerful-right-hand-825972.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-witters-title-blown-away-by-bradleys-powerful-right-hand-825972.html?r=RSS <p>Junior Witter became the fourth of Britain's clutch of world champions to lose his title this year, suffering a shock defeat at the fast hands of young Timothy Bradley from California, known as The Desert Storm.</p> Others Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/rowing-britains-eight-storm-to-final-825303.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/rowing-britains-eight-storm-to-final-825303.html?r=RSS <p> The British men&rsquo;s eight opened their world cup account by storming straight into tomorrow&rsquo;s final after being edged into second place by the Australians at halfway. It was an assured performance, matched by China in the other heat who fended off powerful challenges from Romania and Germany and were slightly faster over the first half. </p> Others Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:43 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-on-tv-cue-ronnie-conducting-his-music-of-the-spheres-825487.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-on-tv-cue-ronnie-conducting-his-music-of-the-spheres-825487.html?r=RSS <p>"Ronnie O'Sullivan on a roll is one of the finest sights in sport. Discuss."</p> Others Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-witter-hopes-to-set-up-hatton-fight-825489.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-witter-hopes-to-set-up-hatton-fight-825489.html?r=RSS <p>Junior Witter defends his World Boxing Council light welterweight title in Nottingham tonight when he takes on Timothy Bradley. It is the third time he has defended the title and is annoyed that he is not recognised as an equal to Ricky Hatton. </p> Others Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/equestrian-williams-skips-to-success-at-windsor-824921.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/equestrian-williams-skips-to-success-at-windsor-824921.html?r=RSS <p> Guy Williams and the speedy Skip Two Ramiro outpaced their rivals on the opening international day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, winning the Land Rover Stakes by 2.69sec from Mark Armstrong on Sefana. Third place went to Robert Whitaker and Lacroix, who were the winners of this class last year. </p> Others Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:30 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/rowing-olympic-hopefuls-prepare-in-munich-823557.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/rowing-olympic-hopefuls-prepare-in-munich-823557.html?r=RSS <p> This weekend&rsquo;s world cup regatta in Munich is the first indicator of who will sit in the seats of the 11 boats that Britain qualified for the Olympics at last year&rsquo;s world championships. </p> Others Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:08 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/equestrianism-williams-and-skip-two-ramiro-win-land-rover-stakes-824097.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/equestrianism-williams-and-skip-two-ramiro-win-land-rover-stakes-824097.html?r=RSS <p>Guy Williams and the speedy Skip Two Ramiro outpaced their rivals on the opening international day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, winning the Land Rover Stakes by 2.69sec from Mark Armstrong on Sefana. Third place went to Robert Whitaker and Lacroix, who were the winners of this class last year. </p> Others Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/triumph-for-beijing-as-olympic-flame-reaches-the-top-of-the-world-824593.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/triumph-for-beijing-as-olympic-flame-reaches-the-top-of-the-world-824593.html?r=RSS <p>Chinese Olympic pride reached new peaks yesterday as mountaineers held the Olympic flame aloft on the summit of Everest, the most spectacular moment yet in a global torch relay dogged by Tibetan independence protests.</p> Asia Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-khan-braced-for-gomez-battle-before-world-title-opportunity-821993.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-khan-braced-for-gomez-battle-before-world-title-opportunity-821993.html?r=RSS <p>Michael Gomez will celebrate his 31st birthday on 21 June by fighting Amir Khan in front of 10,000 people at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.</p> Others Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-osullivan-brush-strokes-create-a-vivid-third-title-821682.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-osullivan-brush-strokes-create-a-vivid-third-title-821682.html?r=RSS <p>Ronnie O'Sullivan has been a man reborn since he took up running, so it was apt that he spent yesterday afternoon jogging towards the third world title which he eventually clinched at a trot here in Sheffield last night, beating Ali Carter 18-8.</p> Others Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/osullivan-tortured-soul-who-defies-convention-pacifies-his-demons-821683.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/osullivan-tortured-soul-who-defies-convention-pacifies-his-demons-821683.html?r=RSS <p>If there was joy at Ronnie O'Sullivan's third world title last night, there was also some regret that it was only a third triumph for the most naturally talented player in the history of the game. But there is also fresh hope that he has years at the top still ahead, if he chooses.</p> Others Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-carters-pilot-errors-boost-osullivan-821167.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-carters-pilot-errors-boost-osullivan-821167.html?r=RSS <p> An Essex lad with an aeronautical nickname and a landmark 147 to his name at this year's World Championship will win the final here today. Ali &quot;the Captain&quot; Carter meets the criteria on all fronts, but so does Ronnie O'Sullivan, and it is the &quot;the Rocket&quot; who will resume their best-of-35 frames match today with a commanding 11-5 overnight lead, and one hand on a third title. </p> Others Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-boris-may-offer-hoey-key-olympics-role-820760.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-boris-may-offer-hoey-key-olympics-role-820760.html?r=RSS <p>Boris Johnson will need more than a little help from his friends, among them the one-time Labour sports minister Kate Hoey, to navigate the inevitably stormy waters of the Olympics over the next four years. Hoey confirmed to us last night that she will be advising the Tory London mayor on Olympics and sport "on a non-partisan basis", adding: "The kind of thing I will be doing is what has been missing from the running of London." It is even possible the feisty Hoey may be Boris's nominee on the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, which would be ironic for a Government which treated her so shabbily. Johnson will also rely heavily on advice from the able shadow sports minister Hugh Robertson and Richard Ottaway, Tory MP for Croydon South, who is vice-president of the Parliamentary Olympic Group. The government will be concerned that Labour's influence on the Olympic project is dissipated with the exit of Ken Livingstone, but 2012 chief Seb Coe says: "We congratulate Boris and owe much to Ken for his vision but remain strictly neutral on Olympic issues."</p> Others Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/sport-on-tv-the-republic-still-carries-torch-for-class-struggle-820764.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/sport-on-tv-the-republic-still-carries-torch-for-class-struggle-820764.html?r=RSS <p>In 'Chinese School' (BBC4, Tuesday) we are told that "sports days really are like a small Olympic Games". With excitement building as the Beijing Games draw near &ndash; and nary a thought for Tibet or Darfur or torch relays &ndash; a thousand athletes take part in the three-day event at Haiyang Middle School in the rural province of Anhui, and there's even a proper opening ceremony. But the obvious difference from the real thing is the school motto, "Be honest". In the Olympic village, such principles won't catch on. </p> Media Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-820765.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-820765.html?r=RSS <p>Manchester United and Chelsea fans pondering how to get to Moscow for 21 May are not the only ones with problems. Eco-conscious Watford supporters wishing to travel the 224 miles to Blackpool today by public transport faced the following journey, courtesy of Bank Holiday rail engineering work: 02.45am bus from Watford Junction to Bletchley, then a three-hour wait; 06.55 bus to Northampton; 08.22 bus to Coventry; 10.04 train to Birmingham; 11.03 train to Preston; 12.48 train to Blackpool North, arriving 13.16, then bus or taxi for the final two miles to Bloomfield Road. But at least they didn't have to apply for visas before setting off.</p> Others Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-mayweather-session-leaves-khan-looking-for-fresh-directions-820767.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-mayweather-session-leaves-khan-looking-for-fresh-directions-820767.html?r=RSS <p>Ricky Hatton's nemesis, Floyd Mayweather, has an ominous message for the Hitman. "Tell him I went easy on him because I kinda like the guy, but if we fight again at Wembley, which is what he wants, I'll really turn it on. There'll be no mercy this time." The chilling warning was delivered in Las Vegas to Amir Khan, when the Commonwealth lightweight champion spent an educational hour in Mayweather's flamboyant company before the Calzaghe-Hopkins fight. </p> Others Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/fishing-lines-im-fresh-out-of-answers-to-the-great-swedish-sea-trout-mystery-820768.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/fishing-lines-im-fresh-out-of-answers-to-the-great-swedish-sea-trout-mystery-820768.html?r=RSS <p>On the weirdness scale, few angling experiences come close to catching fish where they really shouldn't live.</p> Others Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-carter-sneaks-into-first-final-820848.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-carter-sneaks-into-first-final-820848.html?r=RSS <p>Ronnie O'Sullivan, attempting to win his third world title, faces Ali Carter, who has never reached a final before, to win the World Championship here. O'Sullivan is installed as the 1-7 favourite after his 17-6 trouncing of Stephen Hendry, which the Scot called "as close to perfection as you can get". But Carter's 17-15 win over Joe Perry was a fine match by any standards other than O'Sullivan's.</p> Others Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-rocket-finds-perfection-as-he-blasts-into-the-final-820391.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-rocket-finds-perfection-as-he-blasts-into-the-final-820391.html?r=RSS <p> Becoming Hendry the VIII has been a target for Scotland's seven-times champion since his last world title in 1999, but the only eight Stephen Hendry is likely to remember from this year's World Championship is the 8-0 whitewash he suffered yesterday morning at the genius hands of Ronnie O'Sullivan in the second session of their semi-final. </p> Others Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-osullivan-finds-form-late-in-day-to-halt-hendry-819609.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-osullivan-finds-form-late-in-day-to-halt-hendry-819609.html?r=RSS <p>Ronnie O'Sullivan put an uncertain start behind him to share the opening eight frames of his World Championship semi-final with Stephen Hendry. O'Sullivan won the final three frames of the initial session to level the best-of-33 match 4-4 against the seven-times champion. </p> Others Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/a-new-torch-controversy-the-battle-for-everest-819737.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/a-new-torch-controversy-the-battle-for-everest-819737.html?r=RSS <p>William Holland was only thinking of the photograph. When he got to the top of Everest he planned to take the rolled-up flag saying "Free Tibet" from his rucksack, pose for posterity with the banner as a backdrop and then roll it away again before starting back down. He was not looking to make a scene.</p> Asia Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-crucible-saga-pits-genius-of-osullivan-against-king-hendry-818608.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-crucible-saga-pits-genius-of-osullivan-against-king-hendry-818608.html?r=RSS <p> Drama is the Crucible's stock in trade and the Sheffield theatre will today play host to Act V of a World Championship saga between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry in this year's semi-finals after those titans of the game both progressed to the last four yesterday, and a fifth Crucible meeting. </p> Others Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-carter-matches-osullivan-by-delivering-another-147-817936.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-carter-matches-osullivan-by-delivering-another-147-817936.html?r=RSS <p> Colchester's Ali Carter made history last night with a 147 in his World Championship quarter-final against Peter Ebdon. Following Monday's maximum by his fellow Essex boy Ronnie O'Sullivan, it is the first time there have ever been two 147s in the same Crucible tournament, let alone on consecutive days. Carter and Ebdon will start the concluding session of their best-of-25 frames match today with Carter leading 9-7. </p> Others Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-osullivan-pockets-record-ninth-147-817255.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-osullivan-pockets-record-ninth-147-817255.html?r=RSS <p> Ronnie O'Sullivan hit scintillating form yesterday to earn a quarter-final place in the World Championship with a brilliant 147. It was the ninth competitive maximum of his career, setting a record, and sealed a 13-7 win over Mark Williams. </p> Others Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/ronnie-osullivan-factfile-817073.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/ronnie-osullivan-factfile-817073.html?r=RSS <p> We take a closer look at Ronnie O'Sullivan following his remarkable maximum break at the Crucible. </p> Others Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:33:27 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/ronnie-osullivan-hits-147-at-the-crucible-817046.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/ronnie-osullivan-hits-147-at-the-crucible-817046.html?r=RSS <p> Ronnie O'Sullivan today fired a brilliant 147 maximum break to book his place in the quarter-finals of the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield. </p> Others Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:56:57 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-liang-continues-form-that-saw-off-former-champion-816678.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-liang-continues-form-that-saw-off-former-champion-816678.html?r=RSS <p> Ronnie O'Sullivan will take a two-frame lead into today's final session of his second-round clash with Mark Williams at the World Championship. </p> Others Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/bad-sports-come-on-mr-dee-play-up-play-up-and-lose-the-game-816115.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/bad-sports-come-on-mr-dee-play-up-play-up-and-lose-the-game-816115.html?r=RSS <p>Unless it's a matter of life and death, there's something frightfully unBritish about winning. The gloat of triumph, the complacent smile reflected in the silverware; it's what you expect of Americans, or Australians, but not a properly brought-up, play-the-game Briton. </p> Others Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-arthurs-big-night-is-off-but-calzaghe-has-jones-jnr-within-reach-816138.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-arthurs-big-night-is-off-but-calzaghe-has-jones-jnr-within-reach-816138.html?r=RSS <p>Six months ago, Britain's boxers were on top of the world, seven hailed as global champions and seven more with their boarding passes for Beijing already stamped. Since then it has been rather a bumpy ride on the ring's capricious roller-coaster.</p> Others Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sailing-pioneer-caffari-in-her-element-even-when-the-whole-world-goes-wrong-816139.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sailing-pioneer-caffari-in-her-element-even-when-the-whole-world-goes-wrong-816139.html?r=RSS <p>Somewhere in the Southern Ocean, and Dee Caffari was faced with the inevitable. Nothing for it but to confront her fears and what she describes as a sailor's "worst-case scenario". Climb the mast, over 90 feet of it. "I'm not very good at heights, but we all have to go up the mast at some point to fix something," she says, recalling the moment when she experienced the true loneliness, and terror, of the long-distance sailor during her attempt to become the first woman to sail solo non-stop around the world "the wrong way", against the prevailing winds and currents. </p> Others Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-why-wont-boris-reveal-his-games-plan-816140.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-why-wont-boris-reveal-his-games-plan-816140.html?r=RSS <p>Banish any thought thatex-Tory MP Seb Coe will be crossing his fingers in the hope that Boris Johnson supplants Ken Livingstone as London's mayor this week. While they may be politically affiliated, the London Olympics chief has formed a workable apolitical alliance with Labour's Livingstone and would not be distressed if this continues through to 2012. Equally, Johnson is someone he could do business with, but at least he knows that Livingstone, with his admitted lack of interest in sport &ndash; the mayor reveals he only wanted the Games to get "billions of pounds" from the Government to rejuvenate east London &ndash; will not interfere. Brick-dropping Boris is a looser cannon. We'd love to know his Games plans, but despite repeated requests for an interview his spinners decline to let him come out to play, even though the Games are London's most important project over the next four years. The Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick talks sensibly on sport, but his chances are slim. So who best for the Olympics in the mayoral race? Perhaps a case of better the Red Devil you know.</p> Others Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-816142.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-816142.html?r=RSS <p>Tony Hawk is a famous American skateboarder. Tony Hawks is an English comedian and best-selling author. Many skateboarders can't spell. Hence Hawks often receives emails intended for Hawk. For example: "hi tony my names william i was wandering if you could find some cheats for [video game] Tony Hawks pro skater 3." Obligingly, Hawks replied, though how useful his advice is seems debatable. To william, he wrote: "The best cheat is to go to a store, find Pro Skater 3 and then leave the shop without paying for it. If they catch you, just say I said it was OK. PS: Remember that prison life can be hard." More of the same at <a href="http://tony-hawks.com" target="new">tony-hawks.com</a>. Just don't forget the s.</p> Others Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-no-table-manners-as-higgins-hits-out-at-bouncy-cushions-816145.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-no-table-manners-as-higgins-hits-out-at-bouncy-cushions-816145.html?r=RSS <p>John Higgins, normally easy-going, described the cushions as "totally unplayable. Some of the reactions were ridiculous at times", as his world title defence ended with a 13-9 defeat by Ryan Day, the new Welsh No 1.</p> Others Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/sport-on-tv-smarter-than-a-10yearold-not-these-parents-816147.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/sport-on-tv-smarter-than-a-10yearold-not-these-parents-816147.html?r=RSS <p>Forget Riise and Ronaldo, Thursday night brought far more shame to hang one's head in than the previous two nights put together. I blame the parents. If you thought the ones who stand on football touchlines berating their children were bad, you should have seen them at ringside in 'Strictly Baby Fight Club' watching their five-year-olds beating six bells out of each other. Actually, you're better off not seeing it. </p> Media Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/fishing-lines-ive-had-a-lot-of-grief-being-offered-as-an-auction-prize-816158.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/fishing-lines-ive-had-a-lot-of-grief-being-offered-as-an-auction-prize-816158.html?r=RSS <p>Those hoping for a day's instruction with me under the National Federation of Anglers' Fish With a Star scheme will be sadly disappointed. Glance through the names and you'll find no mention of Keith Elliott. I've learnt the hard way that unless you're extremely good or supremely confident, offering your talents as an auction prize is the perfectway to deflate any aspirations of grandeur.</p> Others Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-on-tv-thailands-notsosweet-science-leaves-sour-taste-815885.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-on-tv-thailands-notsosweet-science-leaves-sour-taste-815885.html?r=RSS <p>Last year, four Plymouth women were in court for goading two toddlers into fighting each other. They were given 12-month suspended jail sentences. Quite why the hideous parents in Cutting Edge: Strictly Baby Fight Club (Channel 4, Thursday) haven't been charged with child cruelty I'm not quite sure.</p> Others Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-ebdon-claims-first-place-in-last-eight-815886.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-ebdon-claims-first-place-in-last-eight-815886.html?r=RSS <p> Peter Ebdon became the first player into the quarter-finals of the World Championship with victory over Mark King last night in Sheffield. The 2002 champion ground out a 13-9 win over left-hander King and will face either Shaun Murphy or Ali Carter in the last eight at the Crucible. </p> Others Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/gail-emms--nathan-robertson-i-dont-like-losing-at-all-even-in-practice-i-get-really-angry-815270.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/gail-emms--nathan-robertson-i-dont-like-losing-at-all-even-in-practice-i-get-really-angry-815270.html?r=RSS <p>The National Badminton Centre on the outskirts of Milton Keynes is an unremarkable modern building; only a huge sculpted wooden shuttlecock outside distinguishes it from all the other unremarkable modern buildings on the outskirts of Milton Keynes. Inside, striding the corridors, is a steady traffic of lithe young athletes, but also groups of florid businessmen. The centre generates extra revenue by opening its committee rooms for conference use, which is how a gaggle of suited sales executives comes to be standing on the balcony overlooking the main sports hall, idly watching a training session. </p> Others Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-osullivan-offers-to-walk-away-after-chinese-gaffe-815273.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-osullivan-offers-to-walk-away-after-chinese-gaffe-815273.html?r=RSS <p> Ronnie O'Sullivan yesterday admitted he has struggled to cope with the furore surrounding the lewd comments and sexual innuendos he made during a news conference in China. And the 32-year-old has volunteered to withdraw from tournaments if anyone has been offended by his antics after his loss to Marco Fu in the China Open in Beijing last month, when he also brandished a hand-held microphone suggestively. </p> Others Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-khan-announces-birmingham-bout-815322.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-khan-announces-birmingham-bout-815322.html?r=RSS <p>Amir Khan has announced his next fight will take place on 21 June at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena. It will be the Commonwealth and World Boxing Organisation Intercontinental lightweight champion's first bout in the city since turning professional and he is looking forward to the visit. His opponent will be announced by the promoter Frank Warren at a later date.</p> Others Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-liang-outclasses-doherty-to-bring-more-chinese-joy-814565.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-liang-outclasses-doherty-to-bring-more-chinese-joy-814565.html?r=RSS <p> A Chinese 21-year-old took centre stage at The Crucible for a second successive night yesterday when a low-profile qualifier, Liang Wenbo, making a stunning tournament debut, produced the biggest shock of this year's World Championship so far by ousting Ken Doherty, the world No 4, 10-5. </p> Others Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-fus-fight-in-vain-as-ding-wins-marathon-813897.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-fus-fight-in-vain-as-ding-wins-marathon-813897.html?r=RSS <p> Another late thriller in a northern city involving Red heroes had millions gripped last night as Ding Junhui, the 21-year-old darling of Chinese snooker, won a marathon battle of the East against Hong Kong's Marco Fu, 10-9, to reach the second round of the World Championship at The Crucible in Sheffield. </p> Others Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/jakarta-torch-relay-is-scaled-down-as-canberra-puts-up-wall-of-steel-814067.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/jakarta-torch-relay-is-scaled-down-as-canberra-puts-up-wall-of-steel-814067.html?r=RSS <p>In the latest stage of the Olympic torch's fraught progress around the world, it has been paraded through a heavily guarded sports stadium in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, in front of 5,000 invited guests, mainly children.</p> Australasia Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-boxings-gilded-age-no-match-for-era-when-four-kings-let-loose-the-full-furies-of-youth-813360.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-boxings-gilded-age-no-match-for-era-when-four-kings-let-loose-the-full-furies-of-youth-813360.html?r=RSS <p>Don't feel guilty if the prospect of Joe Calzaghe, aged 36, against Roy Jones Jnr, 39, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff later this year is slow to set you swooning. It is no disrespect to the admirable Calzaghe, who would have been a celebrity of boxing on both sides of the Atlantic roughly a decade ago if his sport wasn't almost entirely dedicated to risk avoidance and guaranteed profit.</p> Others Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-errors-by-allen-allow-hendry-to-make-his-great-escape-813363.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-errors-by-allen-allow-hendry-to-make-his-great-escape-813363.html?r=RSS <p>Stephen Hendry produced a superb fightback to beat Northern Ireland's Mark Allen in their first-round game at the World Championship in Sheffield yesterday. The Scot trailed 6-3 overnight and then 9-7 before taking the last three frames for a 10-9 victory.</p> Others Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/an-email-conversation-with-snooker-starlet-liu-chuang-ronnie-is-the-best-in-the-world-i-have-a-small-chance-812675.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/an-email-conversation-with-snooker-starlet-liu-chuang-ronnie-is-the-best-in-the-world-i-have-a-small-chance-812675.html?r=RSS <p><b>You are the fourth 17-year-old to play in the World Championship. Stephen Hendry (in 1986) lost in the first round and so did Ronnie O'Sullivan (1993) and Judd Trump (2007). In your first match at The Crucible, which begins on Wednesday, you will play your hero, O'Sullivan. Can you beat him to produce what would be the biggest shock ever? </b>Ronnie is the best snooker player in the world, so it will be difficult. I think I still have a chance, even if it is a very small chance. I will try my best.</p> Others Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-hendry-in-danger-of-firstround-exit-812684.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-hendry-in-danger-of-firstround-exit-812684.html?r=RSS <p>Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry is in danger of a first-round exit from the World Championship in Sheffield at the hands of rising star Mark Allen.</p> Others Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-calzaghe-summons-spirit-and-will-to-join-boxings-pantheon-812713.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-calzaghe-summons-spirit-and-will-to-join-boxings-pantheon-812713.html?r=RSS <p>Joe Calzaghe left his most dazzling skills, and so much of his intimidating swagger, back home in his Welsh valley but he brought here to Las Vegas for examination the one asset that Bernard Hopkins couldn't touch and maybe couldn't even understand.</p> Others Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-i-am-the-legend-killer-says-calzaghe-812714.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-i-am-the-legend-killer-says-calzaghe-812714.html?r=RSS <p>Within minutes of his split decision victory over Bernard Hopkins here that brought a world light heavyweight crown to place alongside the supermiddleweight title he has held for 11 years, Joe Calzaghe opened a new season of "legend killing" by identifying Roy Jones Jnr as his next target.</p> Others Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/calzaghe-picks-himself-up-to-beat-hopkins-812285.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/calzaghe-picks-himself-up-to-beat-hopkins-812285.html?r=RSS <p> Joe Calzaghe battled back from a stunning first round knockdown to score a disputed split decision victory over Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas and reign as light-heavyweight world number one. </p> Others Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:49:47 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-812090.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-812090.html?r=RSS <p>More New York baseball craziness after the Mets' "rickrolling" saga last week. This time it involves the Yankees, who have spent $30,000 to excavate a Boston Red Sox shirt which had been placed in the foundations of their new stadium under construction in the Bronx. They are now contemplating suing Gino Castignoli, the construction worker and ardent Red Sox fan who deposited the shirt in an attempt to put a curse on the stadium, for the cost of removal. It turns out that Castignoli has a bit of previous for involvement with Mob-connected gambling operations, but any suggestions that he also has prior expertise in burying things under several feet of concrete are thought to be wide of the mark.</p> Others Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-higgins-shrugs-off-early-nerves-to-thwart-stevens-fightback-812092.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-higgins-shrugs-off-early-nerves-to-thwart-stevens-fightback-812092.html?r=RSS <p> Six returning title-holders have perished in their opening match here but despite fears to the contrary, John Higgins convincingly avoided becoming the seventh with an eye-catching performance on day one of the World Championship. </p> Others Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/sport-on-tv-man-with-golden-helmet--heads-the-rush-for-cash-812094.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/sport-on-tv-man-with-golden-helmet--heads-the-rush-for-cash-812094.html?r=RSS <p>In 1969, Apollo XI put man on the moon. In 2008, Brendon McCullum put a cricket ball on it. When the Kolkata Knight Riders emerged on to the Indian Premier League launchpad in Bangalore (Setanta, Friday) in their black and gold-lamé spacesuits, it looked as if the world of cricket had indeed changed, as we had been promised in the long countdown. But we were travelling back in time &ndash; to the Seventies. On Planet Bollywood, the stars looked like Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. And the outfits had nothing on West Indies' pink velour numbers in Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket. </p> Media Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sailing-golden-buoys-a-born-winner-812096.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sailing-golden-buoys-a-born-winner-812096.html?r=RSS <p>Congestion through Weymouth is enough to induce road rage. Even Ken Livingstone would be stymied by it, as you find yourself in another queue. You're late, for an Olympic champion. Yet you arrive to find Ben Ainslie is the one who is apologising when we meet at the National Sailing Academy in Portland. He has to punctuate our interview by disappearing for a live link in his role as a London 2012 ambassador. But that's the kind of man he is on shore: modest, unfailingly polite, but with an inner intensity, slightly reminiscent of a young Seb Coe.</p> Others Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/fishing-lines-horny-old-devil-with-a-genius-for-trout-and-affairs-of-the-current-812102.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/fishing-lines-horny-old-devil-with-a-genius-for-trout-and-affairs-of-the-current-812102.html?r=RSS <p>Marrying a fisherman is unwise. Marrying a carp angler is plain stupid. But wedding someone who's addicted to catching sea trout... that's a recipe for disaster.</p> Others Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/wrestling-postmans-son-can-deliver-goods-for-britain-with-olympic-gong-812128.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/wrestling-postmans-son-can-deliver-goods-for-britain-with-olympic-gong-812128.html?r=RSS <p>No grunts, no groans. No one throws a tantrum or a chair. It is just two young men in leotards getting to grips with each other in the oldest sport of all. This is not the choreographed, steroids-infused world of Wrestlemania, where the falls are as fixed as the anguished grimaces on the faces of the combatants. You won't find names like The Rock or The Undertaker. This is sport in its purest and simplest form, a world away from the days when Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks bumped their bellies on ITV as old ladies screamed abuse and refused to believe that it wasn't for real.</p> Others Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/stan-hey-65-against-811815.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/stan-hey-65-against-811815.html?r=RSS <p>One of the best jokes in Porridge concerned an escaped convict who had vandalised the prison's snooker table before his departure. When Fletcher queried the connection he was told the escapee had been picked up wearing a green-baize suit.</p> Others Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-hopkins-the-burglar-threatens-to-steal-calzaghes-thunder-811826.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-hopkins-the-burglar-threatens-to-steal-calzaghes-thunder-811826.html?r=RSS <p>If the beauty of fighting, because it is the most natural and expressive thing you will ever do, was the guaranteed decisive factor when Joe Calzaghe meets Bernard Hopkins here tonight, the boy from Newbridge &ndash; for even at 36 there is so much of him that remains engagingly so &ndash; could proceed directly to his place in boxing history.</p> Others Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-ding-carries-hopes-of-a-nation-but-osullivan-is-man-to-beat-811827.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-ding-carries-hopes-of-a-nation-but-osullivan-is-man-to-beat-811827.html?r=RSS <p>The highest TV ratings in global sport over the next week will not be achieved by a Premier League football match or a fight in Las Vegas, and though an IPL cricket match in India might push it close, a best-of-19 frame snooker match that starts in a Sheffield theatre on Tuesday morning is likely to edge it. China will be tuning in, because the future is red. </p> Others Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-age-concern-as-hopkins-and-calzaghe-snr-exchange-jibes-811111.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-age-concern-as-hopkins-and-calzaghe-snr-exchange-jibes-811111.html?r=RSS <p>Maybe he made the point as much for himself, and some ebbing belief in the buoyancy of his status as boxing's most endangered time traveller, as for Joe Calzaghe. But Bernard Hopkins, aged 43, conjured the most jarring riposte when his opponent's father and trainer, Enzo, this week presented him with an old man's walking stick.</p> Others Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/india-pulls-off-a-peaceful-olympic-torch-relay-by-banning-the-public-811249.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/india-pulls-off-a-peaceful-olympic-torch-relay-by-banning-the-public-811249.html?r=RSS <p>The backdrop was stunning, the celebrities (apart from the cricketer Sachin Tendulkar who pulled out at the last minute citing a groin injury) waved and smiled, and the politicians were on hand to make warm speeches. All that was lacking as the Olympic torch was run through Delhi yesterday were some people to see it.</p> Asia Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100