China :: Sports Extra

Watch Video Play Video Former Washington Wizards power forward and Chinese basketball star, Yi Jianlian, is still without an NBA contract with the season due to start tomorrow. Yi is a free agent after finishing his contract in Washington. With the new NBA effectively only hours away, Yis situation is intensifying. He returned to the USA after a short stint in the CBA with his hometown club, Guangdong. It was rumored that Yi was likely to sign a two-year contract with the Golden State Warriors, but that has not been confirmed. Pundits say part of the reason is that Yis 6-million US-dollar request exceeded the Warriors expectations. So the Chinese forwards immediate future is still on hold. Yi became an unrestricted free agent after the Wizards declined to extend his $5.4 million offer for the new season. Yi averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 63 games with the Wizards last season. He was limited for most of the campaign because of a hyperextended right knee. Washing...

Watch Video Play Video A 13-year-old Chinese golfing prodigy stole the headlines at the China Ladies Golf Open on Sunday. Teenager Shi Yiting set a new record, while a South Korean golfer grabbed her second straight tournament title. Shi became the youngest golfer to finish in fourth place at the tournament after she carded a total of 214 - 2 strokes under-par. But the title belonged to South Koreas Kim Hye Youn. She finished with a 1 over-par 73 on Sunday, and retained the trophy she won last year with a total of 210 - 6 under-par. Chinas Feng Shanshan produced the best result among all Chinese golfers. She blasted a 4-under 212 to finish second. Organizers hope the event can grow bigger in the future. Li Hong, CLPGA CEO, said, "I think the China Ladies Golf Open is an international event. Currently, we cooperate with the South Korean Golf Association. They send 40 golfers to play against their Chinese counterparts. We have done a good job, but we need to make this...

Watch Video Play Video China's first grand slam tennis champion is getting by with a little bit of help from her friends this weekend, as Li Na pulls double duty as the host and competitor for the "Li Na and Friends" exhibition in Wuhan. The central Chinese city is home for Li and Li is giving her hometown a show to remember. Joining China's first grand slam winner, Li Na in Wuhan is: 14-time Grand Slam singles champion Pete Sampras, former world number one Carlos Moya and Germany Sabine Lisicki who knocked out Li in the second round of Wimbledon this year. (From left to right) Former French Open champion Carlos Moya, 2011 Wimbledon semifinalist and WTA Comeback Player of the Year Sabine Lisicki, 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras and Chinese French Open winner Li Na pose for photos in front of the Yellow Crane Tower, or Huanghelou, a historic interest of Li's hometown Wuhan in Central China December 18, 2011. An exhibition game named "Wuh...

Watch Video Play Video Chinese hurdling megastar Liu Xiang has kicked off his outdoor season. After a solid indoor campaign, Liu is ready to get back in the blocks for his favoured 110m distance in Kawasaki, Japan for the Golden Grand Prix. Liu headed into the IAAF World Challenge Meet in Japan as the heavy favourite to win the title. And the race proved to be a casual drill for the former Olympic and World champion. With most of his close rivals not taking part, Liu Xiang stormed to victory in an overwhelming fashion in the mens 110m hurdles in a winning time of 13.09 seconds. This is Lius first outdoor event win leading up to his attempt to bring home another Olympic gold medal from London. China's Liu Xiang gestures after the men's 110m hurdle final at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix athletic competition in Kawasaki, Japan, May 6, 2012. Liu won the race with a time of 13.09 seconds. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) China's Liu Xiang gestures after the men's 110m hurd...

Watch Video Play Video British boxers David Haye and Dereck Chisora are taking their differences to the ring in July. They announced the details for their heavyweight showdown which will take place at London's West Ham football stadium, despite neither of them having a British boxing license. Three months after their infamous brawl at a post-match press conference in Munich, the two announced they will fight in the ring on July 14th. The fight at London's Upton Park football stadium is being sanctioned by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation, after the British Boxing Board of Control refused involvement because neither fighter has a license. Haye relinquished his license when he retired last October, while Chisora had his revoked after his brawl with Haye. Tuesday's news conference Upton Park was heated and entertaining, as the two men continued to exchange insults. The July bout is being called "License to Thrill", and is expected to be a sell-out. David Haye (...

Watch Video Play Video Australia's national men's hockey team is training in London ahead of its bid to win its second Olympic gold medal. The "Kookaburras" are ranked number one in the world. But the squad suffered a pre-Olympic wake-up call with a loss to Germany on Sunday. The squad is the only Australian team in any sport to win medals in the last five Olympic Games, including a gold medal in Athens in 2004, and the team is getting in some vital European practice, including a test event at the new Olympic hockey venue. Australia reached the final but lost to Germany 5-2. The players are aware that another Olympic title is far from guaranteed. Australia with the winner's trophy after defeating spain in the men's Champions Trophy field hockey final in December 2011. Australia will defend their men's Champions Trophy field hockey crown this year with Melbourne Tuesday named as host city. Germany's Philipp Zeller, left, competes with Australia...

Watch Video Play Video 17-year-old Qatari sprinter Noor Hussain al Maliki is set to become the first female Olympian for her country at the upcoming London Games. Qatar, till now, is one of three nations that has never selected women in their teams, the other two are Saudi Arabia and Brunei which are coming under increasing pressure to allow their women to compete. Qatari sprinter Noor Hussain al Maliki knows that medals are well beyond her reach at Londons Olympic Games later this year. But regardless of the result, as soon as she walks onto the track at Londons Olympic Stadium, she will be considered as a pioneer, a woman who broke down the barriers. Noor Hussain al Maliki, Qatari 100m sprinter, said, "The first time I heard about it I was in Oman. The head of the athletics department came to see me and said, Noor you are going to the London Olympics. I was shocked and felt happy. I phoned my mother to tell her to pray for me as I was going to London. I am happy because I ...