China :: Sports Extra

Watch Video Play Video San Antonio Spurs enjoy the best won-loss mark in the league so far. They looked to improve their record even further against the Washington Wizards. Midway through the first quarter. Washington's Rashard Lewis nailed a three, giving the Wizards 2 point lead. San Antonio's George Hill answered with a three of his own. The Spurs regained the lead in the first half. Then, Wizards rookie John Wall contributes to the highlight reel. Washington kept it close, trailing by 6 heading into the second half. Spurs guard Tony Parker gets the steal, the drive, and draws the foul. Parker added the free throw and the Spurs stretched their lead to 9. Hill from the corner, another three to increase the Spurs advantage to 11. San Antonio Spurs enjoy the best won-loss mark in the league so far. They looked to improve their record even further against the Washington Wizards. Manu Ginobili added more from distance. He scored a team-high 21 points. And Parker's spinning la...

Watch Video Play Video The New Orleans Hornets hosted the Atlanta Hawks. Joe Johnson gave the Hawks a four-point lead late in the opening frame. Jamal Crawford fed Josh Smith for a powerful slam. The Hawks went up by nine, but could not hold the lead. The Hornets' Chris Paul went up-and-under, and-one. His three-point play gave the Hornets a 4 point advantage. But the Hawks fought back. Midway through final stanza, Jarrett Jack drove in, and sank a jumper to beat the shot clock buzzer. Then Al Horford fed Johnson for an open three. He made it a four-point game. But Paul had the answer. His fadeaway jumper with 38 seconds left would prove to be decisive. Paul scored 22 points. The Hornets beat the Hawks, 93-86. Related stories NBA: Spurs overcome Wizards 94-80 2010-12-28 Editor: Zhang Jingya | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video Former NBA star Steve Francis joined the CBA's Beijing Ducks two weeks ago. But he is yet to show his big league skills in China. Beijing's coach says Francis' performance on and off the court has dramatically reduced the team's confidence in him. Beijing held its regular practice on Monday, but Steve Francis failed to show up. According to the team's coach, Francis abruptly left the venue on his own during a game between Beijing and Jiangsu and went home Sunday night, which shocked the other players. Min Lulei, Beijing Coach, said, 'We all have done our best to help him restore his skills and adapt to the rotation. He is a very experienced NBA player. I truly appreciate the opportunity to work with him. But frankly speaking, I think he's not quite ready.' The coach says Francis needs more time to reach his top form, in order to win his minutes on the court. But the former Houston Rockets' star seems to disagree. And it's a...

Watch Video Play Video League leader Mancherster United took on the challenge from mid-table Sunderland on Boxing Day. United expected to consolidate its top spot over cross-town rival Manchester City. Man U. got off to a solid start against the Sunderland defence. Only five minutes in... Ryan Giggs found Wayne Rooney, and Rooney's perfect cross was headed-in by Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov. It was 1-0 Manchester United. United kept dominating the action without adding to the score until the 57th minute. The home fans were relieved when Berbatov scored off Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand. Manchester United wins it 2-0. In other matches striker Carlos Tevez bagged two for Manchester City which rolled past Newcastle United 3-1. Fifth place Tottenham Hotspur stayed in touch with the top four as Rafael van der Vaart's double earned a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa. Bolton Wanderers beat West Brom 2-0, and Stoke City had a 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers. Striker Carlton Cole grab...

Watch Video Play Video Organizers promised a star-studded show for football fans in Brazil. But the eighth edition of Zico's Charity Challenge match became notable for the top names that failed to show up at Rio's Joao Havelange Stadium. The exhibition marks the end of the domestic Brazilian soccer season. This time, the news was made by the absentees. Several current stars who were expected to play, were, for various reasons, unable to attend. Among the 'no-shows' were AC Milan's Ronaldinho, Fluminense's Deco and Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o. The top player who did make an appearance was FIFA's 1994 Player of the Year Romario. The striker retired after scoring his 1000th goal. He is now getting ready to become an MP in the Brazilian National Congress. Match organizer Zico is one of Brazil's all-time greats and a former coach of the Japanese national team. He admitted that circumstances were not in his favor this year, but thanked the supporters wh...

Watch Video Play Video China's hurdling superstar Liu Xiang has gone to the United States for a new round of training and treatment. It is the third time he's made the trip to America this year. A group of three headed to the U-S on Monday. The effect of treatment on Liu Xiang's ankle injury was remarkable during his previous trips to the country. And that is why Liu and his team are going to America for the third time. Sun Haiping, Liu Xiang's Coach, said, 'The treatment in August saw obvious effect. He did shock wave treatment for a while. From what we saw during his training, his right ankle is recovered.' Liu Xiang is leaving for a new round of recovery after continuing his remarkable comeback in Guangzhou. He ran a time of 13.09 seconds in the Asian Games. For the Chinese superstar, the most unforgettable moment was not the time when he stood atop the podium, but his progress in training during the year. Liu said, 'At the beginning of the training, I us...

Watch Video Play Video Players faced each other in the 2010 China Snoker Tour Final at Yixing, Jiangsu Province. Local hero Ding Junhui took on Ablajan of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in the first round. Ding looked to wrap up an easy match in front of his hometown fans. But it didn't exactly turn out that way. Ding got off to a sluggish start, with several errors in the opening frame. Ablajan capitalized to win the frame with a break of 74. The Xinjiang veteran then stormed-on to clinch the next two frames, and pushed Ding to the brink of elimination. But Ding fought back in style. He claimed a silver and a team gold in the Guangzhou Asian Games in November, and won back-to-back breaks here. Ding tied the match at 3-all. The 23-year-old had the hot hand in the decider, blasting to a break of 123. Ding ousted Ablajan 4-3 and cruised to the last 16. Players faced each other in the 2010 China Snoker Tour Final at Yixing, Jiangsu Province. Local hero Ding Junhui took on Ablajan of Xinji...

Watch Video Play Video In the NFL the playoff-bound Chicago Bears looked to display their powerful game against the New York Jets on Sunday. The Jets needed to win or tie to put themselves into the pro football post-season. New York took a positive step in the second quarter. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler threw the ball to the Jets' Dwight Lowery. He cut in front of Earl Bennett to pick it off and raced in for the score. New York led it 14-10. Early in the third quarter, Chicago's Johnny Knox hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass from Cutler. The Bears pulled even at 24-all. -But Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez struck back. He connected with Santonio Holmes, wide open on a 23-yard touchdown play. The game was tied again at 31. Six minutes to go. The Bears went back on the attack. They regained the lead 38-31 on Cutler's third touchdown pass of the quarter. Chicago held on to beat the Jets 38-34. Editor: Zhang Jingya | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video Weather threatened to impact a sporting classic Down Under. Rain drenched Sydney on Sunday, before the match which experts predicted would be one of the toughest Rolex Sydney-Hobart yacht races in years. The Mark Richards-skippered 100 footer, Wild Oats XI, shrugged off a challenge from Grant Wharington's Melbourne 98-footer, Wild Thing. Wild Oats stamped its mark early on the battle for top honors off Australia. Both start lines reported clean launches as nearly 1000 competitors began the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's yachting classic under overcast skies in a light wind. The 100-foot Wild Oats XI, and Sean Langman and Anthony Bell's Investec Loyal, squared off on the western side. Stephen Ainsworth's Loki timed things perfectly about a third of the way down the tightly congested line. As Wild Oats XI and Investec Loyal sprinted down the western harbor shore, Wild Thing steamed along the eastern shore past Vaucluse and Watsons Bay. Wild Oats...

Watch Video Play Video 'This is development of football and don't speak about money.' Those were the words of under fire FIFA boss Sepp Blatter in Africa where he was handing back 100 million dollars to South Africa as part of its bid to make a lasting legacy. The money is to be used to fund the development of football in the country, 20 Million of that has already been used to build a new Football Association headquarters in South Africa. FIFA is estimated to have extracted 3 and a half billion pounds from the the 2010 South African World Cup. If you remember, there were protests from local's employed in grounds who were underpaid and strikes by stadium and transport workers who couldn't afford tickets to games. However, Blatter negated to mention that and met with President Jacob Zuma to officially close the summer event and hail it as a success. President Zuma talked about a new dawn on the African continent, citing that Afro Pessimism has now been replaced by Af...

Watch Video Play Video The para sport athletes earned their excellent results via great determination and hard work. But their achievements cannot be separated from efforts of the Volunteers working behind the scenes. Blind athletes need to rely on their ears during the competition. Volunteers are on standby and follow closely what happens between competitors or teams and control the cheers and applause from the audience. Para Asian Games volunteer said, 'According to rules in swimming, before the players make their jump at the whistle, all volunteers should give this hand signal to the audience to remind them of keeping quiet. When the whistle is blown, everyone is free to let out cheers.' Race assistant volunteers help the blind athletes to adjust their direction, while help is also on hand in the locker rooms and beyond. During the competition, sign language volunteers help the hard of hearing listen to the radio so they can keep up on their closest rivals and strongest comp...

Watch Video Play Video 35-year-old Wang Juan lost her right calf in a car accident at the age of 13. She began another stage in her life and turned to athletics. Wang used to train for several events, such as wheel-chair fencing, sprint and long jump, breaking the world records nine times. In the Beijing Paralympics Games, Wang claimed the bronze in women's 100M-T44 event. And this time in her country, she took the gold with her best result of the season. Wu Chunmiao captures women's 100-T11 gold Also in track and field....Wu Chunmiao won the women's 100 meter-T11 gold medal. Wu scored gold in the same event at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. And she finished with her seasons' best time of 12.89 seconds. But Wu could not top her own world record. Later, China's Xiong Dezhi claimed the title in the women's 100 meter-T38 event. She also refreshed the Asian Para record with a time of 14.28 seconds. And China's Zhao Hongmei claimed gold in the women's javelin-...

Watch Video Play Video The Asian Para Games entered its second day on Tuesday. One of the day's events was a sport making its debut at the games. Ten-pin bowling is a non-Paralympics sport, and it's the first time that it is an official sport at the Asian Para Games. There is a slight variation from regular ten-pin bowling. George Tan, Asian Paralympic Committee, said, 'Why it is listed as an official sport and the rules are the same as the regular bowling except for two kinds: wheelchair and blind.' An interesting part of the day was when a female player Emura Tamami was competing with male players. This is quite common in this sport. 'We only have ten medals and we want more people to be able to participate, and when women players are competing with men player there are 10 additional points to each game. But this is only a test game.' George Tan said. Emura Tamami took seventh place in the end. Although she didn’t play the best to her abilities, she is appre...

Watch Video Play Video To the finals of the UK Snooker Championship...and John Higgins, looking to write a fairytale finish to his return to the felt. Higgins, taking on old for Mark Williams in the finals. It's been ten years since the two met in the UK Championship final. With the support of his two sons, Mark William knocked in 88 at the start, while struggled in the first frame. In the 4th frame, Higgins made a mistake when shooting the pink ball, and handed the table to Williams. Williams took advantage of it, and shot this blue ball in with a little lucky. Williams led 6-2 at the first half. Higgins found the rhythm in the second half, the long shots are accurate. Higgins had break of 100 points in the 13th frame, and chased the game to 5-8. But Higgins wasn't able to continue his momentum, and failed in shooting this pink ball, and giving Williams the 9-5 lead to the match point. But Higgins would come back to ties it...and in the fourth hour of play...tied at 9, Higgins...

Watch Video Play Video Turning now to Argentina and a chance on Sunday for Estudiantes la Plata to clinch the Apertura. Estudiantes, playing Arsenal de Sarand with a win ensuring they would finish ahead of Velez. Estudiantes La Plata(grey/white) Arsenal de Sarand. 2nd Half.Estudiantes striker Rodrigo Lopez went close just seven minutes after the restart with a curling drive from the far left hand side, which produced a fine save from Arsenal 'stopper Cristian Campestrini. In the 75th minute Gaston Fernandez added what seemed a decisive touch to a loose ball in the penalty area, with the ball trickling over the line and Estudiantes awarded the lead. However the replay suggests that Fernandez made little contribution and the goal was, eventually, awarded to Rodrigo Lopez and left the keeper Campestrini looking some what red faced. Lopez struck again in the dying minutes to give his side a significant two-goal cushion. The goal was much more clear cut this time with the Arsenal defenc...

Watch Video Play Video Turning now to action from the pitch, and Barcelona...needing a win on Sunday to move back on top of the La Liga standings, leapfrogging Real Madrid in the process. Barcelona, taking on Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp. Nine minutes into the match. David Villa's typically clinical tap-in after some sophisticated build up work along the right flank. Shortly after the half hour mark the Catalan side added a second. Andres Iniesta fired in a stunning effort from an impossibly acute angle. Barcelona lead 2-0 at the break. Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Dani Alves (R) celebrate a goal against Real Sociedad during their Spanish First Division Soccer League match at Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona, December 12, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Shortly after the restart mercurial playmaker Lionel Messi also clawed his way onto the score sheet in typically sublime style. The Argentinean played a neat one-two with team mate Dani Alves before side-footing the ball past the str...

FIFA has announced the three man shortlist for the 2010 Ballon d' Or and this one is all Barcelona. Barca's Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi are the finalists. As well, World Cup winning coach Vicente del Bosque of Spain, Barcelona's Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho, who won the Champions League with Inter Milan, were shortlisted for the Coach of the Year award. The winners will be announced on Jan. 10 in Zurich. Backgrounder: FIFA Ballon d'Or A new chapter in football was opened with the news that France Football’s Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award have merged. As a result, the world’s best player will, from now on, be awarded the FIFA Ballon d’Or each year. In practical terms, the new FIFA Ballon d’Or award also represents a fusion in terms of voting procedure. Votes will now come from the coaches and captains of international teams – as was previously the case for the FIFA Player of the Year – and also from jo...

Watch Video Play Video We turn now to football action from the Bundesliga, and leaders Borussia Dortmund continue to run away with the league lead. They opened up a massive 10-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga on Sunday, beating Nuremberg for their 13th win in 15 league games. In the 23rd minute, Mats Hummels nodded in a deep cross from close range, giving the visitors the 1-0 lead Two minutes from time, Robert Lewandowski added another for Dortmund with a low strike in the area. 2-0 final score, Borussi wrapped up their 8th away win and are comfortably atop the table. Dortmund's defender Mats Hummels (R) and his teammate Dortmund's Polish midfielder Lukasz Piszczek (L) celebrate after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1. FC Nuremberg and Borussia Dortmund in Nuremberg. Dortmund won 2-0. (AFP/Christof Stache) Leverkusen edge Cologne 3-2 Bayer Leverkusen entertained Cologne. 21st minute, Patrick Helmes responded quick to tap in a pa...

Watch Video Play Video Tiger Woods headed into Sunday of the Chevron World Challenge in a spot he hasn't been in quite some time, comfortably in front. If Tiger could finish on top, he would pick up his first win of 2010...but Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell had other ideas. Woods took a four-shot lead into the final round. At the third hole, Woods three-putted for a bogey to drop to 16 under par. At the fourth hole, Northern Ireland's McDowell hit the flag with his second shot to set up a birdie and pull within one shot of the lead. McDowell would move up by one...but he hooked his tee shot at 17 into the fescue. He went on to bogey the hole and fall back into a tie with Woods at 15 under par, heading to the 18th hole. In search of his first birdie since the fifth hole, Woods put his approach close to the pin at 18. With the pressure on, McDowell rolled in a 20foot birdie putt to regain the lead at 16 under par. Woods finished off his short birdie putt to force a playof...

Watch Video Play Video The final round of group games in the champions Leauge gets underway later. Werder Bremen are already out of Europe's premier Cup competition but will play for pride when they meet defending Champions Inter Milan. Regardless of the result, Werder are out of the Champions League and lie bottom of group A. Coach Thomas Schaaf believes his side need little motivation against Europe's reigning champions. Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said, 'For us this game means a lot. It's all about our performance. We can prove ourselves and there is no better stage then the Champions League and a match against the titleholders, against a famous team like Inter Milan. I think it is a big motivation and a big challenge to compete against such a team.' Bremen's head coach Thomas Schaaf reacts during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between FC Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin...

Watch Video Play Video There's been a shock at the UK Snooker Championships. Ronnie O'Sullivan has been sent crashing out in the first round by Stuart Bingham. The Rocket's world ranking has slipped down to 8th, and he was looking for a championship on home soil. He went into the second session tied with Bingham at 4-4. As they resumed, O'Sullivan found his stride immediately and had his nose in front for the first time in the match at 5-4. He then extended his advantage to 6-4. But from there on in he failed to get to grips with the contest and allowed Bingham back into it. O'Sullivan played a string of poor shots. The door was left ajar for Bingham. Bingham accepted and would go on to record a famous 9-6 win. O'Sullivan will be cursing his form. Ronnie O'Sullivan has been sent crashing out in the first round by Stuart Bingham .

Watch Video Play Video A dramatic 95th minute goal form Christian Maggio ensured Napoli tightened their hold on fourth place in the Serie A table with a 1-0 victory over Palermo.Victory was earned the hard way as the Southern Italian club struggled to find the back of the net. Behind every parked bus you'll find a keeper in form. Palermo's Salvatore Sirigu had big hands and denied Napoli's strikers time after time and then some more. When Palermos defense was stretched, Sirigu wasn't - flying down low like a moving mountain, he denied Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi in the 64th. It was so good, Napoli's bench couldn't believe the ball had stayed out. That was Lavezzi's last contribution to the game - he was subbed moments later but his replacement fared no better. Sirigu continued his flying acrobatic show for the rest of the ninety. Napoli had 14 shots in the match, among them 10 were on target, but were all saved. But there was little the keeper could do in the...

Watch Video Play Video British sailor Ben Ainslie captured the ISAF World Mach Racing Tour title, with victory at the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia. Malaysia was the final stop in the ISAF's World Matching Racing Tour season. Ben Ainslie was crowned winner with his TEAMORIGIN crew, but they made a bad start of race one when they hit a mark which enabled opponent Torvar Mirsky of France to take an early lead. Ainslie made no such mistake in race two, but Mirsky hit back to take a 2-1 advantage and matchpoint. However, another big win by Ainslie squared the scores and ensured an exciting climax to the racing. The three-time Olympic champion established an early advantage in the decider - and never allowed Mirsky an opportunity to claw back the deficit. With Teamorigin pulling out of the next America's Cup scheduled in three years time, Ainslie is now concentrating his energies on preparations for the Olympic Finn dinghy competition in London 2012. Ben Ainslie said, 'It was an amazi...