A round-up of other sports news in brief
Lomu getting ready to throw different shapes
RUGBY: Former New Zealand international Jonah Lomu has swapped his boots for tanning lotion in an unusual bid to rekindle his career.
The 34-year-old, once the most feared man in world rugby, plans to make a comeback in France later this year, but another sport has grabbed his interest in the meantime.
As part of his regime to get fit and shed some unwanted weight, Lomu has started body-building and likes it so much he has entered his first competition this weekend, a Wellington newspaper has reported.
“I just started out wanting to get back in shape and it’s just gone from there,” he told the newspaper. “I’ve always loved lifting weights – just ask the All Blacks – so it’s been a lot of fun. I can’t wait to get up there on Saturday.”
Lomu played 63 Tests for the All Blacks and was the headline performer at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups, but his brilliant career was cut short by kidney disease.
His weight ballooned to 142kg, but after getting back to the gym he will tip the scales at 114kg when he makes his body-building debut on Saturday, coated in tanning oil.
“You do look in the mirror at your body and it’s amazing how critical you become,” he said. “I’m seeing myself in a different shape.”
McGinley, Bjorn name Vivendi teams
GOLF: Captains Thomas Björn and Paul McGinley have announced strong teams for the Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros, with 12 players from the top 50 in the world rankings competing in Paris from September 24th-27th.
World number five Henrik Stenson will head Björn’s Europe team against McGinley’s Britain and Ireland team, which includes two of the brightest prospects on the European Tour in Rory McIlroy and Chris Wood.
Joining Stenson will be Swedish compatriots Robert Karlsson and Peter Hanson, Danish trio Anders Hansen, Søren Hansen and Søren Kjeldsen, Spaniards Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Alvaro Quiros, and Italian Francesco Molinari.
Facing Europe will be Graeme McDowell and McIlroy alongside eight Englishmen: Nick Dougherty, Simon Dyson, Ross Fisher, Robert Rock, Anthony Wall, Steve Webster, Oliver Wilson and Wood.
Lotus to return to Formula One
MOTOR SPORT: Lotus, one of the most successful and glorious names from Formula One’s past, will return next year with a Malaysian-owned team replacing BMW-Sauber as the 13th entry on the starting grid.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement yesterday that, after due diligence and an intensive selection process, it had chosen Lotus. The new outfit will be called Lotus F1 Team and is a partnership between the Malaysian government and a consortium of Malaysian entrepreneurs.
“The cars will be made in Malaysia, by Malaysians,” the Malaysian government said in a separate statement.
The vacancy arose after BMW announced that they were withdrawing at the end of the season, following a path already chosen by Japan’s Honda.
The FIA said BMW-Sauber, who are still seeking a buyer, had been given a reserve slot to fill any vacancy that might occur before the start of the 2010 championship.
The FIA added: In addition, the FIA believes that a good case can be made for expanding the grid to 14 teams.”
Third stage win for Greipel
CYCLING: Andre Greipel enjoyed more success in the Vuelta a Espana yesterday after claiming his third stage win.
The 27-year-old German, who also won the fourth and fifth stages, again showed his sprinting prowess as he powered clear of a massed bunch of a riders to cross the line with arms raised. Spain’s Alejandro Valverde remains overall leader.
Ireland’s Philip Deignan was caught behind a crash and came home 52 seconds after Greipel. He dropped one place to 18th overall, while compatriot Daniel Martin finished three minutes and 58 seconds back and is now 51st in the general classification.
