WINNIPEG CANADA : Cuba's Luibal Colas flips the United State's David Zuniga in Pan American greco wrestling competition in the 69kg weight class on Saturday, July 25, 1999, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Colas took the gold medal in his class and Zuniga won the silver. — AP/PTI

Blanco blanks out Saudis 5-1
MEXICO CITY, July 26 — A four-goal landslide by Mexican striker Chauhtemoc Blanco boosted the home team in the Confederations Cup Soccer Tournament to an easy 5-1 win over Saudi Arabia yesterday.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is congratulated by England's acting captain Graham Thorpe (right centre) with England's wicket keeper Chris Read (foreground) looking on, after New Zealand's historic win at the Lords cricket ground in London on Sunday. — AP/PTI

Botham ‘ashamed’ to be English LONDON, July 26 — The much trumpeted re-emergence of English cricket lasted exactly one Test. And now the pundits who talked up the revival are the biggest critics. After slumping to a nine-wicket loss yesterday, which gave New Zealand its first ever Test victory at Lord’s, even Ian Botham — one of English cricket’s icons — said he was ashamed to be English. In a column in today’s tabloid Mirror newspaper, Botham said: “England’s disaster at Lord’s ranks as one of their worst-ever showings.” “It was so bad, I felt ashamed to be English,” he added.

Umrigar chosen for Nayudu award
MUMBAI, July 26 — Former India skipper and middle-order mainstay Polly Umrigar was today unanimously selected for the prestigious Colonel C.K. Nayudu award for the year 1998-99 by the cricket board for his contributions to the game.

Atherton steers Lancashire to victory
LONDON, July 26 — Former England captain Mike Atherton’s unbeaten 95 steered Lancashire Lightning to a four-wicket win against Hampshire Hawks yesterday and gave a timely reminder to the England selectors.

Johnny Gray strikes gold
WINNIPEG (Manitoba), July 26 — Thirtynine-year-old Johnny Gray yesterday became a Pan American Games gold medallist for the second time, 12 years after his first success, as he won a dramatic men’s 800 metres on the track.

First LPGA title for Gallagher-Smith
WARREN (Ohio), July 26 — Jackie Gallagher-Smith fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to notch the first victory of her six-year career, pulling away for a three-stroke triumph at the one $ 1 million giant eagle LPGA Classic.

Deepali lone Indian to enter 2nd round
MUMBAI, July 26 — India’s top junior dayer Deepali Anvekar is the lone Indian to survive on the opening day of the 10th World Junior (individual event) Squash Championship at Antwero yesterday.

Armstrong wins Tour de France
PARIS, July 26 — After 3686.5 km of sweat and toil Lance Armstrong of the USA yesterday won cycling’s holy grail — the Tour de France — after Australia’s Robbie McEwen took the 143.5 km final stage from Arpajon to Paris in a late dash for the line.

Sasikiran, Kunte win in Biel chess
BIEL (Switzerland), July 26 — National champion Krishnan Sasikiran and fellow international master (IM) Abhijit Kunte continued their pursuit of grandmaster norm with victories while GM Pravin Thipsay was defeated in the sixth round of the International Open Chess Tournament here.

Norman lifts Mercedes Cup
STUTTGART, July 26 — Unseeded Swede Magnus Norman captured the Mercedes Cup yesterday, helped by Tommy Haas’ dramatic collapse in front of a home crowd.

Pak trio initiates moves to prove innocence

ISLAMABAD, July 26 (PTI) — Three leading Pakistan cricketers including skipper Wasim Akram have initiated moves to defend themselves and prove their innocence following their temporary suspension by the cricket board (PCB) in the wake of betting and match-fixing allegations against them.

Akram, Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed who were barred by the PCB yesterday have already started consultations with their lawyers after Ijaz Ahmed had a long chat with Akram in London over phone, according to media reports.

Both Malik and Ijaz, who are already here and are expected to meet PCB’s interim panel chairman, Mujibur Rehman, however, have been avoiding the press and repeated calls to their residence remained unanswered.

Other members of the Pakistani World Cup squad are also keeping away from making any comment in view of the turmoil in Pakistani cricket since the humiliating defeat to Australia in the World Cup final at Lord’s on June 20.

Akram has already refuted match-fixing allegations against him from London and has said he was returning home to sort out the matter. He is expected to reach Lahore tomorrow.

Akram’s lawyer Khwaja Ahmed Tariq Raheem has criticised the authorities saying the Pakistan skipper has been suspended before allegations against him have been proved.

He told the English daily The Dawn that the decision to suspend the three players has been taken on the basis of the report of the PCB probe panel headed by Justice Ejaz Yousuf, which led to constitution of the one-man judicial commission under Lahore High Court Judge Malik Muhammad Qayyum.

“Justice Qayyum has not given a verdict but the players have been suspended despite promise on the floor of the national Assembly that nothing would be done till the judicial commission submits its report”, Raheem said.

Raheem said he had already spoken to Akram in London and that he would take up the matter with the inquiry commission probing betting and match-fixing allegations in Pakistan cricket, when Justice Qayyum resumes hearing on August 17.

The commission is currently on a month-long recess and is expected to finalise its report very soon on resuming hearing.

Akram’s lawyer also challenged the authority of the anti-corruption Ehtesab (accountability) Bureau to probe the players’ activities asking, “does the Ehtesab Bureau Act 1997 allow them to probe the players who have been bringing laurels for the country”.

The bureau was set up by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif under a special law to investigate the alleged corruption by the previous Benazir Bhutto regime and he appointed Saifur Rehman, regarded as close to him, as the chief of the bureau.

The bureau, however, entered the match-fixing imbroglio apparently after Rehman’s younger brother, Mujibur Rehman, was made chairman of the PCB ad hoc committee by president Muhammad Rafiq Tarar who dissolved the entire PCB management on July 16 amidst a nation-wide outcry over the team’s manner of defeat in the World Cup final.

The bureau made public the PCB internal probe report on Saturday and wanted charges to be framed against Akram, Malik and Ijaz Ahmed.

Saifur Rehman, however, has refuted earlier media reports that the Ehtesab Bureau was looking into the entire probe on match-fixing and said that it was investigating the matter on instructions from the judicial commission.

Haryana eves lift Federation Cup

TIRUPATI, July 26 (PTI) — A youthful Haryana stunned star studded Indian Railways 3-1 via tie-breaker to clinch their maiden women’s Federation Cup hockey title here this evening as the sixth edition of the tournament ended on a rousing note.

After the resurgent Haryana girls put up a tremendous show denying the defending champions a goal in the full and extra-time, goalkeeper Suman Deswal, who foiled quite a few chances in the regulation time, came up with three brilliant saves in the tie-break to give Haryana the well-deserved win.

Meenakshi, Kiran Bala and Gurpreet Kaur beat the seasoned Tingalima Chanu, while Surinder Kaur’s shot was saved by the Railways custodian. For the losers, only Manjinder Kaur scored with captain Sandeep Kaur, Sita Gussien and Sumarai Tete failing to beat Suman.

With this win, Haryana also avenged their defeat in the senior nationals’ final last year where they lost 0-5 to the Railways. This is the second defeat for Railways after their loss to Air India in 1992 at Pune in the Federation Cup.

Haryana went all out preventing the mighty Railways forwards from initiating any moves throughout the first half and increased the intensity of their attack in the second, forcing all their six penalty corners during this period.

Railways, on the other hand, just could not find their rhythm and the frontline comprising India captain Pritam Rani, Manjinder Kaur, Suraj Lata and Fardina Ekka found it very difficult to get past the inspired Haryana defence.

With their woes in converting penalty corners continuing, they wasted all their 10 corners, the last three of them coming in the extra-time which they dominated without success.

A disappointed Railway coach Ashok Diwan later said “we did not play well and lost. Haryana did well.”

For Haryana coach Baldev Singh it was unbelievable: “I did not expect this result. Two of my girls were playing despite suffering from fever. I just told them to play their natural game.”

Railways were reduced to 10 players after Sita Gussien was suspended by umpire Radha Sukumaran for questioning her decision towards the fag end of second half. However, she was called back four minutes into extra time.

Botham ‘ashamed’ to be English

LONDON, July 26 (AP) — The much trumpeted re-emergence of English cricket lasted exactly one Test. And now the pundits who talked up the revival are the biggest critics.

After slumping to a nine-wicket loss yesterday, which gave New Zealand its first ever Test victory at Lord’s, even Ian Botham — one of English cricket’s icons — said he was ashamed to be English.

In a column in today’s tabloid Mirror newspaper, Botham said: “England’s disaster at Lord’s ranks as one of their worst-ever showings.”

“It was so bad, I felt ashamed to be English,” he added.

Writing about England’s record of one win in its last 10 Tests at Lord’s, Botham said England has “had some pretty awful displays at headquarters but I reckon this debacle caps them all.”

Today’s newspapers were filled with even more doom and gloom about English cricket than they were last month when the national team — and tournament host — slumped out of the World Cup in the first round.

The Daily Mail’s backpage headline described the England team as “Masochists.” On the inside pages the paper’s headline stated: “England reduced to a new low.”

The Express newspaper summarised the entire match in a headline: “Crocked, beaten, confused and full of holes — it’s a catastrophe.”

An adjoining photograph showed rookie English batsman Aftab Habib sitting cross-legged on the ground with his hands joined in front of his face apparently praying for help. He might need some after scoring 1, 6 and 19 in his first three international innings.

New Zealand’s unexpected triumph earned a few compliments.

Botham was full of praise for the Black Caps.

“The Kiwis thoroughly outplayed England.” He said. “They showed them, basically, what good old-fashioned cricket is all about.”

“They played with character ... And steely determination.

Chris Cairns started England’s demise by taking six wickets as the Kiwis’ makeshift bowling attack skittled England for 186. Inspired by a century from opener Matt Horne, New Zealand replied with 358 for a first-innings lead of 172.

England were bowled out for 229 in its second innings and New Zealand eclipsed the victory target of 59 in 90 minutes yesterday for the loss of one wicket.

Sachin likely to be skipper

NEW DELHI, July 26 (PTI) — Sachin Tendulkar appears set to regain captaincy of the Indian cricket team, highly-placed sources said today.

Mohammad Azharuddin, whose leadership during last month’s World Cup cricket has been severely criticised, is expected to make way for the batting maestro when the selectors meet in Nagpur on Wednesday to pick the captain, according to the sources.

Some doubts persist in certain quarters whether Tendulkar was willing to lead the team. “If he says yes, the captaincy is his,” the sources said.

The sources said there was no merit in the reports that Tendulkar was willing to accept the captaincy for a second time only if Azharuddin was dropped from the team altogether.

Azharuddin, who underwent a surgery on his right shoulder in London last month, is yet to recover full fitness and has told the cricket board (BCCI) that he would be able to convey his availability for the one-day triangular series to be held in Sri Lanka from August 22 to 31, only by August 4.

The 36-year-old thus looks doubtful to be even part of the team that will travel to Sri Lanka as the selectors are likely to pick the side on August 4 or 5.

A change at the helm will definitely mark the end of the long reign of Azhar. Tendulkar’s 17-month tenure as skipper was from August 1996 to December 1997.

Azhar’s leadership had invited strong criticism following India’s premature exit from the World Cup, where they failed to reach the semifinal by a long way. His own personal form with the bat was miserable, aggregating only 161 runs from seven innings for an average of 26.83.

Immediately after the championship, Azhar had denied any plans to retire from the game and said he had it in him to continue playing for India for the next two years.

Sources say that a change in captaincy was being brought about to lift the morale of the Indian team following the World Cup defeat after entering the tournament with high hopes.

They also felt Azhar would have to prove his fitness well ahead of the team selection to be considered for the trip.

Tendulkar was even tipped to lead the World Cup squad before the selectors decided to persist with Azharuddin. The BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur had come out strongly in support of the veteran batsman’s leadership before and during the World Cup campaign.

A furore was caused before the World Cup when former Test off-spinner and selector from South Zone Shivlal Yadav said that Tendulkar had declined to lead the team when the job was offered to him. The master batsman himself has subsequently maintained that he was more keen in the fortunes of his team.

Tendulkar, who became the second youngest Indian captain after Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi when he assumed the job in 1996, was replaced by Azharuddin early last year at the end of a disastrous campaign in a Sharjah one-day tournament in November 1997.

In fact, Azharuddin was spoken to by the selectors to take more interest in team matters following an abysmal personal batting performance at the Gulf post, and then surprisingly handed over charge of the team in January 1998.

Reports that Tendulkar was not willing to assume the hot seat brought forward the names of Anil Kumble and Ajay Jadeja, vice-captains in Tests and one-dayers, respectively, but top sources feel Tendulkar will be ready to take up the job and that he would be the ideal candidate in the long run.

Tendulkar’s brief first tenure was not very successful. India won the one-off Test against Australia and also the home Test series against South Africa, but lost away series against the protease as well as in the West Indies.

Besides, India also failed in the one-day triseries in Sri Lanka in Tendulkar’s first campaign as skipper and also lost the inaugural Sahara Cup series against Pakistan 2-3 in Toronto.

But Tendulkar has consistently maintained that his batting was not affected by captaincy and that figures during that period prove that.

Kapil backs Sachin for captaincy

NEW DELHI, July 26 (PTI) — Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev has suggested that Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin should retire from the game as his playing abilities were on the wane and feels Sachin Tendulkar is the ideal candidate to replace him at the helm of the team.

“Azharuddin has already played the best part of his cricketing life and now he is just passing time,” the former Indian skipper said in an interview in the Ru-Ba-Ru programme to be telecast on the Zee TV network.

Asked about Azharuddin’s recent performances, Kapil said: “His performance is not what it used to be. ...When he cannot improve his game he should retire.

“Even otherwise at the age of 36 you don’t have that energy in you. Your mind thinks something and you are let down by your body. That sharpness is no longer there in your game,” the world’s highest Test wicket-taker told the programme, a release from Ru-Ba-Ru said.

Backing Tendulkar for captaincy, he said: “If Sachin is willing to be captain, then there is no one better than him”.

Tendulkar is widely expected to replace Azharuddin as captain when the selectors meet at Nagpur on Wednesday.

Blanco blanks out Saudis 5-1

MEXICO CITY, July 26 (Reuters) — A four-goal landslide by Mexican striker Chauhtemoc Blanco boosted the home team in the Confederations Cup Soccer Tournament to an easy 5-1 win over Saudi Arabia yesterday.

Mexico outclassed a weak Saudi defence in what was an uninspiring group A game which nevertheless pleased a near capacity crowd of 100,000 at Mexico City’s Aztec Stadium, where the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals were played.

“Our crowd deserved satisfaction. We did not play a good game but we played to win,” said Mexican coach Manuel Lapuente.

“It was a well-fought game but we knew how to handle it.”

Blanco was the star in a game in which he had promised at least one goal to his son, Cuauhtemoc (Jr) who celebrated his birthday yesterday. In the end, he got four as poor marking by the Saudis left him in the clear.

Blanco began his string of goals in the 10th minute, when he spun on the edge of the six yard line to catch a free kick from Pavel Pardo with his left foot and send it flying past Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed al-Deayea.

Just eight minutes later, Blanco bagged his second with a header off a corner.

Shortly after, Jose Manuel Abundis, who until then had been helping to set up others, decided to power the ball into the net himself from outside the penalty area.

Egypt draw with Bolivia

Egypt and Bolivia fought to a 2-2 tie in a match marked by Egypt’s fine shots on goal, two key penalty shots and excellent work by Bolivia’s goalkeeper.

Egypt took the lead at the seven-minute mark on quick passing from forward Hassan Hossam to Sabry Abdelsatar, who scored after eluding Bolivia’s defenders.

Egypt dominated the first 20 minutes with quick passing and lightening attacks, until Bolivia got a penalty shot in the 21st minute.

Bolivian forward Limberg Gutierrez rocketed the penalty past Egyptian goalkeeper Essam el Hadary.

Bolivia took the lead in the 41st minute, with Reny Riber pushing a shot hard from the right side into the Egyptian goal.

Umrigar chosen for Nayudu award

MUMBAI, July 26 (PTI) — Former India skipper and middle-order mainstay Polly Umrigar was today unanimously selected for the prestigious Colonel C.K. Nayudu award for the year 1998-99 by the cricket board (BCCI) for his contributions to the game.

The award committee headed by N.K.P. Salve met here and chose the 73-year-old Mumbai-born Umrigar to be the fourth recipient of the annual award, it was announced by Board Secretary and committee convener Jaywant Lele.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a citation and a trophy with a statue of India’s first test captain Nayudu mounted on it.

Umrigar, who donned several other hats after his playing days as selection committee chairman, team manager and the BCCI executive secretary, said he was elated to be chosen for the award.

“I am very happy and proud to receive the Col C.K. Nayudu award from the BCCI for my performances in cricket both on and off the field for the last 50 years”, the former Test star told PTI.

“I consider this as a great honour as the award is in the name of a legendary cricketer whose cricketing abilities I hold in very high esteem and against whom I had an opportunity to play at the fag end of his career”, Umrigar said.

“This award will be cherished by me lifelong”, added Umrigar who represented India in 59 Tests between 1948 and 1962 and scored 3631 runs with 12 hundreds, a record in those days.

Umrigar, who was the first Indian to notch up a Test double hundred in 1955-56 when he scored 223 in the first match of the series against New Zealand at Hyderabad, had led India in eight Tests.

He had also performed the rare all-round feat of scoring a century and taking five wickets in the fourth Test against the West Indies at Port of Spain in the 1961-62 series.

Atherton steers Lancashire to victory

LONDON, July 26 (AFP) — Former England captain Mike Atherton’s unbeaten 95 steered Lancashire Lightning to a four-wicket win against Hampshire Hawks yesterday and gave a timely reminder to the England selectors.

With England captain Nasser Hussain doubtful for the third Test against New Zealand at Old Trafford in two weeks’ time because of a broken finger, Atherton could be the man to step in and steady the ship following defeat in the second Test.

Atherton ensured Lancashire’s fifth win of the national league season came at Southampton by driving Peter Hartley through the covers for the winning boundary with four balls remaining.

Atherton showed no sign of injury as he watched six team-mates come and go before Ian Austin helped him gather the 17 runs needed from the last two overs to as Hampshire crashed to their sixth defeat.

Hampshire had only managed a moderate 210 for seven with Ian Austin taking two for 40.

Jacques Kallis’long-awaited Glamorgan Dragons debut produced plenty of fireworks as the records tumbled at Pontypridd.

The South African Test all-rounder scored 155 not out as the Welsh side claimed a 71-run win over Surrey Lions in the second division.

Kallis’ 155 was the highest individual score by any Glamorgan batsman in one-day league cricket beating Matthew Maynard’s 132 which was also against Surrey in 1997 - and Glamorgan’s 294 for four was their highest total in league cricket.

Michael Cawdron came from nowhere to blow away Warwickshire Bears and set Gloucestershire Gladiators up for a thrilling first division win at Cheltenham.

The 24-year-old right-arm took four for 17 in eight overs.

Then the Gladiators scrambled past Warwickshire’s 198 for eight with one ball to spare and three wickets in hand.

A century stand by Neil Smith and Dominic Ostler had rescued Warwickshire, who at one stage were 66 for four.

But Gloucestershire pair Mark Alleyne (49 n.o.) and Jack Russell increased the tempo and Alleyne hit the winning six off Ashley Giles.

Mark Ealham steered Kent Spitfires to a three-wicket win over Yorkshire Phoenix with 14 balls to spare at Scarborough.

Ealham hit an unbeaten 34 from 63 balls as Kent reached their target of 179.

Julian Thompson had earlier taken three for 16 in nine overs before Yorkshire were rescued by a stand of 94 from Anthony McGrath and Richard Harden.

Marcus Trescothick’s yesterday-best 110 was not enough to preserve Somerset Sabres’ 100 per cent record.

Somerset were bowled out for 218 and Middlesex Crusaders reached their target with almost six overs to spare, with Mike Roseberry 91 not out.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks beat Derbyshire scorpions by seven runs at Derby but were worried by a twisted ankle suffered by captain Matthew Hayden.

Skipper Jason Gallian and all-rounder Chris Tolley put firm brakes on Sussex Sharks’ charge towards promotion by setting up an emphatic victory for Nottinghamshire Outlaws.

English county cricket scores here yesterday:

Worcester:Worcestershire (8pts) drew with Leicestershire (10pts) Leicestershire 291: (I Sutcliffe 110, V. Solanki 4-64) 316-9 dec (B. Smith 138) v Worcestershire 133 (J Dakin 4-27) 353-4 (W Weston 157, G Hick 59)

National division one

Cheltenham: Gloucestershire Gladiators b Warwickshire Bears by 3 wkt Warwickshire Bears 198-8 (N Smith 61, D Ostler 53, M Cawdron 4-17) v Gloucestershire Gladiators 202-7 (R C Russell 52).

Southampton: Lancashire Lightning b Hampshire Hawks by 4 wkts Hampshire Hawks 210-7 (J Stephenson 96) v Lancashire Lightning 214-6 (M Atherton 95 n.o.).

Scarborough: Kent Spitfires b Yorkshire Phoenix by 3 wkts. Yorkshire Phoenix 178-8 (A McGrath 68) v Kent Spitfires 179-7

Division two

Derby: Northamptonshire Steelbacks b Derbyshire Scorpions by 7 runs.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks 187-6 v Derbyshire Scorpions 180 (M Slater 59, K Innes 4-37).

Pontypridd: Glamorgan Dragons b Surrey Lions by 71 runs Glamorgan Dragons 294-4 (J Kallis 155 n.o. M Maynard 79) v Surrey Lions 223 (D Bicknell 62).

Cleethorpes: Nottinghamshire Outlaws b Sussex Sharks by 46 runs. Nottinghamshire Outlaws 246-4 (J Gallian 108 n.o. G Archer 52) v Sussex Sharks 200-8 (J Carpenter 64 n.o. C Tolley 4-38).

Taunton: Middlesex Crusaders b Somerset Sabres by 8 wkts. Somerset Sabres 218 (M Trescothick 110, K Dutch 5-35) v Middlesex Crusaders 219-2 (M Roseberry 91 n.o. K Dutch 57, Shah 56).

Pan-Am Games

Johnny Gray strikes gold

WINNIPEG (Manitoba), July 26 (Reuters) — Thirtynine-year-old Johnny Gray yesterday became a Pan American Games gold medallist for the second time, 12 years after his first success, as he won a dramatic men’s 800 metres on the track.

World champion Ivan Pedroso of Cuba overcame a stuttering start to win the men’s long jump on a day which featured the unusual sights of Cuba winning on the soccer field and Brazil entering the baseball arena.

Cuba, where soccer boomed in the 1930s only to become the ugly duckling of national sport, beat Uruguay 3-1 in the soccer tournament but Brazil’s baseball adventure was less successful. Their team, made up almost entirely of Japanese descendants, were beaten 16-4 by Canada on their first outing in the games.

Gray, who won the same 800 metres in Indianapolis in 1987, scored an emotional victory over defending champion Norberto Tellez of Cuba. He fought off the World Student Games winner down the final stretch to triumph in a games’ record 1:45.38, winning by two-hundredths of a second in a photo finish.

“I got him today because I’m fresher,” said Gray, the US record-holder who has run sparingly this year because of injuries.

“Winning was far from a lot of people’s minds, but not mine,” added Gray, who failed last month to make the US World Championship team. “Now I know I’m ready to run (in Europe).”

In the long jump, Pedroso fouled on his first two attempts before taking command with a leap of 8.08 metres. After another foul, he jumped 8.43 before wrapping up the competition with a final jump of 8.52.

Elsewhere, Colombia, Chile, the Bahamas and the tiny Dutch-speaking South American republic of Surinam all picked up their first gold medals, the latter’s rare success coming through Letitia Vriesde in the women’s 800 metres.

Mexico’s Adriana Fernandez and Ana Guevara took advantage of the absence of top US athletes as they won the women’s 5,000 and 400 metres, respectively, on a good day for Latin American athletes. Earlier, Brazilian Vanderlei Lima and Chile’s Erika Olivera easily claimed gold in the marathons.

Cuban gymnast Eric Lopez (26) captured his second gold medal of the games. After leading his country to gold in Saturday’s team competition, Lopez posted a convincing win in the men’s individual all-around competition.

In doing so, he added to the 1995 Pan-Am all-round title and the silver medal in 1991. Alexander Jeltkov (21) a Canadian who emigrated from the former Soviet Union at age 13, was a surprise silver medallist.

The USA claimed nine of the gold medals yesterday, with Cuba taking eight and the hosts a disappointing two.

The USA increased their lead in the overall medals count with 15 gold, three ahead of Cuba and seven more than Canada.

Outside the sporting arena, Peruvian team officials and local police said that two of the Andean nation’s wrestlers had failed to return to the team camp. It was expected they would eventually ask for permission to stay in Canada.

First LPGA title for Gallagher-Smith

WARREN (Ohio), July 26 (Reuters) — Jackie Gallagher-Smith fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to notch the first victory of her six-year career, pulling away for a three-stroke triumph at the one $ 1 million giant eagle LPGA Classic.

Gallagher-Smith yesterday finished with a 54-hole total of 17-under-par 199 to break the tournament record by one shot.

“What a day”, she said. “My caddie helped me so much today, telling me that it was just another tournament and not look at it like I could win. I was so focused on each shot. I have to thank Lonnie (hellwege)”.

The victory enabled Gallagher-Smith to join her older brothers as a professional tournament winner. Jim Gallagher (Jr) has five victories in a 16-year PGA Tour career, while Jeff Gallagher won the 1991 Cleveland Open on the Nike Tour.

“My brothers have been a good support to me”, she said. “I saw them a few weeks ago at a skins game we have”.

The $ 150,000 first prize is $ 28,000 more Gallagher-Smith earned in all of 1998 — her best previous year on tour — and increased her 1999 winnings to 174,947 dollars.

Gallagher-Smith began the day in a three-way tie for second place, one shot behind New Zealand’s Marnie McGuire. An eagle at the par-4 seventh hole, where she holed an 8-iron from 132 yards, gave Gallagher-Smith sole possession of the lead.

“It really pumped me up, but I had to pump myself down”, she said of the eagle.

Leading money-winner Karrie Webb of Australia tied for third with Canada’s Lorie Kane and Leigh Ann Mills at 204. All three shot five-under 67 in the final round.

Jan Stephenson and defending champion Pak Se-Ri of South Korea were among six players at 11-under 205.

Deepali lone Indian to enter 2nd round

MUMBAI, July 26 (PTI) — India’s top junior dayer Deepali Anvekar is the lone Indian to survive on the opening day of the 10th World Junior (individual event) Squash Championship at Antwero yesterday.

According to information received here today, the Mumbai lass, who saw her team-mates Pia Abraham, Vaidehi Reddy and Supriya Balsekar all fall in their first round matches, needed 21 minutes to down unseeded Natahlie Suhas of France 9-0, 9-0, 9-7 and sail into the second round.

Chennai-based Pia Abraham, who led 8-6 in the first game but failed to wrap-up the game, went down 8-10, 5-9, 4-9 in 21 minutes to New Zealand’s No 1 Kylie Lindsay while Mumbai-lass Supriya went down without a fight to South African Karen Westhuizen 0-9, 0-9, 2-9 in 14 minutes.Another Chennai based player, Vaidehi was ousted by American Michelle Quibell 2-9, 2-9, 4-9.

Armstrong wins Tour de France

PARIS, July 26 (AFP) — After 3686.5 km of sweat and toil Lance Armstrong of the USA yesterday won cycling’s holy grail — the Tour de France — after Australia’s Robbie McEwen took the 143.5 km final stage from Arpajon to Paris in a late dash for the line.

Armstrong, racing for the US postal team, became only the second American winner of the epic race in its 86th edition, beating Switzerland’s Alex Zulle by seven minutes 37 seconds into second place in the overall standings and Spain’s Fernando Escartin into third less than three years after overcoming cancer.

The Texan’s win was the USA’s fourth following Greg Lemond’s Hattrick in 1986, 1989 and 1990.

“It’s just incredible. I am very emotional. “I’m in shock. I’m in shock,. I’m in shock,” said Armstrong fought to find the words to put his win into perspective.

The 27-year-old originally preferred the one-day format but has since matured into an all-round talent which brought him four stage wins — including the tough mountainous stage at the Italian ski resort of Sestrieres, as well as all three time trials.

“If there’s one thing I say to those who use me as their example, it’s that if you ever get a second chance in life, you’ve got to go all the way. It was a long road to get to the tour and a long road to get through it ,” Armstrong explained.

Sasikiran, Kunte win in Biel chess

BIEL (Switzerland), July 26 (PTI) — National champion Krishnan Sasikiran and fellow international master (IM) Abhijit Kunte continued their pursuit of grandmaster norm with victories while GM Pravin Thipsay was defeated in the sixth round of the International Open Chess Tournament here.

Sasikiran (4), who was adjudged the best junior player in the Blitz tournament played on the rest day Saturday, scored a facile victory over sub-junior Radjabov of Azerbijan to move a step closer to his second norm while double GM norm holder Kunte also moved to four points after beating inexperienced Othmann Houss of the UAE yesterday.

Thipsay (3) slumped to defeat, after four straight draws against Anatoly Bykmovsky of Russia (4) even as GM Vadim Milov of Switzerland joined Russians Sergie Volkov and Rashkovsky at the top of the table with five points.

Milov played exceedingly well to outwit Latvian GM Janis Klovans (4) while Volkov and Rashkovsky drew their game.

Sasikiran employed the double Fianchetto variation against the Dutch defence of Radjabov and won after obtaining a positional advantage.

Norman lifts Mercedes Cup

STUTTGART, July 26 (AP) — Unseeded Swede Magnus Norman captured the Mercedes Cup yesterday, helped by Tommy Haas’ dramatic collapse in front of a home crowd.

The 21-year-old German was within two points of a dominating three-set sweep, leading 5-4 30-0 in the third set, when his game deserted him.

Norman, taking his fourth career title and second this year, then fought back to win the $ 1.04 million event 6-7 (6-8), 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-0, 6-3.

Haas, a big favourite in Germany who will crack the top 15 in next week’s rankings, appeared to lose his self-control in the third set tiebreaker after fighting off five set points.

After Haas slammed a backhand to ward off the fifth one, he followed with a double fault and exploded in anger, kicking his racket.

Norman then finished off the three hour, 28 minute victory without much resistance from the German, who couldn’t keep the ball in play.

Haas had marched through the event without dropping a set, much to the delight of the German crowds.

Bhupinder champ

ROPAR, July 26 (TNS) — Bhupinder Namdhari was adjudged overall champion at the 27th District Badminton Championship yesterday. Bhupinder won three titles men’s singles, doubles and under 19 boys singles.

The following are the results:

Men’s singles: Bhupinder Namdhari (1) Sumit Sethi (2); doubles: Mani Singh and Bhupinder Namdhari (1), Gurdit and Harpreet Singh (2).

Women’s singles: Anju Verma (1), Arti Verma (2); doubles: Anju and B. Sethi (1), Arti and Ravinder Walia (2),

U-19 (singles) Boys: Bhupinder Namdhari (1), Anil Jaiswal (2); doubles: Sumit Sethi and Manvir Singh (1), Bhupinder and Anil Jaiswal (2); Girls: Anju Verma (1), Stuti Bansal (2); doubles: Anju and Sunaina (1), Satuti and Ruchika (2).

U-16 (singles) Boys: Suminder (1), Harpreet Singh 2; doubles: Harpreet and Gurpreet (1), Anshuman and Apurav (2); Girls: Arti Verma (1), Stuti Bansal (2); doubles: Arti Verma and Ramanpreet Uppal (1), Stuti and Ruchika (2).

U-13 (singles) Boys: Gurpreet Singh (1) Anshuman (2); doubles: Gurpreet and Anshuman (1), Apurav and Rattandeep (2); Girls: Shruti (1) Sunaina (2); doubles: Rajnish Kumaria and Harjit Kainth (1), Shruti and Sunaina (2).

Punjab Police lift basketball title

PATIALA, July 26 (FOSR) — Punjab Police overwhelmed BSF 77-54 yesterday to clinch the title in the men’s section of the sixth All-India Baldev Singh Brar Memorial Basketball Tournament.

For Punjab Police internationals Gagnesh and Parminder (senior) played excellently as they managed to check BSF distributor Vipan Kumar. After the half-time co-ordination between BSF players seemed to be lacking as Punjab Police enjoyed a comfortable 18 point lead with 10 minutes to go for the match for BSF Paramdeep and Varinder played well but the Punjab Police defence did not allow them too many opportunities. The BSF had put up a good show in the league phase.

Earlier in the semifinals BSF defeated favourites PSEB 82-64 while Punjab Police in derailed SCR, Secunderabad 75-56. In the final of the women’s section Mandeep Khaira and Neena helped Jalandhar to subdue Ludhiana 61-54 and lift the title.