International Sport

Golf

Britain's David Howell rose six places to a career-high 13th in the world rankings following his two-shot victory at the Champions Tournament in Shanghai. Having begun the year at 43, Howell is now the highest ranked Briton and the second highest European after Spaniard Sergio Garcia, the no.6. Tiger Woods strengthened his hold at the top of the world rankings, despite having to settle for the runner-up spot behind Howell in China. Second-ranked Vijay Singh trails Woods by an average of 7.66 world ranking points.

Swimming

Australia's Olympic and world swimming champion Grant Hackett has pulled out of next year's Commonwealth Games to undergo immediate surgery. Hackett said he had agreed to an operation this week to repair torn cartilage in his right shoulder. Hackett, 25, has been hampered by shoulder pain for years but the injury has deteriorated in the past few months because of the constant wear and tear from training.

Athletics

Kenya's top athletes and government reacted with delight after it was announced that the Indian Ocean port city of Mombasa would host the 2007 world cross country championships. President Mwai Kibaki said it would be a great chance to showcase Kenyan talent. Mombasa was the sole bidder to host the event after Florida and Madrid pulled out.

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