Sports round-up

Rugby Union: Australia flyhalf Quade Cooper was yesterday cleared of a kneeing charge following his side’s 25-20 victory over New Zealand in the Tri-Nations decider, less than a fortnight before the World Cup. Cooper was cited by SANZAR for striking New Zealand captain Richie McCaw in the face with his knee during the second half of the match in Brisbane on Saturday. A guilty verdict and suspension would have seen the 23-year-old miss the early matches of the World Cup.

Marathon: Japanese-based Kenyan Harun Njoroge Mbugua won the Hokkaido marathon yesterday with Japan’s Tomo Morimoto taking the women’s title. Njoroge, the runner-up last year, moved into top gear at around the 39-kilometre mark to cross the finishing line in two hours 14 minutes and 10 seconds. Seiji Kobayashi came in second in 2:14:22, followed by his compatriot Chiharu Takada in 2:14.39.

Basketball: The Chinese women’s team booked a place in the 2012 Olym-pics yesterday, beating South Korea 65-62 in the final of the Asian championships. China were down 38-41 after Lee Youn-Hoa bagged a three-pointer in the third period, and then went further behind when Sin Jung-Ja hit a two-point basket. But Ma Zengyu replied with a three-point hoop and, although the sides were tied at 51-51, China managed to regain and retain a narrow lead until the end.

Boxing: Russia’s Alexander Povetkin won the vacant WBA heavyweight title with a points victory over Uzbek Ruslan Chagaev. The three judges came down in favour of Povetkin with 117-113 on two cards and 116-112 on the third as the 2004 Olympic champion took the title left vacant when Wladimir Klitschko was promoted to super champion status. Povetkin, unbeaten from 22 fights, now has the chance to take on the undisputed champion Klitschko.