MARATHON: The Tokyo marathon will be upgraded next year to sit alongside Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York as one of the world’s major races. The Tokyo marathon in its current form has been staged in February every year since 2007, contested by the world’s leading runners as well as more than 30,000 mostly amateurs. In 2013, the event will become the sixth race of the World Marathon Majors, a Grand Prix-style series for marathon runners. Tokyo will kick off the 2013 series on February 24 followed by Boston and London in April.
GOLF: Former US Open winner Graeme McDowell’s season could be at an end after he slammed his hand in a hotel door and was left with painful bruising. McDowell battled through his round at the WGC-HSBC Champions after the freak accident, but will decide whether to continue at the tournament after medical tests today. The Northern Irishman’s manager, Conor Ridge, said McDowell got his right hand caught in the door just before leaving his hotel for the second round at southern China’s Mission Hills. McDowell looked in pain during his round of 75, which left him tied for 56th.
CYCLING: Former cyclist turned journalist Paul Kimmage has started criminal proceedings against International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaid and honorary president Hein Verbruggen. The move counters the defamation case the two officials are themselves taking against Kimmage who has been a critic of the UCI’s response to doping in cycling. This development places cycling’s rulers under fresh scrutiny in the wake of the Lance Armstrong scandal.
FEDERATION CUP: Lucie Safarova, of holders Czech Republic, will take on Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in the first singles rubber of the Fed Cup final after yesterday’s draw. Safarova, the world no. 17 and Czech number two, will face world no.12 Ivano-vic, who is Serbia’s no. 1, in Prague’s O2 Arena, today. Ivano-vic face a tough challenge as Safarova has beaten her in their last three encounters, the most recent being this year in Sydney. In the second rubber today, Czech number one Petra Kvitova, who is recovering from a cold that forced her to pull out of the WTA Championship last week, will face Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic.
RUGBY UNION: The All Blacks kick off their 2013 home schedule with a re-run of last year’s World Cup final as they host France at the same venue in June. New Zealand will face last year’s runners-up in a three-match Test, starting on June 8 at the Eden Park, then in Christchurch on June 15 and New Plymouth a week later. The All Blacks then play Australia in Wellington (August 24), Argentina in Hamilton (September 7) and South Africa in Auckland (September 14) to defend the Rugby Championship they won this year.