Golf: Taiwan’s Chan Shih-chang clinched his maiden European Tour title after a closing 67 secured a two-shot victory over compatriot Lin Wen-tang at the King’s Cup yesterday. Chan went into the final round with a one-shot lead and the 30-year-old mixed six birdies with three bogeys to claim the title on 12-under at the Phoenix Gold Golf Club in Pattaya, Thailand. “It has always been my dream to win on the Asian Tour and I did it today,” Chan, a five-times winner on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), said. “The future is bright and I can only look forward from here.”

Cricket: Australia have dropped out-of-form limited overs specialist Glenn Maxwell from the squad for the one-day international series in Sri Lanka this month, the country’s cricket board announced yesterday. Nicknamed “Big Show”, the 27-year-old all-rounder made 46 not out help Australia reach the final of last month’s tri-series in West Indies but could only muster a combined tally of seven runs in three others innings in the tournament. “We know Glenn can be a match-winner for Australia but his current form doesn’t warrant selection,” national selector Rod Marsh said.

Swimming: Russian swimmers Vladimir Morozov and Nikita Lobintsev have launched an appeal against the ruling banning them from this month’s Rio Olympic Games even though they have never failed a doping test. The duo want the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn the decision of swimming’s world governing body FINA to ban them for not falling within the IOC’s new criteria on allowing Russian competitors to compete. The criteria states that only if they have not previously failed a drugs test and can prove they are clean and not associated with the country’s doping regime are Russian athletes eligible to take part in the Games.

Rugby Union: South Africa’s Lions have included influential captain Warren Whiteley in their tour squad for the Super Rugby final against New Zealand’s Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday. The number eight has played just 54 minutes since injuring his shoulder against Ireland in the June internationals and missed the 42-30 semi-final victory over the Highlanders on Saturday. His return to the team would be a major boost for coach Johann Ackermann, who values his all-action style and leadership qualities highly. Utility back Sylvian Mahuza has also been added to the match 23 while scrumhalf Ross Cronje returns in place of the Dillon Smit.

Rio Olympics: Three athletes have had changes of nationality approved just in time for this month’s Olympics. The decisions were announced following the conclusion of a meeting of the International Olympic Committee’s executive board on Saturday. Javier Garcia, who has represented Spain in water polo at two World Championships and a European Championship, has been cleared to compete for Croatia in Rio de Janeiro. Sprinter Jennifer Madu has switched allegiance from the United States to Nigeria while Iszlam Monier will compete in judo for Sudan, having previously represented Hungary.

Tennis: Alexander Zverev, the rising star of German tennis who beat Roger Federer in the Halle Open semi-finals in June, pulled out of the Rio Olympics yesterday due to fitness problems. “During my last two ATP matches in Washington and Toronto, I did not feel 100 per cent and after several consultations with doctors and my team, we have decided that I must withdraw from the Olympics,” the 19-year-old said on Instagram. “I hope to be back in full form for the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati and wish my German team mates all the best in Rio.”

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