The Otago Daily Times Online looks at some of the best stories in sports this week.
Dawkins confirms medal prospects
Southland cyclist Eddie Dawkins has confirmed himself as an Olympic medal contender after finishing second in the keirin event at the world track cycling championship. It could easily have been a gold too, as Dawkins was beaten by two one-thousandths of a second, by German Joachim Eilers. Last week he anchored the men's sprint team to a gold medal win.
UFC stars upset
Two of MMA's biggest stars were beaten at UFC 196, as Conor McGregor and Holly Holm were both choked-out. McGregor, the outspoken Irishman who won the UFC Featherweight title of Jose Aldo earlier this year, was fighting up a weight class and was beaten in the second round. Meanwhile Holly Holm, who had won the bantamweight title of the previously unbeaten Ronda Rousey, was upset in the fifth round of her fight against Miesha Tate.
Father saves son from flying baseball bat
Watching a sporting event from the front rows brings with it risks you do not get when you watch from further back. Whether it be a ball hitting an unsuspecting spectator, or players crashing into the seats, it is a place you have to be wary of what is going on. At a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves one father certainly was, as he reacted quickly to save his son being hit by a flying bat.
Team Wellington wins national title
Team Wellington handed Auckland City their first loss of the season to claim the national football title in a 4-2 extra time win. Trailing 2-1 in the dying stages, Wellington scored in the 88th minute, before finding the back of the net twice in extra time.
Sharapova fails drug test
Drugs in sport were once again in the spotlight, after tennis superstar Maria Sharapova tested positive for the banned substance meldonium. The 28-year-old said she had been taking the substance for 10 years for her health and was unaware that it had been banned on January 1 this year. Whether it was a case of ignorance or ill-intent, it provides yet another reminder of athletes needing to be aware of the protocol surrounding drug and medication use.
National Athletics Championships concludes
The New Zealand athletics national championships concluded in Dunedin on Sunday, with a large crowd turning out to see among other events, Valerie Adams throw 19.43m to win the shot put. Adams, a genuine top athlete on a global basis, claimed her 14th national title. Stuart Farquhar won his 16th national javelin title not long afterwards, throwing 77.77m for a comprehensive victory. Earlier in the weekend Eliza McCartney pole vaulted 4.80m to break the Oceania record, while Tom Walsh beat out rival Jacko Gill to win the shot put title.
Peyton Manning retires
NFL quarterback Peyton Manning called an end to a glittering career which spanned 18 years this week. The five-time league MVP had hinted February's Super Bowl would be his final game, one which his team won, giving him his second championship. Manning spent the first 13 years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, before finishing off with the Denver Broncos. Manning retires with a legacy that sees him widely regarded as one of the best ever to play the game.
New Zealand Open
Golf's New Zealand Open concludes at the Hills today, with Japan's Hideto Tanihara and Australia's Matthew Griffin leading the way at 17-under and 15-under par respectively at the close of the third day. Kiwi Steve Alker shot put himself in contention a day earlier, although fell back to 10-under to remain in third place.
Leicester gambler accepts bet pay out
A man who bet £50 on Leicester City winning football's English Premier League has been paid out £72,000 ($NZ151,000) by the bookmaker. The bet was placed before the season began, with 5000-1 odds. Had he held on to the end of the season, the bet would have been worth £250,000. Given there is still a scrap for the top place though, taking the money was perhaps the wise option.
