Digest

TABLE TENNIS

Fan fends off teen Tomokazu for treble

World No 1 Fan Zhendong is relishing being the man to beat in table tennis after snubbing out the challenge of Japanese upstart Harimoto Tomokazu to win his third ITTF World Cup title in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Sunday.

Fan prevailed 4-2 (9-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-7) against the 16-year-old and admitted roles had been reversed since he first won the prestigious tournament－considered one of the sport's top three events along with the Olympics and world championships－in 2016.

"It has been quite different from my first World Cup victory," said Fan, who was also crowned champion in 2018.

"I realize that the situation has changed in the past three years. I'm no longer the surprise figure for the world's veterans but the one to target for the younger generation.

"With more eyes on me, I must be humble, stay focused and play more impressive table tennis."

GYMNASTICS

Gao bounces into the trampoline record book

China's Gao Lei claimed a historic fourth straight men's individual title at the FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Tokyo on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Rio Olympic bronze medalist defended his title with a high-difficulty routine, scoring 61.705 points to edge Belarusian 18-year-old Ivan Litvinovich by 0.185.

The victory means Gao is the first man to win four men's trampoline world titles in succession.

"When I climb on a trampoline I feel very calm. I didn't used to but now I feel very confident," he said.

China also pocketed a bronze medal in the team all-around final with a total of 24 points, with Russia grabbing gold and the United States claiming silver.

SPEED SKATING

China bags World Cup relay gold in Japan

China had to wait until the final medal race of the weekend to win gold at the ISU World Cup Short-Track Speed Skating meet in Nagoya, Japan.

China finally clinched victory in the 5,000m relay, with South Korea second and Russia third.

Earlier, Han Yutong won bronze in the women's 1,500m (division 2), with Dutch star Suzanne Schulting topping the podium and Canadian Lee Sarault taking silver.

A winner of the men's 1,000m on Saturday, South Korea's Park Ji-won earned another gold by winning the men's 1,500m (division 2) on Sunday ahead of second-place compatriot Lee June-seo and Japan's Ibuki Hayashi in third.

Canada's Kim Boutin led from start to finish in the women's 500m final to win her third straight World Cup title over the distance this season.

Italy's Arianna Fontana was second, with South Korea's Kim Ji-yoo third.

NFL

Watson wows as Texans trump Brady's Patriots

Deshaun Watson has long admired Tom Brady for his talent and resilience.

Watson beat Brady on Sunday night by not only throwing touchdown passes, but by catching one, too. "I told them I'm an athlete... the more you can do, the longer you play in this league," Watson said. "So I can do it all."

Watson threw three touchdown passes and had the first TD reception of his career as the Houston Texans frustrated Brady in a 28-22 victory over the New England Patriots.

Texans coach and former Patriots assistant Bill O'Brien got his first win in six tries against New England coach Bill Belichick. It was Houston's second win over the Patriots and first since Jan 3, 2010.

Justin Tucker booted a 49-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Baltimore Ravens to an eighth straight NFL victory on Sunday, 20-17 over the San Francisco 49ers.