REPLAY: THE WEEK IN REVIEW
SUNDAY
Racing: Sensational Silent Witness reaches into the unplumbed depths of his talent and tears the Hong Kong Sprint from South African powerhouse National Currency's grasp at Sha Tin, the highlight of a day of thrills for Hong Kong punters at the international races. The Tony Cruz-trained Silent Witness emerges as the undisputed world turf sprint champion when jockey Felix Coetzee finds another gear from him inside the final 300 metres and ruthlessly disposes of the world's richest 1,000 metres event. 'I had doubts at the 400m, but when Felix went for him and the horse started to come, I said, 'That's it. It's in the bag',' says delighted co-owner Archie da Silva.
Golf: Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee records a magnificent victory in the US$500,000 Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok to register the biggest win of his impressive career. Thongchai shoots a six-under-par 65 to win by one stroke from Taiwan's Lin Keng-chi, who returns a 67. The Thai's victory goes a long way towards making amends for his disappointment in failing to make the grade in the US PGA Tour Qualifying School in Florida. Thongchai had to jump on a lane immediately after playing in the qualifying tournament in order to make the start in Bangkok on time. 'I would like to thank the Thai fans, it has been a great week,' he says.
MONDAY
Cycling: Britain's most exciting young rider, David Millar, confirms he will make a spectacular reappearance on his 27th birthday in next month's Hong Kong Cycle Classic in the city where he grew up. Millar last competed here as a junior at the Hong Kong-Macau Interport 10 years ago when he failed to strike a blow. But the 26-year-old Scot returns a different rider as the main attraction in the cycling extravaganza on Sunday, January 4. The 80-kilometre individual circuit race comprises 28 laps and starts and finishes at Golden Bauhinia Square on the Wan Chai waterfront. 'It is even more special as it's on my birthday and I'm happy to be able to celebrate it in Hong Kong where I grew up and where my father lives,' notes Millar
American football: Joe Horn takes a touchdown pass for the New Orleans Saints against the New York Giants - and the most expensive telephone call of his life. As a gag, he has earlier concealed a cell phone in the protective padding of a goalpost. After scoring, a teammate whips the phone out and hands it to Horn, who proceeds to phone his family, apparently to inform them of his achievement. It raises a laugh but not from the NFL authorities, who later fine him US$30,000.
TUESDAY
Cricket: Rahul Dravid finally replaces Sachin Tendulkar as the darling of the Indian media after he engineers one of their finest wins in Test history - over world champions Australia. Newspapers run front-page banner headlines to mark Dravid's match-winning knocks of 223 and 72 not out as India come from behind to eclipse Steve Waugh's men by four wickets in the Second Test at Adelaide. 'I said before that we are the second best side in the world,' Ganguly says. 'But if we can win this series then we definitely can be number one.'
Rugby union: Cries of treason rent the air as England coach Clive Woodward slams the BBC for allowing Wallaby great David Campese to present his World Cup-winning side with the broadcaster's team of the year award. Campese, a longstanding critic of English rugby, is a somewhat ironical choice to present the award. 'Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Steven Redgrave, George Cohen and Princess Anne were there - all of those people could have presented the trophy,' fumes Woodward. 'To pick a guy, who in international rugby, has got little or no respect, was a bad error of judgment by the BBC.'
WEDNESDAY
Table tennis: This is not in the script. Wang Nan, a 25-year-old world and Olympic champion at the peak of her powers takes on a 'retired' player one month short of her 35th birthday - and loses. It is supposed to be a cakewalk for Wang Nan, but it turns out an embarrassment as China's top gold medal prospect at next year's Olympics is given a lesson she would rather forget on opening day action of the Volkswagen Women's World Cup at Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Former mainland player Gao Jun who now represents the United States, says she only plays for 'fun' these days, but Wang doesn't see the funny side of the 4-2 defeat.
Soccer: It's a first, but not one to be proud of. Beijing Hyundai defender Zhang Shuai becomes the first professional player in China to test positive for an illegal substance, mainland authorities announce. The 22-year-old returns an 'excessive' amount of the banned stimulant ephedrine in a random test after a match last month. The scandal breaks only days after Zhang is selected for the national Olympic team. He faces a two to four-year suspension and a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 yuan.
THURSDAY
Racing: South African moneymaker National Currency is tipped to be snapped up by Hong Kong property magnate Robert Ng for a price of around $10 million. The four-year-old runner-up to Silent Witness in the Hong Kong Sprint last weekend is resting in Dubai, but Jockey Club executive director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges confirms the deal is complete, subject to veterinary approval. 'It is wonderful to see Hong Kong owners, perhaps inspired by the success of our horses in international races, prepared to invest significant sums on quality horses,' says Engelbrecht-Bresges.
Basketball: Help is on the way for ailing Miami Heat centre Alonzon Mourning. Less than a month after he announces he is in renal failure and has to retire immediately form the NBA, he finds a suitable kidney donor and can now look forward to an operation before the end of the year which will give him a new lease on life.
FRIDAY
Soccer: Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is banned for eight months by an independent disciplinary commission for missing a drugs test. The England international had been charged by the FA with a 'failure or refusal' to take the test at United's training ground on September 23. Ferdinand is set to miss the rest of the domestic season and next year's European Championship, though Manchester United immediately announced they would appeal. Ferdinand is also fined #50,000.
