LOS ANGELES, May 13 — Tiger Woods has long targeted the record 18 majors won by his fellow American Jack Nicklaus but that goal became more elusive yesterday when he withdrew from the Players Championship because of injury.

It has been almost three years since Woods clinched the last of his 14 major titles and the prospect of adding any more in the near future dimmed as he dejectedly limped off after nine holes at the TPC Sawgrass.

Ever since his private life unravelled in sensational fashion at the end of 2009 and he tried to repair his crumbling marriage, Woods has struggled for form on the course.

Known for his extraordinary work ethic, he has been unable to practise as much as he would like because of family commitments and he has also been toiling with the fourth swing change of his professional career.

Aged only 35, Woods has already had four surgeries on his troublesome left knee and his latest injury setback comes at an inconvenient time with the second major of the year, the US Open, fast approaching.

Woods is a three-times winner of his national open and had initially planned to compete in last week's Quail Hollow Championship, the Players and then the June 2-5 Memorial tournament to complete his US Open build-up.

However, he was forced to pull out of Quail Hollow because of mild strains to his left knee and left Achilles' tendon and those same injuries led to his withdrawal from the Players yesterday.

Woods is rapidly running out of time in his preparations for the June 16-19 US Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

"A medial collateral ligament sprain one would expect to heal typically within two to four weeks," sports medicine surgeon Dr. Robert Frederick told Reuters yesterday.

"More significant is what is going on in his knee and with the Achilles' tendon. Rest may heal the injuries but rest also keeps him from the course and the practice tee which allows him to prepare for such events.

"The chances of him getting back within the next couple of weeks to aggressively pursue practice rounds are probably not very promising."

Frederick, a doctor at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia who is an assistant team physician for the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Flyers, was most concerned about Woods' knee.

"That left knee has had multiple surgeries and over time the arthritic changes become more of an issue," he said. "If arthritis is too severe, activity modifications, including diminishing time on the golf course, may have to be included."

Comfortably the best player of his generation and arguably of all time, Woods has slipped to eighth in the world rankings and has not won a tournament since the 2009 Australian Masters.

He has lost the aura of dominance he enjoyed while piling up his own tally of 14 majors and he can no longer count on being injury-free in his late thirties as he continues his bid to close in on his "Holy Grail", the Nicklaus mark.

However, Woods remains fully focused on achieving that aim.

"When I first started this (professional golf) at 20 years old, I certainly didn't think I would be at 14 (majors) by now," the American told Reuters earlier this year. "I am very happy to be where I am at but certainly I want a lot more.

"It took Jack a very long time, 20-plus years, to get to this point. Hopefully I can do that (surpass 18 majors)."

Perhaps the one burning question is for how much longer Woods is prepared to struggle out on the course where once he reigned supreme.

He has repeatedly said he would quit the game whenever he felt he was unable to compete at the highest level.

"For me it is very simple, it (the time to quit) is when my best isn't good enough any more," Woods told Reuters shortly before he won his most recent major at the 2008 US Open.

"I could not live with myself going out and practising and preparing as hard as I do and knowing that if I go out and play my best someone is just going to beat me.

"I am trying to prolong it, that early exit. One of the great things about our sport is you can play as long as you want. But do you want to play in mediocrity? That is the thing that I would have a hard time with." — Reuters

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LONDON, May 13 — A man suspected of attacking Celtic manager Neil Lennon during his team's match against Hearts appeared in court yesterday charged with assault.

Lennon, who has received death threats in the past and was sent a bullet in the post yesterday, was attacked near the dugout by a fan who ran from a stand housing Hearts' supporters during Wednesday's game before being wrestled away.

The incident occurred shortly after Gary Hooper scored Celtic's second goal four minutes into the second half of the match in Edinburgh which the Glasgow side eventually won 3-0.

John Wilson, 26, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where he was charged with breach of the peace aggravated by religious prejudice and assault aggravated by religious prejudice. He was remanded in custody.

Wilson was later banned for life by Hearts, who said they had taken the "severest action open to set the strongest possible deterrent.

"While not wanting to prejudge the outcome of the court case, all true Hearts fans will have been disgusted by what they witnessed," the statement added.

The attack was the latest in a succession of serious incidents involving Lennon, which have raised concerns about religious bigotry and sectarian violence particularly between fans of Celtic and their Glasgow city rivals Rangers.

The acrimony between Celtic, who have a predominantly Catholic fan base, and Rangers, whose supporters are mainly Protestant, is long-running and deep-seated.

"Last night's appalling attack on Neil Lennon brings shame on Scottish football and again highlights the fact that Scottish society must address fundamental and serious issues which lead to outrages of this kind," Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said in a statement.

Yesterday, a package had arrived at the club's home ground which appeared to contain ammunition, Lawwell added.

Media reports said it was another bullet which had been addressed to Lennon, a Northern Irish Catholic.

In January, packages, posted in Northern Ireland, containing bullets were sent to the Celtic manager and one of the team's players.

"Since moving here a decade ago, Neil Lennon has had to endure prejudice and violence both as a player and manager, having suffered no such problems elsewhere," Lawwell said.

Meanwhile, police said two men had been detained in connection with an investigation into parcel bombs sent to Lennon, and two of the club's high-profile fans.

Strathclyde Police said the men aged 41 and 43, were detained under the Explosives Substances Act 1883 after officers made dawn raids on a number of properties in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, southwest Scotland.

Last month police detectives said the parcel bombs could have caused "real harm."

Assistant manager Johan Mjallby told Celtic's official website (http://www.celtic.fc.net) that Lennon had been shocked by Wednesday's incident.

"It's a disgrace," he said. "He's had death threats and he's shaken right now. I have never seen anything like it.

"Neil's a strong character and he's coped with a lot this season and has still been able to work with this team and improve it, so we'll have to wait and see how he feels, but we're all desperate for him to continue doing his work." — Reuters

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REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,PALEMBANG - Pembangunan wisma atlet, yang akan digunakan pada SEA Games ke-26 di Palembang mendatang, masih membutuhkan dana tambahan untuk melengkapi sejumlah fasilitas kelengkapan. Dana untuk melengkapi fasilitas di wisma atlet SEA Games itu cukup besar.

Wakil Ketua DPRD Sumatera Selatan, Djauhari, menyebutkan fasilitas yang perlu dilengkapi di wisma atlet SEA Games itu seperti meja, kursi, lemari pakaian, tempat tidur dan lainnya. ''Dana yang diperlukan untuk melengkapi sejumlah fasilitas itu bisa mencapai ratusan miliar,'' Kata Djauhari.

Untuk pembangunan wisma atlet itu sendiri, Djauhari mengatakan dananya berasal dari APBN. Sedangkan, fasilitasnya kemungkinan diusulkan dalam APBD perubahan Sumsel tahun 2011.

Mengenai berapa besar anggaran yang diusulkan pihak eksekutif dalam APBD perubahan tahun 2011, ia belum mengetahuinya. Sementara, pembahasan APBD perubahan tahun 2011 itu sendiri baru dilaksanakan setelah pembahasan laporan pertanggungjawaban gubernur tahun 2010.

''Pembahasan laporan keterangan pertanggungjawaban gubernur tahun 2010 itu baru dapat dilaksanakan setelah Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan melakukan audit,'' katanya. ''Jadi, masih menunggu hasil audit BPK selesai, baru bisa melakukan pembahasan APBD perubahan tahun 2011 dan paling cepat Juli dilaksanakan.''

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REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,SEMARANG - Pesilat pelatnas direncanakan menjalani latihan di China selama tiga bulan sebelum tampil pada SEA Games XXVI di Sumatera Selatan dan DKI Jakarta pada November 2011.
Pelatih pelatnas pencak silat, Rony Syaifullah, mengatakan bahwa mereka berlatih di Negeri Tirai Bambu itu mulai Juni 2011.

Tetapi, sebelum berlatih di China, induk organisasi olahraga pencak silat di Tanah Air bakal survei di negara tersebut. Ronny mengatakan pesilat yang berlatih di China mendatang sebanyak 32 atlet.

"Saat ini penghuni pelatnas pencak silat sebanyak 37 atlet atau 150 persen. Itu nantinya akan terkena degradasi sekitar lima atlet sehingga tinggal 130 persen," katanya.

Ronny menjelaskan China dipilih sebagai tempat latihan untuk meniru pola latihan atlet di negara itu. Karena, China juga memiliki seni bela diri kungfu. "Sebelum SEA Games 2007, pesilat Indonesia juga berlatih di China," katanya.

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LONDON: Brazilian Rubens Barrichello has raised concern about safety at this month's Monaco Grand Prix now that drivers can use a moveable rear wing to help with overtaking.

"I just think it is wrong," the most experienced driver in Formula One history who also chairs the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) told the
autosport.com website.

"I would love the people at the top to sit in the car and try to do the tunnel with the DRS (Drag Reduction System or moveable rear wing) open," added the Williams driver, who will be 39 years old on the Monday before the Monaco race.

"In my opinion, they are waiting for something bad to happen. And when it happens, they will just say, 'Oh, next year we will not have it for Monaco.'

"The drivers have not been listened to right now and I think it is the wrong decision."

Monaco, with its tight and twisty circuit around the Mediterranean principality is a glamorous but unforgiving race where overtaking is extremely difficult and cars skim the steel barriers.

The tunnel section, with a blast into darkness and back to daylight, is the quickest point on the street circuit but one fraught with danger as tyre debris and 'marbles' make it perilous to move off the racing line at speed.

Some teams had wanted the DRS system banned for Monaco but others opposed that because it would mean designing expensive alternative Monaco-only wings. — Reuters

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LONDON: Polish Formula One driver Robert Kubica had a further small operation on Tuesday as he entered a new phase of rehabilitation three months after his career-threatening rally accident.

His Renault team said on their website (
www.lotusrenaultgp.com) that doctors now considered the first stage of the driver's recovery to be finished.

"Thanks to Robert's strength and to a highly attentive medical plan, the delicate period was overcome positively and without any complications," they said.

"With the progress of his recovery, we are now entering the second phase, which is heavy rehabilitation aimed to restore functionality."

Kubica spent two months in hospital after suffering life-threatening arm, leg and hand injuries while competing in a minor rally in Italy in early February.

The Renault statement added: "More small operations are planned to remove the unavoidable adhesions that are affecting the functionality of his forearm and elbow muscles.

"This is considered routine practice. The first one was done today and everything went according to plan." — Reuters

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BERLIN - Bayern Munich selangkah lagi mendatangkan Manuel Neuer. Bahkan, Presiden FC Hollywood Karl-Heinz Rummenigge sangat optimistis bisa menggaet kiper Schalke 04 itu.
 
Seperti diketahui sebelumnya, Rummenigge, anggota klub Karl Hopfner, bertemu dengan direktur Scalke Horst Heldt dan Peter Peters di Berlin, Selasa kemarin. Mereka membahas mengenai transfer Neuer.
 
Awalnya, pihak Schalke memang sempat menolak tawaran yang diajukan oleh Munich seharga 18 juta Euro. Namun, dengan tawaran baru yang diajukan oleh FC Hollywood, Rummenigge semakin yakin menggaet Neuer.
 
"Ini sebuah pembicaraan yang adil dan berguna. Sekarang, kami memiliki dasar untuk dikerjakan masalah ini," demikian kata Rummenigge sebagaimana dilansir dari sebuah surat kabar di Munich Tz, Jumat (13/5/2011).
 
"Saya memang pernah mengatakan tidak akan mudah menemukan kata sepakat mengenai harga kedua tim. Namun, setelah pertemuan ini, saya sangat yakin kami menemukan sebuah harga yang pas," tandasnya.
 
Ya, FC Hollywood memang sudah menaikkan harga menjadi 25 juta euro untuk mendatangkan kiper nomor satu Jerman itu. "Kini, terserah kepada pihak Schalke untuk membahas masalah ini dengan dewan klub," pungkas Rumminigge.
(hmr)

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MANCHESTER - Darren Fletcher memberikan saran kepada pelatih Sir Alex Ferguson. Fletcher menyarankan untuk menurunkan pemain cadangan saat menyambangi markas Blackburn Rovers
 
Perlu diingat, gelandang Manchester United harus istirahat selama dua bulan karena terkena virus. Namun, Fletcher sudah bisa bermain kembali ketika Setan Merah meraih tiket final Liga Champions dengan menghancurkan Schalke 04 di partai semifinal.
 
Selain semakin mendekati gelar juara Premier League, fokus United juga terbelah kepada persiapan pertandingan final Liga Champions, yang tak kalah pentingnya. Fletcher sendiri baru membela tim reserves United melawan Rovers.
 
Sayang, dalam pertandingan itu tim reserves Setan Merah secara mengecewakan kalah dari Rovers dengan skor 2-1, Rabu kemarin. Kekalahan ini, membuat tim reserves United sulit membawa pulang gelar juara Premier League.
 
"Tampil di lapangan sangat penting. Namun, saya sangat kecewa dengan kekalahan ini. Sebagai pemain utama, saya ingin menampilkan permainan yang bagus buat mereka dan saya kecewa seperti pemain lain dengan hasil itu," ujar Fletcher.
 
"Kami harus mendapatkan satu poin dari pertandingan itu (melawan Rovers-red)," tegas Fletcher dilansir MUTV, Jumat (13/5/2011). "Kemenangan dari Chelsea memang telah mengamankan kami, namun kami ingin memenangkan pertandingan itu."
(hmr)

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Angkat Berat

Sari Ully Terbaik di Kelas 48 Kg

Kirim Komentar Anda

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JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Sprinter asal Nusa Tenggara Barat, Rostinah (24), menggaet medali emas kedua dari cabang atletik di pesta olahraga Arafura Games 2011 di Stadion Arafura, Kompleks Olahraga Marrara, Darwin, Australia, Kamis (12/5/2011). Rostinah menjadi yang tercepat di nomor lari 200 meter putri dengan catatan waktu 25,40 detik.

Dia mengalahkan Thihang Tran (Vietnam) yang finis di urutan kedua dengan 25,68 detik serta Amanda Morris (Australia) di tempat ketiga dengan 25,93 detik. Sebelumnya, Rostinah meraih emas di nomor lari 100 meter putri.

Cabang atletik juga menyumbang emas lewat Safa Simora yang tampil di nomor tolak peluru putri dengan tolakan sejauh 10,48 meter. Dia mengungguli Weng San Chim (Makao) dengan 10,43 meter dan Eunice Steven (Papua Niugini) dengan 8,81 meter.

Sementara Andrian mempersembahkan perak di nomor lari 400 meter gawang putra dengan pencapaian 53,28 detik. Adrian harus mengakui keunggulan Wala Gime (Papua Niugini ) yang menjejak finis terdepan dengan catatan waktu 53,16 detik.

Tim estafet 4 x 400 meter putra dan putri juga meraih perak. Tim putri beranggotakan Kasmawati Laturau, Orpa Lodifina, Salma Bahma, dan Alphina Tehupeory dengan pencapaian 4 menit 15,53 detik. Mereka kalah dari tim Malaysia A dengan 4:06,63.

Tim estafet putra Indonesia A yang bermaterikan Musa Bisai, John Kennedy Thesia, Andrian, dan Silas Patai mencapai finis dengan 3:23,37 di belakang tim Papua Niugini A dengan 3:23,26.

Alphina menambah perunggu dari nomor lari 200 meter putri remaja dengan catatan waktu 26,33 detik. Dia tertinggal dari pelari Taiwan, Yu Wen Hsu (25,36 detik), dan Larissa Chambers (Australia) dengan 25,66 detik.

Adapun sprinter senior John Herman Muray (33) gagal merebut medali di 200 meter putra karena hanya finis keenam dengan 22,33 detik. Rekannya, Silas Patai, finis keempat dengan 22,30 detik. Medali emas nomor tersebut diraih Jaran Sathoengram (Thailand) dengan 22,10 detik.

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