Reuters Sports News Summary

08/16/2016 0:58

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Boxing: U.S. coach angered by judging after Mayer defeat

U.S. coach Billy Walsh questioned the judging after his lightweight Mikaela Mayer lost her quarter-final on points to Russian Anastasia Beliakova at the Rio Games on Monday. "To be honest, I've just had a look at the judging. It was crazy," Walsh told reporters. "Are they looking at the same bloody fight or what?

Volleyball: U.S. men down Mexico to reach quarter-finals

Medal favorites United States secured a birth in the quarter-finals of the men's Olympic volleyball on Monday by defeating Mexico in straight sets. The United States, gold medalists in Beijing in 2008, has clawed back from the brink of elimination in Rio after losing its first two games to Canada and Italy and began its comeback with a stunning 3-1 win over hosts Brazil.

Athletics: Kenya's Rudisha retains 800m title

Kenya's David Rudisha obliterated his rivals in the 800 meters final on Monday to become the first man since 1964 to retain his Olympic title over the distance. Rudisha, the world champion and world record holder, stormed to victory with a devastating final-lap sprint that cemented his place among the greats such as New Zealand's Peter Snell, the last man to successfully defend an 800m Olympic gold.

Miller dives over line to deny Felix in 400m

Bahamian Shaunae Miller launched herself over the finishing line with a desperate dive to pip American Allyson Felix to Olympic 400 meters gold by the slimmest of margins in a thrilling final on Monday. After literally flying across the line in a personal best time of 49.44 seconds, the 22-year-old lay on the track, shaken up and exhausted, as she waited for the scoreboard to confirm she had clinched her first major title.

Russia's Stepanova: 'No accident' if something happens to me

The Russian runner who helped expose a system of state-backed doping in her country says she fears for her life and has been forced to move after hackers tried to find her location. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Saturday Yulia Stepanova's online doping management account had been illegally accessed. The doping scandal she lifted the lid on has rocked sport and cost over 100 Russians their place at the Rio Games.

NFL: League sets date to meet players accused of doping - report

The NFL has set an Aug. 25 deadline for four players to meet with the league regarding allegations of doping or they face the prospect of being handed suspensions, it was reported on Monday. Green Bay linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers along with Pittsburgh's James Harrison and free agent Mike Neal are facing punishment for their failure to speak with the NFL regarding an investigation into their use of performance enhancing drugs.

Gymnastics: Biles beam slip crushes five-gold dream

As expected, gymnast extraordinaire Simone Biles picked up her fourth medal at the Rio Olympics. Only problem was it was not the color the American wanted.

Serena withdraws from Cincinnati with shoulder injury

Serena Williams, fresh off a third-round upset loss at the Rio Olympics, has pulled out of this week's Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati with a shoulder injury, the tournament's two-times defending champion said on Monday. Williams, who had accepted a wild card into the tournament last week after competing at the Olympics, made the decision to skip the key U.S. Open tuneup after a morning practice in Ohio.

Brazilian Da Silva soars to dramatic pole vault gold

Brazilian Thiago da Silva won the Olympic pole vault gold medal in dramatic fashion on Monday to give the host country its first athletics gold medal of the Games. World record-holder Renaud Lavillenie of France took the silver medal.

Basketball: Argentina to face U.S. in last eight

Croatia beat Lithuania 90-81 in the final preliminary round game of the Olympic men's basketball tournament on Monday, vaulting from fifth to the top of Group B and avoiding a nightmare quarter-final clash with the unbeaten United States. Instead, Argentina have drawn the short straw and will face the daunting task of taking down a U.S. team riding a 22-game Olympic win streak in their quest for a third straight Olympic gold medal.

08/16/2016 0:58