Williams shocks gym world

Gymnastics: Kayla Williams probably ruins the curve in her classes at school, too.

The 16-year-old American, who was still competing at the level below elite five months ago, looked like an old pro Saturday in winning the vault title at the world gymnastics championships in London. Only when she stood atop the podium did she seem overwhelmed, taking several deep breaths as she waited for the gold medal to be put around her neck and fighting back tears as the national anthem played.

“This past five months, or however long it’s been, has been the most hectic and crazy,” Williams said. “But I’ve learned a lot and I finished it off as best I could.”

China, meanwhile, finished things off in its usual fashion, winning three of the day’s five titles. He Kexin added a world title to her Olympic gold on uneven bars, Zhang Hongtao won pommel horse and Yan Mingyong won the still rings.

Associated Press

No day at beach for Liverpool

Soccer: Maybe a lifeguard should have run on the field and declared no goal.

A beach ball from the stands floated on the field in the opening minutes of the Sunderland-Liverpool game in the Premier League at Sunderland, England. It might as well have been a set piece for Sunderland.

Sunderland’s Darren Bent took a shot that Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina appeared to have covered. But Bent’s ball hit a large red beach ball, deflecting past Peina and into the net.

The goal, coming in the fifth minute at the Stadium of Light, stood. No referee – or lifeguard – waved it off.

The 1-0 loss put Liverpool further out of title contention. Making matters worse for Liverpool was that the beach ball had been thrown onto the field by one of its fans.

Associated Press