Briefs | Bowman reportedly weighed 300

Figure skating

Autopsy on Bowman to be done this weekend: Christopher Bowman, a U.S. champion in 1989 and 1992, crashed in his life off the ice. Bowman, 40, ended up dead on the floor of a Los Angeles motel room Thursday, about 1 ½ months after being arrested for misdemeanor theft.

An autopsy on Bowman, who was 6 feet and weighed an estimated 300 pounds, is to be done this weekend.

Bowman's death initially was reported as a possible drug overdose, but "we don't have anything that points specifically" to that as the cause, assistant chief Ed Winter of the coroner's office said.

Investigators also were considering if Bowman's death was the result of an accident or natural causes. Bowman was an admitted cocaine addict.

Dancers withdraw: Ice dancers Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov withdrew from the U.S. championships, which begin Jan. 20 in St. Paul, Minn., because of injuries.

Skiing

France's Grange wins World Cup event: Jean-Baptiste Grange of France used a strong slalom leg to win a World Cup super-combi in Wengen, Switzerland, ahead of Daniel Albrecht of Switzerland and Bode Miller of Bretton Woods, N.H. Ted Ligety of Park City, Utah, was fifth.

Volleyball

U.S. beats Puerto Rico: The U.S. men qualified for the Beijing Olympics, beating Puerto Rico 25-20, 25-19, 25-20 in the final of the NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying Championship in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

WNBA

Sparks hire ex-NBA player Smith: The Los Angeles Sparks, coached by former NBA player Michael Cooper, hired ex-NBA player Larry Smith as an assistant coach.

College basketball

North Carolina's Williams gets five stitches: Roy Williams, coach of top-ranked North Carolina, cut his scalp and needed five stitches when he tripped over a cord in his office and struck his head on a door. He jokingly claimed that he needed 36 stitches.

Rainier Beach graduate Williams might return to Louisville: Louisville junior forward Terrence Williams, a graduate of Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, said he is leaning toward returning for his senior season. Before the season, Cardinals coach Rick Pitino had said Williams probably would enter the 2008 NBA draft.

Tennis

Henin extends streak: Top-ranked Justine Henin of Belgium won her 28th match in a row, beating Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the Sydney International final in Australia.

Daniilidou wins in walkover: Eleni Daniilidou of Greece won the Hobart International in Australia in a walkover, as Vera Zvonareva of Russia rolled her left ankle during a practice session before the final.

Roddick prevails: American Andy Roddick beat Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 7-5, 6-3 in the final to claim his third consecutive Kooyong Classic title in Melbourne, Australia.

Boxing

Nephew of Berbick gets life sentence: A nephew of ex-heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick was sentenced to life in prison for his murder in Jamaica in October 2006.

Harold Berbick, 21, will be eligible for parole in 20 years. His accomplice, Kenton Gordon, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter.

Soccer

New deal for Preki: Preki, 44, signed a new, multiyear deal as coach of Chivas USA of Major League Soccer; he was the MLS coach of the year. Preki is a former standout for the Tacoma Stars of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

Fire promotes Hamlett: The MLS Chicago Fire promoted longtime assistant Denis Hamlett, 39, to coach.

Klinsmann to coach Bayern Munich: Juergen Klinsmann, 43, agreed to take over as coach of Bayern Munich of Germany on July 1.

Olympics

Pistorius is prepared to appeal: Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius of South Africa is intent on becoming the first disabled runner to compete in the Olympics. The IAAF ruled his prosthetic racing blades give him an unfair edge. Pistorius said he will appeal any ban.

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