Sports

BY JASON THOMPSON With a little more than a week before the biggest bodybuilding competition of his life, Mario Foucault is training harder than ever with his personal trainer Rick McCutcheon.

BY JASON THOMPSON With geographical bragging rights and a playoff berth on the line, the Sudbury Spartans are facing a must-win game Saturday when the North Bay Bulldogs invade Queen's Athletic Field.

BY KEITH LACEY It was indeed a special occasion for three local athletes who turned in outstanding performances last weekend at the Special Olympics national track and field championships in Brandon, Man.

When Italy's Fabio Grosso lined up his historic penalty kick, a record four million Canadians were watching in anticipation. When his Cup-winning goal lifted Italy into the history books, it capped the most watched World Cup game ever in Canada.

BY SCOTT HADDOW Local amateur boxer Terry Witzu doesn't like coming in second place. The 56-year-old pugilist is off to the 2006 Ringside World Boxing Championships in Kansas City, Missouri from Aug. 1 to 5.

Diana Ford, who wrestles for the Rayside Wrestling Club, took gold at the recent Commonwealth Youth Wrestling Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Ford went undefeated at the event to capture gold in the 52-kilogram division.

Kristine Lalonde has once again been selected for the Under 15 Ontario Provincial Basketball Team. This is the third time Lalonde has been named to the provincial team.

BY SCOTT HADDOW More is always better. Last year, the try out camp for the Northeastern Ontario Regional boys' volleyball team resembled a ghost town. Only 12 players showed up, just enough to make up one full squad. This year, things were different.

BY SCOTT HADDOW Boxer Kyle Gauthier is like a big, powerful 18-wheeler, carrying a full load of emotion, skill and new-found desire.

BY SCOTT HADDOW Even with a slew of frustrating injuries and players gone AWOL due to work commitments, Sudbury Spartans head coach Chris Bartolucci isn't making any excuses for his team's spiral down the NFC standings.