AQUATICS: Phelps claims third race at Winter Championships by John Green

www.telegraph.co.uk

Michael Phelps roared home to win the 200 metre butterfly and claim his third victory in as many days at the US Winter National Championships on Saturday.

The 18-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the event clocked one minute, 56.11 seconds as he continues his preparations for an Olympic comeback next year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Chase Kalisz finished 1.01 seconds back in second while Dakota Hodgson was third in 1:59.09, three seconds slower than Phelps at the King County Aquatic Centre in Seattle, Washington.

Phelps was still well off his American record of 1:52.20 set in 2008. He set the world record of 1:51.51 a year later in Rome.

Phelps swam the final 50 metres in 30.08 seconds to finish comfortably ahead of Kalisz, who was also the runner-up to Phelps in the 200 individual medley on Thursday.

Phelps won the 100 metre butterfly on Friday.

NBA: Ibaka is African Player of the Week by John Green

Serge Ibaka © Gallo Images

Serge Ibaka is this week’s supersport.com African Player of the Week for games played from 30 November to 6 December.

Although rookie Emmanuel Mudiay helped the Denver Nuggets improve their record to 8-13 and the Congolese contributed 7.2 points and 6.5 assists in three games, Oklahoma City Thunder's power forward Ibaka made a bigger impact.

Ibaka averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and two blocked shots in three games as OKC improved to a 12-8 record.

The Congolese may not be at his best protecting the rim, but offensively Ibaka’s 54.6 percent field-goal shooting made a lot of noise.

Twenty games into the season and Ibaka is averaging 12.9 points and 7.2 rebounds.

“I am [always] ready to play whatever position the coach asks me to. If he asks me to play four or five, I am ready," he said on Sunday.

After two consecutive defeats at Atlanta and Miami, OKC bounced back with a 98-95 home win over Sacramento, and Ibaka came up with 12 points, seven rebounds and a staggering there blocked shots.
OKC and Ibaka visit Memphis on Wednesday morning.

SPORTS: Big Match Feature: Wolfsburg v United by John Green

The stakes are high for VfL Wolfsburg and Manchester United FC as they meet on Uefa Champions League matchday six, with both sides bidding to wrap up qualification for the last 16 – and deal the other a knockout blow.

Group B leaders Wolfsburg have never advanced beyond the group stage before but will be through with a draw and will definitely clinch first place with a win.

United, a point behind their hosts in second place, need a win to guarantee qualification. They would also qualify regardless of their own result if PSV were to lose at home to PFC CSKA Moskva in the group's other game or if both matches are drawn.
This latest encounter falls six years ago to the day since United won 3-1 at Wolfsburg through a Michael Owen hat-trick (44, 83, 90+1). Edin Džeko (56) scored for Wolfsburg, who were consigned to third with the defeat, as United, who had already qualified, secured first place.