China's national badminton team announced head coach LI YONGBO will "step down after 24 years at the helm." Reports in China said that Li, who led China to win all five Gold Medals at the 2012 London Olympics, "will take up a new post at the Chinese Olympic Committee." Key coaching staff members of track and field and gymnastics have "also been removed from the frontline to join Li in these new positions at the Chinese Olympic Committee" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 4/11).
HANGING THEM UP: Former Scotland national rugby team captain KELLY BROWN will "retire from professional rugby at the end of the season and take up a role as academy coach" at his current club, Premiership side Saracens. Brown "ran out 64 times for Scotland and has made 154 appearances for Saracens since joining the club from Glasgow Warriors" in '10 (REUTERS, 4/11). ... Premiership side Leicester Tigers player MARCOS AYERZA announced his "immediate retirement from professional rugby after 11 years" with the club. The 34-year-old Argentina int'l "made 246 appearances for Tigers, winning four Premiership titles" (BBC, 4/11). ... Japan figure skater MAO ASADA announced Monday on her blog that she is retiring. The 26-year-old, three-time world champion and Silver Medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics has been "plagued by left-knee pain this season." Asada won 15 titles in the Grand Prix series including four at the Finals, "while winning six national championships" (KYODO, 4/10). ... Former Wales rugby player MIKE PHILLIPS announced he "will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season." The 34-year-old earned 94 caps for his country, as well as five for the British & Irish Lions (WALES ONLINE, 4/11).
