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Thorpe seeks linguistic challenges

Australia's Matt Welsh (left) celebrates after winning the men's 50m backstroke final at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester on Wednesday.Canada's James Riley is also seen.— AP

MANCHESTER Aug. 1. Ian Thorpe dominates swimming whereever he competes — and the 19-year-old Australian now wants to speak the languages.

Thorpe wants to make up on some classroom time lost to training. ``I get frustrated when I go to other countries and cannot speak their language so that is why I have started to learn French,'' Thorpe said.

``After that I want to learn a few other languages. I'm not going to settle in France, I'm quite happy with Australia at the moment.''

All-rounder

Wales' Non Evans is spreading herself around at the Commonwealth Games. The 28-year-old was knocked in the quarterfinal of her 57 kilogram judo division Wednesday, but is back in action Thursday in the weightlifting in the up to 63 division.

To top it off, Evans is also a fullback in the Wales women's rugby team.

Savage Islanders

The rugby sevens team of tiny Niue island may not stand up to the strength of favorites New Zealand on the pitch — but maybe it has the better haka.

Niue Island calls its tribal dance the takola, and it certainly has fierce intent. ``We are cannibals, we are cannibals. We will catch you, catch you,'' the takola translates. ``We will tear you apart, rip you to pieces. Then we're going to eat you, eat you.''

Mohe Maugavalu, Niue's official warrior and leader of the takola during the games, is one of 2000 people on the tiny Pacific island.

``OK, the Kiwis will probably end up eating us for lunch, but we've definitely got the best haka,'' Maugavalu said. ``Actually as far as I'm aware, there is not history of cannibalism on Niue.

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