Record for Youngest Winner of ITTF World Tour Broken for Third Time in 12 Months

China’s YU Ziyang breaks record for youngest men’s singles winner of ITTF World Tour.
Photo by: Tomo WATANABE / ITTF

16-year-old YU Ziyang of China has broken the record for youngest ever winner of a World Tour Title at 16 years and 30 days old, 254 days younger than previous record holder Japan’s SAMBE Kohei was when he won the 2014 Chile Open at 16 years and 284 days.

This is the third time the record has been broken in the last 12 months, when China’s FAN Zhendong won at 16 years 292 days at the 2013 German Open.

YU defeated world number eight and 2012 title holder, Japan’s MIZUTANI Jun, 4-2 (8-11, 11-4, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 11-8) in the Men’s Singles Final at the 2014 Japan Open, last of six Super Series events of the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour.

Playing in just his second World Tour, YU commented: “I had more confidence in myself after entering the quarterfinals in the Korea Open last week, and it helped me in this tournament.”

“Before coming to the Japan Open, my goal set was to enter the Quarterfinals and Semifinals. Of course I thought of winning the title, but I was really playing match by match, trying to do my best for each, and not thinking too much.”

Asked about being the youngest player to win a Men’s Singles Title in the World Tour’s 19-year-history, YU smiled: “I am happy, but to me, age is not really an important factor. The main point for me is to win!”

Upsets were abound in the Men’s Singles, as top seed CHUANG Chih-yuan (TPE) and defending champion SHIONO Masato (JPN) were knocked out in the first round of the Main Draw. This also marks the second year in a row that a qualifier has won the Japan Open.

Home ground advantage saw a strong performance by the Japanese team, with Japanese contenders in five out of six finals at the Japan Open, who eventually won three gold medals.

In the women’s singles, top seed FENG Tianwei of Singapore proved too strong for second seed Japan’s ISHIKAWA Kasumi, and the crowd was audibly disappointed as the Singaporean defeated ISHIKAWA 4-2 (12-10, 9-11, 3-11, 11-3, 11-5, 13-11).

World number five, FENG, who has two World Tour singles titles to her name this year having previously claimed the Philippines and Australian Open, said: “It was a tough and exciting match against Ishikawa. We have met several times before in international tournaments, and we both had wins and losses.”

“I think both of us gave our best efforts to perform well in the finals match, and we both did well. I am in good shape today, and am very happy with my win.”

KISHIKAWA Seiya and MIZUTANI Jun of Japan cruised to 3-0 (13-11,11-9,13-11) win over top seed CHIANG Hung-Chieh and HUANG Sheng-Sheng (TPE), taking a gold for Japan in the Men’s Doubles.

FUKUHARA Ai and WAKAMIYA Misako earned another gold for Japan in the Women’s Doubles, defeating FENG Tianwei and YU Mengyu of Singapore 3-2 (11-8, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11). The Japanese duo last played together at the 2013 German Open, where they lost in the finals, due to an injury keeping FUKUHARA out of the international scene.

On their comeback in Japan, national icon FUKUHARA commented: “We are very glad and happy to win in Japan, our home country! It was relaxing to play in front of a very supportive and large home crowd.”

“The key to our success was strong cooperation and our playing styles fit each other. We hope to be able to train more together, and become a stronger pair to be strong contenders at the 2014 Asian Games and 2015 World Team Table Tennis Championships.”

In the Under-21 Men’s Singles, Brazil’s CALDERANO Hugo lived up to expectations as top seed, defeating JANG Woojin of Korea Republic 4-2 (11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 15-13, 8-11, 11-8) just a day before his 18th birthday.

For the Under-21 Women’s Singles, 8th seed 18-year-old MORI Sakura (JPN), a member of the Japanese squad who won silver at the recent ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships in Tokyo, delighted the home crowd with a 4-1 (11-6,11-1,12-10,5-11,11-6) upset over 2nd seed CHEN Szu-Yu (TPE).

Egypt, Luxembourg are top seeds, ITTF Lagos World Tour serves off

Egypt’s Omar Assar and Luxembourg’s Ni Xialian are top seeded players as the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Lagos World Tour tagged Nigeria Open serves off on Monday June 23 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria.

Speaking at the pre-tournament briefing, the President, International Table Tennis Federation, Adam Sharara was particularly thrilled by the organization of the Lagos World Tour while commending the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for their giant strides in the last one year.

In the seeding list, Egypt’s Assar is rated number one in the men’s single, while Luxembourg’s 51 year-old Xialian is also rated in the women’s event.

Other seeded players are Egypt’s El-Sayed Lashin, Nigeria’s Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri in the men’s event, while the only Nigerian seeded in the women event is Edem Offiong.

In the U-21 boys’ event, Singapore’s Yin Jing Yuan is number one, while Nigeria’s Ojo Onaolapo is rated number two, while Egypt’s Dina Meshref and Nadeen El-Dawlatly are top seeds.

“I am impressed with what NTTF has been able to do in the last one year. The game is returning back to Nigeria and most importantly the quality of organization that they had put in place has really shown that Nigeria is capable of staging this tournament.

We were surprised with what they did during the Lagos Classics and this was what motivated us to decided to give them the hosting right for this tour,” Sharara said.

The ITTF helmsman, who was represented by former Deputy President, George Segun, however charged the participant to enjoy the beautiful city of Lagos with its warm hospitality.

Also, African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) President, Khaled El-Salhy expressed his satisfaction with the effort made so far by NTTF, while admitting that this was what prompted the continental body to give the hosting right of the Africa Top 16 Cup to Nigeria.

For the President, NTTF, Wahid Oshodi, all is set for the kick off of the tournament as everything have been put in place to ensure smooth organisation.

For the duo of Funke Oshonaike and Segun Toriola, taking part in the tournament would surely inspire the upcoming players to aim high.

“I am happy that the game is coming back to Nigeria because with the staging of the Classics in 2013,

Nigeria is now getting more attention from ITTF and we hope that this tempo will be sustained so that Nigeria can be a force to be reckoned with in the game. We hope that we can win the tournament but it is not going to be easy,” Oshonaike admitted.

At the pre-tournament press conference held in Lagos on Sunday June 22, 2014

Keshi, Osaze Say Eagles Best Yet To Come…

Keshi, Osaze Say Eagles Best Yet To Come…WC Debut Excites Ejike

Stephen Keshi – Super Eagles Coach

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi and striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie have reviewed the 1-0 win over Bosnia-Hezergovina on last Saturday and came away with the submission that the team was still yet to play to its full potentials in the Mundial.

Osaze said at the post match media parley that the team has what it takes to reach the very final if all of the players play to full potential. “I saw a Brazilian on the street who told he foresaw Nigeria playing the final against Brazil and I said to myself why not, going by the level of our players and the fact that they are yet to peak”.

Osaze Odenwingie goalscorer, Nigeria vs Bosnia-Herzegovinia

The Stoke City forward who scored Nigeria’s only goal in the encounter said the goal also served as a compensation for his missing out of last year’s Nations Cup in South Africa. “But mark my words we have a very resilient defence, a creative midfield and an attack force that can trouble any defence in the world if we play to our potentials we can go all the way”, he declared.

Keshi on his part, said he will not relent at ensuring that he gets the team in the right mood for the championship but said the players are just gradually coming up. “The annoying thing is that they get criticized unnecessarily back home. When that comes from the man on the street you can understand but when people who should know like ex-footballers criticize the team, I don’t enjoy it at all but the players have showed that they are good enough for the World Cup but they are yet to play to full potential”.

Winger Ejike Uzoenyi, who played his first World Cup game against Bosnia, said he was excited at his debut. “It was like a dream but I thank God, the NFF and the coaches for making me realize the dream of playing at the world’s biggest stage in football. I am a fulfilled man”.

Imoke, Unicem Rovers Hail Eagles…Says Maigari Is History Maker

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, says he has been enjoying the performance of the Super Eagles and believes that the team has the potential to go all the way. Imoke, whose government hosted all the team’s qualifying games was also in Brazil prior to the start of the championship.

“This team has the potential of making Nigeria one of the biggest football super powers in the world and I also believe that the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and his board are on the verge of also becoming the best football administrators that the country ever produced”, he was quoted as saying by Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe.

Also newly appointed Chairman of Unicem Rovers FC of Calabar, Maurice Inok, says the entire team and its officials are backing the team to lift the World Cup adding that the club has a bunch of youthful players that he will invite the national team technical crew to come and pick from for the future.

“We are behind the NFF, Keshi and his entire crew and I can promise that when he returns to a garland of celebration we won’t be behind because the team has raised the bar of football in Africa and the world”, Inok said in a statement from Calabar.

Nigeria Police Force

Nigeria Police Shines In Brazil 2014

The Nigeria Police Force has been one of the strong ambassadors here in Brazil representing the country in various categories of the competition and they have been turning out in flying colours.

Apart from national team Chief Security Officer, ACP Abubakar Baba, there are eight other top officers here and carrying out various World Cup task and they could be seen in the different centres of the championship.

Led by the Officer in charge of Sports in the Nigeria Police, Commissioner of Police, Sani Mohammed, the team includes another CP Abimbola Marcaulay, SP Gabriel Alobo DSP Femi Okunowo, Inspector Kikelomo Ajayi, herself a former skipper of the Women National team, the Super Falcons and Inspector Wakili Isah Shall.

They have been everywhere and helping to ensure that the flag of Nigerian is flown in the security circle very high, even preventing a former top sports administrators from Nigeria from being arrested over branding in the stadium. Nigeria is really going places in Brazil.

Photo Credit: Super Eagles Google+ page

AFRICA RUGBY CUP 1C: Nigeria Finishes third As Swaziland is Relegated

Confederation of African Rugby,
Confédération Africaine de Rugby,

The Africa Cup 1C Rugby tournament came to an end on Saturday in Gaborone, Botswana, with a bang as the Black Stallions took third position on the Log despite suffering a “heavy” defeat at the hands of Impala Rustenburg of South Africa.

Playing in the opening game of the final day of the tournament the Black Stallions lost 86-10 to Impala Rustenburg of South Africa.

Nigeria scored first from set play which allowed Christian Ogar race away for a try within 5 minutes.

The South African Cell C cup champions, Impala dominated the game afterwards. The game was a good experience for Black Stallions, “we gave them the toughest game of their tournament|” said Nigeria’s Azeez Ladipo.

Meanwhile, Mauritius whitewashed Swaziland in the second game 134-0 while Zambia lost to Botswana 14-66.

POSITIVES

NIGERIA’S NATIONAL RUGBY TEAM-THE BLACK STALLIONS

Three Nigerian players were rewarded for their respective “man of the match” performance in all three matches. The trio of Christian Ogar against Zambia, Azeez Ladipo against Swaziland and Isaac Sani against Impala received their awards and commendation at the Tournaments closing Gala on Saturday night.

This is the first outing for the home based boys in the African Cup 1C division and it is a great exposure for them, it is believed that this experience will have a positive impact on the NRFF’s grassroots developmental plan.

Final Standings:
1. Impala Rustenburg (Not Valid)
2. Mauritius (1st)
3. Botswana (2nd)
4. Nigeria (3rd)
5. Zambia (4th)
6. Swaziland (relegated)

Mauritius has progressed to Africa Cup 1B. We will go back and improve on our preparations for subsequent tournaments.

BLACK STALLIONS IN ACTION

WARRI WOLVES RESUMES FROM WORLD CUP BREAK

All players of Warri Wolves have been advised to resume training for the second stanza of the Globacom League on Monday, 23rd, June, 2014 at the Warri City Stadium unfailingly.

According to a brief statement made available to Sports Writers by the Media Manager of the Club, Moses Etu, all the players are expected to be there and anybody who fails will be sanctioned accordingly.

Etu disclosed that the players and officials were asked to proceed on a three weeks break to enable them enjoy the World Cup but with our Federation Cup match in Abuja on July 3rd and League matches coming up, the team needs to prepare adequately.

“We are going to resume on Monday at the Warri City Stadium and all the players and officials are expected to be there as anyone who fails will have himself to blame.

We have series of matches to play after the World Cup and it is good we resume on time. Management wants them to really improve on the first half performance and cannot afford to waste more time.” said Etu.

Warri Wolves Logo

Amaka Nwakama Leads Sea Waves Past Ocean Breeze in First Female League All Star Game.

Sea Waves, Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League All Star Team

It was a spectacle to behold at the inaugural Zenith Female Basketball League All Star game on Friday at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium in Lagos. As Team Sea Waves beat Ocean Breeze 54-46 to win the much anticipated exhibition game.

The Sea Waves conquest was lead by Nigerian international and First Deepwater guard Atosu Upe who lead the floor with 15 points and 4 rebounds. Dolphins guard Amaka Nwakamma added 12 points and 6 assists as her 6’7 Togolese team Kodjo Nadege made an impressive defensive showing with an all star record of 7 blocks and 8 rebounds despite just adding 2 points.

Ocean Breeze , Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League All Star Team

The Adewunmi Aderemi tutored Sea Waves trailed Lateef Erinfolami’s Ocean Breeze in the first 2 quarters 12-17, 31-34 only to come out guns blazing in the 3rd quarter with an 11-3 run to take a 42-37 points lead. From that point the Sea Waves never looked back as they extended their lead by 8 points and held on for victory.

2014 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League All Star Game

The Ocean Breeze team who gave a good account of themselves in the loss was lead by First Bank’s Nigerian international Forward Chioma Udeaja who scored 12 points, picking 8 rebounds and 2 steals and the trio of Nancy Romeo Irabor (IGP Queens), Eva Atunuwa (Sunshine Angels) and Ebere Okeke (FCT Angels) all adding 8 points apiece in a colourful display.

Sea Waves guard Amaka Nwakamma got Most Valuable Player Award for her &All Star& performance at the All Star Game.

The half time show….

During the half time break at the All Star game the 3 Point Shoot Out contest and Skills Challenge went down. Sunshine Angels Korede Bello’ s sublime shooting stroke got her the trophy with 11 points ahead of Atosu Upe and Oluchi Nnzekwe (First Bank) in the final round. After finishing tops in the first round

2014 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League All Star Game

The Skills Challenge had 4 teams of a player, a coach and a retired female basketball player compete for the 2014 Skills challenge crown. Team D comprising of Opeyemi Lawal (FCT Angels), Chioma Udeaja who was a late replacement for Gloria Edward and Lateef Erinfolami won the challenge in tie breaker ahead of Team B, who had Customs and Gombe Bulls Coach Abdulrahman Muhammed, Shola Ogunade and Mary Chimweokwu (First Deepwater).

2014 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League All Star Game

The victorious Sea Waves team whose names will be written in gold as the winner of the first Zenith Bank Female League All Star game are: Atosu Upe (First Deepwater); Amaka Nwakamma (Dolphins) ; Nkechi Akashili (First Deepwater); Juliet Currency (Dolphins) ; Nana Ayisha (FCT Angels); Christiana Isaac (IGP Queens); Tinuke Arowosafe (Dolphins) ; Uju Nweke (Delta Force); Kojo Nadege (Dolphins); Esther Igben (Delta Force); Nkem Akaraiwe (First Bank) and Korede Bello (Sunshine Angels) Head coach Adewunmi Aderemi (First Bank) Assistant coach Sunday Asisah (FCT Angels).