The world governing body for baseball and softball, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), has highlighted the importance of sport for young people in a double celebration of Olympic Day and its pitch for inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sports competition schedule.
WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said baseball and softball’s stakeholders around the world have helped establish grassroots pathways for young people to participate in sports in local communities, schools and sports centres.
“These programmes share the values and guidelines set forth by the global effort led by the Olympic Movement to increase participation levels of young people and women in sport,” Fraccari said.
The WBSC president said there could be no higher honour for baseball and softball athletes than to represent their nations and to see their sport on the greatest sporting stage in the world, the Olympic Games.
“Our bid for baseball and softball to be included as additional sporting events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is on behalf of baseball and softball players now in over 140 countries — and on behalf of our sport’s younger generation who aspire to one day represent their nation and our sport in the Olympic Games,” he said.
The WBSC’s focus on youth development is aligned with the Olympic Movement’s renewed emphasis on youth in sport under IOC President Thomas Bach, and the key themes of this year’s Olympic Day — to learn, move and discover through sport.
“Olympic Day provides the opportunity for sporting bodies like WBSC to honour what sport has done for society, helping to highlight the values of sport and the important role sports play in our cities, countries, continents and societies,” said Fraccari.
President Fraccari said youth-focused baseball and softball programmes and competitions that introduce children as young as five-years-old are a feature of baseball and softball leagues globally, and provide important opportunities for young people to experience the excitement, team work, discipline and other important lessons and characteristics of life and sport.
The inclusion of baseball and softball at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will help inspire young people across Japan, Asia and in the newly emerging baseball and softball nations of Europe, Africa and Middle East, Fraccari said.
“Baseball and softball are among the most popular sporting activities for young people across Japan, and would help to engage and inspire more young people into sport and experience the benefits of sports,” he said.
The WBSC is one of eight international federations shortlisted by Tokyo 2020 organisers for possible inclusion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
After booking a ticket to the August-September world Cup in Japan, Africa Nations Championship [gold and Silver medalists] Kenya and Algeria now turn their attention to next week’s world grand Prix in Mexico and Kazakhstan.
Algeria will travel to Kazakhstan for the opening leg of pool N which also has Cuba, Australia and the host while Kenya who won two matches against Mexico and Algeria in the last edition will depart Nairobi on June 23 for the group O matches slated for Mexico. The newly crowned Africa champions has relatively easy matches in the first round having paired Mexico, Colombia and Peru and head coach David Lung’aho want to better his last performance where he won two and lost two matches. The two wins were Kenya’s first outside Africa.
David Lunga’ho steered Kenya to her third straight Africa Nations title and a ninth in total in their 10 final appearances since 1991 following a 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-20) win over Algeria in the final.
Silver medallists Algeria
From Mexico the Africans Queens will proceed to Algeria for the second leg where they must win at least two of their matches to move to the third round set for Australia and Algeria may take that advantage to avenge their continental loss to the nine time Africa champions.
While other coaches dream of such opportunities, the two coaches, David Lung’aho of Kenya and Francois Savalgni of Algeria share a common problem, of coming up with strong squads to challenge for medals in their many tournaments lined up this years.
After the Grand Prix, the top two Africa women’s Volleyball playing nations will turn their attentions to the All Africa Games and the world Cup and raising squad worth challenging for medals in the coveted Volleyball competitions is something that is giving the two tacticians sleepless nights even as they spend days globetrotting.
“We will have to split this team into two, one for the world Cup and another to take part in the All Africa Games,” Kenyan coach, Lung’aho said who has set a target of four out of six wins in the first two legs of the grand Prix.
Kenya celebrating
We will have all summer preparing for the world Cup and the good thing is that examination period is over (in Algeria) we will have all our players who were busy writing their examinations, Italian Savalgni, Algerian head coach said after the finals.
“We have so many players in Algeria and we will have to come up with a second string side to send to the world Cup and that is a very good thing for Volleyball in Algeria,” he added.
The ITF today announced the nominations for the 2015 ITF Beach Tennis World Team Championship to be held at Russia’s National Tennis Centre in Moscow on 15-19 July. The event is being hosted by the Russian Tennis Federation for the fourth year running with a record 28 nations entered.
Defending champions Italy will return as favourites, fielding the current men’s and women’s World Champions in a team largely unchanged from last year’s winning combination. Brazil’s team features five top ten players including three former world number ones in Samantha Barijan, Joana Cortez, and Vinicius Font.
This year’s event marks the inaugural Junior Team Championship, which becomes the first ITF junior beach tennis competition and will see five nations join hosts Russia to compete for the title.
The Team Championship is a mixed competition in which nations compete against each other on a knock-out basis. Each team will be comprised of a minimum of two men and two women, with ties consisting of a men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles rubber.
The Team Championship has joined the individual ITF Beach Tennis World Championships as the flagship events on the ITF Beach Tennis Tour. The 2015 Tour will see around 240 events held in 32 nations, while 55 nations are currently represented in the ITF Beach Tennis World Rankings.
2015 BEACH TENNIS WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
TEAM NOMINATIONS
Austria
Men: Roy Krawcewicz, Martin Schmidt
Women: Verena Amesbauer, Marlena Metzinger
Captain: Martin Schmidt
Brazil
Boys: Antonio Vitor Ferreira Tremura, Pedro Henrique Da Silva Braganca
Girls: Isabella Costa Dalmagro, Eduarda Schuck Silva
Captain: Edwin Suikerbuik
To put the athletes in the right frame of mind ahead of the 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru is organising a one-day training seminar for athletes.
The one-day seminar holds at the Business Club, Ikeja Fitness Centre in Lagos on Saturday June 27 and it will be personally taught by the NTF president.
In a statement issued and signed by Ashiru, current national champions are expected to attend the six-hour programme of physical and competition training as well as motivational talks.
George Ashiru, President Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, NTF.
Ashiru, who was pioneer Nigerian Welterweight Champion and was part of the historic first national Taekwondo team to the 4th All Africa Games in Nairobi Kenya in 1987, That team of 7 young men won 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 bronze medal…a feat that that has yet to be surpassed by subsequent national teams to various All Africa Games since then will bring his experience as an athlete to fore during the training exercise.
As the first former international champion to become the national president for Taekwondo, Ashiru hopes to bring that 1987 spirit back to 2015 by building on their superlative commonwealth championship of 2014 which produced an unprecedented 10 medals including 4 gold medals.
It added that the seminar hopes to inspire the current national team to produce a record breaking performance at the Brazzaville games coming up in September.
Popularity of table tennis in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea has soared recently.
International Table Tennis is returning to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea for the first time since 1979.
The GAC Group 2015 World Tour Challenge Series Pyongyang Open will take place on 29 July to 2 August in the Nations capital.
The Pyongyang Open will be the 13th stop on the GAC Group World Tour, and a valuable opportunity for the world’s best table tennis players to gain priceless Road to Lisbon points to qualify for the year ending World Tour Grand Final.
The ITTF World Tour will be one of only a handful international sporting event in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, so it promises to be an event to remember.
After returning from the Pyongyang Open site inspection, ITTF’s Marketing Director Steve DAINTON stated: “The Pyongyang Open is sure to be a fantastic table tennis event. It was amazing to see one of the best table tennis facilities in the world when we visited Pyongyang.
LIEBHERR 2013 World Table Tennis Championships,13 May 2013 – 20 May 2013, Paris, FRA
The venue will ensure its one of the best Challenge Series World Tour events of the year. It has also been 36 years since the last ITTF event was held there. Having seen the situation for myself I am sure it will truly be a memorable event.”
Table tennis is fast becoming one of the most popular sports in the country on the back KIM Hyok-Bong & KIM Jong, becoming the 2013 Mixed Doubles World Champions and the 2014 Asian Games Gold medalists, which has rocketed them to national stardom.
Entries for the historic event are closing soon, so don’t miss out the chance to be apart of this unique event. Click here: http://bit.ly/1LgivGD for more information on the ground breaking Pyongyang Open.
Before the GAC Group World Tour heads to Pyongyang, the next stop is the Japan Open, which starts in Kobe, Japan tomorrow 23 June 2015.
The ITF has announced a shortlist of four players to receive the latest Fed Cup Heart Award of 2015. The ITF has reintroduced the award for players competing in the World Group and World Group II play-offs in April.
Victoria Azarenka (BLR), Timea Bacsinszky (SUI), Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) and Flavia Pennetta (ITA) have all been shortlisted for the Fed Cup play-offs award.
The players were shortlisted by the Heart Award judging panel, consisting of ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and a mixture of former players and members of the international media. A public vote, running on 22-26 June, is being held on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es to decide the winner, who will receive a cheque for $3,000 to be donated to their chosen charity.
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “The Fed Cup Heart Award is in its seventh year and continues to recognise the outstanding contributions made by players to their country and the competition. Fed Cup by BNP Paribas celebrated its 50th birthday in 2013 in the ITF centenary year, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all the players during this time who have helped Fed Cup grow to enjoy the success that it does today.”
The Fed Cup Heart Award is an ITF initiative that was first presented to USA’s Melanie Oudin at the 2009 Fed Cup Final. It aims to recognise players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to their team. A total of six players will now be recognised in 2015. To cast your vote, visit the Fed Cup website
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
Scored three victories against Japan to lead Belarus back into World Group II for the first time since 2012. Defeated Misaki Doi and Kurumi Nara in singles, before partnering Olga Govortsova to victory in the decisive doubles rubber.
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)
Recorded three wins against Poland to help Switzerland win promotion to the World Group. Defeated Urszula and Agnieszka Radwanska in singles, before partnering Viktorija Golubic to a dramatic three-set doubles victory.
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)
Secured Romania’s promotion to the World Group with two singles victories against Canada. Upset Eugenie Bouchard on the opening day, before scoring a three-set win over Francoise Abanda to give Romania a 3-1 winning lead.
Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
Helped Italy come from behind to defeat the United States 3-2 in Brindisi. Defeated Christina McHale to level the tie, before partnering Sara Errani to victory over Alison Riske and Serena Williams, ending Williams’s unbeaten Fed Cup record,
2015 WINNERS
World Group semifinals: to be presented at the Final
World Group / World Group II play-offs: TBC
World Group / World Group II first round: Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
Europe/Africa Zone Group I: Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR)
Americas Zone Group I: Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR)
Asia/Oceania Zone Group I: Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA)
VALUE OF CHEQUES
World Group semifinals winner (x1): $10,000
World Group / World Group II first round winner (x1): $6,000
World Group / World Group II play-offs winner (x1): $3,000
Zone Group I winners (x3): $1,000
JUDGING PANEL
Francesco Ricci Bitti (ITA), ITF President
Sabine Appelmans (BEL), former Fed Cup player/captain
Mercedes Paz (ARG), former Fed Cup player
Craig Gabriel (AUS), international journalist
Sandra Harwitt (USA), international journalist
Corinne Dubreuil (FRA), international photographer
Pathway for the region’s best players to play in the WICB’s Nagico Super50 and the Caribbean Premier League
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that a cricket Combine will take place in Indianapolis, USA, in September to select an ICC Americas representative team.
This team will play in the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Nagico Super 50 tournament during January 2016, with an opportunity for the best performing players to then trial for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The Combine will have two phases, with Phase 1 being an open trial. All eligible players* in the Americas region can apply online by clicking here for the opportunity to be selected to attend the trial that will take place at the World Sports Park in Indianapolis from 18 to 21 September.
The best players from Phase 1 will then be invited to attend Phase 2 of the Combine from 24 to 27 September, after which the ICC Americas team will be selected. Some players identified through previous ICC Americas events will be invited to attend Phase 2 automatically.
“It’s exciting that the ICC, in cooperation with the WICB, is able to provide this opportunity to the best cricketers in the Americas region,” said ICC’s Head of Global Development, Tim Anderson.
“The region is full of talented cricketers, with many in the USA and Canada, and through the innovative open trial we hope to uncover some stars of the future.”
WICB President Dave Cameron said: “The WICB takes its role to assist the development of cricket in the Americas region seriously, and therefore we are delighted to be supporting this initiative.
“The Nagico Super50 and the CPL are important events on our annual calendar, and to extend opportunities to the best players in the Americas to compete in them is the right thing to do in-line with ICC’s strategy to grow cricket beyond its traditional boundaries.”
Applications for Phase 1 of the Combine close on Friday July 17. For more information, please click here.
The ICC Americas region is part of the ICC’s Development Programme, which aims to grow and improve cricket with ICC’s 95 Associate and Affiliate Member countries.
* Only players that meet the ICC eligibility criteria to play for Associate and Affiliate Member countries within the Americas Region will be considered for selection in the open trial and regional team.
World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fraccari today welcomed the news that men’s baseball and women’s softball have been included on the shortlist of additional sports (events) being evaluated by Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games organisers for potential inclusion at the 2020 Games.
The World Baseball Softball Confederation was among 26 international sport federations to have submitted bids to Tokyo 2020 organisers earlier this month.
“This is a great day for our sport,” said President Fraccari, “today baseball and softball — and the millions of athletes and fans who call it their sport — reached first base. And on behalf of WBSC and the entire baseball and softball world, I would like to thank Tokyo 2020 and its evaluation panel for this opportunity to move into phase II. Being considered for the Olympic Games is a tremendous honour for baseball and softball, and the possibility of our athletes playing for their countries on the Olympic stage is a shared point of hope and excitement within our sport.”
As Tokyo 2020’s evaluation continues, the WBSC will be hoping to underline that adding baseball and softball to the 2020 Games in Japan — where baseball and softball are embedded in the culture, have existing facilities and are popular across both genders — can provide Tokyo 2020 organisers with another tool to shine the spotlight on the 2020 Games and on the host nation itself, optimising fan-, youth- and overall engagement nationally and internationally.
In August, presentations to Tokyo 2020 organisers will be made by the shortlisted international federations. Tokyo 2020 will have until 30 September 2015 to propose any new events to the International Olympic Committee. The final decision on the composition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic sports programme will be taken by the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro in August 2016.
WBSC’s previous Olympic bid, which proposed men’s baseball and women’s softball for the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games, earned the second-highest amount of votes at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires in 2013, finishing behind wrestling.
After becoming only the second Franchise in World Series of Boxing (WSB) history to win a fixture against Cuba Domadores in the first leg of the Season V Finals, Astana Arlans Kazakhstan perfectly repeated their success in the second leg to claim a second WSB Championship in front of their home supporters in Astana.
A 6-4 aggregate triumph only begins to tell the story of the most dramatic Finals weekend of all time, as both teams produced some of the greatest performances in the history of this competition with so much pressure at stake.
It was Kazakhstan who reigned supreme however, and much praise should be given to their Head Coach Marat Jakiyev who inspired tremendous belief in his fighters, and expertly masterminded the necessary tactics needed to defeat the great Cuba Domadores.
The second leg began with a blistering Flyweight (52 kg) battle between Kazakhstan’s Olzhas Sattibayev (5-1 in Season V, 5-2 overall) and Cuba’s Yosbany Veitia (15-1 in WSB).
Veitia was undefeated in this competition heading into the contest, and was the overwhelming favourite as the majority of boxing fans expected the current Cuban National Champion to even up the aggregate scoring.
Sattibayev had different ideas though, and stood firm from the outset, cutting an imposing figure in the centre of the ring.
After claiming the first round due to his superior work rate, the Kazakh continued his form into the second frame with Veitia unable to fully utilise his traditionally relaxed style.
Sattibayev won the third round as well on all three scorecards, which left the Cuban needing a knockout to prevent the fourth Domadore defeat of the Finals.
Although he closed the gap with a high tempo performance in the fourth stanza, his rival remained stoic amidst the flurries of fast punches he was facing, and he soaked up the pressure with his own attacks.
The Astana Arlans athlete was superb at breaking up the rhythm of Veitia, and ultimately claimed the victory 49:46 across the board.
This result put Kazakhstan 4-2 up on aggregate with just four fights to go, which put immense pressure on Cuban Lightweight (60 kg) Lazaro Alvarez (9-0 in Season V, 15-1 overall), who topped the Lightweight rankings after the group stages
As a two-time AIBA World Champion, Alvarez is used to high pressure situations, and expertly maneouvered himself through his clash with Zakir Safiullin (2-4 in Season V) to win the contest by split decision.
Safiullin was impressive despite the defeat, but could not compete with the rapid punch output of Alvarez who enjoyed a successful start to the bout.
Cuba Domadores vs Astana Arlans during the Weigh In
Although one judge preferred the earlier work of Safiullin, the remaining two scorers appreciated the expansive work of Alvarez, who ignored the roars of the Kazakh crowd to keep composed and box to his calculated gameplan
There was no tracking back from either competitor as they frequently met head-on in the middle of the squared circle, but it was Alvarez who exploited the rare pockets of space with more success, and secured the split decision verdict to even up the scoring in the second leg.
Astana Arlans still held an overall advantage on aggregate however, and their lead lengthed in the next contest after one of the greatest performances in WSB history.
Aslanbek Shymbergenov (3-1 in Season V) is the current Kazakh National Champion, but was an overwhelming underdog in his Welterweight (69 kg) clash with London 2012 Olympic Games gold medalist and former AIBA World Champion Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo (5-3 in Season V, 10-3 overall).
Sotolongo’s status as the favourite was further strengthened in the opening round as he opened up his full range of shots, with a consistent variation of stinging punches dazzling even the partisan crowd.
The Cuban has had a mixed campaign in WSB this year, but looked back to his best as he oozed confidence in the first two frames, and looked set to romp home to a comfortable victory.
Shymbergenov was only just beginning however, and began to use his slight height advantage to considerable effect, with his jabs and quick right hands starting to make their mark.
A fast pace had been set early, but the energy of Sotolongo began to deplete drastically as Shymbergenov weathered the storm and began to dominate with his own attacks.
Cheered on wildly by his ardent supporters, Shymbergenov asserted even further control in the fourth round, and stunned the Cuban in the fifth frame with more devastating punches at the close of the contest.
The most unlikely comeback had indeed been achieved, as the Kazakh’s hand was raised in victory after a well deserved unanimous decision verdict had been reached.
Now Kazakhstan was ahead 2-1 on the night, and 5-3 on aggregate, which meant that Cuba’s two-time World Champion Julio Cesar La Cruz (8-1 in Season V, 13-2 overall) needed to defeat Astana Arlans Light Heavyweight (81 kg) Nurdaulet Zharmanov (0-2 in Season V) in order to keep the Finals dream alive for the Domadores.
Luckily for Cuba, La Cruz is one of the best fighters in this competition, and he impressed from the very first seconds of the bout with outrageous footwork and head movement teamed with dynamic forays forward.
Zharmanov is a very tough boxer, but was bamboozled by the fluidity of his Cuban opponent, whose already vast confidence grew further as the bout progressed.
La Cruz lit up the National Tennis Centre with sublime jabs to both the head and body, which negated any attempts from Zharmanov to sustain meaningful attacks of his own.
The outstanding performance from the Domadore was the first time in the Finals a Cuban fighter had looked completely at ease in the ring, and his performance resulted in an extremely wide unanimous decision victory.
Astana Arlans Kazakhstan WSB Season V Champions
Now the scoring was even on the night with one match to go, which meant if Cuba prevailed, a tie-breaker Sudden Death bout would be required for the third successive season.
Kazakh Super Heavyweight (91+ kg) Ivan Dychko (2-0 in Season V) had different ideas however, and completely composed his bout with Cuba’s Yohandi Toirac who was making his first appearance of the season.
Dychko has won medals at two AIBA World Championships as well as the London 2012 Olympic Games, while the cerebral fighter also enjoyed a considerable height advantage over the youthful Cuban.
Toirac attempted to move inside in order to rough up the giant Kazakh, but despite getting through with a couple of sharp right hooks, he could not sustain the pressure needed to fully impress the judges.
Many fighters would have got carried away with the pressure and excitement of possibly winning the Championship, yet Dychko was unfazed across each round, and kept his distance to sap the energy of Toirac.
Despite the heat in the building reaching a glowing temperature, Dychko was the coolest man in the venue, which allowed him to produce a methodical performance built on stiff jabs and stinging right hands.
The tactics worked to perfection, and he claimed the vital and historic victory without losing a single round on any of the three scorecards.
When Dychko’s name was read out as the victor, the noise levels rose even further, as it confirmed that Astana Arlans Kazakhstan had become WSB Champions for the second time.
Celebrations reverberated not just around the National Tennis Centre, but all throughout Kazakhstan, and they will continue long into the night.
Ingrid Klimke (GER) rode brilliantly to produce a clear round under huge pressure to win her home CCI4* at Luhmühlen (GER), presented by DHL, for the first time and set up an unassailable lead in the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.
In a thrilling finale, her flawless round on the spring-heeled 11-year-old Hannoverian mare FRH Escada JS denied New Zealander Jonelle Price her first CCI4* victory by just one-tenth of a penalty.
Klimke’s trainer, Kurt Gravemeier, had promised that he would come and help her on the final day if she was in the top three. “So I said to him, fill your car up with gas and come here!” said a smiling Klimke.
“We have trained together for so long and when he said to me: ‘You must go for it!’ I was full of confidence. I’m really thrilled with my fantastic horse. She felt so full of herself today.”
Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS power into the lead after Cross Country at Luhmühlen (GER), fifth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Hanna Broms/FEI)
When Klimke entered the arena, she could not even afford a single time fault because Price, on her exciting Olympic prospect, the 10-year-old Dressage-bred Faerie Dianimo (by Keystone Dimaggio out of a Catherston Dazzler mare), had ridden a perfect round.
So, too, had Michael Jung (GER) and his wise 15-year-old gelding, La Biosthetique Sam FBW, third, Christopher Burton (AUS) on the rising star Graf Liberty, fourth, and Sir Mark Todd (NZL) with NZB Campino, fifth, which meant that, unusually for this level, there was no change to the top five after Cross Country.
Heiko Wahler’s Jumping course invited forward riding, but there was a tricky treble combination and the time was tight – 12 of the 25 finishers had time faults. Nicky Roncoroni (GBR), lying 17th on Stonedge, was the first to produce a completely penalty-free round and this elevated her to 12th place.
The young New Zealander Jesse Campbell, sixth after Cross Country on Kaapachino, had an unfortunate 21-penalty round which dropped him to 16th place and allowed the American combination of Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen to rise a place to sixth with their clear.
World team bronze medallist Tim Lips (NED) is well known for his prowess in the Jumping ring and a clear on Bayro lifted him five places to seventh. World team gold medallists Dirk Schrade and the aptly named Hop and Skip also rose five places with a fault-free round, to eighth.
Looking towards the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 finale at Burghley (GBR) in September, Klimke is out in front but her peers, such as second-placed Michael Jung, who has now overtaken four-times series winner William Fox-Pitt, Christopher Burton, Mark Todd and Tim and Jonelle Price, will be in fierce and fascinating competition for the other cash prizes.
Ingrid Klimke (GER) is flawless to win her second CCI4* of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 with a confident clear Jumping round on FRH Escada JS at Luhmühlen (GER) presented by DHL. (Eventing Photo/FEI)
Cuba’s historic entry into AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) on Friday night in Kemerevo resulted in a debut victory for Welterweight (69 kg) Arisnoidys Despaigne (CUB), as he put on a boxing clinic against Dimitros Tsagrakos (GRE).
An elaborate opening at the Arena Sports and Entertainment Complex produced an electric atmosphere, and the many fans in attendance warmly received both fighters as they made their way to the ring.
Despaigne exuded confidence in the opening stages of the match, which began by the Cuban fighting off the back foot and using a sharp left jab to accurately deduce the correct angles for more dangerous attacks.
The dynamic footwork of the Cuban enabled him to bob and weave through and difficult moments, while Tsagrakos seemed content to bide his time with defence his main objective.
As the early rounds progressed, Despaigne’s shots began to carry more power, but Tsagrakos took them well, and on the rare occasions he let his own punches go, he managed to tag his decorated opponent with the right hook.
Those moments were all too rare however, with Despaigne’s elusive moment enabling him to begin boxing on the front foot, and a more physical match began to develop.
Although the Cuban AIBA World Championships silver medalist was winning the rounds, Tsagrakos grew in ambition through the middle stages, and never wilted despite the immense pressure he was facing.
By the beginning of round six, both men were in unchartered territory as neither had competed past five rounds in their careers, but despite wilting stamina, each athlete shook off any fatigue to constantly move forward as the war of attrition became an intensely entertaining contest.
Arisnoidys Despaigne (CUB) vs Dimitros Tsagrakos (GRE)
Despaigne opened up the seventh round with a series of blistering combinations, which perfectly showcased the full range of shots he has accumulated over the course of his lengthy career.
Tsagrakos yet again stood firm, and lasted through to the final bell of the eighth and final round.
After the scorecards from each of the three judges were handed in, Despaigne’s hand was raised by the referee, and it was announced he had the match won on each and every card by scores of 80:71, and 79:73 x2.
The performance of the Cuban was absolutely stunning, and represented a perfect start for his legendary boxing nation in APB.
He will next meet fellow 2013 AIBA World Championships bronze medalist Arajik Marutjan (GER) in Cycle I Round 2, after the German star widely outpointed Amin Ghasemi Pour (IRI).
Two further important matches took place in Russia, beginning with a surprise victory for Gyula Kate (HUN) over the number one ranked Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Okwiri (KEN).
Kate dominated the early stages of the match, before a valiant fightback from Okwiri took the fight to new levels.
It was the Hungarian competitor who eventually prevailed however, winning his first match in APB on two scorecards, with the third judge seeing the fight as a draw.
Arisnoidys Despaigne (CUB) vs Dimitros Tsagrakos (GRE)
His performance will be rewarded with a Cycle I Round 2 clash with Andrey Zamkovoy (RUS), and the winner of that bout shall earn a qualification quota for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, plus an APB title match against Welterweight Champion Onur Sipal (TUR).
Zamkovoy was forced to work hard in every second of his engrossing clash with Eimantas Stanionis (LIT), but ultimately prevailed by a narrow margin.
Supported passionately by his home supporters in Kemerevo, Zamkovoy made the most of his height advantage against Stanionis, whose pressure based tactics frequently made life very uncomfortable for his Russian rival.
After losing two of the first three rounds, Zamkovoy found his range from the fourth frame onwards, which eventually led to two judges awarding him the contest 77:75 and 77:74, while the third scorer had the fight level at 76:76.
Match results:
Arajik Marutjan (GER) W.P. (79:73/ 79:73/ 78:74) vs Amin Ghasemi Pour (IRI)
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