Tania Cagnotto finally won the world gold which had eluded her for so long when she scored a superb victory on the 1m springboard which ended China’s monopoly of the diving titles in Kazan. The 30-year-old Italian, who claimed her first FINA World Championship medal 10 years ago, took charge from the start and held off the Chinese challenge through the five rounds of the final to relegate former 1m world champions Shi Tingmao and He Zi to silver and bronze after China had bagged the first five titles of the meet.
CAGNOTTO WINS GOLD AT LAST AND BREAKS CHINA’S WINNING STREAK IN KAZAN photo credit FINA.ORG
Cagnotto, three silver and four bronze medals already in her collection from five previous editions of the FINA World Championships, was pipped for gold by a tiny 0.10 points – the smallest margin in the history of the championships – by He Zi at the last Worlds in 2013 after having led through three of the five rounds. But this time she was not to be denied her rule at the Aquatics Palace as she claimed Italy’s first World Championship diving gold in 40 years since Klaus Dibiasi won the men’s 10m title at the first two editions in 1973 and 1975.
Our man Paul Ayorinde as compiled top transfer stories for the 28th of July 2015
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Done Deals:
– Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Jose Angel Crespo from Cordoba on a three-year deal.
– Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Arturo Vidal on a four-year deal from Juventus.
– Carpi have announced the signing of midfielder Raphael Martinho from Catania.
– Atletico Madrid have signed Filipe Luis from Chelsea on a four-year deal.
– Anderlecht have confirmed the signing of Stefano Okaka from Sampdoria.
– Palermo have confirmed the signing of Montpellier defender Abdelhamid El Kaoutari on a four-year deal.
– Marseille have announced they have reached an agreement in principle for the signing of former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby.
Arturo Vidal joins FC Bayern München photo credit FC Bayern München
Today’s rumours and reports:
– Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been at Aston Villa’s training ground today, according to Sky Sports sources.
– The agent of Inter full-back Yuto Nagatomo admits a swap deal with Galatasaray for Felipe Melo is ‘possible’.
– Aston Villa are close to agreeing a €10m deal for Nantes midfielder Jordan Veretout, according to reports
– Sampdoria President Massimo Ferrero declares ‘it breaks my heart a little’ to see Stefano Okaka join Anderlecht.
– Chelsea are interested in Galatasaray defender Alex Telles, according to reports.
– Blackburn Rovers have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Bournemouth in regards to compensation for Joshua King.
– Norwich are reportedly close to agreeing a loan deal for Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom.
– Napoli have reportedly agreed a deal with Empoli for defender Elseid Hysaj.
– Wolfsburg winger Ivan Perisic’s agent calls for patience, but believes a transfer to Inter could be concluded ‘within a week’.
– Torino have reportedly turned down a €15million bid from Napoli for Serbia international Nikola Maksimovic.
– Manchester United will not make a move for Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi this summer, according to reports.
– AC Milan have rejected a bid from Newcastle for French forward M’Baye Niang, according to reports.
– Genoa full-back Luca Antonini is reportedly a target for Glasgow Celtic.
– Anderlecht president Roger Vanden Stock has described Sevilla’s offer for Belgium playmaker Dennis Praet as “ridiculous”.
– Fiorentina will reportedly turn to Roma striker Mattia Destro as a replacement for Mario Gomez.
– Reports suggest Roma want to sell four players including Ashley Cole before they continue to press for Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko.
– Napoli have reportedly struck a deal to sign Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches for around €6million.
– West Brom have agreed a fee of £8million for Hull defender James Chester, according to Sky Sports sources.
– Serie A newcomers Carpi will try to sign Fabio Borini from Liverpool, according to Sky Sport Italia.
– According to L’Équipe, West Ham United are preparing a bid for SM Caen defensive midfielder N’Golo Kanté.
– Southampton are trying to sign QPR defender Steven Caulker on loan with a view to an £8m permanent deal, according to reports.
– Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has not ruled out moving for Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli this summer,although a big discount would be needed before he would seriously consider a bid.
– Barcelona are interested in signing Celta Vigo winger Nolito, according to reports.
– Crystal Palace have asked Swansea City about the availability of defender Ashley Williams.
Mitchel Platini
Football tit bits:
– Mexico sacks coach Miguel Herrera after alleged fight with journalist. The Mexico Football Federation voted on Tuesday to
sack coach Miguel Herrera following an alleged incident that took place at Philadelphia International Airport following El Tri’s Gold Cup win over Jamaica.
– Michel Platini is set to declare he will run for the FIFA presidency this week.
– Edinson Cavani has been suspended for Uruguay’s next two World Cup qualifiers for his part in a confrontation with Chile’s Gonzalo Jara at the Copa América.
– The Brazil midfielder Fred failed a doping test during the Copa América in Chile earlier this summer, according to
reports in Brazil.
– Spain’s anti-violence commission has fined Barcelona €66,000 after the Catalan club’s fans booed the national anthem before the Copa del Rey final in May.
Following the conclusion of all matches in the group Stages of this years Winner Golden Bet/Lagos SWAN Cup 2015 #LagosSWANCup the Quarter-finalist have now emerged and the Quarter-Final matches promises to be interesting.
Group A Leaders Voice Of Nigeria will battle Group C Second place Qualifiers NTA, the Second match of the day will see The Nation/Sportinglife Crew face-off against A Jonathan Akpoborie inspired Supersports.
Group B Table Toppers Cool FM will trade tackles with former champions Completesports while Defending Champions Sportsday will lock horns with Sportsvision captained Deji Tinubu.
All Matches will be played at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium in Surulere with the first match expected to kick off at 11:00am prompt.
The Semi-Final matches will also be played immediately after the last set of Quarter-Finals matches.
Wednesday the 29th of July 2015 is observed as a “Match free day” and All members of Lagos SWAN are expected to turn up for the Lagos SWAN Annual Seminar, the Venue is the Lagos SWAN Secretariat, Time is 11am and the Theme for this year’s Seminar is “The future of our sports” and the first speaker will be the DG, National Sports Commission Mallan Al-hassan Yakmut, who will speak on “Funding sports in Nigeria”.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick will deliver a paper Titled “Globalising Nigerian sports: A challenge for the Nigerian media” this will be followed by a brief presentation by Colin Udoh on the “Effective Use Of Social Media”
A medical team will be on hand to conduct health checks and also advise Lagos SWAN Members and guest on “healthy living”
Dolphins FC will from now henceforth play all their home matches in the League at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Omagwa.
This is as a result of a directive from the League Management Company following the approval of the stadium to host games.
The Match Day 20 game will now, as a result be played at the new stadium rather than the Liberation.
The game which comes up on Saturday, August 1, 2015 will be against Nasarawa United.
Dolphins Fc at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium
The match kicks off at 2pm while Sharks will take on Warri Wolves at 4pm inside the same stadium.
In the reverse fixture, Dolphins lost 1-0 to Nasarawa United in Makurdi on Match Day 19.
In its relentless quest to take Nigeria football to a new level, the Nigeria Football Federation has moved to formalize much closer relationship with current world champions, Germany in all football matters.
At a lunch –time meeting with the Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, Mr. Dietmar Kreusel on Tuesday, top officials of the NFF led by the President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, were on the same page as they praised the giant marks that Germany has made in world football.
“Germany is not only the reigning champions of the world in football, it is also a very strong economic power. We have come here to express our intention to make Germany our model for development of the game of football.
“We keenly desire to partner with the DFB (Germany Football Federation) and the German League. The NFF is presently doing a lot in the area of development of the game in Nigeria. Now, we are requesting for support for our development programme for women’s football, as well as capacity building for our referees and coaches.”
As he has done in several fora in the past months, Pinnick underscored the importance of Nigeria in the comity of nations, and reiterated that the emphasis of the present NFF administration is on youth development and making the League the main hub for our National Teams.
“In view of our various programmes, we are requesting that Your Excellency initiate an easier procedure for our officials – NFF Executive Committee members, Management and Staff – to secure entry visas into Germany for football programmes.”
NFF 2nd Vice President/Chairman, League Management Company, Mr. Shehu Dikko added: “Our checks have shown that the Bundesliga is the top model League in the universe. The NPFL is ready to adopt this model.
Amaju Pinnick with Dietmar Kreusel
“We have had discussions with the CEO of the Bundesliga, and our plan involves sending some of our club managers to Germany to go and see how it is done in that country. “
Ambassador Kreusel, who confirmed that he is a big supporter of German Bundesliga club, Mainz 05 (the club of Super Eagles’ defender Leon Balogun), assured that the requests by the NFF leadership would be looked into.
“Nigeria and Germany have always maintained very close relations. I recall that one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s first visits outside Nigeria after inauguration was to Germany. That shows how close our ties are.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi thanked the ambassador for receiving the team. Also on the visit were NFF Executive Committee members High Chief Emeka Inyama and Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma, and LMC chief operations officer Salihu Abubakar.
The League Management Company on Tuesday opened a new corporate office in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
A 48 –unit structure situated in the highbrow Maitama district, the office comprises of an Executive Floor that houses offices for the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer, waiting room, work-station and IT Unit.
Also part of the building is the Trophy Room, a well–furnished Conference Room and offices for members of Staff.
Speaking at the official opening of the well–appointed edifice, NFF President Amaju Pinnick who was in company with some of his Board Members, said the Nigeria football family is proud of the LMC, as the body has been able to re-define, re-discover and re-build the Nigeria League.
LMC opens new corporate office
“Apart from youth development, the focus of the present NFF administration is to ensure proper running of the Leagues. Surely, but slowly, all the Leagues are heading to that ideal point.
“This building is the first of its kind in West Africa. We are proud of the LMC and what it has achieved in the short time it has been in existence.”
Hollywood actress Bo Derek, star of the romantic comedy “10” and recently cast in the cult Sharknado series on US cable network SyFy, has been announced as Chair of the Jury of the prestigious FEI Awards 2015, the annual awards launched by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body of equestrian sport.
A lifelong horse lover and riding enthusiast, Derek is the International Ambassador of the Lusitano Horse, a spokesperson for the Animal Welfare Institute and serves on the California Racing Board.
The FEI Awards 2015, in association with the FEI’s Top Partner Longines and with international fashion designer Reem Acra, celebrate the world’s exceptional equestrians, saluting excellence, courage, commitment and dedication.
“The FEI Awards honour the deep contributions that our horses, riders and everyone in the equestrian community make to our society,” Bo Derek said.
“I already know that judging these awards is not going to be easy, and we have just one month to the nomination deadline. I urge everyone to think of those who are working with and taking great care of our phenomenal horses, and those who are doing their upmost to achieve the best for horse sport, and for our society as a whole – they need your votes!”
Bo Derek, who also lends her support to a number of animal, conservation and aid organisations, including Richard Branson’s Wild Aid and Yasuni-ITT rainforest preservation, and to wide-ranging initiatives dedicated to helping veterans find work after returning home from service, was honoured for her contribution to equestrian sport with a Longines Ladies Award in 2014.
Her autobiography, Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned From Horses, reflects her enduring love and understanding of equines and other animals, which she weaves into photography assignments for the likes of Vanity Fair magazine and her film projects.
“I am honored and excited to be working so closely on the FEI Awards 2015, and looking forward to seeing the nominations flow in,” Derek added.
Nominations for the FEI Awards 2015 are open at http://www.feiawards.org, with five hotly-contested categories:
Hollywood actress Bo Derek has been announced as Chair of the Jury of the prestigious FEI Awards 2015, the annual awards launched by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body of equestrian sport. (Photo: Bo Derek)
The Longines Rising Star Award is for equestrians aged 14 to 21 who demonstrate outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
The Reem Acra Best Athlete Award celebrates athletes who, over the last 12 months, have demonstrated exceptional skills in the arena, and have taken equestrian sport to a new level.
The Against All Odds Award rewards people who have pursued their equestrian ambitions despite physical issues or extremely difficult personal circumstances.
The Best Groom Award is dedicated to the vital behind-the-scenes team members who work 24/7 to ensure that horses get the best possible care and attention.
The FEI Solidarity Award will be presented to an FEI Solidarity or equestrian development project, or an individual or organisation that has demonstrated skill, dedication and energy in expanding equestrian sport.
Bo Derek will be joined on the FEI Awards 2015 judging panel by FEI President Ingmar De Vos; Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing of Longines; fashion designer Reem Acra; Carmen Barrera, Chair of FEI Regional Group V (South America); and Ulf Helgstrand, President of the Danish Equestrian Federation and Vice President of the European Equestrian Federation.
Glamorous Gala with Bo Derek
The FEI Awards 2015 winners will be flown to the glittering FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines in Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan on 13 November, where Bo Derek will present the awards.
Over 350 guests from the global equestrian community, including members of the FEI’s National Federations around the world, will also attend the gala to celebrate the award winners.
Nominations for the FEI Awards 2015 will close at midnight on 28 August.
IAAF President Lamine Diack has endorsed a report on the latest promotional and ticket-selling programme of the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015. This was delivered in person by Vice President of Chinese Olympic Committee Li Yingchuan and General Secretary of the Chinese Athletics Association and IAAF Council Member Du Zhaocai.
“I was delighted to hear that in the past couple of weeks, with the coordinated support of the Mayor of Beijing and many Chinese government ministries, a major push has been given to promotional activities and ticket sales,” said President Diack.
“The latest ticket sales chart received by the IAAF now shows an average of more than 80% of capacity in the morning sessions and more than 90% of capacity for the evenings.
“I am now convinced that we will have a great atmosphere in the Bird’s Nest Stadium for the world’s top sporting event of 2015, and I thank our friends in China – including the Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China Liu Peng and the Mayor of Beijing Wang Anshun – for stepping up their efforts in the promotional campaign with such impressive results,” added President Diack.
“We now have the possibility to have a sold-out stadium for evening sessions, which will be a fantastic achievement.”
Over recent weeks, promotional projects such as ‘Athletics on Campus’ and ‘Athletics in the Community’ have increased awareness.
In addition, a ‘30 Days to Go’ countdown event on 22 July, with the participation of IAAF ambassador Heike Drechsler, saw the launch of the official song and an exclusive series of stamps.
Both CCTV and Beijing TV are also planning extensive campaigns to help promote the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 in the final three weeks before the start of competition on 22 August.
As they approach the final straight, the LOC is working even harder on promotion, with a series of activities designed to increase awareness, not just of the event but of the sport of athletics, especially among the young and particularly via social media.
From 1 August, 13,000 IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 banners – depicting both the official mascots as well as Chinese and international athletics – will be erected alongside some of the Chinese capital’s principal roads, at the airport, in areas around official venues and hotels, as well as on the marathon route in downtown Beijing.
The ISAF World Sailing Rankings for 27 July 2015 have been released.
Finn
It’s as you were in the Finn with the top three of Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic at World #1 sitting above the British pair of Edward Wright at World #2, and Giles Scott World #3.
A big mover in the class is Germany’s Andreas Christiansen who moves into the top 100 at World #74, with a ninth place finish in the 100-point Kieler Woche Regatta.
Winner of the Kieler Woche, Estonia’s Deniss Karpak is a non-mover at World #14.
49er FX
Martine Grael & Kahena Kunze (BRA) remain in the World #1 position helped by a second place finish in the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.
New Zealand’s Alexandra Maloney & Molly Meech move up a place to second with a sixth place finish in the European Championships.
Jena Mai Hansen & Katja Salskov-iversen (DEN) also move up a place into third with a second place finish in the European Championships, with compatriots Ida Marie Bad Nielsen and Marie Thusgaard Olsen pushed down from World #2 to World #4 with the movement of the duos.
49er
John Pink & Stuart Bithell (GBR) retain World #1 ranking sitting ahead of New Zealand’s Peter Turling & Blair Tuke.
Despite only registering five ranking events, Australia’s Nathan Outteridge & Iain Jensen move up a place to World #3, taking the place of Nico Delle-Karth & Nikolaus Resch who move down to World #4.
With a seventh place finish in Kieler Woche and a top 25 finish in the European Championships, Italy’s Uberto Crivelli Visconti & Gianmarco Togni make the move from World #61 to break into the top 50 at World #46.
Men’s 470
Third place in the European Championships help Australia’s Mathew Belcher & William Ryan retain their World #1 ranking ahead of an unchanged top six.
The movers within the 470 are Sweden’s Johan Molund & Sebastian Östling who move up from World #31 to World #21, mainly thanks to a 12th place finish at the European Championships.
Women’s 470
A first place finish at the European Championships cements Jo Aleh & Polly Powrie (NZL) World #1 ranking with no movement within the top ten.
Sitting behind the pair from New Zealand are Great Britain’s Hannah Mills & Saskia Clark and Japan’s Ai Kondo Yoshida & Miho Yoshioka in World #2 and World #3 respectively.
Laser
The World Championships have impacted the Laser rankings with winner Nick Thompson (GBR) moving up to World #3 and Pavlos Kontides up to World #4 with a ninth place finish.
Still holding on to World #1 and World #2 are the Australian’s Tom Burton and Matthew Wearn. Burton holds on to top ranking with a third place finish in the World Championships, while Wearn is just a single point ahead of Great Britain’s Thompson thanks to his fifth place at the Worlds.
With a 15th place finish in the Worlds and a second at the Pan American Games, Brazil’s Robert Scheidt climbs up to World #12 from World #28.
Laser Radial
There is no change in the Laser Radial until you hit the World #15 ranking where Croatia’s Tina Mihelic moves up from World #19 due to a second place in Kieler Woche.
Winner of Kieler Woche, USA’s Erika Reineke moves from World #58 to World #41.
Still top of the rankings is World #1 Evi Van Acker (BEL).
ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, RSX – Shaw (c) Ocean Images
Women’s RS:X
Winning the European Championships has helped Great Britain’s Bryony Shaw retain the World #1 spot ahead of Lilian De Geus (NED) who stays in World #2.
The European Championships also helped Hadar Heller (ISR), Saskia Sills (GBR) and Megumi Komine (JPN) move up into the top 50. Heller now sits at World #48, her best ever ranking.
Men’s RS:X
Taking a first place in the Pan American Games saw Brazil’s Ricardo Santos climb from World #7 to World #2, pushing Russia’s Max Oberemko down into World #3.
Santos and Oberemko sit behind World #1 Byron Kokkalanis (GRE).
Following each other up the rankings are French pair Louis Giard and Pierre Le Coq who move from World #18 and World #19 respectively, to World #9 and World #10.
Giard remains above his compatriot thanks to a stronger finish in the European Championships.
The top five remains the same with Australia’s Jason Waterhouse & Lisa Darmanin World #1, helped by a second place finish in the World Championships.
A sixth place finish in the Worlds keep Italy’s Vittorio Bissaro & Silvia Sicouri at World #2, with the World Championship winners Billy Beeson & Marie Riou rounding out the top three.
With Rio 2016 qualification fast approaching for the Asian hopefuls, Hiroki Goto & Wakako Tabata (JPN) and Justin Liu & Denise Lim (SIN) move back up in to the top 50. Also breaking in to the top 50 with a personal best ranking are Olivia Mackay & Micah Wilkinson (NZL) at World #44 and John Casey & Kristen Lane (USA) at World #48.
Men’s and Women’s Formula Kite
The World Championships reflected the top three for the Women as World #1 Elena Kalinina (RUS) came first, World #2 Stephanie Bridge (GBR) came second and World #3 Anastasia Akopova came third.
For the Men, the top three remain the same with Florian Gruber (GER) at World #1, level on points with World #2 Alejandro Climent Hernandez (ESP).
Outside the top 25 there are some big movers with Axel Mazella (FRA) up from World #51 to World #27, Connor Bainbridge (GBR) up from World #68 to World #29 and Dor Zarka (ISR) up from World #86 to World #38 to name a few.
USA’s Jordan Wilimovsky won the men’s 10km to become the first swimmer to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games at the Kazanka River venue beating 69 other competitors to the finish line. The 21 year old swimmer from Santa Monica, California finished 12.1 seconds ahead of Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands. The top ten swimmers qualified for the next Olympic Games including Greece’s Spyridon Gianniotis who will be going to his fifth Games.
At the final red buoy, Wilimovsky was firmly in the lead but he appeared to take a line towards the turn buoys as if he was taking another lap, rather than aiming for the straighter line to the finish. After leading his challengers slightly off course, the American quickly realised his mistake and immediately got back on track.
A total of 70 athletes from 43 different countries races for a ticket to Rio de Janeiro and a spot on the starting dock at the next Olympic Marathon. Race conditions were picture perfect in 20.1 degree water with only a gentle breeze.
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