China, Iran, Serbia And Russia Atop Of The Podium At The ISSF World Cup Final In Munich

Four rifle and pistol finals were conducted during the second-last day of the ISSF World Cup Final in Munich, today. China’s Yang Haoran finished in the spotlights, adding a world cup title to the Youth Olympic Games, Asian Games and World Championship trophies he had won last year.

The second-last day of competitions at the 2015 ISSF World Cup Final held in Munich, Germany, saw another success of the 19-year old shooting sport prodigy Yang Haoran of China. The reigning world champion secured the 10m Air Rifle Men world cup title, adding another medal to his trophies showcase.

“I am so happy with this medal, because this is my first gold in the whole year,” he said. “This season it hasn’t been that good for me.” Yang explained. “I had several physical problems, I believe because of the stress of all the competitions I participated in. I just have to accept it, that happens, I need to rest a bit now.”

Competing among the best rifle shooters of the world, selected throughout this year’s four world cup stages, Yang collected 207.0 points in the final. Enough to beat Oleh Tsarkov of the Ukraine (27) – who landed in second place with 206.6 points – and Milutin Stefanovic of Serbia (30), who took bronze with 184.6 points.

Yang, currently standing atop of the world ranking in this event, didn’t achieve something new to him, today. The young athlete has already won all major international titles since the 2013 ISSF World Cup Final. And he did that in two different age categories, securing Gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, as well as at the ISSF World Championship and at the Asian Games in 2014. Lifting another trophy, today, he looks forward to the season to come, the most important of his career. “Today’s medal feels great, but nothing is set, I will have to work hard,” said the shooting star who keeps his feet on the ground, speaking about his road to Rio. “There will be selection matches for the Olympics, back in China. I will do my best to have the opportunity to be part of the Rio team. All my teammates are excellent shooters, and it won’t be easy.”

Earlier today, Iran’s Elaheh Ahmadi (33) claimed gold at the 10m Air Rifle Women event, finishing atop of the podium after a neck and neck duel against India’s Apurvi Chandela (22). Ahmadi scored 207.5 points, securing the brightest medal with 0.6 points of advantage on her Indian opponent, who finished in second place with 206.9 points. Andrea Arsovic of Serbia (28) joined them on the podium, pocketing the bronze medal with 186.4 points.

MUNICH – SEPTEMBER 5: (L-R) Silver medalist Oleh TSARKOV of Ukraine, Gold medalist Haoran YANG of the Peoples Republic of China and Bronze medalist Milutin STEFANOVIC of Serbia pose with their medals after the 10m Air Rifle Men Finals at the Olympic Shooting Range Munich/Hochbrueck during Day 3 of the ISSF World Cup Final Rifle/Pistol on September 5, 2015 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Nicolo Zangirolami)

The 2010 World Champion Zorana Arunovic of Serbia (28) finished in the spotlights at the following 10m Air Pistol Women final. The Serbian athlete, coming from a victory at the European Games in Baku and wearing a world cup gold claimed at the Gabala’s stage last August, had never won a world cup title, before. She scored 198.5 points, beating today’s silver medallist Anna Korakaki of Greece (19) at the last shot. Korakai was indeed leading the match with over one point of advantage on Arunovic, when she fired a frustrating 8.4-point last shot, sliding down in second place with a total score of 198.3 points and giving a chance to the Serbian finalist to move up into the lead. Bronze went to Russia’s Liubov Yaskevich (30), with 178.9 points. “I am really happy that I managed to get a gold which I did not expect. I basically won it at the last shot, and I did not even realize it. I understood I had won just a few second after the last shot, as the photographers run to me,” Arunovic said after the match. “I have been a bit lucky, today.”

At the second pistol final of the day, it was Athens 2004’s Olympic Bronze medallist Valdimir Isakov of Russia (40) who secured the men’s 10m Air Pistol Cup, winning his second air pistol world cup title eight years after his first victory in 2007. The Russian athlete scored 200.7 points, beating Portugal’s Joao Costa (50) – the European Games silver medallist – who finished in second with 196.5 points. The Portuguese shooter lost his chances to win gold at the last two shots, as he fired twice in the eighth ring, ending up 4.2 points behind Isakov. The 2014 Youth Olympic Games silver medallist, and winner of the last world cup stage of the season Kim Cheongyong (KOR) joined them on the podium, taking the Bronze with 177.5 points. His teammate Jin Jongoh, the 35-year old reigning Olympic and World Champion, finished in seventh place with 97.9 points.

The last two events of the ISSF World Cup Final will be contested tomorrow, September 6th. The women’s and men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions finals are due at 14.30 and 16.00 (GMT+2), respectively. The matches will be broadcasted live on http://www.issf-sports.org

FEI Classics™: Jung Bounces Back To Lead With Sam At Burghley #FEIClassics #Eventing

Michael Jung (GER) showed the mark of a true champion when bouncing back from a dramatic early mishap to take the Cross Country lead on his second horse, La Biosthetique Sam, at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Jung only got as far as fence 4 on his joint Dressage leader, FischerRocana FST, where, to gasps from the crowd, the mare tripped and fell in the water. But he was masterful aboard his Olympic, world and European champion Sam, finishing just two seconds over time to rise seven places to first.

“My first Cross Country ride at Burghley was pretty quick – about 40 seconds,” joked the world number one. “I got back to the stables and my brother said: ‘Never mind, you’ve already gone up a place on Sam!’

“I know the horse very well now, we’ve had many experiences together, and he was really fighting for me and jumping well. This event is such a great tradition, so it’s wonderful to be here.”

The race is on: William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Fernhill Pimms draw level with Michael Jung (GER) and FischerRocana FST after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), the joint Dressage leader on Fernhill Pimms, suffered a rare lapse of concentration. He had the misfortune to be held on course before fence 23, a big spread on a downhill slope, while it was being repaired. Then, when taking the long route at the next obstacle, the Discovery Valley complex, he galloped past the second element and had to retrace his steps.

“It’s been good and bad,” said Fox-Pitt, who is now 13th with 20.4 time penalties. “The horse was fantastic, but I’m sad to have let him down and had a mental blank.”

New Zealander Tim Price had by far his best Burghley in five attempts and is now in second place on Ringwood Sky Boy, just 1.5 penalties behind Jung. However, his day was not without drama either, as a wasp got inside his vest halfway round the course and stung him.

“I had this strange scratchy feeling, which I was trying to adjust,” said Price, laughing. “When I got back to the finish, I lifted my shirt up and out flew a wasp. He was pretty angry, too!”

Price had one of the fastest rounds of the day for 2.8 penalties but there was an unnerving scramble over a fence in the water at the Trout Hatchery. “Sky Boy is not the most conventional jumper and he’s got a long stride for the technical elements. This was one of those courses where you have to change your plan and make decisions on the spot,” explained the rider.

It was a good day for family Price as Tim’s wife, Jonelle, is in third place, only 3.4 penalties behind him. Jonelle had a brilliant round on Classic Moet and was one of only two riders to finish inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 12 seconds. “My mare was pretty faultless from start to finish,” she said.

Australian Christopher Burton was the first to achieve the time, on second ride TS Jamaimo, and he has risen 17 places to fourth; he is also in fifth place on Haruzac, previously 11th after Dressage.

Australian and New Zealand riders are to the fore, with Bill Levett (AUS) up 13 places to sixth on Improvise and Sir Mark Todd (NZL) moving up five places to seventh on Leonidas ll, despite a scary moment when the horse dived at the corner fence at 15.

“I had a couple of hairy moments because the horse was drifting left, which made the fences seem even bigger,” said the five-time Burghley winner who revealed that the German-bred gelding has missed work with an infection. “But he was so brave and I’m thrilled with him as it’s the biggest track he’s jumped, a good old-fashioned four-star course.”

Frenchman Cedric Lyard is ninth after a good performance on Cadeau du Roi and Oliver Townend (GBR) is best of the British in ninth place, having been a brilliant trailblazer with his confident opening round on CCI4* first timer Dromgurrihy Blue.

Townend was also last on course with the experienced Armada, and had the competition at his mercy, but an uncharacteristic mistake, a run-out in the Trout Hatchery, left the rider slapping his head in frustration and dropped him from fifth after Dressage to 18th.

Kristina Cook is next best Briton, in 10th on Star Witness, having survived a near unseating at the Trout Hatchery when she was hanging right out of the saddle. “I’m really proud. It’s always great to have a ride like this with a horse you’ve produced from nothing,” she said. “He was so honest and he helped me out.”

Riders had been instructed at the competitor briefing to bear in mind the climb uphill to the huge Cottesmore Leap (fence 13) which came earlier than usual due to Course Designer Mark Phillips (GBR) reversing the direction of his track.

Pippa Funnell (GBR), 12th on the scopey Redesigned, admitted she was kicking herself after being too conservative early on. “If I have a frustration, it’s that I lost time in the first three minutes,” she said. “But this is some horse to sit on at big fences like the Cottesmore Leap and my ride was everything I hoped for. It’s why I come here!”

Master at work: Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique Sam lead after Cross Country at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Seven of the top 10 riders after Dressage dropped from the reckoning. Sam Griffiths (AUS), third on Happy Times, and Rosalind Canter (GBR), 10th on Allstar B, had run-outs at the Discovery Valley; Andrew Hoy (AUS), fourth, was unseated when Rutherglen glanced off the corner at Capability’s Cutting, and Niklas Bschorer (GER) had a refusal with Tom Tom Go 3 at the right-handed bounce out of the Anniversary Splash and retired.

Overall, however, it was a highly successful day, with 42 clears from the 68 Cross Country starters and 55 completions. “This is a good ratio for a course of this size,” commented Mark Phillips. “I’m a relieved and happy man tonight!”

Tomorrow’s Jumping finale promises to be a thriller. Can Michael Jung and Sam add Burghley to their long list of accolades? Find out by following the action on http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk and http://www.burghley.tv and, in Britain, on BBC Red Button.

Results after Cross country

1 Michael Jung/La Biosthetique Sam (GER) 39.2 + 0.8 = 40.0

2 Tim Price/Ringwood Sky Boy (NZL) 38.7 + 2.8 = 41.5

3 Jonelle Price/Classic Moet (NZL) 44.9 + 0 = 44.9

4 Christopher Burton/TS Jamaimo (AUS) 45.0 + 0 = 45.0

5 Christopher Burton/Haruzac (AUS) 41.2 + 6.4 = 47.6

6 Bill Levett/Improvise (AUS) 44.9 + 4.8 = 49.7

7 Sir Mark Todd/Leonidas ll (NZL) 41.7 + 8.8 = 50.5

8 Cedric Lyard/Cadeau du Roi (FRA) 39.6 + 11.2 = 50.8

9 Oliver Townend/Dromgurrihy Blue (GBR) 45.8 + 5.6 = 51.4

10 Kristina Cook/Star Witness (GBR) 47.4 + 5.2 = 52.6

FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 Leaderboard (after 5 out of 6 events)

1 Ingrid Klimke (GER) 42 points

2 Michael Jung (GER) 25

3 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 23

4 Jonelle Price (NZL) 20

5 Jessica Manson (AUS) 15

6 Mark Todd (NZL) 14

7 Tim Price (NZL) 12

8 Andreas Dibowski (GER) 12

9 Megan Jones (AUS) 12

10 Jock Paget (NZL) 10

Kate Green

Seychelles Set Second Win, As Senegal Recover At Women All Africa Games

2015 All Africa Games- Women Day 3

Seychelles’ second win against Botswana highlighted Day 3 action at Women’s Volleyball competition in All Africa games at Henry Elende Hall in Brazzaville, Congo on Saturday. Egypt went also for second win against hosts Congo Brazzaville, while African giants Senegal rebounded after the opening loss to win the second match against Ghana.
Seychelles fought for 2 hours to clinch a 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23) victory over battling Botswana, while Egypt overcame Congo 3-0 (25-9, 25-6, 25-6). Senegal figured the first victory against Ghana 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23).

Egypt led Pool A at the end of Day 3 with 6 points from 2-0, followed by Seychelles 5 points (2-0), Senegal 4 points (1-1), Ghana 3 points (1-1), Botswana and Congo Brazzaville 0 (0-2).

Egypt celebrating the victory

Egypt v Congo Brazzaville 3-0 (25-9, 25-6, 25-6)

Egypt used all their registered players to outclass host team Congo Brazzaville 3-0 (25-9, 25-6, 25-6) in Pool A of Women’s competition in 52 minutes. The winners dominated the match through their spike service where they had 10-1 advantage in ace services beside another big ratio 9-3 in stuff blocks.

Sara Ahmed led the Egyptian scorers with 10 points followed by Farida Alaskalany 8. Petronie Nkoka led the losers with 7. Egypt improved their win- loss ratio to 2-0, while Congo dropped to 0-2

Senegal v Ghana 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23)

Senegal recovered from the opening defeat against Seychelles to capture their first win against the resurgent Ghana team 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23) in day 3 of Pool A at women’s competition of All Africa Games.

After Senegal won the first set, Ghana returned back aggressively to draw 1-1 before the middle blocker Sokhna Gueye led her team back to win two sets in their way to 3-1 victory. Gueye led her team scorers with 16 points, equal to Fatou Diouf. Gloria Mensah led Ghana’s scorers with 9 points. Senegal’s record became 1-1, while Ghana’s record dropped to 1-1.

Seychelles Attack

Seychelles v Botswana 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23)

Seychelles booked their second win in Pool A of Women’s Volleyball competition at All Africa Games after they took over the solid Botswana team 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23) in a thrilling encounter lasting in 121 minutes. For the second match in a raw Seychelles big gun Marielle Bonne led her team scorers with 19 points to lead also the competition scorers at the end of Day 3. Botswana’s efficient hitter Gasekgonwe led the losers with 19 points in their fighting efforts.

What made the difference in the tight match was the high quality service they played to make an advantage of 8-0 in aces. Seychelles improved to 2-0, while as Botswana dropped to 0-2.

All Africa Games Women’s Volleyball’s best Performances

Top Scorer by Day
Day 1: 17- Leonida Kassya of Kenya v Algeria on September 2
Day 2: 29- Marielle Bonne of Seychelles v Senegal on September 3
Day 3: 19- Marielle Bonne of Botswana v Seychelles on September 5
19- Gasekgonwe of Seychelles v Senegal on September 5

Top Scoring Performances
29- Marielle Bonne of Seychelles v Senegal on September 3
27- Sow Binetou of Senegal v Seychelles on September 3
19- Marielle Bonne of Botswana v Seychelles on September 5
19- Gasekgonwe of Seychelles v Senegal on September 5
17- Tracy Chaba of Botswana v Egypt on September 3
17- Leonida Kassya of Kenya v Algeria on September 2
17- Barilia Marilia of Mozambique v Nigeria on Septeber 2
17- Mercy Promise of Nigeria v Mozambique on Septeber 2

Elwani with Ghana player Mary Addai

Top Individual Serving Performances
6- Marielle Bonne of Seychelles v Senegal on September 3
5- Marielle Bonne of Seychelles v Botswana on September 5
4- Safia Boukhima of Algeria v Kenya on September 2
4- Ibaimo Assiat of Mozambique v Nigeria on September 2

Top Team Serving Performances
12- Seychelles v Senegal on September 3
10- Egypt v Congo on September 5
9- Senegal v Seychelles on September 3
8- Seychelles v Botswana on September 5
8- Senegal v Ghana on September 5
8- Ghana v Senegal on September 5

Top Individual Blocking Performances
6- Stephanie Fotso of Cameroon v Cape Verde on September 3
5- Josphine Andoh of Ghana v Senegal on September 5
5- Sokhna Gueye of Senegal v Seychelles on September 3
5- Joan Chelegat of Kenya v Algeria on September 2

Top Team Blocking Performances
18- Kenya v Algeria on September 2
14- Senegal v Seychelles on September 3
14- Ghana v Senegal on September 5

CAVB President with senegal

Highest Scoring Sets
Day 1: 25-23 Algeria v Kenya (1st Set) on September 2
Day 2: 32-30 Egypt v Botswana (1st set) on September 3
Day 3: 25-23 Senegal v Ghana (4th set) on September 5
25-23 Seychelles v Botswana (4th)

Highest Scoring Matches
Day 1: Kenya v Algeria 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-23) – 180 points
Day 2: Seychelles v Senegal 3-2 (25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 22-25, 18-16) – 215 points
Day 3: Seychelles v Botswana 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23) – 181 points

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball
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All Africa Games page

GOLD FOR SIX COUNTRIES IN 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS FINALS

Six countries won World Championship titles and 13 countries took medals in the first of two days of Olympic-class finals at the 2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France.

Two gold medals went to New Zealand with both the men’s pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond who made it 21 on their run of winning international regattas including this being the sixth World Championship title in the pair. Second and third went to Great Britain and Serbia respectively. New Zealand’s Julia Edward and Sophie MacKenzie earned their second senior World Championship title in the lightweight women’s double ahead of Great Britain and South Africa.

2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France. (C) FISA Igor Meijer

The home team – France’s Jeremie Azou and Stany Delayre – gave the local French crowd what they had hoped to see by winning the lightweight men’s double sculls. Azou and Delayre raced together at the London Olympics and they have been building up to today’s win – the first World Championship title in an Olympic boat class for France since 2010. The silver and bronze went to Great Britain and Norway respectively. “We tried to save as much energy as possible in the first half and then give everything in the second half. It’s only intense joy to finally be World Champion,” said Delayre after the race.

One of the biggest upsets of the day was when the United States women’s quadruple sculls surprised the reigning World Champions Germany for the gold. The United States’ win was the first World Championship title in this boat class for the US. Germany was second with the Netherlands in third. The men’s quadruple sculls went to Germany with Australia and Estonia taking the silver and bronze medals.

Helen Glover and Heather Stanning of Great Britain continued to dominate the women’s pair with New Zealand and the United States finishing second and third respectively. Italy won a surprise gold in the men’s four. The crew of Marco Di Costanzo, Matteo Castaldo, Matteo Lodo and Giuseppe Vicino held off Australia and Great Britain to win Italy’s first gold of this regatta.

2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France. (C) FISA Igor Meijer

Today’s B-finals had the added importance of being races for Rio Olympic qualification spots. The full Olympic qualification list will be released after racing finishes on Sunday.

The final day of racing, Sunday 6 September has A-finals beginning at 13:15 CET continuing through to 14:45 CET in the Olympic boat classes. These finals will be preceded by the B-finals starting at 12:00 CET, many of which have the added importance of being part of Rio 2016 Olympic qualification. All of the finals will be live streamed on http://www.worldrowing.com.

2,000 Cast Members, Youth Empowerment And Samoan Celebration At Heart Of Samoa 2015’s Ceremonies

2,000 young cast members and teachers from 13 different Samoan schools feature in the Vth Commonwealth Youth Games Ceremonies, which started tonight with an immersive and uniquely Pacific-style Opening event. The joyous celebration of impactful sporting performance, personal development and international friendship will feature 904 athletes from 66 Commonwealth countries, mostly aged 14-18, aiming for 107 Gold Medals in 9 sports over 5 days of competition.

The Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games Ceremonies follow the overall theme for the Games with Inspiration and Empowerment of young people at their core. The Opening Ceremony was in two main parts, Traditional Samoa with a solemn and more serious re-telling of the Creation Mythology of Samoa with Tagaloalagi and the creation of the nine heavens through traditional dances and songs featuring an array of ma’uluulu, Siva Ti’a and siva afi; and New Contemporary Samoa, a fun setting of Samoa today. Here the theme of contemporary Samoa highlights “icons” presented in a more informal setting, such as a local policeman directing traffic that leads to the performance of a Contemporary Ava Dance.

Dignitaries, spectators and athletes from around the Commonwealth, including the Samoan Head of State, Samoan Prime Minister, Commonwealth Secretariat Secretary General and President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, enjoyed traditional singing, dancing and Pacific entertainment. The event started with the parade of nations, with the previous Youth Games host from 2011, Isle of Man, given the honour of entering the field of play first.

Addressing the crowd, and asking the young athletes to show themselves as stars of the Young Commonwealth by raising their smartphones in to the air, Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said: “It gives me the greatest of pleasure to stand here before you at the Opening Ceremony of the Vth Commonwealth Youth Games – a joyful celebration of impactful sporting performance, personal development and new Commonwealth friendships made on the level playing field of sport. Having been involved with the very first Commonwealth Youth Games back in the year 2000, I am so pleased and proud to see this very special event now taking place on your wonderful Pacific island nation”.

Speaking before the Ceremony, Producer and Artistic Director of the Ceremonies, Tuilagi Seiuli Allan Alo Va’ai, added: “The Cultural Program is a platform to highlight the value and the need for continued development of the Arts in School curriculum in Samoa – Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. I would like to thank my creative team, Music Director extraordinaire Tuilagi Igelese Ete, Andrea Torres (Aerial Samadhi Hawaii), Inipene Simanu and the Samoa Teachers Cultural group (Traditional), Eterei Salele and the USP Outreach Dance Theatre team (Contemporary) and Leua Latai and the National University of Samoa Art Agency (Props) and many others.

Finally the talents and determination of the 2,000 cast of young students and teachers from 13 different High schools selected from Government, Church and Private schools has made working on this Production an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I hope that the Cultural, Artistic and Educational program is inspiring and empowering for them.”

FEI Classics™: Fox-Pitt Raises The Stakes With Joint Dressage Lead At Burghley #FEIClassics

The world’s two leading event riders are sharing the top spot after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

William Fox-Pitt, a record six-time winner here, has raised the stakes with a brilliant performance on CCI4* first-timer Fernhill Pimms which equalled the Olympic champion Michael Jung’s (GER) score of 34.2 on FisherRocana FST yesterday.

Their only mistake in an attractive test was a fluffed first flying change which scored fours. “I’m delighted with Pimms; that’s the first time he’s done that test in an arena – there’s four flying changes and that’s a big step up,” said the world number two. “He’s a lovely horse to ride on the flat; he loves showing off.”

Fox-Pitt took on the ride on Fernhill Pimms, an 11-year-old by Ard VDL Douglas, in 2013. The horse was produced in Ireland by Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra for Carol Gee, who owns him with Catherine Witt. Fox-Pitt won the prestigious young horse CIC3* at Blenheim (GBR) in 2013 on the bay gelding and finished fifth at Bramham CCI3* (GBR) this year.

In contrast, Sam Griffiths (AUS), who is lying third on Happy Times with a score of 36.8, has the security of knowing he is on one of the most experienced horses in the sport, let alone at Burghley. The 16-year-old by Heraldik, also the damsire of Michael Jung’s La Biosthetique Sam, has been placed five times at Burghley.

“He’s always very consistent on the flat, but he really pulled out the stops today,” said Griffiths, who is also equal 14th on his 2013 Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh.

Griffiths’ compatriot Andrew Hoy has now slipped a couple of places to fourth on Rutherglen, with just a 0.9 penalty ahead of another hugely experienced combination, Oliver Townend (GBR) and the 16-year-old Armada. They brought the afternoon to an exciting conclusion when scoring 38.7.

“I’ll be a stone lighter this time tomorrow,” Townend joked, a reference to his being the only rider to have three horses. “The first one [Dromgurrihy Blue, currently lying 24th] is an unknown quantity at this level and distance; the second [Samuel Thomas ll, equal 53rd] is only a baby but I love riding him; and everyone knows Armada.”

Tim Price (NZL), riding the Irish Sport Horse gelding Ringwood Sky Boy, is in sixth place; he will be aiming for a first placing at his fourth attempt at Burghley.

Michael Jung (GER) on his second horse, La Biosthetique Sam, is sharing seventh place with another German first-timer at Burghley, 20-year-old Niklas Bschorer on Tom Tom Go 3, on the healthy score of 38.7.

Frenchman Cedric Lyard is ninth on Cadeau du Roi ahead of British first-timer Rosalind Canter (Allstar B), 10th, who is hanging on to her spot ahead of a cluster of experienced antipodeans including five-time Burghley winner Sir Mark Todd, equal 12th on Leonidas ll.

Riders are viewing Capt Mark Phillips’s Cross Country course, which runs in a reverse direction to usual, with plenty of respect and a bit of trepidation. “It’s tough out there,” commented Sam Griffiths. “You need a power jumper with some blood. This is a course that will find out any weaknesses.”

Fox-Pitt, who plans to take all the straight routes, added: “Mark has been very brave. Everyone will have their work cut out because we’re all starting from a blank sheet with the different direction. The first three fences are the only nice ones! I think Pimms is ready for it. I just want him to rise to the challenge and go well.”

The race is on: William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Fernhill Pimms draw level with Michael Jung (GER) and FischerRocana FST after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Oliver Townend will be first out onto the course at 11am tomorrow on Dromgurrihy Blue; follow the action on http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk and http://www.burghley.tv and, in Britain, on BBC Red Button.

Results after Dressage

1= William Fox-Pitt/Fernhill Pimms (GBR) 34.2

1= Michael Jung/FisherRocana FST (GER) 34.2

3 Sam Griffiths/Happy Times (AUS) 36.8

4 Andrew Hoy/Rutherglen (AUS) 37.8

5 Oliver Townend/Armada (GBR) 38.7

6 Tim Price/Ringwood Sky Boy (NZL) 38.7

7= Niklas Bschorer/Tom Tom Go 3 (GER) 39.2

7= Michael Jung/La Biosthetique Sam (GER) 39.2

9 Cedric Lyard/Cadeau du Roi (FRA) 39.6

10 Rosalind Canter/Allstar B (GBR) 40.2

FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 Leaderboard (after 5 out of 6 events)

1 Ingrid Klimke (GER) 42 points

2 Michael Jung (GER) 25

3 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 23

4 Jonelle Price (NZL) 20

5 Jessica Manson (AUS) 15

6 Mark Todd (NZL) 14

7 Tim Price (NZL) 12

8 Andreas Dibowski (GER) 12

9 Megan Jones (AUS) 12

10 Jock Paget (NZL) 10

Zhang and Quiquampoix atop of the 25m Pistol podiums at ISSF World Cup in Munich

World Champion Zhang Jingjing of China and Junior Wolrd Champion Jean Quiquampoix of France won the 25m Pistol Women and Rapid Fire Pistol Men finals at the ISSF World Cup Final in Munich, today.

The 2015 ISSF Rifle and Pistol Wolrd Cup Final, held in Munich (GER) from the 2nd through the 7th of September, continued today with the 25m Pistol Women and Rapid Fire Pistol Men finals.

The reigning world champion Zhang Jingjing of China (26) turned out to be unbeatable, at the 25m Pistol Women medal match. Zhang nailed the world cup title as she beat Mongolia’s Gundegmaa Otryad 7 to 3 points in the gold medal match, after they had finished the semi-final tied atop of the table with 17 hits. Otryad (37), ranked second in the world, secured silver as she did at last year’s ISSF World Cup Final in Gabala (AZE).

The Chinese athlete has now Rio 2016 in her sights, after winning all major shooting competitions in the last two years, from her first ISSF World Cup Final title in 2013, to the Asian Games and ISSF World Championship in 2014.

Cao Lija (18) joined her teammate Zhang on today’s podium, as she beat the third Chinese finalist Lin Yuemei (21) in the Bronze medal match with a sharp score of 8 to 0 points. Both Cao and Lin had made it into the medal match passing through a four-way shoot-off as they tied Bulgaria’s Antoaneta Boneva (fifth) and Germany’s Monika Karsch (sixth) with 15 hits at the end of the semi-final.

At the following 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men final, it was France’s 19-year old shooter Jean Quiquampoix who claimed the world cup title. The young athlete scored 32 hits, leaving Russia’s two-time Olympian and world record holder Leonid Ekimov (27) in second place with 31 hits.

The French athlete pocketed his first senior title after winning the 2014 Junior Wolrd Champion and the 2012 and 2015 Junior European Champion titles, and also set a new Junior final world record (junior records are recorded also in senior finals), shuttering the 31 hits record he had established at this year’s European Championship in Maribor (SLO).

Zhang Jingjing of China, ISSF World Cup Final in Munich, shooting

The reigning world champion Kim Jun Hong of the Republic of Korea (24) took the Bronze with 27 hits, finishing ahead of Russia’s Alexei Klimov (40), fourth with 22 hits.

“I am extremely happy because it’s a very nice way to close my last junior season,” Quiquampoix said. “At the beginning of today’s match, it seemed to be easy. But as we went on shooting I could feel the pressure building up.”

“What’s my next goal? I want to win the Olympic Games.” Concluded Quiquampoix, who secured an Olympic quota at this year’s ISSF World Cup stage in Changwon (KOR).

The ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup Final sees the best 85 shooters of the world selected throughout this year’s ISSF World Cup Stages in Changwon (KOR), Fort Benning (USA), Munich (GER) and Gabala (AZE) competing against the reigning world champions and the title defenders for the ISSF World Cup titles.

The event will continue tomorrow with four medal events, the women’s and men’s 10m Air Pistol and Air Rifle finals, starting from 10:30 (GMT+2). All final matches will be broadcasted live on http://www.issf-sports.org

Proud Pacific island nation ready to welcome the world as Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games begins

Over 1,000 athletes and officials have arrived on the small island nation of Samoa for the Vth Commonwealth Youth Games which begin with an immersive and uniquely Pacific-style Opening Ceremony tonight, 5^th September 2015. The joyous celebration of impactful sporting celebration, personal development and international friendship will feature 904 athletes from 66 Commonwealth countries, mostly aged 14-18, aiming for 107 Gold Medals in 9 sports over 5 days of competition.

Samoan Prime Minister, and Chair of the Organising Committee, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, said: “Samoa is proud to once again lead the Pacific in a regional first as we host the Commonwealth Youth Games and welcome more than 1,000 athletes and officials from across the globe. We have been preparing for these Games since we secured hosting rights. We have great facilities in place and look forward to seeing some strong performances from these young champions of tomorrow.

After the successful United Nations Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Conference last year, we are confident that all athletes, officials and new visitors to our country will take away fond memories, new friendships and great experiences of their time in Samoa. Our country is your home for the next week and we look forward to sharing some of our small island hospitality and friendship with you all.”

Since their inception in 2000 in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Youth Games have for some, like Kirani James, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Chad le Clos and Caster Semenya, provided the springboard to future Commonwealth Games and World Championship glory. For many others, the Games offer a first taste of international multi-sport competition, nurturing young global sporting citizens on the level playing field of sport.

The Opening Ceremony on Saturday 5^th September is set to immerse Commonwealth visitors into Samoan culture and tradition. Dignitaries, spectators and athletes from around the Commonwealth, including Samoan Head of State His Highness Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Commonwealth Secretariat Secretary General His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma and newly-elected President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Louise Martin CBE, will enjoy traditional singing, dancing and Pacific entertainment. The event commences with the parade of nations, with the previous Youth Games host from 2011, Isle of Man, given the honour of entering the field of play first.

Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said: “The wonderful island nation of Samoa now joins the list of countries that have taken the brave and inspiring step to unleash the unifying power of sport and young people to send a very clear message about their place in the modern Commonwealth.

Tonight, the Commonwealth celebrates their role as inspiring hosts, and in return we – the participating athletes, nations and territories – will do everything we can to ensure a festival of sporting excellence that will leave a lasting legacy, respect and reflect Samoan vision and culture, and involve and inspire their young communities.”

The youngest athlete is 12 year old Maximina Uepa from Nauru, a female weightlifter in the 58kg category, daughter of world-champion powerlifter Jezza Uepa. The nation fielding the largest team is the host, Samoa, with 117 athletes, followed by Australia (84), England (60) and Fiji (47). Competition starts on Monday 7^th September in the nation’s capital Apia across two sporting precincts – Apia Park Sports Complex and Tuana’imato Sports Facility. 1,200 local volunteers are dedicated to ensure the Games run smoothly and that all guests receive a warm welcome to the Pacific.

Vitolio Lui, Chief Coordinator of the Games, said: “We are fully committed to making these Games a successful event. We’ve worked closely with the Commonwealth Games Federation to ensure that, as hosts, we are delivering on the spirit of the Commonwealth Youth Games whilst also showcasing what is unique about our culture and our country.

The Samoa Games experience will be the first taste of the Pacific for many young athletes and we hope these sporting ambassadors of the Commonwealth enjoy healthy contests in our great venues and forge lasting friendships with each other as they strive for sporting excellence. We welcome you to Samoa and look forward to a great week of competition.”

Samoa Quality Broadcasting will be at the heart of the action, putting Samoa and the Commonwealth Youth Games on the world stage via live or delayed online broadcast from the fields of play and the accompanying Teuila Festival cultural celebrations.

Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be streamed live, in addition to daily highlights programmes, globally, free of charge at http://www.tv1samoa.tv. Users must register to access the footage.

A one-off subscription of $14.99 to the same website secures access to further sporting action, such as live broadcasts of Athletics and Rugby Sevens at Apia Park, multi-camera delayed transmission of Swimming, Tennis, Weightlifting and Boxing finals, and delayed transmission of Lawn Bowls, Squash and Archery events. For more information visit: http://www.tv1samoa.tv

World No. 1 Japan, No. 2 USA To Meet In Finale Of WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup

World No. 1 Japan and No. 2 United States will play in the world championship finale of the XXVII WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup at historic Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Osaka on Sunday, 6 September at 18:00 (GMT+9).

One day of competition ahead of the close of the Super Round, the Samurai Japan and U.S. U-18 National Teams have climbed atop the baseball world and will finish first and second in the Super Round Standings.

Pos. Nation Win/Loss
1 Japan 4-0
2 United States 3-1
3 South Korea 2-2
4 Australia 1-3
5 Canada 1-3
6 Cuba 1-3

With the U.S. having defeated world No. 8 South Korea in a thrilling come-from-behind victory (7-4) Thursday night, the U.S. possesses the tie-break advantage over South Korea.

While the world Nos. 1-2 are confirmed to be in Sunday’s gold medal finale, the final day of the Super Round on Saturday will determine the nations that will battle for the bronze medal.

Saturday, 5 September

12:00: South Korea vs. Australia at Maishima Stadium
13:00: Japan vs. Cuba at Historic Koshien Stadium
18:00: United States vs. Canada at Historic Koshien Stadium

The bronze medal match will take place at 13:00 on Sunday, 6 September at Hanshin Koshien Stadium.

Free live-streaming of the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup will be made available via the WBSC’s two official Ustream channels: WBSC Channel 1 and WBSC Channel 2.

Online viewership, to date, for the Opening and Super Rounds of the 2015 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup has reached over 80 countries and territories.

The 2013 edition of the flagship junior baseball world championship had a potential broadcast reach of 144 million and 20 million online reach.