London 2012 Olympic Games women’s pole vault champion Jenn Suhr added a centimetre to her own world indoor record * when she cleared 5.03m at the Golden Eagle Multi and Invitational in Brockport, New York state, on Saturday (30).
Her previous world indoor record of 5.02m came in Albuquerque on 2 March, 2013.
* Subject to the usual ratification conditions
Four Asian sides – India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka –advanced to the Super League quarter-finals of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh with their second successive wins on Saturday.
India and Nepal, which took the two top spots in Group D at the expense of New Zealand and Ireland, will clash on Monday in their last league match to decide the group winner. The match will be produced by the ICC TV and will be aired around the world by 15 broadcasters.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka advanced from Group B, which also included Afghanistan and Canada, and will play each other on Wednesday, February 3, to determine who tops the group. This match will be produced by the ICC TV and will be aired around the world by 15 broadcasters.
Nepal rode on a five-wicket haul by leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane – which included the first hat-trick in the tournament – to defeat Ireland by eight wickets and confirm its maiden appearance in the quarter-finals.
Ireland was tied down to 131 for nine after electing to bat and Nepal, which had stunned New Zealand in its opening match, coasted home in the 26th over with Yogendra Karki making 61.
Lamichhane had Lorcan Tucker and Adam Dennison caught off successive balls in his fourth over and then bowled Fiachra Tucker with his next delivery to complete the hat-trick.
“What was more important than the hat-trick was that we won an important game and qualified for the quarter-finals,” said Lamichhane. “I hope we can continue the same way in other matches.”
Nepal’s captain Raju Rijal said qualifying for the quarter-finals meant a lot to his nation.
“I am sure there will be a lot of celebrations back home because cricket is very popular in our country,” said Rijal. “Performances like these will inspire more people to play the game in Nepal.
“The team spirit is very good and we enjoy each other’s success. The target now is to get past the quarter-finals also.”
Ireland captain Jack Tector blamed his team’s low total on the regular fall of wickets. “The hat-trick really did us in and our batsmen could not get enough runs on the board.”
India, sent into bat by New Zealand in Mirpur, piled up 258 for eight with Sarfaraz Khan top-scoring with 74 for the second time in the competition. Rishabh Pant made 57 and Armaan Jaffer scored 46.
But Mahipal Lomror stood out with a fine all-round display as he followed up his 45 with the bat with five for 47, which bundled New Zealand out for 138 in the 32nd over.
Seamer Avesh Kumar, who took three wickets in his first four overs to reduce the Kiwis to five for three, finished with four for 32. He was later declared player of the match.
“Our first aim to make the quarter-finals has been realised, but we cannot afford to relax,” said India captain Ishan Kishan. “We need to top the group, so the match against Nepal will be very important.
“I am confident because the batsmen are in form and the bowlers too are doing well. It is good that the seamers and spinners have got used to conditions here.”
Sri Lanka survived a tense run-chase by Afghanistan before clinching victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
Skipper Charith Asalanka top-scored with 71 in Sri Lanka’s modest 184 all out, but Afghanistan was itself bowled out for 151 despite opener Karim Janat’s 40 and Waheedullah Shafaq’s 47.
Kamindu Mendis, who possesses a rare talent of bowling both right-arm off-spin and left-arm orthodox spin, claimed three wickets for 36 runs.
Pakistan scored a seven-wicket win over Canada after bowling out the unfancied rival for 178. Hasan Khan took three wickets and Shadab Khan took two.
The Pakistanis surpassed the target in the 41st over with opener Zeeshan Malik scoring an unbeaten 89 and Saif Badar 44. Zeeshan was later declared player of the tournament.
Pakistan captain Gohar Hafeez said he was satisfied with the way the tournament was progressing for his team.
“We are batting and bowling well and that is a good sign,” he said. “We will be well prepared for the Sri Lanka game because we want to win and top the group.”
The 11th edition of the biennial 16-nation tournament features nine Test-playing nations and seven Associate and Affiliate Members – Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Namibia, Nepal, Ireland and Scotland.
Teams have been divided into four groups with the top two in each advancing to the Super League quarter-finals and the other two qualifying for the Plate championships.
Scores in brief:
Group B: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 33 runs in Sylhet
Sri Lanka 184 all out, 48.1 overs (Charith Asalanka 71; Shamsurrahman Wali 3-19, Karim Janat 2-37, Zahir Khan 2-36)
Afghanistan 151 all out, 44.5 overs (Waheedullah Shafaq 47, Karim Janat 40; Kamindu Mendis 3-36).
Group B: Pakistan beat Canada by seven wickets in Sylhet
Canada 178 all out, 48.3 overs (Bhavindu Adhihetty 51, Abraash Khan 44; Hasan Khan 3-36, Shadab Khan 2-44)
Pakistan 180-3 in 40.5 overs (Zeeshan Malik 89 not out, Saif Badar 44)
Group D: India beat New Zealand by 120 runs in Mirpur
India 258-8, 50 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 74, Rishabh Pant 57, Armaan Jaffer 46, Mahipal Lomror 45; Zak Gibson 3-50, Nathan Smith 2-39, Rachin Ravindra 2-41)
New Zealand 138 all out, 31.3 overs (Christian Leopard 40; Mahipal Lormor 5-47, Avesh Khan 4-32)
Group D: Nepal beat Ireland by eight wickets in Fatullah
Ireland 131-9, 50 overs (Harry Tector 30 not out; Sandeep Lamichhane 5-27, Dipendra Airee 2-18)
Nepal 132-2, 25.3 overs (Yogendra Karki 61, Aarif Sheikh 31 not out)
Sunday’s matches:
Group A: Bangladesh v Scotland, Cox’s Bazar
Group A: South Africa v Namibia, Cox’s Bazar
Group C: West Indies v Fiji, Chittagong
Group C: England v Zimbabwe, Chittagong
Argentina Condors scored their first WSB win of Season VI as they edged past Venezuela Caciques in spectacular fashion in Buenos Aires on Friday night. With the match tied at 2-2 going in to the final bout, Kevin Espindola kept his cool to deliver a match-winning performance, delighting the home fans.
It was the Condors’ Christian Roda who set the tone from the opening contest, stepping up against Caciques’ AMBC American Confederation Champion Yoel Finol. The Venezuelan looked to be in control in the early exchanges, but after knocking down the southpaw mid-way through the third round, Roda’s confidence visibly grew, and he powered through to take the first bout and give the hosts an unlikely advantage.
The lead was cancelled out when Brian Ivan Nunez defeated the hosts’ 20-year-old lightweight Luis Angel Cabrera. Having lost to Cabrera in Season V, Nunez was in no mood for a repeat showing, and his attacking style brought Caciques back on level terms.
The most hotly anticipated contest of the evening came in the third bout, with the experienced WSB welterweights Alberto Ignacio Palmetta and Gabriel Maestre both looking to give their sides the advantage. Southpaw Palmetta started well against Venezuela’s Pan-American Games champion, and as Maestre came back strongly the Argentinian reacted brilliantly, raising the tempo and delivering a vital win for the Condors.
It was a timely introduction for Caciques’ in-form light heavyweight Albert Ramon Ramirez, who won five out of his six bouts during last season’s campaign and never looked in trouble against Argentina’s Sergio Lebensztajn, levelling the tie at 2-2. Step forward the hosts’ Kevin Espindola who, at thirteen years younger than his opponent Edgar Munoz, boxed like a man with nothing to lose. Controlling the tempo from the outset, the Condors’ super heavyweight delivered a boxing master class to the delight of the home fans, landing enough strong punches to bring a precious win for the Argentine team in the capital.
The Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, J.P has called on the Nigeria football ruling authority to step-up measures in the aspect of officiating and security to enhance validity of the results of league matches in the new season.
The Pillar of Sports made the remark when he paid a courtesy call on the Grand Patron of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN and financier of F.C Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah in Abuja.
Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike who disclosed that he paid the courtesy visit as solidarity and support for Chief Ubah encouraged him not to be discouraged; but, he should remained focused in his efforts to rebrand the round leather game in Nigeria and towards the development of sports in general.
The Pillar of Sports who also doubles as the National President of Karate Federation of Nigeria said that sports promotion and development is more of social value and sacrifice, in this part of the world than profit-making ventures.
He commended Ubah for the ultra-modern stadium he is putting up in Nnewi, Anambra State which will not only attract sports championships, but also serve as breeding ground for the budding talents.
Chief Ejidike commended him equally on his tabloid, “The Authority newspaper” which has provided employment opportunities for the unemployed and added to the information dissemination sector.
However, The Pillar of Sports, declared that state governments have no business in floating professional football clubs as this at most times, serves as drainage pipe to siphon money; rather, business men and private individual should be allowed to run the clubs and make it a profit-making venture as obtainable in Europe.
He equally encouraged the Nigeria League Management Company, LMC to be more proactive in the area of officiating and security to make the results acceptable and non-controversial.
…To Become World Number Two on Monday
Germany’s Angelique Kerber shocked defending champion and top seed Serena Williams in the final of the Australian Open as she defeated her 6-4,3-6,6-4.
The sixth seed who won her first Grand Slam game in 2008 was at her attacking best as she jumped into an early 3-1 lead in the first set before closing it out 6-4.
“It’s my dream come true. I worked for this my whole life,” said Kerber who walked away with $3.4million AUD. She added “i had nothing to lose, but still I had to win the match. I knew that I must play the best tennis against her tonight. I was going out there to try to show really that I can play, that I can beat her”.
Serena made a lot of errors in the game (23 Unforced Errors in the first set) and was surprisingly nervous against a player who has never played in a Grand Slam final.
The top seed who admitted that Kerber has really improved her game, was unable to match Steffi Graph record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
Kerber will rise to a career high No.2 in the world when the rankings are released on Monday. She is also the first German to win the Australian Open After Steffi Graf won it twenty years ago.
Meanwhile a host of Tennis greats have congratulated Kerber on Twitter for achieving this career milestone
The Medal Races at Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella are LIVE on the World Sailing TV YouTube channel as well as ESPN3 in the USA now.
Follow the links to watch racing now.
ESPN3 – http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/2754788/2016-world-sailing-cup
World Sailing TV YouTube URL – https://youtu.be/_V2YQYar0IU
World Sailing TV YouTube Embed –
Seven races will be broadcast live from the northern racing area on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida, USA. The schedule in EST is available below:
NORTH COURSE – LIVE
11:10 – Nacra 17
11:45 – Laser Radial
12:30 – Finn
13:10 – 470 Men
13:50 – Laser
14:30 – 49er
15:05 – 49erFX
SOUTH COURSE
11:40 – 470 Women
12:20 – RS:X Women
12:55 – RS:X Men
Daniel Smith
Ten nations in North and South America have qualified sailors for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition as fleet racing at Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella came to a close.
Sailing World Cup Miami acted as an Olympic qualifier for all ten of the Olympic classes for North and South America with 22 nations across both regions sending sailors with one aim, to book their spot at Rio 2016.
After the Santander 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships and the 2015 Class World Championships, Sailing World Cup Miami was the last chance for sailors to qualify.
The following nations have qualified in the following classes:
470 Men
North – Canada
South – Chile
470 Women
North – Canada
South – Chile
49er
North – USA
South – Chile
49erFX
North – USA
South – Chile
Nacra 17
North – Canada
South – Uruguay
Laser
North – Mexico
South – Venezuela
Laser Radial
North – Bermuda
South – Peru
Finn
North – Canada
South – Argentina
RS:X Men
North – Canada and USA
South – Venezuela and Colombia
RS:X Women
North – Canada
South – Argentina
Daniel Smith
Great Britain’s 2.4mR sailor Helena Lucas and the Canadian Sonar team led by Paul Tingley snapped up gold in their respective fleets as Paralympic racing concluded at Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella.
Tingley and his team of Logan Campbell and Scott Lutes wrapped up gold with a race to spare after a strong series of races. Meanwhile, Lucas asserted herself in the 2.4mR with a trio of victories that ensured she took her first gold at World Cup Miami after five previous attempts.
Lucas had a shaky start, retiring from the first race of the series, but came back dominant, winning seven of ten races over the week.
A perfect final day of three race victories sealed her fate as she ended well clear of Bruce Millar from Canada in silver and USA’s Charles Rosenfield in bronze.
“It’s been a really good regatta,” said Lucas. “We have had some great winds and some good conditions in different directions. It’s made it a good regatta and we had 20 knots yesterday so it’s been great. Miami is always a really nice one to win so it’s great to start 2016 off with a win.”
Lucas won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and was the first British athlete in any sport to be selected for Rio 2016. No one has been able to defend the 2.4mR gold medal at the Paralympic Games but Lucas has a full schedule this year as she attempts to do exactly that.
“This is a good stepping stone for my preparations in September. It’s busy from now on until the Paralympic Games. I have some stuff planned in the UK in February and then from March onwards I will be at the World Cup and EUROSAF events. It’s a busy calendar from now on.”
In a Paralympic year, sailors are looking to peak and lay down a marker in the build up regattas. Those winning medals now, will be winning medals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Canadian Sonar team came off the water buoyed by their performance over a strong pack of racers. Their week featured three consecutive race wins midway through that put them in a good spot leading into the final day that featured three races.
A third and a fourth in the opening two was enough to seal gold and with the pressure off they completed the regatta with a seventh.
“It feels like the work is starting to pay off,” explained Tingley, a Beijing 2008 2.4mR gold medallist. “We are committed to the process and it takes time as a team. We have worked hard on our communication and as a result, we executed really well this week.
“The very best in the world are here and we beat the best. Gold is the reassurance we needed going into Rio.”
Australia’s Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden took second followed by Bruno Jourdren, Eric Flageul and Nicolas Vimont-Vicary (FRA).
Paralympic racers have a relatively quiet period before a full on period in April and May that includes Sailing World Cup Hyeres and Weymouth & Portland as well as the Para World Sailing Championships in Medemblik, the Netherlands.
From 11:00 (EST), 16:00 (UTC) on Saturday 30 January, the Medal Races from Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella will be broadcast live on the World Sailing TV YouTube channel as well as ESPN3 in the USA.
The Embed code and links to follow the racing are available below:
ESPN3 – http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/2754788/2016-world-sailing-cup
World Sailing TV YouTube URL – https://youtu.be/_V2YQYar0IU
World Sailing TV YouTube Embed –
Seven races will be broadcast live from the northern racing area on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida, USA. The schedule in EST is available below:
NORTH COURSE – LIVE
11:10 – Nacra 17
11:45 – Laser Radial
12:30 – Finn
13:10 – 470 Men
13:50 – Laser
14:30 – 49er
15:05 – 49erFX
SOUTH COURSE
11:40 – 470 Women
12:20 – RS:X Women
12:55 – RS:X Men
Daniel Smith
The Bahamas has been awarded the 2017 edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games, it was announced today, aiming to unite 1000 young athletes aged 14-18 in a Caribbean carnival of impactful competition, personal development and new Commonwealth friendships.
The 6th edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games will take place from 19-23 July 2017 in the nation’s capital, Nassau and seven sports are proposed: Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics (Track and Field), Boxing, Cycling (Road), Judo, Rugby Sevens and Tennis. It will be the first time Judo has been presented at a Commonwealth Youth Games.
As part of the Federation’s commitment to partner and support peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Commonwealth communities, it will be the second edition of the Youth Games to be held on a Small Island Developing State, following the hugely successful Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in September last year. It will also be the first Commonwealth Games event to be held in the Caribbean for over 50 years, with Commonwealth athletes last participating in the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.
Speaking after the CGF’s Executive Board meeting in Gibraltar, Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said: “It gives me the greatest pleasure to announce that the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Games Federation has unanimously voted to award the upcoming edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games to the Bahamas.
The Commonwealth Youth Games are a unique and empowering opportunity to celebrate and engage young people on the level playing field of sport. I congratulate and commend the Bahamas Bid Committee for their passion, commitment and expertise and look forward to helping realise their dream of an impactful and inspiring Games for the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the Commonwealth.”
Almost all events will be held in the same sporting precinct, the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, which includes the world-class 15,000-seat Thomas A Robinson stadium, host to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Athletics. The sporting action will also reach out to the communities and streets of the island, with the Cycling competition to be held on the streets of New Providence.
With just over 500 days to go to the Opening Ceremony, the Youth Games partners across the Bahamas plan to draw on their experiences successfully coordinating the 2014 and 2015 IAAF World Relay Championships. The island is also a former host of CHOGM (1985) and the most recent Commonwealth Education Ministers Meeting (2015).
Welcoming the announcement, Bahamas Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) Secretary General Romell K. Knowles said: “We jubilantly thank the executives and members of the Commonwealth Games Federation for the confidence placed in our country by the award of the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games to The Bahamas. We also thank the CGA of St. Lucia, who first had the vision to bring the Games to the Caribbean. Additionally, The Bahamas CGA expresses enthusiastic solidarity with our Caribbean brothers and sisters in the regional Commonwealth Games Associations as we will all be hosts to our fellow athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth.
“On behalf of The Bahamas CGA President Wellington Miller, I especially thank the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie MP, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson MP and Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture and the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe MP, Minister of Tourism for the solid executive and moral support and technical advice that they and The Bahamas administration provided during the bidding process.
“The 6th edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games is by far the largest sporting event ever undertaken by The Bahamas as a host and we look forward to presenting the best Commonwealth Youth Games ever.
“Having been awarded these Games, thousands of young Commonwealth athletes will now be inspired to compete in the sport of their choice in the hope of representing their country at these prestigious Games. Everyone wants to come to The Bahamas.”
The Bahamas is a Caribbean archipelago of 700 islands spread across 100,000 square miles, of which 30 are inhabited by a population of under 400,000. It is located around 50 miles off the coast of Florida. In addition to the sporting action, the VIth Commonwealth Youth Games promises a rich, colourful and diverse cultural and Commonwealth celebration, inspired by the islands’ world-famous carnival parades which acknowledge and recognise the Commonwealth diaspora and emancipation of former African slaves in a vibrant musical celebration.
Following today’s decision, the Commonwealth Games Association of the Bahamas and its Government partners have been mandated to constitute an Organising Committee to deliver the Games coordination and begin preparations with the 71 participating nations and territories. The Commonwealth Games flag and ceremonial Quaich, the special gift that has been entrusted to each Commonwealth Youth Games host since the inaugural Youth Games in Edinburgh in 2000, will be handed over to the Bahamas at a special ceremony at the Commonwealth Games Federation’s General Assembly in October later this year.
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