Japan Looks to Rewrite History at World Team Table Tennis Championships Malaysia

Japan is looking to rewrite history at the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after sending both it’s men’s and women’s teams into the finals to meet China.

The last time the table tennis powerhouse had both its teams in the final showdown for the World Team Championships title, was back in 1971, where Japan met China in both the team gold medal matches. The women’s team won on home soil then in Nagoya, but the men’s suffered a bitter loss to China.

It was 39 years since the Japanese men’s team last made their way to the Final, they nearly missed their chance tonight in the action packed Malawati Stadium. Fortunately, Jun MIZUTANI managed to saved the day for his team from a fully fired-up English team in the semifinals.

Surprise semifinalist England who were only newly promoted to the Championships Divisions, shocked the world’s top teams en route to the semifinals to face off Japan. The trio of Paul DRINKHALL, Liam PITCHFORD and Samuel WALKER played their best matches against the third seeded Japanese team, setting the local crowd cheering for every point for the underdogs. Despite WALKER sensationally beating world number 20, Yuya OSHIMA, ruining his 22ndbirthday today, his team mate PITCHFORD lost four match points to the experienced MIZUTANI, losing 3-1 overall to end their dream run in the World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

After his emotional victory, the seven-time Japanese national champion fired a warning to his Chinese opponents: “We have not been World Champions for 47 years, tomorrow is our time to write history, it is out time!”

Defending champion China snatched the other Final spot after pulling off a convincing victory over Korea Republic. Ranked first and third in the world, MA Long and XU Xin gave the Chinese team a comfortable 2-0 lead by beating Korea Republic’s JUNG Youngsik and LEE Sangsu respectively. But all eyes were on the third match between Grand Slam Champion ZHANG Jike and the 2013 Junior World Champion JANG Woojin.

In their previous encounter at the 2015 Asian Championships, the Korean youngster defeated the reigning Olympic Champion twice, once in the team’s event, and once in the single’s event. Today in Kuala Lumpur, ZHANG did not have a good start either, losing 9 points in a row to cost him the first game, but the experienced Olympic champion was able to find his form to win the next 3 games to seal the victory for his team, and move on to their 12thconsecutive men’s team final.

Mizutani celebrates after putting Japan into the World Team Championships final At Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships, Kuala Lumpur, MAS

“I lost to JANG Woojin at the Asian Championships, but then I was not in the best shape” shared the 28-year-old, “Recently I have been training intensively, so today I was more prepared and ready.”

The Chinese women’s team headed by 2015 World Champion DING Ning, completed a clean swept against Chinese Taipei, winning 3-0 for all three individual matches. Chinese Taipei’s CHENG I-Ching, who has not dropped a single match prior to the match was able to push LI Xiaoxia, the reigning Olympic Champion to her limits. However, after losing 13-15 to LI in the second game, the 24-year-old CHENG lost her momentum and dropped the last game 2-11.

The Chinese will now meet long time rival Japan in the women’s team gold medal match tomorrow, 6 March at 14:30 (GMT+8). The archrivals have met five times on the World Team Championships Final stage, with China winning three out the five encounters.

ISSF World Cup: Grimmel (DEN) and Wu (BRA) climb Bangkok’s podium…

Felipe Almeida Wu of Brazil and Torben Grimmel of Denmark won today’s 10m Air Pistol and 50m Rifle Prone finals, at the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. They have different backgrounds and motivations, but both set their sights on Rio 2016, after winning the first match of the season.

It was the last shot that decided today’s 10m Air Pistol Men final, as the winner of the 2015 Pan American Games Felipe Almeida Wu of Brazil (23) and the 2014 Continental American Championship winner, Will Brown of USA (24), tied at the penultimate shot with 191.7 points.

The two shooters fought since the beginning of the final, stately climbing up toward the podium placements. When only two shots were left to fire, Brown held a narrow 0.3-point advantage on his Brazilian opponent, but as he shot a 10.2 to Wu’s 10.5, the two finished tied right before the last shot of the match.

The pressure of the final kicked-in: Brown scored a disappointing 9.7, while Almeida Wu zeroed and fired a winning 10.2, which allowed him to move in the lead and to secure the brightest medal with a total score of 201.9 points. Brown was left in second, with a score of 201.4 points.

“It’s amazing, I am extremely happy, hard work paid-off today.” Said the Brazilian athlete. “This is a very important year for Brazil and for Brazilian sports,” Wu added. “We have all eyes on us. Our national media started following us more and more in the lead-up to the Olympics. And this is crucial, especially for Shooting sport. I am happy to contribute to spread knowledge about our disciplines through my victories.”

“Winning the first international match of the year helps to build up confidence. I will continue to work, to be ready next August.”

Hoang Xuan Vinh, 41, from Vietnam, took Bronze with 180.1 points after fighting neck and neck against Wu and Brown. Kazakhstan’s Rashid Yunusmetov, ranked 22nd in the world in this event, was also going for a medal, but a 9.3 at his 16th shot cost him the podium. The 36-year old athlete placed in 4th with 159.3 points, just 0.7 points far from the medalists. Today’s turned into a disappointing final also for the winner of yesterday’s 50m Pistol Men event, India’s Jitu Rai (28). The Indian shooter started off the match with some strong scores, but then marked 8.8 and 9.9 on his 13th and 14th shots, dropping down in the placements and eventually taking the 5th place with 139.0 points.

At the following 50m Rifle Prone Men final, it was the 2000 Olympic Silver medalist Torben Grimmel of Denmark who finished in the spotlights.

Grimmel secured the brightest medal at the end of a thrilling duel against Australia’s 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist and reigning world champion Warren Potent, 53. With two excellent last shots of 10.3 and 10.7 points, the Danish athlete sealed the victory with a final score of 209.1 points, leaving Potent in second with 208.3 points. The 40-year old shooter came back atop of an ISSF world cup podium 8 years after his last victory in this event.

Grimmel (DEN) and Wu (BRA) climb Bangkok’s podium and set their sights on Rio 2016

“It feels great to be back,” Grimmel said. “I had a work accident, and I had to pass through back surgery twice, in 2010 and then again 2013. But luckily I have been able to recover well. That was odd-defying.”

“My aim for 2016 is to go to the Olympics and to do well there. And I am confident.” He added. “We are all training and competing for an Olympic medal. I would say there are 10 to 15 people out there who have what it takes to win the Games. It’s unpredictable.”

“I am trying to stick to my routines as much as possible.” Continued the Danish shooter. “At the Games, the targets, the people and the scores are more and less the same: the main issue is to cope with the pressure and peak at the right moment. I have already been through it, 16 years ago.”

Following Grimmel and Potent, it was Hungary’s 19-year old Istvan Peni who secured the Bronze medal with 187.3 points, only two days after finishing in third at the 10m Air Rifle Men event. “Wow! This is amazing, it’s a dream!” He said. “I’d prepared really well for the 10m Air Rifle event, in the lead up to this world cup stage. And that worked really well. I can’t believe that I made it to the podium also today. Shooting next to these Olympic medalists is definitely inspiring.”

Even more impressing, Peni beat the world cup titleholder and #1 in the world Michael Mcphail of USA (34), to finish upon the podium. Halfway through the final, the top-4 athletes were divided by one point only, and Peni managed to keep Mcphail 0.4 points behind him, winning the medal and leaving the American shooter in 4th with a score of 166.2 points.

The ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, continues tomorrow. The 10m Air Pistol and the 50m Rifle 3 Position Women finals will be broadcasted live on the ISSF website (www.issf-sports.org) at 11:00 AM and 13:15 (UTC+7), respectively.

Mexico Guerreros Keep Play-Off Hopes Alive With 3-2 Win Over Morocco Atlas Lions In Casablanca

On an important Friday night of WSB action for Group B, the Morocco Atlas Lions saw their slim chances of making it through to the play-offs snuffed out by a determined Mexico Guerreros team who move up to third place, just a point behind USA Knockouts. The two sides will now meet in Week 10 in Aguascalientes in a match that could decide who joins British Lionhearts in the next round.

The 3-2 scoreline was a repeat of the Week 2 fixture between the two sides, but this time around the hosts had the advantage before a punch had been thrown, with Morocco Atlas Lions’ London 2012 Olympian Abdelali Daraa taking his tie against Guerreros’ young Jose Daniel Rojas by walkover.

First in the ring was Abdellah Aballagh replacing Ahmed Bourous at super heavyweight, but he faced a determined opponent in the Guerreros’ Danish talent Kem Ljungquist. Aballagh struggled to come to terms with the WSB debutant in the opening rounds, and the southpaw dominated to tie the match at 1-1 with a unanimous points win.

The visitors then took the lead when their French star Souleymane Cissokho brilliantly counter-attacked his way through his welterweight bout with Azeddine Tamsamani, eventually delivering a series of big left hooks that ended the bout by TKO midway through the final round.

A tight bout between lightweights Abdellah Boudrar and Guerreros’ exceptional Lindolfo Delgado then put the match beyond the hosts’ reach. Delgado was tactically superior and the more powerful of the two, denying a spirited challenge from Boudrar to edge the judges’ decision.

With the match won, the highly anticipated bout between Atlas Lions’ Dutch star Peter Mullenberg and Guerreros’ second French athlete Mamadou Bakary Diabira became a showcase of brilliant boxing from the light heavyweights. Mullenberg delivered some fine combinations with unnerring accuracy to which Diabira could find no answer, and the experienced Dutchman cantered to a win, making it 3-2 on the night but leaving the Atlas Lions adrift at the foot of Group B.

Stores FC Supporters Commend Adebajo Family and Media For FA Cup Return

The Stationery Stores FC Supporters’ Clubs Amalgamated—comprising several Chapters of the Club’s supporters—wish to commend the Adebajo family, owners of the team, for entering Stationery Stores FC (SSFC) for the 2016 FA Cup competition.

We are also not unmindful of the strong exhibition of professionalism by members of the sporting Press in Nigeria, whose very important contribution has continued to help improve the standard of our domestic league and has also helped consolidate efforts to return Stationery Stores FC to its rightful place in Nigerian soccer.

As the club continues its gradual ascent to its glorious position in the country’s football, we recall with nostalgia that SSFC has a chequered history of participation in the FA Cup Competition, which began in the country in 1942. The competition has been variously known as the “War Memorial Challenge Cup,” “Governor’s Cup,” “FA Cup,” and now, the “Federation Cup.” The rich history of Stationery Stores FC has seen it win the Lagos State version of the FA Cup 15 times—perhaps the highest number of times than any other club in the State. The darling team of Lagos—as Stationery Stores FC is also affectionately known—also won the national version of the competition in 1967, 1968, 1982 and 1990.

The return of Stores to the competition in 2016 is therefore in continuation of its renowned philosophy of providing entertaining and purposeful soccer to its teeming supporters in Lagos, Nigeria and Africa, and remaining competitive and focused. We believe that the young players who will be donning the colours of our Club in this year’s historic return will be desirous of chasing history and following in the fine traditions of their predecessors who lit the flame of Nigerian football and received a permanent, appreciative acclamation as the “Flaming Flamingoes.”

Stationery Stores Fc Supporters

Finally, we commend all the 52 Chapters of SSFC Supporters’ Clubs in Nigeria and the 10 Chapters overseas for remaining patient and loyal to the team and its owners. This is the time to increase our support and prayers for the success and irreversible ascent of the Adebajo Babes.

Long live the legacy of Israel Adebajo. Long live Stationery Stores Football Club.

Up Super. Triple Flaming. Gbogbo wa l’ore Adebajo! Iyo!!!

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan Return To Winning Ways With Brilliant 3-2 Triumph At Rivals Azerbaijan Baku Fires

Astana Arlans Kazakhstan made it two wins from two this season against rivals Azerbaijan Baku Fires on Friday night to stay hot on the heels of Group D leaders Uzbek Tigers. Both teams still have to face the new franchise one more time in what is becoming a thrilling race for the play-off places.

Baku Fires’ Nasraddin Mammadov got off to a strong start in the evening’s opening bout against Kazhakstan’s National Lightweight Champion Zakir Safiullin, but the Arlans star counter-attacked brilliantly as the bout wore on, and was untouchable in the final two rounds as he powered to a comfortable points win to give the visitors the early advantage.

Magomed Ibiyev’s move up to flyweight got off to the perfect start in a Week 4 win over Uzbek Tigers Abrorjon Kodirov, but the Arlans’ experienced Asian Champion Olzhas Sattibayev proved an altogether different challenge. The 24-year-old Azeri landed some solid punches in the first round but Sattibayev’s determined approach dictated the action as he secured his side’s second convincing points win of the night.

At 2-0 down, the Azeri welterweight Tamerlan Abdullayev then made a name for himself on debut against Kazakhstan’s Aslanbek Shymbergenov. In the bout of the day, Abdullayev’s superb final round proved to be decisive and the hosts’ dream of a turnaround was alive.

The hope was short-lived, however, as Astana Arlans’ Nurdaulet Zharmanov overcame Baku Fires’ Belarusian boxer Mikhail Dauhaliavets to win by TKO in the second round of their light heavyweight and earn the visitors a crucial away win.

The final bout of the night saw Azerbaijan Baku Fires’ 26-year-old WSB star Arslanbek Makhmudov put in a brilliant performance against Kazakhstan’s Nurzhan Bekzatov. Makhmudov controlled their super heavyweight bout from the outset but Bekzatov stayed in the battle until the final round, when the Arlans man was surprised by a quick uppercut and the referee had no choice but to award the Fires’ star a win by TKO.

FIVB Refereeing Commission Mourns Death Of Grandfather Holvey

FIVB Refereeing Commission and her president Hassan Ahmed mourn the dearth of Former FIVB Vice-President Dr. Endre Holvey, who was a significant volleyball figure, great sportsman and leader, after he passed away at the age of 97.

“We are deeply sorry to hear about the death of the grandfather of the referees all over the world,” Hassan Ahmed said.

“He was the president of the FIVB refereeing Commission until 2002, who drafted and implemented the rules of the game. He was the teacher of the referees all over the world. On behalf of FIVB refereeing commission members we send sincere condolences and deep sympathy to his family.

Holvey joined the FIVB in 1955 and served the role of FIVB Vice-President for two terms from 1959 to 1961 and 1970 to 1972.

He actively participated in the Olympic Games as a technical delegate from 1964 to 2000. He also served as president of the FIVB Refereeing Commission, who drafted and implemented reforms related to the rules of the game.

FIVB Refereeing Commission mourns death of grandfather Holvey

Holvay was a pillar for the sport and received countless recognitions for shaping the image of volleyball as a prestigious world sport. His contribution will always be well regarded for the decades of devoted service to Hungarian volleyball, CEV and FIVB that gave a widespread impact on the sport at all levels.

ITTF World Team Championship: Nigeria, Egypt remain in Division Two

After failing to qualify to the elite division of the biennial ITTF World Team Championship, Nigeria and Egypt will again campaign in second tier in 2018.

From the rating of teams, Egypt finished ahead of Nigeria in the ranking having made it to the semifinal stage while Nigeria did not advance beyond the quarterfinal round.

As it is, Egypt is ranked 27th while Nigeria occupies 29th place as the eight-day championship ends on Sunday March 6 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

However, the race for the African sole slot in the men’s team event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games continues between Nigeria and Egypt as their players aim to garner points to become the best team from the continent.

With the absence of Nigeria women team, Egypt has automatically qualified for the women team event of the Olympic Games.

Nigeria will have to wait for the decision of ITTF to know its fate in the women cadre after the West Africa side failed to make it to the tournament.

Omar Assar (EGY) returns the ball during an encounter at the Malaysia tourney

Meanwhile, Asian giants – China and Japan will battle for the titles in the men and women finals of the competition.

To berth in the final of the men’s event, China edged out South Korea 3-0 while Japan worked hard for their 3-1 win over giant killing English team.

For the women’s final, it is China and Japan again after China beat Chinese Taipei 3-0 with Japan dismissing Korea DPR 3-1.

Over 90 teams across the world took part in the biggest tournament in the ITTF calendar.

European Football’s 2015/2016 Top Five, Teams, Goal scorers, Assist Merchants And Bad Boys…,

Top 5 performers in Europe’s top 5 football leagues (2015/2016) the story so far…,

We have put together a list of Europe’s top 5 leagues top 5 performers, our focus is on a few highlights of the game, mainly goals, assist and discipline for individuals and for teams it’s got to do with their positions on the Log, comments are welcome and hope you find this useful.

Please note that this is based on results as at the 4th of March 2016 and the Leagues are arranged in no particular other…,

P.Dybala Palermo
photo credit: Nazionale Calcio
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Luis Suarez

Shinji Kagawa

Zlatan Ibrahimovic PSG
photo credit: Nazionale Calcio
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Barclays Premier League

Mesut Ozil
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2016 ITF/CAT African Junior Championships: South Africa Embassy Denies Nigerian Players Visas

In what apparently is a setback for its quest to excel at the forthcoming ITF/CAT African Junior Championship holding from March 9-18 in Pretoria, South Africa, Team Nigeria were on Friday denied visas by the South African embassy in Abuja.

National Junior tennis head coach, Mohammed Ubale expressed frustration at the development saying its a big blow to the country’s preparation.

“The South African Embassy took us by surprise this morning (Friday) by denying five out of the six players that are going for the AJC.

“We have submitted our passports since ten days ago and they keep requesting for one thing or the other which we presented to them before they gave us appointment to come and collect it today (Friday) which was why we fixed our departure for Saturday (today) because our plan was to travel earlier,” Ubale, who alongside Marylove Edwards were the only two of the seven-man contingent that were granted visas for the tournament billed for the ITF High Performance Centre, Pretoria, said.

He added: “What annoyed me mostly is the fact that they granted visas to just two of us when we are all covered by one letter which the organisers sent to them in the course of seeking clarifications.”

NTF president, Engr Sani Ndanusa as at Friday afternoon was making efforts to make sure that the whole team were eventually granted visas as he made several calls to the International Tennis Federation headquarters in London as well as the Confederation of African Tennis in Tunis for intervention.

Angel Mcleod one of the Nigerian Players denied entry visas by the South African Embassy In Nigeria

“Its very frustrating because virtually all the countries were scheduled to arrive the venue on Saturday but from what is on ground the earliest we can be in South Africa is Monday.

The most annoying part of it is that all the players have travelled several times to various parts of the continent and even beyond for tournaments” he said.

Those that were denied visas are Angel McLeod, Christopher Itodo, Christopher Bulus, Gabriel Friday and Michael Osewa.