Please find below Saturday’s results from the 2015 BNP Paribas World Team Cup wheelchair tennis event at the Club Ali Bey Manavgat in Antalya, Turkey on 25-31 May. A total of 52 teams from 28 countries are competing in four categories: men, women, quad and junior.
USA won their ninth quad title after beating Japan in the quad’s world group, while Spain won the title in the men’s world group II by beating South Africa.
Tomorrow France and Great Britain will compete in the final for the men’s world group.
The BNP Paribas World Team Cup, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2015, is the ITF’s flagship wheelchair tennis event, often referred to as the Davis and Fed Cups of wheelchair tennis. The initial event took place in California in 1985 involving six men’s teams. The women’s competition began the following year, with quad and junior events introduced in 1998 and 2000 respectively. Due to the increased number of teams wanting to take part, the ITF introduced regional qualifying for the men’s and women’s events in 2012.
USA (1) defeated JAPAN 2-1
Shota Kawano (JPN) d. Nick Taylor (USA) 64 60
David Wagner (USA) d. Mitsuteru Moroishi (JPN) 60 61
Nick Taylor/David Wagner (USA) d. Shota Kawano/Mitsutery Moroishi (JPN) 62 64
Quad’s World Group – Position 3-4
ISRAEL defeated ITALY 3-0
Itay Erenlib (ISR) d. Marco Innocenti (ITA) 64 60
Shraga Weinberg (ISR) d. Alberto Corradi (ITA) 63 16 63
Itay Erenlib/Haim Lev (ISR) d. Alberto Corradi/Marco Innocenti (ITA) 61 62
Men’s World Group II – Final
SPAIN (3) defeated SOUTH AFRICA (2) 2-1
Martin de la Puente (ESP) d. Leon Els (RSA) 62 76(4)
Evans Maripa (RSA) d. Daniel Caverzaschi (ESP) 63 62
Daniel Caverzaschi/Roberto Chamizo (ESP) d. Evans Maripa/Marshall Marsh (RSA) 64 60
Men’s World Group II – Position 3-4
MALAYSIA (4) defeated THAILAND 2-0
Ariffahmi Zaquan (MAS) d. Wittaya Peem-Mee (THA) 75 26 76(8)
Abu Samah Borhan (MAS) d. Suthi Klongrhau (THA) 63 62
Ariffahmi Zaquan Ariffin/Abu Samah Borhan (MAS) v Suthi Klongrhau/Wittaya Peem-Mee (THA) not played
Men’s World Group – Position 5-6
SWEDEN defeated BELGIUM 2-1
Peter Vikstrom (SWE) d. Gert Vos (BEL) 63 60
Joachim Gerard (BEL) d. Stefan Olsson (SWE) 67(5) 75 61
Stefan Olsson/Peter Vikstrom (SWE) d. Joachim Gerard/Gert Vos (BEL) 62 26 [10-2]
Men’s World Group – Position 7-8
NETHERLANDS defeated AUSTRIA 3-0
Ricky Molier (NED) d. Josef Riegler (AUT) 63 62
Maikel Scheffers (NED) d. Martin Legner (AUT) 60 61
Ricky Molier/Maikel Scheffers (NED) d. Martin Legner/Josef Riegler (AUT) 64 61
Men’s World Group – Position 9-10
KOREA defeated ARGENTINA 2-1
Ho-Won Im (KOR) d. Gustavo Ibanez (ARG) 61 60
Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) d. Sang-Ho Oh (KOR) 61 61
Ho-Won Im/Ha-Gel Lee (KOR) d. Ezequiel Casco/Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) 63 62
Men’s World Group – Position 11-12
USA defeated POLAND 2-0
Steve Baldwin (USA) d. Piotr Jaroszewski (POL) 61 62
Jon Rydberg (USA) d. Kamil Fabisiak (POL) 63 63
Hunter Groce/Jon Rydberg (USA) v Kamil Fabisiak/Piotr Jaroszewski (POL) not played
Women’s World Group – Position 5-6
THAILAND defeated USA 2-1
Kaitlyn Verfuerth (USA) d. Wanitha Inthanin (THA) 63 60
Sakhon Khanthasit (THA) d. Emmy Kaiser (USA) 26 76(5) 62
WanithaInthanin/Sakhon Khanthasit (THA) d. Dana Mathewson/Kaitlyn Verfuerth (USA) 63 63
Women’s World Group – Position 7-8
FRANCE defeated SOUTH AFRICA 2-1
Mariska Venter (RSA) d. Emilie Chene (FRA) 26 75 62
Charlotte Famin (FRA) d. Kgothatso Montjane (RSA) 63 75
Charlotte Famin/Emmanuelle Morch (FRA) d. Thondalwethu Hlatshwayo/Mariska Venter (RSA) 62 61
Women’s World Group – Position 9-10
CHILE defeated AUSTRALIA 2-0
Macarena Cabrillana (CHI) d. Luba Josevski (AUS) 60 61
Francisca Mardones (CHI) d. Sarah Calati (AUS) 62 57 61
Macarena Cabrillana/Francisca Mardones (CHI) v Sarah Calati/Luba Josevski (AUS) not played
Women’s World Group – Position 11-12
COLOMBIA defeated TURKEY 2-1
Angelica Bernal (COL) d. Julide Yildiz (TUR) 60 60
Bursa Un (TUR) d. Johana Martinez Vega (COL) 57 75 63
Angelica Bernal/Johana Martinez (COL) d. Busra Un/Julide Yildiz (TUR) 62 63
The ITF has announced the nominations for the 2015 BNP Paribas World Team Cup wheelchair tennis event at the Club Ali Bey Manavgat in Antalya, Turkey on 25-31 May. Defending their 2014 titles are France men’s team, Netherlands women’s team, Great Britain quad team and Russia junior team.
A total of 52 teams from 28 countries are contesting five events: men’s World Group (12 nations), men’s World Group II (12 nations), women’s World Group (12 nations), quad event (eight teams) and junior event (eight teams). Regional qualifying events were held in Colombia, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Turkey to determine six men’s and four women’s teams to join the direct entries.
The BNP Paribas World Team Cup, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2015, is the ITF’s flagship wheelchair tennis event, often referred to as the Davis and Fed Cups of wheelchair tennis. The initial event took place in California in 1985 involving six men’s teams. The women’s competition began the following year, with quad and junior events introduced in 1998 and 2000 respectively. Due to the increased number of teams wanting to take part, the ITF introduced regional qualifying for the men’s and women’s events in 2012.
The Belgian team came out on top in a tough tussle with a strong British foursome at the second leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 League at Odense in Denmark this evening. Joint-leaders at the halfway stage on just a single time-fault, the result was decided by the last-line riders on both sides, and Jerome Guery sprang a nice Belgian surprise when recovering from a first-round 12-fault effort to clinch it with a convincing clear.
On a day of contrasting fortunes for some, Team Italy stood firm to finish third ahead of the Irish who rallied in the second round to line up fourth, while Norway slotted into fifth place ahead of the Ukraine in sixth, Sweden in seventh and Germany in eighth spot.
The maximum 13 teams lined out at the Danish fixture which was staged at the Dyrskuepark, a public park on the outskirts of Odense where animal fairs have been a regular feature over many years.
Difficult to get
Course designer, Denmark’s Bo Bak Andersen, set a time-allowed of 78 seconds over his 12-fence track, and that proved difficult for many to get. But it was just a single time fault that the two leading teams shared at the halfway point, with Ukraine in hot pursuit carrying only four and Italy next in line with nine on the board.
The Irish racked up 14 at their first attempt, but that was still good enough to squeeze in front of Sweden with 17 and the Norwegians on a 19-fault scoreline. Just eight countries returned for the second round, so the host nation joined Poland, Finland, Switzerland and Portugal on the sidelines when Germany clinched the last qualifying spot with 24 already on their score-card. The addition of 25 more ensured that was exactly where Soren von Ronne’s side would stay at the end of the end of the day.
Ali Wolff and Casall produced the only double-clear of the competition to help clinch victory, and a qualifying spot at the Furusiyya 2015 Final, for Team USA at the third leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 series at Coapexpan, Mexico. (FEI/Anwar Esquivel)
Impossible to improve
The Swedes found it impossible to improve when racking up another nine faults despite a second-round clear for the third-line partnership of Charlotte Mordasini and Romane du Theil. But while it was a difficult day for Dag Ove Kingsroed who collected 20 faults first time out and then retired with Clarkes Ferro, the Norwegians really upped their game when Ole Kristoffer Meland’s single error with Buckle Up second time out was followed by just a single time-fault for Victoria Gulliksen and Bokai and then a great clear from Therese Henriksen with Virtuose d’Hyrencourt.
The Irish also got their act together, fault-free runs from Capt Geoff Curran and Mullaghbane and Thomas Ryan with Caribo ensuring that all they had to count this time was a single time fault from Michael Duffy and Cortina, but the Ukrainians took a serious nose-dive when both Cassio Rivetti (Chataga) and Ferenc Szentirmai (Cassuci) picked up 17 faults each. Szentirmail had posted one of two Ukrainian clears in round one when only Katharina Offel’s four faults with Charlie was taken into account, and although Rene Tebbel’s anchorman double-clear with the nine-year-old Suspens Floreval was highly impressive, they were obliged to add another single error from Offel to post a big second-round total of 21 which dropped them three places to sixth spot in the final analysis.
Moved up to third
With just single time faults from Emanuele Bianchi (Vadetta v Mettenhof), Luigi Polesello (Panama Tame) and Filippo Bologni (Fisdesign Chopin) the Italians moved up to third after the Belgians and British battled it out for pole position.
The British looked a little vulnerable when Harriet Nuttall’s fence down with A Touch Imperious was followed by a great clear from Belgium’s Gilles Dunon and Fou de Toi v Kelhoeve. And when Chloe Winchester’s Avoca Valkyrie put nine on the board then British chances were further shaken because Catherine van Roosbroeck, at 27 years of age the youngest member of the Belgian side, returned with just four on the board with Gautcho de Quinta. But when Emma O’Dwyer posted her second clear of the day with HHS Figero that steadied the British ship and the two sides were now on level pegging. Because if their last-line riders could go clear, they would each finish with five faults apiece.
British anchors, Julie Andrews and Ayrton IV, however left the door wide open when leaving one on the floor and it was down to Jerome Guery to take advantage of that. It seemed like a big ask, as his 13-year-old grey, Papillon Z, collected 12 faults at their first attempt. But the 34-year-old rider kept his cool to come home clear and clinch it.
A great day
“It was a great day for all of us on the team” said Dunon who, last year, won the Belgian National Championship title. “For me it was only my second Nations Cup. I competed once before in a team in Brazil. We had four riders with four new horses that had never competed in a Nations Cup before on our team today, so we did really well” he pointed out.
“This is the horse I rode when I won the Belgian Championship last year. He is now 10 years old and I always planned to bring him here. He is a fantastic horse, he is 1.85m tall, a huge horse, but he is so clever and handy, careful and has all the quality in the world” Dunon explained. He is now hoping to get the call-up for a Europe Division 1 Furusiyya qualifier, “but there are a lot of good riders in Belgium right now with a lot of good horses so it’s not so easy”, he said.
However today’s performance will have attracted the attention of Chef d’Equipe, Maurice van Roosbroeck, who also had every reason to feel extra proud about his daughter, Catherine’s, four-fault effort.
It was Norway who claimed the maximum points towards qualification for the Furusiyya Final in Barcelona, Spain in September when finishing fifth today, but the Europe Division 2 leaderboard is headed by Ukraine followed by Finland and the Czech Republic going on to the third leg in Lisbon, Portugal in two weeks’ time.
For further information on the sixth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 series at Odense, Denmark check out website http://www.firsthorsegrandprix.dk
The next leg of the series will take place at Piazza di Siena in Rome, Italy on Friday 22 May. For all information on the Italian fixture visit http://www.piazzadisiena.com Result:
The winning Belgian team at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 leg at Odense, Denmark today: (L to R) Jeromy Guery, Wilm Vermeir, Chef d’Equipe Maurice van Roosbroeck, Catherine von Roosbroeck and Gilles Dunon. (FEI/Annette Boe Østergaard)
1. Belgium 5 faults: Fou de Tol v. Kelhoeve (Gilles Dunon) 0/0, Gautcho da Quinta (Catherine van Roosbroeck) 0/4, Garrincha Hedoniste (Wilm Vermeir) 1/8, Papillon Z (Jerome Guery) 12/0.
7. Sweden 26 faults: Oz de Breve (Evelina Tovek) 8/4, Equita van’t Zorgvilet (Jonna Ekberg) 4/5, Romane du Theil (Charlotte Mordasini) 5/0, Uchin Imperio Egipcio (Petronella Andersson) 12/Ret.
Odense in Denmark played host to the second leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 League today.
The competition was won by the Belgian team of Gilles Dunon, Catherine van Roosbroeck, Wilm Vermeir and Jeromy Guery.
Dunon, partnering Fou de Toi v. Kelhoeve, produced one of three double-clears in the competition, the other two posted by Great Britain’s Emma O’Dwyer (HHS Figero) and Ukraine’s Rene Tebbel (Suspens Floreval).
8 horse-and-rider combinations jumped clear in the first round.
8 horse-and-rider combinations also jumped clear in round two.
The maximum number, 13 teams, participated in today’s event.
Only the top eight teams qualfied for the second round.
The third leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 series will take place in Lisbon, Portugal on Friday 29 May.
Quotes:
Gilles Dunon (BEL): “I am based between Brussels and Hasselt in Belgium and I have been there for four years. I’ve been travelling to international show for the last two or three years and now have three really good horses.”
Gilles Dunon (BEL) talking about today’s course: “you had to be concentrated from the beginning, the first three fences were not so easy and there were a lot of mistakes at the triple combination. Also after the water, the vertical was tricky, the course was tough enough for a a 3-Star show but fair.”
Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ 2015 Europe Division 2 Standings (after Round 2 at Odense, Denmark):
International Boxing Association President Dr Ching Kuo-Wu and President of Turkish Boxing Federation Mr Eyüp Gözgeç have signed an Agreement to host the AIBA European Olympic Qualifying Event in Turkey in April 2016 in the presence of the Minster of Youth and Sport of Turkey, Mr Akif Çağatay Kılıç, AIBA President praised the agreement: “I am very happy that this prestige event will be held in Turkey, and I am very confident that Turkish Boxing Federation will be able to organize the competition at the highest possible standard.” He also expressed his appreciation to the Minister: “I am deeply appreciative to the Minister for his great support rendered to our sport and our National Federation.”
AIBA President, Dr Ching Kuo-Wu; Minster of Yo uth and Sport of Turkey, Mr Akif Çağatay Kılıç; President of Turkish Boxing Federation; APB Turkish Champions Adem Kilicci and Onur Sipal
The President of Turkish Boxing Federation replied to AIBA President: “Turkey is very keen on further developing and promoting boxing in our country and I am confident that hosting this event will help involve more people in the sport of boxing”.
The AIBA European Olympic Qualifying Event in 2016 will produce a total of 30 Olympic quota places which the top 3 ranked boxers in each of the ten weight categories earn the opportunities to represent their countries in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The ITF has announced the first four winners of the 2015 Fed Cup Heart Award. Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu has won the award for the World Group and World Group II first round category, while the regional Zone Group I winners are Turkey’s Cagla Buyukakcay, Paraguay’s Veronica Cepede Royg and Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn. The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas ties took place in February.
The four Heart Award recipients were decided by a public vote on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es that saw a record 80,000 votes from fans. Ten players were initially shortlisted by a judging panel consisting of ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and a group of former Fed Cup players and members of the international media.
All the winners will receive a cheque to be donated to their chosen charity. Irina-Camelia Begu will donate a cheque for $6,000 to the Romanian charity Up Down Association (children with Down’s syndrome), while cheques for $1,000 will be donated by Cagla Buyukakcay (institutions for orphaned children), Veronica Cepede Royg (a foundation for children with cancer in Paraguay) and Tamarine Tanasugarn (Baan Gung Wipee Halfway Home for Women in Thailand).
Begu and Cepede Royg will both receive their awards on Friday during the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals, and World Group and World Group II play-offs taking place on 18-19 April.
Francesco Ricci Bitti, photo credit ITF.com
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “There were some outstanding performances during the Fed Cup ties in February, so I would like to congratulate all four players for coming out on top of the public vote. The Fed Cup Heart Award continues to reward players for the commitment they make to their team and the competition as a whole. I am sure that all the winners will take great pride in making their donations to charity.”
The Fed Cup Heart Award is an ITF initiative that was first presented to USA’s Melanie Oudin at the 2009 Fed Cup Final. It aims to recognise players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to their team. A total of five players will be recognised in 2015.
Irina-Camelia Begu helped Romania come from behind to defeat Spain 3-2 in the World Group II first round in Galati. With the hosts trailing 2-1, she defeated Silvia Soler-Espinosa, then partnered Monica Niculescu to victory over Anabel Medina Garrigues and Garbine Muguruza.
Begu said: “I’ve always come to play with my heart at the Fed Cup. Tennis is an individual sport, but this competition is about playing in a team and representing my country, Romania. The prize money will go to the Up Down Association, an association that help children with Down’s syndrome. I am glad that I can help them a little bit in their battle with this awful disease.”
Cagla Buyukakcay won all three singles rubbers for Turkey in the Europe/Africa Zone Group I event in Hungary, upsetting the higher-ranked Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and Heather Watson of Great Britain.
Buyukakcay said: “It’s an amazing honour for me to receive the Fed Cup Heart Award. I had two of the greatest wins of my career in Fed Cup this year, and the fact that this award was voted for by the fans makes it even more special. I want to thank all of you for voting for me. I’m proud to donate this award money to institutions for orphaned children.”
Veronica Cepede Royg won all seven singles and doubles rubbers as Paraguay qualified for the World Group II play-offs by winning the Americas Zone Group I event in Mexico.
Cepede Royg said: “I am very happy to receive this award, it means a lot to me. I am very proud to represent Paraguay and proud to have got this prestigious award for our small country. My chosen charity is a foundation which helps children with cancer and leukemia in Paraguay.”
Tamarine Tanasugarn now stands in sixth place on the list of most Fed Cup ties played after playing her 57th tie at the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I event in China. Age 37, she won four of her five singles and doubles rubbers during the week.
Tanasugarn said: “I am really honoured to be selected for the Heart Award for Asia/Oceania. I love playing for my country and I would like to thank the Fed Cup and everyone who voted for me. The organisation that I will be donating to is a halfway house for Thai women who need support to overcome their emotional and mental health problems. I am happy that the Fed Cup is helping me to assist a women’s cause in Thailand.”
To be presented at the Final: World Group semifinals
Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU): World Group / World Group II first round
Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR): Europe/Africa Zone Group I
Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR): Americas Zone Group I
Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA): Asia/Oceania Zone Group I
Value of cheques
$10,000: World Group semifinals winner (x1)
$6,000: World Group / World Group II first round winner (x1)
$1,000: Zone Group I winners (x3)
Judging panel
Francesco Ricci Bitti (ITA), ITF President
Sabine Appelmans (BEL), former Fed Cup player/captain
Mercedes Paz (ARG), former Fed Cup player
Craig Gabriel (AUS), international journalist
Sandra Harwitt (USA), international journalist
Corinne Dubreuil (FRA), international photographer
Ray Giubilo (ITA), international photographer
Please find below the final results from the 2015 ITF Young Seniors World Team Championships in Antalya, Turkey on Saturday 21 March. The Championships have taken place on 16-21 March, with 91 teams from 24 countries competing in three age categories from 35-and-over to 45-and-over.
The ITF Young Seniors World Individual Championships are taking place in Antalya next week on 22-29 March.
The ITF Young Seniors, Seniors and Super-Seniors World Team and Individual Championships are the premier events on the ITF Seniors Circuit. Players aged from 35-and-over to 45-and-over compete in the Young Seniors Championships, from 50-and-over to 60-and-over in the Seniors Championships, and from 65-and-over and 85-and-over compete in the Super-Seniors Championships. Starting with one team trophy in 1958, and four individual events in 1981, the competitions have grown to offer a total of 72 World Championship titles each year to teams, and in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
SPAIN (1) defeated FRANCE (2) 2-0:
Roberto Menendez Ferre (ESP) d. Alexandre Martinatto (FRA) 26 64 62
Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) d. Xavier Pujo (FRA) 63 60
Tony Trabert Cup (Men’s 40)
AUSTRIA (4) defeated NETHERLANDS (2) 2-1:
Marcus Hilpert (NED) d. Gerald Mandl (AUT) 61 61
Werner Eschauer (AUT) d. Bart Beks (NED) 63 64
Werner Eschauer/Gerald Mandl (AUT) d. Bart Beks/Marcus Hilpert (NED) 64 64
Dubler Cup (Men’s 45)
FRANCE (1) defeated GREAT BRITAIN (2) 3-0:
Patrick Vergnes (FRA) d. Matthew Coombes (GBR) 63 60
Jacques-Olivier Moers (FRA) d. Colin Beecher (GBR) 76(3) 63
Lionnel Barthez/Bruno Breistroff (FRA) d. Colin Beecher/Matthew Coombes (GBR) 62 62
Suzanne Lenglen Cup (Women’s 35)
GERMANY (6) defeated NETHERLANDS (5) 2-1:
Mireille Bink (NED) d. Stefanie Kolar (GER) 61 64
Svenja Weidemann (GER) d. Linda Sentis (NED) 57 76(9) 62
Stefanie Kolar/Svenja Weidemann (GER) d. Mireille Bink/Stephanie Gomperts (NED) 57 64 64
Young Cup (Women’s 40)
SPAIN (2) defeated FRANCE (1) 2-1:
Olivia Cappelletti (FRA) d. Noelia Perez Penate (ESP) 46 64 64
Ana Salas Lozano (ESP) d. Nelly Lelias (FRA) 76(4) 62
Eva Bes Ostariz/Paula Cabezas (ESP) d. Olivia Cappelletti/Caroline Dhenin (FRA) 62 67(3) 63
Margaret Court Cup (Women’s 45 – Round Robin)
GREAT BRITAIN (3) defeated FRANCE (1) 3-0:
Siobhan Nicholson (GBR) d. Marie-Dominique Larras (FRA) 76(4) 64
Isabelle Tyrrell (GBR) d. Virginie Buisson (FRA) 61 64
Siobhan Nicholson/Katie Shaw (GBR) d. Sabine Babajko/Virginie Buisson (FRA) 62 16 62
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced pledges of USD 6.45 million from world governments in the fight for the clean athletes which will create a joint fund of nearly USD 13 million.
One of the first initiatives of Olympic Agenda 2020 was the creation of a USD 20 million fund to protect the clean athletes, 10 million of which was to be used in particular to research new techniques to detect prohibited substances and methods. The IOC had called on governments to match the USD 10 million, and WADA, under the presidency of Sir Craig Reedie, has successfully secured pledges of USD 6.45 million, meaning that the WADA-administered fund will have a starting budget of almost USD 13 million.
The USD 13 million joint fund represents a 50-50 split between the IOC and world governments that responded to a call to match the IOC funding. China, France, Ivory Coast, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United States and Sweden have pledged their financial support.
The IOC will also administer the balance that remains from the full USD 10 million it approved as part of Olympic Agenda 2020 (remaining balance is USD 3.55 million) as a separate fund for new anti-doping research in the fight against doping. This will be allocated by the IOC to researchers involved in athlete-centred projects, with a science or social focus. Following a call for applications in 2014, the IOC has selected four applications from researchers in Spain and Australia, and further projects will be selected in 2015.
“With Olympic Agenda 2020, we are changing the philosophy with regard to the credibility of sports competitions and of athletes,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “We must consider every cent in the fight against doping as an investment in the future of Olympic sport, not as an expense. This fund clearly shows that we support innovative anti-doping research that will lead to better protection of the clean athletes.”
In December 2013 during discussions on Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, the IOC created a fund of USD 20 million aimed at protecting clean athletes from drug cheats and match-fixing and related corruption. Half of the money was earmarked to fund social and scientific research pertaining to anti-doping, the other half to fight match-fixing.
The IOC, together with WADA, called on world governments to match the amount by 16 November 2014. The funds committed by the 12 governments are payable in full to WADA by 31 March 2016.
“WADA is very pleased with the financial commitments that this partnership has generated for the fight against doping in sport”, said WADA President Sir Craig Reedie. “The fund allocated by the IOC has received the commitment of governments of the world to contribute a total of USD 6,452,296. The funds will provide a tremendous boost to WADA in their efforts to carry out innovative, anti-doping research focussed on protecting the clean athletes.”
The strategy for distribution of this fund is to complement, but not duplicate, existing anti-doping research programmes. Anti-doping organisations agree that alternative strategies are needed so the priority is innovative and novel research in all areas of anti-doping, which have the potential to lead to a significant change in the way anti-doping programmes are carried out and will have a direct impact on the daily lives of the clean athletes.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued its decision in the arbitration procedure between the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the Turkish Athletics Federation (TAF) and the Turkish athlete Nevin Yanit. The CAS Panel increased Ms Yanit’s suspension from 2 years to 3 years.
In June 2013, the TAF Disciplinary Board found Ms Yanit guilty of an anti-doping violation after two prohibited substances were found in a sample she had provided and imposed a two-year sanction on her.
The IAAF appealed such decision to the CAS requesting that the two-year period of ineligibility be increased to four years due to aggravating circumstances within the meaning of IAAF Rule 40.6. The IAAF supported this request with evidence of violations of the IAAF Rules based on data taken from Ms Yanit’s “Athlete Biological Passport”, which could not be taken into account as an additional violation but which counted as an aggravating factor for the purpose of determining the athlete’s sanction. Ms Yanit disagreed, arguing that the IAAF’s appeal should be denied and the two-year ban maintained.
The TAF did not participate in the CAS proceedings.
The Panel of CAS arbitrators appointed to hear this matter (Mr Yves Fortier, Canada (President), Mr Romano Subiotto, Belgium/UK, and Mr Michele Bernasconi, Switzerland) heard the parties, their counsel, witnesses and experts at a hearing held in London on 11 December 2014.
Having examined the parties’ submissions and evidence, the CAS Panel concluded that there were indeed aggravating circumstances which warranted the imposition of a period of ineligibility in excess of the two-year ban imposed by the TAF Disciplinary Board, noting specifically that Nevin Yanit:
Used two prohibited substances (stanzolol and testosterone);
Used those substances on multiple occasions between August 2012 and February 2013;
Committed a separate anti-doping rule violation, namely blood doping, between June 2012 and
February 2013;
Committed the violations listed above as part of a doping scheme.
Taking into consideration other similar CAS cases (in particular the case Alemitu Bekele v. TAF in which the athlete’s suspension was fixed at 2 years and 9 months), as well as the particular circumstances of this case, the CAS Panel determined that a period of ineligibility of three years should be imposed on the athlete, rather than a period of four years as requested by the IAAF. Accordingly, the IAAF’s appeal is partially upheld and Ms Yanit is sanctioned with a three-year period of ineligibility, beginning on 6 March 2013.
The Arbitral Award will be published on the CAS website in the coming weeks.
In the fifth round of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League preliminaries in Europe on February 17, 2015, current World champions Hungary (Group A) snatched their fourth victory in a row defeating host Slovakia by just one goal 12-13 (2-1, 2-3, 3-5, 5-4) in Kosice. In the group’s second match-up, visiting Greece won over Romania 12-18 (2-3, 3-4, 4-7, 3-4) in Bucharest.
In Group B, seven-time World League winner Serbia showed no sign of slowing down, beating Spain 9-15 (3-2, 2-2, 2-5,2-6) in Madrid. On the victory, Serbia’s head coach Dejan Savic said: “We entered this game with great motivation to win. We started badly and changed the 5-2 defense. Then we set our pace and were good in attack.”
From the Spanish side, head coach Gabi Hernandez said: “I’m happy with the team’s attitude in the first half but we then made mistakes and this, against a team like Serbia which is the best in the world, cost in the end. We will learn from this experience for the future.”
In Stuttgart, Germany settled for a 7-11 loss against visiting Russia (1-2, 3-2, 1-3, 2-4).
WORLD LEAGUE 2015: HUNGARY SURVIVES SLOVAKIA
In Group C, Montenegro registered a clear win (13-7) over France, whose team yet found the net a total seven times (1-2, 5-2, 3-2, 4-1) in Budva. Post-game, Montenegro’s coach Ranko Perovic said: “In the first quarter we struggled to find our game. Later we became consolidated in defense and we played solidly. Now we look at the upcoming duel with Italy, I just hope we don’t repeat our loss from the first encounter.”
Montenegrin captain Nikola Janovic added: “France is a team that must be taken seriously. We were a little relaxed entering the match, it’s nice when you win. These games are
important for our young players who can demonstrate they can be counted on.”
Group C runner-up Italy ousted Turkey 3-16 (1-3, 0-4, 1-5, 1-4) in Istanbul. Hungary, Serbia and Croatia currently lead their respective group with 12 points each.
Round 6 will be held on February 19 and 20 with two games: Italy receives France in Lodi while Croatia (whose team did not play in this round) meets Turkey in Istanbul.
Germany’s Erik Pfeifer, a two-time AIBA World Championship bronze medallist, was last night crowned the first Super Heavyweight (91+ kg) Champion in the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Inaugural Title Match in Baku, Azerbaijan.
After eight rounds, the final scorecards read 78:74 across the board in favour of Pfeifer against his opponent, Morocco’s Mohammed Arjaoui. The German becomes the first APB Inaugural Titleholder, as well as the first German Super heavyweight World Champion since Max Schmeling.
Both Pfeifer and Arjaoui had won all three of their preliminary bouts coming into the Inaugural Title Match at Baku’s Sarhadchi Complex.
Pfeifer started the contest well, his punches landing more sharply and accurately than his African opponent. Later, Pfeifer’s extra energy and experience saw him outclass his opponent in the final two rounds, as he pulled away on points.
APB Champion Erik Pfeifer
In order to officially qualify to compete at Rio 2016, Pfeifer must defend his title in the APB Cycle 1 Title Bout. Doing so, he will automatically be awarded an Olympic quota place as both contenders, Champion and Challenger, earn Olympic quota places. Cycle 1 is scheduled to start in March 2015.
Two more APB Inaugural Title Matches take place this week-end:
The world’s best AIBA Pro Boxers are set to do battle to be the first Champions of the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) competition running from 23 January to 19 February for each of the 10 weight categories.
Launched in October 2014, APB is a ground breaking new Pro Boxing competition based on individual rankings that offers elite boxers an unprecedented new career opportunity as well as a new route to qualify for the Olympics, with a total of 20 quota places on offer to APB boxers.
APB is the first and only individual competition in the history of boxing that allows Pro Boxers to compete whilst retaining their Olympic eligibility, with Rio 2016 set to be the first Olympic Games in history with Pro Boxers competing.
The matches of the initial pre-ranking and ranking phases of the competition took place in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkey – and provided many epic bouts, as well as often producing surprising results.
The APB Inaugural Champion contenders, per weight, are as follows:
LIGHT FLY 49kg (Foshan, China – 05/02): Zhonglin WU (China) vs Bin LYU (China)
FLY 52kg (Novosibirsk, Russia – 30/01): Misha ALOIAN (Russia) vs Elias EMIGDIO (Mexico)
BANTAM 56kg (Paris, France – 19/02): Khedafi Djelkhir (FRA) vs Alberto MELIAN (ARG)
Lausanne, 22 Jan 2015 – AIBA Pro Boxing has announced that the APB Inaugural Title Events of the first three weight categories will take place on 23 and 24 January 2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Istanbul, Turkey, according to the match schedule below.
SUPER HEAVY 91+ KG – FRIDAY, 23 JANUARY (19:30 GMT+4)
Location: Baku – Venue: Sarhadchi Complex
The two undefeated APB Super Heavyweights (91+ kg), Mohammed Arjaoui (MAR) and Erik Pfeifer (GER) will clash in Baku with the objective of winning the APB Inaugural Title Belt.
Pfeifer is a two-time AIBA World Championship bronze medalist, and started his APB career off with a dominant victory over Egypt’s Ahmed Samir. He followed that up in week two with a close points win over France’s Tony Yoka, and the German secured his part in the Inaugural Title Match during the Matches for Champions series, when he stopped Romanian Mihai Nistor in round three of the contest.
Mohammed Arjaoui also boasts an unblemished 3-0 APB record, and he began with a close victory over Ukrainian Sergiy Verveyko in week one. One win turned into two as he won on points against Mihai Nistor, and the Olympian made sure of his place in the title picture during week three as he defeated Tony Yoka on points.
APB “Inaugural Title Match” Middle (75 Kg) Weight In (Istanbul)
Match schedule:
19:30: Ahmed SAMIR (EGY) W.O. vs Sergiy VERVEYKO (UKR) (Exhibition Match)
20:00: Tony YOKA (FRA) vs Mihai NISTOR (ROM)
20:30: Magomedrasul MEDZHIDOV (AZE) vs Magomed OMAROV (RUS)
21:00: Mohammed ARJAOUI (MAR) vs Erik PFEIFER (GER) (APB Inaugural Title Match)
MIDDLE 75 KG – FRIDAY, 23 JANUARY (21:00 GMT+2)
Location: Istanbul – Venue: Caferaga Spor Salonu
Local hero Adem Kilicci (TUR) will fight to offer his fans the APB Inaugural Title Belt this Friday. Kilicci has been one of the most impressive APB boxers so far in the competition. With an unblemished 3-0 record, he fought against Kenya’s Nickson Abaka, Hosam Abdin (EGY) and also Artem Chebotarev (RUS) his opponent for the Title.
Artem Chebotarev opened his account with a disqualification win against Ecuador’s Marlo Delgado, and then lost in week two against Kilicci. The Russian earned his ticket for the final by defeating Dmytro Mitrofanov in the Matches for Champions in a close match.
Match schedule:
21:00: Marlo DELGADO (ECU) vs Nickson ABAKA (KEN)
21:30: Hosam ABDIN (EGY) vs Dmytro MYTROFANOV (UKR)
22:00: Michel TAVARES (FRA) vs Bogdan JURATONI (ROM)
22:30: Adem KILICCI (TUR) vs Artem CHEBOTAREV (RUS) (APB Inaugural Title Match)
APB “Inaugural Title Match” Middle (75 Kg) Weight In (Istanbul)
WELTER 69 KG – SATURDAY, 24 JANUARY (19:30 GMT+4)
Location: Baku – Venue: Sarhadchi Complex
The APB Welter Inaugural Title Match will see the battle between Onur Sipal (TUR) and Rayton Okwiri (KEN).
2008 Beijing Olympian Onur Sipal is one of Turkey’s most promising boxing talents, and the 25-year-old has won all three of his APB matches so far against Eimantas Stanionis (LTU), Okwiri and Denys Lazarev (UKR).
In the first week of the competition, the Kenyan Rayton Okwiri shocked the world by knocking out one of the favourites for Welterweight glory, Austria’s Marcos Nader in round two of their fight. After his loss to Sipal in November, Kenya’s superstar rebounded magnificently to quality for the title bout when he won five of the six rounds against Russia’s Olympic bronze medalist Andrey Zamkovoy in December.
Match schedule:
19:30: Gyula KATE (HUN) vs Marcos NADER (AUT)
20:00: Denys LAZAREV (UKR) vs Andrei ZAMKOVOY (RUS)
20:30: Eimantas STANIONIS (LTU) vs Tamerlan ABDULLAYEV (AZE)
21:00: Onur SIPAL (TUR) vs Rayton OKWIRI (KEN) (APB Inaugural Title Match)
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