By Adrian John Back, Sport.co.uk
As the year draws to a close Sport.co.uk decided that it was time to take a look at the sports men and women that have shone above any other in 2009. From the charismatic sprinter Usain Bolt who won 3 gold medals at the World Championships to Roger Federer who claimed his 15th Grand Slam title, it has been an exceptional year for a number of stars. Closer to home we watched Jessica Ennis become Britain’s first world heptathlete champion and Jenson Button drive superbly all season to win the Formula 1 world championship. These are the individuals that have captivated us with their performances and amazed us with their passion and dedication.
1. Usain Bolt
Quite simply the fastest man on the planet. Bolt has all the talent in the world and has managed to perform at his best on the biggest of stages in front of thousands of expectant fans. Jovial and always willing to entertain the crowds the Jamaican sprinter this year went into the world championships expecting to win multiple gold medals. What he delivered was sensational. Smashing his own world records in both the 100m and the 200m, he also claimed gold in the 4x100m completing an amazing treble.
2. Roger Federer
There can be little argument that Federer is the greatest tennis player ever to have lived. After a season in which he struggled with Glandular fever and lost his world number one ranking, the Swiss star returned in 2009 with a bang. Reaching all four Grand Slam finals he finally won the elusive French Open and overtook Pete Sampras' record of 14 slams. With so many young, talented players coming through each year Federer proved his dedication by reclaiming the number one spot and proving that he still has many years ahead of him.
3. Manny Pacquiao
The Pacman broke British boxing fans hearts this year when he stopped Ricky Hatton in just the second round of their world title fight. He then followed up this success by becoming the only man in history to win 7 world titles at 7 different weights. Universally recognised as the best pound for pound boxer in the world, Pacquiao has not only perfected his boxing skills but is a global ambassador outside the ring helping thousands of people in his native Philippines.
4. Lionel Messi
It has been some year for the extremely talented Argentine winger. With Barcelona, Messi won the Champions League, the Primera Liga and the Copa Del Ray. He helped Argentina qualify for the World Cup and is a shoe in to win the Balon D'or. It would seem nearly impossible to top this performance but next year the left footed wing wizard will be hoping to shine on the grandest stage of all and help Argentina win the World Cup.
5. Jessica Ennis
2008 was meant to be a crowing year for the young Sheffield heptathlete but unfortunately injury forced her to withdraw from the Olympic team. Many would not be able to bounce back from this disappointment and the injury, Ennis though responded in style. At the World Championships, she returned from a one-year lay off and promptly accomplished a new personal best and won the gold medal with a truly stunning display.
6. Jenson Button
This time last year it seemed as though Button was going to be unemployed. With the announcement that Honda would no longer be competing in F1 it appeared as though the British driver's career was over. But with the emergence of Brawn, the charismatic driver had the best year of his career and promptly became the second British World Champion in succession. After winning 5 of the first 6 races the car began to struggle and he championship went down to the last race in Brazil. Button kept his composure and drove superbly in tough conditions, claiming the biggest prize of them all.
7. John Smit
The current Springbok captain has had a fantastic year leading his side to a series victory against the British and Irish Lions and winning the Tri Nations in which they won 5 of their 6 matches and all 3 against New Zealand. Having led out the South Africans in over 60 matches as captain he has achieved an amazing win percentage of 72% making him the most successful captain in Springbok history. In 2009 Smit has also become the most capped captain in International Rugby history, a truly remarkable achievement.
8. Lee Westwood
This year has seen Westwood named the European Golfer of the Year; he also won the inaugural Race to Dubai competition and twice finished in 3rd place in the Open Championship and the PGA Championship. This year has crowned a remarkable comeback from a player who was ranked 250th in the world back in 2002, his rededication to the sport shows what can be achieved with hard work and a lot of natural talent.
9. Andrew Strauss
Since England won the Ashes in 2005 they had slid down the Test rankings and had been promptly humiliated by the Aussies in 2007. After the fall out between Kevin Pieterson and Peter Moores, Andrew Strauss was finally named captain. Since this moment the Middlesex batsman has led England to Ashes glory and has scored more than 1,100 runs in the calendar year. His form with the bat has been superb and the pressure of captaincy has never fazed him in the slightest. He will be hoping to cap the year in style by beating South Africa in their own back yard.
10. Kim Clijsters
The Belgian tennis star may only have entered one tournament of note this year but her participation and the eventual result shocked everybody. Having retired in 2007 to raise her daughter the former US open championed returned to Flushing Meadows with no seeding and little hope of progressing. However she capped a fairytale comeback by beating Caroline Wozniacki in the final and in the process became the first ever wildcard to win the US Open and the first mother to win a Grand Slam.
Source: sport.co.uk
Monday, 21 December 2009
Nobody can beat me – Floyd -- Manila Bulletin
By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin
Manny Pacquiao is going to go home empty-handed – just like Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Juan Manuel Marquez – and the 37 others who all succumbed to the dazzling skills of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
This was Mayweather’s own conclusion during a talk with fight scribe George Willis of the New York Post over the weekend when asked about the impending March 13, 2010 showdown with Pacquiao.
“I just know nobody [can] beat me,” Mayweather said. “It is what it is. For 14 years they’ve been trying to find a fighter that can beat me and they’ve come up short every time.”
The five-division champion Mayweather remains unbeaten in 40 fights, his victims made up of the very best from super-featherweight (130 lbs) up to super-welterweight (154 lbs).
Pacquiao and Mayweather have three common opponents: Marquez, Hatton, and De La Hoya.
Mayweather beat Marquez on a lopsided unanimous decision win, stopped Hatton in 10 rounds and fashioned out a split verdict over De La Hoya.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, struggled both times with Marquez – drawing the first fight and barely getting past the Mexican in the rematch – flattened Hatton in less than two rounds and made De La Hoya quit after eight rounds.
It has been reported by US media outlets that the scheduled 12-round clash for Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown will be staged at the 16,200-seat MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Source: mb.com.ph
Manny Pacquiao is going to go home empty-handed – just like Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Juan Manuel Marquez – and the 37 others who all succumbed to the dazzling skills of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
This was Mayweather’s own conclusion during a talk with fight scribe George Willis of the New York Post over the weekend when asked about the impending March 13, 2010 showdown with Pacquiao.
“I just know nobody [can] beat me,” Mayweather said. “It is what it is. For 14 years they’ve been trying to find a fighter that can beat me and they’ve come up short every time.”
The five-division champion Mayweather remains unbeaten in 40 fights, his victims made up of the very best from super-featherweight (130 lbs) up to super-welterweight (154 lbs).
Pacquiao and Mayweather have three common opponents: Marquez, Hatton, and De La Hoya.
Mayweather beat Marquez on a lopsided unanimous decision win, stopped Hatton in 10 rounds and fashioned out a split verdict over De La Hoya.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, struggled both times with Marquez – drawing the first fight and barely getting past the Mexican in the rematch – flattened Hatton in less than two rounds and made De La Hoya quit after eight rounds.
It has been reported by US media outlets that the scheduled 12-round clash for Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown will be staged at the 16,200-seat MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Source: mb.com.ph
Gina’s Look at the Filipino Boxing Scene: “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona -- RingsideReport.com
By Gina L. Caliboso, RingsideReport.com
A southpaw super flyweight from General Santos City, Mindanao, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines. Sound familiar? Yes, RSR readers, I’m writing about “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona, 14-0-1, 12 KO’s. He is one of the promising Filipino fighters on their way up in boxing.
At the very young age of 19, Sonsona shows nothing but promise. However, while boxing is definitely a youth oriented sport with a veteran fighter such as Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins showing that age and a daunting competitive edge and experience can make all the difference in a fight, Sonsona and his camp must cultivate his talent wisely to become the best fighter his promise already indicates.
Born in General Santos City, Mindanao, the similarities with Manny Pacquiao are striking. In footage I’ve seen, Sonsona has a promising jab with good power and balance. With an undefeated record of 14-0-1, 12 KO’s, his boxing record is off to a great start. Some say that he is better at his age than Pacquiao.
If that is the case, those are some tough footsteps to follow and the world will definitely be watching the flyweight division with a much closer eye and with some much needed exposure.
In his camp, there is one name worth mentioning. His current trainer is listed as Nonito Donaire, SR. Yes, father of IBF Flyweight titleholder, Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire. Trainer Donaire, SR., definitely has the inside track to training champion caliber fighters as shown through the success of sons Nonito and Glenn. And now with Sonsona, Donaire Sr. can definitely lead his fighter into a great career. However, it’s also enough to think that getting to the top of a weight class is challenging, it’s staying champion at a weight class that is the true test for a fighter and his entire camp.
As such a young fighter, Sonsona needs to remember exactly that – he is a young fighter. There’s time for him to grow into a better boxer. It is here perhaps that his camp and trainers must remember that while Sonsona’s youth works in his favor on all levels, they also need to protect this fighter to ensure a long lasting, if not profitable career and future in championship boxing. According to boxrec.com, Sonsona currently ranks number 6 among active super flyweights. Vic Darchinyan and Nonito Donaire, JR., rank numbers 1 and 2.
Sonsona made his boxing debut back in 2007 at the weight of 106 pounds (we all know who started at this weight at one point in his pound for pound career). In the past two years, Sonsona has steadily moved up in weight, but he is after all still a growing young man and boxer.
In September 2009, Sonsona fought against veteran Puerto Rican fighter Jose “Carita” Lopez for the WBO Super Flyweight title. Over 12 rounds, Sonsona went on to defeat Lopez with a unanimous decision. Although a 12 round unanimous decision in impressive, it has also been Sonsona’s longest fight to date. With his impressive victory, Sonsona is now the WBO Super Flyweight Champion and is now the second youngest Filipino world boxing champion after former WBA Light Welterweight champion Morris East.
Prior to his fight against Lopez, Sonsona has been fortunate enough to not have a lot of ring time. This is good and bad. But I’m going to argue both – it’s good he hasn’t taken a lot of punishment over his 12 bouts, but it’s also bad because while he has defeated his opponents rather convincingly with KO’s and TKO’s, it will only take a different type of fighter to take him and make him fight longer than 5 rounds.
In November 2008, Sonsona defeated Edwin “Roy Jones” Picardal in 5 rounds by TKO in a scheduled 8 round fight. Prior in July 2008, Sonsona defeated Jerome Buntog in 5 rounds by TKO in a scheduled 6 round fight.
Sonsona recently defended his title against Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez an orthodox fighter hailing from Mexico. The fight took place in Ontario, Canada. As much as I’m enjoying the Filipino fighters making their way into the boxing scene, I don’t see the point of rushing into a championship title defense bout only two months after fighting a 12 round fight to earn the belt.
Sonsona held onto his title with a twelve round draw, but he and his camp must be wary to take fights that will give him much needed experience, beneficial exposure, and the opportunity to fight under a bigger promotional venue.
For Sonsona, his biggest challenge will be to take his time in his career. There’s no need to rush his talent. Even with the shining heroic example of countryman Pacquiao, he must not feel pressure to immediately jump on the money making potential of his eventual rise to the top. Pacquiao did not become the best fighter overnight. Through time, hard work, a loss here and there (only 3), Pacquiao worked and spilled a lot of his opponents’ blood as well as his own.
Time is exactly what Sonsona has on his side.
If Sonsona is as good as Pacquiao then there’s a lot to look for in Sonsona, but I just hope he’s around long enough for him to have a career. I stick with the idea that given his fight schedule back in 2008, it wouldn’t necessarily hurt his body to take some time off before a fight.
As Sonsona may or may not go through the moving up in weight drama, he definitely has a long career ahead of him. And with his undefeated record to date, I hope that with the proper guidance, he’ll definitely be around for a while to show just how much better he is going to become.
Source: ringsidereport.com
A southpaw super flyweight from General Santos City, Mindanao, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines. Sound familiar? Yes, RSR readers, I’m writing about “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona, 14-0-1, 12 KO’s. He is one of the promising Filipino fighters on their way up in boxing.
At the very young age of 19, Sonsona shows nothing but promise. However, while boxing is definitely a youth oriented sport with a veteran fighter such as Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins showing that age and a daunting competitive edge and experience can make all the difference in a fight, Sonsona and his camp must cultivate his talent wisely to become the best fighter his promise already indicates.
Born in General Santos City, Mindanao, the similarities with Manny Pacquiao are striking. In footage I’ve seen, Sonsona has a promising jab with good power and balance. With an undefeated record of 14-0-1, 12 KO’s, his boxing record is off to a great start. Some say that he is better at his age than Pacquiao.
If that is the case, those are some tough footsteps to follow and the world will definitely be watching the flyweight division with a much closer eye and with some much needed exposure.
In his camp, there is one name worth mentioning. His current trainer is listed as Nonito Donaire, SR. Yes, father of IBF Flyweight titleholder, Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire. Trainer Donaire, SR., definitely has the inside track to training champion caliber fighters as shown through the success of sons Nonito and Glenn. And now with Sonsona, Donaire Sr. can definitely lead his fighter into a great career. However, it’s also enough to think that getting to the top of a weight class is challenging, it’s staying champion at a weight class that is the true test for a fighter and his entire camp.
As such a young fighter, Sonsona needs to remember exactly that – he is a young fighter. There’s time for him to grow into a better boxer. It is here perhaps that his camp and trainers must remember that while Sonsona’s youth works in his favor on all levels, they also need to protect this fighter to ensure a long lasting, if not profitable career and future in championship boxing. According to boxrec.com, Sonsona currently ranks number 6 among active super flyweights. Vic Darchinyan and Nonito Donaire, JR., rank numbers 1 and 2.
Sonsona made his boxing debut back in 2007 at the weight of 106 pounds (we all know who started at this weight at one point in his pound for pound career). In the past two years, Sonsona has steadily moved up in weight, but he is after all still a growing young man and boxer.
In September 2009, Sonsona fought against veteran Puerto Rican fighter Jose “Carita” Lopez for the WBO Super Flyweight title. Over 12 rounds, Sonsona went on to defeat Lopez with a unanimous decision. Although a 12 round unanimous decision in impressive, it has also been Sonsona’s longest fight to date. With his impressive victory, Sonsona is now the WBO Super Flyweight Champion and is now the second youngest Filipino world boxing champion after former WBA Light Welterweight champion Morris East.
Prior to his fight against Lopez, Sonsona has been fortunate enough to not have a lot of ring time. This is good and bad. But I’m going to argue both – it’s good he hasn’t taken a lot of punishment over his 12 bouts, but it’s also bad because while he has defeated his opponents rather convincingly with KO’s and TKO’s, it will only take a different type of fighter to take him and make him fight longer than 5 rounds.
In November 2008, Sonsona defeated Edwin “Roy Jones” Picardal in 5 rounds by TKO in a scheduled 8 round fight. Prior in July 2008, Sonsona defeated Jerome Buntog in 5 rounds by TKO in a scheduled 6 round fight.
Sonsona recently defended his title against Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez an orthodox fighter hailing from Mexico. The fight took place in Ontario, Canada. As much as I’m enjoying the Filipino fighters making their way into the boxing scene, I don’t see the point of rushing into a championship title defense bout only two months after fighting a 12 round fight to earn the belt.
Sonsona held onto his title with a twelve round draw, but he and his camp must be wary to take fights that will give him much needed experience, beneficial exposure, and the opportunity to fight under a bigger promotional venue.
For Sonsona, his biggest challenge will be to take his time in his career. There’s no need to rush his talent. Even with the shining heroic example of countryman Pacquiao, he must not feel pressure to immediately jump on the money making potential of his eventual rise to the top. Pacquiao did not become the best fighter overnight. Through time, hard work, a loss here and there (only 3), Pacquiao worked and spilled a lot of his opponents’ blood as well as his own.
Time is exactly what Sonsona has on his side.
If Sonsona is as good as Pacquiao then there’s a lot to look for in Sonsona, but I just hope he’s around long enough for him to have a career. I stick with the idea that given his fight schedule back in 2008, it wouldn’t necessarily hurt his body to take some time off before a fight.
As Sonsona may or may not go through the moving up in weight drama, he definitely has a long career ahead of him. And with his undefeated record to date, I hope that with the proper guidance, he’ll definitely be around for a while to show just how much better he is going to become.
Source: ringsidereport.com
Video: The Toughest Fight of Floyd Mayweather Jr. So Far
Boxing News World
Who says Floyd Mayweather can't be hit? Emanuel Burton (Augustus), an average fighter, troubled him and bloodied his nose.
We'll see if Emmanuel Pacquiao, a great fighter, can do the same on March 13.
Credit to YoungMayMoney
Who says Floyd Mayweather can't be hit? Emanuel Burton (Augustus), an average fighter, troubled him and bloodied his nose.
We'll see if Emmanuel Pacquiao, a great fighter, can do the same on March 13.
Credit to YoungMayMoney
Freddie Roach wants Timothy Bradley as one of Pacquiao's sparring partners -- PhilBoxing.com
By Granville Ampong, PhilBoxing.com
HOLLYWOOD, California, December 21, 2009 - Less than three months before the hottest boxing campaign hits the mark, both camps of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have yet to issue official statement as to the finality of the match and its first official press conference.
But, Freddie Roach makes his own list of rated top-A sparring partners for his pupil.
"Other than Amir Khan as Pacquiao's main sparring partner, I like to include Timothy Bradley in my list."
Bradley, 26, is rated No. 1 in the light welterweight division. Like Mayweather, Jr., Bradley bears an orthodox stance at 5' 6" and remains undefeated with twenty-six wins.
Roach says both Khan, former sparring partner of Pacquiao, and Bradley will make the best of Pacquiao for a Mayweather fight.
"And I have the keys to break down Mayweather even in the earlier rounds." Roach says in a telephone interview with this writer last Friday. "Mayweather will have no more excuses; We'll catch him early, if not it's going to be Pacquiao by unanimous decision."
"Pacquiao will strike on at unexpected angles that Mayweather will become frozen from taking too many shots." Roach adds.
Meanwhile, amid a difficiult economy and a wave of lay-offs, boxing fans' enthusiasm continues to spread like a brush fire, eagerly anticipating the fight between two acclaimed pound-for-pound gladiators to take place.
One fan says: "I am not making a good paycheck from my unemployment benefit . But, I am starting to set aside enough dollars for the Mayweather-Pacquiao match."
Report from Top Rank officials has it that the MGM Grand Arena is likely the venue of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao definitely this March 13, 2010.
Source: philboxing.com
HOLLYWOOD, California, December 21, 2009 - Less than three months before the hottest boxing campaign hits the mark, both camps of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have yet to issue official statement as to the finality of the match and its first official press conference.
But, Freddie Roach makes his own list of rated top-A sparring partners for his pupil.
"Other than Amir Khan as Pacquiao's main sparring partner, I like to include Timothy Bradley in my list."
Bradley, 26, is rated No. 1 in the light welterweight division. Like Mayweather, Jr., Bradley bears an orthodox stance at 5' 6" and remains undefeated with twenty-six wins.
Roach says both Khan, former sparring partner of Pacquiao, and Bradley will make the best of Pacquiao for a Mayweather fight.
"And I have the keys to break down Mayweather even in the earlier rounds." Roach says in a telephone interview with this writer last Friday. "Mayweather will have no more excuses; We'll catch him early, if not it's going to be Pacquiao by unanimous decision."
"Pacquiao will strike on at unexpected angles that Mayweather will become frozen from taking too many shots." Roach adds.
Meanwhile, amid a difficiult economy and a wave of lay-offs, boxing fans' enthusiasm continues to spread like a brush fire, eagerly anticipating the fight between two acclaimed pound-for-pound gladiators to take place.
One fan says: "I am not making a good paycheck from my unemployment benefit . But, I am starting to set aside enough dollars for the Mayweather-Pacquiao match."
Report from Top Rank officials has it that the MGM Grand Arena is likely the venue of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao definitely this March 13, 2010.
Source: philboxing.com
Bashing Floyd Mayweather -- 8CountNews.com
By Sabrina Montez, 8CountNews.com
So many critics and boxing fans are quick to write off Floyd Mayweather Jr. against Manny Pacquaio. There are millions of boxing fans that care to disagree. Floyd Mayweather is undefeated Manny Pacquiao is not,which puts him in a elite category. Mayweather will continue to never get the necessary credit due to the overrun popularity of Pacquiao.
People are losing their minds if they believe, Mayweather will get beat by Manny the way Cotto,and Hatton did. No disrespect to those fighters,but they are not Floyd Mayweather Jr. This will not be an easy fight for either of them. All of the speculating that Floyd is damaged goods before he steps in the ring is down right ludicrous.
Mayweathers willingness to verbally agree to fight Manny shows that he is fearless,and is prepared to finally shut up the fans and critics. He retired as the best, and he is back to reclaim that title once again as the best in this sport.
Despite win or lose for Mayweather he has a lot to gain in this fight.. If he wins he will gain a tremendous amount of respect from the boxing community who accuse him of cherry picking opponents and ducking Pacquaio. If he can beat Pacquaio there will be no question he is the greatest.
Frankly if Floyd beats Manny he will continue to somehow get bashed in the media. Then they will say he beat Manny but cant beat Mosley or Williams. Bottom line it doesn't matter, if Mayweather beats Pacquaio he wont receive any props.
Don't get me wrong I absolutely love Manny Pacquiao he brings such passion and class to the sport. I love that he fights for the pride of his country and is a hero.
Floyd is also a hero to millions of people especially to young African American men. Floyd does a lot of good across America for inner city youth, the homeless food drives etc... but you will never hear about that. It seems he is never given a fair shake in and out of boxing.
Source: 8countnews.com
So many critics and boxing fans are quick to write off Floyd Mayweather Jr. against Manny Pacquaio. There are millions of boxing fans that care to disagree. Floyd Mayweather is undefeated Manny Pacquiao is not,which puts him in a elite category. Mayweather will continue to never get the necessary credit due to the overrun popularity of Pacquiao.
People are losing their minds if they believe, Mayweather will get beat by Manny the way Cotto,and Hatton did. No disrespect to those fighters,but they are not Floyd Mayweather Jr. This will not be an easy fight for either of them. All of the speculating that Floyd is damaged goods before he steps in the ring is down right ludicrous.
Mayweathers willingness to verbally agree to fight Manny shows that he is fearless,and is prepared to finally shut up the fans and critics. He retired as the best, and he is back to reclaim that title once again as the best in this sport.
Despite win or lose for Mayweather he has a lot to gain in this fight.. If he wins he will gain a tremendous amount of respect from the boxing community who accuse him of cherry picking opponents and ducking Pacquaio. If he can beat Pacquaio there will be no question he is the greatest.
Frankly if Floyd beats Manny he will continue to somehow get bashed in the media. Then they will say he beat Manny but cant beat Mosley or Williams. Bottom line it doesn't matter, if Mayweather beats Pacquaio he wont receive any props.
Don't get me wrong I absolutely love Manny Pacquiao he brings such passion and class to the sport. I love that he fights for the pride of his country and is a hero.
Floyd is also a hero to millions of people especially to young African American men. Floyd does a lot of good across America for inner city youth, the homeless food drives etc... but you will never hear about that. It seems he is never given a fair shake in and out of boxing.
Source: 8countnews.com
Asia prepares for a bumper year of competition -- The Star
AFP
SINGAPORE: Asia once again left its mark on the world sporting stage in 2009 as the region prepares for a bumper year of competition in 2010.
Among those making headlines was Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.
A hero at home, he proved this year to be the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet when he became the first man to win seven world titles in seven weight classes.
His victory over Miguel Cotto in November set him up for a blockbuster showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr next year and followed-up his stunning knock-out in May of Ricky Hatton.
President Gloria Arroyo led the nation’s celebrations. “Once again, Filipino grit and determination triumphed over great odds,” said her spokesman, Cerge Remonde.
Another to shine was South Korean golfer Yang Yong-Eun, who held off a surging Tiger Woods to become Asia’s first Major winner when he won the US PGA Championship.
China’s Lin Dan also wrote his name in the history books when he became the first shuttler to win a third successive men’s singles title at the World Badminton Championships.
China dominated the event, winning four of the five trophies at stake — men’s singles and doubles, and women’s singles and doubles.
They also retained their Surdirman Cup world badminton team championship title, crushing South Korea in the final in Guangzhou.
In the pool, China boasted a swimming world record when Olympic champion Liu Zige demolished the women’s 200m butterfly mark at her National Games in October, an event marred by sprinter Wang Jing failing a doping test.
It all bodes well for next November when China hosts the Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Asia is also the venue for another big sports spectacle in 2010 when the Commonwealth Games come to New Delhi.
Once again, the Asia-Pacific played host to five Formula One Grand Prix with a sixth added next year when South Korea joins the circuit.
But Asia’s influence took a huge hit with Honda and Toyota pulling out of the sport and Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone also quitting. All cited the tough economic conditions.
Bucking the trend was Force India which went from strength-to-stength, while Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes is at the forefront of the return of Lotus.
The team will race in 2010 and are backed by 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd, a public-private partnership involving a string of top local entrepreneurs, as well as Malaysian automaker Proton.
“It will help brand Malaysia and spur excellence in sports and education,” said Kamarudin Meranum, deputy chief executive of AirAsia, which is one of the team’s partners.
Some of the biggest names in sport ventured to Asia, with golfing superstar Woods drawing huge crowds to the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, which was won by Phil Mickelson, and the Australian Masters in Melbourne.
However the golfing landscape changed, with the OneAsia Tour, which is backed by Australia, China and South Korea, launching a rival to the established Asian Tour.
It sparked a bitter war of words, with the Asian Tour accusing OneAsia of stealing its tournaments. The battle is set to heat up next year with OneAsia announcing an expanded schedule of 11 events while the Asian Tour has 28.
Alex Ferguson brought his Manchester United team to Malaysia, China and South Korea for sell-out games, but the Jakarta leg was called off after a bomb exploded at the hotel they were due to stay in.
Meanwhile, Australia, Japan, South Korea and North Korea sealed the region’s four berths at next year’s World Cup, while New Zealand won the Asia-Oceania play-off to ensure their first appearance at the tournament since 1982.
South Korea’s Pohang Steelers won the AFC Champions League while AFC chief Mohamed bin Hammam narrowly retained his FIFA executive committee seat after one of the most vitriolic battles regional football has known.
In cricket, Pakistan were denied the right to co-host the 2011 World Cup due to security concerns after the Sri Lankan team was attacked by militants while travelling to the ground in Lahore in March.
Pakistan, meanwhile, won the World Twenty20 in England in June, beating Sri Lanka in the final, while the money-spinning Indian Premier League had to be shifted to South Africa for security reasons. — AFP
Source: thestar.com.my
SINGAPORE: Asia once again left its mark on the world sporting stage in 2009 as the region prepares for a bumper year of competition in 2010.
Among those making headlines was Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.
On top of the world: Manny Pacquiao showing his championship belts after he defeated Miguel Cotto on Nov 14. Pacquiao has won seven world titles in as many weight classes— AFP
A hero at home, he proved this year to be the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet when he became the first man to win seven world titles in seven weight classes.
His victory over Miguel Cotto in November set him up for a blockbuster showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr next year and followed-up his stunning knock-out in May of Ricky Hatton.
President Gloria Arroyo led the nation’s celebrations. “Once again, Filipino grit and determination triumphed over great odds,” said her spokesman, Cerge Remonde.
Another to shine was South Korean golfer Yang Yong-Eun, who held off a surging Tiger Woods to become Asia’s first Major winner when he won the US PGA Championship.
China’s Lin Dan also wrote his name in the history books when he became the first shuttler to win a third successive men’s singles title at the World Badminton Championships.
China dominated the event, winning four of the five trophies at stake — men’s singles and doubles, and women’s singles and doubles.
They also retained their Surdirman Cup world badminton team championship title, crushing South Korea in the final in Guangzhou.
In the pool, China boasted a swimming world record when Olympic champion Liu Zige demolished the women’s 200m butterfly mark at her National Games in October, an event marred by sprinter Wang Jing failing a doping test.
It all bodes well for next November when China hosts the Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Asia is also the venue for another big sports spectacle in 2010 when the Commonwealth Games come to New Delhi.
Once again, the Asia-Pacific played host to five Formula One Grand Prix with a sixth added next year when South Korea joins the circuit.
But Asia’s influence took a huge hit with Honda and Toyota pulling out of the sport and Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone also quitting. All cited the tough economic conditions.
Bucking the trend was Force India which went from strength-to-stength, while Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes is at the forefront of the return of Lotus.
The team will race in 2010 and are backed by 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd, a public-private partnership involving a string of top local entrepreneurs, as well as Malaysian automaker Proton.
“It will help brand Malaysia and spur excellence in sports and education,” said Kamarudin Meranum, deputy chief executive of AirAsia, which is one of the team’s partners.
Some of the biggest names in sport ventured to Asia, with golfing superstar Woods drawing huge crowds to the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, which was won by Phil Mickelson, and the Australian Masters in Melbourne.
However the golfing landscape changed, with the OneAsia Tour, which is backed by Australia, China and South Korea, launching a rival to the established Asian Tour.
It sparked a bitter war of words, with the Asian Tour accusing OneAsia of stealing its tournaments. The battle is set to heat up next year with OneAsia announcing an expanded schedule of 11 events while the Asian Tour has 28.
Alex Ferguson brought his Manchester United team to Malaysia, China and South Korea for sell-out games, but the Jakarta leg was called off after a bomb exploded at the hotel they were due to stay in.
Meanwhile, Australia, Japan, South Korea and North Korea sealed the region’s four berths at next year’s World Cup, while New Zealand won the Asia-Oceania play-off to ensure their first appearance at the tournament since 1982.
South Korea’s Pohang Steelers won the AFC Champions League while AFC chief Mohamed bin Hammam narrowly retained his FIFA executive committee seat after one of the most vitriolic battles regional football has known.
In cricket, Pakistan were denied the right to co-host the 2011 World Cup due to security concerns after the Sri Lankan team was attacked by militants while travelling to the ground in Lahore in March.
Pakistan, meanwhile, won the World Twenty20 in England in June, beating Sri Lanka in the final, while the money-spinning Indian Premier League had to be shifted to South Africa for security reasons. — AFP
Source: thestar.com.my
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