Tuesday, December 29, 2009
China's Top 10 Athletes of 2009
Following are China's top 10 athletes for the year of 2009 selected by Xinhua News Agency:1. Zhang Lin (male, swimming) The 22-year-old swimmer won the gold medal in the men's 800-meter freestyle at the Rome World Championships in July, shattering the world record and ending the gold drought for Chinese male swimmers in the world's top swimming event.
2. Guo Jingjing (female, diving) The 28-year-old diver claimed three-meter springboard individual and synchronized titles in the Rome World Championships in July, ruling both disciplines for the fifth time.
3. Liu Zige (female, swimming) The 20-year-old swimmer finished second in the women's 200m butterfly at the Rome World Championships in 2 minutes 3.9 seconds. Liu surpassed the world 200m butterfly record with a time of 2:01.81 at the 11th National Games. She also shattered the world mark twice at the World Cup short-course series.
4. Bai Xue (female, track and field) The 21-year-old runner became the first Chinese to win a marathon race at the World Championships in Berlin in August. Bai also won in the 11th National Games and Asian Athletics Championships.
5. Lin Dan (male, badminton) The 26-year-old headed China to victory in the Sudirman Cup world mixed team badminton championship in May. In August, Lin became the first male athlete to have claimed three straight singles titles in the world championships.
6. Wang Meng (female, speedskating) The 24-year-old skater grabbed three individual golds at the World Speedskating Championships in March while pacing the Chinese team to win the 3000-meter relay.
7. Wang Hao (male, table tennis) The 26-year-old collected both men's singles and doubles gold medals at the 50th World Championships in Yokohama, Japan.
8. Liu Xiang (male, track and field) The 26-year-old hurdler staged a strong comeback after his Beijing Olympic withdrawal, finishing second in 13.15 seconds in the 110m hurdles at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix. Liu later achieved a hat-trick by winning the 11th National Games, Asian Athletics Championships and the 5th East Asian Games.
9. Long Qingquan (male, weight-lifting) The 19-year-old won the 56kg class at the 11th National Games with a lift of 169kg, surpassing the world record set by Turkish Halil Mutlu. Long later claimed two golds at the World Championships in November.
10. Zhang Yining (female, table tennis) The 28-year-old grabbed singles gold at the World Championships in Yokohama, which was her 19th world title. Zhang also defended her status at the 11th National Games with her singles and team victory.
Yi Shines But Nets No Match for Durant and Thunder
Source: CRIENGLISH.com/Agencies
New Jersey Nets' Yi Jianlian, of China, dunks during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. Yi Jianlian matched his NBA career high with 29 points, but it wasn't enough to prevent the New Jersey Nets from stumbling to their 10th straight defeat. The latest setback came courtesy of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who were led by the 40 points of Kevin Durant in a 105-89 victory. [Photo: sina.com.cn]
Big Chill Set to Hit Liu on the Comeback Trail
Source: China DailyLiu Xiang faces a tough winter as an intensive training camp started for the Chinese hurdles star at the weekend.
After recovering from an Achilles injury which kept him out of action for 13 months, Liu now will go through a tough training regimen; along with national teammates Shi Dongpeng, Ji Wei and Yin Jing.
"The winter training will be a key point for Liu and it will decide his fitness for next season," Liu's coach, Sun Haiping, told China Sports Daily.
"If he can lay a good foundation in winter training, then we expect him to compete at a high level next year. However, what is of prime importance right now is his fitness."
During the 2 1/2 months of winter training, Liu will hone his skills in certain aspects of the obstacle event; including starting and rhythm between hurdles.
"As Liu's Achilles tendon still needs some time to recover, that sort of intensive training will be scheduled for him in the latter half of training," Sun said.
The former Olympic and world champion has staged a strong comeback after the severe injury with three victories and a runners-up finish in the four events he has participated in over the past three months.
Liu's US doctor, Tom Clanton, who performed the surgery in Houston a year ago, said after his patient's latest check-up this month that the recovery was going well and the track star was capable of intensive training. After easily winning the East Asian Games in Hong Kong this month, Liu returned to his hometown of Shanghai for some remedial work on the injury and training.
"Doctor Clanton said there was a little swelling in his Achilles tendon when he checked the previous time but it's much better now," said Sun. "We will see how it will stand up during winter training."
The camp will be an important preparatory stage of Liu's build up for his 2010 comeback campaign.
His first challenge will be the IAAF World Indoor Championships, which will be held in Doha from March 12-14. At that meet, he will get the opportunity to run against his arch rival, Dayron Robles of Cuba, who is also recovering from an injury. Liu won the World Indoor event in 2008.
According to Sun, most of Liu's races next year will be in Asia. They will include grand prix events in Osaka, Japan, Daegu, South Korea, and Shanghai. In September he will take part in the Continental Cup in Croatia and will also compete at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, southern China, in December.
More than 100 Chinese athletes in seven sports will be involved in winter training camps in Shanghai and Beijing.
Liu's US doctor, Tom Clanton, who performed the surgery in Houston a year ago, said after his patient's latest check-up this month that the recovery was going well and the track star was capable of intensive training. After easily winning the East Asian Games in Hong Kong this month, Liu returned to his hometown of Shanghai for some remedial work on the injury and training.
"Doctor Clanton said there was a little swelling in his Achilles tendon when he checked the previous time but it's much better now," said Sun. "We will see how it will stand up during winter training."
The camp will be an important preparatory stage of Liu's build up for his 2010 comeback campaign.
His first challenge will be the IAAF World Indoor Championships, which will be held in Doha from March 12-14. At that meet, he will get the opportunity to run against his arch rival, Dayron Robles of Cuba, who is also recovering from an injury. Liu won the World Indoor event in 2008.
According to Sun, most of Liu's races next year will be in Asia. They will include grand prix events in Osaka, Japan, Daegu, South Korea, and Shanghai. In September he will take part in the Continental Cup in Croatia and will also compete at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, southern China, in December.
More than 100 Chinese athletes in seven sports will be involved in winter training camps in Shanghai and Beijing.
Source article: http://english.cri.cn/8046/2009/12/29/45s538734.htm
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Top Stories...
- Kobe Bryant to promote Beijing tourist spots
- Yao hopes to excel in new avatar
- Zheng Jie happy to be out of China's state system
- Yao to focus on Sharks before next NBA season
- Go east to China, young basketball man
- Guo's gold hopes enhanced by IOC changes to events...
- Chinese cities reject hapless national soccer team...
Kobe Bryant to promote Beijing tourist spots
Source: By Zhao Yanrong (China Daily)Beijing will have none other than NBA superstar Kobe Bryant promoting its historical places next year, with its tourist attractions adoring the court of his team, the Lakers.
In fact, Beijing could see its historical landmarks splashed at Staples Center in Los Angeles as early as next week.
"We have become a Lakers' partner for the new (NBA) season," Gu Xiaoyuan, deputy director of the Beijing municipal bureau of tourism, said on Friday.
Speaking at the 2010 Beijing Tourism Marketing conference, she said: "There will be many advertisements for Beijing in Lakers' home court throughout the season."
"As part of our contract, Kobe will attend at least one promotion event for the Beijing tourism bureau. And we will offer free entry to NBA fans for those events."
When the Lakers take on Thunder on Dec 22 at the Staples Center, one of the spectators will win a free trip for two to Beijing.
The lucky couple will get a free six-day, five-night stay in Emperor, a deluxe hotel located between Forbidden City and Beijing's central business district. They will also get to visit many of the historical places for free.
The second promotion will be held during Spring Festival in February, she said.
Travel agencies in Beijing have praised the tourism bureau's move. Tian Jianyong, general manager of Beijing Bei'ao International Travel Agency, said he was optimistic about the inbound tourism market.
"Promoting Beijing through Lakers' games will definitely enhance Beijing's popularity abroad, and we are looking forward to receiving more overseas groups next year," Tian said.
The lucky couple will get a free six-day, five-night stay in Emperor, a deluxe hotel located between Forbidden City and Beijing's central business district. They will also get to visit many of the historical places for free.
The second promotion will be held during Spring Festival in February, she said.
Travel agencies in Beijing have praised the tourism bureau's move. Tian Jianyong, general manager of Beijing Bei'ao International Travel Agency, said he was optimistic about the inbound tourism market.
"Promoting Beijing through Lakers' games will definitely enhance Beijing's popularity abroad, and we are looking forward to receiving more overseas groups next year," Tian said.
Yao hopes to excel in new avatar
Source: By Ma Zhenhuan (China Daily)SHANGHAI: If you still believe in the adage, busy as a bee, you sure didn't see Yao Ming on the first day of his return to China.
Flashlights began bouncing off the NBA All-Star center as soon as he landed in Shanghai on Thursday night with wife Ye Li. They were back within hours - Friday morning - when he walked with the support of a crutch into Shanghai Sharks' press room.
After a 30-minute program to celebrate the club getting a tire company's sponsorship, he moved to a hotel nearby to do his duty as the image ambassador of WildAid, an environmental protection agency fighting to protect sharks.
Yao has returned to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league after seven years. But his return is not as a player, but the owner of Shanghai Sharks. He bought the club for 20 million yuan ($2.93 million) in July.
Dressed in a black business suit, Yao said he was still learning the tricks of club ownership. "It's a pretty interesting process. To me, it's not something like an overnight shift (from player to owner)."
"I maintain good communication and friendship with Shanghai Sharks players through the phone we all know how to distinguish our jobs from our daily life."
The NBA star conceded, though, that he and the club management (called Team Yao) are still undergoing a "gearing-up process". It's a different matter that they are quite confident of making Shanghai Sharks a success in the CBA league.
After a 30-minute program to celebrate the club getting a tire company's sponsorship, he moved to a hotel nearby to do his duty as the image ambassador of WildAid, an environmental protection agency fighting to protect sharks.
Yao has returned to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league after seven years. But his return is not as a player, but the owner of Shanghai Sharks. He bought the club for 20 million yuan ($2.93 million) in July.
Dressed in a black business suit, Yao said he was still learning the tricks of club ownership. "It's a pretty interesting process. To me, it's not something like an overnight shift (from player to owner)."
"I maintain good communication and friendship with Shanghai Sharks players through the phone we all know how to distinguish our jobs from our daily life."
The NBA star conceded, though, that he and the club management (called Team Yao) are still undergoing a "gearing-up process". It's a different matter that they are quite confident of making Shanghai Sharks a success in the CBA league.
Yao the player had helped the Shanghai Sharks to win its only CBA national championship in 2002, before flying to the US to start his NBA career.
"I myself played for this club from the age of 14 I am inextricably tied up with the club. That's why I came back to do my part of the job for the club," he said.
Yao's presence has spread the basketball fever in Shanghai. All the 3,000 tickets for Saturday's opening match were sold out within 5 hours, according to the club's general manager Lu Hao.
"Such bullish ticket sales was beyond our expectations," Lu said.
Yao's dream began in Shanghai. And he hopes that his second association with Shanghai Sharks would help the club emerge out of the doldrums and fund crisis, and inject NBA-style business operations and coaching.
Back into the US, Yao spent his injury break to collect information and materials on Shanghai Sharks even after getting a report from Team Yao. The one month he is expected to spend in his hometown of Shanghai to recover from his injury, he said, would help him dedicate more time to the club. He will attend the opening match of Shanghai Sharks and other events related to the club.
The one-month stay will offer him a chance to talk to the club coach, players and the management team, too. Plus, he expects to meet his fans and survey the Shanghai basketball scene.
"Now I have to have clear knowledge about many, many things."
The new CBA season will start at the Yuanshen Stadium on Saturday, with Shanghai Sharks playing Zhejiang Guangsha.
"I myself played for this club from the age of 14 I am inextricably tied up with the club. That's why I came back to do my part of the job for the club," he said.
Yao's presence has spread the basketball fever in Shanghai. All the 3,000 tickets for Saturday's opening match were sold out within 5 hours, according to the club's general manager Lu Hao.
"Such bullish ticket sales was beyond our expectations," Lu said.
Yao's dream began in Shanghai. And he hopes that his second association with Shanghai Sharks would help the club emerge out of the doldrums and fund crisis, and inject NBA-style business operations and coaching.
Back into the US, Yao spent his injury break to collect information and materials on Shanghai Sharks even after getting a report from Team Yao. The one month he is expected to spend in his hometown of Shanghai to recover from his injury, he said, would help him dedicate more time to the club. He will attend the opening match of Shanghai Sharks and other events related to the club.
The one-month stay will offer him a chance to talk to the club coach, players and the management team, too. Plus, he expects to meet his fans and survey the Shanghai basketball scene.
"Now I have to have clear knowledge about many, many things."
The new CBA season will start at the Yuanshen Stadium on Saturday, with Shanghai Sharks playing Zhejiang Guangsha.
Zheng Jie happy to be out of China's state system
Source: (Agencies)BEIJING: China's number two Zheng Jie has no plans to return to the state sports system and is happy with her first year of self-management despite the extra effort and lack of security it entailed.
Along with compatriots Li Na, Yan Zi and Peng Shuai, the 26-year-old was this year freed from the obligation to be managed by the China Tennis Association (CTA), and pay 65 percent of her winnings for the privilege.
CTA chief Sun Jinfang said last month she thought Zheng was in decline and, like other "less talented and more hardworking" players, would be better off back inside the national system.
Zheng, who finished last season ranked 35th in the world with $534,172 in winnings, said it was inevitable that the first year of managing herself would have been a learning experience.
"I am one of the first to try this and in the first year, I crossed the river feeling the stones," Zheng told China Weekly magazine.
"My obligation is to try my best to get good results. As to whether I am suitable for self-management, I am not sure what is the standard we judge by, ranking or prize money?"
Zheng was the first Chinese player to reach the last four of a grand slam when she lost in the semi-finals at Wimbledon last year, and followed that up with a doubles bronze at the Beijing Olympics.
Yao to focus on Sharks before next NBA season
Source: (Xinhua)SHANGHAI: Houston Rockets' Chinese center Yao Ming said he will focus mainly on the running of Shanghai Sharks back in China and would probably return to NBA by next season.
Yao came back to Shanghai on Thursday night, mainly to fulfill his duty as the sole shareholder of Shanghai Sharks, the name of which had been changed to Shanghai Sharks-Maxxis Tires basketbal team as Maxxis Tires signed with Yao's management team to be the team's title sponsor on Friday morning.
"I used to be a player of Shanghai Sharks, and now I become the boss of the team. But no matter how the identity changes, I hope that Shanghai sharks would soon return to glory and take on new look for fans in Shanghai and all over China," said Yao on the signing ceremony.
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league will kick off on Saturday with its opener between Zhejiang Guangsha and Shanghai Sharks. According to Shanghai Sharks spokesman Zhang Chi, about 3,000 tickets of the opening game have been sold out.
Yao would also appear at the opener Saturday night at Yuanshen Stadium of Pudong district, Shanghai.
Speaking of the time to return to the NBA, Yao said he might be completely recovered by next season, but so far he didn't know exactly what day it would start as the game schedule had not come out yet.
Earlier this year Yao became the sole owner of the financially troubled domestic team, which has struggled to make the playoffs since he left. Yao started playing for the Sharks as a teenager, leading them to their only CBA title before he left for the NBA in 2002.
Yao would also appear at the opener Saturday night at Yuanshen Stadium of Pudong district, Shanghai.
Speaking of the time to return to the NBA, Yao said he might be completely recovered by next season, but so far he didn't know exactly what day it would start as the game schedule had not come out yet.
Earlier this year Yao became the sole owner of the financially troubled domestic team, which has struggled to make the playoffs since he left. Yao started playing for the Sharks as a teenager, leading them to their only CBA title before he left for the NBA in 2002.
Go east to China, young basketball man
Source: (China Daily)Dozens of former NBA players are seeking jobs in the CBA.
John Lucas III (pictured), who played for the Houston Rockets, has joined Yao Ming's Shanghai Sharks.
Lucas signed a three-year contract with the Rockets in the 2006-07 season and teamed up with Yao as the side reached the playoffs. He was cut in Oct 2007.
The Sharks are having trials with Garret Siler, a college senior who played in this year's summer league for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The center averaged 8.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in five games with the Timberwolves.
Forward DerMarr Johnson joined Jiangsu Dragons last week.
Johnson, who was drafted sixth overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2000, averaged 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds during his two seasons with the Hawks before he was injured in a car crash in 2002.
Johnson, who was drafted sixth overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2000, averaged 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds during his two seasons with the Hawks before he was injured in a car crash in 2002.
The 29-year-old also played with the San Antonio Spurs, New Yorks Knicks and Denver Nuggets.
Ansu Sesay, who averaged 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds with the Dallas Mavericks and the former Seattle SuperSonics (Oklahoma City Thunder), was in contact with several CBA teams and finally ended with Shanxi Zhongyu Kylins. Before Sesay, Lee Benson and Morris Taylor has already trialed with the Shanxi team.
Taylor had spells with the Rockets and the Sacramento Kings and Benson was one of the best foreign players in the CBA when he played for Yunnan Honghe.
Taylor had spells with the Rockets and the Sacramento Kings and Benson was one of the best foreign players in the CBA when he played for Yunnan Honghe.
Guo's gold hopes enhanced by IOC changes to events
Source: By Tang Yue (China Daily)For Guo Shuang it was almost business as usual as she put on her red suit, helmet and goggles for her daily 2 1/2-hour training session.
The only difference for the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist when she hit Beijing's Laoshan velodrome on Tuesday was the fact that her chances of winning gold at the 2012 Games in London had ben substantially increased.
When she turned on her TV last Friday morning she learned the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had agreed to eliminate endurance events in track cycling and add team sprint and keirin events at the 2012 Games.
The Inner Mongolia native won the women's keirin at the World Championships in Pruszkow, Poland, in March. She also claimed bronze in the individual sprint at last year's Beijing Games and, at 23, is among the most promising candidates for gold in London.
"Every athlete sees the Olympic gold medal as the highest goal; I missed my chance last summer. Now there are more (chances) in London," Guo told China Daily yesterday in her dorm at China's cycling and fencing training center in Shijingshan, Beijing.
"But the chances are just the same for other teams. The competitors are very strong, especially England, Australia and the Netherlands," she said.
"As a developing country in cycling we still have a lot to learn from the European countries, it is not easy to make the breakthrough. I have to double my efforts to reach my dream."
China, with millions of bicycle riders, is undoubtedly the riding capital of the world. However, that has not translated into success on the competitive stage where the country has never won Olympic gold.
"But the chances are just the same for other teams. The competitors are very strong, especially England, Australia and the Netherlands," she said.
"As a developing country in cycling we still have a lot to learn from the European countries, it is not easy to make the breakthrough. I have to double my efforts to reach my dream."
China, with millions of bicycle riders, is undoubtedly the riding capital of the world. However, that has not translated into success on the competitive stage where the country has never won Olympic gold.
Chinese cyclists didn't reach the Olympic podium until 2000 in Sydney when Jiang Cuihua won a bronze medal in the women's 500m time trial. Her compatriot, Jiang Yonghua, won silver in the same event four years later in Athens.
On a more positive note, 13 Chinese cyclists qualified for 11 events at the Beijing Games, compared to six cyclists in four events in Athens.
Guo was expected to win gold on home soil but she came down the bank too steeply and her front wheel slipped in her decisive semifinal heat. It was re-run and, although Guo won, she was adjudged to have fouled on the final lap and her opponent, Anna Meares of Australia, went through to the final ride-off for gold.
"I have to say it was really a pity. I was so eager to win in front of so many Chinese fans," Guo said. "But it's also the most precious lesson I have ever learnt in my career. I have gained rich experience from my first Olympic Games and I will be more mature three years from now."
Her golden dream in London is wholly supported by Song Xiang, the captain of the national team.
"Our goal in London remains unchanged - the gold. It is crucial to have more people pay attention to the sport, which is still not very popular in China," Song told China Daily at the training center.
"But it remains a difficult task - even after the event adjustments. All of the top teams will fight for (gold), especially the host British team."
On a more positive note, 13 Chinese cyclists qualified for 11 events at the Beijing Games, compared to six cyclists in four events in Athens.
Guo was expected to win gold on home soil but she came down the bank too steeply and her front wheel slipped in her decisive semifinal heat. It was re-run and, although Guo won, she was adjudged to have fouled on the final lap and her opponent, Anna Meares of Australia, went through to the final ride-off for gold.
"I have to say it was really a pity. I was so eager to win in front of so many Chinese fans," Guo said. "But it's also the most precious lesson I have ever learnt in my career. I have gained rich experience from my first Olympic Games and I will be more mature three years from now."
Her golden dream in London is wholly supported by Song Xiang, the captain of the national team.
"Our goal in London remains unchanged - the gold. It is crucial to have more people pay attention to the sport, which is still not very popular in China," Song told China Daily at the training center.
"But it remains a difficult task - even after the event adjustments. All of the top teams will fight for (gold), especially the host British team."
Chinese cities reject hapless national soccer team
Source: (Agencies)BEIJING: China's national soccer team struggled to find a venue for a friendly against Jordan at the end of the month after a string of cities spurned the chance to host the match, local media reported.
Several cities in Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces declined to hold the December 30 match, which is a warm-up for an Asian Cup qualifier against Syria in Hangzhou on January 6, Thursday's Beijing News reported.
Eventually the city of Yiwu spared the blushes of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) by agreeing to allow the match to go ahead in their stadium, the report said, citing an unnamed a CFA official.
China, who missed out on qualification for next year's World Cup and suffered a string of poor results, have moved back inside the top 100 in the FIFA rankings at number 93, just below Iceland.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
British pie prize for Ding
Source: By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)Chinese fans who stayed up throughout the night to watch Ding Junhui win his second UK Championship snooker title yesterday morning are in for a treat.
Having probably forsaken breakfast to watch the Chinese star's marathon 10-8 final victory over world champion John Higgins, Ding has promised family and friends 276 meat pies.
"I will bring the pieces for you guys," Ding said on his blog an hour after his victory. "Thank you for spending a whole night supporting my play."
Ding collected the first prize of 100,000 pounds ($162,455), the largest payday of his career, rose to sixth in the provisional world rankings and was also presented with his weight, 68kg, of the sponsor's product, which totaled 276 pies. "I was excited about winning my body weight in pies," said Ding. "We all made sure we were wearing a few extra layers of clothes for the weigh-in and I wanted to put a few snooker balls in my pockets but I wasn't allowed."
On a more serious note, Ding said: "I know lots of fans, my family and friends have kept supporting me even when I was struggling over the past few years. I really appreciate that."
Li Hao, a loyal Ding fan, said it was worth spending a whole night awake, failing to have breakfast and even arriving late for work to see his idol triumph.
"Having Ding return to his best is the greatest reward for us fans," said Li, a bank employee in Beijing. "We cannot wait to eat the pies and see his trophy when he returns home."
Asian No 1
Smiling confidently, kissing the trophy and showing his fist to the audience, Ding, who is generally camera shy, had every reason to celebrate this time.
He is now the most successful Asian player in professional snooker history. The victory gave Ding, the 2005 UK champion, his fourth ranking event title - surpassing the three titles won by Thailand's James Wattana.
The 22-year-old also becomes only the seventh player - after Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams, Doug Mountjoy, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Higgins - to win the UK title twice.
"I think I am a better player now," Ding said when asked if he had improved in the four years since winning his first UK title. "I am more experienced. Now I tell myself 'don't get angry'.
"I had been working so hard before this tournament, harder than ever," said Ding. "I did not take a day off and spent at least seven hours in training each day.
"I started a bit slow in the first match (against Mike Dunn) but I kept focused and felt better match after match."
It was Ding's first major tournament victory since claiming the 2006 Northern Ireland Trophy and suggests he has overcome the mental scars inflicted by a 10-3 hammering at the hands of O'Sullivan in the 2007 Masters final.
"I tried not to be distracted this summer break. So I traveled a lot in China and had a great time," he said.
Ding showed signs of improved form after his break when he reached the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters in September.
He took another step forward in October when he made the final of the Grand Prix at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow.
Asked about his prospects of winning a first world title, Ding said: "I try every year but there are players better than me ... but anything can happen in tournaments."
China investor close to NBA Cavaliers' share
Source: (Xinhua)NEW YORK - Chinese investor Albert Hung went one step forward of nailing 15 percent stake of NBA Cleveland Cavaliers after a Michigan investment firm agreed to sell its share on Monday.
A Cavaliers spokesman declined to comment, but Cavaliers vice chairman David Katzman, whose Camelot Venture Group owns the stake being sold, said an all-cash deal was reached and should be approved by year end.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
It would make Hung the second largest shareholder in the team after owner Dan Gilbert, Katzman said. NBA owners are expected to vote on the deal in the next five to six weeks, an NBA spokesman said.
Reports first surfaced in May that a Chinese investor was buying a 15 percent stake in the Cavaliers, although those reports identified China-born American financier Kenny Huang. Katzman said that deal fell through and Hung's group was the third Chinese group with which he had negotiated.
Forbes magazine ranked the Cavaliers last week as the No. 5 most valuable NBA team at 476 million dollars. Gilbert and Katzman 's group doubled team revenue in the first four years after buying it in 2005, bringing the Cavaliers into the top five in revenue in the NBA, Katzman said.
Katzman told CNBC, which first reported the deal was finalized, that Hung has many connections in China and sponsorships of the team by Chinese companies are expected to rise.
It would mark the second major deal with an overseas investor involving an NBA team. In September, Russia's richest man, Mikhail Prokhorov, reached a deal to buy control of the NBA's New Jersey Nets.
Forbes magazine ranked the Cavaliers last week as the No. 5 most valuable NBA team at 476 million dollars. Gilbert and Katzman 's group doubled team revenue in the first four years after buying it in 2005, bringing the Cavaliers into the top five in revenue in the NBA, Katzman said.
Katzman told CNBC, which first reported the deal was finalized, that Hung has many connections in China and sponsorships of the team by Chinese companies are expected to rise.
It would mark the second major deal with an overseas investor involving an NBA team. In September, Russia's richest man, Mikhail Prokhorov, reached a deal to buy control of the NBA's New Jersey Nets.
Whispers of romance fuel Guo's glow at Games
Source: By Li Tao (China Daily)HONG KONG: While China's diving diva, Guo Jingjing, partnered Wu Minxin to win the women's 3m synchronized springboard final of the East Asian Games on Sunday, a Games' volunteer, surnamed Qu, said he was stunned by the media coverage of an event which featured only five pairs.
"I had never seen so many reporters covering a sports event in Hong Kong," said Qu.
Qu's words simply reveal how popular Guo is in Hong Kong. Thanks to a rumored romance with local Kenneth Fok, the grandson of late business tycoon Henry Fok, the diver emerged as one of the biggest stars of the Games.
Security was tightened on Sunday at poolside, mainly to keep away the local paparazzi. All reporters were required to register to enter the stadium, a scene which did not happen when star hurdler Liu Xiang hit the track three days before.
After witnessing Guo and Wu clinch gold even before their last dive, Qu said he was just more interested in the alleged romance between Guo and Fok.
"I heard reporters also flooded the stadium when Liu was there two days before but I think they went there for the sake of the competition. But you can see when Guo is competing here the reporters are not intent on covering sports news," said Qu.
Whenever Guo, 28, made a dive, dozens of cameras focused on Fok, who was in the stands.
Then, Guo could not escape the scrutiny at the post-meet press conference. When she said she did not do well in her first dive, a reporter asked whether the presence of Fok had unsettled her nerves.
"The deck was new to me but luckily my experience saved the dive from disaster," said Guo flatly.
However, she perked up the media throng when she mentioned Fok's name in a question addressing her future plans.
"He (Fok) will be supportive of whatever decisions I make," Guo said with a smile.
The four-time Olympic gold medal winner also dismissed reports she had submitted a retirement request to the Chinese authorities.
"The country raised me over the years and helped me earn all kinds of glory. I cannot decide to retire so easily."
Guo said she remains eager to compete for China and has her sights set on the Asian Games next year (in Guangzhou) and, if she remains in top form, the London Olympics in 2012.
"It also depends on my status. It's hard to maintain good form but, if I can, I would love to continue to compete for China to earn more awards for my country," said Guo.
But for the people of Hong Kong who have already witnessed the marriage of another four-time Olympic gold medal winner, diving queen Fu Mingxia, and Hong Kong's former Financial Secretary, Antony Leung, a few years ago, that's probably not good news.
"I think Guo should marry someone from Hong Kong as soon as possible," said a spectator. "She is more than an athlete. I believe she has the potential to work as a star in entertainment."
Chinese-speaking volunteers prevalent in Vancouver
Source article: (Xinhua)VANCOUVER - Organizers of the upcoming Vancouver Winter Olympics said Monday Chinese-speaking volunteers will be well represented at the February Games as they accounted for about 12 percent of all the applications received.
Speaking on the first day of staff and volunteer accreditation for the February 12-28 Olympiad, Allen Vanson, VANOC's vice president of workforce operations and integration, said applications from about 5,000 Mandarin speakers and about 4,000 Cantonese speakers were received.
While there were no figures available on how many Canadians of Chinese descent would be accepted to volunteer, from the total pool of 75,000 who had applied for the Games and the March Paralympics, about 25,000 people will be accepted.
"We have been very fortunate from a volunteer recruitment prospective," Vanson said. "We've had applications from more than 130 countries. Approximately 90 percent of those applicants have come from Canada, with the vast majority from British Columbia."
As of Monday, about 23,000 people had been accepted as Games volunteers, but organizers said they were looking for more in some key positions. Some involved languages but many were in a variety of general specialized roles.
About 750 volunteers were still needed in the area near Whistler, the mountain resort 90 minutes northeast of Vancouver, which will host the Nordic sports, Alpine skiing and sliding.
Organizers were also targeting about 15 percent of volunteers to be fully bilingual in Canada's two official languages, French and English.
In Metro Vancouver, however, an area with more than 300,000 Chinese immigrants, Cantonese is more prevalent than French with Mandarin increasingly on the rise.
"We have done an active call to action to the volunteer community," Vanson said. "We have a number of functions that provide certain services to our national Olympic committees or Olympic family systems that require certain languages. So we have reached out to those communities to ask those volunteers that they step forward for Games times and deliver those services."
About 750 volunteers were still needed in the area near Whistler, the mountain resort 90 minutes northeast of Vancouver, which will host the Nordic sports, Alpine skiing and sliding.
Organizers were also targeting about 15 percent of volunteers to be fully bilingual in Canada's two official languages, French and English.
In Metro Vancouver, however, an area with more than 300,000 Chinese immigrants, Cantonese is more prevalent than French with Mandarin increasingly on the rise.
"We have done an active call to action to the volunteer community," Vanson said. "We have a number of functions that provide certain services to our national Olympic committees or Olympic family systems that require certain languages. So we have reached out to those communities to ask those volunteers that they step forward for Games times and deliver those services."
"We're in very good position in terms of delivering all those language services, be it interpretation or general assistance in terms of language."
Volunteers coming into the accreditation centre on Monday were also issued their uniform. The "wave blue" outfit, worth about 700 Canadian dollars, comprises seven pieces in a jacket, vest, pants, hat, tote bag and two long-sleeve shirts. The main pieces were all manufactured in China.
About 30,000 of the uniforms provided by the Hudson's Bay Company, Canada's oldest retailer, will be distributed before the Games.
Trying on his uniform for size, Vancouver resident Larry Hoe, an ethnic Chinese who will serve as volunteer driver during the Games, said he was looking forward to helping visitors.
The 57-year-old retired teacher speaks some Cantonese and Mandarin. "My Cantonese and Mandarin are not that great, but if I can help them in my broken Chinese I will," he said with a laugh.
"I love people and this (driver's job) sounded interesting. I didn't want to be stuck in one spot. I would love to go from venue to venue and the position I have is perfect. I want to welcome people from all over. It is so much fun just to meet them. This is just a learning experience for me.
"The uniform looks great. It's a good representation for BC and Canada. Both this uniform and the memory of these Games are great keepsakes. I'm not passionate enough about this yet, but I'm getting there."
Volunteers coming into the accreditation centre on Monday were also issued their uniform. The "wave blue" outfit, worth about 700 Canadian dollars, comprises seven pieces in a jacket, vest, pants, hat, tote bag and two long-sleeve shirts. The main pieces were all manufactured in China.
About 30,000 of the uniforms provided by the Hudson's Bay Company, Canada's oldest retailer, will be distributed before the Games.
Trying on his uniform for size, Vancouver resident Larry Hoe, an ethnic Chinese who will serve as volunteer driver during the Games, said he was looking forward to helping visitors.
The 57-year-old retired teacher speaks some Cantonese and Mandarin. "My Cantonese and Mandarin are not that great, but if I can help them in my broken Chinese I will," he said with a laugh.
"I love people and this (driver's job) sounded interesting. I didn't want to be stuck in one spot. I would love to go from venue to venue and the position I have is perfect. I want to welcome people from all over. It is so much fun just to meet them. This is just a learning experience for me.
"The uniform looks great. It's a good representation for BC and Canada. Both this uniform and the memory of these Games are great keepsakes. I'm not passionate enough about this yet, but I'm getting there."
China Drawn with Hosts Turkey in Basketball World Championships
Source: XinhuaChina were drawn with the hosts Turkey in Group C on Tuesday at the 2010 FIBA Men's Basketball World Championships.
The draw, which was held at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel, Istanbul, launched the official count-down to the tournament, which is slated from August 28-September 12.
24 teams were divided into four groups with top four teams from each group progressing to the next round.
Germany, Lebanon, Lithuania and Russia were awarded the wild cards by FIBA's Central Board on Saturday to complete the line-up.
Following are the draw of the tournament:
Group A:
Argentina, Serbia, Australia, Germany, Angola, Jordan
Group B:
United States, Slovenia, Brazil, Croatia, Iran, Tunisia
Group C:
Greece, Turkey, Puerto Rico, Russia, China, Cote d'Ivoire
Group D:
Spain, France, Canada, Lithuania, New Zealand, Lebanon.
Source article: http://english.cri.cn/8046/2009/12/15/45s535828.htm
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Top Stories...
- Hong Kong works wonders as East Asian Games close
- China Wins Women's 3m Springboard Synchronized Title at EAG
- Hong Kong Wins Historic Soccer Trophy at EAG
- China's Lin Dan upset at East Asian Games
- Ding Beats Maguire to Reach UK Championship Final
- Liu Xiang defends 110m hurdles title at East Asian Games
Hong Kong works wonders as East Asian Games close
Source: XinhuaOpened with a spectacular in Victoria Harbor and closed with memorable moments, the 5th East Asian Games Sunday saw the curtain drawn on the regional sports meet that can truly "be the legend" for hosts Hong Kong SAR, China.
International pop stars Sunday joined the farewell gala with the Chinese Orchestra in Hong Kong Coliseum for a unique international rendition of the Hong Kong EAG theme song "You Are The Legend".
In keeping with closing ceremony tradition, the Chinese special administration region passed the EAG baton to the Chinese city of Tianjin which will host the next Games in 2013.
In keeping with closing ceremony tradition, the Chinese special administration region passed the EAG baton to the Chinese city of Tianjin which will host the next Games in 2013.
"The Games were unforgettable. Hosts Hong Kong together with all the other delegations created a legend," said Chinese chef de mission Duan Shijie.
Nine days have passed since a creative opening ceremony that was given a gold medal by the International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge for its uniqueness and creativeness.
Just to confirm how accurate the Chinese idiom "double happiness at the door" was, host BMX rider Steven Patrick Marie Josee Wong was awarded the first gold medal of these Games on the same day.
After competitions in 22 sports with 262 gold medals granted, China retained its throne in the quadrennial events, amassing an overwhelming 232 medals, including 113 gold, 73 silver and 46 bronze to leave second-placed Japan well behind with 62 gold, 58 silver and 70 bronze.
South Korea was still the third, as was it in the previous four editions, in 39, 45 and 59.
Nine days have passed since a creative opening ceremony that was given a gold medal by the International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge for its uniqueness and creativeness.
Just to confirm how accurate the Chinese idiom "double happiness at the door" was, host BMX rider Steven Patrick Marie Josee Wong was awarded the first gold medal of these Games on the same day.
After competitions in 22 sports with 262 gold medals granted, China retained its throne in the quadrennial events, amassing an overwhelming 232 medals, including 113 gold, 73 silver and 46 bronze to leave second-placed Japan well behind with 62 gold, 58 silver and 70 bronze.
South Korea was still the third, as was it in the previous four editions, in 39, 45 and 59.
The fourth to ninth went to Hong Kong of China, Chinese Taipei,Macao of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Guam whose sole bronze medal was bagged by Gilbert Anthony Carbullido Pascua in men's under 62kg taekwondo event.
Among about 2,300 athletes, megastar athlete Liu Xiang was sure to be the jewel in the crown as the 26-year-old Chinese conquered both the 110m hurdles in a class of his own and the hearts of many fans in Hong Kong and beyond.
His ease on his favorite lane 3 at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground and his big grin after the 13.66-second victory all passed an ensuring information that the former world and Olympic champion had walked out of shadow of his shock withdrawal from last year's Beijing Olympic Games.
Returning from the one-year layoff after the surgery on his right Achilles' tendon, Liu said he would take time to find his old form.
Among about 2,300 athletes, megastar athlete Liu Xiang was sure to be the jewel in the crown as the 26-year-old Chinese conquered both the 110m hurdles in a class of his own and the hearts of many fans in Hong Kong and beyond.
His ease on his favorite lane 3 at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground and his big grin after the 13.66-second victory all passed an ensuring information that the former world and Olympic champion had walked out of shadow of his shock withdrawal from last year's Beijing Olympic Games.
Returning from the one-year layoff after the surgery on his right Achilles' tendon, Liu said he would take time to find his old form.
"I am working hard just for one goal -- to run within 13 seconds," said the former world record holder, who set the 12.88 seconds world mark in 2006 world champion shps before it was shaved off one hundredth of a second by Cuban Dayron Robles two years later.
For Chinese sports officials, however, protecting Liu from another injury was the priority.
"I only have two requests for Liu. The first one is to keep his healthy public image and the other one is not to get injured again," said Duan.
Sharing the limelight was diving queen Guo Jingjing who was also a popular figure here but in a quite different way.
For Chinese sports officials, however, protecting Liu from another injury was the priority.
"I only have two requests for Liu. The first one is to keep his healthy public image and the other one is not to get injured again," said Duan.
Sharing the limelight was diving queen Guo Jingjing who was also a popular figure here but in a quite different way.
Local media were more interested in her personal life than her sporting excellence, backed up by four Olympic and 10 world championships gold medals.
Her reported romantic relationship with Kenneth Fok, older son of Hong Kong Olympic Committee president Timothy Fok, remained the hottest topic during these Games, to which Gup chose to keep silence.
Guo, paired up with Wu Minxia, romped to the 3m synchronized springboard gold as China's "dream team" swept all the 10 diving titles on offer in the Kowloon Park Swimming Pool.
Her reported romantic relationship with Kenneth Fok, older son of Hong Kong Olympic Committee president Timothy Fok, remained the hottest topic during these Games, to which Gup chose to keep silence.
Guo, paired up with Wu Minxia, romped to the 3m synchronized springboard gold as China's "dream team" swept all the 10 diving titles on offer in the Kowloon Park Swimming Pool.
Also in the water, swimmers from China and Japan combined to take 39 titles as Cheng Wan-Jung from Chinese Taipei took the remaining one in the 40-event swimming tournament, in women's 400mindividual medley.
Thirty six Games records were thrashed by swimmers while just three new Games marks were set in athletics, where China walked away with a bulk of 26 titles, Japan with 16, South Korea with two and the DPR Korea and Chinese Taipei had one each.
HONG KONG WONDER
Hosts Hong Kong, vowing to make these Games "be the legend" as its slogan went, went from impressive to stunning when their sports performance culminated in their miracle win in the men's soccer final, over a much stronger Japan.
Thirty six Games records were thrashed by swimmers while just three new Games marks were set in athletics, where China walked away with a bulk of 26 titles, Japan with 16, South Korea with two and the DPR Korea and Chinese Taipei had one each.
HONG KONG WONDER
Hosts Hong Kong, vowing to make these Games "be the legend" as its slogan went, went from impressive to stunning when their sports performance culminated in their miracle win in the men's soccer final, over a much stronger Japan.
"Glorious Hong Kong - reached its own Mount Olympus," the organizers exclaimed. "Never before, in the 16-year history of the regional sporting extravaganza, has Hong Kong won so many."
When the final day dawned, Hong Kong collected an amazing pile of 26 gold, 31 silver and 53 bronze to reach a total of 110 medals, over three times of what they gained from the previous four editions combined.
They clean swept squash titles, they won in judo, rowing, cycling, cue sports, windsurfing and they also pulled off heavy weight gold medals in table tennis and badminton, against giant China.
Apart from its sporting achievement, Hong Kong earned praises for its organization, too.
"It was really difficult for Hong Kong to stage a sports event in such a big scale, but they did a great job," said Chinese chef de mission Duan.
When the final day dawned, Hong Kong collected an amazing pile of 26 gold, 31 silver and 53 bronze to reach a total of 110 medals, over three times of what they gained from the previous four editions combined.
They clean swept squash titles, they won in judo, rowing, cycling, cue sports, windsurfing and they also pulled off heavy weight gold medals in table tennis and badminton, against giant China.
Apart from its sporting achievement, Hong Kong earned praises for its organization, too.
"It was really difficult for Hong Kong to stage a sports event in such a big scale, but they did a great job," said Chinese chef de mission Duan.
"The organizers made a full use of the existing facilities as they offered a thoughtful and regulated service," said Duan. "They were very professional and good at coordination."
"I think their organization gave us some new concepts in staging international events," he added.
The preparation for the quadrennial regional event was first hit by the global economic crisis. The organizers were constantly short of fund to make ends meet. The Hong Kong SAR government would bear half of the 240 million Hong Kong dollars budget while the government itself had to battle the H1N1flu pandemic.
Only two new stadiums were built and some existing facilities were upgraded, which obviously spared the organizers of post-Games utilization worries. The Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground will serve a community with 300,000 residents in the New Territories area and the BMX Park will become the training ground for Hong Kong cyclists after the Games.
Like the previous edition in Macao of China four year ago, Hong Kong as the host has not built an athletes' village and Athletes were arranged in hotels close to where their events take place in a bid to reduce travel time and ease pressure on the city's heavy traffic.
"I think their organization gave us some new concepts in staging international events," he added.
The preparation for the quadrennial regional event was first hit by the global economic crisis. The organizers were constantly short of fund to make ends meet. The Hong Kong SAR government would bear half of the 240 million Hong Kong dollars budget while the government itself had to battle the H1N1flu pandemic.
Only two new stadiums were built and some existing facilities were upgraded, which obviously spared the organizers of post-Games utilization worries. The Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground will serve a community with 300,000 residents in the New Territories area and the BMX Park will become the training ground for Hong Kong cyclists after the Games.
Like the previous edition in Macao of China four year ago, Hong Kong as the host has not built an athletes' village and Athletes were arranged in hotels close to where their events take place in a bid to reduce travel time and ease pressure on the city's heavy traffic.
Source article: http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2009-12/14/content_19059408.htm
China Wins Women's 3m Springboard Synchronized Title at EAG
Source: XinhuaWorld and Olympic champions Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia won the gold medal of women's 3-meter springboard synchronized diving at the East Asian Games on Sunday.
Guo, one of the most crowned divers in the world, won the gold at 357.60 together with her long-time partner Wu Minxia.
The silver medal was won by Choi Sut Ian and Lei Sio I of Macao.
China at 288.33 points. Risa Asada and Yuka Mabuchi of Japan took the bronze medal at 282.75 points.
Source article: http://english.cri.cn/8046/2009/12/13/189s535322.htm
Hong Kong Wins Historic Soccer Trophy at EAG
Source: XinhuaThe soccer team of Hong Kong, China, beat Japan in a penalty shootout to grab the title on Saturday at the 5th East Asian Games.
"I don't know much about the history, but I heard that it was the first champions in a big competition," said team coach Kim Pan- gon, who is from South Korea.
Japan led the first half of Saturday's match after defender Taisuke Yamamoto scored a goal on 21 minutes, but Hong Kong managed to catch up with a goal from forward Chan Siu-kc, who had come back from a training camp in Britain and arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday morning.
Hong Kong won 4-2 in the penalty shootout. The trophy was a big surprise given many players in the local league were amateurs.
Chan said he was hoping for more support for the local soccer players.
"We are gold medallists now," he said jokingly when asked how he felt about the outcome.
Some of the soccer players had been reported overshadowed by the glamor of gold medallists from other sports.
Tickets had turned suddenly popular after Hong Kong beat the DPR Korea on Thursday also through a penalty shootout in the semifinal. The final drew a crowd of about 40,000 on Saturday, with many fans in red waving Hong Kong flags.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Donald Tsang also appeared at the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday evening to offer his support and cheers.
"Their performance has been outstanding and courageous. They have truly been the legend," he said, citing the East Asian Games campaigning slogan "be the legend."
Chan said it was like dreams come true.
Kim, his coach, said he was very happy.
"We are going to have a get-together tonight (to celebrate)," he said.
A young student surnamed Lee said the Hong Kong players deserved the gold because they worked hard.
South Korea beat the DPRK team after a shootout in the bronze medal match earlier Saturday.
Source article: http://english.cri.cn/8046/2009/12/13/2021s535229.htm
China's Lin Dan upset at East Asian Games
Source: AgenciesHONG KONG: Unheralded South Korean Choi Ho-jin upset Olympic champion Lin Dan in straight sets to win the men's badminton final at the East Asian Games on Sunday, in one of the biggest upsets of the meet.
Lin, a three-time world champion, blew early leads in both sets and appeared to struggle with the lighting, letting the shuttlecock go on several occasions when it fell in.
Down 18-20 in the first set, the world No. 2 saved set point despite slipping, but an easy put-away gave Choi a 1-0 lead.
Lin squandered 4-1 and 15-12 leads in the second set and bothered by two close calls that brought Choi back to 15-15. He never recovered, saving one match point down 17-20, but missing a forehand on the second to give Choi the win.
The 26-year-old Lin said he was tired after a long season.
"I played in so many tournaments in the second half of the year ... I was in France, I was in China," said Lin, who nonetheless praised Choi for playing well.
"It's normal. There are so many young players now. They are channeling all their energy at you," he said.
The result left China with a relatively poor showing in badminton, even though the sport is one of its strongest.
In the women's singles final, world No. 17 Yip Pui-yin of Hong Kong beat fifth-ranked compatriot Zhou Mi 2-1 after Zhou retired with a waist injury while trailing 10-17 in the second set.
Ding Beats Maguire to Reach UK Championship Final
Source: CRIENGLISH.comTop Chinese snooker player Ding Junhui defeated Stephen Maguire 9-5 in Telford on Friday to reach the final of the UK Championship.
World number-two Maguire was down 5-3 after the first session of the best-of-17-frames semifinal.
The Scot fought back to win the two opening frames of the second secession on Friday evening to level the scores at 5-5.
But Ding Junhui took the next four in succession to book a final berth, his second consecutive final of the tournament.
Ding, 22, will take on the winner of the match between Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins in the final on Sunday.
Source article: http://english.cri.cn/8046/2009/12/12/45s535094.htm
Liu Xiang defends 110m hurdles title at East Asian Games
Source: XinhuaHONG KONG: China's 110m hurdles sensation Liu Xiang set off an explosive when he successfully defended his East Asian Games title for the second time here on Friday.
Liu breezed to victory in 13.66 seconds amid wild cheers and thunderous applause in the newly built Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground.
It was Liu's third victory following the National Games and the Asian championships triumph since he made a successful comeback in September from a tendon injury which forced him to pull out of the Olympic Games last year.
It was Liu's third victory following the National Games and the Asian championships triumph since he made a successful comeback in September from a tendon injury which forced him to pull out of the Olympic Games last year.
The 26-year-old admitted that the result was not good but sometimes one had to obey the laws of nature.
"Every athlete will go from the start to his or her peak before retirement. This is a natural process. What I can do is to bring out my best every time I compete," said Liu.
Donning a white T-shirt on which the character of "Xiang" was written, Liu started on lane 3 and his every move set the capacity stadium on fire.
Liu was not the first one to break off the starting block but soon surged to the lead before the third hurdle.
"Every athlete will go from the start to his or her peak before retirement. This is a natural process. What I can do is to bring out my best every time I compete," said Liu.
Donning a white T-shirt on which the character of "Xiang" was written, Liu started on lane 3 and his every move set the capacity stadium on fire.
Liu was not the first one to break off the starting block but soon surged to the lead before the third hurdle.
After a whole year off the field, Liu found his remaining career much more cherishable.
"I will do my best in my remaining career," said the former Olympic and world champion.
Liu limped off the field of the national stadium Bird's Nest in the Beijing Olympic Games even before he started running in the first heat to defend his glory last year, leaving millions of Chinese fans dumbfounded.
He received a surgery in the United States.
"I will do my best in my remaining career," said the former Olympic and world champion.
Liu limped off the field of the national stadium Bird's Nest in the Beijing Olympic Games even before he started running in the first heat to defend his glory last year, leaving millions of Chinese fans dumbfounded.
He received a surgery in the United States.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Selected Photos of East Asian Games (Day 6)
North Korea's Pak Kwang-ryong (13) celebrates after scoring.a goal against Hong Kong during their men's soccer semifinal match at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 10, 2009. [Agencies]
China's Li Yanfei holds a Chinese flag after she won the women's 20 km walk final at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 10, 2009. [Agencies]
China's Jiang Lan runs to win the women's 200 metres final at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 10, 2009. [Agencies]
China's Jiang Lan (L) runs to win the women's 200 metres final at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 10, 2009. Also pictured are second place Han Ling (R) of China and fourth place Kaoru Matsuda of Japan. [Agencies]
Japan's Ryosuke Awazu (402) celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 800 metres final at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 10, 2009. Also pictured are second place Park Jung-jin (514) of South Korea and third place Gao Congcong (104) of China. [Agencies]
China's Li Jinzhe competes during the men's long jump final at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 10, 2009. Li won the event. [Agencies]
South Korea's Lim Eun-ji competes during the women's pole vault final at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 10, 2009. Lim won the event. [Agencies]
Taiwan's Chao Chih-Chien competes during the men's long jump final at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 10, 2009. [Agencies]
Japan Yuya Osako (R) fights for the ball with South Korea's Woo Choo-young during their men's soccer semifinal match at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 10, 2009. [Agencies]
Chinese Taipei grabs rare win
Source: Shanghai DailyCHINESE Taipei swimmer Cheng Wan-jung won the women's 400-meter individual medley at the East Asian Games in China's Hong Kong yesterday, breaking China and Japan's lock on gold medals in the pool.
The 18-year-old Cheng's time of 4 minutes, 40.21 seconds was far from world class, but the victory over two Chinese competitors was sweet because it was a rare swimming triumph for Chinese Taipei.
Liu Jing, a member of China's world championship-winning team in the 4x200 freestyle relay, trailed the smaller Cheng by 0.13 seconds. Zheng Rongrong was third in 4:41.11.
Cheng said she was nervous about the final 100-meter freestyle because it's her weakest stroke and one of Liu's strengths.
"I was really scared that she would catch up," Cheng said. "If she did catch up, there would be nothing I could do about it because I was out of energy. I just used my determination."
Liu was also unhappy at her performance, unable to muster a smile at the podium.
But Cheng's win was just a small blip in an otherwise successful day at the pool for China. Chinese athletes won five golds on the last day of the swimming competition - in the women's 50m freestyle, the men's 50m freestyle, the women's 800m freestyle, the men's 400m freestyle and the women's 4x100m medley relay.
Japan posted wins in the men's 200m butterfly and the men's 4x100m medley relay.
The final day's results gave China a final gold medal tally of 20 at the pool to Japan's 19 golds.
In the first day of athletics action earlier yesterday, two Japanese runners and a South Korean pole vaulter prevented China making a clean sweep of the first 10 golds.
Kenji Fujimitsu won the men's 200m in 20.91 seconds and Ryosuke Awazu took out the men' 800m in 1 minute, 50.66 seconds. Lim Eun-ji clinched gold in the women's pole vault with a height of 4.20m. The trio were the only non-Chinese winners in track and field yesterday.
Yu Wei won the men's 20-kilometer walk in 1 hour, 26 minutes, 46 seconds, edging Japan's Koichiro Morioka by one second. Li Yanfei was the winner in the women's event, crossing in 1:35:33.
The other winners were Li Ling in the women's shot put (17.95 meters); Li Jinzhe in the men's long jump (7.85 meters); Jiang Lan in the women's 200 meters (23.92 seconds); Qin Qiang in the men's javelin (80.41 meters); and Liu Qing in the women's 800 meters (2:06.41).
China's Qi Haifeng was the leader in the decathlon with 3,899 points after five events.
Chinese Taipei was also enjoyed success over China in tennis yesterday.
In the women's singles final, world No. 95, Chinese Taipei's Chang Kai-chen, overcame China's Zhang Shuai, who made her name by upsetting then-No. 1 Dinara Safina at the China Open in Beijing in October.
Meanwhile, her teammate, Hsieh Su-wei, the ninth-ranked female doubles player, and her partner Chuang Chia-jung defeated their South Korean opponents in straight sets to clinch gold. China's Zhang Ze and Zeng Shaoxuan took the men's doubles title.
Yuichi Sugita defeated compatriot Tatsuma Ito in straight sets in an all-Japanese men's singles final.
Source article: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200912/20091211/article_422326.htm
Young Wang glides into short track leading role
Source: By Lei Lei (China Daily)Wang Meng is shouldering much more responsibility than a young athlete should bear.
The 24-year-old (pictured) is the only member of China's short track speed skating team to have participated at a Winter Olympic Games and is the defending champion in the women's 500m race.
However, the "veteran" skater says she is ready to carry the burden at the Vancouver Games in February as captain of the team and wants to lead it to greater glory.
However, the "veteran" skater says she is ready to carry the burden at the Vancouver Games in February as captain of the team and wants to lead it to greater glory.
"My goal at the Vancouver Games is not only to strive for gold medals myself but to lead the young skaters to good results as well," said Wang, who was appointed team captain a year ago.
"At the last Games I was not in this position because there were more veterans in the team. This time, I believe I have those (leadership) qualities."
At the 2006 Turin Winter Games, her Olympic debut, Wang claimed gold in the 500m but was disqualified in the 3,000m relay when she blocked the Canadian team. The relay gold is the one she most wants to claim in February.
"Among all the championships, the one I covet is the relay gold because it represents the strength of a country in skating," she said.
"At the last Games I was not in this position because there were more veterans in the team. This time, I believe I have those (leadership) qualities."
At the 2006 Turin Winter Games, her Olympic debut, Wang claimed gold in the 500m but was disqualified in the 3,000m relay when she blocked the Canadian team. The relay gold is the one she most wants to claim in February.
"Among all the championships, the one I covet is the relay gold because it represents the strength of a country in skating," she said.
Wang has continued her great form in the 500m this season, winning all four stops of the ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup series to be ranked No 1. She also tops the standings in the 1,000m after winning one event and finishing second twice.
The Chinese women's team, as a whole, has made a fine start to the Olympic season, beating archrivals South Korea in the relays.
"All the media, fans, teammates and coaches have piled high expectations on me so, of course, I have felt pressure," Wang told China Daily. "The pressure is heavy on my shoulders but, as the coach told me, I have to turn such pressure into motivation that will push me to improve. I think I'm dealing with it well right now.
"I'm not sure what the situation will be when the gun fires at the Olympics but I will try to do my best."
The officials who have put their faith in Wang are not concerned about her ability to cope with the added responsibility.
The Chinese women's team, as a whole, has made a fine start to the Olympic season, beating archrivals South Korea in the relays.
"All the media, fans, teammates and coaches have piled high expectations on me so, of course, I have felt pressure," Wang told China Daily. "The pressure is heavy on my shoulders but, as the coach told me, I have to turn such pressure into motivation that will push me to improve. I think I'm dealing with it well right now.
"I'm not sure what the situation will be when the gun fires at the Olympics but I will try to do my best."
The officials who have put their faith in Wang are not concerned about her ability to cope with the added responsibility.
"Wang always controls herself very well and has a strong mind," Yang Zhanwu, manager of the team, told China Daily. "She is a stable performer and will set a good example.
"The whole team's preparations are going smoothly right now. We will strive for better results than those at the last Games."
At the 2006 Turin Winter Games, the Chinese short track team claimed one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
At the end of last month's National Championships, 20 skaters were selected to train for the national team and the final list of 10 Olympic participants will be decided before the deadline for submissions.
Apart from Wang, all the other team members are about 20 but most have plenty of experience competing on the international stage, especially rising star Zhou Yang.
"The whole team's preparations are going smoothly right now. We will strive for better results than those at the last Games."
At the 2006 Turin Winter Games, the Chinese short track team claimed one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
At the end of last month's National Championships, 20 skaters were selected to train for the national team and the final list of 10 Olympic participants will be decided before the deadline for submissions.
Apart from Wang, all the other team members are about 20 but most have plenty of experience competing on the international stage, especially rising star Zhou Yang.
Zhou, 18, is the world No 1 in the women's 1,500m and she is a strong contender for gold at the Olympics.
"Although I'm the only one with Olympic experience, I am very glad the young skaters are in a good mood right now and feel no pressure," said Wang. "We will follow the guidance of our coach and grow even stronger through training.
"At the Olympics, we hope to reach our best form of course, I am expecting more than one gold medal in 2010. Only one (gold medal) will be a let down for me."
Team officials remain more cautious and have reminded the young team to watch out for their opponents.
"Although South Korea didn't do well in the World Cup, they always improve before Olympics and we still have a lot to learn from them," Yang said.
"The US skaters have improved substantially in long-distance races and the host Canadians are strong at short distances. We face a big challenge at the Games but we will do our best."
"Although I'm the only one with Olympic experience, I am very glad the young skaters are in a good mood right now and feel no pressure," said Wang. "We will follow the guidance of our coach and grow even stronger through training.
"At the Olympics, we hope to reach our best form of course, I am expecting more than one gold medal in 2010. Only one (gold medal) will be a let down for me."
Team officials remain more cautious and have reminded the young team to watch out for their opponents.
"Although South Korea didn't do well in the World Cup, they always improve before Olympics and we still have a lot to learn from them," Yang said.
"The US skaters have improved substantially in long-distance races and the host Canadians are strong at short distances. We face a big challenge at the Games but we will do our best."
Coach hails Liu's 'miracle' comeback
Source: (Agencies)BEIJING: Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang's return to competition after a career-threatening injury is little short of miraculous, according to his coach.
The former world and Olympic champion was sidelined for 13 months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles that forced him to pull out of his heat at the Beijing Olympics.
The 26-year-old finished second in an IAAF Golden Grand Prix in his home city of Shanghai in September before winning gold at last month's Asian athletics championships.
"Many athletes have not been able to make it back to the track after injuring their Achilles tendon," Liu's coach Sun Haiping told the China Daily on Thursday.
"Some doctors and experts from Shanghai were gloomy about Liu's injury at the beginning but now they are amazed by his convalescence.
"The recovery has been almost perfect. It's a miracle and even his American doctor said so."
Liu, who won gold in the 100 metres hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2007 world championships in Osaka, will next race at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong on Friday.
The 26-year-old finished second in an IAAF Golden Grand Prix in his home city of Shanghai in September before winning gold at last month's Asian athletics championships.
"Many athletes have not been able to make it back to the track after injuring their Achilles tendon," Liu's coach Sun Haiping told the China Daily on Thursday.
"Some doctors and experts from Shanghai were gloomy about Liu's injury at the beginning but now they are amazed by his convalescence.
"The recovery has been almost perfect. It's a miracle and even his American doctor said so."
Liu, who won gold in the 100 metres hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2007 world championships in Osaka, will next race at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong on Friday.
Ding Junhui into UK Championship Semis
Source: CRIENGLISH.com/Agencies China's top snooker player Ding Junhui defeated Ali Carter of England 9-8 Wednesday to enter the semi-finals of the UK Championship in Telford.
Carter was cheered on by the home crowd and responded by winning the opening three frames in the quarter-final match.
Ding fought back winning the next four frames, but the Englishman won again to level at 4-4 with a break of 69 in the eighth frame.
The pair won a frame each straight after the interval, with Ding attempting a maximum break but having to settle for a 96. Carter won the next two to lead 7-5, but Ding emulated the feat to make the scores level once more.
Carter won the next with a 74 break to move to within a frame of winning, but the Chinese took frame 16 with a break of 95 before winning the decider 76-0.
Ding Junhui will play world No. 2 Stephen Maguire in the semi-final, who eliminated qualifier Peter Lines with a 9-5 win.
Source article: http://english.cri.cn/8046/2009/12/10/45s534722.htm
Liu Eyes Third Straight Olympic Gold in 2012
Source: XinhuaDespite a shock defeat at the East Asian Games, Chinese Olympic champion Liu Chunhong is determined to defend her title at the 2012 London Games.
"Of course, I will go for my third gold medal at the next Olympics," said Liu when asked about future plans on Thursday.
Liu, who won back-to-back 69kg gold medals at the Athens and Beijing Olympics, had to settle for the silver medal at the EAG weighlifting competition. She lifted 106kg in snatch and 125kg in clean and jerk, far short of her own world records-128kg (snatch) and 158kg (clean and jerk).
Yang Shaoling of Macao, China grabbed the gold with a combined weight of 243kg. The bronze went to Lu Ying-chi of Chinese Taipei at 200kg.
Liu cited injuries for her disappointing performance.
"I have tried my best here and at the recent World Championships. I have injuries in both my knees and waist," said the 24-year-old girl.
With her eyes filled with tears, Liu said she would go through therapies after the EAG and hoped to recuperate before the winter training begins.
Source article: http://english.cri.cn/8046/2009/12/10/45s534755.htm
Monday, December 7, 2009
Top Stories...
- Nets' Yi needs 50 stitches to close lip cut
- Doctor: Hurdler Liu has fully recovered
- China's Jiao wins women's 50m butterfly at EAG
- Chinese Xu reaps third title
- Champion pair back to top
- Gao Chang gives China 2nd swimming gold at EAG
- HK paddlers win mixed doubles title at EAG
- China's Lu/Peng win gold in dancesport at EAG
- China's Weightlifter Yang Lian Takes Gold at EAG
Nets' Yi needs 50 stitches to close lip cut
Source: (Agencies)NEW YORK: New Jersey Nets' Chinese forward Yi Jianlian needed 50 stitches to close an upper lip laceration he suffered in practice, the NBA team said on Sunday.
Yi suffered the injury after he was accidentally elbowed on the mouth by a team mate while playing three on three on Saturday, the Nets said on their website (www.nba.com/nets). He will be examined on December 14 to determine when he can return to game action.
The Chinese Olympian has played in only four games this season, averaging 9.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. He has missed the past 15 games with a sprained right medial collateral ligament (MCL).
Doctor: Hurdler Liu has fully recovered
Source: By Lei Lei (China Daily)China's star hurdler, Liu Xiang. has been given a clean bill of health following his latest check-up on Saturday.
A year after Liu had surgery on his right Achilles tendon in Houston, his US doctor, Tom Clanton, arrived Shanghai on Friday to check on his star patient. After reviewing scans of Liu's foot and watching him train on Saturday, Clanton, who performed the operation on Liu, said the foot had fully recovered and he could resume intensive training.
"Today is very special, after the ups and downs of the past year, this means a lot to us," said Liu's coach, Sun Haiping, after Clanton's verdict on Saturday. "When we decided on surgery we said 'we will be sure to come back' and today I can finally say: 'Liu is back!'."
The severe foot injury forced the former Olympic and world champion to pull out of the first round of the men's 110m hurdles at the Beijing Games in August last year. Since then, Liu, China's biggest track and field star, had faced doubts about his ability to return to top-flight athletics.
After more than a year of quiet rehabilitation, Liu returned to the spotlight in his hometown of Shanghai in September at the Golden Grand Prix. He finished in a surprising time of 13.15 seconds and was only narrowly beaten by world No 2 Terrence Trammell of the US. Although the time was slower than his former world record of 12.88 seconds, it was enough to give Liu a big confidence boost.
A month later, he clocked 13.34 to win his third China Games title and continued his good form at the Asian Championships last month with a victory in 13.50.
The severe foot injury forced the former Olympic and world champion to pull out of the first round of the men's 110m hurdles at the Beijing Games in August last year. Since then, Liu, China's biggest track and field star, had faced doubts about his ability to return to top-flight athletics.
After more than a year of quiet rehabilitation, Liu returned to the spotlight in his hometown of Shanghai in September at the Golden Grand Prix. He finished in a surprising time of 13.15 seconds and was only narrowly beaten by world No 2 Terrence Trammell of the US. Although the time was slower than his former world record of 12.88 seconds, it was enough to give Liu a big confidence boost.
A month later, he clocked 13.34 to win his third China Games title and continued his good form at the Asian Championships last month with a victory in 13.50.
"The past year has been very tiring, both physically and psychologically," Liu said. "I made a lot of effort to conquer it (the injury) and now I am very happy to say I have beaten it.
"I won't think too much about the future but I hope to do well, step by step. I still have some years left to strive for good results. I am confident I can still do better."
Coach Sun remains concerned about the foot and says caution is still the most important thing.
"The scan showed his Achilles tendon has recovered very well but there are still shadows there so we can't say he is 100 percent," Sun said. "For normal people, Liu's foot is recovering well enough but for athletes it is a different story. The result of Clanton's check is an important factor in our training plans but it doesn't mean we have no worries at all. We still have to intensify training gradually."
Liu's schedule includes the on-going East Asian Games in Hong Kong, which will be his last competition before indoor winter training. His first international race next year will be the World Indoor Championships in Doha next March.
"Liu will undergo intensive training during the winter and his outdoor races next year may all be in Asia. I don't expect his results to improve much; I just want him to get used to the atmosphere of international competitions again. The (Olympic) year 2012 is the most important one for us," he said.
"I won't think too much about the future but I hope to do well, step by step. I still have some years left to strive for good results. I am confident I can still do better."
Coach Sun remains concerned about the foot and says caution is still the most important thing.
"The scan showed his Achilles tendon has recovered very well but there are still shadows there so we can't say he is 100 percent," Sun said. "For normal people, Liu's foot is recovering well enough but for athletes it is a different story. The result of Clanton's check is an important factor in our training plans but it doesn't mean we have no worries at all. We still have to intensify training gradually."
Liu's schedule includes the on-going East Asian Games in Hong Kong, which will be his last competition before indoor winter training. His first international race next year will be the World Indoor Championships in Doha next March.
"Liu will undergo intensive training during the winter and his outdoor races next year may all be in Asia. I don't expect his results to improve much; I just want him to get used to the atmosphere of international competitions again. The (Olympic) year 2012 is the most important one for us," he said.
China's Jiao wins women's 50m butterfly at EAG
Source: Xinhua Photo: Beijing Olympics China dailyJiao Liuyang of China finally won a gold at the 5th East Asian Games as she clocked 25.91 seconds for the title of the women's 50m butterfly on Monday.
The silver medal was taken by Japanese Misaki Ago at 26.64, followed by another Chinese swimmer Hong Wenwen at 26.65.
Chinese Xu reaps third title
Source: (Xinhua)HONG KONG -- Chinese paddler Xu Xin collected his third East Asian Games title here on Monday after defeating teammate Zhang Jike in the men's singles final.
In the last match of the night, Xu overcame Zhang 11-9, 11-5, 8-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-4, just hours after the two worked together to claim the doubles crown, beating Chiang Peng-lung/Wu Chih-Chi from Chinese Taipei 13-11, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11 and 11-6.
In the last match of the night, Xu overcame Zhang 11-9, 11-5, 8-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-4, just hours after the two worked together to claim the doubles crown, beating Chiang Peng-lung/Wu Chih-Chi from Chinese Taipei 13-11, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11 and 11-6.
"This is my first singles title in a major international tournament. It was great," said Xu, 19. His previous best result was a team gold from 2006 world junior championships.
"Zhang and I have trained together since we were little so we know each other well. It was only because Zhang has this waist injury that I could win in a comparatively easy way," he added.
In an earlier match, Yao Yan won a gruelling women's singles final, toiling to beat Chinese teammate Wen Jia 3-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8 and 13-11. Yao owed her first major competition victory to a mature mentality.
In an earlier match, Yao Yan won a gruelling women's singles final, toiling to beat Chinese teammate Wen Jia 3-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8 and 13-11. Yao owed her first major competition victory to a mature mentality.
"I don't have any edge over Wen but did a better job in some key points than her today," said the 21-year-old. "I am getting mature and with more patience."
Love birds Tie Ya Na and Tang Peng from Hong Kong of China became temporary rivals in the mixed doubles final before the girl took the upper hand.
Tie and Ko Lai Chak breezed past Tang and Jiang Hua Jun 11-2, 11-9, 12-10 and 11-6 to lead the Hong Kong one-two finish.
"I was so free of pressure after winning the team title yesterday. That's why I could have a full display of my ability today," said Tie, 30. Hong Kong of China stunned China to win the women's team glory on Sunday.
Ai Fukuhara eventually stood on the top of the podium as she and her partner Kasumi Ishikawa came from behind twice in the first four sets before breaking away to beat Hiroko Fujii/Misako Wakamiya 10-12, 11-9, 2-11, 11-5, 11-8 and 11-6.
"I did a great job today. I am so happy," said Fukuhara, affectionately dubbed China Doll for her cute appearance. "The singles and team competition were bad experience for me but today I was really good."
Fukuhara had a disappointing singles competition, losing to China's Wen Jia in the quarterfinals and her team tumbled in the semifinals.
"I think I can have a good sleep tonight," she said.
The table tennis competition finished as China took four golds and Hong Kong had two. Japan bagged one.
Tie and Ko Lai Chak breezed past Tang and Jiang Hua Jun 11-2, 11-9, 12-10 and 11-6 to lead the Hong Kong one-two finish.
"I was so free of pressure after winning the team title yesterday. That's why I could have a full display of my ability today," said Tie, 30. Hong Kong of China stunned China to win the women's team glory on Sunday.
Ai Fukuhara eventually stood on the top of the podium as she and her partner Kasumi Ishikawa came from behind twice in the first four sets before breaking away to beat Hiroko Fujii/Misako Wakamiya 10-12, 11-9, 2-11, 11-5, 11-8 and 11-6.
"I did a great job today. I am so happy," said Fukuhara, affectionately dubbed China Doll for her cute appearance. "The singles and team competition were bad experience for me but today I was really good."
Fukuhara had a disappointing singles competition, losing to China's Wen Jia in the quarterfinals and her team tumbled in the semifinals.
"I think I can have a good sleep tonight," she said.
The table tennis competition finished as China took four golds and Hong Kong had two. Japan bagged one.
Source article: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/2009-12/08/content_9133882.htm
Champion pair back to top
Source: (Agencies)Shen Xue (R) and Zhao Hongbo from China perform at the gala exhibition of the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Tokyo December 6, 2009. Shen and Zhao won the gold medal, followed by compatriots Pang Qing and Tong Jian. Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany finished third.[Agencies]
Gao Chang gives China 2nd swimming gold at EAG
Source: Xinhua Photo: Rome, Italy, July 30, 2009Gao Chang won China a second gold medal in the swimming pool of the 5th East Asian Games on Monday.
Gao Chang was timed 27.43 seconds for the women's 50m backstroke title. Her teammate Zhao Jing touched home second at 27.45, followed by Miyuki Takemura of Japan at 28.48.
Source article: http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2009-12/07/content_19023856.htm
HK paddlers win mixed doubles title at EAG
Source: Xinhua photo: fileKo Lai Chak and Tie Ya Na of Hong Kong, China, beat teammates Jiang Hua Jun and Tang Peng 4-0 to win the table tennis mixed doubles title at the East Asian Games on Monday.
The match was smooth-sailing for Ko and Tie, who remained dominant throughout the match. The duo won the match 11-2, 11-9, 12-10 and 11-6.
Jiang and Tang finished with the silver medal and the bronze was shared by Huang Yi-Hua and Wu Chih-chi of Chinese Taipei and Kasumi Ishikawa and Seiya Kishikawa of Japan.
"It's a surprise we had an easy win," said Tie. "We coordinated very well, and felt easy from the beginning of the match."
Tie said that Ko and she had been partners for a long time, and played in perfect unison.
Tie, aged 30, is the No. 1 player in the women's team of Hong Kong. She beat Chinses team's
Jiang and Tang finished with the silver medal and the bronze was shared by Huang Yi-Hua and Wu Chih-chi of Chinese Taipei and Kasumi Ishikawa and Seiya Kishikawa of Japan.
"It's a surprise we had an easy win," said Tie. "We coordinated very well, and felt easy from the beginning of the match."
Tie said that Ko and she had been partners for a long time, and played in perfect unison.
Tie, aged 30, is the No. 1 player in the women's team of Hong Kong. She beat Chinses team's
No.1 Cao Zhen and Wen Jia on Sunday, helping her team clinch the title of the women's team event.
Source article: http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2009-12/07/content_19023528.htm
China's Lu/Peng win gold in dancesport at EAG
Source: XinhuaGold medalists Lu Jie(R) and Peng Ding of China waves to the spectators during the awarding ceremony for Slow Foxtrot of Standard in Dancesport at the 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong on Dec. 6, 2009. [Zhang Chen/Xinhua]
China's Weightlifter Yang Lian Takes Gold at EAG
Source: Xinhua Photo: FileDefending champion Yang Lian of China took weightlifting gold for the women's 48kg category at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong on Monday, saying that she was looking forward to the next Olympics after missing the Games last year in Beijing due to injury.
Yang hoisted 90kg in the snatch, even with the EAG record set in 2005 by herself, and lifted 112kg in the clean and jerk. Chinese Taipei's Chen Wei-ling finished second with 79kg in snatch and 113kg in clean and jerk. Ryang Chun-hwa of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) won the bronze medal.
The champion said she was thinking of breaking at least one of the records but changed her mind as she would have to make sure there be no injuries.
"We were just trying to win the gold. It was not difficult," she said after the match.
Yang, who missed the Beijing Olympic Games last year due to injuries, said she was looking forward to the next Olympics in London in 2012. She held the current world records for snatch at 98kg and the total at 217kg, both set in 2006 at the World Championships.
"I am going through a relatively easy period of time at the moment. I think I will not try that hard next year as there will be no major competitions, but I will be winding up in 2011 to prepare for the Olympics," she said.
Yang said weightlifters had not been able to take a rest this year.
"I think it should not be difficult for me to set a higher record. My record at the National Games was higher than the world records," she said when asked if she would be able to lift more.
"I am going through a relatively easy period of time at the moment. I think I will not try that hard next year as there will be no major competitions, but I will be winding up in 2011 to prepare for the Olympics," she said.
Yang said weightlifters had not been able to take a rest this year.
"I think it should not be difficult for me to set a higher record. My record at the National Games was higher than the world records," she said when asked if she would be able to lift more.
Source article: http://english.cri.cn/8046/2009/12/07/1361s533978.htm
Saturday, December 5, 2009
2009 East Asian Games Opens in Hong Kong
Source: XinhuaA spectacular performance on the water in Victoria Harbor lifted the curtain on the 5th East Asian Games in Hong Kong, one of the busiest commercial centers in the world.
Chinese State Councillor Liu Yandong declared open the Games, the first international multi-sports tournament ever held in Hong Kong.
The announcement came after a 30-minute art performance with the theme of "Be the Legend", which is also the slogan of the nine-day games.
Athletes and officials from the nine participating countries and regions aboard boats watched the performance telling a story of Hong Kong growing from a simple fishing village to one of the wealthiest, most prosperous and internationalized city in the world.
Splendid fireworks lit up the clear night sky, dazzling hundreds of thousands of spectators beside the skycrapers along the coastline.
As in many Chinese events, the color of red played an important role as it symbolizes luck and joy in Chinese culture. The organizers advised the citizens to wear red clothes or red ornaments.
The preparation for the quadrennial regional event was first hit by the global economic crisis. The organizers were constantly short of fund to make ends meet. The Hong Kong SAR government would bear half of the 240 million Hong Kong dollars budget while the government itself had to battle the H1N1 pandemic.
Only two new stadiums were built and some existing facilities were upgraded to international standard to hold 22 sports where 262 gold medals are on offer.
The good thing is that few new stadiums spared the organizers of post-Games utilization worries. The brand-new Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground will serve a community with 300,000 residents in the New Territories area and the BMX Park will become the training ground for Hong Kong cyclists after the Games.
Like the previous edition in Macao four year ago, Hong Kong as the host has not built an athletes' village and Athletes were arranged in hotels close to where their events take place in a bid to reduce travel time and ease pressure on the city's heavy traffic.
With the Games going deep into its schedule, Hong Kong people came to be swept up in the festive atmosphere of the sports gala.
They were thrilled to see that the BMX King of Hong Kong Steven Wong grabbed the first gold medal of these Games in the morning and a second title from the men's 15-red snooker team event.
The Hong Kong squash team have secured both the men's and women 's titles as they sealed two all-Hong Kong finals on Sunday.
Tickets for table tennis were sold out on Friday as the Hong Kong women's team was rated the favorite and table tennis powerhouse China brought their Beijing Olympic champion Wang Hao for the men's competition.
China boasts the largest and most star-studded team of 589 members, including 405 athletes, among them 17 Beijing Olympic champions.
The Games attracted 2,300 athletes from China, Chinese Taipei, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Guam, Japan, Macao of China, Mongolia, South Korea and Hong Kong, China.
Source article: http://english.cri.cn/8046/2009/12/05/45s533678.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
