Fourth seed Zhang prevailed 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 14-12, 5-11, 11-7 in a rematch of last year’s Olympic final to secure a fourth major title in a row.

Zhang completed a career grand slam when he pipped Wang to the Olympic crown in London last August, adding to the world title he won two years ago in Rotterdam and the 2011 World Cup, with Wang also the losing finalist on both of those occasions.

Ma Long took top honours at last year’s World Cup in Liverpool, an event in which Zhang did not take part.

Having raced into a two games to love lead in the French capital, Zhang was pegged back by Wang in game three and the contest appeared to be heading for two-all only for Zhang to fight off four set points in the fourth frame to re-establish a two-game advantage.

Wang, the 2009 champion, then took the following game to preserve his title hopes but it proved to be merely a stay of execution as Zhang wrapped things up in game six at the first time of asking.

“It was a very closely-fought match, we both played well,” Zhang said afterwards, his dominance over Wang extended with a seventh straight success over the World No.3 that improved his head-to-head record against Wang to 8-3.

“For me there is no loser, the most important thing was to enjoy the match and I did that,” Zhang continued, paying tribute to his opponent.

“I’ve been in Paris twice (the 2011 World Cup being the other). Both times I’ve won the final so I really love it here,” added the 25-year-old, who said his next goal was to win all three major titles again.

Despite coming up short against Zhang yet again, beaten finalist Wang was not too downhearted by the loss.

“I’m actually not really disappointed. I’m really happy to have got to the final,” said Wang, who hinted at retirement from the national set up.

“This may be my last game so I really just wanted to enjoy it. I wanted to use this game as a way to thank all the people who have been so supportive of me,” said the 29-year-old.

“I really want to continue playing, I don’t want to give it up but I cannot deny that younger players are doing better.”

Earlier, women’s singles champion Li Xiaoxia doubled her gold medal haul with victory in the doubles final.

Xiaoxia and partner Guo Yue powered to a third successive world doubles crown with a 5-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 win over singles runner-up Liu Shiwen and world number one Ding Ning in another all-Chinese encounter.

Bronze medals were awarded to losing semi-finalists Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling, also of China, and Singapore pair Feng Tianwei and Yu Mengyu. — AFP

HE’S GOT IT: Mohd. Sani from Sri Aman reacts after he won the novice category.

KUCHING: It’s lucky No. 2 for Wilfred Harding whose second appearance in a bodybuilding contest saw him being crowned ‘Champion of Champions’ at the state-level 1Malaysia Mr. Gym Competition.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS: Wilfred was all smiles at the state-level 1Malaysia Mr. Gym Competition yesterday.

Representing Iron Gym, he also won the 65 to 75kg weight category to beat four other contenders in the final yesterday.

The competition was held at the Sarawak Youth and Sports Complex located at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce here.

“I did not expect to win anything in this competition as the other contestants were experienced bodybuilders. This was a dream come true,” he said.

The Bau native revealed that his focus after this win is to obtain the best results at the Mr Sarawak Championships in Sibu next week.

“For the record, I only started getting serious with bodybuilding two years. I have undergone intensive training over the past three weeks,” he added.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Kandan Anuar also stole the limelight when he won the novice 75kg and above weight category.

Fazri Sedi was crowned winner of the 65kg and below weight category.

The prize giving ceremony was officiated by Ronnie Boniface who is Sarawak Assistant Director of Youth and Sports.

Winners in each category will also represent Sarawak at the upcoming national-level of  the 1Malaysia Mr. Gym Competition.

LION’S ROAR: Fong impresses with his intensity.

SIBU: Fong Hui Kong from Sibu Division Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association (SDBWA) was adjudged as ‘Champion of Champions’ in the  Mr. Star Mega Mall 2013 held at the Star Mega Mall here last Saturday.

Earlier on, Fong was also crowned champion in the 70.1kg and above category after defeating Mohd. Khairul Abdul Razak from Body Work second and Mohd. Sani Senawi from Sri Aman third.

The inaugural Mr. Star Mega Mall was jointly organised by the Star Mega Mall together with SDBWA.

It was held in conjunction with the official opening ceremony of STAR FITNESS located at the basement floor.

In the 70kg and below category, bodybuilders from SDBWA captured the top three placings as Lu Khim Kok emerged champion while Akmal Linggie was second and Mohd. Khairul Semion third.

Mohd. Sani Senawi from Sri Aman won in the Novice Category beating  Mohd. Khairul Semion and Yong Chin Ho both from SDBWA.

The top three winners in all the three categories each received a trophy, certificate and protein incentive.

The closing ceremony and prize presentation was officiated by Chief Executive Officer of the Daesim Management Sdn. Bhd., Lau Yew Chung (Ayu).

SDBWA president Chia Soon Cheong and the Gym Master Thomas Lee were also present.

Meanwhile, the much awaited Mr. Sarawak Bodybuilding Championship 2013, to be hosted by SDBWA, will be held at RH Hotel on 25 May at 7pm.

ALL CHINA: China’s Ding Ning (right) prepares to serve to compatriot Li Xiaoxia in their women’s singles semi-final match at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Paris. — Reuters photo

PARIS, France: China’s long-standing table tennis supremacy is nothing new to fans and administrators, but the threat of migrant Chinese players stifling opportunities for homegrown talent around the world has cast a dark cloud over its future.

The outflow of Chinese talent is particularly evident at the ongoing World Championships in Paris with several naturalised China-born players representing their adopted countries, including outposts such as Congo and Luxembourg.

China’s strong presence in the French capital, both officially — they have the top three seeds on both sides of the draw — and unofficially — fourth-ranked Feng Tianwei (Singapore) and world number 7 Shen Yanfei (Spain) both featured in the women’s field — comes on the heels of the London Olympics, where the country not only completed a second successive clean-sweep of the gold medals but, perhaps more alarmingly, accounted for a quarter of the players competing for other nations.

However, statistics show the proportion of China-born players competing under a flag different to that of their homeland has dwindled slightly in Paris as reforms implemented by the International Table Tennis Federation, the sport’s governing body, have gradually begun to take shape.

China have again reinforced their superiority in Paris with five of eight quarter-finalists on both sides of the draw, not to mention the duo of Melek Hu (Turkey) and Feng Tianwei who also reached the last eight of the women’s field, but Adham Sharara, who was re-elected as ITTF President on Wednesday, believes the talent gap will steadily decrease over the course of the next decade.

“I don’t think it will take that long, may be five or six years. You can see from the junior level, the French and Japanese are beating the Chinese, so they will grow together. In five to six years you will find much bigger and harder competition in the sport,” Sharara said during a trip to the Qatar Open in February.

To stem the exodus of China-born players, the ITTF introduced radical rule changes in 2008 which prohibit anyone over the age of 21 from switching allegiances to represent a different national association in world title events.

Those players under the age limit also face a much longer wait before they can become eligible to compete for another country.

Players under 15 must wait three years; players between 15 and 18 wait five years, and players between 18 and 21 years wait seven years.

These modifications have yet to stimulate much in the way of Chinese resistance on the grand stage, but, buoyed by some recent surprising results at lesser tournaments, the ITTF has faith the changes will eventually bear fruit.

“(In January), the defending and world champion Zhang Jike lost in the quarter-finals (of the Austrian Open). So this means it’s possible (to challenge the Chinese). China are very consistent and strong, and prepare well for the main events like the Olympics or world events. But in other events it’s possible (to beat them) because everyone is not on top form. If players beat them in these events, they will gain confidence and can beat them in the main events,” said Sharara.

The Chinese themselves have made strides to improve competition and boost global growth, introducing a scheme at the Korean Open in April that allowed their players to partner foreign rivals for the first time.

“I believe this is good for the growth and development of worldwide table tennis,” Chinese head coach Liu Guoliang said, who added that the invitation was “open to every country, not just the top ones, as we want to give everyone a chance”.

Sharara was also effusive in his praise of the plan.

“This initiative from the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) is most welcome. It is a great idea that will help make World Tour events even more exciting. It is also one of the positive steps taken by the CTTA to help the development of players from other countries.” — AFP

SRAS president Robert Lau Hui Yew disclosed the first leg would be held in Kuching from June 28 to 30, the second in Sibu from July 26 to 28 and the third leg in Miri from Sept 14 to 16.

Lau said the circuit is aimed at targeting new players and those players who could not make it to the CIMB National Circuit.

“We will use the Sarawak Circuit to search and recruit talents. These new talents will be groomed to take part in the next CIMB National Circuit,” he said.

Lau, who is also vice president of Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), reiterated that young players were needed to spearhead the country’s challenge for the squash crown in future.

“Our focus is on the 2016 Sukma when Sarawak plays host and hopefully, by then we will be able to produce a stable of players who can become champions”.

Lau was glad to note on the increasing number of young players taking up the sport, saying it augured well for the future development of the game in the country.

He said Sibu had also produced a number of outstanding squash players in recent years.

He singled out the recently crowned 2013 CIMB Rising Star National Junior Squash (RSNJS) overall champion Chris Lau as a typical example.

“Chris is going from strength to strength and as he grows, he will surely find the going getting tougher. However, if his passion for the sport remains intact, there is no reason to doubt his capabilities to win accolades for Sibu and the state when the time comes.”

To excel in squash or in any other sport, Lau admitted they had to start from young.

“We really have to build up from the grassroots. It is sort of like a pyramid where the players started from young before they gradually progressed to the top.”

Lau also encouraged young players to take up squash which had been proven to be suitable for Asian people.

“Squash depended very much on creativity and subjectivity and it is good for Asians simply because the game do not
require a player to be powerfully built.

“So long as they have the skills, commitment and passion for the sport, who knows, there may come a day when it is their term to rule the world,” he said.

The pint-sized Under 9 national No. 1 player won 3-2 in a five set thriller to become the first Sarawakian to win the RSNJS Boys’ Under 9 title.

“I am going to savor my victory for a long time to come. However, I will not rest on my laurels but will continue to train hard and improve on my skills and stamina to prepare myself for future tournaments,” said the primary two pupil of SJKC Dung Sang.

Earlier in the first and second legs, Chris effortlessly swept aside Kayden Keesham Pragasam of Negri Sembilan 3-0 on both occasions to underline his status as the rising star in the making.

In the grand final, he had to dig deep into his reserves before overcoming Chew 14-12, 15-17, 11-7, 1-11, 11-5.

Chew had earlier disposed of Kayden 3-0 in the semi-final to set up a mouth-watering final showdown with Chris.

“Because of my size and height, I have to run a lot on the court and also need to train much harder to keep improving on my fitness. Hopefully, when I am promoted to the Under 11 category next year, I will be able to continue fighting and challenge my formidable opponents to get satisfactory results.”

Over 50 players from throughout the country took part in the various age-group categories during the four-day championship aimed at tapping young talented squash players.They are expected to be groomed to take over the mantle from the seniors.

Meanwhile, Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak (SRAS) president Robert Lau Hui Yew described Chris’s performance at the CIMB RSNJS grand final as another revelation of his potential.

“He is already the top player in the country for his category and there is only one choice for him and that is to nurture a winning attitude and establish himself before he is promoted to the Under 11 category next year where bigger challenges await.”

On the performance of the Sibu players in the grand final, Lau expressed satisfaction with the overall results. He said Sarawak had 43 players who qualified for the 12 groups in the grand final.

“It was the largest contingent that Sarawak had ever sent. We are also one of the largest team among all the states. Quite a few are self-sponsored,” he added.

He said the overall performance of Sarawak players had improved over the last two legs compared to the previous years.

“Sarawak has three finalists with another four qualifying for the quarterfinals (finishing in top eight).”

Besides Chris, he said another Sibu player Josephine Yii also displayed tremendous potential and was a star to watch.

Josephine also made it to the grand final in the Girls’ Under 13, only to lose to Aifa Azman of Kedah in three sets. She also lost to the same girl in the second leg.

The other Sibu finalist in the tournament was former Sibu player, Tommy Lau in the Boys’ Under 11. He lost to Mohd Amir of Kelantan.

Lau, who is also Sibu Squash Association president said they were also in the process of helping Sibu team build a better and stronger squad.

“We are fortunate to discover Chris who had the rare talent but what we need is more players like Chris in order to beef up our squad. Both Josephine and Tommy are showing signs of progress and if we can continue to produce much players of such caliber, we will be able to rule the squash courts for many more years to come.”

The event is jointly hosted by Imperial Mall and Miri Weight Lifting and Bodybuilding Association. This year participants came from Limbang, Bintulu and Miri. The four categories to be contested are namely Mr Novice, Mr Miri 60 kg and below, Mr Miri 60kg to 70kg and Mr Miri 70kg and above.

Over RM4,000 worth of prizes will be given to winners and they will represent Miri City in this year’s Mr Sarawak which will be held at Sibu on May 25.

The Mr Miri Bodybuilding Championship is part Miri MayFest calendar of events and is being held in conjunction with Miri Resort City 8th anniversary.

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao prepares to speak to supporters upon his arrival at Manila’s international airport, on December 12, 2012. Pacquiao and a music company have settled a US lawsuit over allegations he broke a promise to record songs for the the firm, court papers show. –AFP

Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and a music company have settled a US lawsuit over allegations he broke a promise to record songs for the the firm, court papers show.

RBM Group International claimed that Pacquiao agreed in September 2009 to record a dozen tracks, and that they paid him $40,000 for the first two songs.

Given “his already existing international popularity, RBM seized the opportunity to be the first recording company to sign Pacquiao to a contract,” said the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in November 2010.

But Pacquiao struck deals with other people despite his contract with RBM and recorded various songs, including a cover of Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch,” said the lawsuit.

Pacquiao “went on to ignore the agreement and perform both publicly and privately, on television, at concerts and after the conclusion of successful boxing matches,” it said.

The boxer’s lawyers denied any wrongdoing. Last week attorneys for RBM filed a request for the case to be dismissed. Settlement terms were not disclosed, although RBM had sought $200,000 in damages and $10 million for lost profits.

Pacquiao, once considered the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, is battling back from two straight defeats. He’s slated to fight American Brandon Rios in Macau in November. –AFP

While political differences between the three are deep, the national teams from the three wrestling superpowers will grapple with each other in New York’s Grand Central Station railway terminal on Wednesday to back the campaign.

Wrestling has been in shock since the International Olympic Committee announced in February that it wanted the sport ejected for the 2020 Games.

There were complaints that the sport, where a broken nose or a cauliflower ear can be a badge of honour, is too macho, too complicated and not attractive to television audiences.

But after initial hunger strikes by coaches and Olympic champions sending back their medals in protest, wrestling is fighting back.

The bouts between the US, Iranian and Russian teams in New York on Wednesday and Sunday in Los Angeles are part of a new offensive to make the sport more attractive.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has said he will raise the case. But leaders of the international wrestling federation, FILA, admit they are in a desperate battle to make sure that the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games are not the last for one of the original Olympic sports.

Christakis Alexandridis, Russia’s Olympic wrestling coach, said that when wrestling was included in Ancient Greece Olympics “it featured the beauty of the athletic body, willpower and determination.”

Nenad Lalovic, expected to be elected the FILA president at a congress in Moscow this weekend, said, however, that wrestling has been living on its past for too long.

The IOC decision in February was a “terrible shock”, Lalovic told AFP on the sidelines of a press conference at the UN headquarters.

“We were counting too much on wrestling’s history,” he said.

“We did not change enough for modern times.”

New modern outfits might be introduced and rules could be changed to make sure there are no drawn bouts and to broaden the appeal of tournaments.

Lalovic said he wants to see “more gender equity in decisions and in competition. I would like to see new more understandable rules.”

The Serbian official said FILA must be “fully united” to “go before the IOC and make new arguments in order to reverse the decision.

“We may be the same people but we have changed,” he said.

Lalovic will meet the IOC executive in Russia on May 29 in a bid to sway the Olympic leaders.

The full IOC will decide in September whether to keep wrestling or add squash, roller sports, karate, wushu, the nautical sport wakeboard or sport climbing for the 2020 Olympics.

Wrestling first appeared in 708 BC and has only ever been left out of the Olympic once before, in 1900.

Alongside the Grand Central “Rumble On The Rails”, international wrestling day events will be held in Turkey, France, Germany, Japan and across Russia, FILA officials said. — AFP

IT’S ON: Adenan (fourth, right) with officials and organising committee at the launching ceremony of the Lundu Invitational Mountain Bike Challenge. Also seen are Abdul Rahman (third, right) and Azmi (third, left).

KUCHING: The Lundu Invitational Mountain Bike Challenge is back this year with more events and prizes.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural edition, the Lundu District Office have decided to organise the challenge on a larger scale this year.

According to the patron of the event and Yayasan Sarawak chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, “Compared to last year, we expect more participants this year. This year’s tournament will be held from June 15 – 16.”

Other activities will also be held during the competition day.

Lundu District Officer Azmi Bujang, who was also present at the press conference, revealed that there are more categories added to this year’s competition.

These include the MTB Time Trial, MTB Critirium Race, Cross Country XC and the Lundu Closed (MTB Critirium). These, except for the Lundu Closed, are further divided into four sub-categories such as the Men’s Open, Ladies Open, Men’s Junior and Men’s Veteran.

All categories will flag off in front of the Lundu District Office which is located at the Lundu Community Hall (Dewan Masyarakat Lundu).

Apart from cycling teams from Peninsular Malaysia expected to send in their registration, the organisers are also anticipating entries of teams from neighbouring countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Azmi disclosed that most of last year’s winners have confirmed that they will return for this year’s challenge.

He also pointed out that there will be bigger cash prizes for this year amounting to a total of RM27, 510.

The overall length the race track set by the organisers this year is three kilometres, which is a loop track with obstacles.

Kuching Resident Abdul Rahman Sebli Senusi was also present at the press conference to show his support.

Those interested to participate have until June 14 to register for the tournament. Registration forms can be sent directly to the Lundu District Office in Lundu or the Grand Margherita Hotel here.

More information can be obtained from the organisers via e-mail addresses lundudo@sarawak.gov.my and aqeem.xtremevent@gmail.com or by contacting the Lundu District Office at 082-735008.

The final list of the players was announced by Chairman of MSS Sarawak Sepak Takraw Technical Committee, Openg Bujang Sum, after the closing ceremony of the State Level MSS Sarawak Championship held from May 8 to 12. The event, hosted by Kapit Combined Education Office at the Indoor Stadium of the Integrated Sports Complex at Jalan Bleteh, had been participated by all 11 divisions in the state.

The 36 players comprised 12 each for the Under 12 Years, U15 and U18 categories.

U12 players selected were Machowal Gaing and Vicky Johnny from Kapit, Nelson and Maxwell Galau from Betong, Ajai Betie and Nicholas Julis from Sibu, Mohd Azlan from Sri Aman, Leslie Rundi and Aryan Nirvallend from Limbang, Ahmad Sharif and Mohd Fazrul Shah of Kuching.

Players to represent Sarawak in the U15 are Jessy Carlos, Ronaldo Timban and Mohd Khuzaizi from Kuching, Federik Kanyan and Fredick Ujang of Sibu, Andronikus and Dustin from Kapit, Joshua Bijun, Oliga Kaya and Dantek Rugan from Sarikei, Javier Lanang from Sri Aman and Surez of Mukah.

The U18 players selected were Sariman Meren, Roland Usuh, Mac Mitcheal, Mohd Rafy Danial and Mohd Arif Syazwan from Kuching, Harry Denel and Awie Renang from Sarikei, Robin, Jerry Janang and Mohd Syazwan from Sibu, Benneth of Sarikei and Firdaus of Samarahan.

Philip Baginda of Kapit Combined Education Office officiated at the closing ceremony of the championship.

With Manny Pacquiao following Chinese star Zou Shiming to the glitzy casino haven near Hong Kong, Macau looks set to copy Vegas by becoming a boxing capital – with promoters eyeing a huge potential audience in China.

The Nov 24 bout, between Pacquiao and American Brandon Rios in the semi-autonomous territory, will be the biggest pro fight yet on Chinese soil. Not surprisingly, it will be financially advantageous for all concerned.

Filipino Pacquiao, 34, once considered the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter but now battling back from two straight losses, saves a fortune in American tax. He has not fought outside the United States since 2006.

Macau, and especially The Venetian, the giant casino-resort which is hosting the fight, gains more visitors, a higher profile, and an image diversified away from gambling.And top American promoter Bob Arum brings another big event to China, which he calls the “new destination for big time boxing”.

Zou’s win against Eleazar Valenzuela last month drew an estimated 300 million TV viewers in the country.

Organisers say no final decision has been made on the fight’s timing, although expectations are high that it will be on the morning of Nov 24, which is a Sunday, to hit Saturday night TV audiences in the United States.

The unusual start time could copy the strategy used way back in 1975, for the legendary “Thrilla in Manila” when Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier from 10:45am in the Filipino capital.

Macau’s gambling profits overtook Las Vegas in 2006 and Glenn McCartney, assistant professor of gaming and hospitality management at the University of Macau, said it now needed to diversify.

“Historically it’s been labelled as a gaming destination,” he said. “In Vegas 15 or 20 years ago they realised they could make money from other leisure tourism or business streams.

“There can be a tremendous multiplier effect on hosting events, which needs to be looked at more in order to push this strategy more across the industry. You want to get a positive branding that this is now a city of diversity.”

Arum tested the waters for Macau as a big fight venue in April, when China’s shining hope Zou fought his professional debut there.

Signing up the country’s most successful ever amateur was a shrewd move by Arum, founder and chief executive of Top Rank promotions, who can clearly smell the big money to be made in the country of 1.3 billion people. Two-thirds of the 15,000 seats in The Venetian’s CotaiArena venue were filled for the four-round bout, which saw Zou beat Mexico’s Valenzuela in a unanimous points decision.

Arum, 81, said at the time: “It’s a country where people are just starting to have the opportunity to sample what we in the West are used to, like professional boxing.

In a bid to attract Chinese fans, Arum has pledged to continue airing bouts on free-to-air television in the country, hoping to hook a segment of its large and increasingly affluent audience.

The Pacquiao fight will come just a week after the prestigious and long-standing Macau Grand Prix, which is the world’s only street racing event to feature cars and motorcycles.

In recently years, mixed martial arts, tennis exhibitions, international golf, badminton and basketball and the East Asian Games have also been held in Macau. — AFP

Zhang defeated compatriot Wang Hao in the 2011 final before triumphing over the same opponent later that year in the French capital for his maiden World Cup victory.

The 25-year-old then added the Olympic title to his collection at London 2012 to complete a career Grand Slam and is eagerly anticipating taking to the Bercy arena to defend his world championship crown.

“I am feeling no pressure now and I have been well prepared. I can’t wait for my first match,” said Zhang.

“I won my first World Cup two years ago here, so I think Paris is my lucky place,” he added.

Zhang enters the week-long tournament as the fourth seed following a string of inconsistent displays but downplayed its significance, insisting: “The important thing is to win the match, not the ranking. The top players in the world will be revealed anyway.”

Compatriot Xu Xin, a potential semi-final opponent for Zhang, is the No.1 seed after regaining the world’s top ranking from compatriot Ma Long last month, but he too sought to minimise its importance.

“The world ranking is just about placements, it is not enough to give you good results; so I still adopt a lower profile and have a positive attitude to fight,” explained Xu, one of 23 players in the China squad that will be seeking to complete another clean sweep in all five events.

German duo Timo Boll and Dimitrij Ovtcharov will headline the list of contenders seeking to challenge Chinese supremacy. — AFP

CONGRATULATIONS: Philip presenting a prize to one of the winners at the end of the state-level sepak takraw championship.

KAPIT: The Sarawak Schools (MSS) Sepak Takraw Championship, organized by the Kapit Combined Education Office, was successfully held from 9 to 12 May at the Bletih Stadium here.

200 players from all the divisions participated.

Officer-in-charge of Co-curricular Activities Kapit Combined Education Office, Philip Baginda, officiated at the closing ceremony.

He noted with satisfaction that the organisers had pulled it off despite the many challenges – facilities, logistic and accessibility by road only – facing them and the participants.

The championship served as the platform to select players to represent MSS Sarawak for the national level competition scheduled to be held from 3 to 7 July in Kedah.

Philip also expressed the hope that the standard of sepak takraw in Sarawak would continue to improve so that the sport could contribute to the state’s goal of becoming a sports powergouse.

In the individual event for U12, Limbang emerged champion with Kapit second, Sibu third and Betong fourth.

Kuching was champion, Sarikei second, Sri Aman third and Sibu fourth for the U15.

Kuching won their second individual title in the U18 competition followed by Sibu second, Kapit third and Sarikei fourth.

Sibu claimed the team competition for U12 ahead of Kuching second, Kapit third and Betong fourth.

In the U18 team event, Kuching took top spot with Sarikei second, Kota Samaraham third and Kapit fourth.

TREASURE THIS: Sibu U-12 girls pose for an album with SVA officials. Hii is at fifth from left.

SIBU: Sibu boys and girls teams ruled supreme when they lifted both the Under 18 titles in the Inter-Division Schools Volleyball championship which concluded at the Indoor Stadium at SMK Methodist yesterday afternoon.

For both categories, Sarikei was the runner-up, followed by Mukah and Miri. Kuching is the only other team that also took part in the week-long championship.

The Sibu girls swept aside Sarikei 25-8, 25-18 and 25-17 in the final match held on Friday morning.

They had earlier bulldozed past Mukah, Miri and Kuching to cement their reputation as the team to beat.

The boys, however, had to negotiate a more dangerous path to victory.

They were surprisingly beaten by Mukah in their final match on Friday afternoon, losing 1-3 (15-25, 25-21, 23-25 and 16-25).

However, by virtue of their thumping 3-0 win over Sarikei, Miri and Kuching, Sibu still managed to obtain an average point of 1.36 to win the title.

Sarikei garnered 1.19 point to emerge second best, followed by Mukah on 1 point.

Still, the match between Mukah and Sibu turned out to be one of the most keenly contested matches staged in recent years.

Mukah, powered by several Sukma players, were in their element as they displayed not only good team work and coordination but also powerful spiking and clever tricks that caught Sibu players flat-footed on several occasions.

Sibu took the first game but the Mukah players came back strongly in the next three games.

In the fourth game, both teams played with caution and it was point for point before Mukah pulled ahead to 12-8, 15-9 and 20-11.

Confidence soared and buoyed by the strong support, the Mukah players surprisingly beat Sibu 25-16 in the final match.

Later, speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, Deputy President of Sarawak Volleyball Association (SVA) Dr Gregory Hii said he enjoyed watching the thrilling Sibu-Mukah match.

“I notice that the players from both sides are trying very hard to play to the best of their ability but, somehow, Mukah managed to triumph over Sibu.”

He said it was evident that in any team sport, teamwork was very important if the team wanted to become champion.

“You need to fight hard for it, train hard and must have good cooperation and coordination. That is the only way forward and to become champions.”

Hii also reminded those short-listed for the coming Malaysia Schools Volleyball Championship, scheduled to be held in Terengganu from June 1 to 8, to treat their selection as an honour.

“Train hard, stay focused and aim high during the championship so that you will bring back something for the state to cherish.”

Meanwhile, in the U-12 competition, Sarikei was champion in the Girl’s section, followed by Sibu, Miri and Kuching.

In the Boy’s section, Miri was champion, followed by Sarikei, Kuching and Mukah.

State Boy’s U-18 team: Samuel Wong Teck Eng, Soon Wei Kiat, Regan Lau, Ngu How Jie (Sibu), Jackson Ting Kiet Sing, Anderson Chan Kian Hong, Brandon Kiew, Daniel Ko (Mukah), Sim Suk Kiing, Wong Jing Huei, Lo Chung Yong and Patrick Lu (Sarikei).

State Girl’s U-18 team: Ching Hui Ming, Tina Tiong, Alicia Yu Chii Hui, Angela Tang Ling Hui, Mandy Chiu, Mabel Song, Chin Hui Qin, Wong Chiam Yuh (Sibu), Amy Lau Yii Fong, Shannon Lee Ping Ping (Sarikei) and Eunecia Anthony (Mukah).

Tokyo’s outspoken governor, Naoki Inose, who heads the city’s Olympic bid, apologised last week for ‘inappropriate’ comments he made about rival candidate Istanbul and Islamic countries.

The remarks, made in a newspaper interview, prompted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to investigate, while Turkey’s sports minister said they “did not comply with the spirit of the values of the Olympic Movement”.

JOC president Tsunekazu Takeda said Tokyo could not afford any more
mistakes.

“I plead with you to observe the rules on bid activities and make sure this kind of trouble does not occur a second time,” Takeda told his colleagues at an executive meeting on Tuesday, the Kyodo news agency reported.

Madrid is the other city bidding to host the 2020 Games, the venue of which will be decided at the next IOC Session in Argentina in September.

Inose’s remarks sparked concern in Japan that they could have a negative impact on Tokyo’s bid to host the multi-sport event for a second time.

Former IOC vice president Chiharu Igaya also urged JOC members to be careful of what they said.

“Politics and religion are complicated issues,” Igaya said.

“If there are 115 members of the IOC and there will be 115 different ways of thinking,” he added.

“All we can do is do our utmost to make something good come out of this disaster.” — Reuters

macau-bound: Boxer Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines spars with trainer Freddie Roach during a media workout in Hollywood, California March 3 file photo. — Reuters photo

MANILA: Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiao will battle US fighter Brandon Rios in Macau in November, organisers said yesterday, in a match that promoters hope will ignite Chinese interest in big-time boxing.

The bout — at the luxury Venetian Macao casino resort — will be Pacquiao’s first fight outside the United States since 2006.

“The fight is green and go,” Pacquiao’s chief management adviser, Michael Koncz, told AFP, adding the arrangements had been finalised with Top Rank, the Las Vegas-based boxing promotion agency that handles the Philippine boxer.

Koncz, who travelled to the United States for negotiations, said they chose Rios, 26, over fellow American fighter Mike Alvarado because the former’s style would fit Pacquiao better.

“Rios’s style suits Manny because Rios is willing to fight and stand right in front of Manny,” he said by phone from the United States.

“It is going to be big. It’s something that has never been done in Asia. Asia is the new destination for big time boxing.”

He said there was a plan to tie-up with a Chinese company so it could show the fight through smartphones to the Chinese market.

Bob Arum, chief executive of Top Rank, had previously said he wanted to put Chinese boxer Zou Shiming on the undercard with Pacquiao to further spark interest in China.

Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels echoed expectations for a head-on collision between Pacquiao and Rios.

“Rios is going to stand and fight in front of Pacquiao. Rios will not take a backward step. Definitely he won’t run,” Samuels said in a telephone call to reporters in Manila.

Rios’s manager, Cameron Dunkin, also confirmed the fight in a phone call to Manila: “Brandon is excited and he is honoured to fight Pacquiao,” he said.

For Pacquiao, 34, once regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter of his generation, the Rios match will be a chance to redeem himself after two defeats.

He lost his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in June last year to US fighter Timothy Bradley, then suffered a shock knockout defeat to Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in December.

Pacquiao’s sporting achievements made him a national hero, becoming one of the highest paid sportsmen in the world, a showbiz celebrity and, in 2010, a member of parliament. — AFP

His fifth World Championship title in total was all the more impressive as O’Sullivan had effectively taken a year out from the sport since his 2012 triumph.

Fans’ favourite O’Sullivan said during this year’s edition that he was only playing to pay his son’s overdue school fees and, not for the first time, threatened to retire from snooker.

“My main motive wasn’t to come here and win it. I was kind of bored, sitting on the sidelines with nothing going on and I thought, ‘I can do it’,” O’Sullivan told the BBC.

“And then coming here, I like Sheffield, I love the tournament and being at the Crucible, so it filled a nice gap of eight weeks and I’ve got to keep busy now,” added the 37-year-old, who beckoned his son, Ronnie junior, onto centre stage before receiving the trophy.

“It’s been great just to get something back in my life.”

Asked whether he would return to the Crucible next year, O’Sullivan replied: “I’ve had a great time and I enjoyed every moment. I love playing and I’m definitely going to be playing in some smaller events, as to me that’s just pure snooker.

“Here, there is a lot going on and it’s hard, but I just love playing so I will definitely be playing in some smaller events and we will just see what goes on,” said O’Sullivan, who has been working with renowned sports psychologist Dr Steve Peters.

“He (Peters) has been with me all the way,” O’Sullivan said. “I don’t think I would have won back-to-back titles without him. Everyone knows me…I am up and down like a whore’s drawers. I didn’t know what to expect.

“I realised after a year out that I didn’t really miss snooker – I just missed having something to do, so if I can balance it with other things, then that’s the way forward for me,” O’Sullivan explained.

Meanwhile Hawkins was justifably proud of his efforts after his shock run to a first world championship final.

“I’m glad I made a game of it and pushed him a bit,” Hawkins said. “Hopefully I’ve got a few more years left and will come back and win it one day.”

O’Sullivan’s victory saw him become the first player to mount a successful title defence since Stephen Hendry in 1996.

‘The Rocket’ started Monday’s final session 15-10 ahead, needing just three more frames for victory and having already compiled six century breaks — a record for a Crucible final.

And it also meant O’Sullivan was now four in front of snooker great Hendry’s previous record total of Crucible centuries of 127, having rattled in breaks of 133 and 124 on Monday to add to contributions of 103, 106, 113 and 100 on Sunday.

But Hawkins kept him waiting by taking the first two frames of the evening session before a trio of 50-plus breaks O’Sullivan, widely regarded as snooker’s most naturally talented player, finished the match convincingly.

Hawkins, coached by 1979 world champion Terry Griffiths, showed his mettle by starting Monday’s final session with a break of 127, including a trebled black, and then took the next with a contribution of 66.

But O’Sullivan stilled thoughts of an improbable comeback with a break of 77 in the next.

Then typically stylish efforts worth 88 and 86 apiece saw O’Sullivan add to his 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2012 titles. — AFP

Shug McGaughey, the Kentucky-based trainer of Orb, wasted no time declaring his intentions to run the three-year-old in the remaining two legs.

Speaking to reporters outside the winner’s barn at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning, McGaughey said he was already thinking about the next two races, the Preakness Stakes on May 18 and the Belmont Stakes on June 8.

“I’m looking forward to getting the process going again and seeing what happens and go from there,” McGaughey said.

“I said last week that I wished it had happened to me earlier so I didn’t have to worry about it anymore, but I’m not sure I believe that now.

“Saturday was quite a day and today’s been quite a day so far. It’s been quite, quite a thrill.”

McGaughey said Orb was being flown to New York on Sunday and would remain there before being moved to Baltimore next week to finish off his preparations for the Preakness.

It has been 35 years since a horse last completed the Triple Crown. That was Affirmed in 1978 and the wait for another horse to win the three races has been agonising.

Last year, I’ll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness to renew hopes, but was scratched on the eve of the Belmont and never raced again.

What makes the Triple Crown so difficult to win is the makeup and timing of the three races. They are each held in different states, over different distances, during a span of five weeks. And the winner invariably faces different opposition each time.

It is not uncommon for the horses which finish close behind the winner in the Preakness (1 3/16 mile) to save themselves for the 1 1/2 mile Belmont, the longest and most gruelling of the three races. The Kentucky Derby is 1 1/4 miles.

The field for the Preakness will not be decided until just a few days before the race but only a handful of the 19 horses who contested the Derby are expected to back up.

Trainer Dallas Stewart, who prepared the Derby runner-up Golden Soul, said his horse was unlikely to race in the Preakness.

“At this point, I think we will pass on the Preakness and look at the Belmont,” Stewart said.

“That would give us five weeks and hopefully we can get one of the three (races in the Triple Crown series).”

Revolutionary, which finished third for trainer Todd Pletcher, was also skipping the Preakness to save himself for the Belmont, as was his stablemate Overanalyze.

Normandy Invasion, which led the field turning for home and finished fourth, will not race in the Preakness either and was being aimed at the 1 million Travers at Saratoga.

Mylute, which finished fifth under jockey Rosie Napravnik, was a strong possibility to take on Orb in the Preakness as long as the horse was not fatigued.

“We need a couple more days to think about it,” said Todd Quast, the general manager of the farm which owns Mylute.

“When he came out of the Louisiana Derby he was so high that we worked him back eight days later. If he comes back with that kind of energy we have to seriously look at it.”

Doug O’Neill, who won last year’s Preakness with I’ll Have Another, said he would saddle up Goldencents in the Preakness even though the colt was well beaten in the Kentucky Derby.

Goldencents, which won the Santa Anita Derby, was among the favorites to win the Run For the Roses, but struggled in the wet and muddy conditions and finished 17th.

“We’re a go for the Preakness,” O’Neill declared. — Reuters

LAS VEGAS, Nevada: World Boxing Council champion Floyd Mayweather extended his perfect record to 44 victories Saturday, beating Robert Guerrero by unanimous decision in their welterweight title fight.

Mayweather, who was defending his title for the first time since serving a jail term for domestic violence, dominated a bloodied Guerrero for most of the fight at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.

All three judges scored the 12-round fight 117-111 in favour of Mayweather.

“I had a good tough battle with Robert Guerrero,” Mayweather said.

“It was blood, sweat and tears tonight.”

The 36-year-old Mayweather was also fighting for the first time in a year as he improved to 44-0 with 26 knockouts. Guerrero, who had his 15-fight win streak dating back to 2005 snapped, fell to 31-2-1, with 18 knockouts.

Mayweather spent close to three months in jail beginning in June after being convicted of domestic violence involving the mother of his three children.

“I wouldn’t wish being locked up on anyone,” Mayweather said Saturday.

“That’s a rough position, being locked up 23 hours a day with one hour out.”

Both fighters had their fathers working their corners Saturday.

Mayweather sacked his uncle and longtime cornerman Roger Mayweather in favour of bringing his father Floyd Sr back for this fight.

The two fathers grabbed most of the pre-fight attention by exchanging verbal jabs, with Ruben Guerrero calling Floyd Jr a “woman beater” in the build up to the bout.

Mayweather had plenty of critics heading into Saturday’s fight who said factors working against him included increasing age, the change in trainers and the conviction and jail term.

“Everybody was saying because I am 36 that I don’t have it no more, that my defence wasn’t sharp, but I proved myself,” Mayweather said.

The fight started slowly, with Guerrero the aggressor and Mayweather feeling the challenger out.

Mayweather began to seize control in the third round and dictated the pace from there, using his superior foot and hand speed to keep Guerrero off balance.

Mayweather landed one of his hardest punches in the eighth round – a roundhouse right that wobbled Guerrero, whose face was starting to show the effects of being hit with a barrage of straight rights, stinging counterpunches and lunging jabs.

The champion also opened up a cut near Guerrero’s eye in the eighth.

The ring-savvy Mayweather cruised through the middle and later rounds, using his strong defence to slip punches on the ropes and in the centre of the ring.

Mayweather was so dominant in the later rounds that he stopped moving from side to side in the 11th, choosing to slug it out and landing punches at will against Guerrero, who never gave up but was hopelessly overmatched.

“He is a tough competitor. I take my hat off to him,” Mayweather said.

The only blemish on his performance was that Mayweather, who made £32 million for this fight, failed to get the knockout.

Mayweather blamed the inability to finish Guerrero off on an injury to his hand that he suffered in the middle rounds.

“I was looking for the knockout but I hurt my right hand,” he said.

Mayweather is committed to fighting September 14 when he could possibly face Mexico’s Saul Alvarez.

Asked Saturday night if an Alvarez fight is in works, Mayweather said he needs time to relax before thinking about his next opponent.

“We don’t know who we are going to fight right now. Let me go home and rest up first and talk it over.”

The undercard featured a Mexican showdown on the “Cinco de Mayo” holiday weekend. — AFP