Sunday, October 20, 2013

Five Filipinos and a Fil-Japanese earned trip tickets to the Southeast Asian Games

Five Filipinos and a Fil-Japanese earned trip tickets to the Southeast Asian Games slated on December 11-22 after dominating their respective divisions in the pre-SEA Games qualifying held in Myanmar.

MB Tae Kwon Do EagleGilbert Ramirez, Bryan Quillotes, Dennis Catipon, Helen Dawa, Jennylou Mosqueda and Kiyome Watanabe humbled their respective rivals in a mighty show of superiority that convinced the POC-PSC SEA Games Task Force that they deserved to join the delegation to the 11-nation biennial meet along with seeded Nancy Quillotes and Ruth Dugaduga.

Quillotes and Dugaduga qualified by virtue of their golden finish in the last SEA Games held in Indonesia.

This will be the second time Watanabe will play for the country since 2011 in Indonesia where the 16-year-old won the bronze in her first appearance.
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Sunday, October 13, 2013

CHINA'S NING ZETAO ROCKETS TO ANOTHER WIN IN EAST ASIAN GAMES


TIANJIN, China, October 13. CHINA's Ning Zetao continued to shine with his sterling speed at the East Asian Games on the penultimate day of competition.

In the men's 100-meter free, Ning blazed a 48.41 for the win. That swim was just outside his Asian record of 48.27 from earlier this summer. Japan's Katsumi Nakamura touched second in 49.23, while China's Lu Xhiwu snared third in 49.67. Ning then split a 47.31 anchor in the men's 400-meter medley relay as China fell to Japan in the final race of the night.

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Asian Games the next bid


Thailand is confident it can successfully bid to host the 19th Asian Games in 2023 following on the heels of Vietnam that won the bid for the 18th games in 2019.

The next games will be held 19 September to 4 October 2014 in Incheon, South Korea.
Minister of Tourism and Sports, Somsak Pureesrisak said: “The bid plan is inline with efforts to build tourism and link it to sports events that build enormous awareness through TV media.”

Initially, Pattaya or Chaing Mai will  be considered as possible host cities. Thailand has hosted a record four Asian Games with the most recent in 1998.
The last Games were held in Guangzhou, China from 12 to 27 November 2010.
The Asian Games are held every four years, but a decision has been made to host the event just one year ahead of the Olympic Games.  This will mean that the 18th Asian Games will be moved to 2019 instead of 2018 to accommodate the change in policy ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games.
The ministry has identified sports as a major strategy to build awareness and has already positioned Thailand to host a F1 Grand Prix race in 2015.
There are still questions on finding a suitable location for the race after local communities objected to the race being held on city streets in the historical district of Rattanakosin close to the Grand Palace.
The proposed route was a 5.995 km lap that would start and finish at the Royal Thai Naval Dockyard, and would include several of the city’s historic landmarks, including the Grand Palace, the Victory Monument and the Temple of Dawn.
However, the plan fell foul of a law that prohibits car racing in inner Bangkok.
The minister is now looking for suitable race circuits in Phuket, Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima, but Bangkok has not been struck off the potential host list as there is considerable support for a circuit that would be custom-built at Chaeng Wattana, in the northern suburbs of the capital.
The project is far from done and dusted, although the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has in its hands a MoU, but it will still need the approval and confirmation of F1 organisers on various factors including the circuit, host city and other essential logistics.
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Taiwan wins first men's volleyball gold in international games


Tianjin, China, Oct. 13 (CNA) Taiwan defeated Japan in a grueling fight to become men's volleyball champions at the East Asian Games in China Sunday, winning the country's first gold in the sport in an international tournament.



The Taiwanese players won 3-2 against a country known for its volleyball prowess in an intense fight that lasted 111 minutes. Taiwan fell 20-25 in the first set but caught up with 25-21 before their Japanese opponents took the next set 21-25.
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Chinese Taipei beats Japan to win EAG men's volleyball title

Chinese Taipei beat Japan 3-2 to win the men's volleyball title at the 6th East Asian Games (EAG) in Tianjin on Sunday.

"This is the last opportunity for us to get an EAG men's volleyball champion because EAG will transfer to a youth version next time," said Wu Feihu, head coach of the Chinese Taipei team.

According to Wu, they send their best players this time, aiming at getting gold medal to make a mark in history. "We make it!" he said excitedly.

It is not easy for Chinese Taipei to get the gold medal despite they never lose a game here. In the final, Japan really performed well and once led 2-1. In the 4th set, Chinese Taipei trailed 3-6 at the beginning.

"Once in the 4th set, I even felt that we would lose but finally we persevered to win," said Huang Jianfeng, who spiked to get the crucial point, overtaking the opponents for the first time with 17-16.

"I am satisfied with the players' performance. Moreover, I would like to thank the audience for their unremitting encouragement to us. It did a great help for us to win," Wu said.

After eight days' competitions, all the volleyball games at EAG finished on Sunday. For other games, China beat South Korea while DPR Korea beat Hong Kong of China in men's and women's bronze medal matches.
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Hong Kong fencers stun China to win gold at East Asian Games

Cheung Siu-lun scored six points in a row in the last bout as Hong Kong stunned hosts China in the men’s team foil to clinch their first ever victory over the mainlanders on the international stage yesterday.
The emphatic 45-40 win at the Tianjin Foreign Language University Arena brought not only a East Asian Games gold medal but also wrapped up a successful fencing campaign for Hong Kong as they finished the event with a medal haul of one gold, one silver and six bronze.
Fencing was on the Games programme for the first time but also the last time as the EAG will change to a youth competition at its next edition in 2019.
Cheung, who was edged out of the foil individual semi-finals in a controversial 15-14 defeat by a South Korean fencer, was determined to make up for it in the team competition.
This is the first time we have beaten China in an international competition, it’s amazing
HK FENCER CHEUNG SIU-LUN
“This is the first time we have beaten China in an international competition, it’s amazing. I feel over the moon,” said 28-year-old Cheung, the eldest member of the quartet, which also comprises Chu Wing-hong and two promising youngsters Nicholas Choi and Yeung Chi-ka.
“It’s a team effort although I am very happy the coach trusted me by assigning me the job of the final bout which always decides the title.”
Hong Kong beat South Korea 45-35 in the semi-finals while China reached the final by thrashing Japan 45-28.
The 20-year-old Choi, who also won a bronze medal in the individual foil, said the victory gave them a strong boost for next year’s Incheon Asian Games. “China, South Korea and Japan are all here and we won’t be afraid of them any more,” said the fast-improving youngster, who also won a bronze medal at last month’s National Games.
In the women’s team epee, Hong Kong won bronze after losing to South Korea 45-26 in the semi-finals.
The tenpin bowlers won their first medal in Tianjin as the men’s team of five came second, behind favourites South Korea.
In swimming, promising Siobhan Haughey captured her fourth medal with a bronze in the women’s 200 metres freestyle in one minute, 59.77 seconds. China won the top two places through Qiu Yuhan and Guo Junjun, recording 1:57.75 and 1:59.49 respectively.
The male swimmers also claimed their first medal when their 4x100 freestyle relay team came third behind Japan and China.
A 10-man Hong Kong soccer team lost 5-2 to North Korea. Wong Wai was sent off in the 16th minute for a straight red card. “We still have a medal hope if we beat South Korea in the last match on Monday,” said coach Liu Chun-fai.
Shuttlers Lee Chun-hei and Chau Hoi-wah reached the mixed doubles finals and will take on Xu Chen and Ma Chun of China for the gold medal today. Men’s doubles Lee and Ng Ka-long took bronze after they lost in the semi-finals to Taiwan.
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Olympic champion Ye Shiwen looks forward to 2014 Asian Games

TIANJIN, China, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- With a less than satisfactory year of 2013 to follow a brilliant 2012, China's double Olympic champion Ye Shiwen has set her eyes on the 2014 Asian Games.

"I am looking forward to next year's Asian Games because my first international event was the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou where I put up wonderful performances. I'd always like to think about it," said the 17-year-old who breezed to lift the 200m individual medley title at the East Asian Games in Tianjin on Friday.

"I had a marvelous memory of the Asian Games which was the start point of my career. Since there isn't any other major event next year, I hope to revive my sweet dream at the Asian Games," she added.

As for the year of 2013, Ye admitted that her form dropped sharply following her stunning performances at London Olympic Games in 2012.

"My form is not as good as 2012. Maybe one of the reasons is that I put on some weight and got heavier in the water. I am right in the middle of body development and almost five kilograms heavier than I was in 2012."

Ye, who took two Olympic golds in 200m and 400m individual medley, had a poor world championships outing in Barcelona in August, without taking any medal in her favorite events.

"I was heavier and not in good shape in Barcelona," she recalled. "On the other hand, I was too eager to show my best while I was not in peak form. The stress made me sleepless before and during the world championships, and the results were terrible."

Fortunately, one month after a disappointing Barcelona journey, Ye claimed both IM titles with pretty good results at the National Games in early September. Ye said she "had waken up from a nightmare".

"Barcelona is the past, and I want to look on the bright side of it. It is a valuable lesson," she said.

"I am happy that I came back and restored my confidence from the National Games, which is a new start. There is an old saying that 'failure is the mother of success', while my coach Xu Guoyi disagrees, saying one can only get more success from success," Ye said.

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A ‘bluffer’s guide’ to the 27th Southeast Asian Games

When sepak takraw first appeared at the 1967 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, its appearance was a watershed moment – the first time an event codified in the region had appeared at the games. The sport has only ever been missing from the international competition once since its introduction, when it was overlooked for the program of the 1971 Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Where does it originate?
Many countries around the region lay claim to the invention of this sport. One of the most popular arguments is that it developed from the circle game common to Myanmar and known as chinlone. Popular opinion also suggests that a similar game may have been introduced to the area by Chinese travellers. Whether based on chinlone, the Chinese game of cuju, or a third option, in 1829, the Siam Sports Federation codified the game and a new identity was born. In 1833, the addition of a net created the game you will see in December.
What’s it all about?
Sometimes called “kick volleyball”, the alternative name provides a reasonable impression of what you’ll see. Sepak takraw is also a pretty accurate name, derived as it is from the Malay word sepak, “to strike with foot” and the Thai word takraw, meaning “ball” or “basket”. This name is more relevant to the game as one of the events included within the 2013 program is the hoop event, where the net is replaced by a hoop suspended above the court and one team with no opposition attempts to place the ball through the hoop using a variety of different styles.
How do you play?
The predominant version of the game uses a net and is played on a court of 13.4 by 6.1 metres (44 ft × 20 ft), very similar in size to a doubles badminton court. On each side of the net you’ll see a small circle drawn on the court, this is the service spot. There is also a semi- circle drawn at each end of the centre line. This creates two-quarter circles on each side of the net.
Traditionally made from woven rattan, nowadays the balls are often completed with synthetic fibres. The balls should have 12 holes, 20 intersections and measure at least 17 inches in circumference.
First service will be decided by the flip of a coin. From there on in the winners of the last set have the option of choosing who will serve. To serve, one player will stand in the quarter circle and throw the ball to his teammate who is standing at the service circle. That player will then kick the ball across the net and into play. Each team serves three times in a row before the opposition takes its turn.
Now in play, the players have three touches to pass the ball between them using their head and feet before returning the ball to the opposition. If the ball hits the floor, doesn’t make it over the net or is kicked out of the court then the point is over. Once a team reaches 21 points they have won the set, unless the score is tied on 20 points each, in which case the game will continue until 25 points.
How do you win?
In order to win the best of three sets game you’ll need to develop all manner of specialised kicks. The most difficult and most effective form of serve is nicknamed the “horse kick”.
In order to develop a competitive advantage players have developed several styles of smashes or spikes to make any response from the opposition difficult. Many of the top players have their own unique take on moves such as the “Sunback Spike”. This particularly aggressive form of attack has seen the ball travelling toward opponents at speeds in excess of 120km/h. A team scores a point when the opposing team fails to return the ball across the net within the 3 ‘touches’ rule, or the ball is returned across the net but lands outside of the court.
What should you be saying?
Killer: A common usage to describe the Spiker or a successful spike ball.
Regu: A Malaysian word meaning a team. A team comprising of four players; three starters and one reserve is known as a regu, a squad of three regus is known as a Team.
Roll Spike: When a player jumps with his back to the net, rotates in the air and kicks the ball over the opposite shoulder from the kicking foot. It is these dramatic and gymnastic abilities that make sepak takraw such an exciting sport to watch.
Where is it played?
The people of Southeast Asia have taken this sport to the world. The International Sepak Takraw Federation (ITSAF) now represents federations in 32 countries across the world. From Iran to the USA and from Switzerland to Bangladesh they now play this game. As well as the Southeast Asian Games, the sport has appeared in the Asian Games since 1990. It was also introduced as a demonstration sport when Chinese Taipei held the 2009 World Games, an event that features sports recognised by the International Olympic Committee but not played at the Olympics.
How many medals are available?
With five events for men and five events for women, that leaves 10 gold medals to be contested in Takraw. Both genders will compete in the hoop event, regu, double regu, team and double team events.
What’s the betting?
This is a sport where Myanmar will really look to capitalise on home advantage. In 2011 the Women’s double regu secured a gold medal and across the six events three other teams secured medals. With additional gold up for grabs and home fans cheering the sides on they’ll be looking to challenge the traditional dominance of the Thai sides in this sport.
Where will it all happen?
The sepak takraw will be hosted at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw. It will start with the hoop event on December 10 and continue with the other competitions until December 21.
Matt Roebuck is a sports writer and sports development consultant based in Yangon. He is the author of the book The Other Olympics, published in 2012.
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China still dominates EAG pool

TIANJIN, China, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Hosts China still dominated the pool of the 6th East Asian Games (EAG), collecting four gold, four silver and one bronze medals here on Saturday, despite finishing second in men's 4x100m freestyle relay.

Japan managed 3-3-4 and Hong Kong, China took two bronzes on the third day of the swimming competitions.

A 47.33 seconds split from Ning Zetao could not turn China's silver into gold in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay.

Together with veterans Lv Zhiwu, Liu Junwu, Shi Tengfei, Ning was the last leg and 0.95 second behind the Japanese quartet. Ning stormed in the first 50m by 22.18 and 47.44 at the wall, 0.03 second shy of the gold. Japan finished in 3:16.82 to seal with the title while Hong Kong, China came to third 3:23.02.

"I was out of power at the last five meters. I've tried all my best. It's a little bit pity that we lost just by 0.03," said Ning who was the double gold medalist in the men's 50m and 100m freestyle at the Chinese National Games one months ago by breaking two Asian records - 100m in 48.27, and 50m in 21.91.

The 15-year-old Qiu Yuhan found her form back in the women's 200m freestyle, winning the title in 1:57.75 together with her teammate Guo Junjun 1:59.49 for a silver. Haughey Siobhan Bernadette from Hong Kong, China, finished third in 1:59.77.

"I had a poor National Games last month but I feel great at this East Asian Games. My confidence is back," Qiu said.

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Friday, October 11, 2013

East Asia Games: Swimming star Ye claims gold

BEIJING: Double Olympic Champion Ye Shiwen claimed gold in the 200m individual medley at the East Asian Games Friday, as China continued to power ahead in the medals table.

Ye won the race ahead of Hong Kong's Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, who took silver, and bronze medal winner Sakiko Shimizu of Japan.

Seventeen-year-old Ye has had an indifferent year after she stunned the world at the 2012 London Olympics, taking gold in both the 200m and 400m individual medley events.

She set a new world record of 4 minutes 28.43 seconds to claim the 400m title and also broke the Olympic record in the 200m event.

However, she failed to win a single medal at the World Championships in Barcelona in late July.


Ye is the star name for China at the East Asia Games, which are being held in the northern port city of Tianjin.

Her swimming teammate, Jiao Liuyang -- who also won gold in London, in the 200m butterfly -- claimed bronze in Tianjin in the 50m butterfly event.

Jiao's compatriot Lu Ying won gold, while Japan's Yuka Kato claimed silver.

"I think my performance was not bad," said Jiao.

"I was predicting a third place finish after I came third in the heats."
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Exhausted shuttlers limp out of East Asian Games


Hong Kong's exhausted badminton players bowed out limply from the East Asian Games yesterday, having expended all their energy to win a silver medal in the team event.

Playing his ninth game in four days, Wong Wing-ki went out in the individual quarter-finals when he was beaten by Kazumasa Sakai of Japan in three games after a gruelling 73-minute battle.

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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Myanmar plans to stage grand opening of SEA Games


Myanmar is planning to hold opening and closing ceremonies of the 27th South-East Asian Games on a grand scale in December, official media reported Tuesday.

The SEA Games opening and closing ceremonies will be staged at Wunna Theikdi stadium in Nay Pyi Taw with the help of technical assistance from about 200 Chinese experts, said the New Light of Myanmar.

The stadium will be installed with one 110-metre LED screens and other six screens for the ceremonies.
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Female weightlifters take North Korea's first gold medals at the East Asian Games


Jong Sim Rim of North Korea lifts 142kg to take the gold medal in the women's 69kg Group A 'clean and jerk' weighlifting event at the East Asian Games in Tianjin on October 8, 2013. (Credit: AFP) 
Two North Korean athletes have set East Asian Games weightlifting records as the nation gathered its first gold medals at this year's regional meeting.

Rim Jong-Sim has set new games marks of 117kg in the 'snatch' and 148kg in the 'clean and jerk' of the women's 69kg weightlifting.

Her teammate Kim Un-Ju has taken gold in the women's 75kg weightlifting with a total score of 266kg, including a games record 'clean and jerk' of 153kg.

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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES - 28th SEA Games will be held in Singapore June 5-16, 2015.

Singapore
THE Southeast Asian Games (SEA) organizers have announced a big time fundraising goal for the 2015 SEA Games will be vying for $50 million in sponsorship dollars. Organizers have two years to accomplish the goal.

The event is one of the more prestigious competitions in the regions, and organizers are definitely looking to support the athletes involved in the Games and honor Singapore's 50th anniversary year.
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UAE’s ‘Shaheen’ style rugby causing ripples in HSBC Asian Sevens Series


UAE scored a historic win against Uzbekistan in the Thailand Sevens fielding all Emiratis for the first time. (SUPPLIED)

UAE Rugby created history in the second leg of the HSBC Asian Seven Series when they beat Uzbekistan 21-12 in the Shield semifinal in the Thailand Sevens fielding an all-Emirati side for the first time.
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Two North Korean athletes set East Asian Games weightlifting records

Rim Jong-Sim set new games marks of 117kg in the snatch and 148kg in the clean and jerk of the women's 69kg weightlifting.

Her teammate Kim Un-Ju took gold in the women's 75kg weightlifting with a total score of 266kg, including a games record clean and jerk of 153kg -- more than twice her own body weight.

Another North Korean, Chun Mi-Jong, took gold in the women's 63kg category with a total score of 226kg.

Japanese runner Yuko Shimizu, meanwhile, dazzled in the women's 10,000 metres, taking gold with a time of 32 minutes and 50.42 seconds, also breaking the games record.

But host country China consolidated its lead in the medals table on the second day of the quadrennial games, with more than three times as many golds as its nearest competitors, Japan and South Korea.

China, which has bested its competitors in each of the five previous East Asian Games, had 43 gold medals at the end of competition on Tuesday, compared to 11 apiece for Japan and South Korea.

China also had 28 silver medals and 15 bronzes. South Korea, in second place on the overall medals table, had 18 silvers and 22 bronzes, while Japan had 11 silvers and 22 bronzes.

Chinese athletes took golds Tuesday in categories including taekwondo, diving and fencing, and have also picked up first places in less-traditional contests -- such as the jive, rumba and cha-cha-cha dance competitions.

The 10-day regional contest is being held in the northern port city of Tianjin.

This year's competition features more than 2,400 athletes from China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Guam, competing in 24 different sports.

It is the last time the East Asian Games will be held in their current form, the state news agency Xinhua reported, with the event due to be transformed into a youth games for athletes aged 14 to 18.

fms/slb/st/sm


Copyright AFP, 2013.
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Taiwan baseballers overpower Guam for opening win at East Asian Games

 
Tianjin, Oct. 6 (CNA) Taiwan routed Guam Sunday, finishing 15-0 ahead of time in the first men's baseball match of the East Asian Games in Tianjin, China.
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27th Southeast Asian Games to be opened on November 2013

The Sports Village will be opened in November ahead of the 27th Southeast Asian Games to be hosted by Myanmar, according to sports circle Sunday.

The Sports Village, a multi-facility residence for the athletes, coaches, officials and media, can accommodate at least 2,442 people.

The sports village is equipped with training grounds, money exchangers, entertainment centers, offices and media centers.

The facility is located beside Pyinmana-Taungnyo Road and Wunna Theikdi Stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies for the SEA games will be held.

Myanmar will host 27th SEA Games in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay and Ngwehsaung beach from Dec.11 to 22 this year.
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East Asian Games to Transform into Youth Version

The 6th East Asian Games (EAG) to be opened on Sunday will be the last edition as the regional sports top officials are planning to transform the quadrennial Games into a youth version.

The 31st Council meeting of the East Asian Games Association (EAGA) was held here on Saturday afternoon. The main purpose of the assembly will be deliberate and approve the charter revision draft of the EAGA, a core part of the reform proposal passed by the EAGA during the 30th council meeting in May.

According to the reform proposal, a regional youth sports meet, featuring athletes aging from 14 to 18, will replace the current EAG to be staged as the most important sports tournament in East Asia once every four years.

The inaugural East Asian Youth Games will be staged in 2019 and the host of the new sports event, as well as the date, is yet to be decided.

The East Asian Games is a multi-sport event organized by the EAGA and held every four years since 1993. The participating delegations are the eight East Asian countries and regions of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), namely China, Japan, South Korea, DPR Korea, Mongalia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China and Macao, China, as well as the Pacific island of Guam, which is a member of the Oceania National Olympic Committees.

Kazakhstan, a former member of the EAGA, participated in the second EAG in Busan, South Korea in 1997 and Australia was invited to compete in the third edition in Osaka, Japan in 2001.
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