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

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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OGQ support for hurdler Ashwini

Asian Games 2010 women's 400m hurdles champion 

Asian Games 2010 women’s 400m hurdles champion, Ashwini Akkunji, is the latest addition to Olympic Gold Quest list of talented sportspersons to receive support with an eye on the London Olympics 2012. Specialised medical support and nutrition to meet her entire training requirements will be the focal point.

CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, Viren Rasquinha, explained, “We believe that she has genuine potential to challenge for an Olympic medal in the women’s 400m Hurdles event. OGQ plans to help her with her entire training needs with focus on specialised medical support and nutrition,” Rasquinha said.

The Karnataka athlete competes in women’s hurdles and is part of the Indian relay quartet.

“Ashwini has improved by leaps and bounds. Her built and running style are perfectly suited to the 400m hurdles event. We are delighted to have her as part of the OGQ program,” Rasquinha said.

Ashwini, 23, from Siddapura, Udupi district, attracted attention last year with a stunning display in the 400m hurdles at the Asian Games 2010, clocking a personal best 56.15 seconds against top-class international competition. China’s Wang Xing (56.76s) and Japan's Satomi Kubokokura (56.83s) finished behind her for the silver and bronze.

The lean runner won the 400m relay gold medals in the CWG 2010, New Delhi and 2010 Asian Games, Guangzhou. Ashwini said: “The last seven-eight months have been like a dream for me after winning gold at the CWG and the Asian Games. I’m grateful to all the girls in the 4x400m team, our coach Yuri, the AFI and Sports Ministry.”

She added: “OGQ support has arrived at the perfect time as my preparations for the Olympics 2012 have begun. I am pleasantly surprised at the pace at which OGQ moved to get specialised treatment for my injured wrist and to get procure nutritional supplements not available in India.”

Olympic Gold Quest is a Not For Profit Foundation that supports the training and preparation of 25 sportspersons across four individual Olympic sports (badminton, boxing, shooting and athletics), as part of the mission to help Indian athletes win Olympic gold medals.

OGQ’s Board of Directors comprises of Geet Sethi (eight-times World Billiards Champion, Khel Ratna and Padmashree awardee), Prakash Padukone (All England Champion and Padmashree Awardee), Leander Paes (12-times Grand Slam Champion), Viswanathan Anand (four-time World Chess Champion), Niraj Bajaj (four-time National Table Tennis Champion, Arjuna Awardee and Chairman, Bajaj Group of Companies).

Others on the board include R Ramaraj (Senior Adviser, Sequoia Capital India), Shitin Desai (Vice Chairman, DSP Merrill Lynch), Rakesh Khanna (Founding Partner, Ambit RSM), Neeraj Bharadwaj (Managing Director, Accel Partners) and Deepika Padukone (Actor).

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Indians welcome shelved badminton ruling

Saina Nehwal of India plays a shot during the Badminton women's singles at the Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010. Indian badminton players and officials welcomed a decision by the sport's bosses to shelve a controversial new ruling that would have forced women to wear skirts or dresses on court.

AFP - Indian badminton players and officials on Monday welcomed a decision by the sport's bosses to shelve a controversial new ruling that would have forced women to wear skirts or dresses on court.
The new regulation, which sparked the worst internal wrangling in years and saw badminton gain unprecedented media coverage, had already been delayed once but had been due to come into effect on June 1.
The sport's governing body, the Badminton World Federation (BWF), met Saturday in the Chinese coastal city of Qingdao and decided to shelve the ruling pending a new dress code proposal in December.
"It is a very good decision by the BWF. They couldn't have gone ahead with the mandatory skirt ruling anyways," India's top women's doubles player Jwala Gutta was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.
"It can never be a compulsion on the players and it is good that they are rethinking the decision."
Badminton Association of India (BAI) vice-president T.P.S. Puri also welcomed the decision, which will allow players to continue wearing shorts during games.
"This is the right approach by the BWF. If it would have been made compulsory then many players would have become uncomfortable," he said.
"A lot of nations, including India, objected to the mandatory nature of the ruling and we welcome this decision of the governing body."
Some players had accused the game's administrators of sexism, but badminton bosses countered that they were merely trying to boost the profile of the women's game and help attract more sponsorship.
China, Indonesia and India were among a host of countries which had raised fierce objections, while in Malaysia, the opposition Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS) called for a boycott of tournaments.
Despite rapid modernisation, India remains a generally conservative country where public displays of sexuality are taboo and women are expected to dress modestly.

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