Filipino Boxers Stop Challengers

Two Filipino sluggers have successfully defended their titles last Saturday, August 30, 2008. Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista have sent their respective challengers to the canvas in a convincing fashion.

Nietes, current holder of the WBO Minimumweight Title, rocked Nicaraguan contender Eddy “Torito” Castro from the opening round and harassed him until Nietes unloaded a vicious right hook to Castro’s left jaw late in the second round. The shot toppled the Nicaraguan straight to the canvas flatly on his back.

Nietes’ fight with Castro was his first title defense and improved his record to 23-1-3 with 14 KOs. Castro’s defeat registered his 4^th loss in 17 fights.

On the other hand, Bautista, a native Candajay, Bohol, also put up an impressive defense to retain his WBO Super Bantamweight Title against Mexican Eden "Anestesista" Marquez. Bautista, who is known to be an aggressive pugilist who is always looking for the kill in the first round, showcased a rather timid character. In fact, it was Marquez who controlled the pace.

But at the middle of the second round, the aggressor in Bautista took over and pummeled Marquez with a brutal beating to the body en route to a TKO. Marquez fell twice, the last being decked by a right hook to the head.

The win is Bautista’s third successful defense and also his third win since his TKO loss to Juan Ponce de Leon. Bautista’s record now stands at 26-1 with 19 KOs.

Fight's On

And so the speculations end. Lightweight champion Manny ‘The PacMan’ Pacquiao will finally exchange punches with the Golden Boy of boxing, Oscar De La Hoya. The two are separated by two divisions and have agreed to meet at 147 lbs. Now that monetary issues are dealt with, the question every boxing fan wants answered is: Who can best who?

If I were to bet between the two, my money goes to Oscar, though I am pretty much Filipino and a certified Pacquiao fan. Oscar is bigger and taller, two advantages that can keep Pacquiao at bay. Although Pacquiao’s hand speed is a true killer, Oscar might probably be able to withstand the Filipino slugger’s punching power.

That said, I do not undermine Pacquiao’s boxing gifts and skills. He is a pugilist with a knack of making flurries of punches in a matter of nanoseconds. Pack those barrages with the power of a freight train running at top speed, you got a small man with hands of sledgehammers.

Before his title fight with Diaz, a lot of people were skeptic about Pacquiao maintaining the same power while climbing the weights. Evidently, he lost none when he battled Diaz. But then, Pacquiao will have to raise the scales to a fight in a division where he has never fought before.

Who can best who? On one corner, a 5’6” Filipino boxer who started his career at 106 lbs and have lorded over elite boxers like Marco Antonio Barerra, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez, and currently the reigning WBC Lightweight champion and Ring’s #1 Pound-for-Pound. On the other corner, a veteran of the boxing ring with scars and glories of his incredible run and already a legend by any standards.

The best will be named on December 6.

Advanced Badminton Techniques

The Chinese again bested every other nationality and dominated badminton in a very convincing fashion. There is nothing new, really. They have been going at it ever since I can remember. But the thing is, now that Lin Dan and crew are yet to be edged from their tops spots, everybody seems adamant on beating China. As they say, beating China means beating the best.

But beating, much less giving Chinese shuttlers hell before they win sets, matches, and gold medals, is a hard thing to do. The Chinese government has been training their players long before they were old enough to stand (clearly an exaggeration), badminton athletes included. Experience-wise, Chinamen are already packed with that. The Chinese also have built-in, in-born, inbred, and genetic gifts of agility, speed, and total body strength. All of which are clearly indicated by the numerous kung-fu films the country has been dishing the world.

But fret not. China’s badminton is still beatable. But it will take some practice, hard work, dedication, drive, and years (if not lifetimes) of experience. Add to the cart this book, too – Advanced Badminton Techniques. It has everything that is badminton simplified! I kid you not.

Advanced Badminton Techniques is written by a, err, well, a veteran of the game. So pretty much everything secret regimen and routine those overzealous athletes have been doing for. Maybe reading this book by Butch Oreta will probably improve your game. As for me, I’ll just stick to smashing and dropping.

Boxing: A Cultural History

Boxing fans and aficionados do not agree most of the time when they talk about boxing. While some people say Muhammad Ali is the greatest heavyweight champion of the world (he even declared himself being so) during his prime, others say it is Mike Tyson. While most agree that George Foreman packs a devastating punch, his is nothing compared to the late Max Baer’s famed ‘killer punch’, and by that, Baer’s punches literally killed.

Whatever the case, boxing has its equal share of glories and tragedies. Mike Tyson, for instance, is used to be known as the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history. Now, he is known as the guy who bit a chunk off from Evander Holyfield’s ear. But still, the fact remains that people drove in millions to watch boxers pummel each other and be there while these pugilists rise and fall in the ranks.

Kasia Boddy’s book, Boxing: A Cultural History, explores the deepest recesses of the people’s minds as to why they love to see men fight and why people box in the first place. Boxing: A Cultural History also traces the origins and the roots of boxing. While modern-day boxing started in 18^th century England, pure brawling dates back to the age of the Mesopotamian Empire. Boddy also takes the readers on an evolving journey, filling readers piece by piece as to how boxing became the sport it is today.

But Boddy is not just a mere historian writing a simplified explanation of the what’s and the why’s and the who’s and how the boxing sport came to be. Boxing: A Cultural History is filled with symbolisms and tackles sensitive topics, such as racism, poverty, and exploitations of people who thrive on making profits from boxers who deem boxing as their ticket out of their misery. The book also serves its readers the wells where they can draw inspirations to continue living.

Kasia Boddy’s Boxing: A Cultural History is a well-written and well-researched book by any standards. Award-winning author Peter Temple rates Boddy’s venture into the world of boxing as a writing that emanates an overall-quality so good, that anybody can forgive Boddy’s lapses, if she has made any. Matthew Syed of The Times sees Boddy’s book as “one of the most intelligent sporting books of recent times, even if it consciously, and pleasingly, resists going for the knockout blow.”

Of Olympics, Triumphs, and Scandals

The Beijing Olympics have just ended and we are now again on the 4-year wait. Athletes have conquered and failed. Others have broken records while some went home with heads bowed low. This is the glory of the sporting world.

And speaking of glories, the USA Basketball Team has regained the dominance it lost some years back. China’s Badminton Squad proved that they are still the gods of the taraflex. Others have rejoiced with their achievements, while some wrestler from Sweden says bronze is not gold. A Hungarian weightlifter pooped his elbow while a Jamaican just became the world’s fastest man. To top it all, Mike Phelps is now the world’s greatest Olympian, breaking 7 swimming records while winning 8 golds.

The expensive, extravagant, and grand closing was a cause of celebration. Such spectacle is an indication that China may have the best fireworks in the world. At least, they earned the right to spend much of the government’s money on firecrackers. After all, China finished with the most gold medals.

Although it was a great celebration of triumph, scandals nevertheless chose to crash and do some nips. Espana’s Basketball Team posed with chinks eyes, international media instantly jumped on them with racism issues. Swede’s wrestler claimed his fight was unjustly decided, declaring politics have corrupted sports. In an act of defiance, he flung his bronze medal. China also had their share. Lip-synching would have been forgivable, but no can let slide China’s fielding of a minor gymnast.

Nevertheless, the Olympics was a successful convergence of athletes, peoples, and cultures. Despite the low points, China’s extensive display of fireworks did the event justice, For those who lost and those who still plan on getting their hands on the gold, you have 4 years.

Black Friday Shopping

Now with the holiday season drawing near, people are getting prepped up on what to buy and what to give. If you are still wondering what’s the best gift to give this coming holidays, I suggest you give your friends and loved ones sports equipment they could use if they are into sports. Basketball fanatics would likely go gaga over basketball shoes while baseball buffs will be content with a ball and a glove.

Whatever the case, it’s always best that you purchase them way ahead of time if you are to avoid the hassles of lining up outside the store on a cold 5AM morning. Dick’s Sporting Goods have great deals on sports equipment.

Me, I’ll try to check the latest badminton racquets that Dick’s Sporting Goods might be putting up for sale. Like I mentioned earlier, purchasing items way before is a best way to avoid further bother when shopping. The best day to do so is during Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving.

Most items by then have their prices slashed down. And speaking of Black Friday, blackfridayonline has a long list of shops and stores that offers discounted items as well.

Happy shopping!

Great Set of Kicks from Sprandi

When there is talk about athletic shoes, names like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok are mentioned more times than the number of people watching the NFL Super Bowl (figuratively speaking). But as most athletes know, there are many brands out there that are relatively unknown yet can perform in parallel with or better than the popular signature shoes most players wear today.

Sprandi is one of that athletic and casual footwear I would buy over and over again. I bought a pair once in 1998 when I still played basketball and was satisfied with its performance overall in the court and in the streets. I wore it every day for a year and 6 months before I purchased a new pair of kicks.

Sadly, I wasn’t able to find another pair of such brand. Perhaps their marketing strategy was not good enough to penetrate the Asian market because I never heard of or saw Sprandi shoes in the malls I frequented (back then, I was too young what marketing strategy means. So pretty much I didn’t care).

With the Internet, I again sought Sprandi and lo! Behold! They got much better than before!

What I have here is just running shoes, but they look nice. Speaking from experience, these shoes can kick asphalt and gravel and still look good in jeans.

Olympics Basketball Nearing Its Close

Here’s the semifinals matchup before the medal rounds in men’s basketball:

Spain vs. Lithuania

United States vs. Argentina

Argentina notched the last spot after edging Greece in a very tight game, 80-78. The match was virtually a struggle, with lead changes happening almost every possession. San Antonio Spurs’ star player Manu Ginobili provided the firepower, scoring 24 points for Argentina, while teammate Carlos Francisco Delfino chipped in 23.

For Spain, Lakers’ big man Pau Gasol carried his team with a 20-point performance in the 72-59 victory over Croatia. The last time Spain reached the final round was 24 years ago, during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Team USA dominated the Australian in a convincing fashion, 116-85. But points were secondary to their victory. The Dream Team effectively controlled the rebounds department with 19 offensive and 38 defensive boards. Kobe Bryant led Team USA with 25 points.

Lithuania did not have any troubles dropping host team China in their match, 94-68. Sarunas Jasikevicius led all scorers with 23 points. Their key to victory was frustrate Yao Ming and deny him the passes. It worked well.

The winner of Spain-Lithuania will go against the victor of United States-Argentina for the gold and silver medals. Losers of both matches will slug for the bronze.

Suns Finds Nash's Helper

I love Steve Nash to the death and have prayed fervently for him to win a championship before he hangs his jersey and call it quits. But so far, bad luck has plagued him all throughout his career with the Phoenix Suns. It is with the Suns that he rose to perennial point guard status and won back-to-back MVP accolades. But he is still yet to win his first championship.

The problem with the Suns is that they rely too much on their starters. Though they have good players from the bench, I say there are only three of them that can really perform when called into action. I hate to admit this but the Suns pockets are not that deep. Especially at the point guard position. Honestly, Barbosa cannot play point. He can score, but he can’t lead.

In comes Goran Dragic. The nippy winger from Slovenia will be signed by the Suns by mid-Spetember and is groomed to be Nash’s backup. I have not seen Dragic play. I’m still looking for clips of his games. But from what I have gathered, this Dragic guy can be the element the Suns needs. Better yet, Nash needs.

If the Suns management went abroad to look for a backup, that means Dragic can be a real deal.

Nash is getting slower and older by the minute and time is running out for him. I hate to see him go without a championship ring, though he is already a legend.

In The Defense of Team Spain

Much hype has surrounded the “scandalous” Olympic-themed photo that features Spain’s basketball contingent to the Beijing Olympics. Many people find the picture offensive and demeaning to the China. Others find it racist. Personally, I see it as a team who were just having fun with the camera. There’s nothing wrong with the picture. Absolutely nothing.

Instead, the picture pokes friendliness. A forthcoming gesture of the coming event that was to be held at China. I, for one, thought it was very appropriate. Them playing in Chinese ground and all.

One has to ask himself, “How was it racist?”

At best, the whole controversy surrounding the picture is magnified by accusations that are taken out of proportion. Funny, it seems that the Chinese people never uttered a single word in offense, nor offense was ever taken at all. If there is anyone out there who have the more right to be angry about the whole deal, it has to be the Chinese. But they never fired flak in retaliation.

Media outlets from the UK and the United States fueled the flame and turned a simple act of innocence and friendliness into a racial attack, according to Spain’s major media outfits. I personally agree. Who, then, is more racist?

Timberwolves Unveils New Look

After the departure of Kevin Garnett, the Minnesota Timberwolves needed some change. Okay, a lot of changes. No, a major overhaul.

Garnett was the franchise’s cornerstone. Practically, the Timberwolves was built with his strengths and weaknesses as basis. All Stars were recruited to help him drive the Timberwolves to an NBA Championship – Stephon Marbury, Sam Cassell, Latrell Sprewell, and Wally Schzerbiak, to name a few. But to no avail, Garnett and his crew failed over and over again since his arrival.

Or was it Garnett that failed? I hardly think so. He won an NBA ring a season after he left the T’Wolves with the Celtics. The only difference is that Celtic’s core was not made of one player. Maybe that’s what the T’Wolves need. A change in the core.

But while they still have a few months to go before the next season opens, the T’Wolves decided to start their revamp with their colors. Good call. The old T’Wolves jersey was a reminiscent of an era that was Garnett.

Designed with adidas, the NBA, and the team’s creative department, the new uniform does have a fresh look. However, I still see some tad of the old T’Wolves jersey in it. The word “Wolves” now spans the chest of the home uniform (which remains white), a return to the original design used by the team during the 1989-90 season. The road uniform is still slate blue with the word “Minnesota” on the front.

The Timber wolves also changed their logo in anticipation for their 20^th season in the league.

US Big Men Tower Over Nowitzki and Germany

As expected, Team USA blasted Team Germany in a very dominating 106-57 victory yesterday. But while many anticipated that LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were the ones heavily responsible, think again. It was the towers who powered the Redeem Team’s steamrolling performance.

Dwight Howard led Team USA with a double-double performance, 22 points and 10 rebounds. Chris Bosh also gave a lot of energy against Germany, dominating the boards and posed an intimidating defensive presence inside the paint. James scored 16 while Bryant had 13.

No doubt the Dream Team is a juggernaut. But there might be chinks in their armor, per se. Up next is Team Australia, the only team they cannot blow out and the only team that flatten Lithuania, the remaining unbeaten. Another thing is that Team USA is made mostly composed of pure scorers and are likely to get in each other’s way once the game starts rolling. It was evident yesterday when Chris Paul lobbed the ball for an alley-oop which James and Dwyane Wade tried to finish. James leapt higher and finish with an emphatic dunk.

Dirk Nowitzki only managed 14, while center Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers poured in 6. Kaman joined Team Germany last summer after receiving his German citizenship.

Phelps Breaks Spitz's Record!

American Olympic swimmer Mike Phelps has finally done it!

After a series of swimming events, Phelps finally broke the standing record he himself established in the 2004 Athens Olympics en route to his eighth Gold medal. He even broke the long-existing 7-Gold medal tallied in a single Olympic event formerly held by swimmer Mark Spitz for 36 years, which he made in the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Spitz describe the record-breaking moment in a single word: Epic. Spitz contemplated the win and concluded that everybody can best anybody. For him, his reign as the greatest swimmer who ever lived was a great run and he is happy to know that somebody broke his record before his time.

“It gets you to think that you are no longer the best,” Spitz said. Spitz also reacted as to why the Olympic Comittee did not invite him the games . The whole sporting world knew Phelps was going to break the record , why was Spitz left out?

"It was DEMEANING to me."

"But I am ecstatic about Phelps breaking my record," Spitz added. "He kinda reminds me of myself."

With the win, Phelps is heralded as the Greatest Olympian of All Time. The 23-year old native swimmer from Baltimore, Maryland even surprised himself.

The Reignman Will Play Again

Shawn ‘The Reignman’ Kemp retired from NBA without a championship ring, only old memories and some highlight dunks during his heydays with the Seattle Supersonics and Cleveland Cavaliers. But he is not done from basketball, yet. In a surprising move, the former highflyer and fantastic fastbreak finisher will revive his basketball career somewhere else. If he can’t make it to the NBA’s Halls of Champions (though he is already a legend by any standards), he will try his luck in Italy.

The basketball franchise Premiata Montegranaro of the Italian Lega has succeeded in acquiring The Reignman’s services last week. For those who still relive the glory days of the NBA in the 1990s, surely Shawn Kemp’s name rings a lot of bells. His tandem with Gary ‘The Glove’ Payton was a pair every team envied. They locked horns with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the 1992 NBA Finals (which Kemp and Co. lost). He was traded to Cleveland Cavaliers and slowly faded to oblivion.

For The Reignman’s fans, this is good news indeed, as he can again showcase his skills on the hardcourt. Along with Kemp, another hotshot who is preparing his road to the NBA will also play in the Italian Lega. Brandon Jennings is acquired by team Roma. Like Kemp, Jennings made a jump from high school to the pros.

Dream Team Edges Spaniards

If a lot of people thought Spain was going to be a tough team to handle for the ‘Redeem’ Team, being bannered by the two Gasols and all, they were wrong. Team USA coasted easily over the Spaniards for their easiest victory yet, 119-82. In the battle of two unbeatens, USA for the first time launched a barrage of three-pointers for the first time in the Beijing Olympics, finishing with a 48% 3-Pt average (12-out-25). In addition to that, Team USA almost shot perfectly from the free-throw line with a near 80% average.

Every single US player scored, including Jason Kidd, who has not contributed to the scoreboard since the start of the Games. LeBron James has 18, while Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony both scored 16 each. Kobe Bryant found himself in foul trouble early in the game and had to be replaced by Wade, who started the run for Team USA.

Spain tried to use zone defense to slow the tempo of the game and were successful in the earlier part of the game. But increased ball movement from the US players opened windows for 3-pointers. James, Bryant, Anthony, and Williams unleashed their 3-point artillery late in the first half after Spain trimmed the lead to 8 points. USA closed the first half with a 64-41 lead.

With the win, Team USA (4-0) is halfway in their gold medal quest in tie with Lithuania but will probably face either Australia or Croatia in the quarterfinals. If Spain wins its remaining games, they will possibly have a rematch with Team USA. That is, if Team USA snatches its last three games.

China Still Rules the Taraflex

As much as I hate to admit it, China still remains a juggernaut in the sport of badminton. I was rooting for the Brits (Gail Emms, specifically) to win at least one gold in the said even but Lin Dan and his crew of shuttlers proved to be much skillful and more enthusiastic. But I think their winning has got something more to do than playing in their own turf and the crowd rallying behind them, though that seems to be the case here. But what is important to remember is that Asians lord the sport.

The Britons may have invented it, but we (I mean us, Asians) rule it in a godlike fashion.

Most Asians are not born with the height advantage in contrast with their European and American counterparts. But such lack, if it is a lack at all, is compensated with speed, agility, and drive to succeed. In the world of badminton, China is our projected image. As much as I wanted for the Brits to emerge victorious, I can’t help but be proud that China bulldozed their way to the podium against the best smashers the world has thrown at them.

Congratulations to Team China:

Lin Dan – Gold (Men’s Single)

Zhang Ning – Gold (Women’s Single)

He Hanbin and Yu Yang – Gold (Mixed Doubles)

Du Jing and Yu Yang – Gold (Women’s Doubles)

Bronze Medal Rejected by Wrestler

Bitter Swede wrestler Ara Abrahamian rejected his bronze medal and left it at the center of the wrestling mat during the awarding ceremony in an iron act of defiance. Abrahamian said he wanted the gold but his efforts were cut short due to bad officiating, which his coach deemed as ‘politics’ in the world of sport.

The 2004 Athens Olympics silver medalist was defeated by Italian Andrea Minguzzi in a semi-final bout after the judges decided in favor of the Minguzzi. Angry shouts erupted from the stands after the said match.

The International Olympic Committee will set a hearing for Abrahamian for his unsportsman-like conduct and will probably strip him of his medal should the hearing committee finds Abrahamian’s explanations insufficient. Abrahamian declared he does not care about the bronze and that he will retire from Greco-Roman wrestling.

Minguzzi, who went on to win the gold, said Abrahamian’s walkout kinda spoiled the ceremony for him.

Good call for Abrahamian.

Pacquiao-De la Hoya Mega Bout Fizzles

After all the hype that is Pacquiao versus a lot of probables, starting from Ricky Hatton, to Edwin Valero, and Humberto Sotto, Oscar “The Golden Boy” De La Hoya announced he will step into the ring with the Filipino slugger. Like all hyped stories, The Golden Boy vs. The Pac-Man fantasy bout will not push through.

Money has a way of doing and undoing things. The De La Hoya-Pacquiao match already sparked boxing fans, dubbing as one of the would-be mega fights of boxing history. Analysts say that a fight of such magnitude would yield $100 million in revenue from pay-per-view alone.

Golden Boy Promotions want the split to be at 70-30 in favor of GBP. Pacquiao’s camp thought it was fair at 60-40 in favor of De La Hoya. Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, questioned whether the GBP’s desired split was a fair deal.

Pacquiao will likely face Humberto Sotto, who is the top gun of the junior lightweight division.

Dream Team Dismantles Greece

Forget that Team Spain is under heavy fire for what seems to me a really harmless picture, the news is Team USA coasted past their rival, Team Greece, with relative ease. While most people thought Greece was going to be a major roadblock for the Dream Team, it did not seem that way yesterday.

Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade drove Team USA for an excellent display of run-and-gun and some tad (or a bit more) of dunking exhibitions en route to a 92-69 win. Perhaps it was just it – an exhibition game.

With the victory, Team USA avenged the painful semifinal loss to Greece at the FIBA World Championships two years ago. Revenge was the motivating factor, no doubt.

It was a blowout of slams dunks, dishes, and steals. At one time in the second quarter, Wade chased the ball into the sidelines and lobbed it perfectly for an alley-oop to a streaking Bryant. Lebron James also did his share of slams and monster jams.

The defense was superb as well. Team USA limited Greece’s shooting to 41%, caused them to commit 25 turnovers, and blocked 7 shots.

Greece employed the same strategy they used to beat Team USA two years – the pick and roll. Although they were successful during the first quarter, even sending star point guard Jason Kidd to the bench for making three fouls in the first 85 seconds, Wade and Bryant found chinks in Greece’s system and began running.

Moral lesson? Never used the same strategy twice, especially against someone who’s on a warpath.

Unknown Shoe Brands Kick

Being an athlete since my high school years, I am an absolute nut when it comes to getting and wearing the coolest set of kicks. I did have my share of saving a huge deal of pocket money just to buy the latest pairs of the Nikes, the Pumas, and the Converse.

During the course of my athletic career, which consists of 10 years of basketball and 3 years in badminton (and counting), I came to realize that some unheralded shoe brands that lurk in the foot stalls of our malls can really compete in terms of optimum performance when pitted against the giants of the industry.

My first pair of basketball shoes was Kaypee, which I purchased way back in 1997. Although the Kaypee of today are reduced to short of nothing, mine did exceptionally well and lasted for over a year. I used them every day, mind you.

The second pair I had was Sprandi, which I bought during the later part of 1998. It was a great pair and I had a great time with it. By 2000, I switched to Fila, then to Avia, and ultimately to Nike.

By 2004, I switched to badminton after a freak accident that prevented me from engaging very physical sports, basketball included. My first pair of badminton shoes was a brand called Athletic. I still wear them to office today.

Currently, I am wearing a pair of Anta shoes for the taraflex. My Anta kicks are designed for running. But they do work well on a rubberized badminton court.

Horror at Beijing

Hungarian weightlifter Janos Baranyai ended his Olympic run when he dislocated his right elbow during the 148kg weight lifting event. His agonizing tragedy is the ugliest scene in the Beijing Olympics so far.

He was already in his third attempt in the 77kg division when his elbow popped out from its socket and his right arm bended backwards. The 24-year old Olympian crashed into the floor in an image of pure agony. He was immediately taken to the hospital for standard evaluation and treatment.

Good thing for Baranyai, though, is that no bones were broken during the mishap. But he is definitely out for the rest of the year, according to Tamas Feher, president of the Hungarian weightlifting federation. Benny Johansson, a technical controller present during the event, commented that healing will take some time if the ligaments were damaged.

South Korean weightlifter Sa Jaeh-Youk went on to capture the gold in the 77kg division while Liu Chunhong of China emerged victorious in the women’s 69kg division.

Japan’s Unseeded Femme Pair Ousts Defending Olympic Champs

Badminton may be the fastest racquet sport in the world, but it also very unpredictable.

Team China’s formidable pair of Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen, the defending Olympic champions, was edged by an unknown duo from Japan. Miyuki Maeda and Satoko Suetsuna managed to turn the tables around after capitalizing on the unforced errors made by Yang and Zheng en route to an 8-21, 23-21, 21-14 victory.

The win was a huge upset for Team China, who is still struggling to dominate the taraflex. Several badminton players of Team China bowed out of the tournament after being ran over by their counterparts.

Yang admitted they lost focus and were bothered by their unforced errors.

For the Japanese tandem, this victory was the biggest achievement of their lives. After winning, they bowed reverently in the center of the court, as if they were chanting a prayer or something.

With the victory, Maeda and Suetsuna now advance to the semifinal round of the Badminton Doubles for Women.

Emms and Robertson Get Past China, Other Pair Not so Lucky

Hooray! China is beatable after all!

British mixed-duo of Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson triumphed over the team-up of China’s Ling Gao and Bo Zheng and now coursing to the events quarterfinals.

In a very unbelievable turning of the tides, Emms and Robertson, who won the first set but ceded the next, rallied from a 12-17 deficit in the decider round to win the match 21-19. It was a match that really tested their mental composure.

“You have to be pumped,” a victorious Emms said after the match. Against one of the best pairs in badminton, “it was probably the best eight or nine points we have played,” Emms added.

Robertson was unbelievable as well, with an ankle injury plaguing him since the preparations for the Olympics. Revenge was a factor for Robertson, who lost to Gao and her former partner in the Athens Olympics.

The score was leveled at 19-19, but the British mix nailed Gao and Zheng at that and finished the match with two straight points.

Emms and Robertson will face South Korea’s pair of Lee Hyo Jung and Lee Yong Dae in the quarterfinals.

Elsewhere, the British mixed-pair of Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg fell to China’s He Hanbin and Yu Yang, 21-15, 21-8.

Losing After 32 Minutes in The Olympics Means Eating, Shopping, and Watching Sport

I am a big sucker for badminton. That I pretty much admit. But I haven’t tuned in to the Olympics lately so I’ll just try my very earnest to give you some updates on the badminton scene.

Though it’s really tough to lose, someone has got to go first. In just 32 minutes of badminton action, Olympic hopes for Australian shuttle smasher Erin Caroll were literally smashed by Spaniard Yaona Martinez. The 22-year old brunette from the Land Down Under only scored 8 points with the shuttle in her possession.

Asked how she felt after becoming the first loser in the Beijing Olympics, she replied that it was already an honor for her to represent Australia to this event. I find it hard to believe, especially since Australians never like to lose. Anyway, she said she’s not going home just yet. Caroll plans to spend the remainder of the games doing what she loves: eating, shopping, and watching sport.

Good way to go for a first first-round loser.

Back for the Olympics

Sorry for being non-existent for a while. I know a lot has been going on in the world of sports with the Olympics and all. Hope you all understand that I have some things to attend to. Anyway, the good news is I’m back and ready to dish out more analyses.

The opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics is the greatest ever in my book so far. China did a really good job despite bomb threats from terrorists groups. As of late, China is still leading the medal tally followed closely by United States. Records have been made and broken, with some interesting happenings on the side. But what’s more interesting though is what transpired at the basketball events.

United States’ Dream Team decimated Team China, literally. Even with a taller lineup and stellar Yao Ming on their side, Jason Kidd, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and the rest of the crew went sky high on them. In addition, Team Spain bannered by the two Gasols also quleched Team China’s attempt to regain composure in the basketball scene.

United States swimmer Mike Phelps also went Speedy Gonzales in the water, breaking and making records in 400m individual medley, 4 x 100m individual medley freestyle, and 200m freestyle.

More analyses and thoughts coming soon.