Asian Games 2014

          As the recently concluded Asian Games 2014's memories come to our minds, sighs of relief and shouts of joy surely filled the hearts of all especially with its resounding successes  that came from those who have participated live and even those who followed the games online. In some way, multitude of records were shattered by the great performance of the athletes. Indeed, these athletes made their host countries so proud of them not only by just bringing the beacon but also by fulfilling their ultimate dream and that is to emerge as the best among the best in Asia. 

          Examples of those worthy to mention are the 14 world records which were shattered during the games. Moreover, there were also 80 Games records that were set during the event. Among the participating countries, China emerged as the best by garnering 151 gold medals and was followed by South Korea with 79 gold medals. Third came Japan with 47 gold medals and Kazakhstan with 28 gold medals. 

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          On the other hand, as the events went by, some controversies came especially on the area of poor officiating. Perhaps this is one area that the event organisers and other sports officials need to look into into as they would surely gather together to assess the just concluded huge sporting event. 

       During the closing ceremony, one of the highlights was the performance of the Rainbow Choir, composed of 30 children. They were so focused on their superb performance and it was one of the much applauded part of the ceremony. Indeed, new stars of the various sports came out and some former stars started their exit of the game. Congratulations to all winners and to all participants. Finally this event became an avenue for all people of Asia to come together as one community. 

                                   

What's Up In the World of Sports?

          During this time of year, the world of sports is very much alive. Indeed there are numerous events and developments in the various sporting events and let us know some of them here. 

          In the world of MMA (mixed martial arts), the UFC announced that it has suspended one of its top players, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson due to a domestic violence claim against him. His present record is 18-4 and his recent victory was a stunning win over the equally famous Antonio Rogerio Nogueria and this happened in just less than a minute. 

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          Meanwhile in the world of amateur basketball league in the Philippines, Far Eastern University (FEU) clobbered the team La Salle in a score 65-60. For the FEU Tamaraws, the leading scorers were Mike Tolomia who managed to get 19 points and he was equally supported by the 15 point contribution of Mac Belo. 

          On the other hand, in the cricket world, Australia's Mitchell Marsh will make his Test debut in a game against Pakistan. However team Australia is set to miss the services also of the talented Shane Watson who is presently recovering from his ankle injury. The player designated to take over his place is Kane Richardson. 

          Thus, these are but just some of our updates now in the sports world. We all know that each day brings enormous events and surprises in the world of sports. 

                                           

What's Up In Sports?

          In my entry today, I will share with you some updates on the world of sports. Nowadays, sports world has so  many exciting events going on here and there. Let us try to know what are some of the latest inspiring events in sports.

          In the world of Australian football, the famous AFL (Australian Football League),  the Melbourne Demons will face Greater Western Sydney in a game which will be held at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) on Sunday. Earlier this year, they have emerged triumphant over teams such as Essendon, Richmond, Carlton, and Adelaide. Meanwhile Geelong Cats made a masterful triumph over Carlton at Docklands. This indeed became a much needed preparation for them for their next game against Hawthorn which for many is considered to be a blockbuster encounter.

imagecredit: Ben Tabanquerao

          And as of this date, the top teams at the ladderboard for AFl are the following: Geelong with 16-0 standings, Hawthorn 15-0, Sydney 15-0, Freemantle 13-0, Fort Adelaide 12-0. These are the best performing teams so far in the AFL standings.

          Meanwhile in golf, Bradley Dredge of Wales, presently the first round co-leader in the Danish Open Golf, is sitting eight under par at the halfway mark. This tournament is the national open golf tournament of Denmark. And Fijian former world number 1 ranked Vijay Singh is promising to make a comeback after a few so-so performance in the tournaments that he had participated in. When he was at the prime of his sports, he coveted major awards in winning three majors thus making him world number ranked player for 32 consecutive weeks and these were on the years 2004 and 2005. 

                                                 

Wimbledon 2014

          The recent conclusion of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships showed another triumph by the much improved player Petra Kvitova . And the 24 year old Czech deserved her latest addition to her trophies that she outrightly dominated the young Canadian player Eugenie Bouchard.

          When the match was over, the over all score would tell us how dominating the performance of Kvitova 6-3, 6-0. Her attacks were so furious that left Bouchard unable to return most of the time. Neverthless, her defence as well as astounding. After the match and in one of her interviews, she exclaimed that that game was one of the best matches so far that she had played. 

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           On the men's side, it was the recent considered best player in the world, Novak Djokovic, who emerged as the most consistent player when he outsmarted Roger Federer in five sets. Indeed the victory was so sweet for Djokovic that the triumph was his seventh major title and it came after he lost three previous finals. 

          Thus congratulations to the two world's best tennis players at this stage of the game.  

                                   

Great Fight: Barrera vs. Hamed

          Sharing with you here one of the great fights that we have during the year 2001. This time, this war was between the much famous Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico against Prince Naseem Hamed. It was mentioned that this fight is going to be a preliminary fight for Barrera as he prepares for his coming fight with the Filipino popular fighter Manny Pacquiao.

          The first round went to Barrera as he tugged in a couple of times Hamed. The latter survived the round but was obviously hammered by those big blows coming from Barrera.

 
                        

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          However, in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, it was clearly  a turn around to what had transpired during the opening round as Hamed went to war and exacted revenge by hammering Barrera with some solid shots to the body. Barrera later showed some blood below his eyes on the third round. The match was still a close one at this juncture that both had 48 total score. 

          Somehow, the Prince's powerful big left hand was unsuccessful mostly during the previous rounds yet at the remaining 20 seconds of round 5, he unleashed a powerful big left hand that staggered Barrera. So far, Barrera was hesitant to make use of his well known jabs thus resulting to this round belonging to Hamed.

          However the next round belonged to Barrera as he became busy with his jabs and one of those made a mark on Hamed's face as he was hit with a big left punch from Barrera. In the next round, at 1 minute past the round, Barrera made a powerful right to the face of Hamed.  Blood started to come out from Hamed's nose at this round. Somehow, Barrera's jabs were effective at this point. 

         Until the end of the 9th round, Barrera was leading the fight by 2 points. At the end of round 10, Barrera was told to throw more punches; however it was clear though that at this point of the fight, Hamed needed a knock out to win it. 

          At the end of 11th round, it was clear that Barrera was ahead in the scorecards of the three judges. By copybox number, round 12 was all Barrera. And when the ring announcer, Michael Buffer,  read the decision, it was a unanimous decision for Marco Antonio Barrera. 

                                        

Cotto Charges Again

           “This is the biggest achievement I've ever had in my career. Being here, Miguel Cotto, being here at Madison Square Garden, I feel very good. I told you that we had the most beautiful and the most outrageous camp in my career. I have to thank Freddie (Roach) and my group."- Miguel Cotto 

          Indeed, it was such an overwhelming performance by the three time champion challenger Miguel Cotto after scoring what was said as an overwhelming conquer over the champion, the 39- year old Sergio Martinez. Martinez has been knock down twice in his previous fights and successfully stood up then won the fight.

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          However on his recent fight against the Puerto Rican superstar fighter, he was outclassed even at the start of the fight in which saw him floored thrice. Thus last Saturday, June 7th, the world saw him clearly outmatched by Miguel Cotto. It was so obvious that the fight was so one sided in favour of the Puerto Rican fighter that Martinez's trainer Pablo Sarmiento gave in the fight by throwing the towel before the start of the tenth round. 

          It was moreover a wise move by the trainer to prevent his fighter from acquiring further punishment. He had his right eye cut and it was severely swelling. The spirit of Martinez to fight was very much on yet the physical power was no longer present. Hence the world witnessed such a display of a boxing showcase by the much heralded and the only four division Puerto Rican champion, Miguel Cotto.  

                                           

Best of Pinoy Pugs: PINOY PRIDE XXV

          Watch out for the coming comeback fight of Rey "Boomboom" Bautista. He will be making his comeback fight against Sergio Villanueva of Mexica. We all remember that Boomboom had his rest from the ring when he decided to call it quits after failing in his recent fights. 

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© Ichtor | Dreamstime Stock Photos

          However, the blood of boxing, the quest of glory and the love of the sports convinced him that after all, he still has a long way to go in the sports. Boom boom is still a young blood in this sports and he can improve a lot if he will also free himself from all those things that created stumbling blocks towards his gate of success.

          As a young but talented boxer, he has shown in the past that he can slug it out with any boxer out there. He is, on the other hand, maybe lacking in stamina and defence but these things can be learned and it only needs his focus and determination to make it to the top.

          Anyway other pinoy pugs who will be seeing action on this fight promotion dubbed as Pinoy Pride XXV are Milan Melindo, Donnie Nietes and more. Let us all support our boxers and show to the world that they are of world calibers as well.