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Reddick Blisters Texas Pavement For Xfinity Pole
FORT WORTH, Texas – Tyler Reddick secured the pole for Saturday night’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway with a blistering lap during NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying.
Reddick took his No. 2 Alsco Chevrolet Camaro to a time of 28.316 seconds (190.705 mph) around the 1.5-mile quad-oval, putting himself best among the eight remaining playoff contenders as he chases a spot in the Championship 4 in two weeks’ time at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
The pole is Reddick’s fourth of the season and the sixth of his Xfinity Series career.
“I honestly didn’t think it was that great of a lap, but we obviously are really fast,” Reddick noted. “This Alsco Chevrolet and all the guys back at RCR, we’re going really hard these last couple of races. They’re giving everything we’ve got and it’s obviously showing up. I was able to make a mistake there and still narrowly get the pole, so it’s a good sign of things to come. Hopefully we can use it and take advantage of that pit selection when we go into Phoenix here next week.
“I’m liking our odds here tonight. We had a really fast car yesterday in practice and I’m very curious to see how this race will change as it unfolds into the nighttime.”
Non-playoff driver Harrison Burton will join Reddick on the front row after a lap of 28.348 seconds (190.490 mph) in the No. 18 DEX Imaging Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Burton was recently announced as the heir to Christopher Bell’s No. 20 car for next season in the Xfinity Series and hopes to play spoiler to the title contenders’ hopes in Saturday night’s 300-mile race.
Speaking of Bell, he will share the second row of the grid with fellow playoff driver Cole Custer, while Chase Briscoe completed the top five in qualifying despite failing pre-qualifying inspection three times.
Justin Allgaier, Ross Chastain, Jeb Burton, Kansas winner Brandon Jones and Noah Gragson made up the balance of the top 10 on the qualifying sheets.
Michael Annett will start worst among the eight playoff contenders in 19th place.
Justin Haley crashed in turn four coming to the start of his qualifying run, with his No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet stepping out and backing hard into the outside wall.
Haley will go to a backup car and start last in the 38-car field.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 is set to take the green flag at 8:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on NBCSN, the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.
QUALIFYING RESULTS: NASCAR Xfinity Series; Texas Motor Speedway; Nov. 2, 2019
- #2 – Tyler Reddick, 28.316 seconds (190.705 mph)
- #18 – Harrison Burton, 28.348 seconds (190.490 mph)
- #20 – Christopher Bell, 28.352 seconds (190.463 mph)
- #00 – Cole Custer, 28.426 seconds (189.967 mph)
- #98 – Chase Briscoe, 28.497 seconds (189.494 mph)
- #7 – Justin Allgaier, 28.515 seconds (189.374 mph)
- #10 – Ross Chastain, 28.557 seconds (189.095 mph)
- #8 – Jeb Burton, 28.559 seconds (189.082 mph)
- #19 – Brandon Jones, 28.563 seconds (189.056 mph)
- #9 – Noah Gragson, 28.630 seconds (188.613 mph)
- #23 – John Hunter Nemechek, 28.812 seconds (187.422 mph)
- #51 – Jeremy Clements, 28.852 seconds (187.162 mph)
- #86 – Brandon Brown, 28.915 seconds (186.754 mph)
- #22 – Austin Cindric, 29.015 seconds (186.111 mph)
- #4 – B.J. McLeod, 29.032 seconds (186.002 mph)
- #15 – Stefan Parsons, 29.118 seconds (185.452 mph)
- #07 – Ray Black II, 29.140 seconds (185.312 mph)
- #74 – Bayley Currey, 29.208 seconds (184.881 mph)
- #1 – Michael Annett, 29.241 seconds (184.672 mph)
- #90 – Ronnie Bassett Jr., 29.319 seconds (184.181 mph)
- #39 – Ryan Sieg, 29.339 seconds (184.055 mph)
- #08 – Gray Gaulding, 29.354 seconds (183.961 mph)
- #89 – Landon Cassill, 29.407 seconds (183.630 mph)
- #36 – Josh Williams, 29.478 seconds (183.187 mph)
- #38 – J.J. Yeley, 29.499 seconds (183.057 mph)
- #78 – Matt Mills, 29.605 seconds (182.402 mph)
- #0 – Garrett Smithley, 29.618 seconds (182.322 mph)
- #61 – Chad Finchum, 29.618 seconds (182.322 mph)
- #01 – Stephen Leicht, 29.655 seconds (182.094 mph)
- #17 – Kyle Weatherman, 29.694 seconds (181.855 mph)
- #52 – David Starr, 29.932 seconds (180.409 mph)
- #93 – C.J. McLaughlin, 29.953 seconds (180.282 mph)
- #66 – Bobby Dale Earnhardt, 30.266 seconds (178.418 mph)
- #5 – Vinnie Miller, 30.476 seconds (177.189 mph)
- #13 – Timmy Hill, 30.545 seconds (176.788 mph)
- #99 – Josh Bilicki, 30.549 seconds (176.765 mph)
- #35 – Joey Gase, 30.600 seconds (176.471 mph)
- #11 – Justin Haley, 0.000 seconds (0.000 mph)
FORT WORTH, Texas – Three-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart officially entered the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame on Friday in a ceremony at The Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway.
“I thought you were gonna put a ring on it, but since you didn’t I thought I would put a ring on it. You’re a member of the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame,” Texas Motor Speedway President and General Manager Eddie Gossage joked as he handed Stewart, the longtime bachelor, his Hall of Fame ring.
Stewart authored the most diversely successful career in the history of Texas Motor Speedway. His record of two NASCAR Cup Series wins (2006, ’11), two pole awards (’10, ’14), and a pair of Indy car pole awards (1997, ’98) likely won’t be challenged or matched anytime soon, and his 1,176 laps led at Texas Motor Speedway ranks fourth in track history.
“When I was young, all I wanted to do was figure out how to not work a real job,” Stewart said. “Luckily, I found something that I could do that they would actually pay me to do that I liked to do, which is drive a race car.”
Stewart has done much more at Texas Motor Speedway than succeed on the track. He lends his name to the Tony Stewart Presents the Vankor Texas Sprint Car Nationals, where he finished third in Friday night’s A-Main.
“I’m a glutton for punishment,” he joked when asked about being inducted the day after he completed a race. “I was talking to Chip (Ganassi) and he said, ‘I thought you retired.’ I was like, ‘I thought so too,’ but apparently I don’t understand what the definition of retired is.”
He also has spent the past 12 years putting his skills to work at the Smoke Show fantasy driving camp, which has raised nearly $2 million for Speedway Children’s Charities – Texas Chapter.
“I’ve told Eddie ’til the day I die, as long as he wants to do it, I’m in.”
Other award winners Friday were Scott Dixon (Racer of the Year), Chip Ganassi (Bruton Smith Legend Award), Tyler Reddick (Sportsmanship Award), the late Gerry Fraley (Excellence in Journalism), and Extreme Photography Studios (Major General Thomas Sadler Humanitarian Award).
Chaotic scenes marred Saturday's Bundesliga match between Hertha Berlin and Union Berlin that saw Union goalkeeper Rafa Gikiewicz confront his team's supporters who had stormed onto the pitch afterward.
The highly anticipated derby between the two Berlin sides -- their first in Germany's top flight -- was also briefly delayed after the first half when visiting Hertha fans threw flares onto the pitch at Union's Alte Forsterei stadium.
Match referee Deniz Aytekin opted to keep the players in the tunnel for five minutes before returning for the second half.
"It's just sad when something like this happens. I am just relieved that nobody was injured on the pitch. It has nothing to do with football," Aytekin told reporters after the match.
"The players' health stands above all. In accordance with the police, we decided to go through with the match because at the end of the day everyone's safety is the biggest concern."
Union won the match 1-0 when substitute Sebastian Polter converted a penalty in the 90th minute in front of the home end.
Following the final whistle, Hertha fans lit fireworks in the stands and threw them onto the pitch. On the other end, several masked Union supporters broke through and reached the pitch.
But Gikiewicz raised his fists to fight off the Union supporters before they could reach the Hertha supporters.
"The people moved back to the stands. But we will definitely try to identify everyone," Union communication chief Christian Arbeit said. "That's also shows that we are a family. Here, our keeper prevented someone else from doing a stupid thing."
Flares were also sent toward Union's bench, but coach Urs Fischer praised Aytekin's effort to control the match.
"I didn't think it was so bad. [The players] all remained calm," Fischer said after the match. "And because it was so calm, nothing much happened. Thank god. But you shouldn't target those rockets at supporters."
Berlin police told ESPN FC that Hertha fans had also lit fireworks on their way to the stadium, with one minor injury reported.
Liverpool's never-quit attitude earns them another big win
BIRMINGHAM, England -- When Trent Alexander-Arnold readied to take a corner as the clock ticked down at Villa Park, with seconds left in his 100th appearance for Liverpool, there was apprehension among the home supporters and expectation in the away end.
It was the 95th minute, seven after Andy Robertson cancelled out Trezeguet's first-half opener for Aston Villa and there were just 60 seconds remaining for the league leaders to rescue three points. Liverpool were several levels below their best, without rhythm or surety in their play, all afternoon and the fixture was ready to be filed under "just one of those days."
"We made it difficult for ourselves," Jurgen Klopp admitted post-match. "We started playing football good but not exactly like we should have done. Aston Villa were ready today for a proper fight, a proper battle, defend with all they have, try to find spaces for counter-attacks and be there and have good set pieces.
"We played good football, but didn't finish the situations and then we conceded a goal, then it is not so easy to change these wrong decisions, this wrong path, immediately. We needed a bit of time."
Liverpool's poor decision-making aligned with marginal calls -- Villa's goal was ruled just onside by VAR, but Roberto Firmino's armpit (yes, you read that correctly) was deemed to be offside when he had the ball in the back of the net -- compounded the sense that it may not quite be their afternoon. But in those dying moments, the emotions of both fan bases were understandable. Dean Smith's men have ceded 11 points in games in which they have gone ahead this season, more than any other Premier League side. Liverpool, by contrast, are the champions of division in winning points from losing positions.
It turns out that Villa supporters were justified for feeling the way they did: Sadio Mane's deft header from Alexander-Arnold's corner dissected Conor Hourihane and Jonathan Kodjia before nestling into the far corner to make it 2-1 to the league leaders.
Prior to that moment, Liverpool did not need to dig that deep or look too far to believe they could conjure another rescue act. They were decisive at the death during a ridiculous 5-5 draw with Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, in which they triumphed on penalties. Their winner against Leicester City at Anfield last month arrived after 95 minutes. Their equaliser against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the next fixture materialised in the 85th minute. The "Fergie Time" concept, coined when Sir Alex Ferguson's sides had a habit of producing late goals, has been replaced by "Klopp o'clock."
Since the start of last season, no other Premier League team has scored more goals in the division during the last 10 minutes than Liverpool's 23. In September 2017, after his side had conceded 13 goals from seven matches, Klopp admitted that lapses in defence had become "a self-fulfilling prophecy" for them as players got sucked into the narrative around them. That has since been positively replaced by Liverpool's powers of recovery: since the German labelled his squad "f---ing mentality monsters" in April after Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson scored late goals in a 3-1 victory at Southampton, they have continually found ways to win even with time running out.
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 50 top-flight fixtures, which came against Manchester City in January 2019. On Sunday, the title rivals collide again at Anfield in what will be an almighty battle. The hosts have a six-point advantage over Pep Guardiola's defending champions, who also had to produce a late come-from-behind victory at Southampton, and the determination of both sides this Saturday, neither willing to relinquish the opportunity to keep the pressure on the other ahead of next weekend, paves the way for yet another all-consuming encounter.
Given the evidence, it would be wise to watch that game until the final whistle.
Warriors' Green (finger) ruled out vs. Hornets
SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green will not play Saturday night against the Charlotte Hornets because of a sprained left index finger.
Green injured the finger during Friday night's 127-110 loss to the San Antonio Spurs and had the finger wrapped as he spoke to reporters after the game. It remains unclear if he will need an MRI on the finger.
"I hurt my finger," Green said after Friday's game. "Ligament action. But it is what it is. ... I don't know [about Saturday]; we'll see. It's pretty sore. I couldn't grip the ball the whole entire [game], probably since the second quarter, which is why I was making a lot of one-handed, right-handed passes and dribbling left with my right hand. I couldn't really grip the ball, so we'll see. Hopefully it will calm down a little bit overnight, but who knows?"
Warriors guard D'Angelo Russell will also miss Saturday's game because of a right ankle sprain.
Green's injury came two nights after Warriors superstar Stephen Curry broke his left hand in a collision with Phoenix Suns big man Aron Baynes. The Warriors announced before Friday's game that Curry will be out at least three months after undergoing surgery.
In the women’s singles events, for China there was a level of disappointment; Liu Jing, Xue Juan and Zhou Ying gained medals but the one that shines the brightest.
Gold medallist at three most recent Paralympic Games, competing in class 2, Liu Jing, the no.2 seed experienced a semi-final defeat at the hands of Italy’s Giada Rossi, the top seed. Determined, the recently crowned European champion recovered from a two games to nil deficit to secure victory (14-16, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6).
A full distance win for Giada Rossi, it was the same in the final when facing Brazil’s Catia da Silva Oliveira (7-11, 11-7, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5), who the previous day had also beaten Liu Jing (11-6, 11-5, 11-4) to reserve top place in the group. Furthermore, Liu Jing was a player in form; some six days earlier she had won on home soil in Hangzhou at the China Para Open
Similar scenario
Bronze for Liu Jing, for gold medallists in Rio de Janeiro, Xue Juan and Zhou Ying, it was a similar scenario. In class 3, Xue Juan, who the previous week had won in Hangzhou and was the no.2 seed in Stadskanaal, experienced a semi-final defeat at the hands of Sweden’s Anna-Carin Ahlquist, the top seed (11-8, 11-6, 3-11, 10-12, 14-12) and gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
A tension packed contest it was the same in the final when facing Croatia’s Andela Muzinic, the surprise winner the previous day when facing Xue Juan (7-11, 11-8, 11-3, 6-11, 11-7). Once again Anna-Carin Ahlquist remained focused, she prevailed in five games (11-5, 12-14, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6).
“It was a tough match, it’s always a tough match against Andela Muzinic, she is a really amazing player. I am very happy, also the venue is amazing, the balls, the tables, the light, everything! I will not be playing in the team event, we are leaving for Japan tomorrow. We will visit the venue for the Paralympic Games next year in Tokyo and also watch the ITTF Team Word Cup.” Anna-Carin Ahlquist
Surprise outcomes, a matter of conjecture; however, the silver medal for Zhou Ying was an upset. The top seed, the runner up the previous week in Hangzhou, it was the same outcome. In the final she was beaten by Germany’s Sandra Mikolaschek, the no.2 seed (11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 6-11, 11-7).
Rio gold medallists strike gold
Otherwise, in the women’s singles events, China’s Zhang Bian and Mao Jingdian in addition to the host nation’s Kelly Van Zon, all gold medallists in 2012 in London and two years later in Rio de Janeiro, struck gold; a situation that also applied to Poland’s Natalia Partyka who has claimed the top prize at every Paralympic Games since winning in 2004 in Athens.
All occupying the top seeded position, in a group organised event, Zhang Bian secured the class 5 title finishing ahead of Jordan’s Khetam Abuawad and Sweden’s Ingela Lundbäck. Good form from Zhang Bian, to the delight of the host nation it was the same from Kelly Van Zon; she accounted for China’s Wang Rui to seal the title (11-8, 11-8, 11-8). Notably, the winner the previous week in Hangzhou, at the semi-final stage, Wang Rui, the reigning Asian champion, had ousted Turkey’s Kubra Korkut, the no.2 seed (11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8).
“Of course it is very nice to play here in the Netherlands for me. Quite a few top players are participating in all classes. I finally managed to avoid the Turkish player Korkut in a tournament. Not that I want to avoid someone but I almost always play against her internationally. I played a very nice tournament. Korkut lost to the Asian champion and I won twice against her in this tournament; because I have already qualified, I can now map my route to the Tokyo Paralympic Games. I have one more tournament in Costa Rica this year. I hear from all players is that the tournament is well organised; for that I want to thank the association, Pagedal, the volunteers and everyone who has been involved in making this tournament possible!” Kelly Van Zon
Equally clinical
Comprehensive from Kelly Van Zon; Mao Jingdian and Natalia Partyka were equally clinical. Mao Jingdian accounted for Japan’s Yuri Tomono in the class 8 final (11-6, 11-5, 11-6); in the class 10 final, fresh from competing in the Uncle Pop 2019 Women’s World Cup in the Chinese city of Chengdu, Natalia Partyka overcame Brazil’s Bruna Alexandre (11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9).
“I am happy with the win here at the Dutch Open. Finally I can relax. I did my job pretty well. I wanted to win here and I won all my matches, so off course I am happy. It was different from Chengdu where I played world top players and lost both of my matches. I have been travelling a lot in the last weeks. I am playing a lot so I am a bit tired. I am happy to have only a few more competitions until the end the year.” Natalia Partyka
Notably, Zhang Bian and Mao Jingdian had all won the previous week in Hangzhou; a situation that applied also in class 9 to compatriot, Xiong Guiyan. She remained unbeaten to finish ahead of Turkey’s Nesilham Kavas and Ukraine’s Iryna Shynkarova in a group administered event.
Top seeds justify status
Intentions clear from Paralympic Games gold medal winners, it was the same in the men’s singles events. China’s Feng Panfeng, Cao Ningning and Zhao Shuai claimed titles in Stadskanaal, as did Yan Shuo, bronze medallist in Rio de Janeiro. All emerged successful as anticipated; all commenced play in the top seeded position.
Feng Panfeng claimed the class 3 title accounting for Germany’s Thomas Brüchle in the final (11-5, 11-6, 11-6); Cao Ningning overcame Frenchman, Nicolas Savant-Aira (16-14, 11-5, 11-3) to claim the top prize in class 5. Similarly, in class 8, Zhao Shuai prevailed in opposition to compatriot, Peng Weinan (11-6, 11-8, 12-10), the semi-final winner when facing Great Britain’s Ross Wilson, the reigning world champion; notably saving match point in the fourth game (10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 15-13, 11-7). Meanwhile, in class 7, Yan Shuo defeated Japan’s Masachika Inoue (11-8, 18-16, 6-11, 11-9) to claim the top prize.
“I didn’t take my chances. I should have won my match point but I just couldn’t quite get over the line. The rest of the tournament was fine and it feels good to have completed my competitions for this year and to have given myself the best chance of qualifying for Tokyo.” Ross Wilson
Likewise situation
Similarly, gold medallist in Rio de Janeiro, Turkey’s Abdullah Ozturk, Denmark’s Peter Rosenmeier and Belgium’s Florian Van Acker, all justified their top seeded places to emerge champions. Abdullah Ozturk secured the class 4 title beating China’s Zhang Yan in the final (11-3, 11-9, 11-9); also successful in Beijing Peter Rosenmeier emerged the class 6 winner, he accounted for Great Britain’s Paul Karabardak in the final (11-4, 13-11, 11-4).
“I’m very pleased with the way I played. The final was difficult as Peter was playing really well and I’m disappointed as I couldn’t pressure him more, it enabled him to be relaxed and play his game. The second game was big and I think I could have made him nervous if I had won it but he was excellent today and was a worthy winner. Overall I’m very pleased with my performance and hopefully this can be a big step towards qualification for Tokyo.” Paul Karabardak
Meanwhile, not to be overshadowed, Florian Van Acker secured the class 11 title ending the aspirations of Korea Republic’s Kim Changgi in the final (8-11, 11-1, 11-1, 11-7).
Rio de Janeiro gold medallists successful, it was the same for Poland’s Patryk Chojnowski, the winner in 2012 in London and Frenchman Stéphane Molliens, silver medallist in 2008 in Beijing. Patryk Chojnowski secured the class 10 title accounting for London bronze medallist, Indonesia’s David Jacobs in the final (9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5); Stéphane Molliens claimed the class 2 top prize, overcoming Ukraine’s Oleksandr Yezyk in the final (7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 13-11).
Surprise outcomes
Once again, it was success in the men’s singles competition for the top seeds; however, there were two surprise outcomes. Italy’s Andrea Borgato won class 1, Japan’s Koyo Iwabuchi claimed the class 9 title.
The win recorded by Koyo Iwabuchi was no great upset; he commenced matters the no.2 seed. In the final he beat Ukraine’s Lev Kats, the no.4 seed (5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5), the semi-final winner in opposition to Italy’s Mohamed Amine Kalem, the top seed (7-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9).
Somewhat differently, the victory secured by Andrea Borgato was a surprise; not seeded, he beat colleague Federico Falco, the no.3 seed in the final (11-9, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6), having one round earlier recovered from a two games to nil deficit to end the progress of Great Britain’s Tom Matthews the top seed (7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9).
“I feel overall that I played well but still not the standard I want to be at. The semi-final was a good match; it’s a tough one to take after being 2-0 up but he showed his experience and came out on top. He played well and went on to win the tournament so congratulations to him. Now it’s back to the training hall to prepare for next year.” Tom Matthews
The individual events concluded, attention now turns to the team competition, play concludes in Stadskanaal on Sunday 3rd November.
2019 Dutch Para Open: Live Stream
2019 Dutch Para Open: Live Scoring
2019 Dutch Para Open: Latest Results
2019 Dutch Para Open: Draws and Latest Results
2019 Dutch Para Open: Results – Team Events
2019 Dutch Para Open: Follow events on Twitter
Safely through the group stage, Monday Oladele Olabiyi accounted for Burkina Faso’s Abdoul-Razack Derra and colleague Jimoh Amusa to reserve his place in the penultimate round.
Likewise, Derek Abrefa secured first position in his group prior to overcoming Sierra Leone’s Bredford Sawyer and Nigeria’s Jamiu Ayanwale, the no.9 seed. Undoubtedly it was a very determined Derek Abrefa; prior to play commencing he had been in a very resolute frame of mind.
“I am here to show what I can do because I was not happy with my performance at the African Games. I am sure I can take the title to Ghana. It is going to be tough but this will also bring out the best in me. Help me Lord as I battle on the table to lift Ghana’s image. It is another opportunity to lift Ghana’s image on the African continent. Lord strengthen me as I prepare for the task in Abidjan.” Derek Abrefa
Disappointment for Jamiu Ayanwale
Alas for Jamiu Ayanwale, he was not able to fulfil his aspirations.
“It is unfortunate that I missed the Egypt Junior Open but having trained well for the Egypt tournament, I can now use the knowledge acquired to win this tournament. I care less for the seeding list as I am here for business.” Jamiu Ayanwale
At the semi-final stage Monday Olabiyi faces Emmanuel Commey, the no.6 seed and like Derek Abrefa from Ghana; in the opposite half of the draw, the Ivory Coast’s Oba Kizito Oba opposes Derek Abrefa.
Oba Kizito Oba
Following the group stage Emmanuel Commey, the no.6 seed, accounted for Liberia’s Lasana Weh; followed by success against the Ivory Coast’s Ange Aimé Kouassi. In the adjacent half of the draw Oba Kizito Oba overcame Burkina Faso’s Ousseini Tapsoba and Nigeria’s Emmanuel Augustine, the no.8 seed, a contest in which he had to recover from a three games to two deficit.
“I am so happy with the huge support from the fans because their support really inspired me even when I was 2-3 down. It was massive support for me and I look forward to such in the semi-final; when the match was 2-3, I knew if I could come back I can win. The fighting spirit and the huge support from the fans were the ingredients I needed to overcome my opponent. I am happy to make my country proud and I am urging the fans to come out en masse and support me in the semi-final.” Oba Kizoto Oba
Similar for leading women
Impressive performances in the women’s singles event; it was very much the same in the women’s singles competition.
The group stage of play negotiated, Fatimo Bello accounted for Togo’s Eli Akouto Amegee to reserve her place in the penultimate round where she faces Benin’s 18 year old Ziadath Olaide Akadiri. In the main draw Ziadath Olaide Akadiri beat Ghana’s Lynda Andoor, the no.4 seed, prior to overcoming the Ivory Coast’s Salie Ange Tatiana Aka.
“I never believed I would be playing in the semi-final because I was not seeded for the competition. Even the quarter-final match was a bit difficult for me because my opponent was playing with pimples which we never made use in Benin. I am so happy that I controlled the game and qualified for the semi-final.” Ziadath Olaide Akadiri
Meanwhile, in the opposite half of the draw, like Fatimo Bello, Esther Oribamise received a direct entry from the group stage to the semi-final where she ousted Togo’s Fanaida Amah; she now confronts the host nation’s Akoua Nadia Kamenan, the first round winner against Koundou Touk Boubacar, the penultimate round victor in opposition to Ghana’s Cynthia Kwabi.
Official pleased
Success for the leading names and also it was success for the host organising committee, Kanate Ali, Deputy Secretary General Fédération Ivoirienne de Tennis de Table, was particularly delighted.
“I am so excited that within a short time, we were able to stage this tournament. Mobilising all the teams was a challenge but with the huge support from ITTF, this was sorted out and we have 11 out of the 15 countries that made up the region. The usual bottlenecks synonymous with the first day were there but we believe we have learnt from hosting this competition; this has again shown our ability to stage major competitions, having hosted a 2018 World Junior Circuit tournament and African Junior Championship successfully,” Kanate Ali
Notably present to add to the occasion was the national football teams’ supporters club, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire, they added an array of colour to the venue.
2019 ITTF Western Africa Challenge: Entries (Saturday 2nd November)
2019 ITTF Western Africa Challenge: Men’s Singles – Group Stage (Saturday 2nd November)
2019 ITTF Western Africa Challenge: Men’s Singles – Main Draw (Saturday 2nd November)
2019 ITTF Western Africa Challenge: Women’s Singles – Group Stage (Saturday 2nd November)
2019 ITTF Western Africa Challenge: Women’s Singles – Main Draw (Saturday 2nd November)
2019 ITTF Western Africa Challenge: Bulletin (Saturday 2nd November)
CONCORD, N.C. – Chip Ganassi Racing announced Saturday that Kurt Busch has signed a multi-year extension to remain as the driver of the No. 1 Monster Energy Chevrolet Camaro.
In addition, the team has also announced a multi-year extension to its partnership with Monster Energy.
Busch, a 31-time winner in NASCAR’s premier series, will look to build on his success with CGR after becoming both a race winner and playoff participant in 2019.
In just his first season with Chip Ganassi Racing, Busch extended his streak of winning at least one race per season in the Cup Series to six consecutive years.
Busch has won at least one Cup Series race in 16 of his 20 years of competition, and has also won a Cup Series race and claimed a pole on every type of track on which the series competes on – superspeedways, intermediates, short tracks and road courses.
“Chip made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse, and for me personally, it is the fun and refreshing atmosphere working with Matt McCall and all the team here at Chip Ganassi Racing that led to this,” Busch noted. “All signs pointed toward, ’let’s keep going; let’s keep winning,’ and that is what we intend to do. It has also been the fans, continuing to work with Monster Energy, the chance to be part of the Next Gen car introduction in 2021, along with building on our successes that together makes it an easy decision to continue here at Chip Ganassi Racing.
“Monster has been with me for nearly a decade and they are so much fun to work with; it is just a natural fit,” Busch added. “The outreach of fans to me this year has been inspiring to hear all of them encourage me to keep racing. Additionally I have enjoyed sending veterans and active-duty military to the races this year through our relationship with VetTix.org.
“This is a chance for me to continue being part of something that I have really enjoyed.”
Monster Energy has been a staple in the action sports world, sponsoring athletes, sporting events and musical acts and concerts, including a near decade-long relationship with Busch.
“We’re racing people at Monster Energy and we knew immediately that we had found fantastic racing partners in Chip Ganassi, Kurt Busch and all involved at Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Mitch Covington, Vice President of Sports Marketing for Monster Beverage Company. “NASCAR is a major part of who we are at Monster Energy and to be able to compete at a championship level with Kurt Busch and Chip Ganassi Racing truly reflects who we are and fires up our desire to not only win races, but to make a serious, all-in run at the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series title.”
Busch’s move to CGR yielded a victory earlier this summer at Kentucky Speedway, a win that came over his younger brother Kyle and propelled him into this year’s postseason.
Much like his driver, team owner Chip Ganassi is looking forward to the continuation of the partnerships with Busch and Monster for several years to come.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be making this announcement. We have developed a great relationship with Rodney Sacks (CEO) and everyone at Monster. We look forward to this partnership lasting for a very long time,” said Ganassi. “As for Kurt, I must say that I have been nothing but impressed with him both in and outside of the car. He has such great instincts behind the wheel, has been tremendous with all of our partners and everyone on the shop floor feeds off his intensity on the track and his enthusiasm off it.”
Higgs (65) rebounds from first bogey of week to take lead in Bermuda
SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda – Harry Higgs rebounded from his first bogey of the week to take a two-stroke lead in the PGA Tour's inaugural Bermuda Championship.
After dropping a stroke on the par-4 14th at hilly Port Royal, Higgs birdied the par-3 16th and par-4 18th on Saturday for his second straight 6-under 65. He had a 17-under 196 total.
"Fourteen, I knew I needed to hit that putt way harder," Higgs said. "I got a little irritated, but I just laughed. I figured I was going to make a bogey at some point. I didn't want to, but I was probably going to do it at some point."
Bryson DeChambeau's teammate at SMU, Higgs is making his sixth start of his rookie season after winning on the Korn Ferry Tour and finishing fifth on the developmental tour's regular-season points list to earn PGA Tour card.
"Not trying to force too much, not trying to hit a perfect shot, maybe taking the one that gives you a little bit more room and then you can be more aggressive because you're just more comfortable with said club or the line or holding or riding the wind," Higgs said. "So, I've done a good job of darn near everything, obviously. To be winning, you've done things really well for three days. And tomorrow will be a difficult day with all that goes on with leading after three rounds, but I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to enjoy tomorrow, for sure."
Brendon Todd, tied for the second-round lead with Higgs and Scottie Scheffler, was second after a 67.
"I'm pleased. I'm not thrilled," Todd said. "I hit it pretty nice. I had 15 feet all day and didn't make many of them."
Todd won the 2014 HP Byron Nelson Championship for his lone PGA Tour title. He regained his tour card in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals.
"This is a huge opportunity for me and hopefully one of many this year," Todd said. "I'll just go out there tomorrow and make the best of it."
Bo Hoag and Brian Gay were 14 under. Hoag had his second 64 in three days, and Gay shot his second straight 65.
"Just one of those solid rounds," Hoag said. "No bogeys, just kept the train running there."
Scheffler was another stroke back, shooting his second 69 after an opening 62.
Jurgen Klopp has labelled VAR "a real problem," saying the system should be helping the game and "not confuse it" following Liverpool's 2-1 win at Aston Villa.
There were three checks during the match at Villa Park -- Trezeguet's opener stood after being examined for offside, the video assistant referee upheld the linesman's decision on Roberto Firmino being offside by an armpit when he had the ball in the back of the net and there was a quick pause to see whether Sadio Mane should have had a penalty when he was booked for diving.
There was, however, no probe into a possible penalty for handball against Bjorn Engels from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's shot on 74 minutes.
"Look, we have now a real problem," said Klopp, who admitted it wasn't a key talking point for him given his side secured the victory.
"But now we talk about serious moments, very important moments in football. It is not the right way that we sit here, talk about it and everybody wants to laugh about.
"It's not to laugh about, to be honest. For that it is too serious. Managers get the sack for losing football games. It's just like this. I don't want to make it bigger really than it is, but in fact we just have to clarify it.
"I don't say anybody is doing it on purpose or whatever, we just have to clarify it.
"My analysts showed me [the Firmino situation] after the game, I didn't see anything and now I heard it. Whoever did it is not doing it on purpose but at the end, we need to sort a couple of things obviously.
"The handball situation, nobody talks about that because it was not whistled. Imagine if it would have been whistled and then we would have talked about it. But nobody whistled it, we didn't say anything. Was it a penalty? The shot is here, the shot hits the arm, so in a good old time it was a penalty! Sometimes it's in your favour and sometimes it's against you, that's how it is. That's not a problem.
"But we have to make sure the new system helps the game and not confuse it, that's all. But I think that's in the interests of all of us."
On the decision of Mane being booked for simulation on 37 minutes under pressure from Frederic Guilbert, Klopp added: "I think when you see it back, it is for sure not diving, there is contact, but it is the decision you have to accept."
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