I Dig Sports
Team ethic, source of progress for Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong
Listed at no.5 on the current Olympic Rankings; they are the second highest rated outfit on duty in women’s team competition. The only higher combination present in the Portuguese municipality is Hong Kong, named in the no.3 spot; China in top position, followed by Japan with Germany at no.4 have already qualified for Tokyo.
Such a high status reflects the progress made by Chinese Taipei in recent times and as with Hong Kong, who have been ever present in the women’s team event at the Olympic Games, a change of thinking.
Selections
In 2008 and 2012, on both occasions in the women’s team event, Hong Kong experienced defeat against the Korea Republic. In Beijing agonisingly in the bronze medal contest when facing Kim Kyungah, Park Miyoung and Dang Yeseo, in London at the quarter-final stage, an engagement in which Seok Hajung was preferred to Dang Yeseo.
Formidable selections but it is the Hong Kong teams that are of note. In Beijing, Tie Yana lined up alongside Lau Sui Fei and Lin Ling; in London Tie Yana was again on duty but Jiang Huajun and Lee Ho Ching completed the trio.
The inclusion of Lee Ho Ching was significant, she had progressed through a detailed domestic coaching scheme. Conversely Jiang Huajun, Lau Sui Fei, Lin Ling and Tie Yana were all relatively established internationals as members of the Chinese national team, when they had transferred allegiances.
In Rio de Janeiro, Tie Yana remained but Doo Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching completed to line up; now in Gondomar, the complete squad is one that has emerged as a result of the coaching programme promoted this century. Minnie Soo Wai Yam, Ng Wing Nam and Zhu Chengzhu join forces with Doo Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching.
Renew rivalries
Not only do they join forces; they renew rivalries with Chinese Taipei. At the Perfect 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur, with Tie Yana lining up alongside Doo Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching, at the quarter-final stage, Hong Kong experienced a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Cheng I-Ching, Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng Hsien-Tu.
Two years later, at the Liebherr World Team Championships in Halmstad, Tie Yana now retired, Minnie Soo Wai Yam gaining the vote, the tables were turned. In the opening round, Hong Kong secured a 3-1 win and progressed to secure bronze.
Pride
Notably in Kuala Lumpur, it was only the second occasion when Chinese Taipei had secured a medal in the women’s team event at a World Championships; the one previous occasion being also in Kuala Lumpur in 2000 when silver was gained.
However, even though it was bronze not silver, especially in the view of Cheng I-Ching, it was a greater achievement. In 2000, Chen Jing had been a member of the team; she was the first Olympic women’s singles champion; in 1988 in Seoul representing China, she had struck gold. The fact that in 2016 the podium finish had been gained by a home grown team was special for Cheng I-Ching.
Honours also shared
One win apiece on the World Team Championships format; it is the same when the Olympic system is used.
At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with Huang Yi-Hua completing the Chinese Taipei team as opposed to Cheng Hsien-Tu earlier in the year in Kuala Lumpur, otherwise no changes to either selection, a 3-1 success was the opening round verdict in favour of Hong Kong.
Now fast forward to last November and the quarter-finals at the Zen-Noh 2019 Team World Cup in Tokyo; Cheng Hsien-Tu back in action alongside Cheng I-Ching and Chen Szu-Yu, the same three names on duty for Hong Kong, a 3-2 Chinese Taipei win was posted.
Evenly matched teams and as we look ahead to the new decade, is “team” not the key word?
Considering the current women’s world rankings, Cheng I-Ching and Doo Hoi Kem are arguably the pivotal players but no current team member from Chinese Taipei or Hong Kong has won a major women’s singles title. None has ever enjoyed such success on either the ITTF World Tour or at an ITTF Challenge Series tournament.
It is for each player a goal, a hurdle to overcome but one fact has become clear, as units both are major challengers on the international scene; the team ethic is strong, the crucial factor.
United States announces Busan team, five teenagers on duty
Kanak Jha and Nicholas Tio in the men’s team are both 19 years old, Nikhil Kumar celebrated his 17th birthday on Wednesday 1st January; the senior member is 22 years of age, Zhang Kai.
Meanwhile, for the women, Amy Wang and Crystal Wang are both 17 years old, Wu Yue is by some distance the guardian of the team, she is 30 years of age, Lily Zhang is 23 years old.
Comparatively young teams but they are not without experience; a fact confirmed by Kanak Jha and Lily Zhang, the pivotal players in the respective men’s and women’s team selections.
World Cup appearances
Amongst many other excursions, commencing in 2014, Kanak Jha has already competed in four Men’s World Cup tournaments; starting in 2016 it is three in number for Lily Zhang.
However, the crucial factor is that since the Liebherr 2018 World Championships in Halmstad when the men finished in overall 33rd place and the women in the no.13 spot, both have enjoyed major successes.
Most notably, Kanak Jha was a bronze medallist at the Buenos Aires 2018 Olympic Games, more recently Lily Zhang reached the semi-final stage at the Uncle Pop 2019 ITTF Women’s World Cup.
Colleagues
However, one player does not make a team; their colleagues are more than support acts and have proved themselves most competent on the international stage.
Last year on the 2019 ITTF World Junior Circuit, Nikhil Kumar was the junior boys’ singles runner up in France, a finish also enjoyed by Lily Zhang in the counterpart junior girls’ singles event. In a similar vein, Nicolas Tio was an under 21 men’s singles quarter-finalist at the ITTF Challenge Polish Open, Crystal Wang advanced to the same round in the girls’ singles at the World Junior Championships in Korat.
Not to be left out, Wu Yue, women’s singles winner at the 2015 Pan American Games, secured bronze at the Universal 2019 Pan American Cup in Puerto Rico but if there was one member of the group heading to Busan who hit the headlines, it was Zhang Kai. In September, in the men’s singles opening round at the ITTF Challenge Paraguay Open, he ousted the top seed, Japan’s Koki Niwa.
Success in Tokyo
Progress individually and together; at the Zen-Noh 2019 Team World Cup in Tokyo, both men and women progressed through the group stage to reach the quarter-final where they faced the toughest draw possible. China halted progress as they did when facing everyone else!
The last eight place for the trio of Wu Yue, Amy Wang and Lily Zhang was expected, they commenced play the no.7 seeds. Nevertheless, after experiencing a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the no.2 seeds, Japan’s Mima Ito, Miu Hirano and Kasumi Ishikawa, the 3-1 success when facing the no.9 seeds, Austria’s Liu Jia, Karoline Mischek and Amelie Solja, was no mean performance.
A creditable outcome but the women were upstaged by the men. The no.11 seeds, the trio comprising Kanak Jha, Zhang Kai and Feng Yijun, after suffering a 3-0 defeat when opposing the no.4 seeds, Korea Republic’s Lee Sangsu, Jeoung Youngsik and Jang Woojin, caused a major upset. They recorded a 3-2 win against the no.5 seeds, Sweden’s Anton Källberg, Kristian Karlsson and Elias Ranefur.
Accepted the system of play at the 2020 World Team Championships and the personnel will be different but the fact is clear the United States presents formidable opposition. Moreover, it may be the best is yet to come.
Landmark year, landmark tournament, venerable player
Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus was the men’s runner up in 1999 in Bremen, he was beaten by Liu Guoliang in the final, now the President of the China Table Tennis Association.
Overall since winning in 1996 in Italy, when accounting for Canada’s Johnny Huang in the final, the record reads 27 ITTF World Tour men’s singles titles; if you wish you can add one more to his open international tournament credit list. He won the men’s singles event on the ITTF Challenge Series in 2017 in Belarus.
Now in 2020, it is a somewhat different scenario, he must compete in the qualification stage which commences on Tuesday 28th January.
Incredible numbers
However, whatever beholds Vladimir Samsonov in the new decade, in addition ten times an ITTF World Tour men’s singles runner up plus the Grand Finals silver medallist in 1996 in Tianjin, the winner one year later in Hong Kong, the numbers are quite incredible.
It is the very same when the ITTF World Tour is considered; in 1995 international open tournaments were on the wane, an injection was need, a meeting was held in Vancouver and the ITTF Pro Tour, later the name changed to the ITTF World Tour, was born.
Now, as in 2019, there are 12 ITTF World Tour events, one more on the Challenge Series calendar; overall 25 tournaments.
Growth
Until January 2017, Challenge Series tournaments were part of the ITTF World Tour.
In 1996, ten tournaments were staged, the first being in April in England; when New Year’s Day dawned on Saturday 1st December 2000, a total of 46 tournaments in a four year period had been staged. Just over 11 per year, compare that number with today!
Between the start of the millennium and the end of 2009, the ten year period witnessed 136 such tournaments; from the start of 2010 to the end of 2019, including both the ITTF World Tour and ITTF Challenge Series the total was 199 in number.
Healthy situation
Since 2017, the number of ITTF World Tour tournaments has remained, as per policy, consistent, a total of 12 being the agreed annual complement. Notably, in 2020 as in 2019 there are 13 Challenge Series tournaments.
A most healthy situation, the age of the ITTF World Tour is a period of major progress, it is also the career of one player above all others, the career of Vladimir Samsonov.
Mikey Haywood: Northampton Saints hooker extends contract
Northampton Saints hooker Mikey Haywood has signed an "multi-year" contract extension with the Premiership club.
The 28-year-old has made 210 appearances for Saints since his senior debut in 2011.
"He has established himself as a senior member of the playing group," Northampton director of rugby Chris Boyd told the club website.
"Mikey is part of an exciting crop of hookers in our squad who are all pushing each other to improve."
Northampton have not disclosed the length of Haywood's new deal at Franklin's Gardens.
Chastain Set For Cup Starts At Daytona & Charlotte
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Ross Chastain will compete in two of NASCAR’s marquee events this year thanks to sponsorship from AdventHealth.
Chastain will drive the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which will be prepared by Chip Ganassi Racing, in the Daytona 500 at Daytona Int’l Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
AdventHealth will be the primary sponsor of Chastain in both events.
“To have the opportunity to run the Daytona 500 is awesome, and it’s great to do it this year with AdventHealth on board my car,” Chastain said. “I’ve only had one start in the Daytona 500, and can’t wait to run that race again in what I know will be a competitive car. I’m also looking forward to racing the Coca-Cola 600. That’s another iconic race that all of us want to win.”
Chastain made his Daytona 500 debut last February aboard the No. 15 Chevrolet fielded by Jay Robinson. He started 36th in the 40-car field, finishing 10th. He’s also competed in the Coca-Cola 600 the last two seasons driving for Robinson, earning a best finish of 24th.
“With our injector at the Daytona Int’l Speedway, we’ve been able to engage with the hundreds of thousands of race fans that attend Speedweeks, but are beyond thrilled to have an AdventHealth car racing in the Daytona 500 for the first time ever,” said David Banks, Chief Strategy Officer, AdventHealth. “I can’t wait to watch Florida’s own Melon Man race on the track this year in our watermelon-themed AdventHealth Chevy.”
Chastain is scheduled to run the full NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule for Kaulig Racing this year. He has scored two Xfinity Series victories and three NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series victories during his career.
AdventHealth also announced Thursday that the healthcare company would sponsor Kyle Larson in two NASCAR Cup Series events as part of its continued support of Chip Ganassi Racing.
AdventHealth Grows Support Of Chip Ganassi Racing
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – AdventHealth has expanded its relationship with Chip Ganassi Racing by once again teaming up with Kyle Larson on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for two races during the upcoming season.
AdventHealth will be on Larson’s No. 42 Chevrolet for the Clash at Daytona, and later in the season when the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway for the Fall playoff race. AdventHealth has a significant business presence in both markets. Larson won the NASCAR All-Star Race last year with sponsorship from AdventHealth.
“It’s great to have AdventHealth back with the No. 42 team for some races in 2020,” said Larson. “It was awesome to win with AdventHealth on our car at the All-Star Race, in their first race with the 42 team, and I hope we can have more exciting races with them this year. They have been a great partner, on and off the track, and I’m glad to see our relationship continue.”
Partnering with Chip Ganassi Racing since 2016, AdventHealth has also had a presence on the No. 1 car, racing in last year’s Clash at Daytona with Jamie McMurray, and with Kurt Busch’s entry in last year’s Fall race at Kansas, in addition to sponsoring Larson’s car when he won the NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“We’ve been a proud supporter of Chip Ganassi Racing since 2016, and I’m really excited to further expand our winning partnership by teaming-up with both Kyle and Ross,” said David Banks, Chief Strategy Officer, AdventHealth. “This collaboration is something all of our employees across the nation can get excited about. We had a great run with Kyle last year and are excited about the 2020 season. In our first race on Kyle’s car, he not only raced his way into the NASCAR All-Star race, but also went on to win it. We are looking forward to continuing that momentum and success together in 2020.”
“We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with AdventHealth for a fifth year,” said Doug Duchardt, Chief Operating Officer, Chip Ganassi Racing. “The partnership has generated some exciting moments on track, like Kyle’s All-Star win. Additionally, AdventHealth’s dedication to helping people feel whole has aided the growth of our drivers and pit crews off the track through the Human Innovation and Development Lab. We’re looking forward to another exciting year of the partnership.”
AdventHealth is also teaming up with Florida-native Ross Chastain on the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, prepared by Chip Ganassi Racing in conjunction with Spire Motorsports, for starts in the Daytona 500 at Daytona Int’l Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
HA’IL, Saudi Arabia – Carlos Sainz became the first repeat stage winner of the this year’s Dakar Rally on Thursday.
Sainz piloted his X-raid Mini to a nearly three minute victory in the stage over rival Nasser Al-Attiyah despite a tire puncture. Sainz took the lead during the 353 kilometer stage just past the 250 kilometer mark and led the remainder of the way.
The stage victory allowed Sainz to grow his overall lead in the race from a little more than three minutes to nearly six minutes over Al-Attiyah.
Toby Price joined Sainz as a double stage winner, becoming the first repeat winner of the year in the bike class. Price took the lead early in the stage and remained at the front through each of the four checkpoints, beating Pablo Quintanilla by a bit more than one minute.
American Ricky Brabec continues to lead the bike division with a nine minute and six second lead over Price.
Sam Sunderland, the 2017 bike champion of the Dakar Rally, crashed out early in the stage and was forced to retire from the race with injuries to his back and left shoulder.
In the truck class, Dmitry Sotnikov earned his first stage win of the year over Kamaz teammates Anton Shibalov and Andrey Karginov. Karginov continues to lead the division by nearly 15 minutes.
Cyril Despres took his first stage win as part of the Red Bull Off-Road team, winning the SxS class. Despres failed to finish Wednesday’s stage, but he utilized the new Dakar Experience rule that allows competitors to rejoin the event without being included in the overall standings.
Despres beat Aron Domzala to win the stage by 41 seconds. Sergey Karyakin moved into the class lead by one minute and 10 seconds over Casey Currie.
SONOMA, Calif. – Flying Lizard Motorsports will return to compete in the SRO-sanctioned GT4 America championship this year after making the switch to the Aston Martin Vantage GT4.
The team will again compete in both the Sprint and SprintX championships with returning American drivers Michael Dinan (Sprint, SprintX) and Robby Foley (SprintX).
Though Flying Lizard’s first ten years in the sport campaigned only Porsche efforts, but in the last five years, the team’s operations have expanded on a massive scale to also include several racing and testing efforts with various manufacturers including Audi, McLaren, Lamborghini and Bentley.
The expansion over the last five years has allowed the team to showcase their level of technical expertise and capabilities of creating race winning efforts and high quality testing programs on various platforms. Unveiled in the summer of 2018, the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 will be the newest manufacturer to add to the team’s race program roster.
“We are so excited for what 2020 has in store,” said Program Manager and Team Principal Darren Law. “We have been reviewing the different platforms for the GT4 class and having spoken to the manufacturers as well as doing our analysis of each of the cars, the Aston Martin always came to the top of our list. It’s a new car that has a proper engine and transmission package and we feel it will be a very competitive car.”
The power of the four liter, V8 Twin Turbo engine will be subject to regulation by the Balance of Performance, a system used in sports car racing to make the field as equal as possible on the various circuits the drivers will compete on for the 2020 race season. The lightweight aluminum chassis of the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is based on the production car, housing a 4-liter, V8 twin turbo.
Dinan, the primary driver for the Lizard GT4 program made his rookie debut in GT4 America in 2019, and proved to be a quick study, earning three podiums and ten top-five finishes with driver coach and co-driver Robby Foley.
“Last year, Michael showed a lot of potential and speed,” said Law. “Now that he has a full season under his belt, he will have a better understanding and more knowledge of what it takes to compete for a championship. Robby does a tremendous job both behind the wheel and in working with Michael. He’s a great asset to this program.”
Continuing its tour of the most iconic race circuits and temporary street courses North America has to offer, the upcoming season will see Flying Lizard Motorsports return to most of the same tracks as the 2019 season, with the addition of Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October. Opting to miss the two street courses on the calendar, Dinan’s season will consist of seven Sprint double headers, and seven SprintX double headers with co-driver Robby Foley.
“I’m ready and excited to take on my second season in SRO GT4 America with Flying Lizard Motorsports,” said Dinan. “I’ve learned plenty of valuable lessons in my first full season of racing that I’ll be looking to improve on in 2020. The new car is exciting, so hopefully we can compete for wins and podiums right away.”
“I’m excited to be back with Flying Lizard Motorports and Michael for the 2020 season,” said Foley. “We had some ups and downs so we’ll be looking to improve on what we learned and attack the 2020 championship in our new Aston Martin GT4’s. It’s an exciting opportunity to campaign these new cars. They’ve been successful world-wide so far, so let’s hope we can add some wins and podiums to our trophy case.”
Finau, Lowry chasing as Hong Kong Open finally underway
HONG KONG – After a six-week delay because of anti-government protests, the Hong Kong Open finally got going Thursday.
Wade Ormsby and Tomoharu Otsuki shared the early lead at 5-under 65 at the tournament that was originally scheduled for November in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory which has seen more than six months of anti-government demonstrations.
Ormsby, who won the event in 2017, carded six birdies and one bogey while Otsuki didn't drop a shot. The Japanese player had three birdies in the opening five holes and added two more on 12th and 13th holes.
''A little bit windy in the afternoon but I'm happy with how I held up,'' Ormsby said. ''I like a lot of these shots around here ... that's why I've chosen to start my season here.''
Yikeun Chang (66) is in a tie for third with the Australian pair of Travis Smyth and David Gleeson. Shane Lowry and Tony Finau (both 69) held a share of 20th place with nine others.
David Beckham's expansion Inter Miami CF selected Clemson forward Robbie Robinson with the first overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday.
Robinson, 21, won this year's MAC Hermann award as the top male collegiate player in the country. The Camden, South Carolina native is a versatile, mobile forward who can play multiple positions.
"He's the most talented attacking player in the draft," said one MLS executive prior to the draft. "He's very dynamic in his ability. He can create chances for himself and others."
After suffering through an injury-riddled sophomore season, Robinson scored 18 goals and added assists in 2019. Now the challenge will be to crack a Miami lineup that already has South American products Julian Carranza and Designated Player Matias Pellegrini.
Fellow expansion side Nashville SC chose Indiana University defender Jack Maher with the second overall pick before Miami, who had two of the top three selections, took Georgetown defender Dylan Nealis third.
Maher, 20, spent two seasons at Indiana, where he emerged as the top center back in the country and was the Big 10's defensive player of the year. He made a total of 46 appearances with the Hoosiers, scoring four goals. He is a product of St. Louis-based youth club St. Louis Scott Gallagher, the same club that produced current Fulham and U.S. international defender Tim Ream.
Some observers around the league feel Maher still needs to grow into his body and get fill out physically in order to cope with MLS forwards, but has the technical ability needed to play in the league.
"He's a two-year project, and he has to get stronger," said one MLS coach prior to the draft. "But he's a good, good soccer player."
The 2020 SuperDraft will encompass four rounds and 104 selections. Rounds 3 and 4 will take place beginning on Monday, Jan. 13 via conference call.
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