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Orioles make history with 2nd straight 13-0 win

Published in Baseball
Saturday, 29 June 2019 21:02

BALTIMORE -- Manager Brandon Hyde says his young Baltimore Orioles are a fun team to watch, regardless of how much they've been struggling.

The Orioles certainly put on a show the past two nights against the Cleveland Indians.

Andrew Cashner threw seven innings of three-hit ball, Renato Nunez had two of Baltimore's four home runs and the Orioles clinched their first series win since April with their second consecutive 13-0 victory over Cleveland on Saturday.

The Orioles became the first team in major league history to record back-to-back shutouts while scoring at least 13 runs in each game, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

"To win a series obviously feels great," Hyde said. "I just want our guys to play well. I'm concerned about how we play. I'm concerned about how we play the game, and just the last two games we played really good baseball. It began with our starting pitching."

Anthony Santander etched his way into Camden Yards' history when he hit the 100th home run, and 45th by an Oriole, to land on Eutaw Street since the stadium opened in 1992.

"It's an honor to hit the 100th home run onto Eutaw Street. It's just unbelievable," Santander said through a translator. "Hopefully tomorrow we can sweep them."

Chance Sisco also homered for Baltimore, which entered the series with the worst record in the majors. The Orioles will go for their first three-game sweep of the season Sunday.

Cashner (8-3) was scratched moments before the scheduled 4:05 p.m. first pitch as thunderstorms passed through the area. When the start of the game was announced for 5:10 p.m., Cashner was reinserted into the lineup.

He finished with six strikeouts and just one walk and has won four of his past five decisions.

"It was kind of a cluster, but thank God the weather came when it did," Cashner said.

The Orioles earned back-to-back shutouts for the first time since September 2016 against the Yankees.

Trey Mancini had three hits and drove in three runs for the Orioles, who had not won a series since April 22-24 against the White Sox. Baltimore had lost its previous 18 series.

"They hit better than us. They played better than us. They pitched better than us. They managed better than us," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "This game will make you laugh sometimes and it will make you shake your head. Sometimes it will make you cry."

Nunez tied a career high with four RBIs.

Baltimore took a 1-0 lead in the second on a double by Hanser Alberto off Indians rookie Zach Plesac.

Cashner retired 11 consecutive batters before allowing a bloop single to Carlos Santana.

The Orioles broke open the game with six runs in the fourth. Santander started the rally with a 410-foot solo homer. Jonathan Villar and Mancini later added back-to-back RBI doubles. Nunez ended Plesac's afternoon with a solo shot to center.

Plesac had his shortest start over seven outings this season, allowing seven runs and seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks over 3⅔ innings.

Mancini had another two-run single in the fifth that provided a 9-0 margin. Sisco added a two-run home run off A.J. Cole in the sixth. Sisco hit the 99th ball to land on Eutaw Street the previous night.

Nunez got his 17th homer of the season off Mike Freeman.

Baltimore won consecutive games for the first time since May 4-6. The Indians have been shut out seven times this year.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: 3B Jose Ramirez will be activated off the paternity list for Sunday's game. "He will be ready to play," Francona said. ... RHP Danny Salazar (right shoulder) will throw 30 to 35 pitches in a simulated game Sunday in Arizona. Salazar has not pitched at the major league level since 2017 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery. ... RHP Jefry Rodriguez (right shoulder strain) was held back from the team's eight-game road trip.

UP NEXT

Indians: Shane Bieber (6-3, 3.83 ERA) earned his first career shutout May 19 against the Orioles, allowing five hits with 15 strikeouts.

Orioles: Gabriel Ynoa (0-5, 6.75 ERA) has given up 13 runs in his past two starts (7⅔ innings).

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Vlad Jr. youngest in history named to HR Derby

Published in Baseball
Sunday, 30 June 2019 07:47

Toronto Blue Jays rookie star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will become the youngest player in major league history to compete in the Home Run Derby.

Major League Baseball confirmed Sunday that Guerrero, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell and Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana will participate in the midseason power showcase, filling three spots in the eight-player field.

Brewers star Christian Yelich and Mets rookie Pete Alonso -- who rank first and second, respectively, in the majors in homers -- already had been announced as participants.

The Home Run Derby will be held July 8, when Guerrero will be 20 years, 114 days old. Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was the previous youngest player in Derby history, at 20 years, 230 days old in 1990.

Guerrero will become the third player to compete in the Derby at the age of 20, joining Griffey and Bryce Harper (2013).

Guerrero has eight homers in 53 games this season with the Blue Jays. He became the youngest player in Blue Jays history to hit a homer on May 14, when he homered against the Giants at 20 years, 59 days old.

Bell, 26, is enjoying a breakout season with the Pirates, batting .303 with 22 homers and 70 RBIs. The switch-hitting Bell leads the majors in RBIs and is tied for ninth in home runs.

Santana, also a switch-hitter, is batting .291 with 18 homers.

Amy Hunt speeds to world under-18 200m best

Published in Athletics
Sunday, 30 June 2019 06:03

British teenager storms to fast time in Mannheim as she sets world U18 best and breaks Dina Asher-Smith’s UK junior record

Amy Hunt’s 22.42 at the Mannheim junior international in Germany on Sunday not only smashed Dina Asher-Smith’s British under-20 record but it was a world under-18 best. Remarkably, she only turned 17 in May too.

Hunt is a prodigious teenage talent but her time in Mannheim shocked even those familiar with her ability. Her PB prior to the event was 23.17, which she ran into a slight headwind at Loughborough earlier this summer, whereas her 22.42 was aided by a tailwind of 1.7m/sec as she beat Asher-Smith’s junior best of 22.61.

What’s more, the time puts her No.3 on the UK all-time senior rankings behind Asher-Smith and Kathy Cook.

Hunt grew up in Grantham and initially ran middle and long distance as a child before finding her talent as a sprinter and being coached by Ian Richards and Andy McMahon at Grantham AC.

Soon she began to develop a winning habit, clocking 26.4 for 200m in 2014 to top the UK under-13 rankings that year in her before winning her first English Schools sprints title in 2015 as a first year under-15

She then went unbeaten in 2016 against athletes from her age group as a 14-year-old in 2016 and ended the season with AW featuring her in our young athlete column.

On that occasion the AW writer, Emily Moss, wrote too many words for the space on the page but apologised by saying: “It is a bit longer than usual, but she is a talent!”

Sport runs in the family as her father is a keen triathlete and she also played netball, hockey and rounders.

But her performances have really taken off lately as she has joined Charnwood AC and is coached in Loughborough by Joe McDonnell – a coach known for developing para-athlete sprinters Sophie Hahn, Libby Clegg and Thomas Young.

From that 26.4 in 2014 she has improved each year to 25.47 (2015), 25.22 (indoors in 2016), 24.33 (2017) and 23.17 (2018).

At 100m the tall, long-striding youngster has run 11.31 – and she has already been selected to race that distance at the European Under-20 Championships in Boras, Sweden, in July, where she will surely start red-hot favourite.

Britain's two-time singles champion Andy Murray will make a welcome return to Wimbledon in the doubles after missing last year's Championships with a career-threatening hip injury.

The Scot said in January he thought he might have to retire after this year's tournament at the All England Club.

But the 32-year-old is back playing pain-free after having his hip resurfaced five months ago.

The former world number one hopes to play in the men's and mixed doubles.

The tournament begins at the All England Club on Monday and you can follow comprehensive coverage across TV, radio, online and the mobile app.

Serbia's defending champion Novak Djokovic is considered the player to beat in the men's singles and starts the defence of his title when he opens up play on Centre Court against Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber at 13:00 BST on Monday.

The women's singles - won last year by Germany's Angelique Kerber, who starts on Centre at 13:00 BST on Tuesday - is expected to be another wide-open contest.

Konta leads British hopes

Johanna Konta is considered the Briton with the best shot of going far in the singles, having reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2017 and coming into the tournament on the back of a shock run to the Roland Garros last four.

That success on the clay - previously considered Konta's weakest surface - led former British number one Jo Durie to warn the 28-year-old's rivals to "watch out" at SW19.

Her form on the grass has not yet matched her clay season, however. She lost to former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko in the second round at Birmingham, then went out to Tunisia's Ons Jabeur in the third round at Eastbourne.

Kyle Edmund, who replaced Murray as the British number one last year, is the only home man to be seeded, but the 30th seed has struggled for form and fitness in recent months.

Going into the grass season, he had only won two matches from the end of March and retired from his French Open second-round match with a knee injury.

The 24-year-old's comeback ended in a straight-set loss to Greek top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas at Queen's, before he took a wildcard at Eastbourne where he beat compatriots Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans before losing to American Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals.

Norrie and Evans, ranked 49th and 65th, also qualified directly for the draw, while Jay Clarke, James Ward and teenager Paul Jubb have been given wildcards.

Heather Watson, now ranked outside the top 100 and an ever-present in the main draw since 2010, Harriet Dart and Katie Swan have also been given wildcards.

Old guard still lead the way

Despite all being aged in their 30s, the 'big three' of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal continue to dominate the men's singles, having won the past 12 Grand Slam titles between them.

Top seed Djokovic, 32, saw his bid to hold all four major titles at the same time derailed by Austria's Dominic Thiem in the French Open semi-finals, yet remains the favourite to win Wimbledon as he looks for a 16th Grand Slam triumph.

Federer, who turns 38 in August, is bidding to claim a record-extending ninth Wimbledon title for his 21st Grand Slam - a tally which has also never been bettered by any other man.

Nadal, 33, has 18 Grand Slams after winning his 12th Roland Garros title last month.

Between them, the trio have won 53 of the past 64 majors, stretching back to Federer's maiden Wimbledon triumph in 2003.

"We pushed each other to greater heights, to improve maybe Rafa's grass, Novak's hard courts, my clay," Federer said.

"I think we definitely became better because of one another."

Federer, who plays South African debutant Lloyd Harris in the first round, has been seeded second and will start in the opposite side of the draw to Djokovic.

That led to criticism from world number two Nadal, who is seeded third under Wimbledon's grass-court formula and projected to meet Federer in the semi-finals.

The All England Club's system means South African world number eight Kevin Anderson, who lost to Djokovic in last year's final, is seeded fourth.

But the big-serving 33-year-old only returned to the tour at Queen's last week after missing three months with an elbow injury.

Croatia's 13th seed Marin Cilic, a beaten finalist in 2017, and American ninth seed John Isner, who lost to Anderson in last year's epic six-and-a-half-hour semi-final, are also hoping to be among the established players making a run.

Greek seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, 20, is expected to lead the charge of the young guns aiming to topple the old guard, while Italian Matteo Berrettini and Canadian youngster Felix-Auger Aliassime could also make their mark.

Barty and Osaka head a wide-open women's draw

In contrast to the men's, the women's game has been highly unpredictable in recent years with nine different winners at the past 10 majors.

Japan's Naomi Osaka is the only player to have triumphed twice since the start of 2017, although the US Open and Australian Open champion struggled to cope under the spotlight of being the top seed at the French Open, saying she suffered headaches from the "stress" before going out in the third round.

"I don't think there was anything that could have prepared me for that, especially since I'm kind of an over-thinker," Osaka, 21, said.

"I think it's better for me now to be number two here."

Osaka's place at the top of the world rankings has been taken by Australian Ashleigh Barty, who won her maiden major at the French Open - five years after quitting the sport to play professional cricket.

Barty, 23, says having the top seeding has not changed her preparations for the Championships.

"There's more attention, there's more of that outside noise. But what we're trying to do on the court hasn't changed much," she said.

"The only pressure that I put on myself is making sure I do everything correctly."

Seven-time champion Serena Williams has been tipped to win by another American great Chris Evert as she bids again for her first major title since giving birth in September 2017.

One more triumph would see the 11th seed, who has struggled with a knee injury, equal Australian Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Slam singles titles.

"I haven't had enough match play but I saw some good doctors in Paris and I'm feeling better," Williams said.

Czech third seed Karolina Pliskova, who warmed up by winning the Eastbourne title, has been tipped by Martina Navratilova to finally make her breakthrough at the Grand Slams and win her first major at Wimbledon.

Sixth seed Petra Kvitova, another Czech, has been struggling with an arm injury but hopes to be fit enough to mount a challenge for a third title, while Kerber - who lost to Pliskova in the Eastbourne final - is also expected to figure.

How can I follow the Championships?

Viewers can watch the best action on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Red Button, while there are also up to 18 courts to choose from through Connected TVs, the BBC Sport website and app, with every match live in HD for the first time.

BBC Radio 5 Live will also be at the heart of the action, with live commentary and expert analysis every day of the championship.

Today at Wimbledon on BBC Two each night takes an in-depth look at the day's best matches and biggest talking points.

And you can stay up to date with all the latest news and go behind the scenes via BBC Sport's social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Suspended Tata queries VAR's Gold Cup absence

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 30 June 2019 01:26

HOUSTON - Gerardo "Tata" Martino will be suspended for Mexico's Gold Cup semifinal against Haiti on Tuesday and has questioned why there is no VAR at the competition.

Mexico defeated Costa Rica 5-4 on penalties, after tying 1-1 over 180 minutes, but Martino was shown a yellow card in the second half and was livid on the touchline after a decision to award Los Ticos a penalty after half-time. It was his second card of the tournament, following his caution during the 3-2 victory over Martinique in the group stage.

"The officiating was bad, what else can I say?" said Martino in a news conference after the game. "I'm going to miss the next game and the referee could go on to officiate the final of the tournament."

- Mexico Player Ratings: Ochoa turns in another 10/10 performance

Martino was also unhappy that a Panamanian referee had been chosen for the game against Costa Rica because the Panamanian national team is still in the competition and asked why VAR is not in use, stressing that he was making the points in order to help the tournament improve in the future.

"It is impossible with the technology there is today and with VAR used in Mexico and in the United States that there isn't VAR in this tournament," said Martino.

"In the Copa America they stop the game 200 times for VAR, they've pulled back four goals because of VAR and we don't have VAR."

Martino's Mexico struggled at times against a tough Costa Rica side, but the Argentine coach was happy with his team's display.

"Today Mexico brought the football, we deserved to win the game thanks to our football," said Martino. "Guillermo Ochoa made the save of the game, but the game that all [the players] played was sensational."

El Tri will travel on Sunday ahead of Tuesday's semifinal in Glendale, Arizona.

Imagine the stadium announcer on La Liga's first weekend. Imagine the impact on the crowd and opposition when he's finished reading out the first seven names on Barcelona's team sheet: "Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Dani Alves (which may get a roar in itself), Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba: Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong ..."

Then comes the shock and awe. "Numero siete (7): Neymar! ... Numero diez (10) Lionel Messi! ... Numero catorce (14) Antoine Griezmann! ... y numero nueve (9) Luis Suarez!"

In this scenario, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Barcelona have achieved the seemingly impossible by sending Philippe Coutinho, plus €100m, to PSG for Neymar and sticking to their pre-planned €120 million buyout-clause "smash-and-grab" to take Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.

To many this transfer market feat would be akin to the row of buses Evel Knievel refused to jump on his trusty 1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750, the icy Himalayan peak Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes wouldn't climb, or the straightjacket from which Harry Houdini couldn't contort himself to freedom. One challenge too far.

But Barcelona made a club-to-player deal with Griezmann back in March that they'd spend the money when his buyout clause lowers from July 1. And the club are most certainly weighing up the opportunity to bring Neymar back, less than two years after his world-record €222m move to PSG.

- Marcotti's transfer guide: What's real and what's not?
- Transfer to-do list for Europe's top clubs

It's not so fanciful that this could be the XI in mid-August -- complete with 36-year-old right-back Dani Alves' return after his contract ran out at PSG -- but there are another couple of logical, if less daring, solutions.

1) Stick to the strategy of buying Griezmann and ignore Neymar's mewling and scratching at the back door, keeping Coutinho instead.

2) Manoeuvrer Griezmann to PSG, then repatriate Neymar for significantly less (outlay and wages) than it cost PSG to acquire him in 2017 -- using some of the €120m they would have spent on the Frenchman on the Brazilian instead, plus Coutinho.

OK, now we've got those two "frugal" alternatives out of the way, we can dismiss them. Because neither option is what sources have told ESPN that the bean-counters, strategists and mad-eyed-dreamers at Camp Nou are interested in pushing through.

By forcing a powerful Coutinho valuation on PSG, dropping the near €90m purchase of Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt (re-deploying the cash they'd earmarked), totting up another €100m in squad-player sales and imposing the appropriate wage-agreement on Neymar, Barcelona are trying to have their cake and eat it.

If, and that's a big if, the Camp Nou club could pull off this truly remarkable, and hellishly risky, deal would Messi, Neymar, Suarez and Griezmann constitute the greatest attacking quartet any club in history has possessed at one time?

I can assure you that marketable slogan itself would be sufficiently attractive to some club presidents or board members to press the button on the deals and damn the consequences. Ego and popularity contests play a far bigger role in football club decision-making, masquerading as strategy, than most would like to admit.

But if it comes to pass it would strike an interesting historic chord.

We're still celebrating the 20th anniversary of Manchester United winning what was, then, only the fourth Treble of domestic league, main domestic cup and European Cup/Champions League (they followed Celtic, Ajax and PSV) in history.

One of the fundamentals of Sir Alex Ferguson's achievement in 1998-99 was how rare it was to successfully group four such exceptional, proud, demanding, internationally recognised strikers as Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham in one squad.

Across United's four competitions the four men combined to score 76 times. One or other of them hit the net on the final, decisive, day of the Premier League, the FA Cup final and, of course, the added-time Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich at Camp Nou. That Treble bore the strikers' signatures more than any other department, though of course Fergie didn't start all four of his musketeers in the same XI.

Contrastingly, you'd better believe that if Messi, Suarez, Griezmann and Neymar were all with Barca then manager Ernesto Valverde would be required to make all four start as the rule, rather than the exception. Not every single week, obviously, but wherever possible.

Notably, the only two clubs other than Barcelona to have won the Treble since United in 1999 have boasted similar firepower: Inter Milan, lifting Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2010, used Diego Milito, Samuel Eto'o, Mario Balotelli and Goran Pandev. Bayern Munich, steered to Bundesliga, Pokal and Europe's top prize by Jupp Heynckes in 2013, could choose from Mario Mandzukic, Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez but also from Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Claudio Pizarro.

Barcelona's 2009 Treble under Pep Guardiola was powered by a massive goal total from: Messi, Thierry Henry, Eto'o, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Bojan Krkic. While Luis Enrique's trophy triplet of 2015 had the MSN of Messi, Neymar and Suarez, plus Pedro.

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Why it's 'impossible' for Barca to bring in both Neymar & Griezmann

ESPN FC's Julien Laurens breaks down Neymar and Antoine Griezmann's respective wage bills and doesn't see a way Barcelona could afford them both.

The financial gymnastics in which Barcelona are indulging to sign both Neymar and Griezmann are, to any Barca purist from the Johan Cruyff/Guardiola/Txiki Begiristain school of thought, an aberration. It's the mentality of Real Madrid-esque Galactico purchasing -- nearly €300m lavished on Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, but hey "cash them in and re-splurge!" if the team seems jaded, or wilts in the red-hot heat of Anfield. Just like in Paris, Turin or Rome in recent years.

Adding Griezmann and Neymar is another nod of disrespect, indeed disdain, not only towards the youth academy (La Masia) work and ideals, but more specifically to Carles Alena and Ricki Puig whose form and maturity are beginning to demand significantly more game time in the first XI.

Let's not ignore the dilemma of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, either, after he explicitly stated that one of his legacies, before his mandate ends in 2021, should be renewing Messi's contract once again. If, as I believe, Messi has made it clear to Bartomeu that he must try to bring Neymar "home," then how does the president slap that request down, or ignore it, but then start what he hopes will be fruitful, effective negotiations with team Messi?

In summary, Barcelona want this remarkable double deal to take place. They can probably pull it off. In fact that's the slight favourite in the betting.

It'll hamstring them financially, and it's a direct kick in the teeth to what was once Barcelona's football philosophy, but it'll fixate world attention on Camp Nou once more, it'll charm both current and potential sponsors and, should the players click on the pitch, it's feasible that the Treble could finally be re-achieved.

Tell me seriously, what would you try to do in the club's position?

Live Report - India v England

Published in Cricket
Sunday, 30 June 2019 00:57

Buckle up, it's time for England v India. Here's our blog with live updates from Edgbaston. (If the blog doesn't load for you, please refresh your page.)

Fifteen-year-old American qualifier Cori Gauff says it is "a dream" to be facing her idol Venus Williams in the first round of Wimbledon.

The world number 301 became the youngest player to qualify for the main Wimbledon draw since the Open era began in 1968.

She says the Williams sisters were her idols growing up and that Serena is "the reason why I play tennis".

"I kind of felt like I was going to play one of them," Gauff said.

"Many people have been like 'do you like your draw?' - I love my draw. Playing one of the greatest players of all time is a dream - I'm excited to see how I do."

Gauff, who will be the first 15-year-old in the main draw since Britain's Laura Robson in 2009, received a wildcard to get into qualifying.

"I found out last minute," she said. "I wasn't even packed to come here so it's just crazy how life can turn around in a second."

In facing Venus, she takes on a player 24 years her senior who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, five at the All England Club.

Of the age gap, Gauff said: "I don't think of Venus as old - she's still killing the game right now.

"It's crazy to show her longevity - that's how I look at it. I hope I'm still playing and doing well at 39."

'She reminds me of Venus'

It is Venus' younger sister Serena who features in a poster on Gauff's bedroom wall in Florida - "a reminder to work hard every day", according to the youngster.

And the 37-year-old, winner of 23 Grand Slams, is a fan.

"She's an exciting young player, and she's so cool," she said. "She's a great girl, I love her dad - they're just really cool people

"It's a great moment for her and for Venus.

"It's going to be a big moment for Venus as well - she's playing against a player who reminds me of Venus. Just her body and everything."

Gauff reached the US Open girls' final aged 13 in 2017, and won the French Open girls' singles title a year later.

Asked about being called "the future of tennis", she added: "It's crazy that people call me the next this, next that. I'm just trying to be me."

In fact, in the individual events only one champion does not return; South Africa’s Petrus du Plooy, the men’s singles class 6 winner in Agadir, does not compete in Alexandria.

However, the names of Nigeria’s Ahmed Owolabi Koleosho (class 3), alongside Egypt’s Mohamed Sameh Eid Saleh (class 4), Hassan Tolba (class 5) and Moahmed Ahmed Sayed (class 7) in addition to Abdelraman Abdelwahab (class 10) all appear on the entry list.

Similarly in the women’s singles events, Nigeria’s Chine Obiora (class 5) and Egypt’s Faiza Mahmoud (class 5) both gold medallists in Agadir compete as does the host nation’s Hanna Hammad (class 6). A silver medallist four years ago, at the recent 2019 Para Egypt Open she struck gold, she is a player in form.

Notably, also present in the men’s singles event is South Africa’s Theo Cogill (class 10); just over one year ago he finished in fourth place in class 6-10 at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, prior to securing bronze at the more recent 2019 Para Egypt Open.

Alongside Nigeria’s Olufemi Ajayi, he spoke to Olalekan Okusan, the ITTF-Africa Press Officer; both in a positive mood as they look ahead to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

“I am aiming to secure my place here but I don’t like boasting before any tournament. I am quite optimistic that I will make it here in Egypt.” Theo Cogill

“I don’t see anybody stopping me because I have not been stopped in previous tournaments. I know the South African player is my arch rival but I am ready for any opponent to pick up the maximum points in the tournament.” Olufemi Ajayi

However, if experience is the factor, no player can match Nigeria’s 52 year old Nasiru Sule (class 5); he competed in 1992 in Barcelona, four years later in Atlanta, in 2000 in Sydney and 2008 in Beijing. Likewise, he spoke to Olalekan Okusan.

“All my life has revolved round table tennis and the sport has added value to my life; at the moment I am the only table tennis star in Nigeria to have received the Nigeria’s national honour – Member of the Order of Niger. It was following my performance in 1996 in Atlanta. The sport has opened doors for me in life and it has created a job for me. So quitting the sport now is not in my plan and I am hoping and believing that I will make it to Tokyo 2020 in Japan. Competing in the Paralympics Games is the dream of every player and not taking part in the last two editions has been challenging particularly knowing full well that I have the ability to make it there. I have to put that behind me and focus on returning to the big stage in Tokyo.” Nasiru Sule

Accommodated at the Plaza Grand Hotel, a total of 85 players, 65 men and 20 women representing eight national associations – Algeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia – appear on the entry list.

Everything in place, Khalid El-Salhy, the President of the African Table Tennis Federation, who is well aware of the tournament’s significance; likewise spoke to Olalekan Okusan.

“It is clear that some players can get their Tokyo 2020 qualification licence from his tournament; those players who will not have the required number of ranking points but they are winners here, should compete in para events in the next six months.” Khaled El-Salhy

Most certainly, it is an impressive entry, one that underlines the progress of para table tennis and table tennis in the continent of Africa; compared with Agadir in 2015, the numbers have grown significantly. Four years ago 45 players registered, a total of 35 men and 10 women representing six national associations – Egypt, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa.

Intense competition awaits but whatever the outcome it is progress, major progress in the continent of Africa.

2019 Para African Championships: Latest Results and Draws

Furthermore, for all players present, preparation was detailed, the tournament being qualification for the 2019 World Junior Championships to be staged later in the year in Bangkok, Thailand. Both the United States and Canada travelled to the Korea Republic; for the Latin American countries it was Cancun under the direction of Massimiliao Costantino, the ITTF High Performance Manager.

“We had 12 countries present, the general knowledge was good, the main factor to consider for the players is how to apply those skills in match situations. They make unforced errors, a lack of self-discipline, employing the necessary tactics at the appropriated time; these are the main areas to address.” Massimo Costantini

Basically, it is very much a case of experience.

“Nowadays you need multiple skills to play at a high level; for an attacking player you need to be aggressive on the second ball, return short, use the “banana” return; at the moment the young players here in Cancun lack the experience of which skill to apply. It is the discipline of tactics.” Massimo Costantini

My mind wandered back to the early 1990s when Elena Timina, the Russian international who later represented the Netherlands and is renowned for defensive skills, explained that a player needs to have something on which they can rely in critical situations; perhaps there is a lesson for the young players in Cancun?

“Players need to take responsibility when it is close; some become passive, they rely on their opponents for errors. It is important to identify the skills of a player, identify the best way to play for that player. Players here in the 15 years to 18 years age group are very much all round players. They need a clearer idea of what to do in vital situations.” Massimo Costantini.

Adapting to situations, quite simply one player who has shown the ability to adapt and has impressed Massimo Costantini is Panama’s Jacobo Vahnish.

“Jacobo is very much the modern day player, today you need a good backhand, in that respect he excels. Also, he plays with good control, he plays assured and then takes the opportunity to play stronger; he is prepared to serve long and fast.” Massimo Costantini

Can we compare Jacobo Vahnish with Fan Zhendong? Very much Fan Zhendong plays a first safe attack and then follows as the situation demands; Jacobo Vahnish is not dissimilar.

Also Massimo Costantini was impressed with the United States girls’ team.

“They are consistent, they put the ball on the table, they are safe and they appear to have a good understanding of table tennis.” Massimo Costantini.

There are many factors that are must be completed to form the athlete in whatever sport; in Cancun those factors are in evidence but is there a player who can put them all together, we wait with anticipation.

unfortunately owing to the unavailability of the venue on the concluding day of play, it was not possible to complete the tournament in full.

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Sports Leagues

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