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Norwegian carries on in key role for a further four years as Cherry Alexander is elected vice president
Svein Arne Hansen has been re-elected unopposed as president of European Athletics, while Cherry Alexander became the body’s first female vice-president of the body for years at elections in Prague on Saturday.
Hansen succeeded Hansjorg Wirz in 2015 and the Norwegian now has another four years at the helm after 50 member federations at the European Athletics congress in the Czech Republic capital gave him their nod of approval.
Welcoming the start of Hansen’s second term as president, the IAAF president Seb Coe told the congress: “You have made the reforms that we have made to our sport in recent years come to life. I have particular gratitude to the man you elected four years ago as your president. He has been a strong and steady compass.”
Britain’s Alexander was one of three vice presidents elected, the others being Dobromir Karamarinov of Bulgaria and Libor Varhanik of the Czech Republic.
To ensure gender balance, for the first time ever there was a requirement of at least one man and woman to be elected as a vice president.
“Running for election for one of the top positions in the sport in Europe has been a lifetime ambition and I’m honoured to have been elected,” Alexander told British Athletics.
“As a federation we have reflected and learned more about what makes a good member within the family and my style has always been one of engagement and listening. I’m proud to represent UK Athletics and look forward to putting all views across.
“As a female in the sport in the early days I recall how challenging it is to have your voice heard and I know how it feels similar for smaller federations who need to be heard too.”
Alexander has been widely reported as the first woman to hold the role at European Athletics, although Erika Strasser, an Austrian javelin thrower in the 1960s, was the first female vice president from 1991-95.
A total of 13 council members, including four women, were also elected: Slobodan Brankovic (SRB), Nadya But-Husaim (BLR), Raul Chapado (ESP), Fatih Cintimar (TUR), Jean Gracia (FRA), Karin Grute Movin (SWE), Marton Gyulai (HUN), Frank Hensel, (GER), Anna Kirnova (SVK), Dimakos Panagiotis (GRE), Antti Pihlakoski (FIN), Sonja Spendelhofer (AUT) and Erich Teigamägi (EST).
Steph Twell and Nick Goolab take BM 10km titles – weekly round-up
Swift times on the roads in Brighton from Twell and Goolab, while Peter Le Grice and Helen Davies win marathon crowns
Steph Twell enjoyed an emphatic victory in the BM 10km as Nick Goolab led a number of Brits under the 29-minute barrier as he took the men’s race on the roads of Brighton.
Twell clocked 31:58 to finish just over a minute ahead of GB world cross competitors Mhairi Maclennan (32:59) and Emily Hosker-Thornhill (33:03) with Kate Reed, the 2008 Olympian, showing a good return to form in fourth (33:08).
Goolab (below) clocked a course record of 28:22 from Adam Hickey (28:53), Andy Heyes (28:56), Jack Gray (28:57), Shaun Antell (28:57) and Phil Sesemann (28:58) with Ben Connor, returning from injury, just outside 29 minutes.
In the Brighton Marathon itself Peter Le Grice of Bristol & West and Helen Davies of Ipswich Jaffa took the men’s and women’s titles.
In cold and blustery conditions Davies (below) clocked a PB of 2:34:08, while Le Grice ran a PB of 2:16:23 – the fastest time by a Briton on this course.
Le Grice plans an autumn marathon and his next race will be the Vitality London 10,000 on the roads on May 27 – a race Davies will also be doing after running in a 10km event in Woodbridge earlier in May.
In the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon there was an Ethiopian one-two-three in the women’s race as Gelete Burka clocked 2:22:47 to beat Azmera Gebru (2:22:52) & Azmera Abreha (2:23:35).
In fourth, Clémence Calvin ran a French record of 2:23:41 after a tumultuous week that saw a provisional suspension dramatically lifted on Friday after she was earlier accused of failing to co-operate with anti-doping officers in Morocco last month.
Nouveau record de France de Marathon par Clémence Calvin : 2:23:41 ???#ParisMarathon pic.twitter.com/5aU6YUJX22
— Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris (@parismarathon) April 14, 2019
Abrha Milaw took the men’s victory in Paris in 2:07:05 from fellow Ethiopian Asefa Mengistu (2:07:25) as Paul Lonyangata of Kenya saw his hopes of winning a hat-trick of titles in Paris thwarted as he was third in 2:07:29.
At the age of 56, Spain’s 1994 European and 1995 world marathon champion Martin Fiz clocked 2:27:45.
Meanwhile, in sprints action over the weekend Adam Gemili ran an early UK 100m lead of 10.11 (0.4m/s) for victory at the Grenada Invitational, while Miguel Francis ran 20.16 (+1.0m/s) to move to joint eighth on the British 200m all-time list. The 24-year-old has a PB of 19.88 but his time in Grenada is his quickest since having his GB allegiance confirmed in 2017 and it saw him win ahead of Olympic silver medallist Andre De Grasse as Justin Gatlin pulled up with cramp.
Also in Grenada, Evonne Britton clocked a 12.81 PB (+1.9m/s) for a 100m hurdles world lead over Megan Symmonds with 12.93 and Nia Ali with 12.99. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the 100m in 11.20 (+0.6m/s).
British 100m and 200m record-holder Dina Asher-Smith was among athletes in Southern Athletics League action over the weekend and stepped up to form part of Blackheath & Bromley’s 4x400m team, running the first leg in Gillingham.
She ran a split time of 52.60 which contributed to the team’s Southern League and club record time of 3:40.54 which ranks 11th all-time among UK clubs and saw them win by 24 seconds.
She was joined by Shannon Hylton who ran 55.43, Holly Mpassy with 56.85 and Krystal Galley with 55.60.
Asher-Smith later tweeted: “It was far too long. Anything above 20 odd seconds is too much fast running for my liking.”
So, at the Southern Athletics league in Gillingham yesterday, the first leg of the womens 4x400m for Blackheath & Bromley yesterday was one @dinaashersmith! Pretty much the best sprinter in the world, at a SAL match! Gutted to have missed it but my coach got a great photo. pic.twitter.com/vUyGadXpnM
— Sean (@sconnerton84) April 14, 2019
Amelia Strickler threw a shot put PB of 17.51m in California to move from 10th to eighth on the UK all-time list.
In Valencia, Britain’s Emile Cairess ran 28:48.15 and Mahamed Mahamed clocked 29:01.34 for 10,000m on the track.
At The Armory in New York, CJ Albertson ran the fastest ever indoor marathon with a time of 2:17:59.4. His 211-lap challenge included a 30.8 last 200m.
CJ Albertson sets the new World Record for the Indoor Marathon- 2:17.59.4??WAIT…. His last 200 was 30.8?? #IndoorMarathon #NYC pic.twitter.com/BfnspDDtf0
— The Armory (@ArmoryNYC) April 13, 2019
The fastest men’s UK parkrun time was set by James Hunt of Cardiff at Porthcawl with 14:57. The Stretford first finisher ran 15:03 but did so anonymously, while Edgar Sumskis ran 15:08 at Peterborough.
Other notable first-placers included Jake Wightman, who did so at Bushy Park (which had 1231 finishers) in 15:21. M40 Nick Torry, who the previous week had won the Paddock Wood Half Marathon, was first home in Dulwich in 15:22.
parkrun record-holder Andrew Baddeley, who was down in Brighton to help with the children’s runs, led in the Hove Promenade in 16:37.
The fastest women’s time was at Bushy Park where Hayley Carruthers ran 16:05. Fionnuala Ross led home the women in Springburn in 16:52 and was the only other sub-17 woman runner.
Women dominated the age-grading. W60 Lynne Higgins was the leading woman at Cleethorpes in 20:21 and scored 99.59%. W55 Clare Elms ran Beckenham in 18:10 and scored 98.35% as she ‘first-finished’ her 151st parkrun in 151 parkruns.
W60 Carolyn Milne (20:07 – 95.11% at Aberdeen), W70 Angela Copson (23:48 – 95.10% at Rosliston) and W70 Margaret Moody (23.44 – 93.82% at Basingstoke) completed the top five.
Ten-year-old Fred Jones, the National Prep School champion, ran a superb 17:53 at Isabel Trail to finish fifth overall.
Worknesh Degefa and Lawrence Cherono win Boston Marathon
Degefa dominates after solo run, while Cherono beats Lelisa Desisa in thrilling sprint finish
Worknesh Degefa and Lawrence Cherono stormed to Boston Marathon success on Monday, with the women’s title won after an impressive solo run and the men’s race ending in an exciting sprint finish.
While Kenya’s Cherono claimed victory by just two seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa after the pair and Kenya’s Kenneth Kipkemoi split away from a large lead group, Ethiopia’s Degefa made her move just four miles into the women’s race and at one point had a lead of almost three minutes ahead of her rivals.
Degefa’s only other marathon experience might have been on the flat roads of Dubai, but the 28-year-old – whose PB of 2:17:41 from January puts her fourth on the world all-time list – wasn’t put off by Boston’s hills.
After passing halfway in 70:40 with a lead of almost two-and-a-half minutes, she stayed strong in the challenging latter stages to eventually claim victory by 42 seconds in 2:23:31 as the experienced two-time world champion and 2017 Boston winner Edna Kiplagat started to chase her down but ran out of road.
USA’s Jordan Hasay was third in 2:25:20, Ethiopia’s Meskerem Assefa fourth in 2:25:40 and defending champion Desiree Linden fifth in 2:27:00.
Making her marathon comeback after last racing over 26.2 miles at the Rio Olympics in 2016, Ireland’s Fionnuala McCormack – who became a mother to daughter Isla just six months ago – clocked a PB of 2:30:38 to place 11th, while GB’s Alyson Dixon ran 2:35:43 to finish 16th.
In the men’s race, the halfway point was passed in 64:28 and the lead group – led by Kenya’s Geoffrey Kirui, Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu Hayle and USA’s Scott Fauble – remained 11-strong at 20 miles, where the clock showed 1:38:37.
Cherono, Desisa and Kipkemoi made a move and remained locked together until the closing stages, with Cherono and Desisa kicking away and sprinting for the finish line.
Cherono narrowly edged ahead to add victory in Boston to his 2:04:06 PB and course record victory at the Amsterdam Marathon in October, as Desisa was denied a third Boston win to go with his titles from 2013 and 2015.
Kipkemoi was third in 2:08:07, while Kenya’s Felix Kandie was fourth in 2:08:54 and Kirui fifth in 2:08:55.
Fauble and fellow American Jared Ward were also in the top 10, clocking 2:09:09 and 2:09:25 in seventh and eighth respectively. Japan’s defending champion Yuki Kawauchi finished 17th in 2:15:29, while GB’s Scott Overall was 23rd in 2:17:37.
After wins in Chicago and New York last year, 20-year-old Daniel Romanchuk secured men’s wheelchair race victory in 1:21:36, while Switzerland’s Manuela Schär was another to add to her series of World Marathon Majors wins as she won the women’s wheelchair race in 1:34:19.
Britain's Jordanne Whiley has won the Daegu Open in South Korea - her fourth title in five tournaments since returning after the birth of her son.
The 26-year-old recorded a 6-2 6-3 win over Japan's Momoko Ohtani, who she beat in last week's Busan Open final.
"When I started my comeback I never thought I'd win all these and be ranked inside the top 20 by April," said Whiley, who returned in December.
"I'm very happy with my wins here in Korea."
Whiley will now compete in Saturday's doubles final with 38-year-old fellow Briton Lucy Shuker, before she heads to the Israel Open in May.
Norrie loses to world No 372 Tipsarevic in Houston
British number two Cameron Norrie lost 6-3 6-4 to the world number 372 Janko Tipsarevic in the second round of the US Men's Clay Court Championship.
Norrie, 23, the world number 55, had been seeded third in Houston.
He lost his serve in the first game and was broken three more times in the first set as the Serb, a former top-10 player, took it in 31 minutes.
Norrie got an early break in the second, but lost serve twice late in the set as Tipsarevic sealed the win.
After accounting for Togo’s Sedik Tchagole and Abdou Razaq Sofianu (11-3, 11-7, 11-6), they caused the biggest upset of the day; they overcame Egypt’s Ahmed El-Borhamy and Abdelrahman Dendan, the top seeds, in a tense full distance five games encounter (11-5, 11-9, 3-11, 5-11, 11-8).
Success for Youssef Abid and Khalil Sta; there was also success for their colleagues, Aboubaker Bourass and Youssef Ben Attia, the no.2 seeds; they booked their quarter-final place courtesy of success in opposition to Ghana’s Theophilus Okyere and Collins Nana Damoah (11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8).
Mixed fortunes for the top two seeded pairs in the junior boys’ doubles event; in the counterpart junior girls’ doubles and junior mixed doubles competitions there were no such travails for the most prominent partnerships, as quarter-final places were reserved.
Moreover, it was further good news for Tunisia; notably in both events the continent’s most northerly country provided the top seeded partnerships. Fadwa Garci and Samir Hichri duly responded; in the junior girls’ doubles they opened their account with victory in opposition to the host nation’s Matilda Fodu and Augustina Baidoo (13-11, 11-4, 11-8).
Similarly in the mixed doubles, Aboubaker Bourass and Fadwa Garci reserved their last eight place by ousting Egypt’s Gawad El-Herazy and Shahid Sameh (9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-9).
Impressive from the top seeds, it was the same from the second seeds. Nandeshwaree Jalim and Oumehani Hosenally of Mauritius beat Angola’s Celeste Fereira and Kailane Sousa (11-6, 11-3, 11-2) to reserve their junior girls’ doubles quarter-final place; in the junior mixed doubles, Egypt’s Abdelrahman Dendan and Hend Fathy duly advanced, they accounted for Nigeria’s Azeez Solamke and Rofiat Jimoh (11-5, 10-12, 11-6, 11-5).
Play in Accra concludes on Saturday 13th April.
2019 African Youth, Junior and Cadet Championships: Newsletter No.6 (Thursday 11th April)
Open to all! On Monday 22 April from 09:00 until 18:00 (GMT+2) the 2019 ITTF Annual General Meeting will be held in Budapest, on the occasion of the 2019 World Table Tennis Championships.
However, you do not need to be in the Hungarian capital to know what’s going on! For the very first time, the ITTF is broadcasting its AGM live on its official streaming platform itTV. Register free of charge so that you can tune in and watch the AGM, as well as hundreds of matches taking place at the Liebherr 2019 World Table Tennis Championships, which runs from 21 until 28 April.
Live streaming this year’s AGM marks an essential step to provide maximum openness and transparency between the ITTF’s key decision-making bodies and all ITTF members, as well as members of the public, who will be able to enjoy a 360° view inside the Grand Ball Room of the Corinthia Hotel, Budapest.
Significantly, the AGM will see votes cast to decide where the 2021 and 2022 World Championships will take place. Morocco and United States are battling it out to host the former, ensuring that the greatest annual table tennis event will enter a new market. Meanwhile, bidding to stage the 2022 World Championships are China, Japan and Portugal: the first time in recent history that three bids for a single event have reached AGM final voting.
Annual reports will be delivered by ITTF President, Thomas Weikert, ITTF Deputy President, Khalil Al-Mohannadi, joined by other members of the Executive Committee, Continental Federations and Committees, while ITTF CEO, Steve Dainton, and ITTF Secretary General, Raul Calin, will be among those to speak.
Click here to view the AGM agenda in full.
Royal occasion, two titles for Khetam Abuawad in Amman
Competing in class 4-5, Khetam Abuawad alongside colleagues Faten Elelimat and Fatmeh Al-Azzam emerged in first place in a group organized event ahead of Turkey’s Hatice Dulmen and Irem Oluk. Third position was the lot of the top seeds, the combination formed by Germany’s Sandra Mikolaschek and Nigeria’s Chinenye Obiora.
Similarly, Merve Demir joined forces with Neslihan Kavas and Umran Ertis to win class 6-10; the top seeds, in the final they recorded a 2-0 win in opposition to colleague Kubra Korkut who partnered Malaysia’s Gloria Gracia Wong Sze.
Meanwhile, in the men’s team events, Hassan Janfeshan allied with colleague Majid Arabi to claim gold in class 2-3, the duo concluding matters in top spot ahead of Thailand’s Natthawut Thinathet and Thirayu Chueawong; Jordan’s Sama Abu Jame and Mazen Mahd Al-Shamaileh, the top seeds, finished in third place.
Good form maintained by Hassan Janfeshan, it was the same in class 4-5 by Mahdi Masoumiyakhdani; he partnered Indonesia’s Adyos Astan to success; the top seeds, in a group arranged completion they finished ahead of Nigeria’s Nasiru Sule and Ahmed Owolabi Koleosho who joined forces with India’s Sandeep Kalra.
Success for the top seeds, it was the same in class 7-8; however, not in class 9, nor in class 10. In class 7-8 the combination of Phisit Wangphonphatnanasiri and Hungary’s Gyula Istvan Zborai recorded a 2-0 win against Norway’s Fredrik Johansen and Pablo Jacobsen to seal the title.
Rather differently, group organized events, in class 9 the formation of Germany’s Yannik Klaus Ruddenklau alongside Malaysia’s Chee Chao Ming and Brady Chin Zi Rong emerged successful ahead of top seeds, Belgium’s Laurens Devos and Ben Ashok Despineux. Likewise, in class 10, Nigeria’s Tajudeen Agunbiade, Victor Farinlove and Alabi Olably Olufemi concluded play at the head of the list with top seeds, Malaysia’s Mohammad Azwar Bakar and Ahmed Syahir Mohamad Kamal Saupi in runners up spot.
A successful tournament and there was a most welcome guest, His Royal Highness Prince Mired of Jordan visited on the first day of play and on returned on the last day to present the prizes.
2019 Para Al-Watani Championships: Draws and Results
Destination Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic head bid for honours
No stranger to the ITTF World Junior Circuit, notably present last year in both the Czech Republic and in Poland, Mariano Lockward leads the Dominican Republic in the junior boys’ team event, the competition which starts proceedings. He lines up alongside Abit Tejada, Huram Morillo and Pedro Cabrera.
Similarly, for Puerto Rico there is a significant name, present at the recent Caribbean Senior Championships in Guyana, Gabriel Perez once again plies his skills; he joins forces with José Navedo, Christian Malave and Jadriel Villaneuva.
The Dominican Republic occupies the top seeded spot, Puerto Rico next in line. However, in the cadet boys’ team event as well as in both the junior girls’ team and cadet girls’ team events, it is Puerto Rico that tops the list. In the under 15 boys’ team competition Pablo Figueroa, Derek Valentin, Sebastian Gallo and Jan Gonzalez form the selection with St Lucia’s De Andre Calderon, Ishmel Moise and Jelanie Dusauzay being the second outfit on the list.
Meanwhile, in the junior girls’ team competition Edmarie Leon, Daymar Castro, Gabriella Vazquez and Sonelis Gonzalez form the Puerto Rican selection; the cadet girls’ team quartet reads Kristal Melendez, Alondra Rodriguez, Zulnamy Soto and Yoarilis Figueroa.
Notably in both the junior girls’ team and cadet girls’ team events, the Dominican Republic forms the challenge to Puerto Rico. In the former, Esmerlyn Castro, present at the recent Caribbean Senior Championships, heads the order followed by Dahyana Rojas, Rosa Torres and Estefany Rodriguez. In the cadet girls’ team competition Shary Muñoz, Dileisy de la Cruz, Cinthya Peña and Vianelkis Fernandez comprise the selection.
Play concludes in Santo Domingo on Wednesday 17th April.
Entries
2019 Caribbean Junior and Cadet Championships: Entries (Friday 12th April)
Junior Events
2019 Caribbean Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Boys’ Team – Stage One (Friday 12th April)
2019 Caribbean Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Girls’ Team – Group Draw (Friday 12th April)
Cadet Events
2019 Caribbean Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Group Draw (Friday 12th April)
2019 Caribbean Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Group Draw (Friday 12th April)
Mustapha Mustapha, Nigeria’s number one supporter and one day number one player?
by Ian Marshall, Editor
Supported by his father, an engineer by profession, following the conclusion of the ITTF World Junior Circuit tournament, Mustapha Mustapha has remained in Accra to watch play progress in the 2019 Africa Youth, Junior and Championships.
He is just a little too young to be playing; he is only eight years old.
Sitting in the stands, he has been charging his compatriots to play better with instructions here and encouraging chants there; his unique celebratory style has attracted attention from many people. Some say his high-pitch, animated celebrations affect opponents, the youngster says he is just happy urging his compatriots to do well in his unique way.
Mustapha has been described as the next big thing in Nigeria’s table tennis due to his intelligent play. Older opponents have had to wonder how the young lad, who barely sees over the table, can be so clever and difficult to play against. He has a most entertaining style of play, a fact Ibrahim Gado Nuhu acknowledged.
“Mustapha is a very clever player; the semi-final tie against him was the toughest match I played on my way to winning the gold medal. We had trained together during the ITTF Hopes Training last December and in that competition I beat him 3-0. In the World Junior Circuit tournament I noticed he had improved. I recognized this when we played because you cannot know where he will place the ball. He such a fast player. I believe he will be a great player for Nigeria.” Ibrahim Gado Nuhu
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