Thread: Sporting News

The Ryder Cup takes place this week at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club just outside the historic city of Rome, Italy.

Stars from the United States and Europe will battle it out in one of golf's most treasured and historic competitions.


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• Thailand underscores its talent in taekwondo with a gold medal

Banlung “Yu” Tabtimdang, a young but stellar taekwondo athlete, handed Thailand another gold medal in the Hangzhou Asian Games on Tuesday after defeating his Iranian opponent, becoming the sport’s first male gold medalist for the country in more than a decade.

The 18-year-old's road to glory commenced with a victory over Nepal’s Gobinda Bahadur Ale in the round of 16 with a score of 2-0, followed by a 2-1 triumph over Taiwan’s Liang Yushuai in the quarterfinal.

Banlung, who took second place in the rankings of the world’s young players in 2022, overcame the host nation’s fighter Liang Yushuai with a 2-0 round in the semi-final.

In the men's under-63 kg weight class final, Alireza Hosseinpour of Iran fell short against Thailand with scores of 6-7, and 7-11 in two rounds.

With the triumph, Banlung became the first male taekwondo athlete in 13 years to win a gold medal at the Asian Games and the second in history after Chutchawal “Max” Khawlaor won the 2010 competition in Guangzhou, China.

Chutchawal is now a member of Banlung’s training team.

The victorious Thai told a reporter that he is hoping to go further as he has the chance to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

He said that he gave his finest shot in every match and that he tried to follow his coaches' instructions while competing.

“I would like to give this gold medal to myself and Thai fans, my family, the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, and to everyone.”

Thailand currently has two gold medals from taekwondo; the other one coming from taekwondo hero Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit who defeated her Chinese opponent in a controversy-packed final on Monday.

She made a miraculous comeback with just 66 seconds to go.

Thailand has won five gold medals as of the time of publication.

Day 1 Ryder Cup results

Ryder Cup Final – Day 3 results

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: Favourite Ace Impact wins Europe's richest race

Ace Impact won the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to give trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and jockey Cristian Demuro their second victory in four years.

The 5-2 favourite burst past Westover, ridden by Rob Hornby, in the closing stages to win Europe's richest race.

Onesto, ridden by Maxime Guyon, was third.

"I won with Sottsass three years ago - it was incredible because I started in Pau a long time ago. Two Arcs in four years is fantastic," said Rouget.

Ace Impact, who is unbeaten in five previous runs for Rouget, got worked up in the paddock beforehand and lingered towards the back of the field in the early stages.

But after settling into the race, he unleashing his electrifying burst in the final stages to secure a first prize of more than £2.3m at Paris Longchamp.

Frankie Dettori, a record-six-time winner in Paris, came 13th on Free Wind in his 34th and final outing in the race before retirement later this year.

"I'm bowing out with with a smile on my face," said Dettori.

"It's all been great, six wins. What can you say? I've ridden some great champions and riding it 34 times is a record in itself."

Thai women golfers dominate at Asian Games with 2 golds

Thai women golfers crushed their rivals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Sunday, grabbing both gold medals on offer.

Arpichaya Yubol made a sensational Games debut, clinching victory in the women's individual competition with a score of 19-under 269 (67-65-69-68) at West Lake International Golf Course.

The silver medal went to India’s Aditi Ashok, two shots behind on 271, while South Korea’s Yoo Hyun-jo won bronze with 272.

Next best for Thailand were Patcharajutar Kongkraphan and Eila Galitsky, fifth and seventh respectively on 12-under 276 and 9-under 279.

The Thai trio’s combined score of 34-under 542 also earned them the gold medal in the team event. Silver went to South Korea on 28-under 548 while host country China bagged the bronze with 24-under 552.

"I am so happy. And I was able to bring pride to Thai people with two more gold medals," Arpichaya, 21, told reporters after the tournament. "This is my first Asian Games and getting my hands on a gold medal makes me proud of myself."

2 Koreas meet for gold in table tennis doubles

Sports and politics should be kept separate. But for North and South Korean athletes, to play an inter-Korean gold medal match is something special -- even if they deny it.

On Monday at the Asian Games in China's Hangzhou, South Korea's Jeon Ji Hee and Shin Yu Bin defeated North Korea's Cha Su Yong and Pak Su Gyong four games to one in the women's table tennis doubles final.

Jeon and Shin won 11-6,11-4, 10-12, 12-10, 11-3.

China's table tennis team displays extraordinary skills and determination in Asian Games

By Lin Xiaoyi and Cui Fandi in Hangzhou

Published: Oct 02, 2023 10:00 PM

"As the Chinese players Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong stood on the podium to receive their gold and silver medals in the men's singles event respectively, the table tennis competition at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province came to a close on Monday.

With an absolute advantage of six gold medals, the Team China continued to dominate in table tennis, known as the national sport in China. Throughout this over weeklong and grueling competitions, the Chinese table tennis team showcased their exceptional skills and determination, securing victory after victory.

“When the last ball landed, the first thing I recognized about my performance was that it was very good,” Sun Yingsha, world champion and world No.1, said while answering a question from the Global Times during Sunday's post-match interview.

China won both the gold medals on offer on Sunday, with Sun made to work harder, but followed up with a 4-1 victory over Japan’s Hayata Hina for the women's singles crown. This is Team China’s seventh consecutive Asian Games women’s table tennis singles gold medal.

In the other competition, world champions Fan and Wang make light work of Jang Woo-jin and Lim Jong-hoon from South Korea, winning the men's doubles title 4-0.

However, the day's slate of finals was far from what many had expected. After all, the men's doubles title decider was an all-China affair at the past two Asian Games, while China has enjoyed one-two finishes in the women's singles since Guangzhou 2010.

Earlier in the day, Hayata took out world No.4 Wang Yidi from 4-3 for a place in the final.

When questioned about the pressure the team was feeling, Sun said: "It's about being able to turn pressure into motivation. I would've preferred to meet a team-mate in the final, but Hayata has been in great form.”

Meanwhile, compared with the Jakarta Asian Games held in 2018, the table tennis program set up for the Hangzhou Asian Games has seen adjustments, with the addition of men's and women's doubles in addition to the five Olympic events of men's and women's teams, men's and women's singles and mixed doubles.

On Monday night, South Korea won the women's doubles gold medal by defeating North Korea in the women's doubles final.

Earlier, in a shock result, women's doubles world No. 1s Sun and Wang Manyu lost 1-3 to Japanese duo Miwa Harimoto and Miu Hirano, and their teammates Chen Meng and Wang Yidi were defeated by the same score by Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee from India on Saturday.

Few saw China's losses in the women's doubles quarterfinals coming. China has featured on the women's doubles podium at every edition since Tehran 1974 and China women's doubles pairs have been world champions since 1989.

"After we lost in the women's doubles yesterday, my coach and my team-mates offered me a lot of encouragement. Still, I think we must still do a proper review of what happened in the women's doubles," Sun said.

For the new table tennis mixed doubles event at the Olympics, Team China locked up the gold and silver medals on Saturday.

After winning the gold medal in the table tennis mixed doubles match, defending champion Wang Chuqin told the Global Times that he and his partner Sun Yin have transitioned from fighting for themselves to winning glory for their country as their strength has grown. Facing the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, they will be even more courageous and determined in the future.

Earlier, in the table tennis team event, the Chinese men's team bagged their eighth consecutive Asian Games gold medal, while the Chinese women's team snatched their fifth.

"Being able to fight on home soil gives us a lot of motivation and we will sum up the gains and losses of this tournament and try to win more in the future," Sun told the Global Times."

China's table tennis team displays extraordinary skills and determination in Asian Games - Global Times

34-year-old shot put legend Gong Lijiao wins third consecutive gold in Hangzhou, says she will 'keep going'

By Cui Fandi and Lin Xiaoyi in Hangzhou

Published: Oct 02, 2023 10:53 PM

"It was not an easy two-year journey from Tokyo to Hangzhou for China's athletics legend Gong Lijiao, for she has been dealing with the impact of COVID infection, prolonged injury and no coach's assistance. Nonetheless, she once again stepped on that top podium for women's shot put with a convincing victory, marking a 45-year dominance of Team China over the event in the quadrennial multi-sport event of Asia.

After defending her championship once again in women's shot put at Hangzhou Asian Games, hurling a distance of 19.58m and becoming a triple winner, the 34-year-old China's No. 1 shot putter told the Global Times that Hangzhou will be her last Asian Games, and that she is aiming for Paris Olympics.

Gong, a three-time Olympic medalist, who holds a record eight medals at the World Athletics Championships, said she was very happy to win the Asian Games gold for the third time in a row, despite her age. However, the result did not seem to satisfy her. "Anyway, my throw of just over 19.50m can be seen as an encouragement to do better next year."

Gong told the Global Times in a face-to-face interview that age as well as injuries have had a big impact on her physical condition, but she credited her on-field performance to the national team's medical staff.

"I now have to face the effects of injuries in addition to improving my technical deficiencies. For example, my lower back is now reacting after I increase my training volume," she said. "Fortunately, the national team now has a comprehensive medical team for us, with specialized physiotherapists, rehabilitators, physical fitness instructors, researchers and high-tech machines to help us."

Gong sees these as a "welfare" for veteran athletes. "It allows me to remain in top form at the age of 34."

After winning Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games, Gong completed the "grand slam" in the event, her ultimate dream. She revealed that after winning the Olympic gold medal, there were many people around who advised her to retire at her peak.

"They would say, it would be good for you to retire now, so that people can remember you at your peak," Gong told the Global Times. "But my thought is that I've come this far and I want to push my limits again."

Her latest goal is to throw 21 meters. "I am going to have to keep working on that and achieve that goal," she said.

Gong said she hopes to compete internationally a few more times before Paris to get to know her world rivals better and motivate each other.

Since bagging gold at Tokyo Olympics, Gong has been training on her own without the assistance of a professional coach. When training herself, she also took a new role as a rookie coach to help younger athletes to improve.

"If I spot younger athletes, I think maybe I can help them," she noted, saying that she has high hopes for the next generation of Chinese athletics.

On the same night, the female shot put silver also went to Team China as Song Jiayuan, the Universiade champion in Chengdu last month, finished at 18.92m.

"I have high expectations for Jiayuan, who has also done very well," Gong told the Global Times. "I hope that both Jiayuan and other young athletes can continue to promote Chinese women's track and field after I retire, so that we can continue to perform well at international level."

Gong said she not only looks forward to influencing young athletes with her own story of struggle, but also hopes she can inspire more young people from all walks of life."

34-year-old shot put legend Gong Lijiao wins third consecutive gold in Hangzhou, says she will 'keep going' - Global Times

Young swimmers’ rise to prominence boosts China’s dominance in pool

Butterflyer Zhang eyes MVP award at Asian Games

By Lu Wenao in Beijing and Lin Xiaoyi in Hangzhou

Published: Sep 25, 2023 10:51 PM

"The emerging younger generation of Chinese swimmers have contributed massively to China's swimming dominance at the Asian Games, as the national swimming team brought their gold medal tally on Monday to 11.

A most outstanding breakthrough came from Pan Zhanle, a 19-year-old freestyle sprint specialist. The young man crushed it with a new lifetime best of 46.97 seconds to take the gold medal in the men's 100 meters freestyle on Sunday.

But Pan remained unsatisfied with the breakthrough.

"I felt my performance was mediocre. I was aiming to break the world record before the race," Pan told reporters after the race. "The Asian record doesn't feel like anything extraordinary. This is something I should get. It's a bit disappointing that I missed it by only 0.11 seconds."

Pan's performance has set a new Asian record, making him the first Asian swimmer to finish 100 meters under the 47-second barrier and the fifth-fastest swimmer in the discipline in history. Previously his personal best was at 47.22 seconds produced at this year's Chinese Championships.

The world record remains at the 46.86 seconds Romania's David Popovici put on the books at the 2022 European Championships.

Pan told the Global Times that the secret behind his triumph lies in the everyday training during which he has paid close attention to improving his flip turns.

"The last two months I have put a lot of effort into improving my jump start and flip turns," Pan told the Global Times. "Communication with the coach is very important," he said, before noting he will continue to strive toward the goal of breaking the world record in the future.

Standing next to Pan on the men's 100 meters freestyle podium was 18-year-old Wang Haoyu. Speaking of his performance of 48.02 seconds, 1.05 seconds behind Pan's achievement, Wang said nervousness at the Asian Games thwarted him from attaining a better performance.

"I was a little nervous. It's impossible not to be [as it's my first Asian Games]. It was slightly below my expectations," Wang told reporters. "I got on the podium, but the result could have been better. I still need to fight in the events to come."

Female breaststroker Tang Qianting, 19, also set up a new Chinese national standard and Asian record in the women's 50 meters breaststroke.

Firing off a time of 29.92 seconds in the heat, she not only produced the sole outing of the field under the 30-second barrier, but it represented a shiny new lifetime best for the teen and her first-ever foray under the threshold.

Tang's previous career quickest record was 30.08 seconds she logged at this year's World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

Monday night also saw 18-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Yiting win the women's 200 meters individual relay in 2:07.75, setting up a new Asian Games record and outperforming veteran teammate and 2012 Olympic champion Ye Shiwen.

Yang Junxuan, 21, has also played a key role in securing the women's 4x100 meters freestyle relay gold medal

Besides the young swimmers, already crowned world champions Zhang Yufei and Qin Haiyang remain the marquee names in the swimming squad.

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Young swimmers’ rise to prominence boosts China’s dominance in pool - Global Times

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Singapore's Shanti Pereira wins historic 200m Asian Games gold

As Singapore held its breath in expectation, its sprint queen delivered jubilation.

At the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium on Monday (Oct 2), Shanti Pereira clocked 23.03s to win the women’s 200m final at the Asian Games.

China's Li Yuting took the silver with 23.28s and Bahrain's Edidiong Ofonime Odiong came third at 23.48s. Odiong's compatriot, Salwa Eid Naser, was disqualified for a false start.

This was Singapore’s first athletics gold medal since 1974, when Chee Swee Lee won the women’s 400m.

Singapore sprinter Shanti Pereira takes gold in the #SEAGames2023 women's 100m final. - YouTube

China wins women's 4x100m relay gold at Hangzhou Asiad

China claimed the gold medal in the women's 4x100m relay at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Tuesday.

The Chinese quartet of Liang Xiaojing, Wei Yongli, Yuan Qiqi and Ge Manqi clocked a winning time of 43.39 seconds.

Thailand bagged silver in 44.32, while Malaysia took bronze in 45.01.

Ueyama edges Mohammed in thrilling finish to win men's 200m title in Hangzhou Asiad

Japan's Koki Ueyama was crowned the men's 200m champion after edging Saudi Arabia's Abdullar Abkar Mohammed at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Monday.

Mohammed produced a superb bend to lead the race and looked set for victory only to be overtaken just meters from the finish.

Ueyama won in 20.60 seconds, just 0.03 ahead of Mohammed.

Chinese Taipei's Yang Chun-Han edged Qatari Femi Ogunode in another photo finish, clocking 20.74 for the bronze.

https://english.news.cn/20231002/7cf...03fffed/c.html

• Saudi show jumping team wins Kingdom’s 3rd Asian Games gold

China: Saudi Arabia’s show jumping team have been crowned Asian Games winners for a second time after clinching gold at the 19th Asian Games (Hangzhou 2022) on Wednesday.

Saudi show jumpers Ramzy Al-Duhami, Abdullah Al-Sharbatly, Abdulrahman Al-Rajhi and Mishari Al-Harbi won their country’s third gold medal in the Hangzhou games. The show jumping team were also victorious at the Jakarta 2018 games.

The Saudi team secured gold at Hangzhou after completing the first and second rounds without any errors.

Prince Fahd bin Jalawi, head of the Saudi delegation, and Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee vice president, attended the equestrian events in Hangzhou.

The Saudi show jumpers completed the final round faultlessly in a time of 111.83 secs. The Qataris ranked second ahead of the Emirati team.

The win on Wednesday lifts Saudi Arabia’s medal tally to six, with three gold, two silver and one bronze.

Simone Biles Wins Gold - All Around Worlds 2023 Antwerp

Simone Biles becomes world’s most decorated gymnast with latest win

Simone Biles is now the world’s most decorated gymnast after a Friday victory.

The American star athlete took the title after winning her sixth individual all-around title at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, according to The Associated Press.

“Ten years ago, I won my first worlds. Now we’re back here. So it was emotional,” Biles said, per the AP. “It means everything to me, the fight, everything that I’ve put in to get back to this place, feel comfortable and confident enough to compete.”

Simone Biles �� electric double double debut #shorts - YouTube

• Raging North Korea scoocer players attack referee following defeat by Japan

Furious North Korean soccer players manhandled referee Rustam Lutfullin after crashing out of the Asian Games to Japan following a controversial late penalty.

Goalkeeper Kang Juh-yok vehemently protested after he was penalised for tripping forward Jun Nishikawa in the box. And North Korean anger heightened when Yuta Matsumura converted the 80th-minute spot-kick to restore Japan’s advantage, only six minutes after Kim Kuk-bom’s brilliant long-range strike drew the Koreans level.

The full-time whistle prompted chaotic scenes, with North Korea’s players – led by Kim Kyong-sok and captain Jang Kuk-chol – forcefully pursuing Uzbek official Lutfullin.

Lutfullin was shoved as he retreated from the raging mob, while an assistant referee restrained the irate Kim.

Security officials raced onto the pitch at Xiaoshan Sports Centre Stadium to intervene – and they were joined by North Korea coach Sin Yong-nam, who tried to drag his players away from Lutfullin.

• Thailand brought home 12 gold medals from the Asian Games in Hangzhou

The Asian Games competition in Hangzhou, China, concluded today, with Thailand securing one more gold medal than in the previous Asian Games. However, this still falls short of their target of 15 gold medals, as they were able to secure 12 gold medals.

Overall, their performance outperformed other teams from the Asean region.

And here are the results of the Thai team.

Gold Medals

1. Taekwondo Women's 49 kg

Panipak Wongpattanakit

Banlung Tubtimdang/ REUTERS
Banlung Tubtimdang/ REUTERS

2. Taekwondo Men's 63 kg

Banlung Tubtimdang

Weka Bhanubandh/ REUTERS
Weka Bhanubandh/ REUTERS

3. Sailing Boy's ICLA4

Weka Bhanubandh

Noppassorn Khunboonjan / REUTERS
Noppassorn Khunboonjan / REUTERS

4. Sailing Girl's ICLA4

Noppassorn Khunboonjan

5. Sailing Women's RS:X

Siripon Kaewduangngam

6. Esports EA Sports FC Online

Teedech Songsaisakul

7.Sepak takraw Women's team regu

Masaya Duangsri
Primprapha Kaewkhamsai
Kaewjai Pumsawangkaew
Pruksa Maneewong
Ratsamee Thongsod
Manlika Bunthod
Somruedee Pruepruk
Wiphada Chitphuan
Sirinan Khiaopak
Usa Srikhamlue
Nipaporn Salupphon
Wassana Soiraya

8. Sepak takraw Women's team regu

Siriwat Sakha
Thawisak Thongsai
Pattarapong Yupadee
Rachan Viphan
Pornthep Tinbangbon
Sittipong Khamchan
Varayut Jantarasena
Wichan Temkort
Kritsanapong Nontakote
Pichet Pansan
Tanaphon Sapyen
Marukin Phanmakon

9. Golf Women's individual

Arpichaya Yubol

10. Golf Women's team

Eila Galitsky
Patcharajutar Kongkraphan
Arpichaya Yubol Women's team

11. Sepak takraw Men's regu

Siriwat Sakha
Pattarapong Yupadee
Sittipong Khamchan
Varayut Jantarasena
Pichet Pansan Sepak takraw

12. Sepak takraw Women's regu

Manlika Bunthod
Primprapha Kaewkhamsai
Sirinan Khiaopak
Wassana Soiraya
Wiphada Chitphuan

Silver and Bronze in the link

China sets medal record at Asian Games with 201 golds

Chinese delegation sets record at Asian Games with 201 golds

By Lu Wenao

Published: Oct 08, 2023 08:56 PM

"China once again dominated the Asian Games by bagging 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze medals in Hangzhou, surpassing its record of 199 gold medals in 2010. But the harvest in Hangzhou goes beyond winning medals.

The national swimming team is the biggest contributor to the medal tally, as they took home 28 gold, 21 silver and nine bronze medals in 41 disciplines.

The leading athletes, male breaststroke world champion Qin Haiyang, who won five gold and one silver medals, and female butterfly star Zhang Yufei, who collected six gold medals, were named the MVP of the Games.

But the touching moment culminating the swimming competition came when Zhang and her arch-rival but friend Rikako Ikee, who won the previous Asian Games MVP in 2018, shared a tearful embrace following the 50-meter butterfly podium.

Ikee, who won six gold and two silver medals at the Jakarta Games, was the bronze medalist in the 50 butterfly, her first international podium finish since being diagnosed with leukemia in February 2019.

Zhang said it is Ikee's story of fighting back from the disease that inspired her to continue to race after coming down sick when the competition was in full swing.

"I wasn't feeling well during the Games and would have wavered in my goal," Zhang told reporters. "But when I saw that Ikee was still competing, I felt that I mustn't give in as she is there [after overcoming the disease]."

Nineteen-year-old swimmer Pan Zhanle also made history in men's 100 meters with a sensational 46.97-second finish, becoming the first Asian athlete to clock under 47 seconds in the discipline. His result, only 0.11 seconds behind the world record, is the fifth fastest in all-time history."

Continues at:

China sets medal record at Asian Games with 201 golds - Global Times

• South Korea retain Asian Games soccer gold as Cho hits comeback winner

South Korea fought back to hand Japan a 2-1 defeat in the final of the Asian Games men’s soccer on Saturday, claiming a third successive gold medal in the event and earning their players a coveted exemption from military service.

Cho Young-wook hit the winner 11 minutes into the second half after Jeong Woo-yeong had cancelled out Kotaro Uchino’s second minute opener as the Koreans prevailed in a re-match of the 2018 final.

The win secures South Korea's entire 22-man squad exemptions from the country's compulsory military service, enhancing their chances of a prolonged career in the game’s leading leagues in Europe.