sportsfantacy

caroline wozniacki player profile

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:32:00 +0000

Birthdate	July 11, 1990 (22 years old)

Birthplace	Odense, Denmark

Residence	Monte Carlo, Monaco

Height	5'10'' (177 cm)

Weight	128 lbs (58 kg)

Plays	Right-handed

Turned Pro	2005 (9 yrs on tour

Sara Errani Italian Tennis Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:16:00 +0000

Sara Errani is a professional tennis player from Italy. She is the Italian No. 1. As of 27 May 2013, she is ranked World No. 5 in singles. She is the World No. 1 doubles player and has won seven career singles titles..
Coached by Pablo Lozano and David Andres ... Father, Giorgio, sells fruits and vegetables; mother, Fulvia, is a pharmacist; brother, Davide, is a soccer player ... Introduced to tennis at age 5 by father ... Favorite shot is forehand; favorite surface is clay ... Speaks Italian, Spanish and English ... Enjoys reading, movies, music (especially pop), following soccer and basketball and playing Monopoly, cards and video games ... Favorite tournament is Acapulco ... Self-described as timid, happy and responsible ... Admires David Ferrer.

Caroline Wozniacki Ranks 10 in WTA !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:57:00 +0000

Urszula Radwanska followed up her victory over the top American by beating the final American in the women’s draw Monday when she defeated Jamie Hampton 6-0, 7-6 (4) to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open.

Radwanska was fresh off a 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 15 Sloane Stephens, who reached the semifinals at the Australian Open.

With the victory, Radwanska advances to face top-seed Victoria Azarenka, who escaped with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory over No. 28 Kristen Flipkens.

Caroline Wozniacki, the 2011 BNP Paribas Open champion, made easy work of Russian Elena Vesnina with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph. Making her seventh appearance at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Wozniacki is looking for her first victory of the season. She was a semifinalist in Dubai, quarterfinalist in Doha and advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Currently ranked No. 10, Wozniacki says she’s starting to feel like a veteran — even at age 22.

“When you’ve been somewhere seven times already, it just puts things in perspective,” she said. “I have been on Tour so long. I have played so many matches and it’s great. I have been able to go strong for so long.”

She said it just took her a couple of games to get going, then she put it out of reach.

“I felt like I mistimed it a little bit in the beginning,“ she said. “I felt like I hit the ball, but then it stopped on me and I was reaching for it. Once I got into it, I felt like I played some good tennis.“

Top-ranked German Angelique Kerber battled back from a break deficit to advance to the round of 16, defeating 30th seed Yanina Wickmayer 6-1, 7-6(4).

The semifinalist here in 2012, Kerber will take on qualifier Garbine Muguruza. Muguruza was an easy winner Monday, topping Magdalena Rybarikova 6-4, 6-0.

For the sixth consecutive year, 10th seeded Nadia Petrova advanced to the fourth round. She beat No. 21 seed Julia Goerges 6-1, 6-2, capitalizing on all six of her break points.

India Lead 2-0 with youngsters well played !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:56:00 +0000

When India's confidence was rattled by the drubbings in Australia and England over the past two years, they took solace in their outstanding home record. Even that bit of relief had been taken away when Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann outspun India earlier this season, but India's belief at home has come surging back with two thumping victories over Australia.

Though it was widely expected that Australia would go down on the fourth day, few thought it would happen with the embarrassing rapidity that it did. Australia's batsmen were once again nonplussed by the turning ball to subside to 131 all out, handing India an innings-and-135-run victory and a 2-0 series lead.

If Australia's chances were slim at the start of the day, they vanished with two deliveries of vastly contrasting quality. Ishant Sharma got his first wicket of the series with a harmless ball sliding down the leg side which Shane Watson guided through to the wicketkeeper. Ravindra Jadeja, usually the butt of derogatory jokes from Indian fans despite a stellar first-class record, then produced the ball of the match, a delivery that drifted onto middle stump and spun back to beat Michael Clarke's forward defensive to crash into off.

From then it was only a matter of time. Ed Cowan had gritted it out for nearly three hours, forgetting the deliveries that ripped past his outside edge to concentrate afresh. Jadeja, with his tail up after that magic ball to Clarke, ended Cowan's resistance on 44 as an edge ricocheted off MS Dhoni's gloves deflected to Virender Sehwag at slip.

It got even better for Jadeja soon after as he lasered in a throw from cover to run out Moises Henriques, who was yards out despite Jadeja fumbling the ball before collecting it.

Then the man who started Australia's slide on Monday evening, R Ashwin, took over. He has kept his Twenty20 variations to a minimum this series, and cleverly used them against the lower order. Glenn Maxwell was looking towards square leg after attempting a flick only to be confounded by the carrom ball that was heading for the off stump. There was time left for Ashwin to complete his eighth five-for in 11 home Tests.

While the capitulation on Tuesday morning was painful viewing for Australia fans, much of the damage had been done by the batting failure on the first day, when the pitch was at its best. Just three months ago, the much-coveted No. 1 Test ranking was within Australia's grasp and Clarke and the team management seemed to be able to do no wrong. After the two defeats, he will be assailed by questions, just as Dhoni has been over the past couple of years.

The result will be a major source of relief for Dhoni, who after settling doubts over his Test batting in Chennai has now become India's most successful Test captain with 22 wins.

The next match is in Mohali, typically a swing-friendly surface, but given Australia's ineptness against spin, the curators are likely to work overtime to produce a turning track there as well.

Serena Williams Beats Victoria Azarenka to win US open

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:28:00 +0000

NEW YORK -- What's a U.S. Open without a little Serena Williams drama? This time it was contained to the court.

Two points from defeat after pulverizing the field for two weeks, Williams capped a dominating summer and earned player-of-the-year bragging rights by beating No. 1 Victoria Azarenka on Sunday in the U.S. Open final 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.

Fourth-ranked Williams, who won singles and doubles titles at Wimbledon and the London Olympics, needed her full mental reserves to claw back from a 3-5 the final-set deficit to win her fourth championship in New York and 15th overall major.

It was the first women's final to go the distance since 1995. At 2 hours and 18 minutes it was the longest in time duration since 1981.

Reigning Australian Open champ Azarenka refused to bow and played bold tennis after Williams raced to an early lead. The 23-year-old from Belarus served for the match at 5-4.

But Williams locked in to her mental toughness, breaking back and winning the last four games and bringing the 23,771 fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium to their feet.

When Azarenka's final backhand sailed long Williams fell to her back fully extended, dropped her racket and covered her face with her hands. She leaped several times in the air on her way to shake hands at the net.

"Oh my god," said Williams in her on-court speech. "I honestly can't believe I won. I really was preparing my runner-up speech, because I thought, 'Man, she's playing so great.' "

After coming back from nearly a yearlong absence in June 2011 from a series of injuries and medical scares, including two foot surgeries and a hematoma in her stomach, the American is playing some of her best tennis.

Williams became the first woman to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same year since, well, she did it in 2002.

Pretty good highs after some pretty rough lows.

"I don't think about the downs too much," she said. "I hope I never think about them as my life continues. But I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.

"I have fallen several times. Each time I just get up and I dust myself off and I pray and I'm able to do better or I'm able to get back to the level that I want to be on."

She won her very first major championship at age 17 at the 1999 U.S. Open. Winning titles 13 years apart at the same Grand Slam tournament represents the longest span of success in the professional era, which began in 1968. Navratilova (Wimbledon, 1978 and 1990) and Chris Evert (French Open, 1974 and 1986) had the longest previous spans of 12 years.

She turns 31 this month -- she's the first 30-year-old woman to win the U.S. Open since Navratilova in 1987 -- but shows no sign of slowing down.

"I cannot believe that she will lose her motivation," said Patrick Mouratoglou, who runs a tennis academy outside of Paris and who started working with Williams on an informal basis after she lost in the first round of the French Open. "She really feels she can win every tournament. This feeling keeps her motivation."

Since that loss in the French Open, Williams is 26-1, including the Wimbledon title and the Olympic gold medal.

"I was miserable after that loss in Paris. I have never been so miserable after a loss,"Williams said. "I pulled it together. ... Sometimes, they say, it's good to lose."

Williams, who didn't drop a set in New York until the final, promised to be on her best behavior after tirade-marred exits in her last two trips to New York.

Called for a foot fault in the third game of the second set on Sunday -- the same infraction that sent her into a profanity-laced tirade in an ugly 2009 semifinal defeat -- Williams didn't flinch (though she did glare at the linesman on her walk back to the changeover chair).

"Yeah, this is the first year ... in a long time I haven't lost my cool," Williams said. "I think everyone thought about last year. That's never on my mind, because I was just focused. I was just thinking, 'OK, which foot was it?' So I would know not to do that again."

At 5-5 in the deciding set, Williams even applauded her opponent after a precisely angled backhand passing shot.

Azarenka, who will remain No. 1 in the world despite the loss, won the Australian Open in January during a 26-match winning streak to open the season.

"Serena deserves the win. She showed how true of a champion she is," Azarenka said. "I definitely gave it all today. Stepping out of this court today, I will have no regrets."

Azarenka hadn't dropped a three-set match all season until Sunday, going 12-0 in matches that went the distance, including victories over defending U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur in the quarterfinals and 2006 champion Maria Sharapova in the semifinals.

Williams improved to 10-1 against Azarenka. With 15 major titles, she is in sixth place and trails Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert by three.

"I never thought I would even come close to breaking those records," she said. "But if I can play consistently and play some more matches at Wimbledon, then it will be awesome. We'll see. If I could win two a year it would be great."

Azarenka would not be surprised to see that happen.

"For me she is the greatest player of all time," Azarenka said. "She took the game to the next level."

Alissa Czisny Ice Skater

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 04:54:00 +0000

Alissa Czisny

Born:

June 25, 1987

Birthplace:

Sylvania, Ohio

Height:

5' 5"

Level:

Senior

Hometown:

Auburn Hills, Mich

College:

Bowling Green State University (2009)

Training Town:

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Club:

Detroit SC, Inc.

Coach:

Jason Dungjen, Yuka Sato

Choreographer:

Pasquale Camerlengo, Yuka Sato, Marina Zoueva

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
*Two-time U.S. champion (2009, '11)
*2012 U.S. silver medalist; 2007 U.S. bronze medalist
*2010 Grand Prix Final champion - First U.S. lady to win the Grand Prix Final since Sasha Cohen ('02)
*Two-time U.S. Collegiate champion (2004, '08)
*Owns eight Grand Prix Series medals (gold at 2005 Skate Canada, 2010 Skate Canada, 2011 Skate America; silver at 2005 Skate America, 2009 Skate Canada; bronze at 2008 Skate Canada, 2011 Trophee Eric Bompard, 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard)

2013 SEASON NOTES
SP Music: TBD
FS Music: TBD SKATING NOTES
Began skating at 18 months with her sister.
PERSONAL NOTES
Graduated summa cum laude in May 2009 from Bowling Green State University with a degree in liberal studies ... Presented with the "Outstanding Sophomore of the Year Award for International Studies" in 2006 along with the "First-Year Russian Student Award" in 2006 ... Has a twin sister, Amber, who was an international-level figure skater ... Parents are Mark and Debbie Czisny.

Akiko Suzuki Japanese Skater

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:49:00 +0000

Suzuki is the 2012 World bronze medalist, two-time medalist at the Grand Prix Final, two-time Japanese silver medalist and the 2010 Four Continents silver medalist.

Started skating when she was 6 ... After a successful junior career, took the 2003-04 season off from competitive skating due to an eating disorder ... Came back in the 2004-05 season after being inspired by Shizuka Arakawa's winning the 2004 World Championships ... Enjoys listening to music.

2013 Season Notes
SP: Music form the Kill Bill soundtrack
FS: Music from "O" by Cirque du Soleil
2012 Season Notes
SP Music: "Hungarian Rhapsody" by Franz Liszt arranged by Edvin Marton
FS Music: "Die Fledermaus" overture by Johann Strauss
2011 Season Notes
SP Music: "Tango Jalousie" by Jacob Gade
FS Music: Music from Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock
2010 Season Notes
SP Music: "Andalucia" from Riverdance
FS Music: Music from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein
2009 Season Notes
SP Music: "La Campanella" by Franz Liszt
FS Music: "Dark Eyes" by Francis Lai
2008 Season Notes
SP Music: "La Campanella" by Franz Liszt
FS Music: "Dark Eyes" (Russian traditional folk music)

Oksana Baiul - Ice Skating beauty !!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:29:00 +0000

Oksana Baiul was born on November 26, 1977, in the Ukraine. She began ice-skating when she was 4 years old and was orphaned at the age of 13. She moved in with her coach to continue skating. In 1933, she won the Ukrainian National Championships and the World Championships. A year later she won the Olympics. She now trains in Richmond, Virginia and has written two books.

Figure skater. Born November 16, 1977 in the Ukraine. The only child of Sergei and Marina Baiul, Oksana was abandoned by her father at age two and began skating when she was four. She was orphaned at age 13 after her grandparents and mother died within three years of one another and subsequently moved in with her skating coach to train on the national level.

In 1993, Baiul won both the Ukranian National Championships and World Championships. She went on to beat Nancy Kerrigan in the 1994 Olympics to secure the gold in women's figure skating. The much-publicized win occurred in the wake of the scandal in which the husband and associates of skater Tonya Harding deliberately injured Kerrigan.
After the Olympics, Baiul moved to the United States, where she skated in professional tours while battling a drinking problem. Her addiction culminated in a car crash in 1997, after which she entered a rehab program and returned to professional skating. Baiul now trains in Richmond, Virginia.
Baiul has written two books, Oksana, My Own Story and Secrets of Skating.

Angelique KERBER- Tennis star

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 16:53:00 +0000

Name :KERBER, Angelique

Age:24 (18 Jan 1988)

Birth place:Bremen, Germany

Nationality:Germany

Plays:Left Handed (Double Handed Backhand)

Personal details

Age Started Tennis:3
Age Turned Pro:
Coach Name:
Favourite Surface:Hard
Personal Interests:Music, swimming, shopping and dancing

Ranking
Current Singles Ranking	6
Career High Singles Ranking	6 (20/08/2012)
Current Doubles Ranking	217
Career High Doubles Ranking	130 (11/06/2012)
Singles Year End (2011)	32
Doubles Year End (2011)	156

Win-Loss	Win	Loss
Current Year Singles (ATP*/WTA and ITF Pro Circuit main draw)	53	16
Current Year Doubles (ATP*/WTA and ITF Pro Circuit main draw)	2	6
Career Singles (ATP*/WTA Tour and ITF Pro Circuit main draw)	241	143
Career Doubles (ATP*/WTA Tour and ITF Pro Circuit main draw)	46	47
Career Singles (ITF Pro Circuit main draw)	131	54
Career Doubles (ITF Pro Circuit main draw)	36	21
* Includes ATP Challengers Events

YEAR-END WTA RANKING

RANKING	Singles	Doubles
2011	32	156
2010	47	859
2009	106	240
2008	108	190
2007	84	205
2006	214
2005	261	429
2004	375
2003	433	-

Titles

Singles Titles

2012	Paris Open (IC); Copenhagen (H);
2009	$50,000 Pozoblanco (H);
2008	$25,000 Madrid (H); $50,000 Saint-Raphael (IH);
2007	$50,000 Saguenay (IH); $25,000 Las Palmas De Gran Canaria (H); $25,000 Antalya-Attaleia (H); $75,000 Prerov (CL);
2006	$25,000 Saguenay (IH); $25,000 Jersey (IH); $25,000 Glasgow (IH);
2004	$25,000 Opole (IC);

Doubles Titles

2008	$100,000+H Krakow (IH) - w/U. RADWANSKA;
2007	$50,000 Saguenay (IH) - w/A. SZATMARI; $75,000 Dinan (ICL) - w/Y. MEUSBURGER;

Sushil Kumar to bear Indian flag @ London Olympics

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:08:00 +0000

New Delhi: Finally after weeks of speculation, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced on Sunday that wrestler Sushil Kumar would be India's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of London Olympics 2012.

Speaking at a conference here, IOA acting president VK Malhotra confirmed that the Olympic bronze-medallist wrestler will lead India's contingent at the opening ceremony.

Besides Sushil, IOA had shortlisted Beijing Olympics gold-medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra, bronze-medallists boxer Vijender Singh and tennis veteran Leander Paes for the flag bearer's role in London.

Bindra, the country's first individual gold medallist at the Olympics, was reportedly the preferred candidate of the IOA, but since his 10m air rifle event is scheduled three days after the opening ceremony on July 30, the shooter wanted to focus on his preparations. Similarly, Vijender's weigh-in is scheduled for July 28 so it was also tough on his part.

However, Paes got the honour of leading the Indian contingent at the Sydney Games, so Sushil was the only contender left to do the honours.

Vikas Krishna yadav, Indian Boxing Hope in London Olympics

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 11:14:00 +0000

He is one of the most talented Indian boxers of recent times…It is his distinct approach, his intrepid swagger coupled with his speed and the ability to land lightening fast power packed punches on his opponents make him a serious medal contender for the 2012 London Olympics. Vikas Krishan Yadav entered the record books when he became only the second Indian boxer to win a medal at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan – a tournament in which he also attained the Olympic qualification.

A meteoric career growth saw Vikas scale the heights at the world junior and youth division. With gold medals at the 2007 AIBA World Cadet Boxing Championship, 2010 Youth Asian and Youth World Boxing Championship he broke in early into the senior tour. In his very first international tournament at the senior level, the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, he went on to bag the light weight title and asserted himself as one of the next generation boxers of India. In an interview Vikas talks about his past achievements, his transition into the senior tour, his unique technique and his preparations for the 2012 Olympics.

Excerpts from an interview with Vikas Krishan

Q: Vikas not many people are aware of how exactly did you take up boxing, was it an instinctive choice, once you moved to Bhiwani or was it something which you carefully considered?

Vikas: A variety of factors propelled me to take up boxing as a sport, my fondness for action movies and my friends (who were already into boxing and intrigued me with their conversations about the sport). But the biggest inspiration was my father who always wanted me to lead a fit and healthy life and gave me the freedom to decide my path and encouraged my choice.

Q: Tell us a bit about your training at the Bhiwani boxing club with Coach Jagdish Singh and how instrumental was that period in your professional career?

Vikas: Mr Jagdish Singh is a very determined and able coach. Discipline is of the utmost importance to him and he believes there is no substitute to hard work. He himself is a much disciplined man and has never missed a single practice session, which is what makes our centre a big success. It was in Bhiwani that I learnt the basics of the sport and started to understand my strengths in the game. I also learnt a lot watching my seniors, like Akhil Kumar practice. My training there provided me a good base to start on and we all know how important it is to have a sound foundation for a successful future in any sport.

Q: When you started boxing did you ever think that you will win a medal in a World Championship some day and be playing at the Olympics?

Vikas:Not really… I did not ever think about that, I didn’t even know much about the World Championships or the Olympics at that time and had never thought that far ahead. When I started boxing I was 11 years old, my only objective was to defeat my opponent in the ring and I trained hard for it. I have always been a focused lad, and whatever I did, I did will full conviction…I think that comes from parents.

Q: What was the feeling of qualifying for the London Olympics like? Are you ever overawed by its gravity?

Vikas: We all know the magnitude of the games and the importance it holds for any and every sportsman. With so many boxers looking to be part of the games, qualification becomes all that more difficult. So it was a big achievement for me to have qualified and I was very happy to be among the handful of athletes who get this chance. But I don’t think I am overawed, qualification was a small achievement and there is a long way to go.

Q: After winning the Junior National Championships a couple of times you won your first major title at your very first international tournament, the 2007 AIBA Cadet World Championships where you bagged the gold medal. How was that experience for you?

Vikas: My first tournaments have always turned out to be lucky for me. Be it at the state, national or the international level, I have been fortunate enough to strike gold. Even at the 2010 Asian Games it was my first senior international tournament and I won the gold medal. You know these achievements have always been a great motivating factor and the gold at the 2007 Cadet World Championship, being the first one and knowing that it was at the global arena, was something special.

Q: 2010 was a great year for you at the international stage. You won the Youth Asian Champion and the Youth World Champion title along with a bronze medal at the 2010 Youth Olympics and then you went on to win the gold medal at the Asian Games. How were you able to maintain such consistent performance?

Vikas: That was a good year for me. I had done well at the Youth Asian and the Youth World Championships and before going for the Youth Olympics I had already won the gold medal at the Senior Nationals and was awarded the best boxer title of the tournament. Playing with the seniors and doing exceptionally well gave me a lot of confidence. I thought if I could beat the seniors, juniors would not be that difficult. I was brimming with enthusiasm of playing at the senior level and carried the form into the Asian Games. Plus there was no pressure as no one considered me to be a threat, which helped me win the gold.

Q: You seemed to have made a habit of doing well in your debut tournaments. What propels you to achieve these feats?

Vikas: (Smiling) I would love to carry on with this trend and do well at my first Olympics as well…I think earlier in the junior and youth divisions I did not put much thought into it, I just got inside the ring and wanted to do well. But now I think it is the fear that drives my performance. I feel some way or the other; it’s the fear of not wanting to get hit that makes my defence solid and makes me win.

Q: You have had a very smooth transition from the junior to the senior level, how did you adapt so easily to challenges and pressures involved in the senior tour?

Vikas: Yes, It has been a very smooth transition and I did not have to adapt much or felt pressured at any point of time, I haven’t yet encountered a slump or faced any difficulties as such. I guess it comes naturally to me. The only major competition that I have missed has been the Commonwealth Games, in which Jai Bhagwan, who had been my main opponent in the light weight division, played.

Q: From Light weight (60kg) to welter weight (69kg) and that too just two and half months before the Olympic Qualifying tournament which incidentally was also the World Championships. What prompted you to make that change and how did you deal with it?

Vikas: Everyone, including my coaches and fellow boxers, were not in favour of me changing my weight division, but I had made up my mind. I believed I would fit well in the welter weight class. The only coach who supported me was Mr GS Sandhu and he believed that I would do well in welter weight division. He said to me, “if you are good at 60 you can be good at 69 as well”, along with a few other things, that motivated me. Since I was sure about it I did not brood over it too much and made the jump.

Q: You have a very unique approach in your game plan, I had read in an article that you focus more on having the perfect defence and work your way from there. Can you tell us more about this style?

Vikas: Yes, that’s exactly how I play my game and that’s what I believe is the basis of the sport – how to defend yourself and hit your opponent more. Meaning, first you have to defend and then counter and that’s what I try and follow. I start with a defensive approach and focus on counter attacks. Basically I try to puzzle and irritate my opponent with a solid guard, which at times gives me easy opportunities to counter attack. It is a simple strategy but works for me and not many have been able to find a way past it.

Q: You have the habit of sometimes raising you hand after landing a punch, what is the reasoning behind that move?

Vikas: (Smiling)…..Well there is not much reasoning behind it. It is a personal technique that I use to impress the judges and demoralize my opponents. Some boxers tried to emulate it in the senior nationals but it didn’t work for them. It can be a bit tricky; therefore one needs to be absolutely sure of what he is doing.

Q: Have you had to adapt much with the new scoring system, which demands for a boxer to be more aggressive?

Vikas: Once again, after AIBA brought about the change in the scoring system, people advised me to focus more on the offence and get rid of my defensive strategy, but I stuck with it and the approach has been paying off. It’s not that I focus too much on my defence and attack less, one has to do both in order to win and I have my own way of doing it.

Q: In an article you once said that chess helps you in boxing. Can you elaborate on that theory for us?

Vikas: I don’t get much chance to play chess these days as we have a very hectic training schedule. I use to play a lot as a junior and youth boxer. It is a game that sharpens your mind and helps you think ahead and I believe these abilities can help you in preparing your line of attack in boxing as well.

Q: You were battling a wrist injury during the world championships, how did you cope up with that obstacle?

Vikas: All thanks to our team doctor Mr Abhishek Choudhary. He has cured a lot of my small niggles and some major injuries as well and that too in a very short recovery time. Boxing is a sport in which injuries are a part and parcel of the game and you are bound to get hurt at some point or the other. A good doctor can make a big difference.

Q: With just about three weeks left for the Olympics, would you say you are on the right track in terms of training and preparation?

Vikas: Yes I am very happy with our preparation and we are moving forward with our plans. Soon we will be leaving for a training camp in London before the Olympics, and if all goes well we are sure to return with favourable results.

Q: What have been your focus areas?

Vikas: There are bound to more powerful and bigger boxers in my weight, keeping that in mind I have been focusing on footwork, speed and strength. I want to be able to play the power game and at the same time move in and out swiftly and work on my strengths.

Q: What can we expect from you at the Olympics?

Vikas: You can be assured that I will give my very best and hopefully with the nations support and blessing we will achieve our desired objectives.

M.C.MARY KOM BIOGRAPHY, INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 10:36:00 +0000

Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom (M.C.Mary Kom) was born on 1st March 1983 and was brought up in a poor family. It is impossible to imagine that Mary Kom would one day rise and become a World Boxing Champion.

Her family background speaks a lot of how Mary overcame hardship and inconveniences and created a name for herself in the arena of world boxing. Her parents Mr. Mangte Tonpa Kom and Mrs Mangte Akham Kom earned their livelihood by working and being engaged in others jhum fields. Being the eldest, Mary helped her parents work in the fields, cutting woods, making charcoal and fishing. On the other hand, she spent a good time looking after her two younger sisters and a brother.

Mary Kom was interested in sports since her childhood. She took a keen interest in Athletics when she was in class VI in Loktak Christian Mission School, Moirang and class VII- VIII in St.Xavier School, Moirang. Mary thought that she would become a good athlete one day and carve a name for herself in the discipline.

But fate decided otherwise. After completing her class VIII, Mary came to Imphal and continued her studies at Adimjati School. Being so fond of sports, she enquired around and found out about women boxing.

It was a new idea since women boxers were relatively unknown those days. The rise of Dingko Singh and the demonstration of women boxers at the 5th National Games (Manipur) inspired her.

Mary Kom decided to hang up her books and enter into the ring with determination and strong will. To pursue her dream of becoming a world class pugilist, she joined Sports Authority of India, Khuman Lampak and underwent an intensive training from coach and mentor, Shri. Ibomcha Singh.

Seeing Mary’s potential and determination, Manipur State coaches Shri. Narjit Singh and Shri. Kishan Singh decided to take her under their wings. Mary was taught finer details and absorbed it all. The encouragement and support by Shri. Khoibi Salam, Secretary of MABA and Vice President of IABA, and Manipur Boxing Association was also a turning point for Mary Kom.

Manipur Government gave her the post of Sub-inspector of police in 2005. She was promoted to inspector of police in 2008 and again promoted to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in 2010. She was also given a house at National Games Village without any cost for her outstanding achievements.

Sports are not everything for Mary. In her spare time, she takes pain to attend functions and mingle with the people. The ever-smiling and ready-to-help Mary Kom always encourages young people to chase their dreams and have faith in God.

Mary married K.Onler Kom of Samulamlan Block whom she met in Delhi. Onler proved to be a guide, a friend and a philosopher for Mary and they decided to vow each other for lifetime at Manipur Baptist Convention Church on 12th March 2005.

Mary's humble beginning from Kangathei and her fame through continents of the world is a mere fairy tale. However, it was Mary’s grit determination and Never-Say-Die attitude with which she was able to earn laurels far away from her village. Mary Kom's belief in God and herself was what made all the difference.

Today, the farmer’s daughter stands as a shining example of “Mission (almost) Accomplished”. Her most awaited Gold-medal will be at the London 2012 Olympics.

INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Name of Tournaments / Championships

Country/State

Results

Dates

1

6^thAIBA Women World Boxing Championship

Bridge Town, Barbados
Gold Medal
7-18th Sept. 2010

2

5^th Asian Women’s Boxing Championship

Astana Kazakhstan

Gold Medal

23-31^st May 2010

3

Indoor Asian Games

Hanoi Vietnam

Gold Medal

30 Oct -7 Nov. 2009

4

Indo- Sweden Dual Match Boxing Tournament

Gothenberg Sweden

GoldMedal

21^st March 2009

5

5^th World Women Boxing Championship

Ningbo China

Gold Medal

22-29^th Nov. 2008

6

4^th Asian Women Boxing Championship

Guwahati India

Silver Medal

23-27^thSep.2008

7

4^th World Women Boxing Championship

N.Delhi India

Gold Medal

17–24^th  Nov 2006

8

Vijle Women BOX Tournament

Denmark

Gold Medal

18–23^rd Oct. 2006

9

Asian Cadet Boxing Championship

Hanoi Vietnam

Gold Medal

10–18^th June 2006

10

3^rd World Women Boxing Championship

Podolsk Russia

Gold Medal

26^th Sep-2^nd Oct.’05

11

3^rd Asian Women Boxing Championship

Taiwan

Gold Medal

05–12^th Aug 2005

12

1^st World Women Boxing Tournament

Tonsberg Norway

Gold Medal

27^th April–2^nd May ‘04

13

2^nd Asian Women Boxing Championship

Hissar India

Gold Medal

19–22^nd Nov 2003

14

Training – Cum – Competition

     Rome Italy

3 Gold Medal

02–13^th Sep. 2003

15

2^nd World Women Boxing Championship

Antalya Turkey

Gold Medal

19–28^th Oct 2002

16

Witch Cup Boxing Championship

    Paes Hungary

Gold Medal

27 – 31^st Aug 2002

17

1^st World Women Boxing Championship

surely mary is will be one of the most expected gold medal winner for team india in the london olympics. . .

  Pennsylvania U.S.A.

Silver Medal

27^th Nov -2^nd Dec’01

Hockey Team India looking forward to london olympics !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mr.Blake) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:49:00 +0000

A fortnight from now, the quadrennial sports extravaganza called the Olympics, unfolds at London. And as with the run-up to every Olympics, the Indian medal hopes rise and recede like an ocean wave, as the country’s prospects are dicey in any given discipline.

Hockey heroes

Gold in field hockey was India’s staple diet in the Olympics from 1928 to 1956, but that too became elusive.

India’s first gold medal in hockey came in Amsterdam in 1928; the country went on to dominate the next six editions, but eventually lost its hold on the gold. The last gold medal of 1980 at the Moscow Games came in an edition boycotted by the West, following the erstwhile Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, thereby marring India’s glory.

Since then, the Indian hockey team has been in the hunt for that elusive gold, failing even to quality for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The team finds itself in London, where it won the gold in the post-war Games in 1948. It has been placed in a difficult group, which includes the European hockey powers, Holland and Germany.

Beijing record

In individual sports, India’s first gold came only in the Beijing Olympics 2008, courtesy shooter Abhinav Bindra.

In the same games, Vijender Singh won a silver in boxing and Sushil Kumar took home a bronze in wrestling. The ‘feat’ at the Beijing Games has now heightened Indian expectations for London 2012.

Shooting remains a big hope and the burden of bringing home a medal squarely rests again on Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang and Ronjan Sodhi.

In boxing, Vikas Krishna and Mary Kom have emerged as the nation’s best bet. All eyes will be on archer Deepika Kumari, a world cup gold medallist in individual recurve.

Advantage India

Badminton has suddenly emerged as a medal prospect, thanks to world number 5 Saina Nehwal. After winning four Super Series tournaments in 2010, Saina had an impressive run in 2011, as she was a runner-up in four Super Series events again. In a warm-up to the London Olympics, she won back to back titles at the Thailand Open and the Indonesian Open. Also in medal contention in badminton is the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V. Diju.

Tennis has been in the spotlight as a probable medal mine for India. Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna would make a formidable pair in men’s doubles. A medal in the mixed doubles gold looks a distinct possibility, provided Sania Mirza and Leander Paes put all the fracas that marked the selection behind them and play as Team India.

The Indian contingent might not return with a huge haul of medals, but it may just better its Beijing benchmark.

Viswanathan Anand: fifth world title

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:50:00 +0000

NEW DELHI: In a rare display of irritation,Viswanathan Anand, who has just won his fifth world title, hit out at chess great Gary Kasparovand other critics for suggesting that he lacked motivation.

"I think that this is the first time I have played a match where so many people seemed to have negative opinion about my play. And the thing is I do not think I lacked motivation," Anand said about his clash with Israel's Boris Gelfand, whom he beat in Moscow on Wednesday to win his fifth world title.

The 42-year-old Anand told the news channel in an interview from Moscow that Kasparov "keeps talking about my age" but Gelfand was slightly older at 44.

The champion, who is known for his cool temperament, said that he had proved Russian Kasparov, who is one of the greatest ever chess players, wrong. Some years ago, he had described Kasparov as his nemesis after losing matches to him.

Not only Kasparov, "there were many people also parroting what he was saying," Anand said.

"He (Kasparov) keeps talking about my age but I could just as well say Boris (Gelfand) is even slightly older. I think the problem is all the people who started out assuming that I was the heavy favourite in this match were reluctant to admit that their prognosis was wrong," Anand said.

Anand said he never considered himself as the favourite and knew that Gelfand would be a tough opponent.

"I never saw myself as a favourite, the thing I knew Gelfand would be a very difficult opponent. And looking at his recent plays I understood that this is how the match would go. And so I never felt I had to answer after every game 'what was going wrong?' because nothing was going wrong.

"This was Gelfand playing well and me trying to play equally well, hang in there and wait for my chance. But all those people who said I was a favourite were reluctant to admit that they were wrong and were simply saying that I lacked motivation and was playing badly and so on and on. And I definitely feel like i proved something here," said Anand.

The Indian Grandmaster gave credit to Gelfand who never allowed him to play his natural game.

"I think you have to give full credit to my opponent Gelfand. He never let me get the kind of play that I like and that is very frustrating as you like to play in a way certain but Gelfand neutralised almost everything I did and so I had to cope with that.

"But it was very satisfying, especially when the ambiance around you is so negative. In the press conference they more or less keep repeating what people like Kasparov said. It is not secret that I have had difficulty in a couple of tournaments and my confidence therefore suffers a bit. But I think under those circumstances if you can hang in there and win like this then it is all the more satisfying," Anand said.

Giving his account of the final day's tiebreaker, Anand said, "I actually managed to feel like the tide turning in the first game itself. Because for the first time with black I managed to get a very exciting position and I managed to almost beat him."

"So then I felt the tide was turning, but still the match was very intense. It went back and forth in game three and four of the tie break as well he had very good chances. So I think it much harder like this and definitely that is that much more satisfaction," Anand said.

Anand said losing the seventh game was a difficult blow and he really suffered that evening.

"Well I think the first shock was in game seven because a loss is always a bad thing but it is much worse in match where you are struggling to find any openings, you are struggling to find a weakness of his you can target, your struggling to find something you can aim for.

"And this match was just like that, there were very little chances being created. And in those circumstances to lose the seventh game was an incredibly difficult blow, I really suffered that evening The eighth game was the first game I have played without getting any sleep," said Anand.

"But the turning was really the eighth game when I managed to come back. I had prepared myself for a big struggle and went there. I would say game eight was a major turning point, when I managed to equalise that then I knew in the last four games, again, I would have to be patient. But at least I could start on even terms.

"But again in every conference they keep asking you 'are you motivated?' 'are you motivated?' and it is frustrating because you feel you are giving it your all, and people can't see it. I simply try to understand that the most important thing is not to let any others affect you and to stay focused on the match," he said.

Asked whether chess gets enough adulation in the country, Anand said he has been received well everywhere in the country and he has no complaints.

"Generally after each of my matches I have been received tumultuously in Chennai, I simply don't want to complain. I think the reception has been wonderful. I don't compare these receptions to other things and I'm quite happy. Also this time I'll have a pretty warm welcome from my son, so that will be very nice. So I'm not complaining at all. The Indian chess fans have been very good to me and I'm not gonna complain."

Ivanovic, the new anna !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 14:07:00 +0000

Not just a Rumor !!!!

Birth Name:

Ana Ivanovic

Birth Date:

November 6, 1987

Birth Place:

Belgrade, SR Serbia

Occupation:

Professional Tennis Player / Model

Relationship Status:

Single

Move over Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy, there’s a new power couple in sports. The on-again, off-again relationship between Serbian hottie Ana Ivanovic and Australian Adam Scott appears to be full swing again as the two attended The Presidents Cup gala dinner Monday night.

After dating for a few years, the couple took an extended break but seem to have rekindled the flame sometime during the summer. That, or Scott is just using Ivanovic as eye candy to distract from the fact he has a racist caddie.

Anyways, the obvious question now becomes, what is their power-couple nickname? Wozniacki and McIlroy have Wozzilroy, so how about Scottovic? Ivanoscott?

Anna Ivanovic hot tennis star, Anna Ivanovic nude, Anna Ivanovic nipples

Sexy tennis star victoria azarenka

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 09:42:00 +0000

Sexy tennis star

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:40:00 +0000

Agnes Szavay - News and More

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:01:00 +0000

Nationality: HUN (Hungary)
Birthdate: December 29, 1988
Birthplace: Kiskunhalas, Hungary
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Turned Pro: Pro (2004)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2009 Ranking: 39

Coached by Jozsef Bolskay and Zoltan Kuharsky ... Introduced to tennis at age 6 by parents at local tennis club ... Mother, Terezia Dasko, is a teacher and coa ...

victoria azarenka

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 17:52:00 +0000

Coached by Antonio Van Grichen
Favorite shot is backhand; favorite surface is hard
Introduced to tennis at age 7 by mother; mother is Alla; father is Fedor; has one brother, Max
Speaks Belarusian, English, Russian
Enjoys listening to music (especially hip-hop, rap and R&B), spending time with friends, reading
Favorite city is hometown of Minsk; spends most of her time living and training in Scottsdale now; is friends with NHL star Nikolay Khabibulin and his family, who also live in Scottsdale; has lived there approximately three years
Admires Roger Federer for professionalism on and off court.

victoria azarenka collapsed

Asian Games closing today . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 05:57:00 +0000

GUANGZHOU: Just five gold medals to be presented Saturday provided a rather slow-paced denouement for the Asian Games , an event the Olympic Council of Asia president referred to as ``one of the best ever.''

While Zhou Chunxiu won the women's marathon, giving China its 198th gold medal of the games, and Myanmar took the men's doubles final in the sport of sepak takraw, giving the country its first, OCA chief Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah told a closing news conference that even a military conflict on the Korean peninsula during the games could not damage the event's image.

Al-Sabah said Korean athletes ``stood shoulder-to-shoulder to compete'' despite North and South Korea waging a military skirmish last Tuesday.

Closing ceremony will held at Haixinsha Island in the Pearl River.

Boat shaped stadium in this Island will be the venue of these celebrations.

The time of starting the Closing ceremony of 16th Asian Games is 20:06.

During Closing ceremony , the Flag handover to Incheon 2014 for the 17th Asian Games (Asiad) will also take place.

Famous Pop singer of Asia , Rain will be giving a performance during the closing ceremony of 2010 Asian Games.

There is a festival mood all over China , especially in Guangzhou.

Universal Love is the theme selected by the Guangzhou Asian Games Authorities.

On 12th November Opening ceremony of Asian games was conducted at the Haixinsha Island.

Tickets for the 2010 Asian Games Closing ceremony will cost around 2000 to 8000 yuans.

Guangzhou will be using weather controlling techniques to prevent rain from destroying the fun of Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies.

More than 7000 Chinese people including students will be performing programs during the Closing ceremony.

Lot of VVIP's will be coming to China during the games. So high security has been ensured in all parts of the country to prevent any kind of terrorist attacks.

Ten Sports channel will telecast the closing ceremony live at 4:00 pm on November 27 th.

The athletes who came from various Asian Countries and spectators from all over the world will be saying good bye to Guanghozu on 27th November 2010.

China has decided to make the sent off ceremony marvelous.

At Guanghozu in the Haixinsha Island , the famous Indian singer Ravi K Tripathi will be giving a performance in which he will present an Indian and Chinese song.

AR Rahman's Jai Ho will be the another main attraction of the Asian Games closing ceremony.

With the ending of the 16th Asian games , the Host country China has been in the top list of the Asian Games Medal Tally list.

Preparations for the Guangzhou Asian Games closing ceremonies;

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 17:41:00 +0000

look at this orderly and uniform military training!

On October 2, the “goodwill hostesses” for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Guangzhou Asian games have begun their military training under the guidance of an drill sergeant. The selection of the Guangzhou Asian Games goodwill hostesses for the opening and closing ceremonies took place at Guangzhou’s Changlong holiday resort, with the 100 goodwill hostess candidates selected from across the country in 13 different competition areas undergoing 15 days of training, with 45 of them going on to become the goodwill hostesses that will lead participating delegations as they enter the stadiums during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Guangzhou Asian Games.

Preparations for the Guangzhou Asian Games closing ceremonies;

Chinese forces hard train for Asian Games 2010 Read more: http://entertainment.ezinemark.com/chinese-forces-hard-train-for-asian-games-2010-773665065163.html#ixzz16PXymUNK Under Creative Commons License: Attribution No Derivatives

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 17:36:00 +0000

The Asian Games is a tournament taking place every four years among Asian athletes. Officially known as Asiad, it is regarded to be the second largest multi-sport event only after the Olympics. The Asian Games 2010 are set to be held in Guangzhou, China between November 12th and November 27th. The opening ceremony directed by Chen Weiya will begin on November 12th on Haixinsha Island in Pearl River. This year, athletics from all over Asia will compete in 476 events (42 sports), which make it the largest event in the history of the Games. He assisted director Zhang Yimou at the Olympics 2008 in Beijing.

To make sure the security of Asian Games 2010, the Governor of Guangdong Province has installed more than 2.6 million surveillance cameras. In addition, China’s armed forces are taking part in a hard physical training at Dongguan Drill Base. Their duty is to ensure strict security so that there will be no mistakes during the Games. It is reported that Guangzhou authority has invested $29 million in security for the event. Several regulations including fines for smoking in public have been introduced. For instance, those who are caught lighting up will be charged about $7.6.

Below you will have chance to see extraordinary images showing how hard Chinese soldiers are training for the upcoming Asian Games in November.

The anti-terrorism drill session at Dongguan Drill Base

A group of six soldiers are training with a log

The extreme physical training is to ensure strict security during the event

China’s armed forces with extreme physical training missions

The Governor of Guangdong Province hopes no mistakes to be made during the Games

The Guangzhou police authority has spent $29 million in security

Beside the physical training, the drills consists of fake rescue missions

The Asian Games is held every four years involved athletes all over Asia

The Asian Games 2010 are scheduled to occur in Guangzhou, China from November 12th to November 27th.

Ceremonial hostesses’ good looks like flowers, curvaceous figures amaze Korean athletes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 17:33:00 +0000

19th evening, the Guangzhou Asian Games baseball final began in the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center. In the end, the Doha Asian Games champions Chinese Taipei team lost 3 to 9 against the Beijing Olympic Games champion Korea team, unable to defend their title. Four years ago at the Doha Asian Games, the Korean team successively lost to the Chinese Taipei and Japanese teams, ultimately only winning a bronze medal. With this year’s Asian Games, the Korean team did its best to field its best players, including American Major Baseball League’s Choo Shin-Soo and Japanese Nippon Pro-Baseball League’s Kim Tae-Kyun and others all brought together in one team, and have been called by the media as “history’s most powerful lineup.”

India record its best-ever medal haul in Asian Games

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 17:29:00 +0000

Guangzhou: India created history by recording their best-ever performance in Asian Games with 64 medals, including a record 14 gold, with star boxer Vijender Singh providing the icing on the cake by bringing the last yellow metal on the penultimate day here on Friday.

The men's and women's kabaddi teams expectedly maintained their supremacy by clinching the gold before the women's 4x400m quartet and Vijender (75kg) bagged a yellow metal each on the most productive day for India in the mega-event.

With the addition of 11 more medals today, India's tally climbed to a record 14 gold, 17 silver and 33 bronze (total 64), the biggest ever haul in the Asian Games so far, to jump to the sixth place.

India's best medal haul till date was recorded in the 1982 Games in Delhi when they had won 13 gold, 19 silver and 25 bronze for an overall tally of 57. India had finished 10 in the last edition of the Games in Doha with a tally of 10-17-26.

India have now completed their engagements in the Games and their final standing will depend after the completion of the six events -- men's and women's marathon, men's and women's doubles sepaktakraw finals and women's volleyball final -- tomorrow.

China leads the medal table with 197 gold, 117 silver and 98 bronze (total 412), followed by South Korea (74-63-91) and Japan (47-73-94) at second and third respectively.

While the kabaddi teams did not sweat much to keep their reputation intact in rather lopsided finals, Vijender made amends for his bronze-finish in Commonwealth Games with a gold here while compatriots Santosh Kumar (64) and Manpreet Singh (91kg) settled for a silver each.

Preeja, Sudha tear formbook apart to create history

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 17:30:00 +0000

From Rajeev K, Guangzhou, Nov 21, DH News Service:
Standing on top of the podium, Preeja Sreedharan struggled hard to keep her tears in check.

Cry, she didn’t, but her face truly captured the story of a gutsy run that tore the formbook to shreds at the Aoti Main Stadium on Sunday. An Indian winning the women’s 10000M gold at the Asian Games was unthinkable till Sunday. Indians winning gold and silver would have been beyond the wildest of dreams. That is exactly what happened on the day, with Preeja producing a national record breaking performance and Kavita Raut following her home in second position, stunning a 70,000-strong Sunday crowd. The opening day of the athletics programme had more surprises in store from India with Sudha Singh delivering their second gold medal of the night in the women’s 3000M steeplechase, edging out China’s Jin Yuan in an exciting finish. The women’s 10000M was introduced into the Asian Games programme at Seoul in 1986 and no Indian had won a medal in the event till Sunday. Preeja and Kavita had other ideas on a warm evening but they had a tough task in store with the field boasting of a clutch of champion performers. Defending champion Kayoki Fukushi, ninth at the World Championships last year and the season‘s leader with 31:29.03, led the Japanese challenge while Bai Xue, world marathon champion and the Asian champion in this event, was China’s best bet. Also featuring was Bahrain’s Shitaya Eshete Habtegebrel, a former Ethiopian. Clear leader But as the race unfolded, there was no clear leader even though it was Fukushi who led the runners through the first 2000 metres. Hikari Yoshimoto, the other Japanese in the fray and Shitaya got into the picture with the Indians staying close to the leaders. With two laps to go, Shitaya surged ahead and Preeja followed. Yoshimoto tried to keep the Japan challenge going but at the bell, it was the Bahraini who was in front. Preeja, showing a sprinting ability not often witnessed, then swung into action and pulled away decisively. Shitaya had another shock in store as Kavita surged ahead for the silver. Preeja timed 31:50.47, bettering her own national record of 32:49.47 while Kavita (31:51.44) also came under that mark. “I am thankful to all those who prayed and supported me, I was always confident of this success” said the 28-year-old Preeja, who was in tears just a month back after a bout of fever had deprived her of a chance to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games. “This medal is for my brother and mother,” added the Railway employee, who lost her father early and endured several hardships to reach this level. Sudha Singh was another surprise winner, timing a national record of 9:55.67 in the event that is making its debut here. China’s Jin Yuan closed in menacingly in the final few metres and even celebrated prematurely at the finish, but that fraction of a second cost her as the Indian nicked the gold. “I didn’t expect the gold, the Chinese runner put huge pressure on me,” said Sudha, who hails from Rae Bareilli in Uttar Pradesh. India’s great day was also good news for coach Nikolai Snesarev, with all the three medalists coming from his stable. “I have a bunch of dedicated girls, they worked very hard over the last four months,” said Snesarev, a hard taskmaster if ever there was one. In other events, India’s HM Jyothi qualified to the 100M semifinals, clocking 12.04 seconds. Abdul Najeeb Qureshi and KK Rane also progressed into the semifinals. Manjeet Kaur and Mandeep Kaur made the final of the women’s 400M while SK Mortaja (47.75) and Bibin Mathew (46.93) missed out in the men’s quarter mile. Results: Men: 5000M: Mahbeen Ali Hasan (Bahrain) 13:47.86, 1; James Kwalia Kurui (Qatar) 13:48.55, 2; Felix Kiore (Qatar) 13:49.31, 3. Sunil Kumar (India) 14:01.76, 8. Hammer throw: Dilshod Nazarov (Tajikistan) 76.44 metres, 1; Kaveh Mousavi (Iran) 68.90, 2; Hiroaki Doi (Japan) 68.72, 3. 20Km walk: Wang Hao (China) 1:20:50, 1; Chu Yafei (China) 1:21:57, 2; Kim Hyunsub (South Korea) 1:22:47, 3. Harminder Singh (India) 1:26:33, 6; Baljinder Singh (India) 1:28:06, 7. Women: 10000M: Preeja Sreedharan (India) 31:50.47 (National record. Old: 32:04.41) 1; Kavita Raut (India) 31: 51.44, 2; Shitaya Eshete Habtegebrel (Bahrain) 31:53.27, 3. 3000M steeplechase: Sudha Singh (India) 9:55.67, 1; Jin Yuan (China) 9:55.71, 2; Minori Hayakari (Japan) 10:01.25, 3; OP Jaisha (India) 10:18.97, 5. Shot put: Li Ling (China) 19.94 metres, 1; Lijiao Gong (China) 19.67, 2; Lee Mi Young (South Korea) 17.51, 3.

	Name of Tournaments / Championships	Country/State	Results	Dates
1	6^thAIBA Women World Boxing Championship	Bridge Town, Barbados	Gold Medal	7-18th Sept. 2010
2	5^th Asian Women’s Boxing Championship	Astana Kazakhstan	Gold Medal	23-31^st May 2010
3	Indoor Asian Games	Hanoi Vietnam	Gold Medal	30 Oct -7 Nov. 2009
4	Indo- Sweden Dual Match Boxing Tournament	Gothenberg Sweden	GoldMedal	21^st March 2009
5	5^th World Women Boxing Championship	Ningbo China	Gold Medal	22-29^th Nov. 2008
6	4^th Asian Women Boxing Championship	Guwahati India	Silver Medal	23-27^thSep.2008
7	4^th World Women Boxing Championship	N.Delhi India	Gold Medal	17–24^th Nov 2006
8	Vijle Women BOX Tournament	Denmark	Gold Medal	18–23^rd Oct. 2006
9	Asian Cadet Boxing Championship	Hanoi Vietnam	Gold Medal	10–18^th June 2006
10	3^rd World Women Boxing Championship	Podolsk Russia	Gold Medal	26^th Sep-2^nd Oct.’05
11	3^rd Asian Women Boxing Championship	Taiwan	Gold Medal	05–12^th Aug 2005
12	1^st World Women Boxing Tournament	Tonsberg Norway	Gold Medal	27^th April–2^nd May ‘04
13	2^nd Asian Women Boxing Championship	Hissar India	Gold Medal	19–22^nd Nov 2003
14	Training – Cum – Competition	Rome Italy	3 Gold Medal	02–13^th Sep. 2003
15	2^nd World Women Boxing Championship	Antalya Turkey	Gold Medal	19–28^th Oct 2002
16	Witch Cup Boxing Championship	Paes Hungary	Gold Medal	27 – 31^st Aug 2002
17	1^st World Women Boxing Championship surely mary is will be one of the most expected gold medal winner for team india in the london olympics. . .	Pennsylvania U.S.A.	Silver Medal	27^th Nov -2^nd Dec’01