Sports

Martial Arts Styles and Descriptions

2009-11-06T00:02:00.000-08:00

No, these aren't popular dishes from a Japanese menu, neither are they names of women Jackie Chan has dated, nor are they player names of the Chinese basketball team. In case you're still wondering what, in the name of God, do these tongue twisters mean, well, then let me end your misery. These were a few out of many, many martial arts styles that exist in our big wide wonderful world. For those of you who didn't know a word beyond Karate and Kung Fu, this must have come as a real shocker, isn't it? Well, all I can say is, that was just a tiny tongue twisting trailer (alliteration accidental!) of what is in store for you in the remainder of this article! Read on to know more about various martial arts styles and descriptions.

Martial Arts Styles and Descriptions
Here are some of the most popular martial arts styles:
Judo: Judo is not only a martial art, but also an Olympic sport. It is a grappling style martial art that involves a lot of pinning, joint locking, and throwing in order to hold down the opponent. One of the main principles of judo is to use the opponent's strength to your advantage and overpower him.
Tae Kwon Do: This martial art of Korean origin is probably the best-known martial art and certainly one of the most popular ones. It also happens to be the national sport of South Korea. Powerful kicking techniques are a striking feature (pun unintended) of this widely practiced martial art. More on Tae Kwon Do techniques.
Karate: The martial art that happens to be on most lips the world over, karate is a strike-based martial art which involves several types of kicks, punches and open hand strikes, in addition to the use of elbows and knees. Karate chops (made famous by Hollywood action movies) are one among the most popular martial arts moves known.
Kung Fu: The term 'Kung Fu' refers to a family of Chinese martial art styles as well as techniques of strengthening and balancing one's mind and body. Kung Fu became a rage in the western world thanks to a certain Bruce Lee. Kung Fu fighting styles incorporate a variety of kicks, punches and hand strikes. At the same time, it also focuses on agility, reflexes, strategies and reading the opponent's mind.
Different Styles of Martial Arts
What are the different styles of martial arts? Where did they all originate? How many types of martial arts are there in all? How are they different from one another? Well, I guess the information presented in the subsequent sections of this article will answer most of these questions.

For those of you who would be interested in a simple list of all martial arts, rather than detailed descriptions about the various styles of martial arts, here is a simple martial arts styles list (in random order, and excluding the ones which have been mentioned at the beginning of the article).

Cricket: Australia Beat India after Chewing Off All Their Nail Stubs

2009-11-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

What more does it take to win a match, I keep wondering. Making a game out of a 350-run herculean chase, while keeping the asking rate under control all throughout the game, apparently does not do it. What matters is finishing off, something India will rue till the day they forget this match (translates to never...).

It all started with a 93 (89 balls) from Shane Watson and a 112 (112 balls) from Shaun Marsh. With most batsmen contributing good, solid double figures and giving the Indian bowlers a hammering of a lifetime, Australia had made a huge pile of runs for India to chase, 350 to be exact.

Chasing 351 to win, I and many like me had given up on the match that India was expected to chase in. I and many like me (being Indians) were still glued to our television sets, just for the sake of curiosity (and because we cannot by a rule watch anything else when an India match is going on), to know by how much will India lose by. Yet, India is capable of miracles both this way and that. They can be all out at the world's smallest score and also chase down huge ones with ease (well, maybe not quite like South Africa. I still remember how the whacked the Aussies in their 400 plus run chase).

Sehwag, as always, came up with a good blistering though short knock of a 30 ball 38. While wickets kept falling on the one end post-Sehwag, there was still one thing standing between Australia and victory.

A man named Sachin Tendulkar. He crossed 17000 ODI runs in this match but everyone was soon to forget this tiny detail. Tiny, for what me and many others like me will remember instead is the face of one man. Ricky Ponting. As each ball sailed over the boundary rope, some yellow shoulders drooped some more. With each sound of leather and willow, certain blue hopes rose some more. He made 175 in 141 balls and fell to the most terrible, un-Sachin-like shot ever. What followed is what we have all seen before. His carefully laid foundation crumpled like a castle of playing cards. There was no one to hold the scepter post-Sachin and India lost by a meager 4 runs.

While Gambhir, Yuvraj and Dhoni fell for just 8, 9 and 6 runs respectively, it was Suresh Raina (59) and Ravindra Jadeja (23) that supported Sachin's brave innings. Praveen Kumar tried his best in the end to salvage what Sachin had left incomplete, but even his efforts fell short.

There is nothing noteworthy to say about the bowling on both sides as a game that saw 600 plus runs beings scored would certainly not have left any bowler clean and un-clobbered. What I will remember in this match, more than a certain Mr. Tendulkar is Mr. Praveen Kumar. The guy laid out his heart for the match and it was very clearly visible from the way he was batting. When he got run out in the end, it was he I had tears for, not India nor Sachin (that came later, much later during the presentation ceremony). Every ball the last wicket Munaf Patel was facing, saw me pale faced (white as a ghost), glued to the set with my heart in my mouth, praying fervently that 'just once God, please let his bat touch the ball and he still be not out, just once'. In trying to keep Munaf away from facing more balls, Praveen lost his wicket. After my one 'first second' reaction of swearing, blaming and cursing a blue streak (in the very same order), I returned back to sanity. I could only imagine the pressure on Pravin for after Sachin it is not easy, never easy.. What went down was a Chennai repeat.

The match left me with tonnes of ifs and buts - Why did Sachin play such a stupid shot? Why did Harbhajan not see us through? etc. etc. Adrenaline gets to everyone and if at all we should remember this match, it is not for the loss but for the fact that a match was made out of it. Wasn't having Ricky Ponting have heart palpitations fun? Then let us not play the blame game (though we are all fickle with our opinions and over-passionate about the game). Let us leave them all alone tonight and every other such night. They can't be feeling any worse, especially Sachin.

What we can do however, is analyze why no one can hold the innings together post a good knock from Sachin. It is like some kind of conspiracy from God, for everyone normally does a fine job of it, just not after a good knock of Sachin. It seems Sachin must bear the cross, of never being there to make India cross the finish line, yet again. I wonder how many more innings will he have to play till someone, anyone, steps up to the challenge.

Sachin, if someone's blaming you for losing your wicket at the crux of the match, don't despair. No one's harsher on you than yourself. Me and many like me still stand by you today, just like every other day, minute, second and breath.

One last thing before I sign off. Here's something for you to ask yourself. When (and of course if) Ponting surpasses Sachin in runs, in any format of the game, there will still be a difference between the two of them. Sachin will be great because he is humble and Ponting will be well, Australian (translated to 'arrogant'). Which great would you prefer, I wonder.

Rules of Chess for Beginners

2009-11-05T23:00:00.000-08:00

The mere utterance of the word Chess evokes a singular response; A game for the genius. Chess, to tell for the umpteenth time, is a board game played between 2 people. Gary Kasparov apparently, carried the germ of chess from birth itself. I guess the situation would not have been any different for Vishwanathan Anand as well. For me, chess is like "No Way, not my cuppa tea people!'. But then, those who want to pursue and dabble into this sport seriously, it is better to take it up at a young age. Oh! and yes, you need to actually be a genius to know how to play chess! The rules of chess for beginners are not different from the pros'. But the rules are simplified for beginners and the nitty gritties are not dug into too deep. To top it all they are believed to be simpler than what they are thought of (are you kidding!). If you are a chess prodigy or a kid with a spark for chess, you might find the following text about chess rules for beginners interesting.

Chess Rules for Beginners

The Chess Board: As you must have seen, the board has 8 rows of 8 squares alternating between black and white (that's the standard) or any light and dark colored squares. As per the rules of the chess game, the pieces are positioned in 2 rows in front of each player on opposite sides of the board.

The Players - The Pieces: The pieces are traditionally and according to the rules, called black and white, though they can be of any color. Each player has the following:
8 Pawns
2 Rooks
2 Knights
2 Bishops
1 Queen
1 King
Now the pawns are in the first row and others are in the second row. How are these pieces lined up? here is more on that. For more on chess pieces and their names, read names of chess pieces.

The Chess Board Set Up: Each piece has a designated place on the chess board, though there is some confusion as regards the placement of the King and Queen, the most accepted and preferred way of placing the pieces are as follows:
Rooks are placed on the bottom-left and bottom-right squares on the first row in front of a player.
Knights are placed next to the rooks, in the first row itself.
Towards the center of the back row, the bishops hold fort in 2 squares.
Now there are only 2 squares left in the back row, at the center. That is for the king and Queen.
The black Queen is placed on the corresponding darker square and white one goes on the white or the light colored square. The norm is 'queen on color'. The king is then placed on the remaining square.
Then, right in front of these pieces, the 8 pawns need to be placed.
This is the basic aspect of chess rules for beginners. For more on the setting up of a chess board, check out the rules for setting up a chess board.

The Moves: Each piece irrespective of the limits that they can move to, are just as important for winning the game, be the bold limitless flight of the unstoppable queen, or the single step of the humble pawn, they all play their part individually to win the war. Let's gauge for our self, the moves each piece makes and how they can be put to use to form a strategy that can baffle your opponent:

The Rook: Rook is a free bird. It appears like a small tower and the rule book permits it to move horizontally or vertically in a straight line. It can be moved in this manner for any number of squares.

Bishop: This fella can move in a diagonally straight line, for any number of squares. Can cause potential harm due to this characteristic, mind you!

Queen: A fantastic combination of the rook and bishop, the queen is really 'The Queen' of the chess board. The Queen is of paramount importance, be it chess rules for kids or otherwise. She can move any number of squares either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally in of course a straight line. This explains why the queen holds such a supreme importance on the chess board.

King: With regards to the freedom of movement on the board, this piece is not exactly a 'king'. Nevertheless, the king is allowed to move in any direction, straight ahead, as per the rules. The catch however, is that the king cannot move for more than a single square at a time. Still, the king reigns supreme, as once the king is challenged and trapped, the game is over. Remembering this, is very important when it comes to rules of chess for beginners.

Knight: The knight, to be precise, looks like a horse. Now, this is a sort of a wayward creature, though effective. One of the easiest ways to describe a knight' range of moves is that it first moves 2 squares vertically or horizontally. Then, it can turn left or right to go ahead one more square. Now, if you visualize the center of the board, the knight can move to eight different positions. Another very important thing is that the knight is the only piece which is allowed to jump over others. A knight can topple and capture another piece if it lands in that square.

Pawn: These are the most underprivileged pieces in a game of chess. They are the shortest and weakest pieces with regards to moves. These can only move forward and that too 1 square at a time. If it the pawn's first move of the game, the player has the option to move it 2 squares straight ahead. But the interesting thing about pawns is that if they have to capture a piece, they cannot do that for a piece right in front of them. If they move a square diagonally and there is a piece there, only then they can capture that piece.

For more information, you can also refer to chess lessons.

After having explained this, I feel I sort of agree to the fact that these rules of chess for beginners are really not that difficult. Now how to play chess is definitely dependent on your intellect. Winning will come with practice and nothing else and you would also get some special tricks and tips for that from anyone you know has an interest and knowledge of the game.

Finally, then, get a chessboard and get those moves right! Go for it!

Chris Jericho struggles to keep a hold on the fighting Irishman, Finlay, in the main event of "WWE Superstars."

2009-11-05T22:56:00.000-08:00

With Survivor Series drawing near, “WWE Superstars” on WGN America featured four separate matches pitting Superstars from all three brands in hard-hitting battles for survival.

Don’t know where to catch “WWE Superstars”? Find WGN America in your area. Can't see “WWE Superstars” on WGN America in your area? Stay with WWE.com for full results, photos and video clips of all the action.

Unified Tag Team Champion Chris Jericho def. Finlay (PHOTOS | WATCH)
Despite being the man that loves to fight, Finlay met his match this week in the form of the always cocky Chris Jericho. The Irishman didn’t back down from the tag team champion, but he just couldn’t get his hands on his slippery opponent. In the end, The Belfast Brawler was brought down hard with the Codebreaker and pinned by the abrasive SmackDown Superstar.

Paul Burchill def. Tyler Reks (PHOTOS | WATCH)
In unsurprisingly brutal fashion, Burchill won a quick and vicious battle against the West coast warrior on “WWE Superstars.” Once again, Reks displayed his impressive athleticism and in-ring prowess, but it was the vile Englishman who had the upper hand when it mattered. Burchill saw his opening and put the nail in the coffin finishing Reks off as the referee counted 1-2-3.

Jack Swagger def. Primo (PHOTOS | WATCH)
For the second Thursday in a row, Jack Swagger put Primo down in impressive fashion with his brutal gutwrench powerbomb. Tonight’s victory wasn’t an easy one for the “The All-American American,” though. In the opening moments of the match, the explosive Primo used his speed and agility to gain firm control of the action. Yet, one false move turned the tables back in Swagger’s favor and it ended up being a “gutwrenching” loss for the Puerto Rican Superstar.

Santino Marella def. Chavo Guerrero (PHOTOS | WATCH)
Days after Chavo and Santino paid their “tributes” to Ozzy Osbourne on Raw, the two performers faced off with Santino catching the self-proclaimed “Mexican Warrior” off-guard with a roll-up for the win. For the most part, the two Superstars were evenly matched throughout the bout, but in the end, it looked like Chavo had gained enough momentum to lead him to victory. But when a cocky Guerrero went for the cover, the Italian Superstar reversed the attempt into a pin of his own and picked up the victory.

THE TOP SPIN: Lawrence Booth's pre-tour report on England's Ashes-winning personnel ahead of South Africa test

2009-10-28T04:48:00.000-07:00

Andrew Strauss
Could this tour turn into his perfect storm? Strauss averages 55 in 17 Tests as captain, and scored 656 runs at nearly 73 when England last toured South Africa six years ago.
There’s no way their bowlers will feed his cuts and pulls as they did in 2004-05, but Strauss is a less predictable batsmen these days. Heck, we might even see a straight-drive or two. He has admitted this series will be even tougher than the Ashes, but – with Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison no longer there – this is indisputably a team of Strauss acolytes now. The message to the captain is simple: as you were.
Alastair Cook
One hurdle has already been overcome: Joe Denly is not in the Test squad to breathe down Cook’s neck. But doubts remain. Against the probing seamers of Australia and New Zealand Cook averages 28 in 29 innings, testimony to a small but fatal flaw outside off-stump. Against everyone else, he averages 46. Yes, he batted well against South Africa in England last year, but that was on slower surfaces: Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel on a Wanderers greentop could be a different proposition.
And yet England have invested heavily in his success: Cook is set to captain them in Bangladesh next year.

Kneesy does it: Captain Andrew Strauss hits the deck during during England's Champions Trophy defeat to Australia at Centurion
Ian Bell
He hasn’t even arrived yet but – with thanks to Andy Caddick – the sledging has already begun. 'Twas ever thus, but now Bell has his chance to show that the 199 he made against South Africa at Lord’s in 2008 really was a turning-point rather than the cul-de-sac it seemed to become.

More...

England’s selection policy could yet get in his way: if Strauss insists on five bowlers, one of Bell or Collingwood will surely miss out. If not, Bell simply must build on his 72 at The Brit Oval – a knock under-rated in much the same way as Strauss’s first-innings 129 was four years ago. Otherwise, the critics will have a field day. Caddick may enjoy himself too.
Kevin Pietersen
First he has to get on the park. The last two one-day internationals before the Tests may be the earliest opportunity. Then, he has to strike the right balance between entertaining the crowd and scoring big hundreds.
Graeme Smith gleefully points out that the 2008 series tilted South Africa’s way when Pietersen was caught at long-on at Edgbaston trying to hit Paul Harris for six to reach his hundred. But beneath the schadenfreude lurks truth. This is a bloke who can do pretty well as he pleases. He, and he alone, will be his own worst enemy this winter.
Jonathan Trott
And you thought that debut was tough. If he succeeds in the country of his birth, the rest of his career could feel like one long anti-climax.
Pietersen will invariably deflect some of the bile, but there will be more to deal with in the coming weeks than bouncers and outswingers.
A Sportsmail chat with Trott four days ago confirmed a rock-solid temperament. Now he just needs to allay fears he’s not an lbw candidate early on.
Paul Collingwood
No doubt we’ll be told at various stages of the tour that Collingwood is playing for his career. When isn’t he? But the return of Pietersen – leader of the orchestra to Colly’s percussionist – could spark him into life after he fell away during the Ashes. The worry is South Africa’s bouncy tracks could expose his minimal back-lift and bottom-handed shovels, but he is nothing if not resourceful, and there is always the memory of that 135 against the same bunch last year. Always assuming the selectors find room.

Middle order: South African-born Trott (left) and Durham-born Colly (right)
Matt Prior
In Flintoff’s absence, Prior becomes the all-rounder with the power to balance or unbalance the side. At No 6, he allows the luxury of a five-man attack but is also the gateway to a long tail. At No 7, he is part of a powerful lower order that may have to score more heavily because the four-man attack has leaked more runs. There is no easy solution – unless Prior counter-attacks early in the series and turns his Ashes cameos into something more substantial. But, please, don’t drop AB de Villiers on nought.
Stuart Broad
The beginning of the rest of his career? Possibly, although his Ashes-winning five-for at The Brit Oval has raised the bar to an unfair degree. The talent is there, but he needs direction too. Those close to him say Broad is not the enforcer England crave: his bouncers go for too many runs. He himself nominates Glenn McGrath – the human-form-made-metronome – as his role model. But will the management listen? As for his batting, No 8 seems perfect, especially in the land of Shaun Pollock, who averaged nearly 31 in that slot.
The top spinner? Graeme Swann celebrates taking the wicket of Marcus North
Graeme Swann
If conventional finger-spin is dead, long live Graeme Swann. He more than punched his weight in the Ashes, averaging 35 with the bat (with a game-changing strike-rate of 83), and taking 12 wickets in England’s wins at Lord’s and The Brit Oval. Now he may have to follow Paul Harris’s lead and show patience: spinners in South Africa occasionally do little more than give the quicks a breather. Two hopes: that he works on his technique against the bouncer; and, after over-sleeping twice in South Africa a decade ago, that he buys a second alarm clock after having one pinched in the Caribbean earlier this year.
Jimmy Anderson
South Africa are wary of him, and rightly so: his opening burst during the Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka kick-started England’s partial one-day revival. Yes, he needs the ball to swing, as it should do at times in the weeks ahead. But there is a Plan B these days that no longer makes a mockery of the theory Anderson is now the undisputed attack leader. Not convinced he’s grown up as a cricketer? Then look at the improvement in his batting – one of the reasons England now hold the Ashes.
Graham Onions
The Champions Trophy highlighted the good and the bad. Onions currently resembles a Sajid Mahmood-plus: he takes wickets but gives away too many easy runs, usually when he’s embodying England’s maddening tendency to overdo the bouncer.
But Strauss seems to know how to use him: witness his first two balls on the second morning of the Edgbaston Test last summer.Read more:

Manchester United on red alert as Valencia hint at sale of Spanish stars Villa and Silva

2009-10-28T04:43:00.000-07:00

Manchester United are closing in on top targets David Villa and David Silva - as Valencia say they are finally willing to cave in and sell.
Sir Alex Ferguson has admired the Spanish duo for some time but put off making a move this summer as his valuation fell short of Valencia's asking price.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1223401/Manchester-United-red-alert-Valencia-hint-sale-Spanish-stars-Villa-Silva.html#ixzz0VEKybfO5The United manager first took notice of Villa, 27, after his stellar showing in Euro 2008, when he finished with the golden boot. And Villa's team-mate Silva, 23, is seen as the man to add some flair to United's midfield.
United representatives met Valencia over the summer but were told that despite the La Liga club's financial woes, Silva and Villa would not be sold. Ferguson also hoped Nani could live up to his potential but the Portuguese has failed to deliver so far this season.
Valencia remain in dire need of funds and, with a large chunk of Cristiano Ronaldo's £80million transfer fee yet to be spent, United are confident of landing one - if not both - of Valencia's prized assets.
'The club made a great effort to keep our players this summer but our economic situation remains very serious,' Valencia director Fernando Gomez said on Spanish TV.
'It was a success to keep them, but there comes a point when you can't stand it anymore. We may have to sell Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1223401/Manchester-United-red-alert-Valencia-hint-sale-Spanish-stars-Villa-Silva.html#ixzz0VEKt7wJD

Frustrated Real Madrid draw a blank in La Liga clash with Sporting Gijon

2009-10-28T04:40:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid, hamstrung by the absence of four key forwards, drew their first blank of the season as they were held to a goalless draw by Sporting Gijon at El Molinon.
Already without Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy because of injury, Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini also had to do without Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain for the trip to Gijon due to niggles, and without that forward power the big-spending capital club could not find the breakthrough.
To put into perspective tonight's result, Madrid had smashed 11 goals past Sporting in their two meetings last season and coming into the encounter Pellegrini's troops had averaged over three goals a game this term, netting 31 times in just 10 league and Champions League games.

Sports game

2009-10-10T03:02:00.000-07:00

A sports game is a computer or video game that simulates the playing of traditional sports. Most sports have been recreated with a game, including team sports, athletics and extreme sports. Some games emphasize actually playing the sport (such as the Madden NFL series), whilst others emphasize strategy and organization (such as Championship Manager). Some, such as Arch Rivals, satirize the sport for comic effect. This genre has been popular throughout the history of video games and is competitive, just like real-world sports. A number of games series feature the names and characteristics of real teams and players, and are updated annually to reflect real-world changes.
The genre is not to be confused with electronic sports, which is used to describe computer and video games which are played as competitive sports

Personal computer game

2009-10-10T02:59:00.000-07:00

Online games
Online multiplayer games have achieved popularity largely as a result of increasing broadband adoption among consumers. Affordable high-bandwidth Internet connections allow large numbers of players to play together, and thus have found particular use in massively multiplayer online RPGs, Tanarus and persistent online games such as World War II Online.
Although it is possible to participate in online computer games using dial-up modems, broadband internet connections are generally considered necessary in order to reduce the latency between players (commonly known as "lag"). Such connections require a broadband-compatible modem connected to the personal computer through a network interface card (generally integrated onto the computer's motherboard), optionally separated by a router. Online games require a virtual environment, generally called a "game server." These virtual servers inter-connect gamers, allowing real time, and often fast paced action. To meet this subsequent need, Game Server Providers (GSP) have become increasingly more popular over the last half decade. While not required for all gamers, these servers provide a unique "home," fully customizable (such as additional modifications, settings, etc) - giving the end gamers the experience they desire. Today there are over 500,000 game servers hosted in North America alone. [34]

Rooney don't want Ronaldo in SA

2009-10-09T04:15:00.000-07:00

Wayne Rooney is hoping that Portugal and his former team-mateCristiano Ronaldo do not qualify for next year's World Cup. The Englandforward was sent off when the two countries met in 2006 and the fallout from that incident has not been forgotten by Rooney.England were beaten in that quarter-final and Portugal also knocked them out at the same stage of Euro 2004. "It would be nice to see Portugal not there because [at our] last two tournaments they've knocked us out," Rooney said. Ronaldo's side are currently third in a group likely to be won by Denmark.After Rooney stamped on Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho in the quarter-final in Germany, Ronaldo led the protests and was shoved by Rooney before the referee Hector Elizondo waved the red card in the 62nd minute. The Portugal forward then appeared to wink at his country's coaches and substitutes on the bench.There are still implied recriminations from Rooney. "I was happy I didn't get the stick Becks got [in the 1998 sending off against Argentina] and even Phil Neville did at Euro 2000," he said. "I didn't really get any stick. Ronaldo took a lot of it and I'm pleased with that."Prior to kick-off, Ronaldo had bumped his head into the back of Rooney's in a way that was not particularly playful. The Portugal star, who moved to Real Madrid for a world record fee of £80m in the summer, must have understood the volatile character of his then team-mate at Manchester United.That trait appears to have diminished and Rooney has not even been cautioned in any of the eight qualifiers to date for the 2010 World Cup. "I'm just trying to play and enjoy it," he explained. His wife, Coleen, is due to give birth to their first child soon and he looks more settled nowadays.Rooney attempts to be philosophical about the dismissal three years ago. "Of course, it's a straight red card," he said. "I've got no argument about that but I just try to forget about it now and move on. I've got a chance to put it right in the next tournament."However, when Rooney acknowledged Ronaldo as the best footballer in the world, there was still a sarcastic barb about the virtuoso's selfishness. "It's clear for everyone," Rooney said. "He scores goals. I've watched his first few games for Madrid and he seems to have improved again. He's passing the ball a lot more as well."

Russia launches bid to host 2018 World Cup

2009-10-09T04:03:00.000-07:00

Russia on Friday launched its bid for the right to host either the 2018 or the 2022 football World Cup.
Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who also presides the Russian Football Union (RFU), said that the bid was based on developing the football infrastructure in 14 candidate cities."If and when FIFA approve our bid we will choose 12 host cities where the new stadiums will be built," Mutko said."I believe Russia is capable of hosting the football World Cup at the best possible level."The minister however refused to disclose the budget of the Russian plans of hosting the event saying that RFU should work out and present a convincing bid to the world's ruling football body FIFA ahead of calculating the expenses.He said that Russia and FIFA should sign the bid agreement on December 11, 2009 at the latest, adding that the successful bidders for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups would be announced in December 2010."We are bidding to host both events but the 2018 World Cup is our top priority," Mutko said."And I believe that the country, which is bidding to host the World Cup for the first time, should have a certain advantage over their rivals."FIFA chief Sepp Blatter is expected to visit Russia next week to meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to ensure that the Russian bid will receive full givernmental support and inspect the country's existing football faciliites and infrastructure.Earlier this year FIFA invited countries to express interest in hosting the World Cup in either or both 2018 and 2022 and received 11 bids.Australia, China, England, Indonesia, Mexico, Qatar, Japan, the United States and Spain were also among the countries that expressed their interest in bidding for the World Cup before Mexico announced their decision to withdraw from the race.Belgium and the Netherlands were considering a joint bid.FIFA requires a World Cup host to have about 12 stadiums with more than 40,000 seats each, one of them with more than 80,000 seats.African countries are precluded from bidding for the 2018 tournament as the next World Cup, in 2010, will be staged in South Africa.Latin American countries are ruled out of competition for both 2018 and 2022 as Brazil is to host the 2014 event.The region that provides the host in 2018 will be excluded from consideration for 2022.

Hawaii Sport Fishing

2009-10-07T04:31:00.000-07:00

If you're coming to experience Hawaii sport fishing, you have one heck of an adventure awaiting you! Anglers from all over the world journey to these deep blues waters teeming with trophy fish. This is where you come to get the big ones. In fact the biggest fish ever caught on rod and reel was a blue marlin caught just off Oahu, weighing in at a hefty 1805 lbs.! Hawaii is so legendary among sport fishing enthusiasts that several "big-game" tournaments are held here every year, including the granddaddy of them all, the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, luring fishermen from all over the globe.
Hawaii sport fishing is the home of big-game fish. Some of the species you'll encounter here are three types of marlin; blue, black and striped. It's entirely possible to hook yourself a "grander", meaning a monster fish weighing at least 1000 lbs.! Other top game fish include Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna), Ono (Wahoo), Mahimahi (Dolphin fish), and Skipjack Tuna. All of these babies can give you a reel-spinning run for your money, and an experience you'll not soon forget! In fact the tuna are among the fiercest, most tireless fighters of the bunch! Only the striped marlin is a sometimes resident, showing up only in winter. All of the others can be found year-round. Some of the best fishing spots you'll want to try would include Kona; long regarded as the best big-game fishing in the world. Oahu's North Shore is more famous for it's surfing, but it's just under the surface here where the real action begins! Actually, there's pretty much not a bad place for Hawaii sport fishing: some are just more excellent than others!
Booking your Hawaii sport fishing adventure is easy. There are literally hundreds of charter fishing boats operating here, offering you a ton of choices. Some things to keep in mind would be to consider how long you'll want to be out. Most offer half or full day trips, but also know that of you want the best chance at hooking a big-game fish, a longer trip may be called for to give yourself time to get to the best fishing grounds and keep your line in the water awhile. No experience or fishing license is required, and should you hook a trophy fish, taxidermy can be arranged. Come and experience Hawaii sport fishing and come home with a little something for that bare wall!

Luis Figo would love to see Lionel Messi at Inter

2009-10-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

Luis Figo would like to see Lionel Messi desert Barcelona to sign for Inter.
The Portuguese winger, who left Camp Nou for Real Madrid in 2000, thinks that the current Blaugrana hero is the best in the world and would thrive in Serie A.
Messi has just penned a new long-term deal with Barca and has reiterated the debt he feels he owes the club, but Figo would like to see him leave and join Jose Mourinho's side.
"Lionel is the best of all, and this is unquestionable," he told Corriere dello Sport.
"His team play is now stronger than last year. My dream is to see Messi playing for Inter."

David Beckham tops English football 'rich list'

2009-10-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

. David Beckham has been named as England's richest footballer, according to to FourFourTwo magazine's 'Rich List'.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder enjoys a personal fortune of £125 million, dwarfing the wealth of his nearest rival, Michael Owen. Owen is reportedly worth £38 million.
Owen's Manchester United colleague Wayne Rooney (£37m) comes next, with another two United stars, Rio Ferdinand (£30m) and Ryan Giggs (£24m), completing the top five.
England boss Fabio Capello is the wealthiest manager, with a fortune of £30m. Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane (£27m) and Alex Ferguson (£22m) are second and third.
As far as owners are concerned, Queens Park Rangers shareholder Lakshmi Mittal is the wealthiest man in English football. The steel magnate boasts a fortune reportedly worth £18.4 billion.

Dazzling Duminy stuns Royal Challengers

2009-10-05T22:36:00.001-07:00

JP Duminy dazzled with the bat with a blistering unbeaten 99 to guide Cape Cobras to a five-wicket victory Royal Challengers Bangalore in the high-scoring opening Group C match of the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament here on Thursday.
Not a single Bangalore bowler was saved from Duminy's pyrotechnics as the left-hander struck eight fours and five sixes in his scintillating 52-ball knock to power the South African side home with two balls to spare.
Apart from Duminy, Henry Davids (27 off 21) and Ryan Canning (20 off 18) were the other notable scorers for Cobras.

Depleted Delhi face Victorian challenge

2009-10-05T22:35:00.000-07:00

Struggling with three pull-outs within one week, strong contenders Delhi Daredevils would seek to capitalise on the experience of legendary Australian paceman Glenn McGrath when they take on Victoria in their opening Champions League Twenty20 match here on Friday.
Delhi have lost three overseas players - South African AB de Villers, England's Paul Collingwood and Daniel Vettori of New Zealand - in quick succession on the run-up to the cash-rich 12-team event.
However, captain Gautam Gambhir was not a worried man before the campaign opener and exuded confidence about producing good results in the tournament.
"I can assure the supporters that the Delhi team would leave no stone unturned to put up a good performance in the tournament," Gambhir said.
McGrath, who replaced Collingwood, and Australian paceman Dirk Nannes could forge a lethal pair, which has the ability to inflict early blows and break the backbone of opponent line-ups.
In the absence of experienced Vettori, Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra would be a key member of Delhi's bowling armoury, while Rajat Bhatia's medium pace may help Delhi get some breakthroughs.

HOW ! what a fly

2009-10-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

Mat Rebeaud of Switzerland performed a one-man air show at Berlin's Tempelhof Airport. Rebeaud was at Freestyle Berlin, a three-day sports festival for motocross riders, skateboarders, skiers and snowboarders.

Hunting

2009-09-19T03:17:00.000-07:00

Hunting is the practice of pursuing living animals (usually wildlife) for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law. The species which are hunted are referred to as game and are usually large, small or medium mammals or migratory, non-migratory or semi-migratory gamebirds.
Hunting can also involve the elimination of vermin, as a means of pest control to prevent diseases caused by overpopulation. Hunting advocates state that hunting can be a necessary component[1] of modern wildlife management, for example to help maintain a population of healthy animals within an environment's ecological carrying capacity when natural checks such as predators are absent.[2] However, a 2006 study by Penn State's Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics indicated that reducing the game animal population in small areas may lead to higher tick densities, resulting in more tick-borne infections in rodents leading to a high prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis and creating a tick hot-spot.[3] In the United States, wildlife managers are frequently part of hunting regulatory and licensing bodies, where they help to set rules on the number, manner and conditions in which game may be hunted.
The pursuit, capture and release, or capture for food of fish is called fishing, which is not commonly categorized as a form of hunting. Trapping is also usually considered a separate activity. Neither is it considered hunting to pursue animals without intent to kill them, as in wildlife photography or birdwatching. The practice of hunting for plants or mushrooms is a colloquial term for foraging or gathering.

Hockey

2009-09-19T03:16:00.000-07:00

Field hockey is played on gravel, natural grass, sand-based or water-based artificial turf, with a small, hard ball. The game is popular among both males and females in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South Africa. In most countries, the game is played between single-sex sides, although they can be mixed-sex.
The governing body is the 116-member International Hockey Federation (FIH). Men's Field hockey has been played at each summer Olympic Games since 1908 (except 1912 and 1924), while Women's Field Hockey has been played each summer Olympic Games since 1980.
Modern field hockey sticks are J-shaped and constructed of a composite of wood, glass fibre or carbon fibre (sometimes both) and have a curved hook at the playing end, a flat surface on the playing side and curved surface on the rear side. While current field hockey appeared in the mid-18th century in England, primarily in schools, it was not until the first half of the 19th century that it became firmly established. The first club was created in 1849 at Blackheath in south-east London. Field hockey is the national sport of India and Pakistan[1].
Ice hockey

Handball

2009-09-19T03:15:00.000-07:00

The game is quite fast and includes body contact as the defenders try to stop the attackers from approaching the goal. Contact is only allowed when the defensive player is completely in front of the offensive player, i.e. between the offensive player and the goal. This is referred to as a player sandwich. Any contact from the side or especially from behind is considered dangerous and is usually met with penalties. When a defender successfully stops an attacking player, the play is stopped and restarted by the attacking team from the spot of the infraction or on the nine meter line. Unlike in basketball where players are allowed to commit only 5 fouls in a game (6 in the NBA), handball players are allowed an unlimited number of "faults," which are considered good defense and disruptive to the attacking team's rhythm.

Women's events

2009-09-19T03:14:00.001-07:00

In the vaulting events gymnasts: sprint down a 25 meter (about 82 feet) runway, jump onto a beatboard (a kind of springboard), (run/ take-off segment), land momentarily, generally inverted on the hands, on the vaulting horse or vaulting table, (pre flight segment), then spring or block off of this platform to a two footed landing (post flight segment). The post flight segment may include one or more multiple saltos or somersaults, and/or twisting movements.
In 2001, the traditional vaulting horse was replaced with a new apparatus, sometimes known as a tongue or table. The new apparatus is more stable, wider, and longer than the older vaulting horse—approximately 1m in length and 1m in width—gives gymnasts a larger blocking surface, and is therefore safer than the old vaulting horse. With the addition of this new, safer vaulting table, gymnasts are attempting more difficult and dangerous vaults

Gymnastics

2009-09-19T03:13:00.001-07:00

physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, balance and grace. Artistic gymnastics is the best known and most popular of the gymnastics sports governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). Artistic Gymnastics, typically involves the women's events of uneven parallel bars, balance beam, floor exercise, and vault. Men's events include floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar. Gymnastics evolved from exercises used by the ancient Greeks, that included skills for mounting and dismounting a horse, and from circus performance skills. Other forms of gymnastics are rhythmic gymnastics, various trampolining sports, and aerobic and acrobatic gymnastics.

Flying disc games

2009-09-19T03:12:00.000-07:00

Double Disc Court (DDC) is a sport played with two flying discs. It is played between two teams of two players each. Teammates stand in the same court. The goal is to defend a court from an attack by the opponents. Two identical square courts are located on a level playing field of grass measuring 13 meters on a side. The distance between the courts is 17 meters. Attacks are made in two ways: by throwing a disc in play into the opponents' court in an attempt to have the disc come to rest within that court without ever having touched out-of-bounds, or by causing both discs to be touched by a player or players on the opposing team at the same time (called a "double"). A team scores a point whenever they make a successful attack or whenever an opponent throws a disc out-of-bounds. The first team to score the requisite number of points as determined by the competitive format wins the game.

Equestrianism

2009-09-19T03:09:00.000-07:00

Horses are trained and ridden for practical working purposes such as in police work or for controlling herd animals on a ranch. They are also used in competitive sports including, but not limited to, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving, and rodeo. (See additional equestrian sports listed later in this article for more examples.) Some popular forms of competition are grouped together at horse shows, where horses perform in a wide variety of disciplines. Horses (and other equids such as mules and donkeys) are used for non-competitive recreational riding such as fox hunting, trail riding or hacking. There is public access to horse trails in almost every part of the world; many parks, ranches, and public stables offer both guided and independent riding. Horses are also used for therapeutic purposes, both in specialized paraequestrian competition as well as non-competitive riding to improve human health and emotional development.
Horses are also driven in harness racing, at horse shows and in other types of exhibition, historical reenactment or ceremony, often pulling carriages. In some parts of the world, they are still used for practical purposes such as farming.
Horses continue to be used in public service: in traditional ceremonies (parades, funerals), police and volunteer mounted patrols, and for mounted search and rescue.
[edit] History of horse use
Main articles: Domestication of the horse and Horses in warfare
See also: Horses in the Middle Ages
Though there is controversy over the exact date horses were domesticated and when they were first ridden, the best estimate is that horses first were ridden approximately 4,500 BC. Indirect evidence suggests that horses were ridden long before they were driven. There is some evidence that about 6,000 years ago, near the Dneiper River and the Don River, people were using bits on horses, as a stallion that was buried there shows teeth wear consistent with using a bit.[1] However, the most unequivocal early archaeological evidence of equines put to working use was of horses being driven. Chariot burials about 2,500 BC present the most direct hard evidence of horses used as working animals. In ancient times chariot warfare was followed by the use of war horses as light and heavy cavalry. The horse played an important role throughout human history all over the world, both in warfare and in peaceful pursuits such as transportation, trade and agriculture. Horses lived in North America, but died out at the end of the Ice Age. Horses were brought back to North America by European explorers, beginning with the second voyage of Columbus in 1493.[2]

Cowboy pool

2009-09-19T03:06:00.000-07:00

The parent game of cowboy pool, English billiards, is itself a hybrid of three predecessor billiards games – the winning game, the losing game and the carambole game (an early form of straight rail) – and dates to approximately 1800 in England. There are a number of pocket billiard games directly descended from English billiards, including bull dog, scratch pool, thirty-one pool and thirty-eight. Thirty-eight is the intermediary game from which Cowboy pool is directly derived.[1] This precursor game was first reported on in The New York Times on January 21, 1885: 'there is a new billiards game called "thirty-eight." It appears to have met with special favor among the many devotees of pool.'[2]
Cowboy pool is very similar to thirty-eight, with the major difference being that thirty-eight requires the use of two cue balls and is played to just 38 points, thus its name.[2] It is unknown how thirty-eight transitioned to the modified ruleset mandated by cowboy pool, nor the derivation of its name. What is known is that its first mention is in a 1908 rule book, published about the same time the well-known game eight-ball (under a prior name) was first gaining popularity.[1] Although popular enough that its rules remain listed in authoritative rule books alongside just a handful of other games,[3] apart from a small sanctioned tournament held in 1914, cowboy pool is strictly an amateur game.[1]
[edit] Rules
Cowboy pool uses only four balls, the cue ball and three numbered balls, the 1, 3, and 5. The balls have a set opening placement: The 1 ball is placed on the head spot; the 3 ball on the foot spot; and the 5 ball on the center spot. As in the game of snooker, pocketed balls are immediately respotted to their starting position. Beginning with cue ball in-hand from the kitchen —the area behind a pool table's head string —the incoming player must contact the 3 ball first. If the player fails to do so, the opponent may either force the player to repeat the break shot, or elect to break him or herself.[1][3]
For the first 90 points of the 101 needed to win the game, points are scored in three ways: 1 point for caroming the cue ball into any two object balls; 2 points for caroming into all three object balls; and a player scores the face value of any ball pocketed, i.e., if the 3 ball is pocketed, the player scores 3 points. Thus, the maximum score possible on any single shot is 11 points, achieved by caroming off and pocketing all three balls. The failure to score in one of the delineated manners on any shot ends the player's inning at the table. All fouls in Cowboy pool result in the player losing all points scored during the inning (not just those on the fouled stroke), and the opposing player comes to the table with cue ball in position except in the case of a scratch, which results in ball-in-hand from the kitchen.[1][3]
The 90th point in cowboy pool must be reached exactly and the failure to do so is a foul resulting in a loss of turn. For example, this means that a player with 89 points, who then scores 2 points rather than exactly 1, has committed a foul. Once the 90 point benchmark is reached, all points up to the penultimate 100 must be made by caroms. The pocketing of balls during this phase of the game garners no points. The final point necessary to reach 101 and the win must be made by a losing hazard – an intentional scratch made by caroming the cue ball off one of the three object balls.[1][3]