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U.S. Olympic officials have yet to decide if vaccinations will be mandatory for Tokyo (nationthailand.com)

U.S. Olympic officials have yet to decide if vaccinations will be mandatory for Tokyo

Dec 22. 2020

Sarah Hirshland, the USOPC’s chief executive

By The Washington Post · Rick Maese

The International Olympic Committee won’t require coronavirus vaccines of athletes competing at the Tokyo Games next summer, but the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is working on a plan to educate American athletes and possibly facilitate immunization for its Olympic hopefuls.

USOPC officials said on a conference call with reporters Monday that the organization would encourage Team USA athletes to take the vaccine when it becomes available. When asked whether the organization would mandate a vaccine for its athletes, Sarah Hirshland, the USOPC’s chief executive, said a full plan had not yet been developed.

“Certainly we’ll have discussions about access, availability, the proper timing, ensuring we understand any potential allergy reactions, side effects, things of that nature,” she said, “so we can be very thoughtful as we are providing information to the athlete community as they make their decisions and choices. … Suffice it to say, we will encourage and make available to those who desire it, a vaccine.”

Many leagues and sport organizers are hoping the vaccine brings some normalcy to the 2021 competition calendar, though most officials are also publicly saying they have no intention to jump the line. Hirshland said the country’s priority right now should be vaccinating people who are high-risk and also working on the front-line of the covid-19 battle, not necessarily athletes.

“As time goes on and the vaccine becomes more readily available, we certainly will be ready to be supportive of our athletes and the rest of the delegation as we think about going abroad,” she said.

The United States will send 550-600 athletes to Tokyo next summer for the postponed Summer Games. The American delegation likely will number hundreds more, including coaches, staff and officials.

IOC President Thomas Bach said earlier this month that the IOC would not require the vaccine of its athletes but would encourage everyone coming to Tokyo to seek out the immunization, if possible. He said vaccinating against covid-19 is good for athletes’ “safety and their health” but is “also a sign of respect for their fellow athletes” and for the host nation.

Hirshland said the USOPC is still a month or two away from finalizing any sort of vaccine plan for its Tokyo-bound delegation.

The USOPC addressed the Tokyo Games and several other topics on a conference call with reporters Monday that followed its final quarterly meeting of the year. While the organization’s board of directors was meeting last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced Russia’s ban from high-level international competition from four years to two, sparking frustration and outrage in some Olympic corners.

“The ruling sort of watered down many of the sanctions that [the World Anti-Doping Agency] had initially imposed,” said Susanne Lyons, the chair of the USOPC board. “We don’t believe it honors clean athletes or builds confidence in the global anti-doping system.”

She said the USOPC aims to be “a mediator and an influencer” with other anti-doping stakeholders, and “we’ve made our feelings known to WADA and offered our help and support.”

“What we’ve decided to do is really increase the volume on our concerns about the necessary evolution that has to happen to get to the highest level of transparency, fairness and rigor,” she said, “on how anti-doping is governed around the world.”

Monday marked the first time USOPC officials fielded questions since announcing this month that it would not sanction American athletes who stage podium protests over human rights or social justice issues at an Olympics. Hirshland said Monday athletes who choose to demonstrate could still face punishment from the IOC or international federations. She said the USOPC’s working group that’s focused on protests will continue its work next year, further evaluating the issue and potential consequences for athletes.

“Now comes the hard work of determining, defining and, ideally, asking the IOC to be clear about their rules and the ramifications of those rules in advance,” Hirshland said. “. . . Our timeline to complete that work is certainly in the first quarter, giving us ample time to not only do the work but then communicate and ensure that the athlete population who may be competing this spring has time and clarity in advance, so they can make thoughtful and informed choices.”

Also at its quarterly meeting, the USOPC board added six new members, increasing the number of athletes voting on the organization’s most powerful decision-making body and keeping in line with new federal regulation. Signed into law in August, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act imposed a series of reforms in the Olympic world and called on the composition of the USOPC’s board of directors to include at least one-third amateur athletes. With the addition of two new athlete “at-large positions,” there are now nine current or former athletes serving on the 19-member board,

“The pendulum often swings a bit in the world of governance,” Lyons said. “That last major change was to make the board smaller, to make it more independent. And now we’re realizing perhaps that pendulum swung a little bit too far, as far as not having as much constituent voice from our [national governing bodies] and from our athletes as was necessary.

“We saw some of the dangers of not having athlete voice elevated as much as it could be in governance,” she continued. “When we saw things like what happened with gymnastics, I think, maybe could be avoided in the future if we have the people most impacted by the work that we do sitting more closely at the table.”

The new athletes serving on the board are Daria Schneider, a former champion fencer who now coaches at Harvard; former swimmer Donna de Varona, a two-time Olympic medalist; John Naber, who won five Olympic medals during his swimming career; and Muffy Davis, a seven-time Paralympic medalist.

Three current board members – Robert Bach, Bill Marolt and Whitney Ping – will depart the board their terms end later this month.

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The Top 10 Pound-for-Pound Fighters in Muay Thai (nationthailand.com)

The Top 10 Pound-for-Pound Fighters in Muay Thai

Dec 22. 2020Rodtang Jitmuangnon Known fondly as “the art of eight limbs,” Muay Thai utilizes the entire body as a weapon, primarily making use of the fists, elbows, knees, and shins. It’s also the national sport of Thailand and a cultural martial art within the nation. People from all over the country practice the discipline for a myriad of reasons.

Needless to say, the absolute best in Muay Thai hail in Thailand, but who stands above the talented pack? Let’s take stock of the 10 best pound-for-pound Muay Thai fighters in the world today.

1. Rodtang Jitmuangnon

There’s a reason Rodtang Jitmuangnon is known as “The Iron Man.” 

He is impervious to pain when he’s inside the ring. The reigning ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion is seemingly impervious to pain, and he’s a thundering fury when he’s in the zone. 

The unstoppable 23-year-old uses a combination of slicing elbows and crisp, powerful boxing combinations. He’s remained unbeaten in ONE Super Series since joining the striking-only league in 2018.

Rodtang’s performances against Jonathan Haggerty (twice), and Walter Goncalves showcased just how dominant he can be.

2. Tawanchai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym

Tawanchai began fighting at the age of 8 in Pattaya, where he first picked up Muay Thai. Not long after, he moved to Bangkok to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional fighter. At age 14, Tawanchai had already made his debut at the famed Lumpinee Stadium.

His awards include the 2018 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year and the 2018 Lumpinee Stadium Fighter of the Year, among others. He currently trains at the PK.Saenchai Muaythai Gym alongside many greats of the sport, including Kongsak, Wanchalong, and Prajanchai.

3. Superlek Kiatmoo9

The list of legendary fighters signed to ONE Super Series now includes former WBC Muay Thai Super Featherweight World Champion Superlek. 

Superlek has been collecting accolades since 2012, winning various belts at Lumpinee Stadium in multiple weight classes and being named Fighter of the Year by the Sports Authority of Thailand.

Superlek joined ONE Championship in early 2019 and hasn’t lost in the Circle yet. Notable wins have come over Panpayak Jitmuangnon, Jonathan Haggerty, and Muangthai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym.

4. Sangmanee Sor Cafemuaythai

More popularly known as “The Million Dollar Baby,” Sangmanee is a rare talent.

Influenced by his father, he began training at just 6 years of age. He eventually became a multiple-time Rajadamnern and Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai Champion. 

Sangmanee joined ONE Super Series in 2019, winning back-to-back fights against Azize Hlali and Kenta Yamada before getting shocked by Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai this past July.

He’s still one of the world’s best when it comes to Muay Thai. After emerging victorious in his last bout outside of ONE, he’s looking to return to winning form inside the Circle

5. Prajanchai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym

Like his esteemed peers, Prajanthai is an incredible fighter with an unwavering will to win. His highly technical style has led to some amazing victories in Bangkok’s most prestigious arenas.

Prajanchai is a multiple-time Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai Champion and a OneSongchai Flyweight Champion. Notable victories have come over Panpayak Jitmuangnon and Kiewpayak Jitmuangnon, among others.

The 25-year-old is young and still improving with every fight – a scary notion for the rest of the Muay Thai world. 

6. Nong-O Gaiyanghadao

At 34 years of age, Nong-O is at the tail end of a long and glorious career. But you wouldn’t be able to tell by just looking at him, as Nong-O has looked phenomenal s of late.

Astonishing performances against the likes of Han Zi Hao, Hiroaki Suzuki, Brice Delval, and rising star Saemapetch Fairtex have highlighted the legend’s successful stint in ONE Super Series so far.

The reigning ONE Championship Bantamweight Muay Thai Champion is now set to defend his title against countryman Rodlek P.K.Saenchai Muaythaigym on 18 December at ONE: Collision Course.

7. Capitan Petchyindee Academy

Capitan Petchyindee Academy is a newcomer in ONE Super Series. He made an impressive debut last September at ONE: A New Breed III against Petchtanong Petchfergus, winning a kickboxing bout via knockout in just six seconds. 

That performance has excited fans who want to see him back in action sooner rather than later. 

In Muay Thai, Capitan owns a handful of big wins, including victories over Chamuaktong Fightermuaythai, Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai, and Detrit Sathian Muay Thai. He is the current Lumpini Stadium Super Welterweight Champion.

8. Gaonar PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym

Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Gaonar is next on the list. He is a former Phoenix FC Super Featherweight Champion who has beaten some of Muay Thai’s biggest names.

Gaonar owns wins over Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Seksan Or. Kwanmuang, Superlek Kiatmoo9, Superbank Mor Ratanabandit, and more. His technical Muay Femur style in the southpaw stance has led to a plethora of memorable performances in the ring.

9. Seksan Or. Kwanmuang

Seksan is one of the most decorated Muay Thai fighters in history. His list of accomplishments is just staggering.

Throughout his professional career, which started in 2005, Seksan has gone on to win the Channel 7 Stadium Super Bantamweight Title, the Muay Thai Warriors Featherweight Title, the IBF Muay Thai Lightweight World Title, and the WBC Muay Thai Super Lightweight Title.

He’s also a multiple-time Rajadamnern and Omnoi Stadium Champion. Notable wins have come over Thanonchai Thanakorngym, Gaonar PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym, Muangthai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym, and Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym.

10. Saoek Sitchefboontham

Last, but certainly not least, is Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Saoek Sitchefboontam. At just 23 years of age, he’s one of the hottest properties in Muay Thai today.

He’s won seven of his last eight contests, including a fourth-round technical knockout victory over Kumandoi Petcharoenvit at the recently concluded SAT HERO SERIES at the World Siam Stadium, a tournament held by the Sports Authority of Thailand in conjunction with ONE Championship.

That impressive performance could very well land him a roster spot in ONE Super Series among the world’s best strikers.