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Asian martial arts promotion, ONE Championship, recently announced that it will be doing away with conducting official reviews of fights in lieu of controversial decisions. It has also moved to dissolve its competition committee, with the organization instead opting to hold immediate rematches where needed.

The competition committee was made up of an independent panel of martial arts industry experts who were originally tasked to conduct official bout reviews when necessary.

However, controversial decisions are a hardly new occurence in the world of combat sports. Due to the highly subjective nature of judging in professional fights, results that fans and experts disagree with often arise.

ONE Championship has had many formal reviews of fights in the past. In 2021 alone, two high-profile bouts were sent to official review — Ham Seo Hee’s split decision win over Denice Zamboanga, and Ok Rae Yoon’s dethroning of former lightweight world champion Christian Lee via unanimous decision.

Both Zamboanga and Lee suffered highly controversial losses, and had requested ONE’s competition committee to formally review their fights in hopes of overturning the results. However, both decisions were subsequently upheld.

Another controversial bout took place last Friday night, January 14, on the main card of the promotion’s ONE: HEAVY HITTERS event. Strawweight Muay Thai star Supergirl took home a split decision victory over Belarusian foe Ekaterina Vandaryeva.

ONE Championship Disbands Competition Committee, Moving Away from Official Fight Reviews

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• Teen Star Supergirl Primed For Vandaryeva

Many experts who had watched the fight had Vandaryeva winning the contest, but it was ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong himself who voiced his opinion the loudest.

“Ekaterina easily won that fight, it was not even close,” Chatri told reporters in a post-event interview. “I just don’t know what the judges were seeing, what they were judging. She was one punch, one kick away from finishing Supergirl.

“I was super impressed. I just don’t see how she lost that fight, but I’m not a judge. We try to work with the best judges, but I know Muay Thai, and Ekaterina won that fight.”

ONE Championship Disbands Competition Committee, Moving Away from Official Fight Reviews

Supremely confident of Vandaryeva’s victory, Sityodtong even awarded her with one of three US $50,000 bonuses given out on the night — the other two going to Saygid Izagakhmaev and Senzo Ikeda. The bonuses were given to fighters for their “gameness” and “exemplary performance.”

Sityodtong also said that an immediate rematch between the two was necessary, which both sides verbally agreed to.

For her part, Supergirl addressed the issue on her official Instagram account with a message to her fans:

“I got the W last night but the performance was so bad for me,” she wrote. “Due to covid and school stuff i haven’t fought for 1 year and 4 months till last night. It wasn’t my best performance but I did try my best at that time and keep forward for the whole fight. And I’m truly sorry that the results by the judges made you guys not happy with that. I fought and let the judges did their job. That’s out of my control. Sorry about that again. And congratulations to my opponent who won the bonus last night. You’re the best!”

Published : January 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

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Thai football club Muang Thong United’s Uzbek midfielder Sardor Mirzaev on Monday tested positive for Covid-19.

The club said it had immediately informed BG Pathum United about the development, as the the two teams had fought out a 2-2 draw in the Thai League on Sunday.

“Mirzaev has been isolated from other team members and we are monitoring the health of the players and support staff in line with the Public Health Ministry’s measures, as they could be at risk of Covid-19 infection,” Muang Thong United said.

The club clarified that the team had been strictly following measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, such as receiving two Covid-19 jabs and being tested for the virus before the match.

It added that all the players and staff will take RT-PCR tests again on Monday.

Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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Busanan “Cream” Ongbamrungphan was crowned BWF India Open 2022 singles champion after winning an all-Thai final in Delhi on Sunday.

Second seed Busanan won a seesaw battle against Supanida “May” Katethong 2-1 (22-10, 21-19, 21-13) to clinch 1 million baht ($30,000) in prize money.

Supanida took home 500,000 baht as runner-up.

Thai players dominated the women’s competition in Delhi, where sisters Benyapa “Muna” and Nuntakarn “Auna” Aimsaard beat Russia’s Anastasiia Akchurina and Olga Morozova 2-0 to win the doubles title.

Benyapa and Nuntakarn pocketed $31,600 (1.05 million baht).

Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul congratulated the Thai national team on their performance at the beginning of this year, after Thai players also made it through to finals of the Yonex Estonian International 2022 in four categories.

She also thanked officials for ensuring a smooth tournament in Delhi despite some competitors reportedly testing positive for Covid-19.

Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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Buriram United remain top of the Thai League 1 after beating Chiang Mai United 4-1 on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the big match between Muang Thong United and BG Pathum United ended in a 2-2 draw.

Buriram are on 35 points after 16 games played, ahead of second-placed Bangkok United on 33 points.

Tied for third on 29 points are Chonburi, Port FC and BG Pathum United, though all have played one more game than the top two sides.

Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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The unvaccinated tennis star now faces a three-year ban on returning to the country, with the ruling coming just a day before he was due to begin the defence of his Australian Open title.

Novak Djokovic is set to be deported from Australia after losing a court appeal against the cancellation of his visa.

Three Federal Court judges upheld a decision made on Friday by the immigration minister to cancel the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on public interest grounds

The unvaccinated tennis star now faces a three-year ban on returning to the country, with the ruling coming just a day before he was due to begin the defence of his Australian Open title.

Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the men

Djokovic’s visa was revoked for a second time on Friday after immigration minister Alex Hawke said the Serbian’s presence in Australia posed a public health risk.

It follows the controversy over the decision to grant Djokovic an exemption from COVID vaccination requirements to play at the Australian Open.

2021 Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic poses with champion trophy at Melbourne Brighton Beach, in Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 22, 2021. (Photo by Hu JingChen/Xinhua)
 

Published : January 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

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Six Thailand national football team players met with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House on Thursday after winning the AFF Championship trophy.

Prayut congratulated captain Chanathip Songkrasin, Kawin Thamsatchanan, Adisak Kraisorn, Bordin Phala, Weerathep Pomphan and Picha Autra on being crowned kings of Southeast Asian soccer for the sixth time with a 6-2 aggregate win over Indonesia earlier this month.
 

Also basking in the glory at Government House were team manager Nualphan Lamsam, Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Sports Authority of Thailand governor Kongsak Yodmanee and Football Association president Somyot Poompanmoung.

Prayut thanked the agencies for support that helped the national team bring back the AFF trophy as a New Year’s gift for Thais.

Nualphan also handed over 26 million baht in bonuses to his players and staff on Thursday.
The team received a total of 46 million baht for winning the AFF Championship.

Of this, 10 million baht was prize money, 26 million baht came from Nualphan and partners, and 10 million baht from the Football Association of Thailand.

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The 29 players and 15 staff will each get just over 1 million baht (Bt1,045,454) for their trophy-winning efforts.

Published : January 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

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Former ONE World Title challenger Saemapetch Fairtex and fellow Thai superstar Tawanchai will be locking horns in the Circle this Friday, but outside of it, they consider themselves very good friends.

The two Muay Thai warriors will meet at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS this January 14th at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and both men are ready to put it all on the line despite their cordial relationship.

“We can’t escape this fight. The path leads us to face each other,” Tawanchai said.

“I feel like it is just a sport. We fight each other in the ring and hug each other when the job is done. We are still bros.”

Saemapetch tends to agree with his counterpart.

“[Competing against each other was] inevitable,” he says. “We’ll do our best as fighters.”

Though they train at rival gyms — Saemapetch at the famed Fairtex Training Center in Pattaya, and Tawanchai at Bangkok’s PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym — they were drawn together by their shared passion for Muay Thai.

Saemapetch and Tawanchai Will Set Aside Friendship in Lieu of Three-Round War at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS

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At 27 years of age, Saemapetch owns the experience advantage in this matchup, having already faced legendary Nong-O Gaiyanghadao previously. Saemapetch is also the #1-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai fighter in ONE Championship.

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Tawanchai just recently made his ONE Super Series debut, with a win over Sean Clancy last May 2020.

Knowing Tawanchai is just beginning his ONE career, Saemapetch offered a few words of advice.

Saemapetch and Tawanchai Will Set Aside Friendship in Lieu of Three-Round War at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS

“Tawanchai had to fly to fight abroad for the first time. He was still unfamiliar with new places and new rules. Although he had a trainer with him, they had problems in communication,” Saemapetch says. 

“Even though we are competitors in the same division, I don’t pay attention to that point at all. I’m happy to help him as I’m a senior. I feel that we all are Muay Thai fellows. We need to help each other.”

Tawanchai was, of course, thankful for his friend’s help.

“I was new to ONE and there were many things that I was not familiar with. So, I asked him for advice on weight, hydrations, and many preparations,” he says. 

“Saemapetch was very kind to me and gave me all useful advice.”

Tawanchai eventually defeated Clancy behind a spectacular performance. Afterward, Tawanchai trained with Saemapetch in Pattaya.

“After we had finished fighting, we became closer and closer because I went to see him at the camp, too,” Tawanchai says.

When the two meet at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS, however, their fruitful partnership will be temporarily put on hold. Being that they are two of the best Muay Thai fighters on the planet, there’s definitely a lot at stake in this matchup.

“We talked about [fighting each other],” Tawanchai says.

“I said to him, ‘It’s okay, bro. If we have to face each other in the Circle, we will do our duty. Outside the ring, we are always brothers.”

“This is just a game. We each have a goal, and we have to go for it,” Saemapetch adds.

“Don’t worry – neither of us will hold off as long as we are in the Circle!”

Saemapetch and Tawanchai Will Set Aside Friendship in Lieu of Three-Round War at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS

Published : January 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

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Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic told an umpire that he is certain to test positive to COVID-19 as he crashed out of Australian Open qualifying.

Tomic played against Russian rising star Roman Safiullin on Tuesday and made a quick exit after he lost 6-1, 6-4.

Tomic told umpire Aline Da Rocha Nocinto at the change-over that he thought he was infected.

He said “I’m sure in the next two days I will test positive, I’m telling you,” the 29-year-old said from his chair.

“I’ll buy you dinner if I don’t test positive in three days, otherwise you buy me dinner.”

Tomic revealed that he could not believe that there was no PCR testing for players.

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Tomic has not played in an ATP tournament since September when he failed to qualify in an event in Kazakhstan.

Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION

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Famous tennis player Novak Djokovic addressed the continuing misinformation about his activities and attendance at events in December in the lead up to his positive PCR Covid test result on his Facebook post on Wednesday.

He said this is misinformation which needs to be corrected, particularly in the interest of alleviating broader concern in the community about his presence in Australia, and to address matters which are very hurtful and concerning to his family.

“I want to emphasise that I have tried very hard to ensure the safety of everyone and my compliance with testing obligations,” he said.

Djokovic explained that he attended a basketball game in Belgrade on 14 December after which it was reported that a number of people tested positive with Covid-19. 

“Despite having no Covid symptoms, I took a rapid antigen test on 16 December which was negative, and out of an abundance of caution, also took an official and approved PCR test on that same day,” he explained

“The next day I attended a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children and took a rapid antigen test before going to the event, and it was negative. I was asymptomatic and felt good, and I had not received the notification of a positive PCR test result until after that event.”

“The next day, on December 18, I was at my tennis centre in Belgrade to fulfill a long-standing commitment for a L’Equipe interview and photoshoot. I cancelled all other events except for the L’Equipe interview.”

Djokovic said he felt obliged to go ahead and conduct the L’Equipe interview as he didn’t want to let the journalist down. He also confirmed that he socially distanced and wore a mask except when his photograph was being taken.

“While I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgement and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment,” he said.

Djokovic said on the issue of my travel declaration, this was submitted by his support team on his behalf – as he told immigration officials on his arrival – and his agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box about his previous travel before coming to Australia. 

“This was a human error and certainly not deliberate. We are living in challenging times in a global pandemic and sometimes these mistakes can occur. Today, my team has provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify this matter,” he said.

“While I felt it was important to address and clarify misinformation I will not be making any further comment out of utmost respect for the Australian Government and their authorities and the current process.”

Djokovic added that it is always an honour and a privilege to play in the Australian Open. 

“The Australian Open is much-loved by players, fans and the community, not just in Victoria and in Australia, but around the globe, and I just want to have the opportunity to compete against the best players in the world and perform before one of the best crowds in the world,” he added.

Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION

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A 102-year-old man, Sawang Chanprahman, the oldest athlete at the Thailand Open Masters Games, bagged two gold medals at the competition.

Sawang won the two golds in 100 metres in the 100-104-year-old category with 29.69 seconds and in shot put, creating a new record of 4.75 metres.

Sawang said he ran daily not just to prepare for the competition but also for his health.

He said he liked to exercise even though he was old and voiced happiness at winning two gold medals. He hopes to win two more.

The games are being held at Tinsulanonda Stadium and Mahavajiravudh School in Songkhla.

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Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION