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Capitan Petchyindee Academy dominates Ramazanov to capture ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title

Jan 23. 2021

ONE Championship kicked off 2021 with a spectacular show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. ONE: UNBREAKABLE featured a series of impressive performances in the Circle from the world’s top mixed martial artists and kickboxers.

In the main event, Thai superstar Capitan Petchyindee Academy destroyed defending titleholder Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov to capture the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship inside of two rounds.

The first frame saw Capitan stalk Ramazanov early with a blitzkrieg of boxing combinations and chopping leg kicks. “Babyface Killer” tried his best to move away from the pressure, but Capitan relentlessly pursued him.

In the second round, Capitan sensed the finish as he continued to pound Ramazanov from midrange. After another blistering combination against the Circle Wall, Ramazanov finally went down from the onslaught. The referee counted to 10 as Ramazanov was unable to regain his footing and Capitan celebrated.

In the evening’s co-main event, former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki put forth one of the finest performances of his career, dominating former ONE Welterweight World Title challenger James Nakashima in the latter’s lightweight debut. The #4-ranked lightweight mixed martial arts contender surprised Nakashima early, landing swift, powerful kicks to the body and a right hand to the head. In close quarters, Aoki swiftly took the back, locked in a body triangle, and secured the fight-ending submission just 2:42 into the first round.

In a ONE Super Series kickboxing bout, heavyweight sensation Rade Opacic overwhelmed Bruno Susano with a one-sided striking showcase to win by technical knockout. In round one, Opacic sent his opponent to a mandatory standing eight-count after a crushing blow to the ribs sucked the wind out of Susano’s sails. Opacic finished the job in round two with another tremendous combination that put Susano on unsteady footing. At that point, the referee had seen enough, and he quickly called a halt to the contest.

Undefeated ONE Warrior Series product Gadzhimurad Abdulaev made quick work of former ONE Welterweight World Champion Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam, finishing the Swedish fighter from the back with a vice-like face crank in round one. Abdulaev closed the distance early, bringing Kadestam to the ground with a trip takedown. On the mat, Abdulaev swiftly took the back and worked on the submission finish. At that point, Kadestam had no choice but to tap.

Second-ranked mixed martial arts atomweight contender Meng Bo remained a step ahead of former ONE World Title challenger Samara “Marituba” Santos throughout three close rounds. Meng showed striking superiority in the majority of exchanges, while Santos tried to take matters to the ground. On the mat, however, Meng defended well to neutralize Santos’ attacks. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Meng to win by unanimous decision.

Filipino phenom Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang put together another thunderous performance to kick off the action at ONE: UNBREAKABLE, stopping highly regarded Namiki Kawahara inside the distance of their strawweight mixed martial arts clash. Kawahara tried to time an aggressive Adiwang with an overhand right, but it was a left hook to the jaw from “Thunder Kid” that effectively ended matters in round two.

Next, ONE Championship returns with ONE: UNBREAKABLE II, a previously recorded event scheduled for broadcast on Friday, 29 January. In the main event, former ONE Heavyweight World Title challenger Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli of Italy will take on Russia’s Abdulbasir “Dagestan Machine” Vagabov. Also scheduled for action is four-time Heavyweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Alain “The Panther” Ngalani of Hong Kong, who will face Senegalese sensation “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane.

Official Results for ONE: UNBREAKABLE

ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship Bout: Capitan Petchyindee Academy defeats Alaverdi Ramazanov via Knockout at 1:56 of Round Two

Mixed Martial Arts – Lightweight: Shinya Aoki defeats James Nakashima via Submission (Neck Crank) at 2:42 of Round One

Kickboxing – Heavyweight: Rade Opacic defeats Bruno Susano via TKO at 1:11 of Round Two

Mixed Martial Arts – Welterweight: Gadzhimurad Abdulaev defeats Zebaztian Kadestam via Submission (Face Crank) at 2:08 of Round One

Mixed Martial Arts – Catch Weight (54.8 KG): Meng Bo defeats Samara Santos via Unanimous Decision

Mixed Martial Arts – Strawweight: Lito Adiwang defeats Namiki Kawahara via Knockout at 2:02 of Round Two

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Kang still at the top at Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

Jan 23. 2021

Another day, another bogey-free round for Danielle Kang.

The four-time LPGA Tour winner shot a 6-under 65 in Friday’s second round and built a two-stroke lead over Nelly Korda at the 2021 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions presented by Insurance Office of America. Kang, who won twice in 2020 and led the Tour in scoring average, birdied the opening par-4 first to set the tone for her second round. It was her second consecutive bogey-free round, and she is the only player in the LPGA Tour field yet to card a bogey.

“Like yesterday, I had a lot of fun out there today and made some good birdies,” said Kang, who played alongside MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz and Grammy Award nominee Cole Swindell. “This golf course is kind of sneaky tough at the same time, so I just can’t lose focus on certain shots. Three-putts are out there, too, which is scary. But I’m having a lot of fun.”

Korda returned to her old coach David Whelan following the 2020 CME Group Tour Championship and feels very “dialed in” with her ball striking. That hard work clearly showed in her stats, with the 22-year-old Floridian missing just one fairway and one green in her second-round 5-under 66. Korda is looking for her first win since the 2019 Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA and her first victory on home soil.

“I was striking the ball really well today and I gave myself a lot of chances, and I converted a couple here and there. I made one kind of stupid bogey, a three-putt,” said Korda, who has won twice in Chinese Taipei and once in Australia. “Other than that, I hit it really solid.”

Defending champion Gaby Lopez and two-time major champion In Gee Chun are tied for third at -9, with Korda’s older sister Jessica Korda rounding out the top five at -8.

In the celebrity competition, former tennis player Mardy Fish leads the field at +78, followed by New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks and retired Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee at +73. Two-time defending celebrity champion John Smoltz heads into the weekend in sixth at +68. The celebrity competition is played under a Modified Stableford scoring system.

CHEYENNE KNIGHT CELEBRATES FRIDAY BIRTHDAY IN STYLE

Cheyenne Knight nearly had the best birthday wish any golfer could ask for on Friday, coming up 1 foot short of an ace at the par-3 third hole at the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club. Instead, the newly minted 24-year-old settled for a 5-under 66, tied for her career-low round on Tour, and jumped to solo sixth heading into the weekend at the 2021 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

“It was an early wake up. I woke up at 5 and my mom is so sweet, she kind of decorated the room for me,” said Knight, who finished 20th here in 2020. “This is my first time I’ve ever gotten to play on my birthday, so it was definitely fun and my group was a lot of fun today.”

Starting her day on No. 10, Knight, the 2019 Volunteers of America Classic winner, caught fire on the front nine. She opened with three straight birdies and added in two more at 4 and 5 to finish with the fifth 66 of her career.

“I think it was kind of a benefit I was first off the back. Well, not technically first off, but I was at 8:00. I was the first girl off the back, LPGA player,” said Knight. “So definitely the wind and the pin positions were tricky today, just getting close to them, because you either get close or you’re kind of off the greens, missing the greens. There are birdie opportunities out there, so it’s really important to kind of get those.”

DANIELLE KANG KEEPS THE LEAD AS SHE FOCUSES ON HER PUTTS

In her third #DiamondLPGA at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando, Rolex Ranking No. 5 Danielle Kang is sticking to her game plan of having fun, but still finding time to grind. She’s still got to work on sinking more of those pesky putts.

“Short game is something that I’ve been really focusing on, and iron game,” said Kang, winner of the 2020 Vare Trophy for having the season’s low scoring average. “This golf course, you have to put it in specific spots. I’m just trying to play smart. I’ve been here for three years now. I think I know where to capitalize and don’t. I just got to stay extra focused.”

As any good athlete knows, there is always something to improve. Lately, Kang has been focusing on her putting – specifically how she feels over putts. With just 54 putts over the past two days, Kang would love to keep that number as low as possible.

“Not quite there yet. Obviously, a work in progress,” said Kang of the state of her game. “This is the first step to what I want to accomplish. I’m just sticking to my routine and thought process. Like people say, golf is a game between your ears and thoughts that go through my mind.”

With the field re-pairing after every round, Kang always likes the surprise of seeing which celebrities she will get to play with the next day. One golf legend who Kang would be honored to play with is 72-time LPGA Tour winner Annika Sorenstam, who mentioned texting with Kang about her game and preparing for this week’s event.

“It would be incredible to play with her. I would be really nervous if I played with her right now,” said Kang, who has five LPGA Tour victories under her belt. “It’s actually kind of my dream to play with her at least once., we do text back and forth. Her advice has gotten me pretty far. She’s helped me with putting, chipping, wedges. Coming from Annika it really helped.”

ANNIKA CONNECTING WITH NEXT GENERATION OF LPGA TOUR STARS

She’s here as a celebrity, playing with zero expectations and an obvious layer of rust. But some things are like riding a bike.

When Annika Sorenstam stepped onto the tee Friday at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions and was announced as “retired LPGA player and 10-time major champion,” the old habits clicked in – two waves and a smile to the smattering of fans socially distanced around the first tee, followed by a practice swing and the same setup and waggle that dominated the women’s game like no one since Mickey Wright.

The competitor in her won’t let her mail it in. Even with her husband, Mike McGee, carrying a Callaway stand-bag, even with the shots that used to go so straight you could use them as radar vectors now falling ever so slightly to the right – the post-50 fade – Sorenstam has still played her way into the top-10 of the celebrity division in this tournament-within-a-tournament.

But that’s not what excited her on Friday. For the first time, Annika played with today’s top American player, Nelly Korda, who shot a six-birdie 66 and enters the weekend two shots out of the lead held by Danielle Kang.

“She played fabulous,” Annika said of Nelly. “She drove it beautifully today. Hit a lot of good iron shots. I actually felt like she probably could have been a few shots better. That’s how good she played.”

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Ratchanok hands world champion a lesson to reach first Super 1000 semi

Jan 23. 2021Ratchanok Intanon

By THE NATION

Fourth-seeded Ratchanok Intanon produced a masterclass to ease past reigning world champion Pusarla Venkata Sindhu of India 21-13 21-9 and reach her first Super 1000 semi-final at the $1-million Thailand Open II on Friday.

Despite losing to the seventh-ranked Sindhu in three previous meetings, the Thai star showed no sign of intimidation, generating a series of well-crafted shots from her racquet to take the match in just 38 minutes.

“I knew Sindhu would be an attacking player, so I tried to control the game and defend as much as possible,” said Ratchanok, who was beaten in the quarter-finals here last week by An Se-young of South Korea.

“I think Sindhu may have been a bit nervous today and didn’t play her usual style. I felt like I played how I wanted. I really want to play in the semi-final and this is my first in a Super 1000,” added Ratchanok, the last Thai remaining in the singles after Pornpawee Chochuwong was eliminated by South Korea’s An 21-15 21-18.

The two-time Thailand Open champion set up a clash of the titans on Saturday against world No 1 Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan, who rallied from a game down to beat Canadian Michelle Li 18-21 21-13 21-11.

“We know each other well. Admittedly, she can show better technique than I can, but it all depends on who misses first. The key for me is to take control [of play],” added Ratchanok.

Tai Tzu-ying 

World No 1 Tai was overwhelmed with errors in the opening game but turned over a new leaf to dominate the rest of the match with defensive and offensive skills.

“In the opening game I made a few errors, but I refocused in the second and third game,” said last week’s finalist, adding she was aiming to minimise mistakes in the semi-finals.

Thailand have two other players in a semi-final, after top seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai fought back to beat Koreans Ko Sung Hyun and Eom Hye Won 27-29 21-15 21-9.

“In the first game, they [Ho/Eom] kept things at their pace and had us moving a lot. In the second and third game, we had to make them move and then attack. They played very well, but perhaps their power just wasn’t enough for the win today,” said Sapsiree.

The Thai duo will now fight for a place in the final against India’s world No 36 pairing Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Ashwini Ponnappa.

“We won’t place any expectations on the match, just do our best,” said Dechapol. “However, we’ve played them before and beat them every time.”

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Ashwini Ponnappa earned their place in the last four with an 18-21, 24-22, 22-20 win over Malaysian fifth seeds Chan Pan Soon/Goh Liu Ying on Friday.

Anders Antonsen

In the men’s actions, three Danes stormed into the semi-finals. Second-seeded Chou Tien Chen prevailed in an all Taiwanese affair with Wang Tzu Wei 21-16 21-16. He will seek a revenge against Viktor Axelsen of Denmark on Saturday as the latter handed him a defeat in the Thailand Open I final. Axelsen is on a 23 match winning streak after he beat Daren Liew of Malaysia  21-16 21-15 .

Third-seeded Anders Antonsen of Denmark pipped Indian Sameer Verma 21-13 19-21 22-20 to set up the other semi-final clash with compatriot Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus who beat  Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong 20-22 21-12 21-19.

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Ratchanok snaps back from the brink to reach last 8 of Thailand Open II

Jan 22. 2021Ratchanok Intanon

By THE NATION

Fourth-seeded Ratchanok Intanon suffered a scare against Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea before prevailing in a marathon battle to reach the quarter-finals of the $1-million Toyota Thailand Open at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani on Thursday.

Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai 

The home favourite was two points away from defeat in game two but gritted her teeth to outlast her opponent 19-21 24-22 21-17 after 76 minutes of nail-biting action.

“She came up with a good game plan and took me out of my comfort zone. I had to refocus my concentration on the match several times,” said Rachanok, who joined Pornpawee Chorchuwong as one of the last two Thai singles players left in the event.

“At this stage, every player is tough. Only the ones who are stronger mentality and fitness-wise will progress,” added Ratchanok, who will play India’s Sindhu Pusarla V on Friday.

Pornpawee earlier halted the run of teenage compatriot Benyapa Aimsaard, 21-18 21-14.

Tai Tzu Ying 

Top-seeded Tai Tai Tzu-ying was briefly tested by former world junior champion Gregorina Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia before advancing with a 22-20 21-16 victory in women’s second round action, which saw all seeds safely through.

“”I felt my play was rushed today – I couldn’t control the match and I made mistakes. I’m still trying my best to manage the body’s condition for the next match,” said the 26-year-old from Kaoshiung, who suffered a one-sided loss to Spain’s Carolina Marin in last Sunday’s Thailand Open I final.

The in-form Marin meanwhile collected her seventh straight win without dropping a game, picking off Line Kjaersfeldt of Denmark 21-19 21-16 in 45 minutes.

“I’m not happy with how I’ve been playing on court this week. It’s difficult after you win a tournament and two days later you’re playing again in a new tournament,” said the fifth seed and world No 6.

On the men’s side, last week’s champion Axelsen and finalist Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan stormed into the quarter-finals without trouble. The Dane produced a masterclass to ease past three-time world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand 21-11 21-13 while Chou toppled Brice Leverdez of France 21-19 21-16.

“I’m really satisfied with my game today, I came out strong and fast and didn’t give Kunlavut many chances. He’s an upcoming player that I respect a lot so I had to come with quite a high pace,” Axelsen said.

But two seeds were shown the exit in the men’s draw. Last week’s beaten finalist Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong, the seventh seed, went down to Taiwanese Wang Tzu Wei 21-13 21-11. Fifth-seeded Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia was sent packing by Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong 21-19 13-21 21-12.

Supissara Paewsampran and Supak Jomkoh 

In the mixed doubles, local top seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai and unfancied Supak Jomkoh and Supissara Paewsampran both booked quarter-final slots.

Dechapol and Sapsiree, who captured the title last week stayed on course for back-to-back triumphs with a scintillating 21-12, 21-19 victory over Malaysia’s world No 12 Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie.

World No 44 Supak Jomkoh and Supissara Paewsampran pulled off a stunning 21-18 11-21 23-21 win over Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith, seventh seeds and world No 9 from England, in an exhausting 67 minutes.

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Kang leads again after 18 holes at Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

Jan 22. 2021Danielle Kang (Photo credit to LPGA)

For the second consecutive year, Danielle Kang and Gaby Lopez got off to hot starts at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions presented by Insurance Office of America.

Kang followed 2020’s opening-round 63 with a bogey-free 64 this year, earning a one-stroke lead over defending champion Lopez and the sister duo of Jessica Korda and Nelly Korda. Lopez was also tied for second after 18 holes in 2020.

“I think my short game was really good today. I had a lot of good feel and touch around the greens and made some good saves. I chipped in once today, which was cool,” said Kang, who ultimately finished T12 in 2020. “Even the chip on the last hole wasn’t easy. Straight into the grain. Just had good feel with the wedges, and that’s what I been working on a lot.”

Kang’s 64 on Thursday was just one stroke off tying her career-best mark of 63. She’s carded that number three times, most recently right here in 2020. While it was a great start, she followed it up with three rounds in the 70s to fall into a tie for 12th. In fact, her only three rounds in the 60s at the DRTOC have all come in the first round and all when she was grouped with celebrity competitors Lee Brice and Cole Swindell.

“I just feel like I’m playing with my friends back at home and I’m not stressed. That’s kind of the vibe I have. I know tournament golf we always want to play well and win, and sometimes we get so caught up we forget to enjoy it,” said Kang. “Those two guys, you can’t not have fun with them. At least once a year I’m guaranteed one round, hopefully.”

Lopez also started 2021 much like she started 2020, recording a bogey-free 6-under 65 at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando. Playing in the final group with defending celebrity champion John Smoltz and 72-time LPGA Tour winner Annika Sorenstam, Lopez cruised around Tranquilo Golf Course and is in prime position to successfully defend her DRTOC title.

“We as players, we play so many golf courses. Being able to go back, come back to those courses which you like the most, the ones that the distance is probably the right one for you and the course setup,” said Lopez, who survived a seven-hole playoff in 2020 to capture the title. “So, yeah, really enjoy this golf course. The community, the people are so welcoming. This place has a special vibe.”

Starting on No. 10, Jessica Korda opened with three straight birdies and an eagle on her first four holes, making the turn at -7. She fell to -5 with bogeys at 2 and 7 but got back into a tie for second with a birdie at No. 9.

In the celebrity competition, former tennis player Mardy Fish leads the field at +66, followed by New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks at +69 and 2004 World Series champion Derek Lowe at +70. Three players are tied for fourth at +72, including two-time defending celebrity champion John Smoltz. The celebrity competition is under a Modified Stableford scoring system.

SISTERLY LOVE – AND COMPETITION – SHINES THROUGH FOR KORDA SISTERS

In the post-round interview area at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions on Thursday, it was easy to do a double take. Nelly Korda was in the main Q&A tent answering questions from the assembled media while her sister Jessica Korda stood 50 feet away, recording an interview for Golf Channel. The statuesque sisters, who appeared together on the cover of Golf Digest in November, often get mistaken for each other, despite their five-year age difference, and they often like to poke fun at each other during these media sessions. But their sisterly bond always shines above any sibling rivalry.

“I always knew. I knew that if she kept her head down and worked really hard, you know, she was going to make it,” said Jessica of Nelly. “You can tell by the person. I think being around athletes our entire lives you have the feel for it. Yeah, she’s a great player and she’s got a very long career ahead of her.”

But even with all the sisterly love, Jessica did admit to using Nelly’s position on the leaderboard as motivation to drain her birdie putt on 18. She wasn’t going to let Little Sister beat her today.

“I saw her on the leaderboard. I was putting like towards the leaderboard on 18 or 9. I was like, Dang, I got to make this. Glad I did,” she said with a big laugh.

“WE’RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!” STACY LEWIS MAKES GOOD ON 2020 PROMISE TO YOUNG DAUGHTER

When Stacy Lewis won the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, her first call was to husband Gerrod Chadwell and their daughter Chesnee back home in Texas. With a beaming smile on her face, Lewis got to tell her little girl those words every kid loves to hear – “We’re going to Disney World!”

That made this week’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando, located just 1 mile from the entrance gates to the Magic Kingdom, even more special. The Lewis/Chadwell clan can’t visit the Happiest Place on Earth until Monday due to the Tour’s COVID-19 protocols, but Lewis admitted that she might be more excited than her daughter to step foot onto Main Street U.S.A.

“She loves Mickey and Minnie. She’s gotten into Frozen. I just can’t wait to see it through her eyes,” said Lewis.

Lewis kicked off her tournament in style, carding a bogey-free 5-under 66 in Thursday’s opening round. This is her first time at the #DiamondLPGA since 2019, when she tied for sixth in her first event since giving birth to Chesnee in October 2018.

“I haven’t been hitting a ton or practiced a ton leading into this week. Just probably about a week and a half or so. Just the stuff that I’ve been work on, it worked. Saw it kind of pay off today,” said Lewis, who played alongside baseball players Brian McCann and A.J. Pierzynski. “Just played really solid. Didn’t do anything crazy. Just hit a ton of greens and made a few putts here and there.”

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Shinya Aoki Believes He’s Found James Nakashima’s Weakness

Jan 22. 2021

Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki of Japan considers himself a thinking fighter. He doesn’t just go out there looking to scrap and throw down. As such, his fluid grappling style certainly matches that ideology.

When Aoki meets former ONE Welterweight World Title challenger James Nakashima of the United States this Friday night, the mixed martial arts veteran believes he knows exactly how to handle the confident American.

The two are set to clash in the co-main event of ONE: UNBREAKABLE, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore on 22 January.

“All of his skills are high on average. He doesn’t have any particular field that stands out and excels, but the balance of his skills are good. He does everything well,” Aoki said of Nakashima, in a recent interview with ONE Championship ahead of his next bout.

“I don’t think he has many weaknesses, but the fact that you are not outstanding in any field means, on the other hand, you cannot make a bold attempt in the bout. It means you can’t gamble or you can’t take risks.

“Martial arts doesn’t work like an admission exam for universities. Even if your average score is not great [in a fight], there’s a possibility that you can be successful just by excelling in one subject. I think that is his weakness,” he added.

Nakashima is a former ONE World Title challenger. The previously unbeaten American was most recently in the Circle with reigning ONE Welterweight World Champion Kiamrian Abbasov. Unfortunately, Nakashima fell via fourth-round technical knockout in a fight he was dominating from start to finish. After the setback, Nakashima decided to move down to lightweight where he drew Aoki.

With a whopping 28 submission victories in a career that boasts of 45 wins, Aoki believes his grappling superiority is enough to offset anything Nakashima brings to the table.

“The complicated thing about mixed martial arts is that, for example, when a person who is not good at striking faces an opponent who is good at striking. If the person has strong grappling skills, the opponent will have pressure from the grappling,” said Aoki.

“By doing so, you can negate your opponent’s striking ability. So, when people say this is a matchup between grapplers, my reaction is like, ‘Well, that’s certainly one of its aspects.”

ONE: UNBREAKABLE is ONE Championship’s first live event in 2021. The main event features a ONE Super Series showdown between ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov of Russia, who defends his world title against #2-ranked bantamweight kickboxing contender Capitan Petchyindee Academy of Thailand.

Known as arguably the most dangerous grappler in all of mixed martial arts, “Tobikan Judan” feels he has all the tools necessary to put together a solid performance, and perhaps give the fans something special.

“I’ve been doing this [mixed martial arts] for 16 or 17 years, so I’m confident I can make something good. I can make it worth watching. I can make it like a story of good novels with great structure, quick getaway, build-up, climax, and a great ending,” said Aoki.

“I want to make something that people can enjoy and talk about for a month or two after the bout. Hopefully, something the fans can savor for a longer time.”

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MotoGP partners with Moto Trainer to bring the grid to your garage

Jan 22. 2021

Train yourself to take on the world on your own bike with world-leading bike simulator Moto Trainer

Dorna Sports is delighted to announce a partnership with Moto Trainer to launch a training revolution for riders across the globe. Bringing the thrill of Grand Prix racing to fans the world over, Moto Trainer is a motorbike simulator that allows riders to train on their own bikes.  

Moto Trainer’s incredible software can virtually transport riders to the world’s greatest tracks, allowing riders to train on each and every MotoGP™ circuit across the globe. Suitable for sports bikes of all shapes and sizes, Moto Trainer can either be linked to the official MotoGP™ videogame, produced by long-standing MotoGP™ partner and videogame developer Milestone, or riders can follow an OnBoard lap of the track on which they wish to train.  

Linking the simulator to MotoGP™ videogame allows riders to become part of the action like never before, with real-world movement perfectly synchronised to the digital rendering of their riding on-screen. On-board laps, meanwhile, provide the perfect blueprint for riders to follow – allowing even the most veteran riders to train in seamless synchronicity with their on-screen counterpart.  

Andrea Lombardi, CEO of MotoTrainer: “The software behind Moto Trainer, developed by our engineers, is capable of playing any onboard video, and allows riders to save their efforts on a telemetry master track. This means that you can load any circuit and motorbike you want, with riders replicating the video to the reference telemetry. The software then analyses the rider’s performance by monitoring the accelerator, front and rear brakes, gearbox and trajectories. It’s a platform that allows bikers to train on every circuit in the world at an affordable price.”

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Local teen stars streak into second round at Thailand Open II

Jan 21. 2021Kunlavut Vitidsarn

By THE NATION

Three-time world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn rebounded from a disastrous first game to beat former Thailand Masters champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the first round of the $1-million Toyota Thailand Open at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old from Chonburi succumbed to nerves in the opener before showing tenacity and rock-solid defence to wear down his opponent in 65 minutes.

“Overall it was a good match for me, except for the first game where I started really slow,” said Kunlavut, who won a record three world junior men’s singles titles from 2017-19. “Then I tried to speed up and tightened my defence, cutting down easy errors,” the world No 29 added.

However fellow Thai Suppanyu Avihingsanon failed to emulate the teenager, going down 21-16 21-4 to world No 2 Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan.

Meanwhile Asian Games gold medallist Jonatan Christie of Indonesia was dumped out after a marathon 75-minute battle saw India’s Prannoy HS triumph 18-21 21-16 23-21. However, Prannoy’s compatriot and 2017 Thailand Open winner Sai Praneeth B withdrew from the tournament after testing positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday night.

Benyapa Aimsaard

Wednesday’s biggest upset came in the women’s singles, where Thailand’s world No 129 Benyapa Aimsaard, aged 18, stunned world No 29 Evgeniya Kosetskaya of Russia 21-15 17-21 21-19 in the first round.

“I was leading in the last game, but she was pushing hard in an aggressive style and [suddenly] the scores were level,” said Benyapa. “I was a bit shaky, but I tried to control myself. I am so glad I could make it over the finishing line. This has really boosted my confidence, this is massive for me,” said the Thai dark horse.

Carolina Marin 

Fresh from winning the Thailand Open I last week, Carolina Marin of Spain maintained her streak with a 21-9 21-18 win over Qi Xuefei of France.

The Spanish world No 6, who on Sunday upset world No 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan for her first victory since 2019, was briefly challenged by the China-born player before advancing after 42 minutes.

“I wanted to start with the same determination I had last week,” said the former world No 1, who already has four Super 1000 titles including the Thailand Open I under her belt.

“The first game was good. The second game I had a few unforced errors, but I didn’t think negatively. I tried to keep going … and keep pushing her just to get the victory,” said Marin who has yet to drop a game in the past two weeks.

Elsewhere, South Korean teen sensation An Se Young, a semi-finalist last week, displayed her superior all-court game to eliminate local hope Phittayaporn Chaiwan 21-12 21-8.

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LPGA enters 71st season with Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

Jan 21. 2021

The LPGA Tour returns to play with the third playing of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions presented by Insurance Office of America.

Winners from the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons have made their way to Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club, with 2020 DRTOC winner Gaby Lopez hoping to reclaim the title she earned after emerging victorious from a seven-hole playoff that spilled into Monday. She is joined by three players inside the top 10 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings in No. 4 Nelly Korda, No. 5 Danielle Kang and No. 6 Brooke Henderson.

The exciting field also includes 53 celebrities covering a range of talents in the sports and entertainment worlds, who will tee alongside the LPGA Tour stars all four days. Notable celebrities include two-time defending DRTOC celebrity winner and World Series champion John Smoltz, musician Cole Swindell, and actors Brian Baumgartner and Jack Wagner.

NOT MUCH REST, BUT DANIELLE KANG MAKES IT TO DRTOC

Nearly a month has passed since Rolex Ranking No. 5 Danielle Kang stood on the 18th green at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., with a smile on her face and the 2020 Vare Trophy in hand. Yet despite the holiday break, Kang says she doesn’t feel that rested heading into this week’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

“It wasn’t really a break. There were two moves. I moved, then I got exposed to Coronavirus twice,” said Kang, who arrived in Orlando from her Las Vegas home on Monday. “Had to quarantine twice. Take six tests in the last two weeks. It’s been a little hectic.”

Luckily for Kang, this week’s tournament is a bit more laid back with more than 50 celebrities competing alongside the Tour players. This is Kang’s third consecutive tournament appearance and for the third straight year, she’ll spend a round with country musicians Cole Swindell and Lee Brice.

“I play with them every year, the three of us get paired. I’m really excited to see them,” said Kang, who will join her musical friends off the first tee at 9:40 a.m. on Thursday. “I just saw Lee earlier today and his crew. Those boys are really, really nice guys. At least once a year we get to play golf no matter what, which is here, and I’m really excited. I’m excited for the tournament to be here every year, and I asked (Diamond Resorts CEO) Mike Flaskey to don’t ever take it away, because it’s a pretty awesome event. He’s doing so many good things with his charity and clothing line and all that stuff.”

VORACIOUS LEARNER MADELENE SAGSTROM IS TEACHING THIS WEEK AT HER HOME COURSE

It’s not her first time at this event. It’s just her first time playing.

Madelene Sagstrom has been a fixture at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions since the season-opener joined the LPGA Tour schedule in 2018. She could always be found walking the range and chatting with new and interesting people (two things she loves to do). But up until now she has observed the competition from outside the ropes.

“Everybody kept asking, ‘Why are you not playing?’” Sagstrom said. “I was like, ‘You have to win.’”

And win she did, almost exactly a full year ago at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio. In her fourth year on the LPGA Tour, the 28-year-old from Enkoping, Sweden, finally broke through with a victory after having already competed on one Solheim Cup team and represented her home country at the UL International Crown in the Republic of Korea.

“So now I get to play,” she said with a smile on Tuesday.

But the answer begged another question. Of all the events on the LPGA Tour calendar, why did Sagstrom hang out at this one before she was eligible to be in the field? “Because I play out here,” she said of the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., less than a mile from the front gates to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. “I’ve lived here four years and really enjoy being out here.”

Sagstrom lives about 15 minutes from the course and is a regular, especially in the

AFTER AN UNEXPECTED 2020, BRITTANY LINCICOME IS READY FOR A SEASON SHE’S MORE USED TO

With a worldwide pandemic and a newborn on her hands, eight-time LPGA Tour winner Brittany Lincicome spent a lot of time adjusting in 2020. After giving birth to daughter Emery in July 2019, the Floridian knew it would take time to get used to Tour life again.

“It’s just getting back in a rhythm. Obviously last year having Emery and then the COVID stuff I had to take almost a year off, which is something I’ve never done. It was more like the nerves of it and just getting back in a rhythm,” said Lincicome, who finished the 2020 season strong with a T13 finish at CME Group Tour Championship less than a month ago. “Obviously, a lot of weeks off. It was kind of two weeks, week off, two weeks. It was just hard to get in a rhythm really, so towards the end of the season, obviously had a few more tournaments under my belt. Kind of seemed to start coming together, and then unfortunately the season was over. Hopefully we can pick up on that quickly again and get right back into it.”

Always the optimist, the 17-year LPGA veteran wishes normalcy for the entire Tour and is always looking for the proverbial silver lining in a difficult situation. While 2020 saw a plethora of canceled and adjusted events, the 35-year-old was happy to see this week’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions and its fun events still in play, even if the Tour players cannot fully participate due to COVID-related restrictions.

“I was so glad to see this event didn’t have any hiccups. We obviously look forward to it. We’re not allowed to go to the concerts unfortunately, which is a bummer, but it’s still just them having it. Maybe I can sit in a car and roll down the window and hear the concerts, because it’s outside,” Lincicome joked with a laugh.

Linciome will tee off in Thursday’s first round at 9:10 a.m. off No. 10, playing alongside Major League Baseball players Josh Beckett and Joe Carter.

TOUR RETURNS AMID CELEBRITY GLITTER AT DIAMOND RESORTS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

When the 2020 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions spilled over to Monday before Gaby Lopez won in a scintillating seven-hole playoff, anticipation for the new LPGA Tour season was off the charts. Who knew a global pandemic would socially distance that enthusiasm? But the best way to put memories in the rearview mirror is with a celebration and the Diamond Resorts is just the ticket to kick off 2021.

The year ahead has more tournaments, more prize money, more great venues, more TV exposure, the Olympics and the Solheim Cup. The Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions Presented by Insurance Office of America at the Four Seasons Golf & Sports Club in Orlando with its select field of 25 professionals and star power of 50 celebrities starts things off with appropriate sizzle.

The LPGA winners-only field plays for a $1.2 million purse over 72 holes with no cut. The sports and entertainment celebrities compete for a $500,000 purse of their own using a modified Stableford format. And all of the fun can be seen on Golf Channel Thursday and Friday then NBC on Saturday and Sunday.

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BWF confirms Indian badminton player has Covid-19, roommate in self-quarantine

Jan 20. 2021Sai Praneeth B

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed Indian player Sai Praneeth B, 28, tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday and has been withdrawn from the Toyota Thailand Open.

The 2017 Thailand Open champion is in hospital for further observation and testing, and is required to stay there for a minimum of 10 days.

The BWF said Praneeth had been rooming with teammate Kidambi Srikanth at the official hotel. Srikanth has also been withdrawn from the Toyota Thailand Open and is undergoing “strict” self-quarantine. Srikanth tested negative during a test on Monday.

Daily testing protocols have been implemented by health authorities, the Badminton Association of Thailand and the BWF, including restricting the movement and schedule of the rest of the Indian team as per tournament rules to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

The restrictions are in place for 14 days and end on February 1.

All other players and personnel involved in the competition, including all Team India players and entourage, returned negative results following Monday’s mandatory round of PCR testing.

Health authorities have cleared other Indian players, the BWF added.