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Moriya trips a bit, but stays in contention at US Women’s Open (nationthailand.com)

Moriya trips a bit, but stays in contention at US Women’s Open

Dec 13. 2020Moriya Jutanugarn (Photo credit to LPGA) Despite stumbling to a third-round 72, Thai hope Moriya Jutanugarn is still in contention for her maiden Major crown.

Moriya fell three shots behind Japanese leader Hinako Shibuno after round three of the US Women’s Open on Saturday.

Moriya was -2 through 13 holes and within two strokes of Shibuno’s lead. She dropped a shot at the 14th and then landed a double bogey on the 17th hole to card a one-over 72. Sitting at one-under-par 212, she will round out Sunday’s final group with Shibuno and American Amy Olson.

The day also saw one of the most interesting outside-the-ropes moments of the week. Just a few minutes after signing her card for her second consecutive 72, which puts her -1 for the championship and tied for third going into the final round, Moriya stepped up to a USGA microphone and answered a few questions from journalists.

Then to her surprise, a reporter asked, to laughs from everyone around: “How far did your sister hit it past you?” Ariya Jutanugarn had played with Moriya on Saturday at Champions Golf Club. Ariya hit one-over-par 214 overall.

“Wow,” Moriya said, joining in the laughter. “I would say 30 to 40 yards today. But I definitely think I hit more greens and maybe made a few more putts.”

That small interaction offered a glimpse into the sibling love that those who follow the Jutanugarns see almost every week.

A victory in the tournament would make Moriya the second in the family after sister Ariya to win the US Women’s Open. They would be the third sisters to win USGA championships, joining Harriot (1906) and Margaret Curtis (1907, 1911, 1912) at the US Women’s Amateur; and Hollis Stacy (1969, 1970, 1971 US Girls’ Junior; 1977, 1978, 1984 US Women’s Open) and Martha Leach (2009 US Women’s Mid-Amateur).

After starting the day with a four-stroke lead, Japan’s Shibuno carded her first over-par round of the 2020 US Women’s Open on Saturday, shooting a three-over 74 at Champions Golf Club. The 2019 AIG Women’s Open champion holds a one-stroke advantage over American Olson, whose even-par 71 moved her into solo second going into Sunday’s final round.

Shibuno carded four bogeys to just one birdie at the wet Cypress Creek Course, opening with a bogey on No. 1 and stumbling to finish with bogeys on the 14th and 18th. She said the nerves of being in the final group played a factor in her struggles on Saturday, as well as the all-too-familiar 2020 feeling of not having fans outside the ropes.

“Last year when I won the major, there was a large number of people out in front of me and because of the audience, that gave me power and also it’s easy for me to get on a momentum as well,” said Shibuno. “However, now there’s no people, no audience and it’s very difficult for me to get momentum, because when I get a run of birdies, when I get the birdie, it’s silence.”

Olson, who held the 18-hole lead following a first-round 67, nearly holed out from the fairway with an 8-iron on No. 17, taking the short birdie to cap her round and move back into the final group.

“I’m really pleased with how I played today. It was such a grind,” said Olson, who played in the final group at the 2018 ANA Inspiration and 2018 Evian Championship but came up short.

“Pars were a great score on every single hole today. Fortunately, I made a couple of good birdies, especially the one on 17 coming in. Some really solid par putts and that’s really what it comes down to, making those putts whether they’re for birdie or par.”

The winner of the US Women’s Open will receive $1 million; the Mickey Wright Medal; custody of the Harton S. Semple Trophy for a year; and an exemption from qualifying for the next 10 US Women’s Open Championships.

Shibuno could join South Koreans Se Ri Pak and In Gee Chun as the only players in history to win majors as their first two LPGA Tour titles. Pak won her titles at the 1998 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 1998 US Women’s Open, while Chun won the 2015 US Women’s Open and the 2016 Evian Championship.

Shibuno or Ji Yeong Kim would be eligible to accept immediate LPGA Tour membership.

Olson would become the season’s fourth Rolex First-Time Winner, joining Ally Ewing (LPGA Drive On Championship – Reynolds Lake Oconee), Mel Reid (ShopRite LPGA Classic) and Madelene Sagstrom (Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio). She would also become the second LPGA Tour winner from North Dakota, joining Beverly Hanson, whose 17 LPGA Tour victories included three major titles.

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In an Army-Navy game like no other, the Knights shut out the Mids under a blanket of fog (nationthailand.com)

In an Army-Navy game like no other, the Knights shut out the Mids under a blanket of fog

Dec 13. 2020The Army Black Knights take the field for the 121st Army-Navy Football game at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday Dec. 12, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Jonathan Newton 

By The Washington Post · Kareem Copeland · SPORTS, FOOTBALL 

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The 121st football game between Army and Navy would be different, and that was obvious well before it started. Three hours before kickoff Saturday afternoon, during March On – the entrance in formation of the Corps of Cadets, followed by the Brigade of Midshipmen – the Cadets moved in relative silence, wearing their dress grays as the sound of the band echoed around Michie Stadium. The only people in the stands at the time were Department of Defense leadership.

President Donald Trump salutes the flag during the playing of the national anthem prior to the 121st Army-Navy football game at Michie Stadium in New York on Dec. 12, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Jonathan Newton

Things got rowdier when it was Navy’s turn. The coronavirus pandemic had moved the game to West Point for the first time since 1943, and it was truly a home game, even though no fans were in attendance. Boos rained down from the cadets as 4,000-plus Midshipmen in their dress blues congregated at the end of their march.

After 60 minutes of ground and pound under a blanket of fog, Army was victorious, 15-0, for its first shutout in the rivalry since 1969. The Midshipmen (3-7) have lost four of their past five meetings with the Black Knights (8-2).

Army Black Knights quarterback Tyhier Tyler (2) pounds his way inside the 20-yard line during fourth quarter of Saturday’s game againt Navy. Tyler had the lone touchdown of the game as Army prevailed 15-0. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Jonathan Newton

This was an Army-Navy game like none other as many traditions were canceled in the name of safety. The pregame tug-of-war, however, went on, and it was dominated by the cadets – to the thrill of those in heavy gray overcoats.

The cadets’ dress matched the sky as dense fog rolled in just before the game and worsened throughout. Jersey numbers were indiscernible from the stands, and Lusk Reservoir, which normally provides a picturesque background, disappeared behind the dense, low hanging clouds. The pregame flyover could only be heard as the fog obscured views of anything higher than the stadium’s light poles. All of Navy’s offensive coaches and all but two defensive coaches moved from the coaches’ box to the field after halftime because they couldn’t see.

President Donald Trump arrived about 30 minutes before the game and received raucous applause as he walked onto the field for the pregame coin flip.

Army quarterback Tyhier Tyler rushed for 96 yards and the game’s only touchdown as Army finished with 134 yards on the ground and 162 total. Navy quarterback Xavier Arline rushed for 109 yards before he left the game with about two minutes remaining; that accounted for all but eight of the Midshipmen’s yards. He finished 0 for 4 through the air, and the teams combined for just 12 first downs. J’arius Warren had a career-high 14 tackles for Navy.

The teams combined for just five first downs in the first half, and a 37-yard field goal by Army’s Quinn Maretzki in the second quarter accounted for every point. The Black Knights’ lone completion of the game, a 28-yarder from Tyler to Tyrell Robinson, had moved Army into the red zone. 

Army had a chance to add three more points late in the half after starting a drive in Navy territory, but Maretzki missed a 38-yard attempt.

The Midshipmen’s best scoring opportunity came on their first drive of the second half after Arline rushed for 52 yards on the second snap to set up first and goal from the Army 2-yard line. Navy ran the ball on four straight plays and still couldn’t reach the end zone, giving the ball back to the Black Knights.

Army put the game away in the fourth quarter after Navy slotback CJ Williams dropped a pitch from Arline on the perimeter and the Black Knights recovered at the Navy 13-yard line. Tyler ran in a 4-yard draw to give Army a 10-0 lead.

That was more than enough to ice the victory as the Navy offense was, in the words of Coach Ken Niumatalolo, inept for the third consecutive game. The Midshipmen were held to seven, six and zero points in that stretch and failed to score a touchdown for the second week in a row. Navy was held to a touchdown or less in three consecutive games for the first time since a 1-10 season in 1992.

Arline became the fifth Navy freshman quarterback to start against Army, with the most recent being Keenan Reynolds in 2012. The other freshmen went 3-1.

A 14-yard loss on a reverse by Navy’s Mark Walker gave Army two more points with just over five minutes to play when Daryan McDonald dropped him for a safety. A 40-yard field goal by Maretzki with 2:20 left added insult to injury.

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Medinah Country Club named host venue of 2026 Presidents Cup (nationthailand.com)

Medinah Country Club named host venue of 2026 Presidents Cup

Dec 13. 2020

 Presidents Cup added to illustrious list of tournaments hosted at Medinah Country Club

The PGA TOUR announced today that the 16^th Presidents Cup will be held at the renowned Medinah Country Club outside of Chicago in 2026. Medinah is the fifth different venue in the United States to host the Presidents Cup and adds the biennial team event to an illustrious list of tournaments hosted at Course #3 that include the 2019 BMW Championship, 2012 Ryder Cup, two PGA Championships, three U.S. Opens, the 1988 U.S. Senior Open, three Western Opens (BMW Championship), and a number of other professional championships.

The announcement comes on the one-year anniversary of the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia, where the Tiger Woods-led United States Team defeated Captain Ernie Els and the International Team in one of the closest finishes in Cup history, 16-14.

“As the significance of the Presidents Cup continues to grow, we look forward to showcasing the 2026 event from one of the world’s great sporting and cosmopolitan cities in Chicago and a storied venue in Medinah Country Club,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “One year ago, we saw an influx of great young talent on the International Team taking on a very experienced U.S. Team that resulted in a dramatic four days of competition for our fans throughout the world. I fully expect that competitive momentum to continue in the coming years. We express our thanks to our current Global Partners, Citi and Rolex, for their support of the Presidents Cup and to the leadership and membership at Medinah Country Club, a world-class facility that hosted several of the most memorable events in our game’s history.”

The PGA TOUR visited Medinah most recently in 2019, where Justin Thomas won the BMW Championship in the second event of the FedExCup Playoffs for his 10^th PGA TOUR victory.

In 2022, the Presidents Cup will make its debut in the Southeastern United States at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte before heading to Canada for the second time at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec in 2024.

Located 25 miles west of downtown Chicago in suburban Medinah, Illinois, Medinah Country Club was established in 1924 and boasts the challenging Course #3, which was designed by Tom Bendelow and redesigned by Rees Jones. Winners at Medinah Country Club include Thomas, Tiger Woods, Hale Irwin, Billy Casper, Lou Graham, Cary Middlecoff, Gary Player, and Byron Nelson.

“Medinah Country Club’s members are honored to host the 2026 Presidents Cup matches on our famed Course #3, adding to our 90-year history of hosting golf’s most prestigious championships, and producing some of golf’s most memorable outcomes,” said Michael Scimo, Medinah’s 2026 Presidents Cup Bid Leader. “The club is excited about providing a terrific venue for the teams and fans from around the world to experience one of the premier events on golf’s biennial calendar. We also acknowledge and appreciate the strong support we have received from the PGA TOUR, DuPage County, and the Chicago Sports Commission that helped bring the 2026 Presidents Cup matches to Medinah Country Club.”

Tournament dates for the 2026 Presidents Cup will be announced at a later date.

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UK ‘General silences Japanese ‘Sniper’ in ONE Championship (nationthailand.com)

UK ‘General silences Japanese ‘Sniper’ in ONE Championship

Dec 12. 2020Jonathan “The General” Haggerty of the United Kingdom delivers a blow to Japan’s Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito. 

By THE NATION

Another night of thrilling martial arts action in the ONE Championship™ (ONE), electrified the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The “ONE: Big Bang II”, a previously recorded event broadcast globally on Friday, featured a series of impressive finishes and performances from the world’s top mixed martial artists, kickboxers, and Muay Thai practitioners.

In the main event, former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion and current No. 3-ranked contender Jonathan “The General” Haggerty of the United Kingdom dominated Japan’s Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito across three action-packed rounds.

Haggerty showcased his trademark ring IQ, calculating distance and deciphering Naito’s rhythm before putting on a striking clinic.

“The General” had his complete arsenal on display, including a plethora of feints, thudding leg kicks, and sharp boxing combinations.

A bullet-like right hand down the middle in round one dropped Naito for the count, but the Japanese athlete was able to regain his footing. In the second frame, Haggerty again connected with a haymaker, this time a wild right hook that sent Naito down to the canvas once more. Naito tried his best to turn his luck around in the third stanza, but Haggerty cruised to the final bell. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favour of Haggerty, who earned the convincing unanimous decision victory.

In a ONE Super Series kickboxing contest, No. 1-ranked contender Nieky “The Natural” Holzken of the Netherlands got back in the winner’s column with a crushing body shot knockout of No. 5-ranked contender Elliot “The Dragon” Compton of Australia. Holzken weathered an early storm from Compton and then landed the debilitating liver shot, which sent “The Dragon” to the canvas. Compton could not beat the count, and Holzken was awarded the knockout victory.

South Korea’s “The Fighting God” Kim Jae Woong turned in one of the finest performances of his career with an exciting TKO victory over No. 4-ranked mixed martial arts featherweight contender Tetsuya “MMA Fantasista” Yamada of Japan. The bout began with Kim on the offensive, as he pressed Yamada against the Circle Wall with thunderous combinations. Yamada tried to take matters to the ground but found no success. In the second round, Kim maintained his aggression, blasting Yamada with a frightening display of ground-and-pound. Yamada offered little resistance, and the referee called a halt to the contest.

In a showdown between hard-hitting heavyweight kickboxers, 23-year-old Rade Opacic of Serbia authored a stunning knockout finish of Muay Thai and kickboxing champion Errol “The Bonecrusher” Zimmerman of the Netherlands. In round one, Opacic and Zimmerman traded their best shots at the centre of the Circle, testing each other’s chins on multiple occasions. In the second round, Opacic unleashed a picture-perfect spinning heel kick that landed right on the jaw, sending Zimmerman down and forcing the referee to call off the fight.

Former ONE welterweight world title challenger Tyler McGuire of the United States overcame a spirited effort from Malaysian star Agilan “Alligator” Thani to earn a unanimous decision victory in their mixed martial arts contest. It was a high-level wrestling battle through two rounds, as the two athletes showcased their ground skills, traded dominant positions, and attacked from various angles. McGuire, however, controlled more of the fight and put in a dominant third round to pull away on the judges’ scorecards.

Chinese mixed martial artist “The Ghost” Chen Rui kicked off the action at ONE: Big Bqng II with an explosive first-round stoppage of Iran’s Ali “Moti” Motamed.

Chen walked through a plethora of kicks from “Moti” to land his boxing combinations. A left hook dropped Motamed, and Chen followed up with punches to earn the finish.

Next, ONE Championship returns with “ONE: Collision Course”, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium on December 18.

In the main event, ONE light heavyweight kickboxing world champion Roman Kryklia of the Ukraine defends his title against challenger Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica of Romania. For more information, visit the official ONE: Collusion Course Event Page.

Official Results for ONE: Big Bang II

Muay Thai – flyweight: Jonathan Haggerty bt Taiki Naito via unanimous decision

Kickboxing – lightweight: Nieky Holzken bt Elliot Compton via knockout at 1:36 of round one

Mixed Martial Arts – featherweight: Kim Jae Woong bt Tetsuya Yamada via TKO at 4:39 of round two

Kickboxing – heavyweight: Rade Opacic bt Errol Zimmerman via TKO at 1:35 of round two

Mixed Martial Arts – welterweight: Tyler McGuire bt Agilan Thani via unanimous decision

Mixed Martial Arts – bantamweight: Chen Rui bt Ali Motamed via TKO at 1:56 of round one

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Shibuno halfway to another Major title (nationthailand.com)

Shibuno halfway to another Major title

Dec 12. 2020Hinako Shibuno (Photo credit to LPGA) 

Jutanugarn sisters trail five shots

In 2019 at England’s Woburn Golf Club, Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, nicknamed Smiling Cinderella for her ever-present grin, found her glass slipper by capturing the AIG Women’s Open title. Little more than a year later, Shibuno is inching ever closer to a second fairy-tale moment. On Friday, the 22-year-old shot a 4-under 67 on Champions Golf Club’s Jackrabbit Course and pulled three strokes clear of the field at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open at -7 overall.

“Today my tee shots found the rough more often. However, my second shots were pretty stable and able to par on to the greens,” said Shibuno, who had six birdies and two bogeys on Friday. “So my golf today was pretty safe, stable condition. At the same time, when it comes to the chance for a birdie, my putting was pretty good.

If Shibuno can emerge victorious on Sunday, she would join Se Ri Pak and In Gee Chun as the only players in history to win majors as their first two LPGA Tour titles. Pak won her titles at the 1998 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 1998 U.S. Women’s Open, while Chun won the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2016 Evian Championship.

Swedish amateur Linn Grant, a sophomore at Arizona State University, opened with back-to-back 69s to secure solo second. Another amateur follows her on the leaderboard, as University of Texas senior Kaitlyn Papp is tied for third at -3. She is joined by two LPGA Tour players looking for their first victories in Megan Khang and first-round leader Amy Olson. Olson followed her first-round 67 with a 1-over 72 on the Jackrabbit Course on Friday, while Khang shot a bogey-free 2-under 69 on the Cypress Creek Course.

2007 U.S. Women’s Open champion Cristie Kerr, who was involved in a golf-cart accident last week that left her playing chances in doubt, battled through the pain to finish at -2. She is one of eight players tied for sixth, a group that includes sisters Ariya Jutanugarn and Moriya Jutanugarn, as well as Houston native Stacy Lewis.

“I’ve definitely missed shots I would normally not miss because I’m in pain, but it’s kind of a nice mental place to be,” said Kerr. “I’m not happy how I got here, but maybe it’s meant to teach me a lesson, I don’t know. God moves in mysterious ways.”

The defending U.S. Women’s Open champion Jeongeun Lee6 shot a second-round 2-under 69 on the Jackrabbit Course and heads into the weekend tied for 20th at Even. While daunting, her seven-stroke deficit is not insurmountable. Two of the last five U.S. Women’s Open champions trailed by seven strokes after 36 holes – Sung Hyun Park (2017) and Brittany Lang (2016).

The cut came at +3, with 66 players reaching the weekend. Notable players to miss the cut include U.S. Women’s Open champions Brittany Lang (+4), Eun Hee Ji (+4), In Gee Chun (+4) and Sung Hyun Park (+7), as well as Rolex Rankings No. 3 Nelly Korda (+4) and 2020 ANA Inspiration champion Mirim Lee (+6).

AMATEURS MAKING MOST OF MAJOR EXPERIENCE

While the first name atop the U.S. Women’s Open leaderboard is familiar to golf fans, the next two represent the up-and-coming generation of LPGA Tour players. With major champion Hinako Shibuno leading, Swedish amateur Linn Grant heads into the weekend in solo second, while fellow amateur Kaitlyn Papp, one of seven Texans in the field, is tied for third.

Grant followed in the footsteps of fellow Swedes Anna Nordqvist and Linnea Strom by competing collegiately at Arizona State University. After years of looking up to her compatriots and learning from her first U.S. Women’s Open experience in 2018, Grant is making quite a splash on the international golf scene.  

“I think we’ve been raised looking at a lot of good players, and we’ve been able to look at them through like Instagram and see what they do, and we just copy what they do,” said Grant, who made the cut at the 2018 championship. “When we feel that we’ve reached that level, we kind of move on, and I think it’s the same for the generations coming after us. I think people are just going to get better.”

Papp is also playing in her second U.S. Women’s Open after a missed cut in 2019. Her high-school teammate Kristen Gillman is already on the LPGA Tour and with Papp in her senior year at the University of Texas, she could soon join her best friend. But not before finishing her collegiate career.

“I feel like college golf really prepares us for the next level and to play well in championships like this, and also internationally for the girls who are coming from overseas, there’s been a lot of playing opportunities,” said Papp. “I feel like with this whole COVID year we’ve all had the chance to get better at our golf games.”

MEGAN KHANG SHINES ON DAY TWO IN HOUSTON

Megan Khang quickly erased any memory of a 3-over 38 on Thursday’s back nine, including the double bogey that concluded her round on No. 18 of the Jackrabbit Course. She turned the page on her chapter at the 75th U.S. Women’s Open with a bogey-free, 2-under 69 performance today on the Cypress Creek Course.

“I’ll take that any week, any day, any tournament,” said Khang, who is tied for third at -3 overall. “It’s always a good feeling to be bogey-free and just really hoping to move that into the weekend.”

The 2019 Solheim Cup Team USA member will be part of the penultimate grouping off No. 1 tee on the Cypress Creek Course at 11:24 a.m. CT tomorrow. Khang was pleased that she played the Jackrabbit Course on Thursday, giving her three consecutive days on the championship’s main course, Cypress Creek.

“I was personally very happy when I got the draw because it was nice to get through Jackrabbit the first day then know that I have three days to play Cypress,” said Khang. “I personally really liked it. Everyone here is so good, so I don’t think it actually matters too much. I think it’s just personal preference.

“I want to stay in the moment and just keep doing what we’ve been doing. It’s the 75th U.S. Women’s Open, and you don’t get a lot of them.”

JUTANUGARN SISTERS LURKING HEADING INTO WEEKEND

Two of the eight players in a tie for sixth at -2 overall at the halfway point of the U.S. Women’s Open are Moriya Jutanugarn and 2018 champion Ariya Jutanugarn. For the sixth consecutive year, and seventh time overall, they are competing together in the championship.

Ariya carded three birdies and two bogeys this afternoon for a second straight 1-under 70 at Champions Golf Club in Houston. With 36 holes remaining, there is one aspect of her game that needs fine-tuning if she is to make a weekend run in the Lone Star State.

“I hit a lot of good shots, but my putting wasn’t working well today and yesterday,” said Ariya, a 10-time LPGA Tour champion. “I’ve been trying to work on it, but it’s not getting better yet. My speed is not that good, and my ball didn’t start on line that much. I’m really happy about my game right now even though I don’t feel like my putting is working well.”

Older sister Moriya fired the first round’s only bogey-free round and followed it up with a 1-over 72 today on the Cypress Creek Course. Despite her younger sister winning the Harton S. Semple Trophy before, it is not a subject of discussion among the Thai sensations. Their contrasting style of play also shapes a more intricate, analytical approach for Moriya this week.

“Everyone wants to play good every week, and of course to win a major, especially a first major for me, it would be big,” Moriya said. “I just want to focus on what I have to do and be present because out here you can’t really be so aggressive and you have to play smart.”

Only two pairs of sisters have ever won USGA championships: Harriot (1906) and Margaret Curtis (1907, 1911, 1912) at the U.S. Women’s Amateur; and Hollis Stacy (1969, 1970, 1971 U.S. Girls’ Junior; 1977, 1978, 1984 U.S. Women’s Open) and Martha Leach (2009 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur).

Moriya and Ariya will head off No. 1 tee of the Cypress Creek Course at 11:02 a.m. CT tomorrow, with Stacy Lewis rounding out the trio.

HERE SHE COMES – WATCH OUT FOR SEI YOUNG KIM, EVEN AT SIX SHOTS BACK

There aren’t many players you’d think about in the same situation. Six shots back, two rounds to play, a tough golf course with double-bogey potential at every turn, and a recent history of winners coming from the last couple of groups: why would anyone look twice at a player six off the pace and in a tie for 14th, barely in red figures and four major champions among the slew of players ahead of her? 

The reason you look is because the player is Sei Young Kim, the birdie-making maverick of women’s golf who could throw a couple of mid-60 rounds at the field over the weekend and vault up the board at this U.S. Women’s Open without batting an eye. That is how she plays – naturally aggressive. When the Sei Young wave starts rolling, it leaves a lot of wipeouts in its wake.  

But it isn’t just her history that makes you think Kim has a chance to capture back-to-back majors in the waning days of 2020. It’s how she’s played Champions Club so far. Kim has made 12 birdies in her first 36 holes, two more than championship leader Hinako Shibuno. 

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Two Wheels for Life launches “MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020” (nationthailand.com)

Two Wheels for Life launches “MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020”

Dec 12. 2020

 The 2020 MotoGP™ season may be over, but fans can still get close to their heroes by bidding on signed MotoGP™ memorabilia in the MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020.

Items from many of the top riders will be available, raising funds for Two Wheels, the official charity of MotoGP™, who ensure life-saving care reaches communities across Africa.

The 2020 MotoGP™ World Championship was exciting but very different from any other year, as COVID-19 restrictions prohibited spectators and fans from entering most circuits. Two Wheels for Life couldn’t run their Day of Champions fundraising event for the first time in 31 years, or many other fundraising activities that usually give fans the chance to experience unique, trackside opportunities.

While fundraising was hard hit, rural communities in African countries continued to need, even more desperately, healthcare and services that can only reach them by motorcycle.

Riders, teams and Dorna Sports are lending a hand this festive season in order to ensure Two Wheels’ important work across Africa continues. They have provided incredible items for the MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020 such as gloves signed by 2020 MotoGP™ World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and knee sliders signed by nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), as well as boots, gloves and other unique pieces of memorabilia signed by the likes of Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and more.

New unique items are being added all the time, and today will mark the launch of all 66 signed boards featured in #MotoGPSocial throughout the 2020 season!

How the MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020 works

The auction launches in early December with more auction items added throughout the month. Each item will be available for bidding for a three-week period.

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Moriya hot on heels of leader Olson at US Women’s Open (nationthailand.com)

Moriya hot on heels of leader Olson at US Women’s Open

Dec 11. 2020Moriya Jutanugarn (LPGA Photo) 

Thai No 2 Moriya Jutanugarn shot an unblemished opening round 68 to chase American leader Any Olson a shot behind in the US Women’s Open at the Cypress Creek Course at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. With three birdies in 10 holes, the one-time LPGA winner is placed at second alongside Hinako Shibuno of Japan and South Korean A Lim Kim after 18 holes. US-based Patty Tavatanakit, another Thai hope in the field, fired five birdies against three bogeys to start the Major with a 69 with f

With three birdies in 10 holes, the one-time LPGA winner is placed at second alongside Hinako Shibuno of Japan and South Korean A Lim Kim after 18 holes.

US-based Patty Tavatanakit, another Thai hope in the field, fired five birdies against three bogeys to start the Major with a 69 with former world No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn coming a shot behind.

For the second time in 2020, North Dakota’s Olson has got off to a hot start in a major championship. The 28-year-old from Fargo shot a four-under 67 in Thursday’s first round.

Olson highlighted her day with an ace at No. 3, while three birdies and one bogey rounded out her career-low round at the US Women’s Open. Considering Cypress Creek played a full stroke harder (74.59 to 73.46) than the Jackrabbit Course, which is co-hosting the first two rounds due to daylight concerns, Olson’s first-round success is especially hard-earned.

“I hit the ball really well off the tee. I gave myself some good chances for birdies, but I really made some putts that I definitely wasn’t necessarily thinking birdie on, and that helped,” said Olson, the USGA’s 2009 US girls’ junior champion. “Obviously, the hole-in-one was kind of the highlight of the round. I was pretty excited to be able to do that at the US Open.”

Olson has twice been close to major success. In August, Olson shot another 67 to open the AIG Women’s Open but struggled to a second-round 81 and dropped well off the pace. She also came up one hole short at the 2018 Evian Championship, making a heart-breaking double-bogey on the 72nd hole to hand the title to Angela Stanford.

Olson knows only too well that the championship is far from over, saying, “It’s not easy to win out here. You have to put four really good days together.”

Shibuno, who captured the hearts of the golf world after winning the 2019 AIG Women’s Open, carded four birdies and one bogey in the first round of her US Women’s Open debut. She played the Cypress Creek Course on Thursday and looks forward to the challenge of playing a completely different course in the second round.

“This is my first time playing two different courses, so that’s why I did a lot of practising rounds beforehand. That’s why I came in early,” said Shibuno. “By doing so, by doing more practising, I learned more, so I would like to use what I learned in the practising rounds and in the tournament.”

Moriya and Kim both opened their major weeks on the Jackrabbit Course. Moriya returned a clean scorecard with three birdies, while Kim endured an up-and-down round of five birdies and two bogeys.

Seven players are tied for fifth at -2, including 2020 AIG Women’s Open champion Sophia Popov and Gerina Piller, who had the best first-round showing of the championship’s seven Texans. US Women’s Open champion in 2019, Jeongeun Lee, opened her title defence with a two-over 73 on the Cypress Creek Course.

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Former Bantamweight Champion Kevin Belingon Looking to Bounce Back in 2021 (nationthailand.com)

Former Bantamweight Champion Kevin Belingon Looking to Bounce Back in 2021

Dec 11. 2020

 Team Lakay has certainly had a rough year, and that includes former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon.

The 33-year-old Belingon came up short in his lone appearance inside the ONE Circle this year, falling to Brazilian thunderclap John “Hands of Stone” Lineker by knockout just last November.

Yet despite all that the world has been going through, Belingon feels he’s still in a good place in his life, even with his career hitting a slight stumbling block.

“2020 for me was still a good year, despite everything that happened. I still have a good career. Most importantly, my family welcomed our beautiful baby daughter to the world. She’s the best thing that happened to me. As for my fighting career, I’m looking to get back to the top in 2021,” said Belingon.

Belingon and wife Lee welcomed Kelsey Tuesday to the world last August, and the two loving parents have been preoccupied since in raising their baby girl. Belingon says he’s even more motivated to succeed in his career now, with his family growing.

“The Silencer” has his focus still firmly on the ultimate prize, and that’s to reinsert himself into the world title mix in his division.

“I just have to stay strong and stay healthy right now. That’s one of the toughest challenges with all the different restrictions and obstacles we now face in training. There are a lot of moving parts that have been affected. I just need to stay on top of it. I’m keeping the dream in sight,” said Belingon.

Looking forward to the next 12 months, Belingon has his finger on a handful of things he wants to accomplish, both in his career and in his own personal life.

“We’ll take the time we need to review our past fights and our past performances, so we can learn the lessons we need to learn to move forward. There are still a lot of holes in my game, and I want to fix them all. I can’t wait to go back to the gym and train hard. I want to be ready for whatever challenge I will potentially face next year,” said Belingon.

“My goal in 2021 is to erase the memory of 2020. My eyes are still on the bantamweight belt. That’s what I want, and that’s what I’m after. Aside from that, I just want to raise my daughter well and take care of her.”

The 33-year-old mixed martial arts veteran plans to spend some much-needed time with his family during the holidays, but is completely determined to hit the gym hard once it’s time to get back to work.

“I am very fortunate that my family and I have been safe from COVID-19. It’s been a blessing to stay in Baguio City where we can enjoy and experience nature. It’s one of the best places in the world to start a family. I want to spend good, quality time with them in the next few weeks,” said Belingon.

“Still, fans can expect a new and improved, much better Kevin Belingon next year. In my last fight, I didn’t feel like I was myself. I want to remind everyone what I am capable of. 2021 will be the year of The Silencer.”

ONE Championship returns with ONE: BIG BANG II, a previously recorded event for global broadcast on Friday, 11 December. In the main event, former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion and current #3-ranked contender Jonathan “The General” Haggerty of the United Kingdom takes on Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito of Japan.

Watch ONE: BIG BANG II this Friday, 11 December on ONE Super App or ONE Championship youtube at 7:30 p.m. Thailand Standard Time. Thairath TV Channel 32 will air the event on a same-day  at 9.30 p.m.

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Paolo Rossi, Italian World Cup soccer hero, dies at 64 (nationthailand.com)

Paolo Rossi, Italian World Cup soccer hero, dies at 64

Dec 11. 2020

By The Washington Post · Phil Davison

Paolo Rossi became a national hero in Italy at age 25 – and remained so all his life – when he helped the national soccer team to victory at the 1982 World Cup in Spain. The center forward, or striker, scored the first goal for the Azzurri (the Blues) in the final against West Germany as Italy triumphed, 3-1, at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.

The victory, Italy’s first in the World Cup since 1938, brought ecstasy to millions of Italian fans glued to their screens at home. Their country was beset by political and social unrest, but the success of their soccer team unleashed an outpouring of emotion and a badly needed feeling of joy and national unity.

That World Cup final goal, on July 11, 1982, was Rossi’s sixth of the tournament, winning him the Golden Boot as World Cup top scorer as well as the player of the tournament (equivalent of MVP).

Italian kids, even adults, rushed to buy blue Italian soccer jerseys bearing Rossi’s number 20 on the back. “Pablito,” as Italian fans nicknamed him, was also given the coveted Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball) as 1982 European player of the year, more recently dominated by the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, now of Juventus in Italy, and FC Barcelona’s Argentine wizard Lionel Messi. The respected U.K. magazine World Soccer also gave him its inaugural World Player of the Year award.

Rossi, 64, died Dec. 9 at a hospital in Siena, Italy, according to the Italian TV channel RAI Sport, where Rossi had worked as a soccer pundit. The channel cited Rossi’s family, which did not specify the cause of death.

That Rossi even got into the 1982 World Cup squad at the last minute was remarkable and fortunate – for him and, as it turned out, his country.

In 1980, he had been banned from soccer for three years after a match-fixing scandal, known as the Totonero (black-betting). He was accused of involvement but issued denials. At the time, he was one of the world’s highest-paid players, lining up for the club Perugia.

An investigation involving 13 teams in Italy’s two top leagues, Serie A and Serie B, found, among many other cases, that a match involving Perugia – a 2-2 draw with Avellino – had been fixed by a betting syndicate.

His ban was reduced to two years, by which time he had been signed by the Turin club Juventus, allowing Italy Manager Enzo Bearzot to include him in his 1982 World Cup squad.

Bearzot came under heavy criticism from the soccer-mad Italian media when Rossi looked unfit during the first three group matches. The Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport described the striker as “a ghost wandering aimlessly around the field.”

Bearzot stuck with him, however, in the next round for the crucial matches against two of the world’s greats, Argentina, reigning world champions at the time, and Brazil, already three-time champions and tournament favorites in 1982.

Italy beat Argentina, 2-1, shutting down the soccer marvel Diego Maradona, but it was in the riveting game against Brazil that Rossi erased memories of the match-fixing ban.

It was July 5, 1982, in the Estadio Sarría, Barcelona. Every non-Italian lover of the “beautiful game” expected and wanted the magical Brazil side to win and go through to the semifinals. Not to be.

Rossi scored all three goals – a hat trick – as the Azzurri beat Brazil, 3-2, sending the soccer-crazy fans in the South American nation into shock and mourning. Many soccer writers have called it the greatest World Cup match ever.

Rossi later described that game, and Italy’s ultimate triumph over West Germany, as a “personal redemption” after the betting scandal.

He then scored both goals in Italy’s 2-0 win over Poland in the semifinals and, of course, another one in the final triumph against West Germany.

Paolo Rossi was born in Prato, northwest of Florence, on Sept. 23, 1956. He first came to the notice of big-team talent scouts as a prolific scorer for Vicenza, west of Venice. That earned him a move to Juventus, winning the European Cup in 1985.

Unlike most world-class players in modern times, he spent his entire club career in Italy, gaining two Serie A (the top league) titles. He also played for AC Milan and Verona.

Retiring in the late 1980s, he became a popular TV soccer pundit on Sky Sports and the Italian national broadcaster RAI.

His first marriage, to Simonetta Rizzato, ended in divorce. In 2010, he married Federica Cappelletti, a journalist. In addition to his wife, survivors include a son from Rizzato; two daughters from Cappelletti; and a brother.

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Badminton fans to be treated to three delightful tournaments at one location in Jan (nationthailand.com)

Badminton fans to be treated to three delightful tournaments at one location in Jan

Dec 10. 2020

By THE NATION

Badminton fans in Thailand and across the world, get your popcorn and fizzy drinks ready: you will have an opportunity to witness a selection of the world’s pre-eminent purveyors of the game in three successive major BWF events due in Nonthaburi in January.

World No 1 Kento Momota from Japan will grace the courts alongside rival and world No 2 Chou Tien Chen from Taiwan in the Asian swing from January 12-31 at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani.

The badminton fest will hit the courts with the back-to-back World Tour Super 1000 series: the US$1-million Yonex Thailand Open 2020 from January 12-17 and the $1-million Toyota Thailand Open 2020 from January 19-24. The curtain will then fall on the season with the $1.5-million HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2020 from January 27-31.

The Yonex Thailand Open 2020 and the Toyota Thailand Open 2020 will be open to the world’s top 40 players, who will battle for points that will ensure qualification for the season finale. There will be no pre-qualifying. The leading eight players in each category will progress to the HSBC BWF World Tour Final 2020.

Joining the top two players are Danish duo Anders Antonsen and former world No 1 Viktor Axelsen and Olympic gold medalist Chen Long, who will lead the Asian charge alongside Anthony Sinisuka Ginting from Indonesia.

In the women’s draw, Taiwan’s Tai Tzu Ying, who won gold in the women’s singles at the 2018 Asian Games and holds the record for most weeks ranked number one in the world, will be the woman to beat. World No 2 Chen Yu Fei from China will be joined by Japanese duo Nozomi Okuhara and Akane Yamaguchi. 2016 Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion Carolina Marin from Spain completes the stellar line-up.

The men’s doubles contest will be showcased by current world No 1 pairing Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kelvin Sanjaya Sukamuljo from Indonesia. Fellow countrymen and three-time world champions Mohamed Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan will also be looking to end the season in style. In the women’s draw, two-time world champions Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nakahara from Japan will be joined by Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan, the 2017 Women’s world champions from China. There is also a place for second ranked Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota from Japan. China’s Zhengn Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong, who are ranked No 1 in the world, will be favourites to dominate the mixed doubles competition.

The Thai flag will be proudly held aloft by Ratchanok Intanon, currently ranked No 5 in the women’s singles world rankings. She will be joined by Thailand’s top men’s singles player Kantaphon Wangcharoen. Local mixed doubles hopes Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai and women’s doubles stars Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai will all represent Thailand.

The strong Thai team will get a boost with the inclusion of world No 12 Busanan Ongbamrungphan, No 13 Pornpawee Chochuwong, No 25 Sitthikom Thammasin, and three-time world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn.

Meanwhile, as part of the stringent measures outlined by the Public Health Ministry, all athletes and officials are required to follow these procedures:

Overseas participants must be tested 72 hours prior to departure from their country of origin and provide completed “Fit to Fly” documentation. When they arrive at their hotel and before entering their rooms, they will need to undergo a Covid-19 test, after which they must remain confined to their rooms until the test results are known. Once a negative test has been confirmed, athletes will be permitted to commence training.

Practice facilities will be offered to one country at a time. On completion, staff will proceed to disinfect the location to allow the next country to come in for practice. Only competitors and support staff will be allowed within prohibited areas in the practice zones.

The competition area is divided into zones. Only participants and support staff will be allowed within this “bubble”. Participants’ warm-up locations will also be clearly identified.

The flow of players into and out of the competition area is clearly separated. Players will receive shuttlecocks directly from a machine, the same process followed at the Danish Open in October. Post-match interviews will be conducted online.

In line with the government’s measures to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19, all participants will need to remain in the bio-secure bubble (bubble quarantine) for 14 days from their date of arrival in Thailand. The bubble will enable participants to practice normally while undergoing quarantine. No unauthorised persons will be permitted to enter or leave the vicinity of the event hotel throughout the duration of the three competitions, in order to reduce risks of exposure to the virus.

Khunying Pattama Leesawattrakul

“This marks the first time in 110 years of badminton history that three events of such magnitude have been staged in the same location and in such a short period of time,” BAT president and vice president of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Khunying Pattama Leesawattrakul said. “This promises to focus the eyes of the badminton and wider sporting world onto Bangkok via a global TV broadcast,” she said.

“In moving forward with the staging of this series of tournaments, Thailand has once again shown its readiness, ability and confidence to host global sporting events,” she added.