Nine winners and counting… can Portimão create more history?
Nov 20. 2020
A special photo opportunity on the main straight at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve celebrates the premier class record equalled in 2020
“History-making” has a propensity to get overused, but the 2020 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship has truly deserved the moniker. Nine different winners in the premier class – equalling the all-time record set in 2016 – is something worth celebrating. And the best news? There’s still a race left…
Rewinding to Jerez, it was Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) who took to the top step first, before rookie Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) became the second man to win in 2020 as he stormed Brno – becoming South Africa’s first premier class winner. Then it was veteran Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) in the Austrian GP as he got back to winning ways, before Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) became another first timer on the top step – and the first Portuguese rider to take victory in the premier class – as he outfoxed them all in the Styrian GP.
Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) took his maiden MotoGP™ victory with a demolition derby at Misano, before take two on the Adriatic saw Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) reign the Emilia Romagna GP. Le Mans then saw Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) back on top, the Italian taking his first wet weather win despite his well-known prowess.
Finally, as the flag flew at MotorLand in the Aragon GP, there were eight. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) did the honours for his and Suzuki’s first win of the year and from there, the record was in touching distance – and the eventual Champion hadn’t yet won… That changed in the European Grand Prix as now-reigning MotoGP™ World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) put together a masterpiece for his first premier class win. In doing so, he made Suzuki and MotoGP™ history to become the ninth different rider to stand on the top step in 2020. That’s a record, so now the question is… will there be more?One last race provides the chance for a tenth different winner to reign – so tune in for the Grande Premio MEO de Portugal on Sunday at 14:00 (GMT) to see if MotoGP™ can hit that perfect 10.
Bangkok’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium will reopen from November 24 onwards after being closed since March 14 when an event there generated a cluster of Covid-19 cases.
Three people are believed to have died from complications to infections picked up at a Muay Thai match at the stadium.
Lt-General Suchart Dangprapai, the new president of Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, said on Tuesday that the management will strictly adhere to measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 and that boxing events will be held every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
“The first match will be held next Tuesday, which will also be broadcast live on Royal Thai Army Radio and Channel 5 from 8.30pm to 10.30pm,” he said, adding that only about 1,050 tickets will be sold for the event.
He said he has many other plans to promote the stadium, including holding boxing matches outside, allowing children to watch matches for free, hiring former boxers as coaches and broadcasting boxing matches online.
“We are discussing these plans with several agencies, including the Culture Ministry, Tourism Authority of Thailand the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand,” he added.
The grand finale: MotoGP™ gears up to face down the rollercoaster
Nov 19. 2020
The grand finale: MotoGP™ gears up to face down the rollercoaster The pressure is off for Mir, the race to be runner up is on… and a host of farewells, honours and challenges await on the Algarve
2020 will forever be a season to be remembered: records equalled and broken, a new premier class Champion, history made for manufacturers old and new… and nine different winners already. The time has come for the curtain to come down but not without one final spectacular as the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve welcomes the MotoGP™ paddock for the final round rollercoaster, and there remains plenty on the line.
First mention must, of course, go to Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar). The Majorcan arrives as the reigning MotoGP™ World Champion after converting his lead into the crown last time out, and he will now take on a venue that should suit Suzuki very much from the best position possible: little to lose, and in the best way. The number 36 admitted the calm exterior of late hadn’t been the whole story, so Mir unleashed could well prove the benchmark.
The fact the venue – with its incredible undulations and whole-new layout – may well suit the Hamamatsu factory is also crucial for Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and the manufacturer as a whole. Suzuki could complete the Triple Crown, as the riders’ title is theirs and so is the teams’ – all that remains is the constructors’ Championship, and it’s on a knife edge with Ducati as the two are equal on points. And when it comes to Rins, the Spaniard may have lost out on the crown but he’s well in the fight to end the year as runner up, and that’s despite having much of his earlier season affected by injury. He’s only four points off second place overall…
The man Rins trails, however, is on a roll. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) is currently the man in second and he arrives fresh from the top step. We’d seen the Italian win by domination twice this year already, but the third time was a charm for everyone watching as it all came down to a spectacular last lap scrap against Jack Miller (Pramac Racing). Morbidelli won to move up to second overall, and Petronas Yamaha SRT were also named best Independent Team. If Morbidelli can keep his form rolling, he has a chance not only to be runner up in the title fight, but also to take the top Independent Team rider honours too. His teammate, Fabio Quartararo, is the only man who can deny him – but the Frenchman is now 17 points off after a huge shuffle at Valencia, although he’s also gunning to leave the team on a high.
That huge shuffle has left it as an every man for himself to complete the top top four or five in the standings, assuming there’s no huge drama for the likes of Morbidelli and Rins. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) is now fourth and two points ahead of Quartararo, and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) now sixth but equal on points with ‘El Diablo’. That could all change in a single corner at Portimão…
Dovizioso is also a key player in the constructors’ standings as Ducati face down Suzuki and Yamaha, but it’s an even bigger personal occasion for the Italian too: his last MotoGP™ race before a planned sabbatical. Whether it will be tinged with joy, sadness or relief in some ways remains a personal question for the man himself, but for millions of fans around the world the impeccable Italian will surely be very missed on the 2021 grid, and one last race in red is something to remember.
There are goodbyes for another player in the fight for the top five too, as Pol Espargaro is only three points off Dovi in the standings as he prepares to saddle up with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for the last time. The Spaniard has been part of the project since almost inception and has seen it grow to race wins and, for him, an incredible run of podiums – so he’ll be pushing hard to go out swinging from his time with the Austrian factory.
Jack Miller also moves from Pramac to the Ducati Team next season and will want to move up on a high, Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing) moves to replace him and Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) heads from Ducati to Red Bull KTM Tech 3. Tito Rabat (Esponsorama Racing), meanwhile, is another who faces a swan song for now, the Spaniard not currently set to return to the grid in 2021.
And then there’s Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol). Just to add to the swathe of goodbyes, the Brit, after three Grand Prix wins and some record-breaking achievements, is hanging up his race leathers to become a test rider in 2021. That will be with Yamaha, where there is also a pivotal goodbye as Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) leaves the team – but not factory – at the end of the season.
It’s been a tough one at times this season for the nine-time World Champion, but his time at the factory Yamaha team will be measured far more by their incredible shared successes. Breaking records and proving almost unbeatable for some time, the pairing is one of – if not the most – iconic in the history of the sport. The number 46 will remain on the grid but in the Petronas Yamaha SRT box next season, so it will be the end of a defining era for his team and the man himself.
Amongst everything at stake in the constructor and rider standings, and the final chapters many face, there is also the search for the tenth different winner to break the all-time record. Could it be Pol Espargaro? Miller? Zarco? Rossi? Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu)? The Japanese rider is searching for his first podium too, and has been on a run of serious speed but tinged with bad luck. There’s also the Rookie of the Year to be decided. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) all but has it wrapped up as he’s 20 points ahead of Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), but racing is never a formality. And certainly, at the behemoth of Portimão, it will be about as far from that as possible.
Finally, there is a home hero who arrives to race on home soil for the first time in the premier class: Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3). He’s already a podium finisher and a winner in MotoGP™, and there sadly won’t be any home fans at the track to cheer him on but there will be millions watching from home. As the Portuguese GP returns to the calendar, it will be a big race for Oliveira – and he’ll be pushing at the limit to end his season on a high before he moves to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
So strap in, gear up and get ready for another spectacular weekend of racing as MotoGP™ takes on the rollercoaster Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. For some it’s a farewell, for others a final stand and for everyone, a completely new challenge. Tune in on Sunday at 14:00 (GMT) for a season finale to remember!
MotoGP™ Championship Standings 1 Joan Mir – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – 171 2 Franco Morbidelli* – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha – 142 3 Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – 138 4 Maverick Viñales – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 127 5 Fabio Quartararo* – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha – 125 *Independent Team riders
Four riders, one crown and an all-new track: Moto2™ arrives in Portimão Bastianini, Lowes, Marini and Bezzecchi remain in the hunt as the 2020 Championship prepares to be decided on the Algarve The time has come for the final showdown in the 2020 Moto2™ World Championship, and what better place to decide the outcome than a new challenge for everyone? Four riders remain in the running: Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) arrives on top, Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) is 14 points back, Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) 18… and Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) is hanging on with a 23-point deficit. One of them will end the season with the crown, and the Algarve will decide which.
It is, regardless of who takes to the rollercoaster of Portimão the quickest, Bastianini who arrives with the key advantage. 14 points in his pocket mean he can afford to not take every risk and play it a little safer, needing to finish in the top four to guarantee himself the crown regardless, and even if he doesn’t manage that, his rivals remain facing down a mountain.
Bezzecchi is the simplest equation: the Italian in fourth has no choice but to win if he’s to lift the crown, although he has already done that twice in 2020 so it’s far from a long shot. He would also, however, need Bastianini to fail to score – and Lowes and Marini not do much better. Marini, meanwhile, needs at least a second place to hold up his half of his chances, and then also would need to pray for some much worse luck for his rivals. Lowes needs a podium as his minimum, but the Brit also arrives battling injury after his huge FP3 crash in the Valencia GP. So it’s advantage Bastianini, although anything can still very much happen.
This season we’ve seen riders crash out the lead, frontrunners battling injury, sudden highsides… and many a change of fortune. There are also a whole host of other fast riders on the grid who will doubtless play a big role in deciding the 2020 Champion. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) arrives from a win and is heading for MotoGP™, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Beta Tools Speed Up) from close to victory and wanting some revenge… Aron Canet (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) wants the Rookie of the Year title and Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP 40) the same, as well as another podium. Joe Roberts (Tennor American Racing), meanwhile, will want to leave his team on a high and Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) won’t be shy about pushing the limits – which could be the key to glory at a whole new track…
Who will come out on top in the season finale? FP1 will give us the first clue, and then it could likely become a numbers game as Bastianini faces the pressure of the lead, Lowes rides through the pain barrier and Marini and Bezzecchi play their last rolls of the dice. Tune in at 12:20 (GMT) on Sunday to see who tames Portimão and who takes the crown.
Moto2™ Championship Standings 1 Enea Bastianini – Italtrans Racing Team – Kalex – 194 2 Sam Lowes – EG0,0 Marc VDS – Kalex – 180 3 Luca Marini – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – 176 4 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – 171 5 Jorge Martin – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 150
Arenas vs Ogura vs Arbolino: game on in Portimão The Moto3™ title hangs in the balance as the paddock arrives on the Algarve for the season finale After 14 races and some incredible highs and lows, the rollercoaster 2020 Moto3™ season is almost at a close with three contenders hoping to lift the crown. In the Gaviota Aspar Team corner there’s Championship leader Albert Arenas, in the Honda Team Asia corner Ai Ogura, and then there’s Rivacold Snipers Team’s Tony Arbolino. Arenas’ lead is eight points over Ogura and 11 over Arbolino, or in other words… it really is everything to play for.
If Arenas wins the Portuguese GP or comes second, he’s the Champion. If he’s on the podium in third and Ogura doesn’t win, likewise. But if he’s not on the podium it all becomes a maths challenge with the three contenders, and lately Arenas has not been on the podium. Add in the new, undulating rollercoaster of Portimão where most have zero or very little experience and the final round is sure to be a showstopper.
The man with the momentum on the way in is not the Championship leader, it’s Arbolino. He’s the latest winner – becoming the 25th different rider to take a victory across all classes this year, equalling the record – and that’s put him right back in the hunt. The Italian has also been a dark horse for some time and arrives with a little less pressure as the underdog, but then Ogura does in many ways too, the Japanese rider’s season a case study in consistency and podiums rather than how to the take pressure as a favourite for the crown.
The pressure then, really, is on Arenas – so can he take it? The Spaniard has had his share of bad luck this season and a few key mistakes, but he’s also shown his A-game to be the best in the business as he’s outfoxed everyone on some pitch perfect final laps. Is that what he’ll bring to Portimão? Or will experience not prove an ace card at a brand new venue?
The other question is their rivals, who may be out of the running for the crown but are very much in the running for the win recently. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is on form, Darryn Binder (CIP – Green Power) arrives from a first pole… Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) is on a roll of rostrum form. It’s more than a three-horse race and it may well come down to those around the three contenders on track to decide the outcome of the Championship and how they balance risk and reward. And all this at a brand new track…
It’s been a stunning season and the Grande Premio MEO de Portugal is sure to round it out in style. Tune in for the Moto3™ race on Sunday at 11:00 (GMT), where we’ll see a Champion crowned – and another rollercoaster lightweight class battle.
Moto3™ Championship Standings 1 Albert Arenas – Gaviota Aspar Team Moto3 – KTM – 170 2 Ai Ogura – Honda Team Asia – Honda – 162 3 Tony Arbolino – Rivacold Snipers Team – Honda – 159 4 Jaume Masia – Leopard Racing – Honda – 140 5 Celestino Vietti – Sky Racing Team VR46 – KTM – 137
Junguang to make a case for rematch with Sam-A Gaiyanghadao
Nov 19. 2020
Current #2-ranked strawweight kickboxer in ONE Super Series, “Golden Boy” Wang Junguang of China, has had to deal with the effects COVID-19 has had on society over the past few months, just like the rest of the world.
Wang Junguang of China
With his imminent return to the ONE Circle this Friday night, Wang is thrilled to be able to return to action.
ONE Championship’s next offering is ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV, a previously recorded event for global broadcast on Friday, 20 November.
In the main event, Wang will face European Muay Thai Champion Aslanbek Zikreev of Russia. If Wang can leave the arena with an impressive victory over Zikreev, he may very well make a case for a rematch against ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.
Wang took on Sam-A in December of 2019 for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title, falling just short of victory in a close unanimous decision loss to the Thai legend. Against Zikreev, Wang is looking to make a statement, and vows to earn a rematch against Sam-A.
“I’m very proud to fight overseas for my people during this special time,” Wang says. “I will bring a perfect victory back to my hometown of Henan, the martial arts center of China.”
Wang joined ONE Super Series not long ago, tearing through the opposition. His spectacular finish over Federico Roma was a memorable one, with Wang sending the Argentine striker crashing to the mat with a beautiful striking display.
A front kick to the chin and thunderous boxing combinations were all it took to coerce the official to call a halt to the contest in the first round.
“I established my pace, and then I knocked him down. I knew he would rush in then because I already had a points advantage, so I retreated, looked for an opening, and then knocked him down again,” Wang recalled of the victory.
“I knew if there were three knockdowns in a single round, the match would end, so I needed to punch heavily.”
The impressive victory earned Wang a shot at ONE Championship gold against Sam-A. Inside the ring with an absolute legend, Wang appeared unfazed. It was a close bout all throughout, with both men having their moments.
Wang started the bout off strong, firing combinations with no abandon. Sam-A was able to survive the onslaught, and just like the veteran he is, used his experience to trump Wang’s furious offensive display en route to a close points win.
Despite losing in his world title bid, Wang didn’t feel discouraged. Instead, the loss motivated him even more to get back to the top.
“I know I disappointed my fans from my World Title fight the last time, but I still know that I can beat Sam-A,” Wang said.
“I’m the only one giving him a problem in this division, and trust me, I’ll give him a bigger problem next time. I want to bring this belt back home and become the first-ever male ONE World Champion from China.”
Only one man, Russia’s Zikreev, stands in Wang’s way. But if “Golden Boy” is to be believed, a performance worthy of earning another shot at the belt is at hand. If Wang gets past his Russian foe this Friday night, he very well could set himself up for another date with destiny.
ONE Championship Announces Global Partnership with Facebook Spanning Exclusive Content, Facebook Gaming and Oculus
Nov 19. 2020
ONE Championship™ (ONE) announced a multifaceted global partnership with Facebook that includes distribution of exclusive content on Facebook Watch, a Facebook Gaming channel in which ONE’s top athletes will stream gameplay and gaming commentary, and the addition of ONE Virtual Reality content to the Venues app on the Oculus platform.
ONE Championship and Facebook have long worked together in bringing the most exciting martial arts content to millions of fans globally, leveraging the platform’s power. ONE’s Facebook page now exceeds 25M+ followers and the company exceeded 5 billion platform video views in 2019.
The partnership’s agreement includes:
An agreement to deliver custom content to martial arts fans globally, featuring unique camera angles, behind-the-scenes footage and more, exclusively made for Facebook Watch and IGTV.
The joint launch of ONE Championship and ONE Esports Facebook Gaming channel, where fans can watch their favorite ONE athletes stream their gaming activity exclusively on Facebook Gaming, playing and engaging daily.
The launch of “Only on Oculus” next-generation VR content in the Venues app for Oculus Quest where martial arts fans across the globe can experience the best seat in the house, virtually.
Hari Vijayarajan, Group CCO of ONE Championship, stated: “ONE Championship is committed to finding new ways to connect authentically with our fans and allow them to experience the stories of hope, strength, dreams, and inspiration created by our athlete superheroes. Our long-term partnership with Facebook has been instrumental in allowing us to build reach and audiences around the world. We are excited to expand our partnership and leverage the power of the Facebook platform, be that VR with Oculus, the rapid growth of esports and community gaming with Facebook Gaming, or simply non-stop action clips for Facebook Watch you cannot find anywhere else.”
Joyee Biswas, Director Sports Partnerships Facebook Asia Pacific, stated: “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with ONE Championship as we grow our sports collaboration across our platform. Community is at the core of ONE Championship and we will continue to help them reach their audiences whether it is through premium content in Facebook Watch, or to our new engagement opportunities through Facebook Gaming. The announcement today to also bring content to the Oculus platform is testament to ONE Championship’s ability to anticipate where their community will engage and create a meaningful experience for fans.”
Korea’s Im eyes victory at The RSM Classic after Masters thrill
Nov 19. 2020Sungjae Im (Credit to Getty Images) Sea Island, Georgia: After his Masters Tournament high, Korea’s Sungjae Im tees up at The RSM Classic on Thursday eager to capitalize on his rich vein of form as he seeks a second PGA TOUR victory.
The 22-year-old rising star made major history with an outstanding tied second finish in his debut at Augusta National on Sunday to deliver Asia’s best result at the Masters, eclipsing countryman K.J. Choi’s third place result in 2004.
Im headlines the field at Sea Island this week where he will also chase charity dollars for The RSM Birdies Fore Love programme which the top-three players with the most total birdies or better recorded from the first 11 fall PGA TOUR events will earn US$300,000, US$150,000 and US$50,000 for charity. The Korean leads with 123 birdies or better.
“I’ve gained a lot of momentum with this T2 finish. My shots have been fairly consistent the last few weeks, but I wasn’t finishing the way I wanted to. I’ve been patient, waiting for a good performance, and I’m lucky it came at the Masters. My runner-up finish exceeded my expectations. I hope to carry that momentum to the rest of the season. I’m excited for the upcoming year,” said Im, who won The Honda Classic in March.
“I would love to have another victory on the PGA TOUR. I also want to make every cut in 2021. And as always, I want to make it to the TOUR Championship and finish well there (next year).”
Straight-shooting Im got to within one stroke of the lead during the final round of the Masters before eventual winner Dustin Johnson, the reigning FedExCup champion and World No. 1, pulled away to secure a five-stroke victory for his second major title and 24th PGA TOUR win.
Playing alongside Johnson in the final group on Sunday, Im conceded the towering American was simply too good during the week and fully deserved to slip on his first Green Jacket, which is presented to the Masters winner.
“He made golf look so easy. I could understand why he is World No. 1. Even if he made a mistake, he easily overcame the obstacles and converted all of his opportunities. He’s also such a great putter, which makes him such a strong competitor. He has every right to be called the No. 1 golfer in the world,” said Im.
“I honestly didn’t (think I could win). I tried not to think about winning. I knew Dustin was in good form and given that he’s such a strong competitor, I tried not to think about the end result. I gave myself a humble goal of finishing inside the top-three.
“Since it was my first Masters, I was pretty anxious and excited entering the week. During the tournament however, my short game was great and my tee shots were perfect. I practiced my putting a lot since I was struggling with it so much. It stressed me out because I couldn’t get anything to drop in the tournaments prior to the Masters. I’m glad everything went really well.”
Apart from chasing the top prize at The RSM Classic, which features other leading Asians including Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan who finished tied seventh at the Masters, Korean veteran Choi and China’s Xinjun Zhang, Im is hopeful of securing the RSM Birdies Fore Love race for a good cause.
“It will be incredibly significant to know that the birdies I’ve made this season will end up making a positive impact. If I win, I hope the donation makes a difference to the charitable organization I end up choosing. I’ll try my best to make as many birdies. I would like to donate to a charity that will help end the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Im.
“I honestly had no idea that I’ve recorded this many birdies. I’ve struggled with my putter this season, so I didn’t think I’ve recorded this many! I’m really shocked to hear that I’m leading the standings.”
Tyler Duncan defends his title at The RSM Classic and faces a strong field which includes last year’s runner-up Webb Simpson, and major champions Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Danny Willett and Keegan Bradley who are all making their tournament debuts.
MMA Global Superstar Fabricio Werdum Joins The Professional Fighters League For Upcoming 2021 Season
Nov 18. 2020
One Of The Sports All-Time Great Heavyweights Will MakeHis PFL Debut In April
NEW YORK (November 16, 2020) – Today, the Professional Fighters League announced the signing of Fabricio Werdum, one of the greatest heavyweight fighters MMA has ever seen. The charismatic Brazilian is a former UFC heavyweight champion who holds notable wins over fellow heavyweight all-time greats Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Alistair Overeem and Cain Velasquez, who he defeated to win the UFC heavyweight title.
Werdum, a consensus top-3 and arguably the greatest heavyweight fighter in the history of MMA, entered free agency after a Performance of the Night showing on UFC’s Fight Island which saw him submit Alexander Gustafsson by armbar in the first round. Werdum and the PFL came to terms on an exclusive deal that will have the Brazilian competing for the 2021 PFL Heavyweight Championship beginning in the Spring.
“I am excited to announce Fabricio Werdum, the Tom Brady of MMA, has signed with the Professional Fighters League,” said Peter Murray, CEO of the PFL. “Fabricio is one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and knows when he steps into the PFL cage this coming season, it is more than a fight. The PFL sport season format provides an opportunity to control his destiny, like all PFL fighters, with a transparent shot to earn another major global title and the PFL million dollar champions belt.”
The PFL heavyweight division features 2019 champion Ali Isaev, 2019 semi-finalist Denis Goltsov and a host of new entrants including highly regarded Justin Willis and Mohammed Usman.
“Adding a fighter at the world champion caliber of Fabricio Werdum is next level for the Professional Fighters League,” said Ray Sefo, President of PFL Fighter Operations. “I know the rest of the league’s heavyweight fighters are as excited as I am with Fabricio joining the PFL for the 2021 season starting in April.”
The PFL’s 2021 season will begin on April 23 on ESPN2. The remaining Regular Season events will take place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25.
About Professional Fighters League
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) presents MMA for the first time in the sport-season format where individual fighters control their own destiny, competing in a Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship for a million-dollar prize. PFL’s differentiated format and exciting fights sparked breakout growth for the league. PFL events are broadcast live in primetime on ESPN2 and ESPN+ in the United States and distributed to 160 additional countries around the world on premium sports networks.
Thailand chosen to host World Virtual Youth Festival from Nov 20-22
Nov 17. 2020
By THE NATION
Thailand has won the bid to host the first United Through Sports World Virtual Youth Festival from November 20-22 under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and Special Olympics International.
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul (left)
Over 100 international organisations and federations have joined forces for this historic event aimed at promoting the Olympic values of inclusion, equality and non-discrimination.
The event is about all abilities and the opening ceremony will celebrate United Nations World Children’s Day. Opening speakers will include International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, the CEO of Special Olympics, Mary Davis, former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Prince Albert II, Faisal bin Hussein and the president of Sport Accord and GAISF, Rafelle Chiulli. Thailand will be represented by the president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, General Prawit Wongsuwan, Minister of Tourism and Sport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s IOC member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, who also chairs the Local Organising Committee, Sport Authority of Thailand Governor Gongsak Yodmani, National Paralympics president Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, the chairperson of Thailand’s Special Olympics, Naris Chaiyasoot, Thailand Taekwondo Federation president Pimol Sivikorn, and National Sports Development Fund director Supranee Guptasa will all be actively a part of the event.
Side events will take place simultaneously around the world in the US, Russia, Italy, Australia, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates and others.
Patama said that this showcases the respect and credibility Thailand has in the world of sports and also would boost Thailand’s vision to host the future Youth Olympic Games.
United Through Sports president Stephan Fox said, “Thailand hosted a very successful Sport Accord 2018 and that this event will bring, once again, Thailand to every part of the globe promoting sport as a tool for a better world.”
The five-day event will include thousands of youth of all abilities, educational conferences with leading speakers and the opening and closing ceremonies will be hosted on the Olympic Channel.
Vaccines and test events make IOC very confident Japan’s Olympics will go ahead with fans
Nov 17. 2020U.S. gymnasts arrived at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, on Nov. 4, 2020 in preparation for the first international event for an Olympic sport to be held in Japan since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. MUST CREDIT: Japan News-Yomiuri
By The Washington Post · Simon Denyer · WORLD, SPORTS, ASIA-PACIFIC, OLYMPICS
TOKYO – The International Olympic Committee is “very confident” the Olympics can take place in Tokyo next summer with a reasonable number of spectators, thanks to the development of vaccines and rapid virus testing, its president, Thomas Bach, said Monday.
The IOC also wants to “convince” foreign athletes and spectators to be vaccinated before coming to Japan, he said, but it can’t make vaccines obligatory.
“In order to protect the Japanese people and out of respect for the Japanese people, the IOC will undertake great effort so that as many as possible – Olympic participants and visitors – will arrive here vaccinated, if by then a vaccine is available,” Bach said.
“This makes us all very confident that we can have spectators in the Olympics stadium next year and that spectators will enjoy a safe environment.”
Bach spoke on the first day of a three-day trip to Japan where he met with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, former prime minister Shinzo Abe, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and the leaders of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee.
Bach also hailed successful test events held in Japan in recent weeks, including an international gymnastics meeting and domestic baseball matches held in front of tens of thousands of fans in almost full stadiums, as evidence that sports can still take place safely despite the pandemic.
“And now we are nine months ahead of the Olympic Games, and based on this success, we can even be more confident – because in nine months from now, we know that we will even have more covid countermeasures in our toolbox than we have now.”
Bach cited recent progress in developing a vaccine agains the virus, and said rapid virus testing was also developing all the time and could be a useful tool in protecting people at the Games.
Last month, Japan staged a gymnastic competition in Tokyo involving competitors from China, Russia and the United States, as well as the host nation, in front of around 2,000 fans.
Gymnasts had to submit to strict rules, including a two-week quarantine before entering the country and daily covid testing. Aside from the competition and training, they were confined to their hotel rooms and even escorted to meals on the premises. But no cases of virus transmission were detected, and organizers and competitors said the experience had been worthwhile.
Some baseball games have also been held in practically full stadiums in recent weeks as experiments ahead of the Olympics, although for most games spectator numbers are limited to 50 percent of capacity.
Fans are required to wear masks, banned from cheering or shouting to avoid virus transmission and asked only to clap – restrictions that could be unpopular and tough to enforce among foreign crowds if imposed at the Olympics.
Japan says athletes will be exempt from having to undergo a 14-day quarantine on arrival in the country, and admits it won’t be able to force foreign spectators to quarantine or avoid public transport, raising the risks of virus transmission in the absence of mass vaccination. But a final decision on whether to allow in foreign spectators, and from which countries, has yet to be made.
Bach said it was also unclear whether stadiums could be full at the Games, but said he was confident that a “reasonable number” would be able to attend.
“We all have to understand that the people in the world are living in uncertainty,” he said. “What we are saying is we are living in a dark tunnel, and the Olympic Games then next July and the Paralympic Games next August, they can be the light at the end of this tunnel.”
Live WWE wrestling back on Thai screens after 5 years
Nov 17. 2020
By The Nation
After disappearing from Thai screens for more than five years, WWE wrestling extravaganzas “Monday Night RAW” and “Friday Night Smack Down!” are back
Thanks to WWE’s exclusive partner 3BB, Thai fans can enjoy both shows live every week at the same time as the broadcast in America.
“Raw” and “Smackdown” will be offered on 3BB GIGATV, a premium streaming service coming to Thai screens soon. Both shows will be broadcast live in Thailand, meaning Thai wrestling fans no longer have to wait two weeks for the taped programmes to arrive from America. Channel 3BB Sport One will screen “Smack Down” at 8am every Saturday and “Raw at 8am every Tuesday.
Other global sports content available on 3BB Sport One includes football’s Dutch League and Chinese League, the Club Channel, Euro League basketball and Thailand’s own Sepak Takraw League.
Sungjae Im (Credit to Getty Images) Sea Island, Georgia: After his Masters Tournament high, Korea’s Sungjae Im tees up at The RSM Classic on Thursday eager to capitalize on his rich vein of form as he seeks a second PGA TOUR victory.
U.S. gymnasts arrived at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, on Nov. 4, 2020 in preparation for the first international event for an Olympic sport to be held in Japan since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. MUST CREDIT: Japan News-Yomiuri 
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