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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019421

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Thailand’s kickboxing queen will top an international bill of Muay Thai and mixed martial arts (MMA) at the “Legend Fighting Championships” in Nakhon Ratchasima on September 3. Even better, entry to watch the event in the Northeast capital will be free.

Phayahong Ayothayafightgym, the first female Thai boxer to win the K-1 world championship, will test her skills against young Lao fighter Lukmee PK Vientiane.

Phayahong, the current K-1 atomweight champion, is ranked the eighth best kickboxer in the world pound for pound by Combat Press.

Former deputy prime minister Suwat Liptapanlop, who chaired Friday’s press conference, said the fourth edition of the “Legend Fighting Championships” would be unique as it featured both Muay Thai and mixed martial arts matches.

Five Muay Thai and four MMA matches will be held in two rings simultaneously. Nine Nakhon Ratchasima boxers will take on foreign fighters from France, Sri Lanka, Iran and Laos.
 
Phayong was born in Buri Ram but is descended from a Nakhon Ratchasima family.

Suwat said that the competition would boost the local economy and Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima)’s fame as a hotbed of Muay Thai talent.

He invited people to watch the fights for free. The matches will also be broadcast on Channel 8 from 7pm.

After the competition, young talented fighters from Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality Sport School will also be selected to train at the Legend Arena in Hua Hin.

“Legend Fighting Championships” will be held at the square in front of the Thao Suranari (Lady Mo) Monument in Korat on September 3.

Published : August 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019417

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According to Sky Sports, Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has approached Napoli to offer them the chance to sign the five time Ballon d’Or winner.

Mendes has been working around the clock for a while now in order to find the solution his client wants, which is to be playing in the Champions League. He is also tasked with finding a solution for United, which is a replacement if Ronaldo was to be sold. 

The latest deal proposed by Mendes is for Ronaldo to move to Napoli, and striker Victor Osimhen to move to Old Trafford. 

Sky Sports News reported that the Red Devils admire Osimhen and the Nigerian is on the list of potential replacements for Ronaldo. 

However, it is believed that Napoli will not be selling the 23-year-old on a cheap, they are looking for a three digit offer. 

Reports suggested that the Naples club are looking for €120 million for Osimhen, and if Ronaldo joins Napoli on loan, they would like United to pay 80% of the Portuguese’s mammoth salary.

It is hard to see how United will be able to afford him, especially when they are preparing another big offer to bring Ajax winger Antony to Old Trafford, with a deal said to be inching ever closer. 

Apart from Napoli, it was reported by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio that Mendes offered Ronaldo to AC Milan, with Rafael Leao moving to United as part of the deal. However, it is believed that the San Siro club rejected that idea. 

The Ronaldo transfer saga has been dragging on for some time now, and it is something Erik ten Hag can do without as he prepares to keep up the team’s momentum after a huge win against Liverpool on Monday night. 

They will now face Southampton on Saturday. Ten Hag is curious to see if his players have learned a lesson from the 4-0 thrashing by Brentford in their last away match. 

He said in his pre match press conference: “It’s a different challenge so I’m really curious: did we learn the lesson from Brentford? 

“Because this will be more or less the same approach. It’s about transition, it’s about running, it’s about battling and fighting, and then we have to make it our game. So it’s a real challenge for us to do that.”

Will Ronaldo leave or stay at Old Trafford? Only time will tell.
 

Published : August 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019407

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Young gun Atiruj Winaicharoenchai took the clubhouse lead with 18 points as heavy rain disrupted the second round action of the Bt3 million Thailand Mixed hosted by TrustGolf at Thana City Country Club on Friday.

With five birdies against one bogey which earned him nine points, the two-time all Thailand Golf Tour winner was the player who completed his round with the highest point but it was Amarin Kraivixien who was currently on top of the leaders’ board with 19 points and three holes to play.

As downpour hit the course after 5pm, orgainsers decided to stop play while 34 players will have to resume their second round actions on Saturday’s morning. Top 60 and ties will start the third round competition later on the day.

Atiruj, 22 from Chonbri, was more than happy with his form as he just recovered from COVID-19 and entered the tournament this week without proper practice. 

 “I had a good round with five birdies and one bogey. But there were some par five holes where I should have scored points. It’s quite a good round though, judging from my physical condition right now,” said Atiruj who enjoys stableford format which is being used in the Thailand Mixed this week.

“It’s a bit strange to play this format as you still get a point after making a birdie followed by a bogey whereas in the normal format, you are even par by doing so. So, stableford quite suits a player with an aggressive game like me,” he said.

“About my game plan for the weekend rounds, I will try to give myself as many chances as possible. I don’t want to expect too much at this point. I will try to hi the greens nd be happy with whatever happens out there,” Atiruj said.

Having 16 points were former LPGA player Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong and Chaiyasit Chaiyachot, each producing six points in round two. 

Arriving on Tuesday’s morning from the US, Sherman was still bothered by a jet-lag and had to rise to the challenge to pull it off in the second round. 

“I’m more than happy to be able to finish the round. I was really exhausted out there,” bemoaned Sherman who took a break from the Epson Tour to prepare for the second LPGA Q-School in October.

“I didn’t have good results this year and made only one cut on the Epson Tour. I really need to come home to regain my confidence. It feels warm to play at home again,” said Sherman who is also fond of the stableford format.

“You can take more aggressive approach with this type of format because you get scores easier. You need to earn points on par five holes to be in a good position,” she added.

The third round session is due after 8am. Organisers announced that a Bt10,000 prize money sponsored by Balance Golf Nutrition will be  granted to the last player who makes the cut.

Published : August 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019387

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Fourteen-year-old Thai snooker phenomenon Panchaya Channoi has been praised by caretaker PM General Prawit Wongsuwan after she won the World Under-21 Championship this week.

Panchaya beat 20-year-old Indian player Anupama Ramachandran 4-1 in the final in Bucharest, Romania on Tuesday.

Prawit, as the president of the National Olympic Committee, congratulated her for becoming the first female Thai snooker player to win the World Under-21 Championship, a Defence Ministry spokesman said on Friday.

Prawit also thanked the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand for supporting players on the global stage and making the country proud.

The caretaker PM said the government would encourage Thai youths to play more sport and support national athletes by using sports science in their preparations for international competition.

Published : August 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019374

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Manchester United’s new signing Casemiro says he is ‘the happiest person on earth’ after joining the Premier League club from LaLiga champions Real Madrid.

The Brazilian defensive midfielder penned a contract until June 2026 with the option of another year.
 

The 30-year-old, who joins for a fee that could reportedly rise to 70 million euros ($69.53 million), was unveiled before the Old Trafford crowd ahead of United’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Monday (August 22), lifting the mood at Old Trafford after two opening match defeats that left them bottom of the league.

“I’m incredibly happy,” said Casemiro. “I feel like I’m 20 or 18 again: I’m raring to go and I’m excited to be with my team mates, playing in the stadium. I feel the biggest excitement in the world.”

Casemiro said he remembers playing at Old Trafford in the Nike Cup for Sao Paulo when he was 15 years old. Back then it was his ‘wildest dream’ to play at the Theatre of Dreams for Manchester United.

“When I played that Nike Cup I would have like to play here. Now that I’m here again I’m the happiest person on earth.

“I really want to show that on the pitch, to help out my team mates and help Manchester United win matches and go on to win trophies.”

Casemiro had a hugely successful spell at Real after joining from Sao Paulo in 2013, winning five Champions League trophies, two league titles and one Copa del Rey, among other honours.

Capped 63 times by Brazil, Casemiro said a tearful goodbye to Real earlier on Monday, giving special thanks to fellow midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

Casemiro’s addition will boost United’s options in midfield, with manager Erik ten Hag currently having only Fred and Scott McTominay as the regular players in that department.

($1 = 1.0067 euros)

Published : August 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019372

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Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was named UEFA Player of the Year and Carlo Ancelotti took the coaching honours after they led the club to a record-extending 14th Champions League title last season.

Benzema was in red-hot form, scoring 15 times in the competition and lifting the trophy for a fifth time in his career after the Spanish side beat Liverpool in the final.
 

Ancelotti became the first coach to win Europe’s most prestigious club trophy four times. He first won the title with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 before claiming it with Real in 2014.

England coach Sarina Wiegman was named the women’s coach of the year after the Dutchwoman helped them win the European Championship on home soil, beating eight-times champions Germany in the final to lift their first major trophy.

Wiegman beat Olympique Lyon’s Sonia Bompastor and Germany’s Martina Voss-Tecklenburg to win the award.
 

“It’s really nice to receive this great award, I’m very honoured and humbled,” she said.

“This award is really for everyone involved with the England team, the FA, the staff and of course, most of all, the players. Thank you very much.”

Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s player of the year, beating England’s Beth Mead and Germany’s Lena Oberdorf to the top prize.

Putellas, who won the award last year along with the Ballon d’Or, netted 34 goals for Barcelona last season as the club won all the domestic trophies and reached the Champions League final.

The 28-year-old did not play in the Euros after tearing her knee ligaments in training.

Published : August 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019370

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Holders Real Madrid will take on RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic in the Champions League group stage while Barcelona will face Bayern Munich and Inter Milan following the draw on Thursday (August 25).

Real captured a record-extending 14th European crown when they beat Liverpool in last season’s final and, on paper, Carlo Ancelotti’s side should have few problems in making the last 16 from Group F.
 

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski will take on his former side in the group stage after the five-times champions were drawn with Bayern in Group C along with Inter and Viktoria Plzen.

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland will also face his former employers as the English champions were drawn in Group G with Borussia Dortmund. Sevilla and FC Copenhagen completed the group.

Qatari-owned Paris St Germain begin their quest for a maiden trophy in Europe’s elite club competition in a tricky Group H with Juventus, Benfica and Maccabi Haifa.

Last season’s runners-up Liverpool meet Ajax Amsterdam, Napoli and Rangers in Group A.

The Champions League group stage will begin earlier than usual on September 6 and conclude ahead of this year’s World Cup finals which take place in Qatar from November 20.

The Champions League knockout stages begin in February, with the final taking place in Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium in June.

Following is the Champions League group stage draw which was made in Istanbul on Thursday

All set for the 2022/23 season / via UEFA
 

GROUP A

Ajax Amsterdam

Liverpool

Napoli

Rangers

GROUP B

FC Porto

Atletico Madrid

Bayer Leverkusen

Club Brugge

GROUP C

Bayern Munich

Barcelona

Inter Milan

Viktoria Plzen

GROUP D

Eintracht Frankfurt

Tottenham Hotspur

Sporting Lisbon

Olympique Marseille

GROUP E

AC Milan

Chelsea

RB Salzburg

Dinamo Zagreb

GROUP F

Real Madrid

RB Leipzig

Shakhtar Donetsk

Celtic

GROUP G

Manchester City

Sevilla

Borussia Dortmund

FC Copenhagen

GROUP H

Paris St Germain

Juventus

Benfica

Maccabi Haifa

GROUP STAGE DATES

Matchday 1: Sept. 6-7

Matchday 2: Sept. 13-14

Matchday 3: Oct. 4-5

Matchday 4: Oct. 11-12

Matchday 5: Oct. 25-26

Matchday 6: Nov. 1-2

Last-16 draw: Nov. 7

Published : August 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019364

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Unfancied Wanich Petcharit benefited from a bogey-free round to take the lead on 12 points after the first round of the Bt3 million Thailand Mixed hosted By TrustGolf at the Thana City Golf Country Club on Thursday.

The 34-year-old Bangkokian produced six birdies, three on the front nine and three more at the turn, to rise on top of the leaders’ board as the Thailand Mixed circuit stops for the for the first time at Thana City which measures 7,008 yards off the men’s tee and 6,281 for the women’s. 
 

A stableford is being used this week in the fourth circuit of the country’s only mixed tour with points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole: albatross 8 points, eagle 5 points, birdie 2 points, par 0 points, bogey: -1 point, double bogey or more: -3 points.

An early birdie on the opening hole got Wanich to a great momentum and helped him regain confidence after having to bear with poor form in the All Thailand Golf Tour in Chiang Mai last week.

“I got off to a very good start by making a birdie on the first hole which really pumped me up. Last week, I struggled with my putts and I needed to make three putts most of the time,” said Wanich in his first time competing in stableford.

“It’s an exciting format because things can change pretty quickly especially when you hit an eagle and gain five points. If it isn’t over, you won’t be able to tell who is going to win,” he added,
“All I have in mind is to take precautions. If you hit the ball to the wrong spots and make a double, you will lose three points and that makes a big difference. 

“However, anyone can score 15 points in one day and take the lead. There are some holes that you can hit an eagle. Anything is possible,” Wanich added.

Following a stroke behind was Taiwanese-Thai Ekpharit Wu shot six birdies against a lone bogey on the final hole to land the day on 11 points.

After changing his swing and mindset, Ekpharit has shown impressive results this year, posting top 20 finishes in eight out of nine All Thailand Golf Tour events. His best run in a professional tour was finishing runner-up in the Thai PGA Tour at the Royal Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Nakon Nayok last month.

The 23-year-old Ekphari, however,  has yet to celebrate a maiden win and he sets his sight on having a breakthrough this week.  
“Everyone wants to win. I’m one of them. I have been trying to win my first title. My plan is to try to improve my approach shots so that I can hit closer to the pins. I also need to be more accurate with my putts,” said the main from Rayong. 

Four players scored 10 points and trailed the leader by only two. That included 26-year-old Amarin Kraivixien who also enjoyed an error-free round of five birdies.

“Overall, it was a good round, but I think I missed a few birdie chances out there that I shouldn’t have. But I also appreciated the way I made some crucial putts on the eighth and ninth holes,” said Amarin, winner of a Thailand Development Tour title in 2019.  

“In stableford format, you can gain a lot of points if you make some great putts. I think with the level of the field that we have this week, the winner can go up to 40 points,” added Amarin who posted two tied finishes on the Singha All Thailand Golf Tour this year. 

Also with 10 points were Kosit Koonwong, Chaiyasit Chaiyachot and former LPGA player Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong, the only lady in the top three.

Published : August 25, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019347

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The Badminton Association of Thailand has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Czech Badminton Federation to develop badminton in all aspects.

Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, signed the MoU with Petr Martinec, president of the Czech Badminton Federation, on Wednesday at Arnoma Grand Hotel in Bangkok.

Patama said that the cooperation covers every aspect, from players, training, coaches and judges, to sports science personnel. She believes the cooperation will be beneficial to both Thai and Czech people, which will lead to excellent results.

Petr said that the MoU will be the key to cooperation between the two associations. Thailand and Czech Republic are in two different continents with cultural differences too, but badminton could help the two countries come closer, he said. Therefore, this MoU lays the foundation for cooperation in sports and culture, he said.

Published : August 25, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/life/sport/40019345

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Ban Bueng Devil Rays stunned defending champions Thung Khru Hi-Tech 73-67 to win their first professional Thailand Basketball League title.

The two teams entered the best-of-three decider on Wednesday after being locked 1-1.

Ban Bueng Devil Rays received 700,000 baht as prize money.

The team also earned a slot in the 2022 FIBA Asia Champions Cup at the end of this year.

Taishaun Johnson from the champion team was declared Most Valuable Player.

Runners-up Thung Khru Hi-Tech received prize money of 600,000 baht. Bangkok Tigers Sniper, who finished third, received 500,000 baht while fourth-place Nonthaburi TGE got 400,000 baht.

The 2022 Thailand Basketball League, organised by the Thai Basketball Professional Association, began on June 25. Ten teams were in the fray for a total prize money of 4 million baht.

Published : August 25, 2022

By : THE NATION