Other Sports

Aruna Quadri Shows Class at Bulgaria Open

Published

7 years ago

August 20, 2017

Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri appears to have regained his form after a not too impressive outing at the ITTF Nigeria Open. What he could not achieve in Lagos was made possible at the ITTF World Tour tagged Bulgaria Open, as the Nigerian became the star attraction in the men’s singles where he finished in top four at the ITTF’s second most prestigious tournament on Saturday.

After his disappointing round of 16 defeat in the hand of compatriot – Bode Abiodun at the Nigeria Open 10 days ago, Quadri was considered as one of the best performers at the Bulgaria Open when his semi-final tie against world number four – Germany’s Dmitri Ovtcharov was described as one of table tennis classics.

Having fought his way to the semi-final as the first African to achieve such feat, Quadri showed his class against the German number one with the out-of-this-world display that has been touted of the best matches in table tennis this year.

In the report written on the encounter by ITTF Publication Director, Ian Marshall, the battle between the two continental champions was tagged clash of backhand and forehand.

“Dmitri Ovtcharov, the owner of one of the most effective backhands of the modern era, Quadri Aruna with his expansive forehand; add the two together and the equation resulted in spectacular rallies that delighted the appreciative crowd. Controlling the play, Dmitri Ovtcharov secured the opening game;

Aruna replied to win a close second but did not immediately capitalise on the success. Dmitri Ovtcharov established a 5-1 lead in the third game but chasing every ball, burning holes in his shoes, Quadri Aruna won the next four points to level matters.

He went ahead 7-6 prompting Dmitri Ovtcharov to call “Time Out”, the advantage worked but not in favour of the German. At 10-7 Quadri Aruna held three games points, the first was saved but not the second; Quadri Aruna led by two games to one.

An injection of confidence, buzzing, Quadri Aruna sped into an 8-4 lead in the fourth. Dmitri Ovtcharov reduced the arrears to one point at 8-7; now Quadri Aruna called “Time Out”. Once again the pause worked in his favour. He surrendered just one more point; three games to one lead was established.”

“Facing defeat, Dmitri Ovtcharov responded, controlling the play as in the first game, the backhand top spin ever more fearsome, the German won the fifth game in style. In the sixth he raced into an 8-3 lead; Quadri Aruna reduced the deficit to one point at 8-7 and 9-8, the stage at which, following his service he was presented with a golden opportunity. A forehand top spin to follow the service, designed to win the point outright, flew long. Dmitri Ovtcharov had a lifeline; he seized the opportunity, a deciding seventh game beckoned.

Now the momentum was very much in favour of Dmitri Ovtcharov. He won the first four points of the decider, changed ends ahead 5-3, before extending the advantage to 7-3 and at 10-6, four match points. At the first attempt the chance was taken; a place in an ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles final was claimed for the 14th time in his career,” Marshall wrote.

It was the German that eventually won the tournament after beating Japan’s Kenta Matsudaira 4-1 in the final.

Other Sports

Stolen Ferrari Recovered Almost 30 Years Later –

Published

5 months ago

March 5, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Stolen Ferrari Recovered Almost 30 Years Later -

A Ferrari Testarossa sports car stolen from Austrian Formula One driver Gerhard Berger during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix weekend has been recovered by London police almost 29 years later.

The Metropolitan Police said on Monday the red F512M, worth some 350,000 pounds ($444,325.00), was tracked down in four days after Ferrari reported it was the one being sold through a British broker to a U.S. buyer.

Police enquiries found it was shipped to Japan shortly after being stolen from the Italian city of Imola and then arrived in Britain in late 2023.

The Organised Vehicle Crime Unit said enquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made.

A second silver Ferrari F355 that belonged to Berger’s French former team mate Jean Alesi, which was stolen on the same weekend in the Italian city, remains missing.

Alesi finished second in the race won by Williams’ Damon Hill with Berger third, in the Ferrari drivers’ final season at the Italian team before the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.

Berger had caught the thief in the act of stealing his car but after jumping clear and then giving chase in a friend’s Volkswagen Golf, according to a news report at the time, was unable to prevent it from getting away.

-Reuters

Other Sports

Bayelsa State are National Para Games champions

Published

7 months ago

December 15, 2023

Kunle Solaja

The resounding success of the 2nd edition of the National Para Games culminated in an exhilarating and grand closing ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The week-long celebration of talent, resilience, and sportsmanship concluded on December 14th, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of para sports in Nigeria.

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, lauded the remarkable display of talent and dexterity exhibited by the para athletes throughout the Games. Expressing his delight, he commended the spirit of competition and the dedication of all participants.

“The National Para Games have once again showcased the incredible abilities and unwavering spirit of our para athletes,” Senator Enoh said. “The level of talent and determination displayed by these athletes is truly inspiring. They embody the essence of sportsmanship and perseverance.”

“Through sports, we celebrate unity, resilience, and determination. The National Para Games have proven to be a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also fosters inclusivity and breaks barriers.”

From December 8th to 14th, the stadium played host to representatives from all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The atmosphere was charged with excitement as athletes showcased their skills, determination, and unwavering spirit, captivating audiences and leaving spectators in awe.

Bayelsa State emerged as the champions of the Games, winning 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals. Abia, Kano Lagos, and Oyo states completed the top five in that order. Their athletes’ dedication and outstanding performances solidified their position at the pinnacle of para sports excellence.

The closing ceremony was a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, featuring captivating performances, cultural displays, and heartfelt tributes to the athletes who epitomized perseverance and triumph over adversity.

As the curtains drew to a close on this momentous occasion, the legacy of the National Para Games continues to inspire a new era of inclusivity, empowerment, and recognition for para athletes across Nigeria.

Other Sports

A football club gets record! Sixteen yellow cards in a game

Published

9 months ago

November 7, 2023

Kunle Solaja

Czech football club TJ Sokol Upohlavy had 16 players booked in in their match last weekend. PHOTO: TJ SOKOL UPOHLAVY/FACEBOOK

A Czech football club playing in the lowest division has made the sports pages across the country after 16 of its players were booked at the same time last weekend.

TJ Sokol Upohlavy’s players decided to make a splash as they were trailing TJ Sokol Libochovany 6-0 in their game in the lowest district tier last Saturday.

When Martin Blizil scored to make it 6-1 in the 82nd minute, all 11 of the team’s players on the pitch took off their shirts in celebration – a deed punishable by a yellow card.

Five substitutes came off the bench to celebrate with them, also taking off their shirts and earning a booking.

“The last game didn’t really go our way, but our players maybe set a world record,” the team said on Facebook after losing the game 6-2 in the end.

“When you underperform, what’s left is a sense of humour.”

The referee did not book each player individually – also because with the players’ shirts off, he could not see the numbers.

But he did enter the bookings in the match report. The transcript, with a yellow rectangle next to each Upohlavy player’s name, has since gone viral on local social media.

The village of Upohlavy, where the club is based, has a population of 276 people and lies about 50 kilometres northwest of the Czech capital Prague.

–AFP