The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- WADA suspends Madrid lab from anti-doping work
- Squash: Nicol on course for 7th World Open crown
- Rafiq and Li Jane triumphant as they emerge as masters of bowling
| WADA suspends Madrid lab from anti-doping work Posted: 21 Dec 2012 06:41 PM PST MONTREAL: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced on Friday that it has suspended the WADA-accredited laboratory in Madrid from carrying out anti-doping work for the next three months. During the suspension period, the Spanish lab will not be permitted to analyze anti-doping samples. WADA will re-evaluate the lab after the suspension period. The laboratory can appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days. WADA has the power to suspend a lab's accreditation for failing to adhere to the International Standard for Laboratories. - AFP |
| Squash: Nicol on course for 7th World Open crown Posted: 21 Dec 2012 03:24 PM PST PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Nicol David is now one match away from a record seventh World Open title after another dominant display in Cayman Islands on Thursday. The world No. 1 was in a class of her own as she demolished Jenny Duncalf of England 11-7, 11-4, 11-2 to set up a meeting with third seed Laura Massaro. The third-seeded Englishwoman was also in imperious form as she overcame the challenge of second seed Raneem El Weleily of Egypt with a 5-11, 11-9, 12-14, 11-4, 13-11 triumph. Nicol, who lost twice to Duncalf in 2009, never gave her opponent a chance this time around. She quickly asserted her authority in the first set, winning 11-7. The Penangite continued to drain Duncalf's belief and confidence in the second as she raced to a huge lead before wrapping it up at 11-4. In the third set, world No. 12 Duncalf, who was beaten by Nicol in last year's final, started strongly with a 2-0 lead. But that was all she got from Nicol as the Malaysian reeled off 11 points to seal her fifth consecutive final appearance in just 37 minutes. Nicol has now beaten Duncalf 23 times in 25 meetings. "Jenny was playing some great shots at the start. I couldn't tell where the ball was going and couldn't play my own game," said Nicol on www.squashsite.co.uk. "But I knew I had to up my game to stay in it and thankfully I got it all together as the match wore on. It's great to be in another final, especially in the World Open. Laura (Massaro) and I both know each other well. We'll be stepping up our games so it'll be a great final," added Nicol. Massaro started off dismally against El Weleily but recovered to win in 69 minutes to reach her first-ever World Open final. "We've been taking turns at winning and swapping in the rankings all year so it's fitting that only a couple of points separated us in the whole match," said an emotional Massaro. "With Raneem there's always going to be patches where she hits winners so it works to just hang tight and come through it. "But it really feels great to reach the final and I'm really happy right now," added Massaro. Semi-finals: Nicol David (Mas) bt Jenny Duncalf (Eng) 11-7, 11-4, 11-2; Laura Massaro (Eng) bt Raneem El Weleily (Egy) 5-11, 11-9, 12-14, 11-4, 13-11. |
| Rafiq and Li Jane triumphant as they emerge as masters of bowling Posted: 21 Dec 2012 03:43 PM PST KUALA LUMPUR: It was double joy for Malaysia at the 13th Milo International Junior All-Stars Championships at the Sunway Pyramid Mega Lanes yesterday with Mohd Rafiq Ismail and Sin Li Jane emerging triumphant. Mohd Rafiq was the first into action. Having lost the title to Singapore's Tay Hui Chiang in last year's boys' Open final, Mohd Rafiq was very determined not to let the title slip away again. Playing with a strapped left bicep and blisters on his left thumb, lefthander Mohd Rafiq fought through the pain barrier to beat Singapore's Danish Ramlan 235-231 to emerge as champion. It was a rewarding day as he took home RM25,000. "I was more relaxed this time around. I was happy to reach the step-ladder finals again, but I didn't want a repeat of last year's final. I didn't want to lose," said Mohd Rafiq. He has another chance to pick up a fat paycheque. He will be playing in today's Masters finals, which offers a top prize of RM35,000, by virtue of being the defending champion. "I'm going to try my best to forget the pain and try my best to make it two wins in a row," said the 15-year-old who is member of the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress special squad. National coach Holloway Cheah counts Rafiq a success story in the MTBC special squad programme. "Danish was good, but Rafiq was better today. He didn't let the pressure get to him," said Holloway. "Hopefully, he makes the top six tomorrow (today) and if he does he has a very good chance of winning the Masters. My advice to him is simple – stay grounded," added Holloway. Boosted by Mohd Rafiq's win, Li Jane went into the step-ladder finals full of confidence. She proved too strong for Singapore's Joey Yap, scoring a 257-193 win to take home RM18,000. "I'm very happy. The last time I won in 2008, it was also a Malaysian double with Adrian (Ang) winning the boys' title. This time it's Rafiq. It's just great," said Li Jane. " I didn't really feel any pressure at all. Experience has taught me not to let the pressure get to me. I told myself not get too excited. Bowling is really anyone's game. I didn't really pay much attention to Joey's game and and just concentrated on my game," added Li Jane, the 2010 and 2012 national champion. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan