The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Chen Long and Taufik pose the biggest challenge to Chong Wei
- Go-karter finishes second in WSK Euro Series race in Italy
- Maiden European Tour win for Van der Walt
| Chen Long and Taufik pose the biggest challenge to Chong Wei Posted: 04 Mar 2013 04:54 PM PST INDONESIA'S Taufik Hidayat and Chen Long of China are the old and new stars of world's badminton but they have one thing in common – they have never tasted success in the All-England championships. And the duo are seen as threats to world No. 1 and two-time All-England winner Lee Chong Wei in the men's singles event when the world's oldest badminton tournament starts at the National Indoor Arena here tomorrow. Although Taufik's form has taken a dip over the years, Malaysia's national singles coach Tey Seu Bock is not ready to write off the talented Indonesian for one good reason. The All-England is the only notable silverware that is missing from Taufik's staggering collection of titles. He has won all the major titles – the Olympics, World Championships and Asian Games. Taufik, who turns 32 in August, became an instant star when he reached the final of the All-England in 1999 at the age of 18. He made it to the final again in 2000. But on both occasions, victory was beyond him. Seu Bock said that although Taufik's movement on court had slowed down, one should never question his steely determination especially this being his last All-England. "All of us know that the All-England means a lot to him. This could be his best last chance to prove himself here. His attacking skills are still impressive. It's a folly to rule Taufik out from the title contention - not in the All-England," added Seu Bock. On reigning German Open champion Chen Long, Seu Bock said the lanky Chinese would pose the biggest threat to Chong Wei. In their recent meeting at the Hong Kong Open, Chen Long defeated Chong Wei in convincing fashion. "Chen Long is young. His confidence is also boosted by his German Open triumph. Chen Long's movement is much faster and that is the key advantage for him against Chong Wei," added Seu Bock. Taufik is in the same half of the draw with top seed Chong Wei. If the Indonesia can rise above himself against players like Sho Sasaki of Japan, Du Pengyu and Gao Huan of China and Hu Yun of Hong Kong, he may meet 30-year-old Chong Wei in the semi-finals. The 24-year-old Chen Long is in the lower half with a host of talented players – fourth seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro, former world champion Chen Jin of China and Kenichi Tago of Japan. But Chen Long is tipped as the favourite to reach the final. |
| Go-karter finishes second in WSK Euro Series race in Italy Posted: 04 Mar 2013 04:51 PM PST PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's teenage karting sensation Muizzuddin Musyaffa Abdul Gafar finished second in the opening round of the prestigious WSK Euro Series to record his first-ever podium in Italy. The 11-year-old Muizzuddin, who competes in the 60 Mini category and battling against older karters, put up a strong performance over the weekend. He took third place in the qualifying and heats before cruising to another third in the pre-final race on Sunday. That allowed Muizzuddin, who represents Gamoto Racing, to start the final race from the second row. He immediately gained a place behind his team-mate Eliseo Martinez in the opening lap. But with just two laps to go, as a consequence of an illegal contact, Muizzuddin was forced to drop to sixth. He eventually finished fourth. Race stewards later penalised Indian Kush Maini and Italian Lorenzo Colombo, who finished second and third respectively, and promoted Muizzuddin to second. The 10-lap race was won by Martinez with Leonardo Marseglia of Comer Top Kart finishing third. "I am very happy. It was a very difficult race. There were a lot of good karters from Europe competing and a few Asian riders like Maini and me. "I have to push the kart very hard and I am delighted to finish second. "I had the Jalur Gemilang with me on the podium … It was a proud moment for me, holding the flag on the podium," said Muizzuddin, who lives in Sicily with his mother, in a telephone interview. "I hope this is the start of better things this season … Next, we go to Lonata for the International Trofeo Andrea Margutti. "This is a very classic event … it's like Monaco for F1," said Muizzuddin, who also competes in the CSAI Italian Go-Kart Championship, WSK Masters Series and Italian ROK Championship. The next round of the WSK Euro Series will be held at Zuerra in Spain from March 20-24. |
| Maiden European Tour win for Van der Walt Posted: 04 Mar 2013 03:17 PM PST PRETORIA (South Africa): Dawie van der Walt won his first European Tour tournament on Sunday by finishing two shots ahead of fellow South African Darren Fichardt in the Tshwane Open. Van der Walt fired a five-under final round 67 for a total of 267 over the Ernie Els-designed Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate while Fichardt closed with a 69 on the 7,124m layout. A two-metre, 110kg giant, western Cape-born Van der Walt was one shot ahead of four-time European Tour winner Fichardt at the turn and extended it with a birdie at the par-five 15th on a hot, overcast afternoon. Both title challengers parred the last three holes and Van der Walt collected a US$310,690 cheque and a three-year exemption from qualifying for European Tour events. The 30-year-old winner of the inaugural Tshwane Open was a model of consistency over the four days of a tournament hit by delays on Friday and Saturday when thunderstorms rolled over the course south west of here. He had only one bogey over his 72 holes - at the par-four 10th during the closing round - and a solid tee-to-green game set up an unexpected success in a 156-field that included three former Major title-holders. "I hit the ball really well this week and probably missed only six or seven greens in regulation," said the slightly nervous champion after receiving his cheque and trophy. "My tee-to-green game was good, my putting solid, and to bogey only one hole throughout the tournament on such a long and challenging course was really awesome. "Among the turning points was dropping a birdie putt at 12 - I was desperate for another birdie to get to five-under and once the ball went into the hole I felt I was in control. "My goal was to shoot 10-under for the weekend and my focus was reaching five-under for the round today. I am really happy that I played well and won because you can play well and not win." Van der Walt said the victory lifted a major concern off his shoulders as he was beginning to wonder if he had the ability to win a tournament at the highest level. "You start doubting yourself and, at 30, you start to wonder if you are good enough. This victory proves that I am. Golf is a game where you do not get a lot of chances to win and to do it is fantastic." The often hot putter of Fichardt cooled during the final round and he never looked like overtaking Van der Walt during the closing holes while co-overnight leader Charl Coetzee of South Africa closed with a par 72. Chilean Mark Tullo, the other member of the quartet topping the leaderboard after the third round, crumbled to a 77 after needing 42 strokes to cover the back nine. Former British Open champion Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland closed with a 69 and there was a 75 from 2012 Ryder Cup-winning captain and twice US Masters title-holder Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain. — AFP |
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