By Agence France-Presse

Aged 44 and getting ready for her eighth Olympics in Tokyo, Uzbek gymnast Oksana Chusovitina makes light of her record-breaking survival in a sport dominated by teen prodigies.

“I love gymnastics. I tell myself: why not train and perform while you still can?” Chusovitina said during a recent interview in Tashkent.

“If I’d stopped, I think I would have strongly regretted it.”

But while the desire to compete still burns in Chusovitina, she said she has given her word to her family, whom she calls her “strongest motivation”, that the Tokyo Games this year will be her “last Olympics”.

Chusovitina started her career competing for the USSR but after it collapsed she got her first taste of the Olympics at Barcelona in 1992 in a team representing the ex-Soviet states.

There, she scooped team gold but she had to wait another 16 years — and four Games — for an individual Olympic medal.

That came when she won silver on the vault in Beijing in 2008. At that point, Chusovitina was representing Germany, after moving there in 2002 to get her son Alisher treatment for leukemia that proved successful.

But Tokyo will be her fifth Olympics representing her Central Asian homeland of Uzbekistan — a nation of 33 million where she is so revered that she has featured on postage stamps.

Her appearance at the Rio Games in 2016 made her the only gymnast ever to compete in seven consecutive Olympics.

Chusovitina told AFP during a break from practicing vaults that it was Alisher, now 20, who persuaded her to call time on her career in top-level sport.

“He worries about me a lot, that I might get a bad injury or fall ill.”

Her own favorite Olympic memory remains returning home from Beijing where her vault performance saw her share the podium with gymnasts from China and North Korea who were both a decade younger than her.

“When I got back the doctor gave me the news that my son was finally healthy,” she recalled.

“I think for a mother that is news that you cannot compare any medal to.”

A new chapter

Chusovitina’s longevity as a top-level athlete may be no big deal to the star, but it is a continued source of inspiration for the young gymnasts who train with her daily at the Republican Gymnastic Centre in Tashkent.

“She is already an athlete of such a high level,” said Lyudmila Li, Chusovitina’s trainer.

“She knows her body and what it can do. Our only job is to help her maintain those levels.”

Chusovitina’s husband Bakhodir Kurbanov is himself a former Olympic competitor, representing Uzbekistan in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1996 and 2000 Games.

He sacrificed his own career for his wife’s and focused on helping Alisher battle leukemia, a decision that causes him no regrets.

“We didn’t plan for a fourth Olympics, let alone an eighth, but she has made us proud,” Kurbanov said during an interview in their modest apartment on the outskirts of Tashkent.

“My son and I just try to keep up with her.”

For the moment, Chusovitina is focused on Tokyo but she has plenty of plans for retirement.

One is to set up a gymnastics academy in Tashkent to bring through the next generation of Uzbek gymnasts.

Another is to take the beam and the vault to the stage in a “gymnastics theatre show” that she hopes will be both a fitting farewell to her career in professional sport and a way of popularizing the sport locally.

“I want our people to love gymnastics, to see how beautiful it is,” she told AFP.

“When people see (the show) they will run to put their children in gym classes.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The US men’s national team blasted the US Soccer Federation on Wednesday in support of the equal pay fight by the American women’s squad, the reigning World Cup champions.

In a blistering statement released on the website of the US National Soccer Team Players Association, the US men’s national team union, the squad backed their female counterparts in their ongoing fight for equal money and support from US Soccer.

“The Federation has been working very hard to sell a false narrative to the public and even to members of Congress,” the statement said.

“They have been using this false narrative as a weapon against current and former members of the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT).”

A group of 28 players from the US women’s national team has filed a class-action gender discrimination lawsuit against US Soccer with a trial expected to begin in May.

“The Federation continues to discriminate against the women in their wages and working conditions,” the statement said.

“They’re trying to protect their monopoly, their massive revenue streams, and their continued ability to exploit US national team players. It’s time for this to stop.”

Near the message’s end, the US men declared: “Soccer is perhaps the most corrupt sport in the World. We do not want a US Soccer Federation that behaves like FIFA.”

Male players attacked US Soccer’s complete control over who can play on national teams as a way to support unequal treatment and blunt critics.

“Historically, the federation has used that monopoly power as a weapon against the players,” the statement said.

“For many years they refused to pay players at all. The federation benefitted from ticket sales, sponsorship, and merchandising while paying players as little as possible.

“At the same time, every training session and game carries the risk of injury.”

The men cited the troubled labor history between US players and the federation, noting players have had to threaten and sometimes employ walkouts to gain pay hikes and benefit increases.

“The federation has justified its unreasonable proposals by claiming its financial future was uncertain,” the US players said. “The federation still claims it cannot afford to pay the players a fair share of the federation’s revenue from selling the efforts of those players to fans, sponsors, and television.”

US women due ‘at least triple’

US men signed a 2011-2018 deal for a 25% pay hike but claimed “it never came close to a fair percentage of the federation’s national team revenues.”

They demand the US women receive much more than the federation has spent on them.

“For more than 20 years, the federation has resisted any concept of equal pay or basic economic fairness for the USWNT players (and) also refused to include… the same provisions as the men’s with respect to air travel, hotels, etc.

“This is systematic gender discrimination that should have never happened.”

The men said US women had little choice but to accept their current labor deal from 2017-2021 given the power US Soccer had over the national team selections and the National Women’s Soccer League, the third and to date most successful attempt to start a US women’s pro club league.

“The women were due at least triple what our expired deal was worth in player compensation,” the statement said. “We believe the federation should have agreed to a deal directly tied to a fair share of the revenue players generate.”

The male players said US Soccer has chosen to boost its budget for legal fees to fight its own players rather than provide better compensation.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Every starting or relief pitcher will be forced to face at least three batters in one of several rule changes for the 2020 season announced Wednesday by Major League Baseball.

Managers often have used relievers to face a single hitter in specific situations, but the change, which begins with pre-season games on March 12, will force major strategy alterations.

If the pitcher can force the inning-ending third out by the batting team, he could leave the mound without having to face as many as three batters.

But it makes the gamble of sending in a reliever even trickier for major league managers.

Now the pitcher who might be perfect to retire a certain batter must end the inning or remain in place for at least the next two hitters behind him in the order, which could cause greater headaches.

If a pitcher enters the game while a hitter is into his time at bat, that hitter shall count as the first one he must face.

The rule has an injury caveat, saying a pitcher must remain “unless the substitute pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the umpire crew chief’s judgment, incapacitates him from further play as a pitcher.”

Club managers also saw their time to challenge plays and force video review reduced from 30 to 20 seconds.

Active rosters from the end of August through the playoffs were boosted from 25 to 26 players and mandatory injury list time was raised from 10 to 15 days.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and College of St. Benilde dispute the lawn tennis championship in NCAA Season 95 Thursday at the Philippine Columbian Tennis Court in Paco, Manila.

After seven years, the Altas made it back to the title round after beating Letran in the semifinals last Tuesday.

Jeremiah Macias III downed CJ Mestiola 6-0, 6-4 in the singles event, while the pair of Kenneth Dumapit and Jayson Saavedra defeated the duo of Francis Sebumpan and Cholo Quintia 6-3, 6-2 in doubles.

The team of coach Samuel Nuguit will face the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the finals Thursday. CSB dethroned San Beda University in the other semis match.

“Finally we are back in Finals after many years, hopefully we get the plum, paghihirapan namin ito, but we’re ready against College of St. Benilde,” said Nuguit, whose team’s last title was during Season 88 back in 2013 with Russell Arcilla Jr, Kim Sazara, Kim Polero and Ric Solon.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Thursday

(The Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – Arellano vs EAC (M)
12 noon – Arellano vs EAC
2 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Letran
3:30 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Letran (M)

Before its crucial match against league-leader College of St. Benilde, defending three-time champion Arellano University gets a chance to polish its system when it clashes with Emilio Aguinaldo College in NCAA Season 95 volleyball Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City.

The game between Arellano (6-1) and EAC (1-7) is at 12 noon before the encounter of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (6-2) and Letran (3-4)at 2 p.m.

Arellano head coach Obet Javier said the last thing he wants is for his players to relax against the also-ran Lady Generals.

“Ang iniingatan natin yung mag-relax, kasi hindi pwedeng ganun. Dapat solid performance pa din ang ibigay ng team. Kung ano yung klase ng laro na ginagawa namin, ganun pa din dapat,” said Javier.

“Magandang opportunity din ito para sa team na mag-improve, sa mga players. Although ang focus pa din dapat is to get the win, yun ang pinaka-importante na ma-accomplish ng buong team.”

Both the Lady Chiefs and the Lady Altas are assured of playoff berths alongside the Lady Blazers (7-0) and the San Beda Lady Red Spikers (6-2), which booked the last slot after a win over the Mapua Lady Cardinals last Tuesday.

The playoff format will be determined when CSB plays Arellano on Monday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Jovin Bedic and Eric Giganto came through with second half goals to give Kaya a 2-0 win over Shan United in the start of its AFC Cup campaign Wednesday at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.

Bedic broke the ice with a spot kick in the 74th minute before Giganto came off the bench to produce the second goal in the 85th that capped off Kaya’s hard-fought away victory.

Kaya claimed the full three points in the first match under the coaching duties of Oliver Colina and Yu Hoshide who were tasked to lead the club to improve on its early exit in last year’s continental competition.

There were a few chances by Kaya to produce the opener in the first half but attempts by newly-acquired Takumi Uesato and twice from Simone Rota went past the goalpost.

Rota’s first chance came off a free kick by Jayson Panhay but his glancing header bounced inches away from the far post while second came just before halftime but another header sailed wide left.

Host Shan United almost got the lead in the second half when Yakubu Abudbakar’s left-footed attempt hit the near post.

Kaya found the opening when substitute Arnel Amita was fouled inside the box by Djedje Maximin Djawa, allowing Bedic to deliver the penalty kick.

Amita also set up the second goal when he was able to send a pass to Giganto for a long attempt, five minutes before stoppage time.

Shan United suffered its second straight loss against a Philippine club this year, adding to its 3-2 defeat to Ceres-Negros in last month’s AFC Champions League Qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The Philippine men’s team remained in the hunt for a quarterfinal berth in the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championships on Wednesday night after surviving Singapore, 3-2, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Nationals banked on their two doubles pairs as well as Solomon Padiz Jr. to nail their first victory after yielding to Chinese Taipei, 5-0, on Tuesday.

Singapore drew the first blood at the expense of Loh Kean Yew, who clobbered Ros Leonard Pedrosa, 21-11, 21-8, but the Filipinos answered back with a doubles victory courtesy of Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Alvin Morada, who bested Jun Liang Andy Kwek and Loh Kean Hean, 22-20, 21-19.

Jia Heng Jason Teh gave the Singaporeans the lead with a 21-14, 23-21 triumph over Lanz Ralf Zafra. But Philip Joper Escueta and Paul John Pantig equalized the matchup with a 21-16, 21-16 win over Wen Xing Abel Tan and Jia Hao Howin Wong.

Solomon Padiz Jr. provided the crucial victory with a 21-10, 21-19 victory over Weng Soong Darrion Michael Ng.

A victory for Chinese Taipei over Singapore would earn the PH team a quarters spot scheduled on Friday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

Making the most out of the PBA break, Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel coach Tim Cone spent some quality time with his family and also recently met with Miami Heat mentor Erik Spoelstra during an NBA game Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time).

Cristina Cone, Tim’s wife, posted a photo of them on Twitter after the Heat defeated the Golden State Warriors 113-101 Tuesday at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

Great win tonight by the Miami Heat! Thankful for the tickets Congratulations coach Spo!! @manilacone pic.twitter.com/AyMCpUIHF7

— Cris Cone (@CristinaVCone) February 11, 2020

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“Great win tonight by the Miami Heat! Thankful for the tickets,” Cristina said in the tweet, with a smiling emoji. “Congratulations coach Spo!!” she added. Cone and his wife were joined by their son Kevin.

Cone and Spoelstra are known to have a close relationship that goes way back.

Both champion coaches also watched together an NBA Summer League game at courtside in 2014.

Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra watching the game. #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/U988nhUcz7

— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 18, 2014

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Spoelstra last visited the Philippines in 2012 for the NBA Trophy Tour.

The 49-year-old Fil-Am coach steered the Heat to back-to-back NBA titles in 2012 and 2013, led by the Big Three  — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Tiger Woods said Tuesday he’s been approached by organizers of a proposed Premier Golf League and said he has “delved into the details” trying to understand how the new circuit would work.

“My team’s been aware of it and we’ve delved into the details of it and trying to figure it out just like everyone else,” Woods said of the proposed 18-event tour.

Its events would run from January to September with 48-player fields in a four-man, 12-team format battling for $10 million purses at 54-hole events.

There would be an individual $2 million top prize at each event, as well as team prize money.

“There’s a lot of information that we’re still looking at and whether it’s reality or not, but just like everybody else, we’re looking into it,” Woods said.

Organizers are aiming to draw the top players from the US and European PGA Tours, but it’s not yet clear how players could compete on the new circuit and maintain their ties with the tours that made them stars.

“We’ve been down this road before,” Woods noted as he spoke to reporters at Riviera Country Club prior to teeing it up on Thursday in the US Tour’s Genesis Invitational.

He cited the World Golf Championships as an elite series created to bring together the world’s best golfers at events outside the four major championships and the US tour’s Players Championship — which consistently draws a strong international field.

“So this is a natural evolution,” he said, while remaining non-comittal on what the venture’s actual chances for success might be.

“Whether or not things like this are going to happen, ideas like this are going to happen going forward.”

Woods would be 46 if the league meets its aim of starting in 2022, but there’s no doubt he would be a top draw on any star-driven circuit.

But the ties of players like Woods to the established tours and their sponsors — he serves as host of this week’s event at Riviera which benefits his charitable foundation — make the matter complicated.

Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson said last month that he found the proposal “intriguing.”

In releasing plans for the league, the World Golf Group said it was their intention “to work with, rather than challenge, exiting tours.”

But Golf Channel reported that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan had sent a letter to players saying in the tour’s opinion the proposed league schedule is in conflict with the PGA Tour.

He noted that PGA Tour members are restricted to a limited number of non-tour “conflicting events” per season.

PGA Tour regulations also state that a member “cannot have a financial interest in another player,” a rule that could scupper Premier Golf League team ownership by any player that wants to maintain US tour membership.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Rookie Zion Williamson, who missed the last game with a sore ankle, scored a career-high 31 points as the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 138-117 on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old Williamson also had nine rebounds and five assists, while Josh Hart took advantage of a rare start by scoring 12 of his 17 points in the crucial third quarter.

“I hold myself to high expectations, but I think it’s just finding the line between reality and dreams,” Williamson said. “If my teammates find me, they find me. If not, I just got to make another play, get the rebound and just play defense.”

Williamson, the first pick in the 2019 NBA entry draft, missed the first three months of the season after suffering a knee injury in the offseason.

“I don’t really think he’s comparable to anyone that I have seen,” Portland forward Carmelo Anthony said of Williamson. “Someone who is as powerful as that, who jumps like that. You can tell he’s getting better.”

New Orleans trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half before pulling to within two at halftime. They outscored the Blazers 41-21 in the third quarter to improve to 23-31 on the season.

Hart started in place of all-star forward Brandon Ingram, who missed his second straight game because of a sprained ankle.

JJ Redick had 20 points off the bench, Jrue Holiday had 16 points and 10 assists, Frank Jackson scored 13 and Nicolo Melli had 10 in the win.

Damian Lillard has been the hottest player in the NBA but he was held to 20 points on Tuesday.

Heading into the game, Lillard was averaging 40 points over his last dozen contests. He missed all four of his three point attempts.

CJ McCollum also had 20 points and Anthony had 18 points in the loss.

Elsewhere, Australia’s Ben Simmons delivered his sixth triple-double of the season as the Philadelphia 76ers won their 25th home game with a 110-103 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Simmons, of Melbourne, finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and Cameroonian center Joel Embiid had 26 points and nine rebounds for the Sixers, who extended their win streak to three straight.

Josh Richardson scored 21 points, and Tobias Harris added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Sixers, who improved to a league-best 25-2 at home.

Kawhi Leonard tallied 30 points and nine assists while Landry Shamet added 19 points and Marcus Morris and Lou Williams had 13 apiece for the visiting Clippers, who fell to 1-2 on their four-game road trip.

Paul George finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The contest was tied 54-54 at halftime and the Sixers led 81-77 heading into the fourth quarter. Leonard led all scorers in the first half with 17 points. Simmons powered the Sixers with 16.

With just over five minutes to go, Leonard scored a basket to cut the deficit to 99-94.

Philadelphia immediately answered with a three-pointer from Richardson to push the lead back to eight points.

Richardson then completed a three-point play, and the Philadelphia lead was 11 points with 3:37 remaining.

“I itch for moments like that. In close games, we all want to be part of that positive effort and I had a part of it,” Richardson said.

The Clippers got within 109-100 with 81 seconds left after a three-point play by Leonard.

“We didn’t make shots (in the fourth quarter),” Leonard said. (Richardson) got to the paint, made some big 3s for them. He made shots.”

Embiid and Morris received a double technical after a scuffle under the basket with 2:48 left.

Also, James Harden and Russell Westbrook combined for 78 points, and the Houston Rockets snapped the Boston Celtics’ seven-game win streak with a 116-105 victory.

Source: Manila Bulletin