Martes, Hulyo 31, 2012

London Olympics: Barriga reaches final 16, keeps PHL medal hopes alive

Olympic boxer Mark Barriga gives Pinoys reason to cheer 






The Philippines' lone boxing Olympic bet Mark Anthony Barriga gave Filipinos reason to cheer when he defeated Italian Manuel Cappai Tuesday in the light flyweight category, keeping the country's medal hopes alive.

The Olympics have otherwise been a  series of disappointments so far for the medal-starved nation, as Pinay weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, skeet shooter Brian Rosario, and archer rachel Cabral have all been eliminated. 
During the fight, the 19-year-old Barriga used a strong first round to beat Cappai, 17-7, to advance to the final 16 of the Men’s Light Fly 49 kgs.
On August 3, Barriga will face Kazakhstan’s Birzhan Zhakypov, who won a close bout against Jeremy Baccu of France with a nail-biting score of 18-17.

Barriga has a chance to end the country's medal drought that has lasted 16 years. Boxer Onyok Velasco, also a light flyweight, won a silver at the Atlanta Games in 1996. 
Against going pro
Meanwhile, Barriga’s family in Panabo City in Davao del Norte was overjoyed.

However, they are not in favor of Barriga going pro and would like him to finish his studies first, a report of radio dzBB's Davao affiliate said.
The report said Barriga had to stop studies at the University of Mindanao to train for the London Olympic games.
In an interview over radio dzBB, one of Barriga's siblings said they were thankful for the prayers and support of the Filipino people for the Olympic team.
Barriga is the second of three children. His family said he already showed potential in boxing even when he was in elementary school. 


London Olympics 2012 Boxing, Day 4 Review: Marcano makes progress

Puerto Rico's Jantony Ortiz Marcano was one of a number of boxers to light up the ring on an exciting night of action at the ExCeL.




Jantony Ortiz Marcano of Puerto Rico
Jantony Ortiz Marcano of Puerto Rico enters the ring prior to his men's Light Fly Weight contest on Day 4 of London 2012.
Ortiz Marcano is eager to continue his island's fine Boxing tradition after moving into the last 16 of the Light Fly Weight category with a 20-6 win over Ghana's Tetteh Sulemanu.
Steeped in the stories of fighters like the great Felix Trinidad and two-weight world champion Daniel Santos, the last Puerto Rican boxer to win an Olympic medal in 1996, the nation's young team is targeting further glory.
Ortiz Marcano, who celebrated his 18th birthday last week, is one of four teenagers in the five-man Puerto Rican squad. The team's fifth member, Middle Weight Enrique Collazo, has already been knocked out of the tournament.
He certainly relished his Olympic debut, arriving in the ring with a huge smile on his face and proceeding to showcase a series of flashy moves as he took apart his opponent, establishing an 8-1 lead within three minutes.
Ortiz Marcano said: 'I was smiling going into the ring and coming out of the ring because that is how I feel and I don't want to change anything. I told my corner they had to keep smiling too. I fought well and I have a lot more to come.'
Spain's world number seven Jose de la Nieve Linares was surprised 14-11 by Carlos Quipo Pilataxi of Ecuador. The veteran Spaniard paid the price for a sluggish first round and struggled to match his opponent's workrate.
Earlier in the Light Fly Weight division, Cuba's Yosbany Veitia Soto scored the biggest win in the competition so far as he overcame Australia's Billy Ward 26-4. Filipino Mark Barriga also looked strong in a 17-7 win over Italy's Manuel Cappai.
At Light Welter Weight, India's Manoj Kumar set up a last-16 meeting with Great Britain's Thomas Stalker after pulling away from Serdar Hudayberdiyev in the final two rounds to record a 13-7 victory.

London Olympics: Protecting the Flame – whatever the weather

As the Olympic Torch Relay reaches the halfway stage, Producer Deborah Hale provides an insider's view of life on the road. Here she describes the work of the Torch Security Team, responsible for protecting the Flame as it travels around the UK.

Come rain or shine...
Love on the Olympic Torch Relay

Exactly halfway through the 70-day Torch Relay, the weather changed dramatically.
The sunshine that has followed the Torch pretty much everywhere it has travelled suddenly hid from us, and was replaced by storm clouds and high winds – really high winds, in fact, of up to 40 miles an hour.
As we travelled from Kendal in the Lake District towards Blackpool, the rain lashed down. But the public and the amazing Torch Relay team were undeterred. The Torchbearers donned waterproof ponchos and shivered on the roadside to wait patiently for their slots. The crowds rewarded them with cheers. Small children with rain dripping off their noses clapped their hands and shook the golden and rather soggy torches that they had made in school.
In the thick of things and getting more weather-worn than most was the Torch Security Team (TST). As I watched them getting drenched in the line of duty, I reflected on what an amazing team of individuals they are. Always smiling but constantly focused.
It is the job of the TST to protect the integrity of the Olympic Flame at all times and they have become something of a phenomenon in what is already a phenomenal Torch Relay.
These 35 men and women of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) were selected from 650 applicants. The youngest is 22, and the oldest is 50. They have been in training for 18 months and have a unique set of skills which they bring to their role. Of course, they are super fit – on a ‘running day’ they can cover up to 35 miles. But they also combine policing, protection and communication skills, all of which are on display in the way they interact with the Torchbearers and the public.
Come rain or shine they protect the Torchbearer and ensure that the Olympic Flame is exchanged properly at the point of the ‘kiss’. They are responsible for the safe transfer of the Flame back into the lantern when the day is done, and they protect it while we all sleep. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them after which they will all return to normal duties.
The public has taken them to their hearts, as have we, and they are now receiving dozens of emails of support from their MPS colleagues ever day.
As the Torch crew wear somewhat similar uniforms to the TST, I am regularly asked by people: ‘Are your legs sore?’ Sometimes I am tempted to pretend that I do, in fact, run all day and protect the Flame, but in truth I know that I cannot compare with this extraordinary group. I am very proud to call them part of our team.Come rain or shine...
Torchbearer Matilda Sayburn-Hughes is flanked by members of the Torch Security Team as she carries the Olympic Flame through a rainy Kendal.

London Olympics: Day 4 Review: Volleyball Men's competition wide open




Competition for medals in the men's Volleyball competition is heating up after another action-packed day of drama at Earls Court.
Poland's suffered a defeat that could cost them dearly as they were beaten by Bulgaria.

Andrea Anastasi's side had been installed as gold medal favourites by some after winning the World League but Bulgaria played them at their own game, hitting them off the court with a simple down-the-middle approach to win 22-25 27-29 25-13 23-25.

Bulgaria are now top of Group A, and they will be favourites to extend their unbeaten record against Australia.

Meanwhile, the United States once again staked their claim as they eased to a second successive win, beating Germany in straight sets.

Alan Knipe's defending champions were written off in the build-up to London 2012, with many believing their much-changed side could not match the achievements of the one that tasted success at Beijing 2008.

But they have a 100 per cent record from their two pool games so far, having beaten Serbia on Sunday and Vital Heynen's side today.

The true tests of their chances are still to come - they have to play arch-rivals Brazil - but their start has been an impressive one.

In the day's other games, Serbia recorded their first win of the tournament as they saw off Tunisia 3-1 and Italy are off and running in Pool A after seeing off a dangerous Argentina side 3-1.

Great Britain lost to Australia, while in the final game of the evening Brazil beat Russia.

London Olympics: Day 4 Review: Quarter-final line-up complete women's Football competition.

Steph Houghton's winning goal helped Great Britain secure a 1-0 victory over Brazil at Wembley tonight to complete the group stage of the women's Football competition.  





Great Britain celebrate
Stephanie Houghton celebrates with her team-mates after scoring against Brazil on Day 4 of London 2012.
In pure statistical terms, Houghton's third goal of the tournament meant Kelly Smith could afford to miss a second-half penalty as GB set up a last-eight clash with Canada.
The game was played in front of a British record 70,584 crowd for a women's Football match.
Meanwhile, Abby Wambach maintained reigning champions the USA's 100 per cent record in the competition with the defining moment of their narrow 1-0 victory over DPR Korea.
Wambach scored her 141st goal in her 185th appearance for her country at Manchester United's Old Trafford. It was enough to guarantee her side top spot in Group G, and a place in the quarter-finals against New Zealand.
South Africa battled their way to a first Olympic point while Japan advanced to the quarter-finals as Group F runners-up following a 0-0 draw at the Millennium Stadium.
Striker Kozue Ando and midfielder Asuna Tanaka wasted the best opportunities for Japan, who will take on Brazil for a place in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Elodie Thomis fired France into a quarter-final showdown with Sweden after a narrow 1-0 victory over Colombia.
The Lyon winger's early strike was enough to claim the points, although a resilient display by goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda and a second-half Colombian fightback ensured the result remained in doubt until the final whistle.
France, inspired by the classy Louisa Necib, took the lead with just five minutes gone when the pacy Thomis got in behind full-back Natalia Ariza and calmly chipped the advancing Sepulveda.
Striker Melissa Tancredi claimed a double as Canada came from behind to snatch a precious 2-2 Group F draw with Sweden.
John Herdman's side trailed 2-0 to goals from Marie Hammarstrom and SofiaJakobsson as the Swedes got off to a flying start.
But Tancredi reduced the deficit before the break and then claimed a later equaliserto ensure that both teams go through to the last eight.
New Zealand reached the quarter-finals after overcoming bottom-placed Cameroon 3-1 in Group E.

London Olympics: Preview: Magnussen among those going for gold


James Magnussen will get a chance to make up for the disappointment of missing out on a relay medal by winning gold in the men’s 100m Freestyle at the Aquatics Centre on Day 5 of London 2012.


Magnussen was a member of the Australia quartet that was strongly fancied to win the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay final on Sunday night, but the they finished in fourth place.
It was France who claimed relay gold at the weekend as Yannick Agnel flew past American Ryan Lochte on the final leg and 21-year-old world champion Magnussen will again have to try and get the better of Agnel.
Agnel will be eyeing a third gold medal of the Games after winning the 200m Freestyle on Monday night and American Nathan Adrian is also a threat, while Daniel Gyurta looks like the man to beat in the 200m Breaststroke final as he bids for his first Olympic gold medal.
China’s Jiao Liuyang will be aiming to go one better than her silver medal at Beijing 2008 when she lines up in the final of the women’s 200m Butterfly.
The USA’s Kathleen Hersey will have something to say about that and Japan’s Natsumi Hoshi is also expected to contest a place on the podium, while USA are the favourites to claim gold in the women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay.
After near misses in Cycling, Diving and Equestrian, Helen Glover and Heather Stanning have the opportunity to deliver Great Britain their first gold medal of the Games in the Rowing women’s Pair.
The home favourites are the crew to beat after recording three World Cup victories in 2012 and winning their heat in an Olympic best time.
Britain carry gold medal aspirations into the final of the men's eight too, although Germany are the crew to aim for having not lost a race in four years.
Bradley Wiggins hopes to carry his Tour de France-winning form into the men’s Cycling Time Trial and in the women’s version of the Time Trial, fellow Team GB rider Lizzie Armitstead will aim to win a medal after her impressive ride to claim silver in the Road Race on Sunday.
The final of the men’s Individual All-Around Artistic Gymnastics competition sees Japan’s Kohei Uchimura aim to add the Olympic title to the three consecutive gold medals he has won in the event at the World Championships.
More gold medals are also up for grabs in the Canoe Slalom, Diving, Fencing, Judo, Shooting, Table Tennis and Weightlifting, while the men’s Super Heavy Weight Boxing competition starts and there is the last round of group games in men’s Football.
Another point of interest comes in the Hockey, where Australia forward and five-time world World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer embarks on his bid to become his country's all-time leading scorer against Spain - this after taking his tally to 179 goals with his hat-trick against South Africa.

Day 4 Review: History in the pool - Michael Phelps


Spectators at the Aquatics Centre witnessed drama and history on Day 4 as Michael Phelps became the all-time most decorated Olympic athlete, while Ye Shiwen claimed a second title.


 Michael Phelps takes silver in the 200m Butterfly
Michael Phelps of USA competes in the men's 200m Butterfly final on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre.lps of USA competes in the men's 200m Butterfly final on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre.

Phelps moved alongside Larisa Latynina on 18 medals following the 200m Butterfly, although any sense of achievement may have been bittersweet given he was beaten at the touch by South African Chad le Clos and had to settle for silver.
The 27-year-old then anchored the United States 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay team to gold as he moved on to 19 medals - with Phelps now the owner of 15 gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
The Baltimore swimmer still has three races to come and is expected to finish his Olympic career with 22 medals.
The Bob Bowman-trained athlete paid tribute to his three relay team-mates, and said: 'I thanked those guys (in the huddle) for helping get to this moment.

I thanked those guys (in the huddle) for helping get to this moment.
Michael Phelps
'I told those guys I wanted a big lead in the last leg and they gave it to me.
'I just wanted to hold on, I just wanted to thank them for allowing me to have this moment.'
Phelps had the Butterfly won until the final metres but he got his finish wrong - his usual perfect spotting of the wall replaced with a glide that would have had Bowman tearing his hair out.
Phelps was disappointed but was philosophical, saying: 'Obviously I would have liked to have had a better outcome in the 200m fly.
'Chad swum a great race, I have got to know him over the last year, he is a hard worker, a fast racer and a tough competitor.
'I would have liked to have won my last race, but it wasn't a terrible time. It was decent.'
Le Clos was hugely emotional, crying on the podium, seemingly stunned by the magnitude of his achievement which saw the South African beat his idol by 0.05 seconds in 1:52.96.
He said: 'This is a dream of mine, I have always said Michael Phelps was my hero.
'I wanted to be in the final for my main event, I achieved that goal and my coach said you have done all you have to do.
'But I just remember sitting in the call room thinking that Michael Phelps has never lost this race for 10 years in international meets.
'I remember turning in the last 50 and just looking at him underwater and realising this is my hero, it's crazy.
'I can't describe how I felt. In the last 25 metres, I can't explain what came over me.'
'I'll have to try and defend my title in four years time, but to beat Michael Phelps is something I have wanted my whole life, it is exactly what I have been dreaming off since I was 12.'
Meanwhile, Ye followed up her victory in the 400m Individual Medley, with the 16-year-old adding the shorter Medley title.
Tonight she turned third after 150m before producing a blistering freestyle leg to win in a new Olympic record of 2:07.5.
Australian world champion James Magnussen was quickest into the 100m Freestyle final.

Sabado, Hulyo 28, 2012

Olympic Games 27 July - 12 August

Fireworks light up the stadium
The Italian Olympic team enters the stadium
Valentina Vezzali of the Italian Olympic team carries her country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. Five-time gold medal winner Vezzali is performing in her fifth Olympic Games in the women's Fencing, which starts on Saturday.
Fireworks light up the stadium
The Queen with Jacques Rogge
The Queen and Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), attend the Opening Ceremony. Rogge competed as a yachtsman over three Olympics - 1968, 1972 and 1976. This is his final Games as President of the IOC, a position he's held since 2001.
Fireworks light up the stadium
Fireworks ignite over the Olympic Stadium during the stunning Opening Ceremony.
The Olympic Cauldron is lit
The Olympic Cauldron is lit during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Cauldron was designed by internationally renowned creative thinker Thomas Heatherwick. His other work includes the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, the Rolling Bridge in Paddington and London's new red double-decker bus.
Fireworks light up the Opening Ceremony
Fireworks illuminate the sky during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. They ended the stunning visual extravaganza, directed by Danny Boyle.
Ireland team flies the flag
Ireland enter the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony. Teams calling themselves 'Ireland' first competed at the Games in 1908, the first time they were held in London. It was not until 1922 that Ireland was officially recognised as a competing nation.
The Olympic Stadium is illuminated during the Opening Cermony
The Olympic Stadium is illuminated in stunning blue during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Sabado, Hulyo 7, 2012

The Iglesia ni Cristo International Aid for Humanity (Lingap sa Mamamayan) today holds the Guinness Book of World Records



The Iglesia ni Cristo International Aid for Humanity (Lingap sa Mamamayan) today holds the Guinness Book of World Records for:


Most blood glucose level tests - 8 hours - 5,270
Most blood pressure readings taken in 8 hours - 8,026
Most people involved in a dental health check - 4,188



“You are now officially amazing!”
With this declaration, Guinness world record’s official adjudicator Tarika Vara certified that the international aid for humanity, or “lingap sa mamamayan,” which the Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) held in Manila on July 7, had broken three Guinness world records.
The whole-day medical-dental mission in the capital’s huge informal settlers’ community broke the world record for the largest dental health check.
It also broke two other world records—for the biggest number of blood pressure (BP) readings taken in eight hours and for the most numerous blood glucose level (BGL) tests, also conducted in eight hours.
The feat was also a win for the Philippines, organizers said.
Parola, Tondo
At the closing of the medical-dental mission in Parola, Tondo, on Saturday night, Vara announced that she and the Guinness partner auditor for the event had recorded 4,128 people who benefited from the dental health check, beating the record of 3,377 previously held by India.
Guinness also announced a record 8,026 BP readings and 5,217 BGL tests, which were conducted in cooperation with the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation.
The Kuwait Heart Foundation previously held the record of 7,203 BP readings taken in eight hours. The foundation achieved the record on Oct. 28, 2011.
The previous record for the most numerous BGL tests in eight hours was 3,573. It was achieved at an event organized by the Novo Nordisk Education Foundation in Bangalore, India on Nov. 13, 2011.
“This was a truly extraordinary event,” Vara said of the INC achievement, as she made the announcement.
“I have truly not seen anything like this not just as a representative of Guinness world record, but in my life. I’ve never seen an organization so dedicated to helping other people free of charge all day from 10 past 10 in the morning to 10 past nine at night,” she said.
Vara said she did not know of any other organization in the world that was able to break three records in just one event.
Guinness seal
“I would like to say that I was extremely pleased (and) moved, and I’m just completely humbled by the fact that you gave your services today. The standards were incredibly high. All of you ensured that you were following the Guinness world record guidelines which I was adamant you had to. So, thank you for listening to me. You are now, officially amazing!” Vara said.
Medicines, relief bags
She raised the “Guinness world record” seal amid shouts of joy from volunteers, organizers and beneficiaries who stayed on for the announcement.
Aside from providing medical and dental consultations, the lingap sa mamamayan distributed medicines to thousands of residents in Tondo, particularly those from Parola, Baseco and Isla Puting Bato.
Volunteers from the INC and the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation also distributed 50,000 bags of relief that contained 5 kilos of rice each, noodles and canned goods.
In a statement, INC executive minister Eduardo V. Manalo said the INC members were doing this in accordance with the biblical teachings to love and care for others, especially those who have less in life.
The aid for humanity in Tondo was also done to commemorate the INC’s 98th anniversary this month.
Homeless
The INC holds regular aid-for-humanity activities, especially in areas stricken by calamities. Just two months ago, fire hit the Parola compound and Isla Puting Bato, leaving at least 5,000 residents homeless.
Glicerio B. Santos Jr., INC general auditor, said the aid for humanity in Tondo was the biggest so far.
Some 200 doctors, 600 paramedics, and hundreds of nurses and other volunteers, led by Glicerio Santos III, helped to make the daylong outreach a success.
Organizers said close to 100,000 people, most of them living in the slums of Tondo, flocked to the event.
The aid for humanity also provided X-ray, ultrasound, 2D-echo and laboratory services, and set up 10 hospital beds where minor surgeries could be performed. Aside from medicines, several wheelchairs were also given to needy folks.
Vara said this was an “incredible feat” because the thousands who had flocked to the area, had been given proper attention by the doctors, nurses and paramedics, complete with the necessary medication to address their ailments.
Hospital setting
“And it wasn’t just about achieving Guinness world records,” she said, noting that there was treatment and assessment of what was wrong with the people who came to the vast makeshift structure that emulated a hospital setting at the heart of Tondo’s slums.
The distribution of relief  started at around 8 a.m. Medical and dental services opened at 10:10 a.m. and were conducted for eight hours straight. Counters from SGV, Guinness’ partner in the event, ensured strict compliance with Guinness guidelines.
At 6:10 p.m., the counting was officially stopped, although the checkup continued for hundreds still in line.