Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: March 30, 2009 Gregory Bauge of France beat Azizulhasni Awang of Malaysia to capture the men’s individual sprint title and pick up the final gold medal on the closing day of the track world championships in Pruszkow, Poland. Guo Shuang of China won the women’s keirin, and Giorgia Bronzini of Italy won the women’s points race. Leigh Howard of Australia took the men’s omnium gold; Taylor Phinney of the United States finished sixth. Australia topped the medal table with 10, including four golds. The New York Times A version of this article appeared in print on March 30, 2009, on page D6 of the New York edition.

kosmo.com.my ATLET lumba basikal negara dilihat memiliki peluang cerah untuk meraih pingat pada Sukan Olimpik London 2012 jika prestasi semasa menjadi ukuran. Kejayaan Azizulhasni Awang meraih pingat perak acara pecut individu dan Mohd. Rizal Tisin yang memenangi pingat gangsa dalam acara 1km ujian masa individu membawa petanda awal bahawa mereka mampu melakar kejutan pada temasya di London kelak. Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Zolkples Embong ( gambar ) berkata, pihaknya berasa bangga dengan kejayaan atlet lumba basikal negara di pentas antarabangsa dan ini membuktikan bahawa mereka boleh melangkah lebih jauh lagi jika terus diberi pendedahan yang sewajarnya. Menurutnya, menyedari kemampuan yang dipamerkan oleh atlet lumba basikal negara maka MSN tidak teragak-agak untuk meletakkan sukan tersebut antara tiga sukan termasuk badminton dan memanah disenaraikan dalam program Road To London 2012 yang bertujuan untuk memburu pingat pada temasya di London. &quo

Oleh Lukman Salleh lukmsal@bharian.com.my AZIZULHASNI (depan) memberi saingan sengit kepada pelumba Perancis, Bague dalam final acara pecut di Kejohanan Dunia di Pruszkow, kelmarin. Ikon baru sukan negara kini galas harapan raih emas AZIZULHASNI Awang dan Rizal Tisin meninggalkan velodrom Arena BGZ Pruszkow dengan membawa reputasi pelumba yang perlu diberi perhatian dalam menuju saingan Sukan Olimpik 2012 London. Kejayaan memenangi pingat perak (Azizulhasni) dan gangsa (Rizal) acara pecut dan ujian masa pada Kejohanan Trek Dunia, menyuntik keyakinan kepada peminat lumba basikal tanah air bahawa ikon baru sukan negara ini mampu membawa pulang kilauan emas dari London. Itulah keyakinan dan kepercayaan yang dikongsi bersama Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Zolkples Embong dan Timbalan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (MNCF) Datuk Naim Mohamad. "Kedua-dua pelumba ini terutama sekali Azizulhasni

PRUSZKOW (Poland): Malaysian sprinter Azizul Hasni Awang helped put Asia's track cycling reputation into orbit on Sunday when he almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport. Only an hour after China's star Shuang Guo had given the Asians a huge boost with her maiden world title, in the women's keirin, Azizul came close to grabbing a first ever gold for his country in the men's sprint. In the end, Azizul, Malaysia's flag-bearer at the Beijing Olympics, had to settle for silver as Frenchman Gregory Bauge powered his way to the finish line, and victory, after Azizul had forced a third-leg decider. It meant Malaysia finished with two medals after Mohd Rizal Tisin had made history earlier in the week by claiming bronze -- Malaysia's first medal at the World Championships -- in the four-lap kilometre won by Stefan Nimke of Germany. After being given a scare by Azizul, Bauge's cries of joy and relief echoed around the velodr

AZIZULHASNI masih dianggap bayi dalam lumba basikal tetapi dia mempunyai cukup ramuan untuk bergelar juara dunia. PRUSZKOW: Pelumba pecut negara, Azizulhasni Awang, bukan saja mengangkat martabat sukan berbasikal negara, malah rantau Asia apabila dia hampir berjaya mencatatkan kejutan terbesar dalam sejarah sukan ini. Hanya sejam selepas bintang China, Shuang Guo selepas meraih pingat dunia sulung menerusi acara keirin wanita, Azizul hampir mencatat sejarah meraih emas pertama untuk Malaysia dalam acara pecut lelaki. Namun akhirnya, pembawa Jalur Gemilang di Sukan Olimpik Beijing itu terpaksa berpuas hati dengan perak selepas pelumba Perancis, Gregory Bauge memecut ke garisan penamat selepas Azizul berjaya mengajak berlumba ke penentuan ketiga. Selepas maruahnya tercalar akibat saingan yang dipersembahkan Azizul, Bauge mengakui dia terpaksa berhempas pulas untuk menewaskan pelumba negara. “Dia begitu licik seperti monyet dan liar sert

FOLLOWING their triumph in the recent India Open, doubles pair Beh Lee Wei and Ng Sock Khim eye another good showing in the World Individual Table Tennis Championships in Yokohama on April 28-May 5. Lee Wei-Sock Khim aim to go one better than their last-16 achievement at the 2007 edition in Zagreb. Lee Wei, an 11-time national singles champion and Sock Khim, a silver medallist at the 2007 Korat Sea Games, also fancy their chances in the women's singles event. Lee Wei, the World No 159th, finished second in the singles at the India Open. Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) honorary secretary Chan Foong Keong said a good performance from the duo and their compatriots at the world meet is important towards building their confidence for the Laos Sea Games. "Lee Wei-Sock Khim have improved tremendously over the years and the association hopes they improve their standing at the world meet," said Foong Keong on Sunday. "The association is aware

PRUSZKOW: Jurulatih berbasikal trek negara, John Beasley, mengakui betapa peluang yang dihidangkan untuk kembali melatih skuad negara asalnya adalah suatu yang menarik. Namun Beasley yang pernah menjadi jurulatih kepada juara pecut dan keirin Olimpik 2004, Ryan Bayley sebelum digantikan pengendali Kanada, Martin Barras, menyatakan keutamaannya ketika ini adalah untuk meyakinkan pihak berkuasa Malaysia supaya memberikan sokongan yang lebih padu. Sejak beberapa tahun lalu, semakin ramai pelumba muda negara dilahirkan dalam acara trek menyaksikan mereka berjaya meraih pengiktirafan serta memenangi perlumbaan dalam siri elit Piala Dunia, menyaingi kuasa besar seperti Britain, Perancis, Australia dan Jerman. Kelmarin, pada final acara pecut lelaki Kejohanan Trek Dunia, pelumba negara, Azizulhasni Awang hampir mencatatkan kejutan terbesar ketika berdepan pelumba Perancis, Gregory Bauge sebelum pengalaman memisahkan pelumba negara. Selepas memenangi siri keirin Piala Dunia pada awal

Oleh Norbakti Alias Ini waktunya Ismail Sabri perlu sokong rakyat Malaysia yang mahu takluk dunia KEJAYAAN dua pelumba basikal trek - Azizulhasni Awang dan Mohd Rizal Tisin yang masing-masing meraih pingat perak dan gangsa di Kejohanan Trek Dunia di Pruszkow, Poland, menandakan atlit berbasikal negara kini sudah benar-benar bertaraf dunia. Seperti kata Timbalan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (MNCF), Datuk Naim Mohamad yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Trek persekutuan itu, zaman sekadar melayakkan diri ke Kejohanan Dunia sudah berlalu, kini fasa untuk menggapai kedudukan terpuji dan meraih pingat. Mungkin jika kenyataan ini dibuat dulu, ramai yang tersenyum sinis, namun program yang diatur MNCF termasuk mengadakan pangkalan latihan di Melbourne, Australia di bawah jurulatih, John Beasley, kini sudah membuahkan hasil. Penulis juga tumpang berbangga dengan kejayaan kedua-dua pelumba itu yang sememangnya dinanti-nantikan

bhsukan@bharian.com.my FAIRUL Izwan kutip 18 mata hasil sembilan perlawanan. Kekal dahului Kumpulan Satu Lawn Bowl Piala Dunia PEMAIN negara, Fairul Izwan Abdul Muin terus mencatat kemenangan selesa termasuk menewaskan pemain ranking kelima dunia, Leif Selby untuk kekal mendahului liga kumpulan dalam Kejohanan Lawn Bowl Piala Dunia di Warilla, New South Wales, Australia, semalam. Fairul Izwan yang kini mengutip 18 mata hasil sembilan perlawanan mengejutkan Selby yang juga pemain pilihan dengan 10-5, 7-6, selepas turut menang perlawanan terdahulu dengan menundukkan pemain China, Bing Leung Cheung 12-1, 15-1 untuk mengungguli Kumpulan Satu. Hari keempat kejohanan itu semalam turut menyaksikan seorang lagi pemain negara yang juara bertahan, Safuan Said, mencatat kemenangan ke atas pemain Norfolk Islands, Phil Jones 15-4 11-4 untuk menduduki tempat kedua Kumpulan Dua. Namun pemain ranking pertama dunia itu terpaksa akur kepada pem

THE National Juniors will head to Seville on Sunday to play in a Four-Nation which will be the last tournament before the Junior World Cup on June 7-21 which will be co-hosted by Malaysia and Singapore. The Four-Nation will be a real dry run as Malaysia will be up against two teams who are in their group in the Junior World Cup. Malaysia, England, Spain and Germany make up the Four-Nation cast, while in the Junior World Cup Malaysia are in Group C with Spain, England, South Korea and United States. "It will be an opportunity to size up England and Spain, and I am sure they will be doing the same with us. "This will be the last tournament as we only have friendlies lined-up after Seville," said Juniors coach K. Rajan. Rajan has selected 21 players for the Four-Nation which will also be a selection of sorts for the World Cup. "I will get a chance to test some players who are borderline cases after which I will have a clearer picture of the fi

WASITAH (berdiri dua dari kanan) bergambar kenangan bersama pasukan yang menyertai Kejohanan Futsal Perpaduan di Pusat Futsal Purnama, Kamunting baru-baru ini. TERNYATA usaha Rakan Muda Kementerian Belia dan Sukan mendekati remaja sebagai usaha mempromosikan gaya hidup sihat, cergas sambil menerapkan nilai-nilai perpaduan menerusi sukan sebagai mekanisme memberi hasil yang positif. Kejohanan Futsal Perpaduan yang dianjurkannya bersama Kelab Sukan SportsUnite pada 28 Mac lalu di Pusat Futsal Purnama, Kamunting, Perak membuktikan wawasan Rakan Muda ini mampu dicapai sekiranya program untuk remaja dapat disusun secara komprehensif. Sambutan untuk kejohanan tersebut sangat menggalakkan sehingga penganjur terpaksa menerima penyertaan melebihi kuota yang dihadkan. Sekalipun menetapkan hanya 48 pasukan untuk kategori Bawah 25, sebanyak 66 pasukan mendaftar yang bukan sahaja disertai oleh pasukan sekitar Parlimen Bukit Gantang, malah dari Lembah Kelang, Pulau Pinang dan Alor Setar, Kedah.

Julia Wong lost a golden opportunity to secure her first international title. LAST week's India Open in Hyderabad was clearly a test of character for Hafiz Hashim (below) and while he has not done really enough to impress the BA of Malaysia (BAM), there was a positive intent from the struggling shuttler. Hafiz was not expected to reach the final but his path was made easier after World No 1 Lee Chong Wei's exit, due to food poisoning, in the first round to Chen Long of China. Had Chong Wei not suffered the ailment, he could have gone on to meet Hafiz in the semi-finals and that probably would have ended the latter's run. However, Hafiz remains unpredictable as his failure to take advantage of a winning situation coming for the first time in more than two years, still baffles many. His fitness level looked better while his laid back style did help him play without much pressure, but the same attitude had also cost him the title. Hafiz was taken to thr

PRUSZKOW, Poland - Selepas hampir melakukan kejutan terbesar dalam sejarah sukan basikal trek dunia, Azizulhasni Awang ( gambar ) mula menjadi sebutan sehingga ada yang melabelkannya sebagai bakal juara pecut Sukan Olimpik akan datang. Di kalangan beberapa pemerhati sukan berbasikal trek dunia sendiri meramalkan pelumba kelahiran Terengganu itu memiliki ciri-ciri yang mampu menjadikannya seorang jaguh yang digeruni. Legenda basikal trek Perancis, Arnaud Tournant sendiri misalnya mengagumi skil yang dimiliki Azizulhasni sehingga menyifatkan sebagai pelumba paling berbakat ketika ini. "Dia cukup pantas, taktikal dan juga cukup berbakat walaupun bertubuh kecil. Dan kerana badannya yang kecil itulah, dia mampu melakukan sesuatu yang luar biasa yang kita tidak terfikir," kata bekas pelumba yang masih memegang rekod dunia 1 kilometer ujian masa itu kepada AFP . Hanya kesilapan strategi dan cetek pengalaman membuatkan Azizulhasni terpaksa akur dengan kehebatan lawannya dari

Head coach John Beasley has been reported as saying he is not too satisfied with the arrangements in terms of support for the track programme in Malaysia. JUST a day after Malaysia completed an historic outing in the UCI Track World Championships in Pruskow, Poland, a potential face-off between head coach John Beasley and the National Sports Council (NSC) is on the cards. NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong Beasley was reported by news agency AFP to have admitted he welcomed a chance to work again with his native Australia, while adding that his priorities were towards "convincing Malaysia's sports authorities to give him solid backing." Not just that, the Australian who was also responsible for the success of 2004 double Olympic champion Ryan Bayley, seemed to imply that he was not too comfortable with the arrangements of support for the track programme. Since 2006, the track sprints programme that is based in Melbourne has been gradually expa

hafiz.aziz@utusan.com.my KUALA LUMPUR - Faktor usia yang masih muda bakal menjadikan Azizulhasni Awang dan Rizal Tisin lebih konsisten pada masa akan datang. Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Datuk Sieh Kok Chi melihat peluang kedua-dua atlet berbasikal trek negara itu lebih cerah memandang usia atlet tersebut yang muda tetapi telah memperoleh pingat serta membuat rekod baru. ''Saya tidak menolak kemungkinan prestasi mereka akan lebih baik daripada Josiah Ng ekoran pada usia muda mereka telah mendapat kecemerlangan. ''Prestasi mereka boleh meningkat ke tahap yang lebih tinggi kerana kini mereka telah memenangi pingat kejohanan dunia dan memegang rekod Asia sukan tersebut,'' katanya ketika ditemui Utusan Malaysia di Wisma MOM, di sini semalam. Kelmarin, Azizulhasni berjaya menyumbang pingat perak menerusi acara pecut pada Kejohanan Dunia manakala Rizal Tisin turut meraih gangsa menerusi acara 1km ujian masa sekali gus melakar sejarah lebih 5

KUALA LUMPUR – Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) sedia memenuhi apa jua permintaan jurulatih berbasikal, John Beasley dalam usaha untuk mengekalkannya terus melatih pelumba trek negara. Ketua Pengarah MSN, Datuk Zolkples Embong berkata, pihaknya juga bersedia memberi pasukan sokongan sepenuh masa seperti mekanik, pakar sains sukan, fisioterapi dan tukang urut jika itu yang Beasley mahukan. “Memang sebelum ini pun MSN memberikan apa yang diminta John kerana kita tahu dia seorang yang cukup profesional. “Cuma ingin saya tegaskan, John tidak pernah menyatakan kepada kami yang dia memerlukan satu pasukan sokongan sepenuh masa. “Malah dalam perbincangan kami untuk mengikatnya sebagai jurulatih awal tahun ini, dia sendiri menyatakan tidak perlu itu semua (pasukan sokongan). “Apa pun kami akan berbincang semula mengenainya jika itu yang dia mahu apabila John tiba ke Malaysia dari Poland, esok (hari ini),” kata Zolkples. Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas kenyataan Beasley kepada AF

By RAJES PAUL KUALA LUMPUR: Women’s singles shuttler Julia Wong is virtually assured of a place in the Malay­sian team for the Sudirman Cup world mixed team championships in Guangzhou from May 10-17. But the race is open for the re­­maining spot in the team for a men’s back-up squad player. National chief coach Rashid Si­dek said that Julia had justified her selection with good performances in the India Open while the men’s back-up squad singles player will only be named after the Asian Championships (ABC) in Suwon, South Korea, from April 7-12. The 21-year-old Julia came close to winning her first international Open title in Hyderabad on Sunday. She went down fighting to Pi Hongyan of France in the final. Julia Wong posing on the podium with her medal and cheque in Hyderabad on Sunday. - AFP “Julia used to be a drab player and known for engaging her opponent in long rallies. But she now has more flair in her game,” said Rashid. “She now dares to attack her oppon

PELARI 110 berpagar negara, Mohd. Robani Hassan dan jaguh lompat bergalah, Roslinda Samsu menjadi calon utama Anugerah Olahragawan/Olahragawati Masum, hujung minggu ini. KUALA LUMPUR - Atlet olahraga negara, Robani Hassan dan Roslinda Samsu antara calon utama Anugerah Olahragawan dan Olahragawati Majlis Sukan Universiti Malaysia (Masum) yang akan berlangsung di Kuantan, hujung minggu ini. Robani selaku wakil Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) berdepan empat pencalonan lain antaranya atlet boling, Mohammad Zaim Zufadli dari Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysai (UIAM). Sementara Roslinda pula bersaing dengan atlet bola jaring Universiti Malaya (UM), Yap Sou Keun dan tiga lagi atlet dari universiti yang lain. Roslinda yang juga atlet lompat bergalah negara merupakan pemenang pada tahun sebelumnya. Pemenang anugerah akan menerima habuan RM3,000 dan trofi. Sementara itu, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Promosi dan Penajaan majlis, Nur Ekmal Buhary berkata, anugerah itu memberi pengiktirafan

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim will have to show that the fire he rekindled in the just concluded India Open will not be extinguished again. And he gets the chance to do so in the Asian Championships (ABC), which will be held in Suwon, South Korea, from April 7-12. National chief coach Rashid Si­­dek, however, did not want to read too much into Hafiz’s good run in Hyderabad where he was beaten by Indonesian Taufik Hidayat in the final. Throughout the tournament, Hafiz showed that he was determined to prove a point, especially after the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had given him an ultimatum to shape up or ship out following mediocre performances since winning the 2006 Philippines Open. Mohd Hafiz Hashim (left) and Taufik Hidayat showing off their medals after the men's singles final on Sunday. - AP “Hafiz is still the skilful player we all know. In India this time, he was able to push himself, probably because of the stern warning from the BAM,”

KUALA LUMPUR - Dua daripada anggota regu emas Sukan SEA 2005, Normanizam Ahmad dan Futra Ghani menyuarakan kesediaan kembali menyarung jersi negara khususnya bagi menghadapi Sukan SEA Laos, Disember ini sekiranya ada pelawaan Persatuan Sepak Takraw Malaysia (PSM). Malah, secara merendah diri, Normanizam, 27, tekong regu yang mengakhiri kemarau emas 12 tahun negara dengan Futra (pelibas) dan pengumpan, Zulkarnain Ariff di Cebu, Filipina, sempat bertanya kepada Utusan Malaysia , semalam: "Tak kan mereka (PSM) mahu memanggil saya balik?" "Tapi jika ada pelawaan, apa salahnya," kata pemain kelab Sri Putra selain Futra dan Ariff Ramli yang muncul naib juara siri ujian kedua 2009 setelah dikalahkan regu elit negara, Malaysia B 2-1 dalam perlawanan akhir di Kompleks Sukan Majlis Sukan Negara, Taman Keramat di sini, semalam. Selepas sekadar membawa pulang dua perak Sukan Asia Doha 2006, trio emas ini terbabit dalam adegan 'tarik tali' dengan PSM berhubung isu ker

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Two national lawn bowlers who are supposed to send their letters of appeal to the Appeals Board of the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Association (MLBA) concerning their suspension, have instead sent letters of protest to the Disciplinary Board last Monday. Siti Zalina Ahmad said she and her colleague, Norhashimah Ismail, decided to send the protest letter directly to the chairman of the MLBA Disciplinary Board, Datuk Ir Mohd Anas Mohd Nor in response to the letters of suspension issued by the Board. "We decided to send the letter of protest instead of the letter of appeal as instructed by the MLBA earlier because we are not guilty in this case," she told Bernama, here today. The bowler, who is now ranked third in the world, said she hoped with the intervention from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the National Sports Council (NSC) the MLBA would resolve the case fairly. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) --- Six Malaysian table-tennis players are now in Beijing, China to undergo a month-long training programme in preparation for the World Individual Table-Tennis Championship in Yokohama, Japan from April 28 until May 5. Table-Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) executive director Soong Poh Wah said the national squad were training at the Zheng Ding International Training Centre in Beijing since last Saturday and they would be leaving for Japan on April 26. "The national squad will compete in all the five categories offered for contest at the championship in Japan," he said when contacted by Bernama, here Monday. The six players undergoing the training are Ng Sock Kim, Beh Lee Wei, Muhd Shakirin Ibrahim, Chai Kian Beng, Kho Mao Sheng and Chui Soo Jiin. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- National athletes lead the challenge for the Malaysian Universities Sports Council (Masum) 2009 sportsman and sportswoman awards in Kuantan on April 4. Hurdler champion Roslinda Samsu of UPM and netball player Yap Sou Kuen of UM have been nominated for the sportswoman award while Robani Hassan of UPM (hurdle) and Mohd Syahir Asraf Rosli of UiTM (rugby) for the sportsman award. Each university is allowed to nominate only one athlete in each category, Masum Promotion and Sponsorship Committee chairman Nur Ekmal Bukhary told reporters after a briefing on the awards today. He said three new categories were introduced this year -- most promising sportsman, most promising sportswoman and a special award. Other athletes nominated for the sportswoman award were Radiah Hassan of IIUM (silat), Fazilla Slyvester Silin of UiTM (hockey) and Wong Sim Yih of UTM (volleyball). Other nominees lined-up for the sportsman award are Mohammad Zaim Zulfadli of IIUM (bow

AZIZULHASNI (kiri) ketika bersaing dengan Ross Edgar pada aksi suku akhir di Pruszkow kelmarin. PRUSZKOW - Jaguh lumba basikal negara, Azizulhasni Awang mencipta sejarah tersendiri apabila meraih pingat perak dalam acara pecut individu pada Kejohanan Trek Dunia di Pruszkow, Poland semalam. Pelumba kelahiran Terengganu itu tewas kepada Gregory Bauge dari Perancis pada perlumbaan peringkat akhir. Azizulhasni mempamerkan semangat juang tinggi apabila memenangi pusingan kedua dengan catatan 10.499 saat setelah tewas pada pusingan pertama kepada lawannya itu dengan catatan 10.406s. Kedua-dua pelumba itu kemudiannya terpaksa bersaing di pusingan ketiga dengan menyaksikan Bauge memenangi pusingan itu dengan catatan 10.281s sekali gus memaksa Azizulhasni sekadar berpuas hati dengan pingat perak. Sebelum itu, Azizulhasni menundukkan jaguh Australia, Shane Perkins pada peringkat separuh akhir. Pencapaian Azizulhasni, yang juga merupakan pelumba harapan negara pada Sukan Olimpik 2012 di L

Men’s doubles champions Lee Wan Wah (left) and Choong Tan Fook pose with their medals and award cheque in Hyderabad yesterday. The Malaysian pair defeated Singapore’s Hendri Kurniawan and Hendra Wijaya 21-9, 21-11. — AFPpic HAFIZ Hashim's attempt to win his first international crown was thwarted by former Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia but veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah saved the day for Malaysia by capturing the India Open doubles crown in Hyderabad yesterday. Hafiz's focus wavered at crucial stages which allowed Taufik to snatch a 21-18, 21-19 win in 30 minutes to claim his first title as a professional. However, Tan Fook-Wan Wah played as though they were in a hurry to catch their flight home thrashing Singapore's Hendri Kurniawan-Hendra Wijaya 21-9, 21-11 in just 17 minutes. Julia Wong earlier blew a chance of capturing her first international crown when she was beaten 17-21, 21-15, 21-14 in 54 minutes. But the focus was on Hafiz, w

JULIA terpaksa akur kepada kehebatan Pi Hongyan pada perlawanan akhir perseorangan wanita Terbuka India semalam. NASIB berbeza dialami kem badminton negara pada Kejohanan Terbuka India semalam apabila pasangan beregu veteran berjaya muncul juara ketika dua lagi pemain perseorangan tersungkur di peringkat akhir. Pilihan utama, Chong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah mempamerkan kelas tersendiri dengan menumpaskan pasangan Singapura, Hendri Kurniawan Saputra-Hendra Wijaya 21-9, 21-11 untuk menjuarai acara beregu lelaki pada aksi di Stadium Gachibowli, Hyderabad itu. "Mereka tidak bermain dengan baik, banyak melakukan kesilapan dan kami pun terus mengutip mata untuk memenangi permainan sejak set pertama. "Ia satu perlawanan yang agak mudah bagi kami," kata Wan Wah mengenai kejayaan mereka semalam. Begitupun, nasib berbeza pula menimpa dua pemain perseorangan negara, Mohd. Hafiz Hashim dan Julia Wong Pei Xian yang tumpas di peringkat akhir. TAN FOOK (kanan) dan Wan Wah mudah men

AZMAN (kiri) dan Kelly muncul juara bagi kategori lelaki dan wanita pada Kejohanan Golf Juara Kelab yang berakhir di Batu Gajah, Perak kelmarin. PEMAIN muda menguasai saingan pada Kejohanan Golf Juara Kelab di Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort Batu Gajah, Perak kelmarin. Saingan bagi kategori lelaki menjadi milik Mohd. Azman, 25, dari kelab Golf Bukit Jawi selepas menewaskan juara tahun lepas, Kalana Ibrahim dari Kelab Golf Miri serta Lee Ka Tung (Kelab Golf Sibu). Kategori wanita pula menjadi milik pemian daripada Kelab Golf Bukit Banang, Johor, Kelly Tan, pemain yang mendahului sehingga pada pusingan pertama. Kelmarin, dia melakukan 3 pukulan di bawah par 69 sekali gus membolehkannya menjulang gelaran juara. Azman yang memulakan saingan hari terakhir itu dengan ketinggalan satu pukulan di belakang Ka Tung, mencatat dua birdie pada lubang keempat dan keenam (kedua-duanya par 5) menamatkan kempennya dengan catatan keseluruhan 2 di bawah par 142. Dia meninggalkan Ka Tung dan Haf

AZIZUL HASNI AWANG AFTER the disappointment of missing the keirin final on Thursday, Azizul Hasni Awang got the medal he wanted when the pint-sized sprinter took the 200m sprint silver after a battling performance last night. The 21-year-old lost out to fastest qualifier Gregory Bauge of France in the second meeting en route to Malaysia's first ever silver medal at the UCI Track World Championships in Pruszkow, Poland. The reigning Asian champion in sprint, Azizul lost the first heat by a millimetre to Bauge in the first heat of the final but won the second by a clear margin, before losing out in the decider. This came a day after Rizal Tisin delivered Malaysia's first ever medal at the World Championships when he won the bronze in the 1km time trial in Asian record time. But the 21-year-old felt that without a crucial error in the decider he could have caused a major upset. "I'm still happy with my silver medal. It's not too bad, but I&#

ZHIYUN (kiri) dan O'Halloran meraikan kemenangan mereka pada Triatlon Antarabangsa Tasik Kenyir 2009 semalam. MATHIEU O'Halloran dan Lin Zhiyun masing-masing menjuarai kategori terbuka lelaki dan wanita pada Kejohanan Triatlon Antarabangsa Tasik Kenyir 2009 yang berakhir di Pengkalan Gawi semalam. O'Halloran, 23, dari Kanada mengungguli edisi kelima itu dengan catatan masa dua jam dua minit 19 saat untuk meraih hadiah wang tunai RM1,800. Pertandingan anjuran Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah (Ketengah) itu memerlukan peserta mengharungi acara berenang sejauh 1.5 kilometer, berbasikal (40km) dan larian sejauh 10km. Tempat kedua dimenangi oleh peserta Singapura, Sikhander Singh dengan catatan masa 2:07:38s manakala peserta tempatan, Barry Lee Chun Sing menduduki tempat ketiga dengan catatan masa 2:13:22s. Lin Zhiyun, 22, dari Singapura muncul sebagai peserta terbaik kategori wanita dengan mencatatkan masa 2:28:10s untuk mengalahkan peserta Britain, Emma Bishop yang

THE docile world of lawn bowls was rocked by allegations of indiscipline and match-fixing recently which will be high on the agenda of the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) annual general meeting (AGM) today. MLBF meetings are usually placid affairs but this year's AGM to be chaired by president Tun Ahmad Sarji Hamid (pic) at the Bayuemas Oval in Klang is expected to be a torrid affair. The suspensions of a trio of national lawn bowlers -- Siti Zalina Ahmad, Nor Hashimah Ismail and Maisarah Aminluddin -- are expected to be discussed as is Siti Zalina's match-fixing allegations. The trio were issued suspensions ranging from six to 18 months by the MLBF disciplinary committee earlier this month for an incident during a training session last October when two of the lawn bowlers were alleged to have started a fight. MLBF secretary Ramble Dallan Rice Oxley declined to comment on the matter except to say that the AGM will discuss all issues currently facing the

Oleh Azidan Nahar azidan@bharian.com.my Rangsangan buat Linda PINGAT perak dan layak ke Sukan Sea mengiringi kepulangan jaguh lompat bergalah negara, Roslinda Samsu (gambar) ke tanah air selepas menyertai kejohanan kompetitif pertamanya di Terbuka Taiwan, Khamis lalu. Walaupun hanya melakukan lompatan setinggi 4.14 meter, ia tampak sudah mencukupi bagi memberikannya landasan baik untuk lebih menyerlah tahun ini dengan sasaran layak ke Kejohanan Dunia di Berlin, Ogos nanti. Roslinda melakukan lompatan bermula pada ketinggian 3.84 seterusnya 3.94, 4.04 dan 4.14m, semuanya dengan sekali lompatan sebelum gagal dalam usahanya melepasi ketinggian 4.24m. Pencapaiannya yang memiliki rekod peribadi terbaik 4.40m yang juga rekod kebangsaan itu tampak tidak begitu memberangsangkan tetapi jurulatihnya, Manshahar Abdul Jalil menegaskan anak didiknya baru berada pada tahap permulaan. "Ini adalah kejohanan pertama disertai, kita sebenarny

IT was just the start to the season Roslinda Samsu (pic) wanted after winning a silver medal at the Taiwan Pole Vault Invitational Championship in Kaohsiung on Friday. Roslinda was content with second placing despite only managing to clear 4.14m, far from her personal best of 4.40m, as the meet was only meant as a warm-up for the year ahead. The 26-year-old pole vaulter from Kedah is more concerned with getting her technique right as she attempts to qualify for the World Championships in August. "I am quite pleased with my performance. For my first competition of the season, winning a silver is fantastic," said Roslinda. "As I have only just returned to training (after a break for studies), I'm not yet into my full run-up and the poles I'm using now are the soft ones. "But I'll be better prepared for my next competition which could be the Thai Open (at the end of April)." The Taiwan meet was Roslinda's first competitio

Oleh Hasnira Hassan niera@nstp.com.my Prestasi pemanah muda semakin meningkat KETIKA kebangkitan pemanah skuad pelapis elit tampak menggugat penguasaan senior, atlit Olimpik, Wan Khalmizam Wan Abd Aziz punya pendapat berbeza terhadap perkembangan yang disifatkan sebagai positif. "Ini persaingan yang sihat," katanya tanpa nada bimbang sambil tersenyum. "Ini bermakna, kami (senior) tidak boleh ambil mudah. Tiada lagi jaminan tempat buat kami kecuali perlu bersaing merebutnya." Tiga pemanah pelapis elit - Mohd Zulkifli Tahir, Izzuddin Abd Rahim dan Arif Farhan Ibrahim Petra - mendapat pengiktirafan ketua jurulatih negara, Lee Jae-hyung yang mula mengatur kombinasi sesuai sekali gus mengubah gandingan trio Olimpik, Wan Khalmizam, Cheng Chu Sian dan Mohd Marbawi Sulaiman. Lantas, Jae-hyung membayangkan tiada jaminan tempat untuk tiga pemanah senior itu pada kejohanan antarabangsa bermula pusingan kedua Piala Dunia

By LIM TEIK HUAT PETALING JAYA: There was no shame in defeat for cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang in settling for a silver medal at the World Track Championships in Pruszskow yesterday. The pint-sized 21-year-old from Terengganu had entered a territory where no Malaysian has encroached before after beating Australia’s top sprinter Shane Perkins 2-0 in the men’s sprint semi-finals to assure himself of at least the silver. But that was not what he was wishing for and Azizul almost turn a childhood dream into a reality by coming from behind to beat burly Frenchman Gregory Bauge to force sudden-death. Bauge, part of the French gold medal-winning team on Wednesday, won the first heat in a photo-finish and later crushed Azizul’s hopes of achieving sporting immortality by winning the deciding heat. Wheel-to-wheel: Malaysia's Azizul Hasni Awang (right) battling it out with France's Gregory Bauge during the men's sprint final at the World Track Championships.-Reuters