FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2021 FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2021 14 15 Title challenger Leonardo Mafra: Pain, Sport’s tempestuous 2020 agony, and overcome at BRAVE CF In 2020, the sporting world came to an abrupt halt before re-emerging in spectatorless ‘bio bubbles’ n a world now that is gripped by to hog the limelight in Tokyo and Euro leagues. minute-by-minute fast-paced de- 2020 to spark across 12 European cities, For the first time since World War II Leonardo Mafra will face Super Lightweight Champion Eldar Eldarov for the title at BRAVE CF 46 in Russia Ivelopments, 2020 has been the year promising football fans some high-oc- there was no Wimbledon tennis cham- that slowed down everything and even tane action. pionships. The revamped Fed Cup and ically and mentally, in order to get back paused quite a few things. Instead, both fell to that mighty yet Davis Cup finals both bit the dust as did One by one, the lights started going miniscule conqueror called the coro- city marathons from London to Boston. Leonardo Mafra’s win to the cage. The battle wasn’t easy, • though. Despite the severity of the knee out of sports from March. Since then, navirus. The year has been, without any dis- over Djamil Chan in his home injury, the anxiety for a quick comeback it was mostly sorrow and tears for ath- Other big events became victims too, pute, a dark year for sports. Despite country of Brazil put him in didn’t help throughout the process. letes and sports enthusiasts around like the Premier League, Formula One, that, sports never ceased to surprise. But Leonardo Mafra was able to over- the world. the world championships of various Here are some big moments during the spotlight for the title shot KNOW WHAT Cardboard cut-outs with portraits of fans are General view of staff wearing personal come the most challenging moments of It was supposed to have been a great other sports, tennis and golf tours, and an extraordinary, coronavirus-disrupt- seen in a stadium year, with the Olympic Games expected the basketball, table tennis and football ed 2020. protective equipment (PPE) inside a stadium TDT | Manama his life as a Mixed Martial Artist and did so in style. He decided to move to Leonardo Mafra the newly inaugurated Super Light- RAVE CF Super Lightweight world suffered the worst weight division and got a huge win over Hamilton joins the F1 legends Liverpool end 30-year wait DQ for Djoko title challenger Leonardo “Macar- Djamil Chan in his home country of injury of his entire When Michael Schumacher bowed out of Formula World number one Novak Djokovic went into the rão” Mafra arrived at BRAVE Com- Brazil, which put him in the spotlight B professional career One, few thought his record of 91 Grand Prix US Open looking for an 18th major triumph in the bat Federation back in 2017 surrounded for a title shot. It didn’t hurt that he im- by expectation, being a very familiar during his bout against mediately called out for Eldar Eldarov wins and seven world championships would knowledge that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were ever be matched. In 2020, Lewis Hamilton did absent. Going into his fourth round match against face to the international MMA commu- Gadzhimusa Gaziev at after beating Chan. nity and regarded as one of the most BRAVE CF 12. He tore It is fair to say that Mafra already left just that, winning 11 of the 17 races to take his 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta, the Serb had not lost talented names fighting out of Southern his ACL while setting the dark days behind but his first world tally beyond Schumacher’s record to 95, and a singles match in 2020. Brazil. After dealing with last-minute up strikes and had to title, against arguably the toughest chal- equalling the German’s seven titles. It all went wrong though when the 33-year-old cancellations, he would go on to fight lenge available out there in that weight The 35-year-old Briton certainly benefit- vented his frustration after dropping his service immediately go into ted from the outstanding Mercedes car at by hitting a ball behind him, striking a fe - for the fastest-growing MMA organiza- surgery class globally, would be the icing of the tion in the next year. cake, and what a beautiful shining icing his disposal but there is little doubt he has male line judge in the throat. Djokovic But all of this anticipation quickly is this, of a fantastic saga. etched his name firmly among the greatest immediately apologised but after turned into desperation. As he stepped their fight, a contest that was close He finally faces off against Eldar El- of his sport. a lengthy discussion, he was disqualified, leaving the field into the BRAVE CF arena for the very but seemed to be going well for the darov at BRAVE CF 46, on January 16th, open for Dominic Thiem. first time, back in May, 2018, Mafra Brazilian. in Sochi, Russia. Their much-anticipate Grosjean survives deadly crash wasn’t able to complete a single round But it wasn’t a punch or a kick that title fight will be the main attraction of and suffered the worst injury of his made Leonardo wince in pain. He tore BRAVE Combat Federation’s first-ever Liverpool players celebrate with the Premier League trophy Lucky 13 for Nadal entire professional career. his ACL while setting up strikes and had visit to Russia. Other huge names are While trading blows with Gadzhimu- to immediately go into surgery. set to do battle with the likes of Roman Under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds had threatened for two years Rafael Nadal skipped the US Open but there was to finally land their first domestic title since 1990. Strengthened no way the Spaniard was going to miss his signature sa Gaziev at BRAVE CF 12, he screamed With the support of BRAVE CF, he Bogatov, Konstantin Erokhin, and Ali in pain and forced the referee to stop started a long process of recovery, phys- Bagautinov all confirmed for action. by the addition of goalkeeper Alisson and centre-back Virgil event, the French Open which took place at a blus- Leonardo Mafra in action during a bout van Dijk, in 2019-20 they galloped to an almost unassailable tery Roland Garros in a rearranged late September/ lead, only for the pandemic to halt football. When the season early October slot. resumed, they didn’t miss a Mersey beat and lifted the trophy on Inevitably, and without dropping a set on the way, an empty Kop as their supporters defied coronavirus warnings Nadal bulldozed his way to the final where he met Ali Bagautinov searches for maximum glory at BRAVE CF KHK Heroes Photography competition in to gather in a haze of red flares outside. Djokovic who was keen to atone for his mishap at AFP | London Flushing Meadows. It was barely a contest with Nadal association with IOC Bahrain is now accepting votes! winning 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to claim a 13th French Open title Bayern sweep to Champions League title li Bagautinov was among AFP | London and match Federer’s record of 20 major wins. the top Flyweights in the When the pandemic forced UEFA to transform the final A stages of the Champions League into a mini-tournament in world when the division first HK Heroes, founded by His Romain Grosjean emerges from the flames after a horrific crash Swiatek takes Pole position at Roland Garros came to the spotlight. But fall- KHighness Shaikh Khaled Lisbon, Bayern looked the best team from the start. ing short on the world title bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is pro- Formula One racer Romain Grosjean escaped the hallows of Hansi Flick’s accomplished side won their sixth Europe- Iga Swiatek was ranked 54th in the world meant that he would have to moting a creative way for every- death in November this year at the Bahrain Grand Prix after an crown thanks to Kingsley Coman’s header against Paris when she travelled to Roland Gar- go back to the drawing board one connected with the King- he survived a deadly crash. The French driver was trapped in Saint-Germain. ros. Two weeks later, after see- and reset his trajectory. dom of Bahrain to express their a burning car when it sliced in half after penetrating a metal ing off Sofia Kenin in the final, the While he has yet to replicate admiration and love for the na- crash barrier and then exploded into a fireball. Grosjean was 19-year-old had risen to number 17 inside the cockpit of the Haas car for nearly 30 seconds before and had become the first Pole to win a Grand in MMA what he accomplished tion on National Day. A pho - The match that never should have been played in several other combat sports, tography competition aimed at scrambling out. Fortunately, he suffered only minor burns to Slam singles title. Bagautinov’s legacy is there for celebrating the uniqueness of the back of his hands and a sprained left ankle and was soon Liverpool’s defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League It was a breathtaking fortnight for Swiatek who all to see: a two-time sambo the Kingdom has found hun- discharged from a military hospital in Bahrain. last 16 on March 11 was notable less for the result than for the fact capitalised on the absence of world number one world champion, with relevant dreds of entries. that 50,000 people gathered at Anfield at a time when coronavirus Ashleigh Barty and the early exit through injury was already rampant. of Serena Williams to become the youngest fe- titles in several other sports Ten photographs have been Equality such as wrestling, jiu-jitsu, chosen by a specialized panel Scientists have pinpointed the match as one of the key super- male singles winner since Monica Seles in 1992. From the soccer pitches of the English Premier League to spreader events in England. and pankration, ‘’The Punch- lacks only the maximum glory, 16, in Sochi, Russia, at BRAVE of judges, composed of some of the US Open tennis hardcourts, there was no ignoring the fight er King’’ has also found MMA the world title, and that’s some- CF 46, as he takes on Oleg the most outstanding figures in for racial equality as athletes rushed to the front lines of what A message of hope glory in winning titles in other thing that the truly global MMA Lichkovakha. the field of photography. All ten organizations. promotion can offer - but not Young Lichkovakha is only chosen photographs are already became a global movement. Cricket in the time of corona Francesco Caputo, a forward for Italian football club Sassuo- Now, he returns to his home without a huge test ahead. 24, but has a veteran’s record, winners, but the competition is Black Lives Matter was stenciled onto NFL fields and NBA lo, spoke for the whole world when he lifted his shirt to reveal courts. Athletes raised fists and took the knee. When coronavirus first struck it looked as though all summer the message: “It will all be fine, stay at home” as Covid-19 country of Russia ready to write BRAVE CF is famous for its with more than 20 bouts to his still on with the popular vote another dominant chapter of level of competition and for name. He has six wins in his and a very special prize for the sport would be written off but on July 8 at the Rose Bowl in ravaged Italy on its way to taking hold in Europe. Southampton, England and the West Indies, who had been in a his professional career - and the giving the biggest of challenges seven last bouts and is eager to best-voted entry. Pogacar’s power pedalling most glorious one: a belt with to newcomers, especially well- show the world what the next The judges have done their bio-secure bubble for a month, emerged to play a thrilling Test A virus-delayed Tour de France took place behind closed doors. BRAVE CF, the fastest-growing known, experienced Mixed generation has to offer. A fitting job and now is up to the pub- in September, which was in itself a massive West Indies edged the opener thanks to fine performances by In Memoriam MMA organization in the world. Martial Artists, and that’s and difficult first test to one of lic to choose which of the 10 With his experience and ac- exactly what Ali Bagautinov the greatest martial artists in remaining winners of the com- achievement. That it produced an incredible Shannon Gabriel and Jermaine Blackwood but England came The gloomy year that 2020 has been, it just became even complishments, Ali Bagautinov will have to face on January Russia. petition deserves the biggest race, and saw Slovenian Tadej Pogacar come back to take the three-Test series. The real winner, though, was more tragic as some honoured and veteran sportspersons prize - a professional camera. from nowhere to become just the seventh the England and Wales Cricket Board who managed this and fur- passed away leaving behind a glorious legacy. Argentina’s Cast your votes on Instagram man to win it at his first attempt, raised it to ther series against Pakistan, as well as ODI series against Ireland Legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona passed away a higher plane. and Australia, impeccably. after suffering a cardiac arrest on November 25. The 1986 at KHK Heroes or on Facebook at Indian Overseas Congress The then 21-year-old had won two stages World Cup-winner was 60-years-old and breathed his last at Bahrain, until January 5th, af- but was 57 seconds behind countryman his home in Buenos Aires just days after turning 60. India’s Yadav Primoz Roglic going into the penultimate One of the most successful NBA players, Kobe Bryant also ter which the winner will be 36 all out to miss last two announced and will win the stage time trial. As Roglic choked, Pogacar passed away this year as he died in a helicopter crash in Cali- professional camera. burned up the road to win his third stage Any cricket team can have a bad day at the office but few have fornia which also involved his 13-year- old tests with calf Prominent photographer and take the yellow jersey for the first time. suffered a batting meltdown to compare with India, captained by daughter Gianna. Bryant was only Premjith Narayanan, Jaan Al the great Virat Kohli, when they were bowled out for just 36 by 41. The 5-time NBA champions and Australia in the first Test in Adelaide in December. 2-time NBA finals MVP is till date injury Balushi, owner of Click Media, Not quite so Iron Mike Reuters | New Delhi and Ali AlRiffai, commercial ber of entries and praised the A special thank you must India had been in a decent position after the first innings but the all-time leading scorer in the photographer, had been tasked entrants for celebrating the go to Juhi Sharma, from 104.2 Mike Tyson, once the undisputed heavy- Josh Hazlewood (5-8) and Pat Cummins (4-21) ripped through Lakers franchise ndia quick Umesh Yadav with choosing from hundreds culture of Bahrain. Bahrain Radio for the support, weight champion of the world and one of the them. It was the fifth lowest score in Test history and India’s After so much heart- will miss the last two tests of photographers and narrow- ‘’The competition is our ges- Al-Hilal for providing coupons most feared fighters ever to step into a ring, re- lowest ever. ache there is hope that I tired from boxing in 2005. But 15 years later, and 2021 will restore a against Australia with a calf ing them down to 10 entries. ture of celebrating the National for all entrants, and MBM Hold- aged 54, he clambered back through the ropes to semblance of nor- injury, the ESPNcricinfo Regardless of who comes out Day of Bahrain and we have ing who will provide the First website reported yesterday. on top in the popular vote, all been greatly surprised at not Prize for the competition. Also take on Roy Jones Jnr, 51, in an exhibition fight. Mahomes leads the Chiefs to Super Bowl glory mality and that, in The two gave glimpses of their former glories the words of the Yadav bowled only 3.3 10 entries are winners, and they just the number of entries, but to BTEA (Bahrain Tourism & as they battled to a draw, although sceptics were Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to 21 straight IOC and Tokyo or- overs in Australia’s second will take home different indi- also the quality of the work. We Exhibition Authority) CEO Nas- innings in the second test vidual prizes, which range from look forward to more initia - ser Ali Qaedi. quick to remind them of the ravages of time. points in the final 6min 13sec to beat the San Francisco 49ers ganisers on that sombre before limping off as India phones to printers. tives that can highlight and pro- Sponsors for the competition “This is like two of my uncles fighting at the 31-20 in the Super Bowl. day in March, the Olympic barbecue!” pronounced hip hop star Snoop The charismatic quarterback was named Super Bowl MVP flame will become a light at went on to level the series KHK Heroes Vice-President mote the people of Bahrain and include VKL Holding, Al-Namal, 1-1 with an eight-wicket vic- Mohammad Mansoor has ex- the youth, and identify their Exelon, Sky World, Panasonic, Dogg in his TV commentary. for landing the Chiefs’ first NFL title for half a century. the end of the tunnel. tory in Melbourne. pressed his delight at the num- achievements’’. K-Scope, Kewalram & Sons.