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Sunday, May 22, 2016 TENNIS Sha’baan 15, 1437 AH Wawrinka clinches GULF TIMES Geneva title in fi nal French Open warmup SPORT Page 5 EMIR CUP Emir hosts lunch for Lekhwiya and Sadd

QNA Doha

H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani hosted a lunch- eon banquet, at the Emiri Diwan yesterday, honouring the football teamH and the technical and administrative organs of Lekhwiya Sports Club, the Cham- pions of HH the Emir’s Football Cup, and Al Sadd Sport Club, the Runner-Up, in ad- dition to representatives of the tournament sponsors and a number of sports and media personalities. Lekwiya produced a great fi ghtback in the fi nal, to come from two goals down and then trump Sadd in the penalty shootout. This was the fi rst-ever Emir Cup triumph for the Red Knights. HH the Special Representative of HH the Emir, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani at- tended the function. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE Sheikh Joan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of Olympic Committee, also attended the luncheon banquet. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, May 22, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPANISH CUP FOCUS CSKA beat Rostov to Russian Season comes full title on fi nal day

AFP Moscow

SKA Moscow claimed the Russian title in dramatic fash- circle as Barcelona, ion on the fi nal day of the season with a 1-0 win at Rubin yesterday, as Rostov’s unlikely challenge failed to fi nish in glory despite a 2-0 victory over Terek Grozny. CRussian international midfi elder netted the only goal of the game as CSKA ended the campaign with six consecu- tive wins to fi nish two points above Rostov, whose whole team were surprisingly tested by FIFA for meldonium last week. Rostov do though qualify for the Champions League, which Sevilla seek doubles they will enter at the third qualifying round, for the fi rst time, just days after being cleared by FIFA over the meldonium allegations. In Kazan, Dzagoev fi red past helpless Rubin keeper Sergei ‘The club doesn’t allow errors, dips or not winning things and this will not change’ Ryzhikov from just inside the area following a defensive mix-up in the 19th minute. Rubin had an excellent chance to equalise and give Rostov the AFP title on head-to-head goal diff erence with just fi ve minutes re- Madrid maining, but visiting keeper pulled off a double save from Igor Portnyagin and Mijo Caktas. “The happiness goes on. ewly-crowned Spanish Everything is cool!” CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky said, joking champions Barcelona that his heart had stopped working after Akinfeev’s intervention. face Sevilla, fresh from “I’m proud to work in such a club, together with such classy winning their third footballers.” Nconsecutive Europa League, Rostov dominated at Terek Grozny and Ecuadorian playmaker as both seek more glory in the Christian Noboa put the visitors in front in the 30th minute from Spanish Cup fi nal today. Timofei Kalachev’s corner. Another successful campaign Midfi elder Alexander Yerokhin added a second fi ve minutes af- for both sides will end as it be- ter the interval, tapping in Iranian ’s pass. gan after Barca edged Sevilla 5-4 Rostov head coach Kurban Berdyev insisted that the consola- after extra-time in a thrilling tion of European football was still a fantastic result for his team. season-opening European Super “It’s a great success for the club,” Berdyev said. Cup fi nal. “My congratulations to all who supported us.” Indeed, Barca could end the Zenit St Petersburg, Krasnodar and Spartak Moscow will repre- season with four trophies in to- sent in the Europa League. tal having also claimed the Club Dynamo Moscow and Mordovia Saransk were relegated and will World Cup in December. be replaced by Gazovik Orenburg and Arsenal Tula in the top fl ight Barca captain Andres Iniesta next year. laughed off suggestions that a Anzhi Makhachkala and Kuban Krasnodar will play in the rel- and Cup double is the egation play-off s against Volgar Astrakhan and Tom Tomsk re- minimum requirement for the spectively. Catalan giants to ease the pain of their Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid at the quarter- fi nal stage last month. Lyon reject West Ham off er for Lacazette However, the Spanish inter- national did admit Barca’s suc- Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed yesterday that the cess of winning six La Liga titles French club had rejected a 40-million-euro (£30.9mn, $44.9mn) and three Copas del Rey in the off er from West Ham United for striker Alexandre Lacazette. past eight years has provoked French international Lacazette, 24, has long been linked with a a relentless demand for more move to the having scored 48 goals over the last trophies. two Ligue 1 seasons. “When you win a league it’s “For a sale to be made, all three parties must agree. impossible for it to be a bad We have refused several off ers, the most important from West season. It will always be a Ham for 40 million euros and we refused it,” Aulas told French good season,” Iniesta said daily Le Progres. yesterday. “It is an answer that says I want to keep him, but I’m not sure “This team always has the ob- because ultimately it is he who will decide. ligation to win in a fi nal. We fi ght “I do not want on August 28, ahead of the Champions League, for all the titles each season, to find ourselves in the same situation as Monaco (who sold sometimes we win and other Anthony Martial to Manchester United last summer). times we don’t, but the obliga- “Ideally, he will stay. tion to win is permanent. If he has an off er that he can’t refuse then it will come through “It is like that in every game me, and that’s it.” we play, so imagine what it is like Aulas also said that he is hoping to extend the contract of Lyon in a fi nal. The club doesn’t al- head coach Bruno Genesio, and bring in former Liverpool man- low errors, dips or not winning ager Gerard Houllier as general manager. things and this will not change.”

‘Sevilla keep winning titles’ Sevilla appear to have the sig- nifi cant disadvantage of having beaten Liverpool in the Europa League fi nal just fi ve days before Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta attends a news conference prior to Spanish Cup final against Sevilla. (Reuters) facing Barca at Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon. portant for a team like Sevilla. “In the end the logical thing keen to pile the pressure on Bar- unchanged team from the side By contrast, Luis Enrique’s “They keep winning titles. has happened and the freedom ca as favourites despite Sevilla’s that started at Granada with men have had a free week since With us they are one of the of expression for everyone has fantastic cup record in the three Enrique aff orded the luxury of Luis Suarez’s hat-trick in a 3-0 teams most used to playing fi nals been respected.” years since he took charge. choosing from a squad free of win at Granada retained their and that will make tomorrow a All three previous meetings “They need this title because injuries and suspensions. league title. very attractive match.” between the sides this season Barcelona feed off winning ti- Sevilla are without the sus- Enrique insisted he expects to The action off the fi eld has have been settled by one goal tles, but our strength is our de- pended Steven N’Zonzi and win, but warned that Sevilla’s been dominated by a political as Sevilla won 2-1 at home in sire,” he added. Timothee Kolodziejczak, whilst experience in fi nals could pose row in the build up as Catalan October in La Liga before Barca “These moments come Benoit Tremoulinas and Michael Barca problems. separatist fl ags were initially claimed victory by the same around very rarely for us. How Krohn-Dehli remain sidelined “I am an optimist, I think we banned from the stadium by scoreline at the Camp Nou in many times have Barca won the by injury. are going to win,” he said. the Spanish government before February. Cup? Loads. However, Spanish interna- “Sevilla have brilliantly won Barca successfully appealed that “We have their respect be- “We haven’t, but for us to play tional goalkeeper Sergio Rico again the Europa League fi nal decision through the courts. cause we have earned it when in tomorrow’s fi nal is a gift that and captain Jose Antonio Reyes and they have the chance to do “Very few things surprise me we’ve faced them,” said Sevilla we will happily unwrap.” could return after missing out the double too which is very im- in this country,” said Enrique. coach Unai Emery. And Emery is Barca are expected to name an against Liverpool in midweek.

SELECTION Tevez snubbed in Argentina’s Copa America squad

AFP American confederation Conmebol, will be played in the United States from June 3-26. It will feature four teams from the Concacaf region including the United States and Mexico. rgentina coach Argentina are in Group D at the tournament and named his 23-man squad for the Copa face Chile (June 6), Panama (June 10) and Bolivia America on Friday, pinning his hopes (June 14). on and Sergio Aguero but The Squad ignoringA . Goalkeepers: (Man Utd/ENG), Idolised by his club and popular Nahuel Guzman (Tigres Monterrey/MEX), Mari- throughout Argentina, Tevez was overlooked ano Andujar (Estudiantes La Plata) in favour of Gonzalo Higuain who smashed a Defenders: (River Plate), record 36 goals in this season with Napo- Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina/ITA), Nicolas li. Argentina are looking for a fi rst major inter- Otamendi (Man City/ENG), Jonathan Maidana national title in 23 years having lost two recent (River Plate), (Everton/ENG), fi nals - to Germany at the 2014 World Cup and (Man Utd/ENG), Víctor Cuesta against Chile in last year’s Copa America. (Independiente). Rosario Central centre back Javier Pinola : Matias Kranevitter, Augusto Fern- missed out after breaking his leg in a Copa Lib- andez (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Javier MaschParis ertadores match last week, and veteran right Saint-German/FRA), (Tottenham/ back of Manchester City also be- ENG).erano (Barcelona/ESP), Ever Banega came unavailable after deciding to have surgery (Sevilla/ESP), (Lazio/ITA), Javier for an ankle problem. Pastore ( Independiente’s Victor Cuesta earned his fi rst Attackers: Angel Di Maria (PSG/FRA), Ezequiel Argentina call-up in place of Pinola, boosting to Lavezzi (Hebei Fortune/CHN), Lionel Messi four the number of home-based players in the (Barcelona/ESP), Sergio Agüero (Man City/ENG), squad. This year’s Copa America Centenario, Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli/ITA), Nicolas Gaitan marking the 100th anniversary of the South (Benfica/POR). Gulf Times Sunday, May 22, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

FA CUP SPOTLIGHT Russia include Ukraine-born rocket Neustadter in Euro 2016 squad

Reuters that the 32-year-old Zhirkov Moscow will miss the Euros due to an brings United cheer infl amed Achilles tendon. Kerzhakov, 33, missed the ussia have named fi rst half of the season after ‘It’s fantastic to win this title for the club, for the fans and also for me’ Schalke 04 defender falling out with Zenit head Roman Neustadter, coach Andre Villas-Boas and who was born in went on loan to FC Zurich, UkraineR and does not yet have who are bottom of the Swiss Russian citizenship, in their Super League. squad for next month’s Euro Russia are in Group B with 2016 tournament. England, Slovakia and Wales. The RUSSIA SQUAD (RFU) announced the squad Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev on Saturday, with head coach (CSKA Moscow), Guilherme Leonid Slutskiy including the (Lokomotiv Moscow), Yuri 28-year-old Neustadter, who Lodygin (Zenit St Petersburg). has been living in Germany since Defenders: Alexei Berezutski he was a child and has played for (CSKA Moscow), Vasili Bere- Germany’s youth teams. Neus- zutski (CSKA Moscow), Sergei tadter is expected to get a Rus- Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), sian passport in the next few (Spartak days, which will allow him to Moscow), Roman Neustadter play for the national team. (Schalke 04), Georgi Schen- CSKA Moscow’s 19-year- nikov (CSKA Moscow), Roman old attacking midfi elder Alex- Shishkin (Lokomotiv Moscow), ander Golovin, who only re- (Zenit) cently broke into their starting Midfielders: (Dy- lineup, was also included in namo Moscow), Alan Dzagoev the 23-man Russia squad. (CSKA Moscow), Denis Glusha- Slutskiy is coach of CSKA as kov (Spartak Moscow), Alexan- well as the national team. der Golovin (CSKA Moscow), However, two players who (Terek Grozny), have had important roles for Pavel Mamaev (Krasnodar), Russia in recent years have Alexander Samedov (Loko- missed out on the fi nals. motiv Moscow), Former Chelsea wing back (Zenit St. Petersburg), Roman , who now plays Shirokov (CSKA Moscow) for Zenit St Petersburg, and Forwards: Russia’s all-time leading scor- (Zenit St. Petersburg), er Alexander Kerzhakov, with Alexander Kokorin (Zenit St 30 goals, will not be going to Petersburg), Fedor Smolov France. The RFU’s website said (Krasnodar).

Barca agree reported record Nike deal Barcelona agreed a “long-term” contract extension with Ameri- can sportswear giants Nike yesterday, which will reportedly see the Catalan club surpass Manchester United with the most lucrative kit-sponsorship deal in the world. Barca said the details of the deal will be revealed and ratified at Manchester United’s and Michael Carrick lift the trophy as they celebrate winning the FA Cup with teammates yesterday. (Reuters) the club’s next general assembly. Catalan sports dailies Sport and Mundo Deportivo reported, however, that the world cham- AFP a tumultuous season. injury and Chris Smalling to an time as Van Gaal’s men suc- cross that was chested down at pions could make up to a staggering 155 million euros ($174 “It is fantastic to win this title extra-time red card, will go into ceeded in pinning Palace back, the back post by Fellaini for Mata million) a season. for the club, for the fans and also the Europa League, along with and they hit the woodwork twice to strike a volley that rattled be- That would dwarf the current £75 million ($109) a season, 10- for me, because I now have won West Ham United, after United’s in the space of eight minutes tween Ward’s feet and crept over year deal Manchester United agreed with Adidas last year. esse Lingard’s extra-time the cup in four countries, and Wembley win freed up an extra through Marouane Fellaini’s the line. “FC Barcelona and NIKE, Inc. have extended their current spon- thunderbolt earned Man- not many managers have done qualifying berth. drilled eff ort and Anthony Mar- United lost Smalling when the sorship deal, which was due to end on 30 June 2018,” Barcelona chester United a record- that,” Van Gaal said. Palace manager Alan Pardew, tial’s header. England centre-back received a said in a statement. equalling 12th FA Cup It was United’s fi rst FA Cup meanwhile, met with FA Cup Injuries then deprived United second yellow card for hauling “The long-term agreement is a landmark in global football and asJ Louis van Gaal’s side came win since 2004, allowing cap- heartbreak for the third time, of Rojo and Rashford, with Mat- Bolasie back by his ankle as he builds upon a highly successful partnership. from behind to defeat Crystal tain Wayne Rooney and Michael having been on the losing side teo Darmian and Ashley Young lay on the turf. “The details of the agreement will be reported and will have to Palace 2-1 in yesterday’s fi nal at Carrick to complete their col- against United with the south coming on, while Puncheon The teams exchanged chances be ratified at the next Club General Assembly.” Wembley. lection of domestic medals, London club in 1990 and over- came on for Yohan Cabaye. in the second extra period -- De A record-breaking deal with ease the strains on Barca’s finances In a rematch of the 1990 fi nal, and took them level with Arse- seen West Ham’s defeat on pen- The Palace substitute made Gea thwarting substitute Dwight with a 420-million euro renovation of their Camp Nou stadium which United won after a replay, nal, winners in 2014 and 2015, alties by Liverpool in 2006. an impact. His corner from the Gayle with his feet, Carrick due to begin in 2018. Moreover, the club are reportedly set to underdogs Palace took the lead as the most successful clubs in United enjoyed the best of left was headed away by Fellaini, heading wide - before United announce an extension to Brazilian star Neymar’s contract -- in the 78th minute when Jason the competition’s illustrious the fi rst half, but Pardew was but Joel Ward helped the ball academy graduate Lingard, a who is a key Nike-sponsored athlete -- in the coming weeks. Puncheon slammed home, only history. infuriated when referee Mark back into the box and Puncheon 90th-minute replacement for “Through this new agreement with Nike we are extending a for Juan Mata to equalise less But while Van Gaal celebrated Clattenburg brought play back brought it down before blasting Mata, claimed a piece of FA Cup strategic alliance for the club, while also reinforcing our global than three minutes later. his fi rst trophy in English foot- for a free-kick despite Connor a vicious left-foot shot past De history. position, hand in hand with the leading global sports brand,” With the tie heading towards ball, and United’s fi rst major Wickham jumping to his feet and Gea at his near post. Valencia’s drilled cross was said Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu. penalties, substitute Lingard honour since Alex Ferguson racing into the box after being Pardew celebrated with a cleared by Damien Delaney, but “We are excited by this new agreement and are confident drilled a stunning volley past a retired in 2013, it may not be dragged to the turf by Smalling, touchline dance, but within the ball popped up for Lingard, that we’ll be able to celebrate continued sporting successes motionless Wayne Hennessey in enough to keep him in a job fol- who was booked. three minutes Palace’s lead had who sent a volley whistling into together.” the 110th minute to end United’s lowing the club’s failure to qual- vanished. the top-left corner before tear- Despite sealing a 24th La Liga title last weekend, Barca are yet 12-year wait to lift the FA Cup ify for the Champions League. Pardew dance Rolling back the years, Rooney ing off his shirt and racing to- to agree a shirt sponsorship deal for next season as talks with and give their supporters some- Instead United, who lost Mar- United’s control was even did superbly to reach the byline wards the United end in gleeful current sponsors Qatar Airways have stalled. thing to cheer about at the end of cus Rashford and Marcos Rojo to more pronounced after half- on the right before digging out a celebration.

FOCUS England’s Kane, Vardy hope for Turkey chance

AFP England manager Roy Hodgson his disposal for training on Thurs- London is expected to approach Euro 2016 day ahead of today’s match at the with a two-man strike-force oper- home of Manchester City, which is ating in front of a midfi eld diamond, followed by games against Australia ottenham Hotspur striker although he has also utilised a 4-3-3 and Portugal. Harry Kane hopes to get an system on occasion. But Liverpool’s captain opportunity to partner Jamie With Rooney, England’s captain Henderson took part after being an Vardy when England tackle and record goal-scorer, now operat- unused substitute in his club’s 3-1 TTurkey today in the fi rst of their ing in a midfi eld role for United, there loss to Sevilla in Basel on Wednesday, three Euro 2016 warm-up matches. could be an opportunity for Kane and which followed a month-long ab- Kane’s 25 Premier League goals Vardy to form an enduring partner- sence with a knee injury. earned him the Golden Boot, with ship up front. Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill Vardy fi nishing the campaign one The two went head-to-head in the also trained, having missed the fi rst goal behind after inspiring Leicester Premier League title race and Vardy, session of the get-together with a City to their fairytale title triumph. 29, bared his claws on social media in knock. The pair have started just one response to a photograph posted on Turkey are gearing up for their fi rst England game together - last Octo- Instagram by 22-year-old Kane. major tournament since reaching ber’s 3-0 win in Lithuania - but with Kane’s image showed four lions on the semi-fi nals at Euro 2008, having Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford the prowl - apparently a reference failed to qualify for Euro 2012 and the on FA Cup fi nal duty with Manches- to his team’s pursuit of Leicester - last two World Cups. ter United this weekend and Daniel and when Spurs’ 2-2 draw at Chel- Fatih Terim’s side face Croatia, Sturridge expected to be rested after sea gifted the Foxes the title, Vardy the Czech Republic and defending playing for Liverpool in the Europa retaliated with a picture of Mufasa, champions Spain in Group D at Euro League fi nal, they may be aligned to- head of the pride in the Disney ani- 2016, after scraping through qualify- gether again at the Etihad Stadium. mated fi lm ‘The Lion King’, sliding to ing as the best of the nine third-place “Jamie has had a fantastic season his death. teams. and scored a lot of goals, so if we are But Kane said: “We had a bit of Today’s game could feature an playing together it will be very excit- banter over social media, but every- international debut for quicksil- ing,” Kane told reporters at England’s thing is all good. Winning the Golden ver 18-year-old FC Nordsjaelland St George’s Park training centre this Boot is always nice. winger Emre Mor, who was born and week. “It’s something I’m very proud raised in Denmark, but switched al- “We are diff erent sorts of players. of, but nothing has really been said legiances to Turkey - the land of his He has got a lot of pace and can run in about that. He won the Premier parents - earlier this year. behind - that will probably allow me League, so there isn’t much I can re- “I think he is a player out of the or- to drop off and get into space. ally say!” dinary,” said Terim. “If the manager puts us together With his United and Liverpool “I decided to give him a chance we will be ready to go and try to score players absent, Hodgson had only and Turkey can gain a very interest- England’s striker Harry Kane (3rd R) talks to England’s manager Roy Hodgson (2nd R) during an team training session at St George’s as many goals as we can.” 19 members of his 26-man squad at ing player.” Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, May 22, 2016 FOOTBALL

REPORT Violence mars Hibs’ fi rst in 114 years ‘The club would like to commend Rangers fans for the restraint they showed under severe provocation’

Hibernian’s David Gray lifts the trophy after winning the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Rangers yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP headed Hibs level in the 80th minute. Scottish Football Association and Po- “It’s disappointing and we don’t game for three weeks, looked off the other save shortly after the break and Glasgow The game appeared to be heading to lice Scotland to launch an investigation want to see it, but from our point of pace in the early exchanges as Hibs headed wide as Hibs extra time before captain David Gray to fi nd out where security measures view it was a fantastic game and we threatened to add another with Stokes, looked to pick up where they had left headed home in stoppage time to spark failed and why. managed to do it and show a little bit Cummings and John McGinn all com- off . ibernian ended their 114- wild scenes amongst the Hibernian “The club would like to commend of bottle.” ing close. However, Rangers began to slowly year wait for the Scottish support, who fl ooded on to the pitch at Rangers fans for the restraint they Rangers, who pipped Hibs to the However, the Gers conjured up an get a foothold in the game and a stun- Cup with a last-minute 3-2 full-time to celebrate. showed under severe provocation.” Championship title, were handed a equaliser with their fi rst meaningful ning strike from Halliday put them win over Rangers yesterday But ugly scenes then followed as The trophy presentation was delayed boost with the return of top-scorer attack of the game through veteran in front for the fi rst time in the 64th Hbut the fi nal was marred as rival fans rival supporters clashed on the pitch by over 30 minutes in order to clear the to the starting line- Miller. sent a teas- minute. fought on the Hampden Park pitch. with mounted police called in to sepa- pitch but this was of little concern to a up following a lengthy injury lay-off . ing cross in to the Hibs box and the The former Bradford midfi elder took Rangers claimed their players and rate them. Hibs side who claimed a European spot Stubbs left James Keating on the 36-year-old outmuscled the Hibs de- a touch before rifl ing an unstoppable staff were assaulted and they were so Rangers condemned the violence. for the fi rst time since 2012. bench in favour of on-loan Celtic fence to bullet a header beyond Conrad strike in to the bottom left hand corner fearful for their safety that they were “Rangers Football Club is shocked at Hibs manager Alan Stubbs said he striker Stokes. Logam. Their lead was almost short- from 20 yards out. unable to collect their losers medals at the disgraceful behaviour of Hibs fans wouldn’t let the scenes at the end take The Irish international soon repaid lived as Stokes saw his eff ort from 30 Hibs looked to Stokes for a response the presentation. at full-time,” said a club statement. the shine off his side’s victory after his manager’s faith in him as he fi red yards out smack the base of the post a and after twice fi ring off target the Hibs had taken a third-minute lead “Rangers players and staff were as- they made up for the disappointment home the opener. minute later. striker headed the Easter Road side through but Rang- saulted by these fans who invaded the of missing out on promotion to the Strike partner Hibs bombarded the Rangers goal in level as he got in front of Tavernier to ers went into the break level following pitch, and in the interests of their own . played Stokes down the left wing and the run up to the break with Fodering- nod ’s corner in from Kenny Miller’s 27th minute headed safety could not return to the pitch for the striker raced at the retreating Rob ham pulling off saves to deny Stokes close range. equaliser. the medal presentation. Disappointing Kiernan and James Tavernier in the and Cummings before the former sent With time running out Gray became fi red Rangers in front “There can be no place for the vio- “It’s not going to take away the sat- Rangers rearguard before slotting an a header wide of the target from close the hero for Hibs as he bulleted home for the fi rst time in the 64th minute lent behaviour witnessed at the end of isfaction of what we’ve just achieved,” angled shot beyond Wes Foderingham. range with the goal gaping. Henderson’s corner to claim the cup with a superb strike before Stokes the fi nal and Rangers fully expect the Stubbs said. Rangers, without a competitive Stokes forced Foderingham in to an- for the club.

FOCUS Griezmann one of the world’s top three: Simeone

AFP is to listen. we have had two weeks and we have “I expect an opponent that will Madrid Without doubt he is one of the another week still to prepare. I don’t wait for their opportunity. The best three players in the world.” feel the pressure. I know there is a lot presence of Casemiro in midfi eld Griezmann also netted the win- of waiting, but that doesn’t bother has given them a lot of power de- tletico Madrid coach Di- ner when Atletico last met Real back me. I try not to overthink things and fensively and in the Champions ego Simeone hailed star in February. that is one of my strengths.” League they have played on the forward Antoine Griez- However, he insisted Atletico’s The majority of the stars will counter-attack.” mann as “one of the run to the fi nal will mean little if be on Real’s side as Atletico aim to Real’s route to the fi nal has been bestA three players in the world” as they don’t fi nally land the trophy. avenge their defeat in agonising a much easier one on paper than Atletico prepare to face local ri- “It’s nice (to hear compliments), fashion in the fi nal two years ago Atletico’s treacherous course past vals Real Madrid in next Saturday’s but the truth is I try to do my best by winning the competition for the Dutch champions PSV before Champions League fi nal. in every training session and my fi rst time in Milan next weekend. dumping out Barca and Bayern. Griezmann has enjoyed his best teammates and the coaching staff Simeone’s men were on Los Blancos brushed aside Roma ever goal-scoring season with 32 help me be at this level,” said Griez- course for victory in Lisbon until before squeezing past Wolfsburg goals in all competitions. mann. Sergio Ramos headed Real level and Manchester City. However, the French interna- “Just because we have beaten deep into injury time and Los Blan- However, Simeone also reserved tional has been particularly eff ec- Bayern or Barca doesn’t mean we cos ran out 4-1 winners after extra- praise for how Zinedine Zidane has tive in the Champions League as will win this match. time. revived Real’s fortunes since taking his double against Barcelona in the “It doesn’t guarantee anything. Yet, despite the presence of over as coach from the sacked Ra- quarter-fi nals and vital away goal We have to give everything we three-time World Player of the Year fael Benitez in January. at Bayern Munich in the last four have.” Cristiano Ronaldo, the world’s most “He has recovered the confi - allowed Atletico to upset the odds Griezmann also played down the expensive player in Gareth Bale and dence, intensity and the speed of and reach a second fi nal in three impact that a two-week layoff since the likes of Karim Benzema and their attack,” added the Argentine. seasons. the end of the Spanish league sea- Luka Modric, Simeone expects the “He has a more concrete style to “He has worked very hard, son could have on both sides. “To Real to play on the counter-attack. make the most of the three strikers. pushed himself and knows how to play in the fi nal of the Champions “In the Champions League that is To get to a Champions League fi nal listen,” Simeone said yesterday. League is a dream.” clearly the route they have chosen,” is an important demonstration of (L-R) Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, Saul Niguez and Filipe Luis attend a training session in “The best way to improve in any job “Now we have to prepare well, added Simeone. his work.” Majadahonda yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Sunday, May 22, 2016 5 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT From Serena to Johanna, 5 names to watch out for at Roland Garros this week SERENA WILLIAMS IS THE UNDISPUTED FAVOURITE BUT HISTORY COULD WEIGH HER DOWN, WITH VICTORIA AZARENKA, SIMONA HALEP AND ANGELIQUE KERBER AMONG THE CHASING PACK AND JOHANNA KONTA LOOKING TO PUT TOGETHER A RUN AT ROLAND GARROS FOR THE FIRST TIME

The world No 22 might have risen into the top Serena Williams 16 had she reached the semi-fi nals in Rome. Yet Victoria Azarenka she did not play badly against Doi and she will be feeling optimistic when she begins her tour- nament against Germany’s Julia Görges. Simona Halep French Open fi nalist in 2014; a surprise second-round loser in 2015. What does A2016 hold in store for the world No 6? She clearly has the talent but the diminutive Romanian is yet to make her Grand Slam break- through and can be unpredictable. Halep played some wonderful tennis when she reached the fi nal two years ago—losing a tight match 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 to Maria Sharapova—but she was unable to replicate that level last year, failing to make it past the fi rst week after succumbing to unheralded Croatian veteran, Mirjana Lucic- Baroni. And while Halep impressed by claiming the Madrid Open title this year, thumping Do- minika Cibulkova in the fi nal, an early defeat to Daria Gavrilova at the Italian Open was a letdown. The hope for her fans back in Romania is that the real Halep is the one who swept to the title in Madrid rather than the underpowered ver- sion who fell fl at in Rome. One of Halep’s big- gest challenges will be keeping inconsistency at bay. She can be her own worst enemy at times. But if she can manage that, the 24-year-old is s long as she is not planning to sample capable of beating anyone. any more dog food during the fortnight, Athe defending champion will be the un- disputed favourite to triumph for the fourth Angelique Kerber time at Roland Garros and equal Steffi Graf’s 22 till high on life after winning her fi rst Grand Grand Slam titles. “Don’t judge me,” the world Slam title thanks to her stunning victory No 1 said after livening up her Italian Open with Sover Williams in the Australian Open fi nal, the curious gastronomical decision to have a the 28-year-old German looked in good nick on taste of a salmon and rice dish intended for her clay when she romped to the title in Stuttgart Yorkshire terrier, Chip, which was followed by last month. Kerber beat Annika Beck, Carla Suá- an urgent trip to the toilet. rez Navarro and Petra Kvitova before thrashing Yet, while most of us made a mental note Madrid Open. That setback was followed by a land Garros for the fi rst time, Konta’s 7-6, 4-6, Laura Siegemund 6-4, 6-0 in the fi nal. never to accept an invitation to a dinner party shock 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Romanian world No 28, 6-2 defeat out on Court 5 was a footnote in However, the world No. 3 has suff ered since from Williams, the experience did little to dis- Victoria Azarenka Irina-Camelia Begu, in the second round of the most reports. But the British No 1 is a big deal then, losing to Barbora Strycova in Madrid and turb her French Open preparations. force to be reckoned with now, she seems Italian Open and Azarenka will need to shake off now. Konta’s startling rise took her to bril- Eugenie Bouchard in Rome, and her opponents She arrives in Paris having triumphed in her to have fully recovered from the foot in- the rust as soon as possible to avoid an early exit liant heights in her mesmeric run to the last will be looking to take her down a notch or two only clay-court tournament this year, beating Ajury that obliterated her 2014 season. The in Paris. “The back’s not good right now,” she four of the Australian Open in January and the in Paris, where she has had mixed results. fellow American Madison Keys 7-6, 6-3 in the Belarusian has risen to No 5 in the rankings and said after losing to Begu. “I don’t know what to 25-year-old will be a dark horse in Paris, al- Kerber has not made it past the fourth round fi nal in Rome, and remains the woman to beat has looked impressive in fi ts and starts this year. tell you. I’m very disappointed obviously with though she has experienced a minor dip in form at Roland Garros since reaching the last eight despite missing three tournaments recently be- A quarter-fi nalist at the Australian Open, that. I thought I was OK and was ready to play since her run in Melbourne. Her preparations in 2012 and she was powerless to resist a deter- cause of a bout of fl u. Azarenka continued her good hard-court form and came back, so I’m just disappointed.” on clay have not been ideal. She was forced to mined comeback from Garbiñe Muguruza, the Fears over lack of match sharpness were dis- by beating Williams 6-4, 6-4 in the Indian Wells retire during her fi rst-round match against world No. 4, in the third round last year. pelled in her victory over Keys and Williams fi nal and winning the Miami Open. However, Caroline Garcia at the Madrid Open because of All the same, however, she will draw on the is feeling strong. “I am ready for anyone every the switch to clay has not gone smoothly for the Johanna Konta an upper respiratory illness—she was trailing memories of that unforgettable win over Wil- time,” Williams said in response to a question former world No. 1, who won the Australian obody paid much attention when Konta 6-4, 2-1 when she called for the doctor—and a liams in times of crisis. If she fi nds herself about the pressure of life at the top. But will the Open in 2012 and 2013, after a back injury forced was knocked out in the fi rst round of comprehensive victory over world No 7, Rob- struggling, it will do her no harm to think back 34-year-old’s disappointments at the Austral- her to withdraw from her third-round match Nthe French Open by Denisa Allertova erta Vinci, at the Italian Open was followed by a to her unfl appable calm on that January evening ian Open and US Open weigh her down? against American qualifi er Louisa Chirico at the last year. Competing in the main draw at Ro- third-round defeat to world No 38, Misaki Doi. in Melbourne.

ROUND-UP Wawrinka warms up for French Open with Geneva title Agencies Geneva I could not make rench Open champion Stan Murray improve Wawrinka (pic) warmed up for the defence of his title at further: Amelie Roland Garros with a 6-4, 7-6 (11)F victory over Marin Cilic to win the Reuters Geneva Open title yesterday. Paris It was Wawrinka’s fi rst title on home soil in Switzerland and his fi rst on clay this season in his fi nal match before melie Mauresmo ended her coach- facing 68th-ranked Czech Lukas Rosol ing relationship with Andy Murray in the fi rst round in Paris next week. Abecause she felt she could not im- Wawrinka, who stunned Novak prove the world number two any further, the Djokovic in the fi nal to win the clay- former world number one said yesterday. court major last year, eased through The Frenchwoman and Murray announced the opening set against world number the end of an almost two-year partnership 11 Cilic without facing a break point. this month, but Mauresmo said the decision Cilic fought back, however, breaking had been made some time ago. in the fourth game of the second before “Andy is complex. On court, he can be Wawrinka broke at 3-5 and forced a opposite of what he is in life. It can be con- tiebreak. Cilic spurned fi ve set-points fusing. I was here to help. I had the feeling before slapping a backhand long to I could not take things further anymore,” hand the Swiss the title. “Big congrat- Mauresmo told L’Equipe magazine. ulations to Stan,” Cilic said. “He played “I had the feeling that we were at the end really amazing this week.” Cilic faces with relative ease after an opening set bia’s Mariana Duque-Marino to win Thiem overcomes injury and was 4-2 up in the fi rst set of what we could do professionally. We came the 167th-ranked Marco Trungelliti in that saw fi ve breaks of serve. the Nuremburg clay court WTA fi nal to defend Nice crown against his close friend. to the conclusion that it would be compli- the French Open fi rst round. The home player lost just three yesterday. Ranked 89th in the world, But Thiem rallied and was 2-0 cated to continue.” points on her serve as she raced through the 24-year-old Bertens beat the Co- n Nice, France, top-seeded Austrian ahead in the second set, seem- With Mauresmo, Briton Murray won seven Garcia beats Lucic-Baroni the second set, beating her Croatian lombian 6-2, 6-2 for just her second IDominic Thiem overcame a late arm ingly poised for a straightfor- ATP titles, claiming his first two trophies on opponent 6-4, 6-1 in an hour and a career title after previously winning injury scare to defeat German teenager ward victory. clay in Madrid and Munich. “It was a beautiful to win Strasbourg title quarter. Lucic-Baroni last reached the in Fez in 2012. The spotlight was fi xed Alexander Zverev 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 and However, the highly-rated adventure. A woman coaching a man, it breaks renchwoman Caroline Garcia fi nal in Strasbourg 19 years ago when fi rmly on Bertens last month at the Fed retain his Nice clay-court title yester- Zverev won six of the next seven a few barriers in the world of men’s tennis,” Fclaimed her second WTA title by she was defeated by Steffi Graf. Cup where she won her two singles rub- day. Thiem, the world number 15 who games to force a decider. she said. “I liked the way Andy works, I liked to beating veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni bers over French pair Caroline Garcia stunned Roger Federer at the Rome Mas- Thiem summoned the trainer work with his team. He’s very curious, always in in straight sets in the Strasbourg fi nal Dutch qualifier Bertens and Kristina Mladenovic. The towering ters last week, claimed the sixth title of at the interval to have his right research. That’s what makes great champions.” yesterday. World number 55 Garcia had Dutch player’s focus will now turn to the his career in a timely boost ahead of the arm massaged and the treat- The 29-year-old Murray, a former US Open not even reached a quarter-fi nal since wins in Nuremburg French Open, where she has been drawn French Open which starts in Paris today. ment worked wonders as he and Wimbledon champion, is seeded second February, but she saw off former Wim- utch qualifi er Kiki Bertens claimed against Germany’s world number three Zverev, just 19 and ranked 48 in the claimed 24 of the 29 points in at the French Open which starts today. bledon semi-fi nalist Lucic-Baroni Da straight-sets victory over Colom- Angelique Kerber in the fi rst round. world, was playing in his fi rst tour fi nal the third set to take victory. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, May 22, 2016 SPORT

NBA FINALS Thunder have to take a call on Roberson, Green By Fred Katz in Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. Oklahoma City are driving to the hoop just as much the fl oor, as well. And the Thunder’s open. And putting Waiters on Stephen The Norman Transcript (TNS) “When he’s doing that, we’ve got to scoring effi ciency with Roberson on the Curry could lead to trouble, too, since recognise the way the fl oor is balanced. through two games against the Warriors as they did in the fl oor has fallen to worrisome levels. you would then need to assign Westbrook It doesn’t always mean Andre’s go- regular season (24.5 times a game). The ball just isn’t going “It’s defi nitely kudos to their coach to Thompson or Barnes, both of which ndre Roberson has quickly ing to be open for a shot, but he may into the hoop nearly as much. The Thunder shot 48 for seeing it, understanding and taking could wear out the Thunder point guard. become the most divisive be open to create an opportunity for percent on drives during the regular season, good enough that risk to let that happen,” said Adams. It goes beyond the defense, too. player in the Western Con- somebody else.” But don’t think starting Waiters would A change could extend to locker room ference Finals. Should the Still, Donovan rejected the premise to place them inside the NBA’s top 10. They’re making just make things all peachy. A move for the morale. defensiveA specialist keep starting even of Green’s one-man zone mucking up sake of a move isn’t always the answer. The Thunder split in Oakland, defy- 32 percent of their attempts on drives against Golden State as he has continued to hold back his the Thunder off ense, which has strug- Waiters, like Roberson, has been a ing expectation. Given that, how could team’s off ense? Or, should Dion Wait- gled with Roberson on the fl oor: “Well, to some other player,” said Steven Ad- regular season (24.5 times a game). lock-down defender this postseason, Donovan then go changing his starting ers, who has performed well, take his it doesn’t really,” Donovan reiterated. ams. “Just pretty much get KD and The ball just isn’t going into the but, unlike Roberson, his success has lineup hoping to keep his players happy. spot in the fi rst unit? “... I think that for us, it was just a mat- Russ out of attacking mode.” hoop nearly as much. mostly come while guarding the ball. Still, even if the Thunder off ense If the Spurs used Kawhi Leonard to ter of getting good shots, creating good The Thunder have grown uncom- The Thunder shot 48 percent on He still has fl aky moments away from recovers to more acceptable levels, it sag off Roberson, the Warriors are ig- shots, making the extra pass and fi nd- fortable because of it. With Green there drives during the regular season, good it. But if he were to start instead of remains short of its ceiling as long as noring him altogether. Second-place ing the open man.” to help every which way, the Thunder enough to place them inside the NBA’s Roberson, he would be the one guard- Roberson remains on the fl oor. And Defensive Player of the Year fi nisher It’s not just about fi nding or hit- haven’t been able to get to the rim near- top 10. They’re making just 32 percent ing Klay Thompson, the wing who for the Thunder to beat a 73-win team, Draymond Green is playing a fi gurative ting open shots, though. Even if Rob- ly as eff ectively—in part because Green of their attempts on drives against bounces off screens and fi nds ways to they have to insure that every micro- zone instead of guarding Roberson, erson starts taking or creating those, helping everywhere allows the rest of Golden State. get open about as well as anyone on managed move yields the best result. camping in the paint long enough to the Warriors aren’t the type of team to the Warriors, especially centre Andre Russell Westbrook, meanwhile, who this side of the Clippers’ JJ Redick or There doesn’t have to be a change to tell ghost stories. And if the ball comes back down from a season-long sam- Bogut, to be more aggressive, too. shot 51 percent on drives in the regular the Hawks’ Kyle Korver. the starting lineup, but Oklahoma City to Roberson, the defense barely reacts. ple size just because something went Oklahoma City are driving to the season, is just 2-of-11 on those opportu- You risk Waiters getting lost or other may want to address its rotation, espe- “Green has been able to roam around wrong for one or two plays. hoop just as much through two games nities against the Warriors. The team’s players overcompensating to help him cially if Green’s one-man zone gets the and provide a lot of diff erent help,” “They’re trying to force a skip pass against the Warriors as they did in the turnovers have risen with Roberson on and leaving their primary assignments Warriors off to a hot start in Game 3. NHL/ STANLEY CUP Chicago’s Arrieta becomes league’s Lightning hang on fi rst 8-game winner The Sports Xchange Chicago

hicago’s Jake Arrieta became the National League’s first eight- game winner, limiting San Francisco to four hits and one run Cover seven innings in the Cubs’ 8-1 win over Giants on Friday. to defeat Penguins, Kris Bryant smacked a three-run home run in a five-run third inning, and Jason Heyward and Jorge Soler combined to make three rally- killing catches in support of Arrieta, who improved to 8-0 this season and 19-0 since June 21, 2015. The win was the Cubs’ 22nd in a row in a game started by Arrieta, matching the second-longest streak in the history of . Only the Atlanta Braves’ 23 straight wins in games started by Kris Medlen from 2010-12 has extended longer. even Finals series Elsewhere... Mets 3 beat Brewers 2: Steven Matz allowed three hits over seven strong innings and Michael Conforto laced the go-ahead The best-of-seven series continues today in Pittsburgh before returning to Tampa two-run homer in the sixth inning as the New York Mets beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 at Citi Field. The Mets won for only the second time in eight games. The Brewers have alternated wins and losses in their last four contests. Nationals 4 beat Marlins 1: Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Taylor homered and Tanner Roark pitched a strong game to lead Washington over Miami in a battle of NL East rivals. It was Zimmerman’s fifth homer of the season and the fourth for Taylor. Zimmerman has hit more homers against the Marlins, 28, than he has against any other team in the majors. Indians 4 beat Red Sox 2: Jason Kipnis launched a three-run home run, Corey Kluber held the Boston bats in check over seven innings and the Cleveland won its fifth straight. Kipnis’ blast was his sixth of the season. Jose Ramirez also had an RBI for Cleveland, which has scored 47 runs during its five-game winning streak. Braves 7 beat Phillies 1: Freddie Freeman hit a pair of two-run homers and Nick Markakis added his first home run of the season as Atlanta beat Philadelphia. Freeman, who now has eight homers this year, went deep off Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola in the third inning and reliever Brett Oberholtzer in the ninth. It was Freeman’s seventh career multi-homer game, and his first since June 3 at Arizona. Pirates 2 beat Rockies 1: Gerrit Cole made his second successive eff ective start with the help of some strong Pittsburgh defense and Pittsburgh beat Colorado for the eighth straight time. David Freese’s RBI single drove in the go-ahead run in the Pirates’ sixth, and Starling Marte made the lead stand up by throwing out Dustin Garneau as he tried to score Charlie Blackmon’s two-out single in the seventh. The Pirates won for the fifth time in six games and are 14-3 against NL West teams at PNC Park the last two seasons. Rays 7 beat Tigers 5: Kevin Kiermaier ripped a go-ahead, three- run triple and Matt Andriese won his third consecutive start as Tampa downed Detroit. Steven Souza Jr. and Steve Pearce hit solo home runs for Tampa Bay, who stretched their winning streak to four games. Andriese, who allowed only one run in his first two starts, gave up four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Rangers 2 beat Astros 1: Colby Lewis fired seven shutout in- nings and continued his string of exceptional outings at Minute Maid Park while leading Texas over Houston. Lewis allowed four hits and posted six strikeouts to improve to 7-0 with a 1.15 ERA in nine career appearances at Minute Maid Park. Over 55 career innings in Houston, he has 51 strikeouts and four walks. Blue Jays 9 beat Twins 3: Perhaps Minnesota was the cure for what ailed slumping Toronto, who used four home runs and a five-run sixth inning to coast to the win. It was Toronto’s second win in as many days over Minnesota after entering the series with a five-game losing streak. Mariners 8 beat Reds 3: Lee Dae-ho homered and also had a two-run single during a four-run seventh as Seattle rallied for the Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) is victory. Seattle’s off ense sputtered for six innings before erupting congratulated by teammates after they beat Pittsburgh for seven runs in the final three frames. Penguins in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the Royals 4 beat White Sox: No. 9 hitter Paulo Orlando went 3-for- 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff s. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports) 4 with a double and two RBIs, and Kansas City pulled away from Chicago. Salvador Perez and Alcides Escobar contributed two The Sports Xchange Pittsburgh’s Phil Kessel ended the shut- went awkwardly into the boards behind Tampa Bay, coming off back-to-back hits apiece for the Royals. Kansas City earned its fourth win in Washington out early in the third, scoring his eighth the Pittsburgh net. losses for the fi rst time in this postseason, the past five games. goal of the playoff s just 1:18 into the nalfi He did not return to the game and re- took the lead on the fi rst shot of the night. Diamondbacks 11 beat Cardinals 7: A late burst of off ense period to make it 4-1. portedly left the arena on crutches. A long shot from Hedman was redirected in gave Arizona its first win in St. Louis since 2013. Chris Owings’ he Tampa Bay Lightning jumped The Penguins pulled goalie Matthew Up 2-0 after one period, the Lightning front of the net by Ryan Callahan and past bases-loaded two-run single keyed the eighth inning outburst, out to a 4-0 lead, then gave up Murray for the fi rst time in the post-sea- stayed in control, then took advantage Murray for his second goal of the playoff s. which also featured RBI singles from pinch-hitter Rickie Weeks, three goals in the third period son, putting in Marc-Andre Fleury for with a four-minute power play, with Hed- Lightning, playing again without top Michael Bourn and Paul Goldschmidt. before holding on for a 4-3 Game the third period and his debut in this man feeding Jonathan Drouin for his third goalie Ben Bishop or leading scorer Steven Orioles 9 beat Angels 4: Chris Davis’ two-out, two-run home run T4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at year’s playoff s. goal of the series and a 3-0 lead. Stamkos, got strong play from Vasilevskiy in in the seventh inning snapped a tie and lifted Baltimore over Los Amalie Arena on Friday to even the Eastern Pittsburgh added a goal from Evgeni The extended power play came af- net. Tampa Bay had only four power plays in Angeles at Angel Stadium. Davis’ home run was the fourth of the Conference Finals series. Malkin—his fourth of the playoff s—to pull ter Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang the fi rst three games of the series, but earned night for the Orioles, which also got the long ball from Joey Rickard, “I didn’t think we ever lost control of within 4-2 with 8:47 remaining. shot the puck after the whistle and it hit two in the fi rst eight minutes of the game. Manny Machado and Mark Trumbo. But it was rare in that it was the game,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper Pittsburgh got a power play 13 seconds Drouin, setting off a scuffl e that would re- Johnson, who took a puck to the face just the fifth home run hit by a left-hander off Angels left-handed said.”Give Pittsburgh credit. later, and converted with 6:52 left as Chris sult in Letang getting two minutes each for in warmups when a shot caromed off the reliever Jose Alvarez in his career in 223 plate appearances. “They played loose, they played hard, Kunitz hammered home a rebound to cut cross-checking and roughing. post, played through the injury—at fi rst, Yankees 8 beat A’s 3: CC Sabathia outpitched Sonny Gray as New they tried to make a game of it, which they the lead to 4-3. Hedman took a cut to the neck on a high- he wore a full cage to protect his face, York defeated Oakland for the second straight night at the Oakland did. But I never was sitting there saying “I think they were just a little more des- stick that was not called, and the goal came switching to a clear shield over his face Coliseum. Sabathia, a Bay Area native, earned his 100th win in New ‘This game’s in trouble for us,’ and I think perate,” Penguins’ Sidney Crosby said. shortly after his return to the ice, three midway through the fi rst period. York pinstripes and became the eighth modern era player to win everybody on the bench thought that and “We didn’t have the desperation we need- minutes exactly into the power play. “Now the talk is somebody should shoot 100 games or more with two teams as he won 106 with Cleveland. the result ended up saying the same thing.” ed early on, until we got behind four goals “I have no excuse,” Letang said after the one into Johnny’s mouth now in warmups He struck out eight and walked just one as the Yankees got a After giving up 48 shots in a 4-2 loss on and we found it. We put ourselves in a big game.”I should be on the ice. I should be now for Game 5. I thought he had a hell of much-needed win and an encouraging start from Sabathia in his Wednesday, the Lightning were in control hole there.” more disciplined.” a game,” Cooper said. “He should probably first game back from the disabled list. from the start and scored 27 seconds into The best-of-seven series continues to- Tampa Bay made it 4-0 with 2:12 left in keep the cage on again in warmups.” Padres 7 beat Dodgers 6: Melvin Upton’s two-run homer in the the game. Three goals assisted by defense- day in Pittsburgh before returning to Tam- the second—Tyler Johnson, who had taken Tampa Bay made it a 2-0 lead with 5:32 ninth lifted San Diego past Los Angeles. Upton’s sixth homer of man Victor Hedman matched a Lightning pa on Tuesday. a puck to the face in warmups, was cred- left in the fi rst, as Kucherov made a stel- the season snapped a four-game losing streak. Wil Myers had playoff record. Goaltender Andrei Vasi- The Penguins saw defenseman Trevor ited with his sixth goal of the playoff s, but lar cross-zone pass to hit defenseman An- singled in shallow center, just beyond second baseman’s Chase levskiy took a shutout into the third before Daley helped off the ice in the second pe- all he did was let Nikita Kucherov’s cross drej Sustr on the far side of the net, and he Utley’s reach, before Upton’s dramatic blow. things got interesting. riod with a lower-body injury after he pass hit his shin and bounce into the goal. scored for his fi rst goal of the playoff s. Gulf Times Sunday, May 22, 2016 7 SPORT

MOTOGP INJURY Chinese racer Li fl own to hospital Resurgent Rossi aft er Formula 3 crash

DPA Carlin said. Spielberg, Austria Li’s car somersaulted through the air while Tveter’s car was hit again by Brazilian Pedro Piquet, hinese driver Li Zhi the son of three-time Formula fi ghts back with Cong was taken by heli- One world champion Nelson copter to hospital after Piquet, who careered into the his car fl ew through the barriers. Cair following a collision during a A statement by motorsport Formula 3 race in Spielberg, Aus- federation FIA said: “A seri- tria yesterday. ous incident has occurred dur- Li has been diagnosed with ing Race 1 of Round 4 of the FIA “multiple broken bones in his Formula 3 European Champion- sensational pole heel, which will require surgery ship, involving car number 18 Zhi in the near future,” according to Cong Li (CHN), number 3 Ryan his team Carlin, after crashing Tveter (USA) and number 5 Pedro The hills of Mugello exploded as Valentino Rossi took pole position for the Italian GP, into the back of American Ryan Piquet (BRA). Tveter’s car, which had spun off “Following on-track evalua- holding off Maverick Viñales and Andrea Iannone in a gripping session and back onto the track at the tion, Zhi Cong Li and Ryan Tveter Red Bull Ring. were transferred to the circuit’s The team added Li, 22, also had medical centre. One driver was “four fractured vertebrae which initially unconscious, but both do not require surgery,” and that drivers were conscious on arrival he was “alert and speaking with at the medical centre.” team personnel.” The race was ended after the Tveter went to hospital for crash almost six minutes before assessment and has been dis- its scheduled conclusion, with charged with heavy bruising to the results at that stage allowed his knee, the Volkswagen-backed to stand.

CYCLING Aussie Dennis wins Tour of California time trial

AFP begins and ends in Santa Rosa, San Francisco setting up Sunday’s concluding 84.8-mile (136.5km) trek that ends in the state capital of Sac- ustralia’s Rohan Den- ramento. nis won Friday’s sixth stage time trial in the Results & Standings Tour of California while France’sA Julian Alaphilippe fi n- Results and standings after ished eighth to retain his grip on Friday’s 12.6-mile (20.3km) the overall lead. time trial sixth stage of the BMC rider Dennis captured Tour of California: the 12.6-mile (20.3km) time trial around the town of Folsom in 6th stage result 24mins 16secs, defeating Ameri- 1. Rohan Dennis (AUS/BMC) can Andrew Talansky of Can- 24min 16sec, 2. Andrew Talan- nondale by 17 seconds with US sky (USA/Cannondale) 17 sec- standout Taylor Phinney, Den- onds, 3. Taylor Phinney (USA/ Italian Valentino Rossi rides his Yamaha during the third Free Practice session on the eve of the Italian MotoGP Grand Prix at the racetrack in Mugello yesterday. nis’ BMC teammate, third, an- BMC) 20, 4. Soren Andersen other three seconds adrift. (DEN/Giant-Alpecin) 33, 5. Agencies there were still hot laps to come. Both Italian GP Grid (Top 10) Marquez will start off the front row of the Etixx-Quick Step rider Alap- Brent Brookwalter (USA/BMC) Mugello Marquez and Viñales were rapid in their grid. hilippe, meanwhile, kept the 43, 6. Vasil Kiryienka (BLR/ fi nal runs but neither could best ‘The 1. Valentino Rossi () Yamaha Before the weekend had even started, overall lead with two stages re- Sky) 44, 7. Lawson Craddock Doctor’. 2. Maverick Vinales (Spain) Suzuki everyone was expecting Jorge Lorenzo to maining by fi nishing only 45 (USA/Cannondale) 44, 8. he hills of Mugello exploded as For the fi rst time since 2008, Rossi 3. Andrea Iannone (Italy) Ducati fl y in Mugello. But the Majorcan has so far seconds behind Dennis, giving Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/Etixx- Rossi took pole position for the will line up on pole position in Mugello. 4. Marc Marquez (Spain) Honda had a quiet weekend, rarely able to chal- the Frenchman a total time of Quick Step) 45, 9. Jurgen Van Italian GP, holding off Viñales 2008 was the last time he won at the Ital- 5. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha lenge for the top spot during practice. For 24:26:46. Den Broeck (BEL/Katusha) and Iannone in a gripping ses- ian track and with the winner of the last 6. Aleix Espargaro (Spain) Suzuki the fi rst time in 2016 he will start off the The Aussie’s stage triumph 49, 10. Neilson Powless (USA/ Tsion. eight races coming from pole, it certainly front row, fi fth his worst grid position in jumped him into second place 7. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda Axeon) 52 The last eight races have seen the seems like the planets are aligning for 8. Bradley Smith (Britain) Yamaha 16 races. All of the top fi ve were able to overall, only 16 seconds off the pole setter go on to take victory, the stat Rossi. For the fi rst time since 2009, Rossi 9. Danilo Petrucci (Italy) Ducati produce 1’46s in Q2. Lorenzo swapped pace after starting the day 61 General classification looming in the back of all the MotoGP has managed two poles in a single season. 10. Scott Redding (Britain) Ducati front tyres just before his fi nal run on seconds adrift. 1 Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/ riders’ minds as they headed out for Q2. Right with Rossi for most of his laps track, an uncommon sight in Q2. American Brent Bookwal- Etixx-Quick Step) 24hr 26mins Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) was the was Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ec- Aleix Espargaro (Team Suzuki Ecstar), ter of BMC was third overall, 38 46secs, 2. Rohan Dennis (AUS/ man of the moment having topped both star), the future teammates each taking tion. A front row still puts him in prime Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), Bra- seconds back after a fi fth-place BMC) at 16 seconds, 3. Brent Free Practice 3 and 4, the Italian imme- turns to lead and follow, to teach and position to battle for victory, he and Rossi dley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), stage fi nish in which he pulled Bookwalter (USA/BMC) 38, diately sliding in behind Jorge Lorenzo learn. The lessons clearly paid off for having shown incredible race pace in Free Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) back only two seconds from 4 Andrew Talansky (USA/ (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) for a tow. Viñales as the Spaniard set a 1’46.598 to Practice 4. Returning Ducati to the top and Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Ya- Alaphilippe. Cannondale) 47, 5. Neilson He was straight into the 1’46s with Marc end 0.094 behind Rossi and begin Sun- step of the podium in Mugello would be khnich) completed the top ten. As is be- The Frenchman had owned a Powless (USA/Axeon) 1:08 Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) also get- day’s race in second. Viñales continues to a dream come true for both Iannone and coming increasingly common, under a 22-second lead on American Pe- 6. Lawson Craddock (USA/ ting under the 1’47s barrier immediately. ride a wave of confi dence after taking his Ducati. second divided all of the top 12 riders in ter Stetina after fi ve stages. Cannondale) 1:17, 7. Samuel Iannone remained locked to Lorenzo fi rst MotoGP World Championship po- There were four diff erent bikes in the the Q2 session. Lotto-Jumbo rider George Sanchez Gonzalez (ESP/BMC) and improved to a 1’46.607 but the times dium and securing his future for the next top four as Marquez set a 1’46.759 to lock Everything is in place for a legendary Bennett of New Zealand, 37 sec- same time, 8. Laurens Ten were just starting to drop. Seemingly out two years. This is just Viñales’ third front down fourth and head the second row of Italian GP today. onds adrift after the fi fth stage, Dam (NED/Giant-Alpecin) 1:24, of nowhere Valentino Rossi (Movistar row start since joining the class in 2015. the grid for the race. Marquez’s fastest Could Rossi break Spain’s domination fell to ninth overall at 1:45 back. 9. George Bennett (NZL/Lotto- Yamaha MotoGP) produced a 1’46.504 Favourite before the session, Iannone lap was hindered somewhat but a small of his home track and claw back even Saturday’s seventh stage will Jumbo) 1:45, 10. Jurgen Van and moved into provisional pole. The was unable to quite deliver on his poten- mistake towards the end. For the fi rst more championship points? be a 109-mile (175.5km) jour- Den Broeck (BEL/Katusha) 1:48 crowd was whipped into a frenzy but tial as he was only able to take third posi- time since the Catalan GP back in 2015, His fans will wait with bated breath. ney through wine country that

GIRO D’ITALIA Chaves wins epic Giro stage, Kruijswijk in pink

AFP Results & Standings Corvara Results from Giro d’Italia (Farra d’Alpago - Corvara in Badia, olombian Esteban Chaves 210km) yesterday (Top 10) snatched victory on an epic 1. Esteban Chaves (Colombia / 14th stage of the Giro d’Italia Orica) 6:06:16” 2. Steven Kruijswijk yesterday that saw Dutchman (Netherlands / LottoNL) ST 3. Georg StevenC Kruijswijk take the pink jersey Preidler (Austria / Giant) 4. Darwin and favourite Vincenzo Nibali boost his Atapuma (Colombia / BMC Racing) victory hopes. +6” 5. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Astana) Costa Rican Andrey Amador had +37” 6. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Belarus started the 210km stage from Alpago / Dimension Data) 7. Ilnur Zakarin to Corvara as the new race leader after (Russia / Katusha) +2:29” 8. Rafal dispossessing Luxembourg’s Bob Jun- Majka (Poland / Tinkoff ) 9. Rigoberto gels after a fi rst day in the mountains Uran (Colombia / Cannondale) on Friday. +2:50” 10. Domenico Pozzovivo But in what was a hugely disappointing (Italy / AG2R) +3:00” day for Movistar, Amador and his team leader Alejandro Valverde fi nished nearly Overall Classification (Top 8) four minutes behind Chaves after the 1. Steven Kruijswijk (Netherlands / Orica team rider dominated a four-man LottoNL); 2. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / sprint to the line after they had launched Astana); 3. Esteban Chaves (Colom- a dramatic chase of Colombian Darwin bia / Orica); 4. Alejandro Valverde Atapuma (BMC) in the closing kilometres Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk of team Lotto NL celebrates the pink jersey of the (Spain / Movistar); 5. Andrey Ama- of the six-climb thriller. overall leader on the podium of the 14th stage of the 99th Giro d’Italia. dor (Costa Rica / Movistar); Italian favourite Nibali, the 2013 6. Rafal Majka (Poland / Tinkoff ); 7. champion, failed to get the stage win one of his main rivals for overall victory bali and a 1:32 lead on Chaves head- Ilnur Zakarin (Russia / Katusha); 8. but the Astana team leader crossed the in Turin on May 29. ing into today’s 15th stage time trial, a Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Can- fi nish just 37 seconds in arrears to build Kruijswijk, of the Lotto team, now 10.8km race against the clock which is nondale) a signifi cant advantage on Valverde, Colombian Esteban Chaves celebrates after winning the 14th stage yesterday. leads the race with a 41sec lead on Ni- mostly uphill. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, May 22, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT BADMINTON / UBER CUP China dominates England injuries S Korea to win fi nal overshadow win in semis by Saracens China’s Li Xuerui celebrates her win against S Korea’s Sung Ji-hyun. ‘Manu has pulled his hamstring. I don’t know how bad it is, but it’s not great. We’ll AFP ing through a 16-21, 21-17, 25-23 Kunshan scrap against the world number assess it over the next couple of days. We don’t know if he’s out of the tour, we’ll see...’ four China duo of Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei that clocked in at 94 lympic champion Li minutes. Xuerui led the Chinese Wang Shixian put China back in national squad to vic- the win column as she exhausted tory over at Kim Hyo-min, moving the shut- theO Uber Cup fi nal in China yes- tlecock across the court at will terday, securing the country’s 14th during the 21-13, 21-12 rout. world badminton team champion- Following the win, Wang ship title in dominant fashion. downplayed her individual ef- China rarely surrendered com- forts and Olympic ambitions as mand over the court during its Rio approaches, saying she was 3-1 triumph in front of a packed proud to be “fi ghting for our home crowd in the eastern city of team, for our national team”. Kunshan, near Shanghai. Chen Qingchen and Tang Li, the world number three, Yuanting delivered the third and brushed off an early defi cit after fi nal victory in the best of fi ve dropping the fi rst game to sev- series by beating Chang Ye-na enth-ranked Sung Ji-hyun. and Lee So-hee in straight sets, The Olympic gold medallist 21-14, 21-16. rallied back for the win by con- With the championship trolling the pace and keeping the sealed, the fans in attendance South Korean out of sync with unleashed a deafening approval repeated drop shots in the 14-21, of the pair’s spirited perform- 21-13, 21-10 victory. ance as their teammates rushed “Every step in the team match onto the court to celebrate. is one step for myself,” Li said The South Koreans, who were after the match, adding she aiming to end their six-year planned to celebrate “quietly” drought at the Uber Cup, were after the week-long tournament. unable to fi nd their groove and Sixth-ranked doubles team suff ered in the absence of their Jung Kyung-eun and Shin Se- second singles player Bae Yeon- ung-chan from South Korea Ju, who was sidelined by an ankle prevented a whitewash, power- injury sustained on Friday night.

China’s world No 1 Liu misses out on Rio singles spot Women’s world number one title in Rio after being picked Liu Shiwen will not take part alongside world number one in the table tennis singles at Ma Long in the men’s competi- the Rio Olympics after failing tion. The 28-year-old world to secure one of China’s two number four was preferred to spots in the competition, the Xu Xin and Fan Zhendong for International Table Tennis the Aug. England suff ered a double injury fright ahead of their tour of Australia after both Manu Tuilagi (pictured above) and Owen Farrell went off early. Federation has announced. 6-17 tournament despite be- The Chinese Table Tennis As- ing below them in the world AFP “We don’t know if he’s out of the tour, by Wyles and fellow wing Chris Ashton. Saracens’ bid to complete a Euro- sociation have instead handed rankings. London we’ll see how he gets on in the next 48 Leicester then scored 17 points at the pean and domestic double contin- the slots to tried and tested World number three Xu will hours before assessing how bad it is.” start of the second half. ued in convincing fashion as they Olympic campaigners in reign- join Ma and Zhang to defend Meanwhile Farrell, England’s Six Na- But the one-time kings of English rugby surged into a 31-0 half-time lead ing champion Li Xiaoxia and the team title but teen- ngland suff ered a double injury tions grand slam-winning goalkicker, had left themselves with too much to do. thanks to two tries apiece by Wyles world champion Ding Ning, ager Fan, second in the world fright ahead of their tour of Aus- departed the scene after bearing the Last week, Saracens beat Paris-based and fellow wing Chris Ashton the London silver medallist. rankings, missed out on the tralia after both Manu Tuilagi brunt of two heavy tackles. Racing 92 in the European Champions Liu will, however, get the chance to make his Olympic and Owen Farrell went off early as By that stage Farrell had kicked 11 Cup fi nal. An error-strewn Leicester display was chance to make her Olympic debut. SaracensE advanced into the Premiership points in a match where Saracens, last They will face Exeter in the Premier- summed up when England scrum-half Ben debut in Brazil when she World champion Ma missed fi nal yesterday. season’s Premiership champions, ran in ship fi nal at Twickenham on May 28 after Youngs’ careless pass was intercepted by teams up with Li and Ding out on a singles berth at the Leicester centre Tuilagi, returning fi ve tries. the south-west club overcame Wasps 34- Wyles for the American’s second try. to defend China’s team title 2012 Olympics after a brief dip from a knee injury and playing on an arti- “I don’t how serious it is,” said Sara- 23 in Saturday’s second semi-fi nal. The match was all but over as a contest after London gold medallist in his ranking, despite having fi cial pitch for the fi rst time, lasted just 20 cens boss Mark McCall. “He’s got a bang Quick thinking from former Spring- at the break but early in the second half Guo Ye was dropped from the dominated the game for much minutes before going off with a damaged on the rib and you know ribs can go one bok hooker Schalk Brits and England lock Leicester’s Telusa Veainu crossed for a try national team due to a spine of the previous two years. right leg while trying to tackle United way or another. Hopefully it goes the George Kruis saw Saracens opening the before forward drives sent in the Tigers’ injury. China has swept all four table States wing Chris Wyles in a Premiership right way.” scoring with a try from Will Fraser. Dom Barrow. Zhang Jike will have the tennis tournaments at the last semi-fi nal match European champions Eddie Jones, England’s Australian Wyles then seized on a loose kick from But two penalties from former England chance to defend his singles two Olympic Games. Saracens won 44-17 at their Allianz Park coach, is due to name his squad for next Leicester fl y-half Owen Williams to run fl y-half Charlie Hodgson, on for Farrell, ground in north London. month’s three-Test series against the in for a try under the posts. and Ashton’s second try saw Saracens “Manu has pulled his hamstring. I Wallabies on Sunday. Tuilagi then went off and Leices- stop the fi ghtback. don’t know how bad it is, but it’s not Saracens’ bid to complete a European ter’s day got worse as they conceded Defeat meant Leicester suffered CHAMPIONSHIP great. We’ll assess it over the next couple and domestic double continued in con- a third try, with Ashton fi nishing off a their second semi-final loss of the sea- of days,” said Leicester director of rugby vincing fashion as they surged into a 31-0 well-worked move that started with a son following their European reverse Richard Cockerill said. half-time lead thanks to two tries apiece ‘wheeled’ scrum. against Racing. Rampant Japan BOTTOMLINE demolish S Korea in nine-try romp

AFP They started the match with Hayne makes Fiji sevens debut the assistance of a strong breeze Incheon, South Korea and made use of it in the opening AFP But England bucked the “He’s a special athlete and minutes – fl y-half Oh Jim-Yeong London script, Dan Norton, Alex Gray he’ll have quite an impact apan all but secured their launching a successful penalty and Alex Davis crossing for three for the Fijian side, I reckon second consecutive Asia kick from halfway to give his side long-distance fi rst-half tries he’d be good” Rugby Championship an early 3-0 lead. arryd Hayne made his de- before Stade Francais winger in Incheon on Saturday Japan responded soon after but for Fiji in the World Waisea Nayacalevu pulled one “Old Hayney’s not a bad rooster, withJ a 60-3 nine-try mauling of through a try to hooker Atsushi Rugby Sevens in London back for Fiji. is he?! South Korea. Sakate and they took the as- yesterday in the latest Norton scored a splendid sec- “He’s a special athlete and While can still cendancy when captain Keisuke OlympicJ twist to the Australian- ond try before Hayne was intro- he’ll have quite an impact for mathematically level the se- Uchida split the home defence to born back’s star-studded code- duced for the fi nal four minutes. the Fijian side, I reckon he’d be ries with two games remaining, make it 10-3. crossing adventure. Masivesi Dakuwaqa went over good.” three bonus-point wins leave the South Korea’s cause was made Hayne last week abandoned for Fiji’s second before Hayne Former New Zealand captain Brave Blossoms with one hand tougher when Youn Kwon-Woo playing NFL with the San Fran- fi nally touched the ball after the Karl Te Nana, now a respected fi rmly on the cup. found himself in the sin bin after cisco 49ers to pursue a spot on hooter had sounded, Tom Bowen television commentator, added: Japan entered the match with 16 minutes, allowing Japan to fur- Fiji’s sevens squad for this year’s capitalising on a speculative of- “It’s always going to be tough, a 23 that included fi ve debutants ther drive home their advantage. Rio Games. fl oad to seal a comfortable 31-10 you try to get involved. and a host of changes from their A penalty try and a brace from The 28-year-old’s run out victory for the home side. He needs some time in the last match. Ryohei Yamanaka saw Japan pull for Fiji at Twickenham was his Fellow cross-code import saddle, it’s great to see him get Interim coach Ryuji Nakatake away and take a 29-3 lead into debut in , having Sonny Bill Williams, who made on the fi eld at least. said he was pleased with the vic- the half-time break. previously starred for Parram- his name in rugby league before “The game had been lost by tory, but also highlighted South It was all Japan after the re- atta Eels in the Australian NRL, going on to win two World Cup then, but now he’s got the feel of Korea’s eff ort. start and South Korea were again during which time he won 12 titles with the All Blacks, was it, he’s into the tournament and “Korea have high pressure on a man down when Kim Hyun- caps for the Kangaroos and four in no doubt when asked if he’d hopefully the next game and go- defence and particularly on the Soo was yellow-carded after 53 for Fiji, from where his father given Hayne any advice. ing forward he’ll get more game breakdown,” he said. minutes. hailed. “Work on your fi tness!” said time.” South Korea, with three A second try to Sakate was In London, Hayne, who played Williams, before adding that Hayne will no doubt have changes to their starting 15 from followed by scores from Kentaro 20 times for New South Wales at Hayne “would be fi ne”. further opportunities at Eng- last week’s 34-27 defeat by Hong Kodama, Naohiro Kotaki, full-back or centre in the State Nick Cummins, who is also land’s rugby union headquar- Kong, showed more fi ght than in Takuhei Yasuda and Hajime Ya- of Origin, started on the bench pursuing hs Olympic dream with ters when Fiji cross swords with their 85-0 loss to Japan in the re- mashita, and a strong defensive for the reigning series champi- the Australia sevens team after pool rivals Wales and Australia gional championship opener but eff ort ensured Japan are yet to ons and current series leaders. File picture of Jarryd Hayne. winning 15 Wallaby caps, added: later in the day. were never in the game. concede a try in the tournament. Gulf Times Sunday, May 22, 2016 9 SPORT

SWIMMING FOCUS Paltrinieri Sweden’s Sjostrom eager for pool duel with Sun ready to smash appearance for swimwear brand Reuters London Arena. “Last year I wanted him to be in the fi nal, I wanted to race a fi nal against him. I was ready regorio Paltrinieri is for a direct showdown. I know counting on China’s he’s the greatest distance swim- 2012 Olympic swim- mer, he was one of my idols when her 100m butterfl y ming champion and I was younger.” G1,500 freestyle world record Paltrinieri said that in Sun’s holder Sun Yang to stand up and absence he had felt the pressure ‘I can beat the world record, I have been feeling good in the fly the whole season’ show what he’s made of at the of expectation. Rio Games in August. “The challenge was a lot about The Italian won world cham- him. Without him, I felt all of a pionship gold last year in the sudden, 10 seconds before going Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom set the record of longest distance in the pool, with into the water, all the pressures 55.64 seconds on her way to gold at last year’s Sun’s lane empty after his shock of the world on me. world championships in Kazan, Russia. withdrawal from the fi nal in Ka- “I knew that if I had lost that zan, Russia. China’s most suc- race I’d have regretted it all my cessful male swimmer, now 24, life because Sun Yang was not said he had felt uncomfortable there and I was the favourite. while warming up. Losing to someone else would At this week’s European have been a heavy burden.” championships, Paltrinieri swam The Italian said he had learned the second fastest 1,500 yet in a since then to shut out distrac- continental record of 14 minutes tions, focusing on his own race in 34.04 seconds. He had been in- the knowledge that he could not side the world record between be responsible for the actions of the 1,100-1,400 mark. others. In London four years ago Only Sun, who won his Ol- he had tried to enjoy the occasion ympic gold in the same London and learn from rivals but Rio will pool four years ago with a world be all about going for gold, even if record 14:31.02, has swum faster he jokingly lists his favourite fi lm and Rio promises to be a duel be- as ‘The Hangover’. tween the two outstanding dis- “It’s fun, I’ve watched it loads tance swimmers. of times,” he said with a laugh. “I hope he’s there,” Paltrinieri, If he beats Sun in Rio, the party 21, told reporters yesterday at an could go on for a while.

Reuters “If I am in the shape I can be, I am sure I relax and if everything goes right up here I in the 100m at the 2012 Games and is London can swim very fast.” can do anything,” she added, tapping her targeting her fi rst Olympic medal at her The Swede set the record of 55.64 head.”Everything is mental as well. I just third Games. She got sick shortly before seconds on her way to gold at last year’s have to put some things together. I have London but now has a better plan for weden’s Sarah Sjostrom reckons world championships in Kazan, Russia. been working on my fi rst 50 for a while, Rio, where she will swim three freestyle her 100 metres butterfl y world She swam a 55.89 on Friday, for her third I know that my last 50 can be amazing,” events as well as butterfl y and relays. record is on borrowed time ahead gold of the meet, despite not having fully she said. “We didn’t think about putting the of the Rio Olympics because she tapered.That was still faster than anyone Training with the Swedish men most blackout period that some athletes are believesS she can go signifi cantly faster. else this year, even if she did a 55.68 a few of the time, she has plenty of competi- talking about before the Games, I didn’t “I think I can beat the world record, I weeks earlier in Sweden, or ever. tion to push her in practice. “The guys, have that (in 2012),” she said. “I was have been feeling very good in the fl y the The Olympic gold in the same London some butterfl y swimmers in the training working all the way and then I got sick whole season,” she told reporters at the pool four years ago was won by Ameri- are much faster than me,” she said.”So I because I didn’t have time for recovery. European championships yesterday dur- can Dana Vollmer in a then-world record have to swim behind the waves every day. Now my blackout period is already in. ing an appearance for swimwear brand 55.98, beating the previous best set by I’m used to having someone who is much If we are doing media now, it’s because Arena. “I’m pretty sure I can go under, Sjostrom in a now-banned non-textile faster in practice than me and I think of the European championships. I don’t like, 55 if I do everything right, but it’s not body suit in 2009. “I feel so confi dent in that’s very good.” have any more sponsor things or pho- Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri celebrates his victory on the podium easy to do everything perfect when you the swimming and everything just goes The Swede, who also holds the short- toshoots. I did miss a lot of training last after winning the men’s 800m freestyle final at the European are in the fi nal,” the 22-year-old added. by itself,” said Sjostrom. “So I just have to course world record of 54.61, was fourth time. Now I haven’t missed any sessions.” Aquatics Championships in London. (Reuters)

ROUND-UP ’S MARY KOM SEES Captain Kimura fans fl ames as Japan HOPES OF RIO DASHED New Delhi: Indian sporting star and five-time world boxing champion Mary Kom yesterday saw her dream of qualifying team qualify for Rio for the Rio 2016 Olympics end after losing a crucial bout at AFP AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. Kom, who won a bronze medal at the London 2012 apan qualifi ed for their fourth Olympics, lost 0-2 to Germany’s successive Rio Olympics in Azize Nimani in the second women’s volleyball yesterday after round of the tournament in the an inspired captain’s performance 51kg weight category in Astana, fromJ Saori Kimura. . She needed to The Japanese were beaten 23-25, 27-25, reach the semi-finals of the 27-25, 21-25, 15-9 by Italy in the Tokyo championship to qualify for her qualifi ers but clinched the two sets they second successive appearance required to book their ticket, helped in no in Olympics. small measure by Kimura’s 31 points. Her Kom took off aggressively Ren Cancan in a key match heroics ensured Japan joined Italy, the against her German opponent, which could have helped her Netherlands and Asia rivals South Korea who kept her at bay by fighting secure a berth in the Olympics. in this summer’s Games in Rio. from a distance. The Indian The 33-year-old, a star in India, Japan, bronze medallists behind Brazil boxer continued to throw her- was the subject of a 2014 Bol- and the United States at the 2012 Lon- self at Nimani who adopted lywood biopic and won gold don Olympics, have posted four wins and defensive tactics to frustrate in that year’s Asian Games in two defeats to claim the fourth and fi nal Kom, with the German declared South Korea. She is also a brand spot for Brazil. Antonella Del Core led the winner. ambassador for AIBA. Italy with 22 points. “Kimura was amaz- “I am extremely happy after Meanwhile, Asian Games ing,” Japan coach Masayoshi Manabe today’s bout,” said Nimani. 2014 bronze medallist L.Sarita told reporters. “She was so hot it was like “Mary Kom is a very strong Devi of India also failed to there were fl ames coming from her. We Japanese players celebrate after winning a point against Italy during the women's volleyball qualification for the Rio de Janeiro boxer and a legend in our sport qualify for the Olympics after achieved our goal of getting to the Olym- Olympics in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) but I was concentrated and she was knocked out in the pics so now the pressure’s off a little bit.” focused until the last seconds second round. Meanwhile, the Dutch thrashed Peru from an early age and an engineer by pro- RUSSIA SAYS FINANCING EXTRA at least three times by the world athlet- to accomplish my goal. I knew Lightweight pugilist Sa- 25-16, 25-14, 25-17 to qualify for their fession, he left Hungary after the Com- DOPING TESTS FOR ATHLETES ics governing body IAAF, in addition to I could win if I followed my rita (60 kg), a former world third Olympics and fi rst since the 1996 munist Party takeover in 1948 and settled Russia is fi nancing an additional testing all the anti-doping tests they may have instructions and found my champion, lost 0-3 to Mexican Atlanta Games. in San Francisco where he worked as a programme for its track and fi eld athletes to undergo in the normal course of their rhythm. Now I want to be world Victoria Torres. World Champi- university professor. who may compete in the Rio Olympics, a preparations. All samples will be collect- champion.” onships are the final qualifying WORLD’S OLDEST OLYMPIC He later achieved fame for his work in step to prove commitment to cleaning up ed by foreign companies and analysed in Kom secured a spot at the competition for the Rio Games CHAMPION TARICS DIES AT 102 earthquake research, and in particular the sport amid widespread doping allega- laboratories accredited by the World An- 2012 London Olympics at the to be held from August 5-21. The oldest living Olympic champion San- his design of earthquake-proof build- tions, the country’s sports ministry said. ti-Doping Agency (WADA), while plan- same tournament before win- Only three weight categories dor Tarics, who was a member of Hunga- ing technologies. A recipient of offi cial Russia is at the heart of the biggest ning of those tests will be carried out by ning a bronze medal for her of 51 kg, 60 kg and 75 kg are ry’s gold-medal winning waterpolo team honours in both the US and Hungary, he doping scandal in sport and its track and UKAD, Britain’s anti-doping agency, the country at the Games that year. part of the women’s boxing at the 1936 Games, has died aged 102. also served for a period as the UN’s earth- fi eld athletes are suspended as a result of ministry said. Nimani will now meet top seed competitions at the Olympics. Tarics, who was born in 1913 in Bu- quake adviser. After the death in 2011 of a probe into doping accusations, putting Russian President Vladimir Putin said Marzia Davide of Italy, who beat An entry into the semi-finals dapest, passed away at his home in San Italian cyclist Attilio Pavesi, who won two their participation in this year’s Olym- on Friday that Russia supports investiga- Hungary’s Katalin Ancsin in not only assures the boxer of a Francisco, according to a statement by golds at the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, pics in doubt. The ministry said late on tions into doping allegations, adding that their second round fight. medal but also a berth for the the Hungarian Olympic Committee Tarics became the oldest living Olympic Friday that Russian athletes who may be he hoped the focus on his country was not In March Kom lost to China’s Olympics . (MOB) yesterday. A keen mathematician champion. competing in Rio would now be tested politically-motivated. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, May 22, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT IPL Dhoni Anderson leads England helps Pune fi nish to easy win over Lanka on high , following on, were dismissed for 119 in their second innings as England go 1-0 up IANS Visakhapatnam

kipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s 64 not out off 32 deliveries turned it around for Rising Pune SupergiantsS as the debutants ended their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with a four-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab yesterday. Dhoni, who smashed four fours and fi ve sixes, clobbered left-arm spinner Axar Patel for three sixes and a four in the fi nal over to not only take Pune over the line but fi nish at the penulti- mate spot in the IPL table. Placed at the bottom and al- ready out of contention for the play-off s, the match was an in- consequential aff air for both sides. Chasing 173, Pune were off to a poor start losing in-form opener Ajinkya Rahane and in- coming batsman George Bailey in quick successions. That was before Dhoni’s fi reworks started. The Ranchi stumper got ample support from Sri Lankan Thisara Perera, who chipped in with a 14-ball 23 to forge a 58-run sixth wicket stand to take the team to sniffi ng distance of a win. For Punjab, Gurkeerat Singh was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets while Mohit, San- deep, Axar and Rishi took one wicket apiece. Earlier, riding on skipper Murali Vijay and Gurkeerat’s brilliant half centuries, Punjab reached 172 for seven in 20 overs. Gurkeerat continued his bril- liant run with the bat to notch another half century off just 35 balls. Nearing his half century, Vijay changed gears, blasting Zampa for two sixes as the right- handed duo brought up the team’s 100 in 14 overs. Brief Scores: Kings XI Punjab 172/7 (Murali Vijay 59, Gurkeerat England fast bowler James Anderson celebrates after dismissing Sri Lanka’s last wicket Nuwan Pradeep (right) during the first Test at Headingley, Leeds yesterday. (Reuters) Singh 51, Hashim Amla 30, R. Ashwin 4/34) lost to Rising Pune AFP for 16, was delighted by his side’s dominance. “It play for more than two hours and when the match SCOREBOARD Supergiants: 173/6 (Mahendra Leeds, United Kingdom was a really good win. Sometimes you take it for resumed, Cook brought on off -spinner Moeen Ali. England 1st Innings 298 Singh Dhoni 64, Usman Khawaja granted, but watching Stuart (Broad) and Jimmy His second ball saw Mendis get a thin glance, Sri Lanka 1st Innings 91 30, Thisara Perera 23, Gurkeerat go about their business was a pleasure to captain,” with Bairstow failing to hold the diffi cult legside Sri Lanka II Innings (following on, overnight 1-0): Singh 2/15). ames Anderson took 10 wickets in the match said Cook. “Jonny Bairstow was batting on a dif- chance. But Cook’s gamble was rewarded two balls D. Karunaratne c Bairstow b Anderson 7 as England thrashed Sri Lanka by an innings ferent wicket to the other 21 players in this match.” later when Dinesh Chandimal chopped an intend- K. Silva c Bairstow b Anderson 14 and 88-runs inside three days in the fi rst Sri Lanka have just a few days to regroup before the ed cut onto his stumps. K. Mendis b Anderson 53 MS Dhoni Test at Headingley yesterday. Sri Lanka, fol- second Test starts at Chester-le-Street on Friday Mendis, whose innings was a mixture of the D. Chandimal b Ali 8 lowingJ on, were dismissed for 119 in their second and skipper Angelo Mathews said: “We don’t have streaky and stylish, then clipped Anderson through A. Mathews c Bairstow b Broad 5 innings as England went 1-0 up in the three-match a lot of time. We have to make that mental change... midwicket for a boundary that saw him complete L. Thirimanne c Root b Finn 16 series. Lancashire paceman Anderson took fi ve for We have to score runs, that’s the bottom line.” a 62-ball fi fty including 10 fours. Mathews made D. Shanaka c Bairstow b Anderson 4 29 which, added to his fi ve for 16 in Sri Lanka’s mea- Only Kusal Mendis with 53 off ered much in the a Test-best 160 when Sri Lanka won at Heading- R. Herath c Broad b Finn 4 gre fi rst innings 91, gave him match fi gures of 10 for way of meaningful Sri Lanka defi ance with the ley two years ago to claim their fi rst series win in D. Chameera c Compton b Finn 0 45. England wicket-keeper Jonathan Bairstow was bat on Saturday. Sri Lanka resumed on one with- England and he top-scored for the tourists with 34 S. Eranga not out 2 named man-of-the-match for making 140 in Eng- out loss with the overcast conditions that greeted on Friday. But he only managed fi ve on Saturday N. pradeep b Anderson 0 land’s total of 298 on his Yorkshire home ground them similar to those in which they had collapsed before he was caught behind off Broad. And 93 for Extras (lb5, nb1) 6 and holding nine catches in the game. on Friday. Dimuth Karunaratne avoided a pair but four became 93 for fi ve after Mendis’s luck ran out Total (all out, 35.3 overs, 174 mins) 119 “It’s been a good week for us. The knock from fell for seven when caught behind after the left- when, trying to leave an Anderson delivery, he de- Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Karunaratne), 2-35 (Silva), 3-79 Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales (who made 86) hander got an outside edge to a near-unplayable fl ected the ball onto his stumps. (Chandimal), 4-93 (Mathews), 5-93 (Mendis), 6-101 were crucial -- they deserve a lot of credit for the Anderson ball that bounced and cut away off the Either side of tea, Sri Lanka lost their last seven (Shanaka), 7-111 (Herath), 8-117 (Chameera), 9-118 position we got in,” Anderson told Sky Sports. “We seam. Mendis, who like Karunaratne made a fi rst- wickets for 26 runs. Anderson ended the match by (Thirimanne), 10-119 (pradeep) were relentless with the ball.” innings duck, drove both Anderson and fast bowler clean bowling retreating last man Nuwan Pradeep. Bowling: Anderson 13.3-5-29-5; Broad 13-0-57-1; Finn Bairstow, speaking to BBC Radio, added: “I’m Steven Finn for well-struck fours. England’s only major disappointment on Saturday 8-0-26-3 (1nb); Ali 1-0-2-1; confi dent and in good form. I enjoy playing here He also gave two tough chances in the 20s and, was that Ben Stokes spent most of the day’s play off Result: England won by an innings and 88 runs but I wouldn’t say it was easy out there.” off the last ball before lunch, Mendis should have the fi eld with a knee injury suff ered while bowling Man-of-the-match: Jonathan Bairstow (ENG) England captain Alastair Cook, kept waiting been out when he edged Broad only for third slip on Friday. The all-rounder is now struggling to be Series: England lead three-match series 1-0 for his 10,000th run in Test cricket after falling James Vince to drop a routine catch. Rain stopped fi t for the second Test at his Durham home ground. Super Series: England 4 pts Sri Lanka 0 pts

FOCUS India board to appoint Thakur Gujarat outclass Mumbai to qualify for playoff s as new president IANS Guptill (7) too fell cheaply followed by Kru- Kanpur nal Pandya (4) without troubling the opposi- Mumbai: India’s cricket board was set to tion bowlers much. With three quick wickets, announce its youngest ever president after Mumbai were struggling at 45/3 inside the it said yesterday that current secretary eading from the front, skipper Suresh powerplay. Anurag Thakur was the sole candidate Raina (58) smashed a much need half- But incoming batsmen Rane and Jos But- for the post -- one of the most powerful in century to guide Gujarat Lions to a six- tler (33) held their nerves and played sensibly world sport. wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in without losing any more wickets to take the The Board of Control for Cricket in India Lthe IPL yesterday. team past the 100-run mark after 12 overs. (BCCI) said in a statement that Thakur, Gujarat climbed to top of points table with 18 The duo put up a crucial 75-run partnership 41, was the “only” nomination and would points from 14 games and qualifi ed for playoff s. for the fourth wicket before Buttler was dis- be announced as its new chief following Batting fi rst, riding on Nitish Rana’s 36-ball 70 missed by a superb caught and bowled by West a meeting in Mumbai today. “He will be Mumbai posted 172/8 in 20 overs. Indian Dwayne Bravo. Mumbai were 120/4 in off icially declared elected as the President In reply, Gujarat displayed an all-round the 14th over then. Despite the wicket of But- of the BCCI for the remaining term 2014-17, show with the bat as they chased down the tar- tler, Rana played his natural game with Kieron tomorrow at the Special General Meeting,” get posting 173/4 with 13 balls to spare. After Pollard (9) at the other end. said the statement issued late yesterday. loss, Mumbai are in the sixth spot and have 14 The impressive innings by Rana came to an Thakur, who is a member of parliament points from 14 games and are all but knocked end in the 17th over with Bravo dismissing the for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and a out of the last four race. left-handed batsman. But by then Mumbai close ally of Indian Prime Minister Naren- Chasing a challenging target of 172, Gujarat were over the 150-run mark. dra Modi, succeeds Shashank Manohar got off to a poor start losing opener Aaron En route his maiden IPL half-century, the who stepped down earlier this month to Finch (0) in the very second ball of the innings. young left-handed batsman struck seven become the first independent chairman of But his opening partner Brendon McCul- boundaries and four sixes with a strike rate of the International Cricket Council (ICC). lum (48) and incoming batsman skipper Raina Gujarat Lions’ Dwayne Smith (centre) celebrates with teammates Suresh Raina (right) and over 194. Pollard too headed back to the pa- The top post at the cash-rich BCCI is played a well, sneaking in with ones, twos, and Ravindra Jadeja after getting a wicket against Mumbai Indians in Kanpur. (AFP) vilion in the 18th over to help Gujarat make a regarded by many as the most powerful boundaries to take team past 90-run mark in comeback into the game in the death overs. in global cricket. The board benefits from eighth over itself. Dwayne Smith (37 not out) along with Raina For Mumbai, R. Vinay Kumar (2-17) was Dwayne Bravo (2-22), Praveen Kumar (2-24), huge TV deals that allow it to eff ectively The 95-run partnership for the second made sure the team came close to victory line. the pick of the bowlers. Earlier put into bat, Dwayne Smith (2-37) and Dhawal Kulkarni (2- run the ICC with its allies, Australia and wicket came to an Aend in the 10th over when Raina who was looking to good to fi nish the skipper Rohit Sharma (30) got the defend- 41) were the pick of the Gujarat bowlers. England. Manohar took over the post after Harbhajan Singh dismissed McCullum. game for his team was dismissed in the 13th ing champions off to a good start in the fi rst Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 172/8 in 20 overs the sudden death of the then BCCI presi- But Raina played his natural game to put over but his team was well on course to victory three overs. But Dhawal Kulkarni got the much (Nitish Rana 70; Dwayne Bravo 2-22, Praveen dent Jagmohan Dalmiya. pressure on the opposition and he brought up line with 120-plus score. In the dying overs of needed breakthrough in the fourth over dis- Kumar 2-24, Dwayne Smith 2-37, Dhawal Kulkarni Ajay Shirke is said to be a top contender his half-century in 30 balls. the match, Smith and Ravindra Jadeja (21 not missing Rohit to have Mumbai at 33/1. 2-41) lost to Gujarat Lions 173/4 in 17.5 overs for the post of secretary. Dinesh Karthik (3) too fell cheaply. But out) held onto take Gujarat over the line. His opening partner New Zealander Martin (Suresh Raina 58; R. Vinay Kumar 2-17) Gulf Times Sunday, May 22, 2016 11 SPORTSPORT

QFA ANNUAL AWARDS

Winners and off icials pose at the annual Qatar Football Association awards yesterday.PICTURES: Anas Khalid

Al Rayyan Rodrigo Tabata (right) and El Jaish striker Abdullrazaq Al Sadd’s handed over the best under-23 player trophy to Al Rayyan's title-winning coach Jorge Fossati walked away with best coach award. Hamdullah won the Mansour Muftah award for top scorer in this season's QSL. team-mate Abdulkareem Hassan (left).

Al Rayyan midfielder Rodrigo Tabata receives the best player award from QFA President Sheikh Ha- madbin Khalifa bin Ahmad al-Thani.

FOCUS Aspetar inks training agreement with College of North Atlantic

By Our Correspondent signed several agreements in the past and ap- amongst others, which are all specialisms that Doha plied them through training medical students are crucial to the provision of a comprehensive and postgraduate trainees in medicine, nursing educational off ering to students in Qatar and and other specialisms." the region. It also helps increase the number spetar, the orthopaedic and sports “This presents a good opportunity for both of trainees at Aspetar, and motives the hospi- medicine hospital, and College of sides to amplify their eff orts in providing excep- tal’s staff and experts to present the best sports North Atlantic- Qatar (CNA-Q) are tional education in healthcare and sports medi- medicine services”. pleased to announce the signing of cine, and we hope to see more students training This partnership will provide CNA-Q stu- aA clinical training agreement that will see the at Aspetar in the coming academic year.” dents enrolled in the health sciences pro- world renowned hospital off er training and CNA-Q President Dr Ken MacLeod said: “The grammes with day-to-day supervision in for- practical experience in the provision of health partnership we have with Aspetar, which sup- mal and informal teaching sessions throughout care and patient care opportunities to CNA-Q ports our students to achieve academic success the period of the programme, under the super- students. and personal growth through their work-term vision of Aspetar’s qualifi ed staff and the clini- Dr Mohamed Ghaith al-Kuwari, Acting Di- placements, is vital. Aspetar is a highly respect- cal instructors of CNA-Q experts. rector General at Aspetar, and CNA-Q President ed institution, and showcasing our expanding The students will also have the opportunities Dr Ken MacLeod, signed the agreement which working relationship confi rms our commitment to go through training programmes in several will provide experiential activities and practical to the state of Qatar. It is through these part- specialities. These include the pharmacy tech- learning opportunities for the students of health nerships that the School of Health Sciences can nician programme, the radiology programme, sciences programmes. continue to produce highly skilled and qualifi ed the dental assistant programme and the respira- Commenting on the agreement, Dr Moham- health care practitioners into the workforce of tory therapy programme. ed Ghaith al-Kuwari, Acting Director General Qatar.” From his side, Dr Scott Gillogly, Chief Aspetar regularly welcomes members of the at Aspetar, said: “I would like to welcome Dr Medical Offi cer at Aspetar, said: “Signing this local community and elite athletes from dif- MacLeod, President of CNA-Q, and the ac- agreement with CNA-Q, which has been opera- ferent sports around the world for screening, companying delegation, to Aspetar. This is an tional in Qatar for 14 years, is another example treatment and rehabilitation. The hospital fea- important collaborative step towards our joint of the expertise Aspetar shares with students tures centres of excellence for sports medicine, vision of improving education in Qatar. We have in applied sciences, radiology and dentistry sports science, orthopaedics and rehabilitation. Sunday, May 22, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT Qatar hammer-thrower Ashraf targets Rio glory Ashraf Elseify will head to 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games in less than three months as a champion. Elseify won two consecutive World Junior titles in 2012 and 2014—and currently holds the Junior World Record with an impressive 85.57m throw. Elseify shares his story of success and sacrifi ce in a new ‘Olympic Dreams’ fi lm found on Qatar Olympic Committee’s (QOC) social media channel (http://bit.ly/1XBAEqE)

By Sports Reporter ercises and after his fi rst attempt I was He won the gold at the 2012 Asian Junior Doha sure he had the potential to become an Championships in Colombo, Sri Lanka; incredible athlete. set a new world junior record with an “I had promised the federation that incredible 85.57m throw, and won con- ver 10,000 athletes from 206 Ashraf would throw over 80 metres but secutive World Junior titles in Barcelona nations will descend on Rio I was wrong,” coach Malyukov said, in 2012 and Eugene, USA, in 2014. de Janeiro for South Amer- adding, “He threw over 85 metres!” “There’s this expression—‘The world Oica’s fi rst Olympic Games Elseify, who lost his father at a young is smiling at you’—and in winning my this August. A global TV audience of age, has a close bond with coach fi rst Junior World title in Barcelona I re- 4.8 billion will share the raw emotion, Malyukov and it is this relationship ally felt like the whole world was smil- intense drama and unrivalled pride as that forms the basis of the hammer ing at me… I had never felt that way athletes stretch themselves to the ab- thrower’s success. before,” says the Qatari. solute limit of their ability and show- “I started training with Malyukov His success has not come with- case the very best of humankind in the in 2010, when I fi rst took up hammer out sacrifi ces, which Elseify is quick true spirit of Olympism. throw. He is not just my coach; he is like to point out that he is happy to make: Amongst them will be the biggest a father to me. I have learnt so much “I started training at a young age and team that Qatar has ever sent to an Ol- from him, and every day I learn some- I sacrifi ced a lot of things like going ympic Games since the country’s de- thing new. He taught me what hammer out with my friends, staying out late. I but in Los Angeles 1984. Thirty-four throw really is, and about proper tech- missed out on a lot of social gatherings Qatari athletes will compete across six nique and training,” Elseify says. for my sport. But ultimately once you sports—athletics, swimming, shooting, The young hammer thrower is one of win, you don’t feel like you sacrifi ced , equestrian and table tennis. three Aspire Academy alumni that have anything at all. It is an amazing feeling.” As they fi nalise their preparations to qualifi ed for Rio 2016, the other two The 21-year-old athlete will head compete in the most important compe- being high jumper Mutaz Barshim and to his fi rst ever Olympic Games with a tition of their young lives, the QOC has middle distance runner Abubaker Hay- plethora of experience under his belt, launched a #YallaQatar public support der Abdulla. having set history yet again at the 2015 campaign across its social media chan- Elseify credits the world-renowned IAAF World Championships after be- nels to encourage the whole nation to Aspire Academy for his massive de- coming the fi rst Qatari athlete to quali- get behind Team Qatar’s athletes and velopment as an athlete: “My experi- fy for the hammer throw fi nal. celebrate their incredible feats. ence in Aspire Academy started in 2010 For Rio 2016, Elseify has one goal in The ‘Olympic Dreams’ fi lm series when I was still young and I learned a mind: “Competing in my fi rst Olympic will profi le each team and athlete, and lot. I matured in Aspire Academy and Games is really important to me. I will explore the highs, lows, motivations developed my academic and sporting give everything I have in Rio and my and dreams of Qatar’s Olympians on skills. It felt like home to me. goal is to make Qatari people happy. It their journey to Rio. “I learned how to be a leader, how is an honour for me to represent them.” Thanks to the keen eye of experi- to deal with people in my life. I also You can follow Ashraf Elseify’s Ol- enced coach Alexey Malyukov, Ashraf learned English at the Academy.” ympic Dreams on the Qatar Olym- Elseify’s unmistakable talent was Under the tutelage of coach Malyu- pic Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and quickly recognised. kov, who coached the Russian throw- YouTube channels under the hashtag “In 2010, the head coach asked me to ing team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, #YallaQatar. The Rio 2016 Olympic test Ashraf and so I gave him a few ex- Elseify went from strength to strength. Games take place from August 5 to 21.