CHINA DAILY November 24­25, 2018 SPORTS 11

RUNNING Leap of faith SOCCER Flag flap diffused by Wu Lei CAA moves Wolves New rules established in wake of on prowl marathoner’s unfortunate miscue for CSL’s By SHI FUTIAN and slippery, which caused the [email protected] incident. We are truly sorry.” However, the organizer ini­ top sniper Wrapping themselves in the tially claimed the “volunteer’s national flag is normally a action was entirely an individ­ SHANGHAI — Chinese proud and patriotic moment ual decision”, according to Ten­ Super League (CSL) top scorer for runners — but not always. cent Sports Wu Lei, who has been linked Last Sunday, Chinese mara­ Although stricter require­ New Orleans Saints tight end Dan Arnold hauls in a touchdown pass over Atlanta Falcons defensive back Sharrod Neasman in the with a transfer to the English thoner He Yinli faced the ments are now in place, He is second half of Thursday’s NFL game in New Orleans. The Saints won 31­17 to improve to 10­1 on the season. BUTCH DILL / AP Premier League’s Wolver­ dilemma of embracing the flag left to cope with the result.. hampton Wolves, says he or winning the race at the Suz­ “I can not assume I would would move abroad for the hou Taihu Marathon in Suz­ for sure be the champion, but right offer. hou, Jiangsu province. my pace in the final stage was MMA The 27­year­old was named While sprinting the final disrupted,” the runner told CSL player of the year on leg, trying to overtake Ethio­ Sina Sports. “The extra move­ Wednesday after sniping 27 pia’s Ayantu Abera Demissie, ment slowed me down, which goals to help Shanghai SIPG to He was handed a flag from a was a pity for me. From Shaolin temple to UFC star, it first league championship. volunteer who rushed to her “I was in the leading group The 27­year­old Wu, who from the sideline. right from the start, running also plays for China’s national According to the rules, no alongside the champion. I China’s ‘Monkey King’ on the move squad, has reportedly been non­runners, including refer­ even overtook her for a while. approached by Wolverhamp­ ees, can step onto the track When the incident happened, ton, which is owned by the during the race. I had eye contact with the vol­ Song Yadong was so ries with him. Faber and his Team Alpha Chinese investment conglom­ The 30­year­old He held the unteer and tried to avoid tak­ obsessed with Chinese mar­ When he was 15, Song was Male in California and I am erate Fosun International. flag for a few seconds before ing the flag at that critical tial arts that he convinced his so focused on becoming a learning. “I think it needs to be con­ dropping it to the ground, but point. mother to send him off to professional MMA fighter “Chinese fighters need sidered in many ways,” Wu, in that short interval she lost “Both me and my rival were learn at the feet of the that he used a forged ID card more experience but soon we who also made 10 assists in the her pace and finished runner­ struggling in the final stage famous kung fu masters of to convince local promotions will be a force.” just­finished Chinese season, up to Demissie by five seconds. and I did not want my pace to Shaolin. that he was 18 and legally The UFC currently has 11 said of a move away from the As the event was broadcast be disrupted. The flag was too He was just nine years old allowed to fight. Chinese fighters on its CSL. live, the scene instantly trig­ huge. I was afraid that I could at the time. “I was super­aggressive books, a mix of established “But at my age, if I go abroad gered a fierce debate on Chi­ step on and trip. So I rolled it “I watched a lot of kung fu back then,” said Song. “I just stars such as the veteran wel­ I must play, this is very impor­ na’s social media. While most and held it in my hand. movies, so I wanted to be like wanted to fight so I used the terweight Li “The Leech” tant,” Wu said after confirming viewers criticized the race “The flag was wet and my my heroes, like Jet Li,” said fake ID. I looked strong Jingliang and rising stars his status as China’s best play­ organizers for allowing a vol­ arm was stiff, so it dropped to Song. enough, so they believed me.” such as Song and female er. unteer to interfere, some ques­ the ground.” “I went to Shaolin and I After plying his trade in strawweight Zhang Weili, “In the right environment I tioned He’s response, Wei Jing, another Chinese trained, getting up each domestic and regional pro­ with all three in action on can really improve and I can believing the national flag marathoner, said on Weibo: morning at 5. It was harder Song Yadong motions — and racking up a Saturday. help the national team when I should not be dropped under “The video shows that He Yinli than I ever expected.” record of 10­3 — Song This week the organization come back. I think it depends any circumstances. crumpled the flag and tossed it A decade later, Song’s received a surprise call last announced an investment of on the timing and other fac­ After a week­long delibera­ away — is the race result more thirst for action has led him card to be held in Beijing. November, just weeks before around $13 million in what it tors.” tion, the Chinese Athletic important than the national into the ranks of the Ulti­ Saturday night sees the the UFC was set to make its called the world’s biggest Wu, who has 57 caps and 12 Association finally responded flag?” mate Fighting Champion­ UFC Fight Night 141 event at debut on China’s mainland. MMA academy in Shanghai, international goals, was on Thursday, posting a state­ But it appears that He got ship (UFC) and on to the Cadillac Arena, headlined by Called in to replace an designed to help Chinese dubbed “China’s Maradona” ment on its website stressing the support of the majority, biggest stage in mixed mar­ a blockbuster bout between injured fighter on the UFC fighters make the transition by the coach who discovered the importance of maintain­ including China Central Tele­ tial arts. heavyweight contenders Fight Night 122 card, Song from smaller fight promo­ him. ing a fair competitive environ­ vision, which said on its offi­ “I left Shaolin after two Francis “The Predator” needed just over four min­ tions to the UFC octagon. A sprightly winger, he ment and measures to prevent cial Weibo account “for years and then I learned Ngannou of Cameroon and utes to choke out India’s Bha­ Song has recently replaced topped the CSL scoring charts a repeat in future events. athletes, real patriotism is about MMA,” said the (11­3) and American Curtis rat Khandare. “The Terminator” as his fight ahead of a clutch of foreign According to the CAA’s winning.” 20­year­old. “Razor” Blaydes (10­1­1). He’s since backed up that name with “The Monkey stars including SIPG team­ statement: 1) Organizers must The Communist Youth “I like the action, I like the But there’s little doubt performance with a second­ King”, in reference to the mate Hulk, Odion Ighalo, Ced­ strictly follow the rules of League of China also fact every fight tests you and where Chinese fans’ atten­ round KO of Brazilian veter­ mythical Chinese hero Sun ric Bakambu, Graziano Pelle marathon and any ritual or expressed support for He, that you always have to work tion — and hopes — will rest. an Filipe Arantes in Wukong. and Alexandre Pato. celebration activity should posting an article titled “Forc­ to be the best you can be.” “It will be the biggest Singapore in June, and He believes China’s rich From the 2008 to 2017 sea­ not disrupt the principle of ing marathon runner to take Song is at the forefront of chance for us Chinese fight­ comes to Beijing with a 12­3 history in martial arts — and son, the CSL’s top scorers were fair competition; 2) Organiz­ national flag is a misunder­ the Las Vegas­based promo­ ers and for the sport to grow record overall. its fighters — makes it well all foreigners. Former ers should report the content standing towards patriotism” tion’s push into China, the in China,” said Song, who will “There is still a lot of room positioned as MMA contin­ Guangzhou Evergrande for­ and form of promotional on Weibo. country many consider the face American Vince “Van­ for improvement in my ues to take hold. ward Elkeson from Brazil still activities to the CAA for “First of all, the incident of spiritual home of all martial detta” Morales on the under­ skills,” said Song. “We have the history in holds the CSL record of 28 approval and risk prevention; Taihu marathon is a matter of arts. card. “I am focused on winning China,” said Song. “This is goals in a single season, which 3) Effective contingency plans violating sport rules and dis­ The Tianjin­born fighter is Song’s rise to the UFC has step by step, fight by fight. I only the beginning.” he made in 2014. are needed. rupting orders,” said the arti­ among nine locals set to take captured China’s attention, have been training with Before the CAA’s announce­ cle. part in the UFC’s first fight as has the origin story he car­ (UFC Hall of Famer) Urijah AGENCE FRANCE­PRESSE AGENCE FRANCE­PRESSE ment, a member of the race “The organizer failed to pro­ organizer’s staff told Beijing vide runners with effective Youth Daily: “Wearing the protection. For athletes, the ASIAN GAMES national flag is a good thing best patriotism is to win honor which can cheer the specta­ for the country. From that per­ tors. spective, He Yinli tried her “However, that day it was best, which deserve some Building a glorious dream in Hangzhou raining and the track was wet praise.”

By MA ZHENHUAN accommodate citizens in the in Hangzhou future — like a new city inside Scoreboard [email protected] Hangzhou.” Construction of the main CRICKET 141 ­ Canada (Adam Hadwin/Nick Taylor) Hangzhou is right on track stadium inside the Hangzhou 68­73, Finland (Mikko Korhonen/Mikko to achieve great success as Olympic Sports Center “is Women’s World Twenty20 Ilonen) 66­75, New Zealand (Ryan Fox/ Brief scores from the Women’s World Mark Brown) 65­76 host city of the 19th Asian almost complete,” according Twenty20 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadi­ 142 ­ Spain (Adrian Otaegui/Jorge Campil­ um in Antigua on Thursday: lo) 68­74, China (Li Haotong/Wu Ashun) Games in 2022, according to a to Games organizers. First semifinal between West Indies and Aus­ 66­76, South Africa (Dylan Frittelli/Erik van top Olympic official. With a construction area of tralia Rooyen) 66­76 Australia 142­5 (Alyssa Healy 46, Meg Lan­ 143 ­ Wales (Stuart Manley/Bradley “As one of the famous cities 229,000 square meters, the ning, 31; Stafanie Taylor 1­20, Deandra Dredge) 70­73 in China, I am very confident stadium will hold up to Dottin 1­23); 145 ­ Thailand (Kiradech Aphibarnrat/ West Indies 71 off 17.3 overs (Stafanie Tay­ Prom Meesawat) 67­78, United States that Hangzhou can deliver 80,000 spectators. lor 16, Ellyse Perry 2­2, Ashleigh Gardner (Kyle Stanley/Matt Kuchar) 66­79, Japan one of the best Games ever,” In September 2015, 2­15, Delissa Kimmince 2­17) (Satoshi Kodaira/Hideto Tanihara) 66­79 Result: Australia won by 71 runs 147 ­ Venezuela (Jhonattan Vegas/Joseph Sheikh Ahmad al­Fahad Hangzhou won the bid to host Second semifinal between India and England Naffah) 65­82 al­Sabah, president of the the 19th Asian Games. Since India 112 all out off 19.3 overs (Smriti Man­ 149 ­ Germany (Martin Kaymer/Maximili­ dhana 34, Jemimah Rodrigues 26; Heather an Kieffer) 68­81 Olympic Council of Asia then, preparatory work has Knight 3­9, Kirstie Gordon 2­20) 151 ­ Netherlands (Joost Luiten/Daan (OCA), said on Thursday. proceeded smoothly England 116­2 off 17.1 overs (Amy Jones 53 Huizing) 69­82 not out, Natalie Sciver 52 not out; Radha 153 ­ Greece (Peter Karmis/Alexander Tra­ “Since my previous visit to “We aim to host a green, Yadav 1­20) nacher) 66­87 Hangzhou, a lot of progress intelligent, frugal and civi­ Result: England won by eight wickets 156 ­ Zimbabwe (Scott Vincent/Benjamin Follett­Smith) 72­84 has been made. I was here in lized Asian Games,” GOLF Hong Kong Open April 2017 to open the head­ Hangzhou Mayor Xu Liyi told World Cup of Golf Leading scores after the first round on quarters for the organizing China Daily. Scores Friday after the foursomes second Thursday (par 70): round of the World Cup in Melbourne (two 65 ­ Aaron Rai (ENG), Jason Scrivener committee of the Hangzhou Sheikh Ahmad al­Fahad al­Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia, answers reporters’ Hangzhou is the third Chi­ days of fourballs and two days of four­ (AUS), Yusaku Miyazato (JPN) Asian Games and meet the questions at the main stadium of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center on Thursday. The Zhejiang nese city to host the Games, somes in two­man teams): 66 ­ Micah Lauren Shin (USA), Jack Singh 134 ­ Belgium (Thomas Pieters/Thomas Brar (ENG), Arjun Atwal (IND) management team in charge provincial capital will host the 2022 Asian Games. DONG XUMIN / FOR CHINA DAILY after Beijing in 1990 and Detry) 63­71, South Korea (An Byeong­ 67 ­ Thomas Aiken (RSA), Danthai Boonma of preparations,” said Sheikh Guangzhou in 2010. Hun/Kim Si­woo) 62­72 (THA) 136 ­ Italy (Andrea Pavan/Renato Parato­ 68 ­ Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL), Thongchai Ahmad, who is leading a dele­ China first took part in the re) 65­71, India (Anirban Lahiri/Gaganjeet Jaidee (THA), Khalin H Joshi (IND), Ashley gation conducting an inspec­ pating, which is very good. asset for the city, for the new of the main venue, in the form Asian Games in 1974 in Teh­ Bhullar) 64­72, Malaysia (Gavin Green/Ben Chesters (ENG), Berry Henson (USA), Leong) 63­73, England (Tyrrell Hatton/Ian Wang Jeung­hun (KOR), Scott Hend (AUS), tion of venues. And neighboring cities are generation. And we are look­ of a lotus. ran and, since the New Delhi Poulter) 62­74 Terry Pilkadaris (AUS), David Drysdale “Now I can see a lot of participating to share with ing forward to a smart Games “It’s good to keep it green, Games in 1982, has led the 137 ­ Mexico (Abraham Ancer/Roberto (SCO), Park Hyo­won (KOR), Haydn Porte­ Diaz) 67­70 ous (RSA), Liu Yanwei (CHN), Sam Brazel things are becoming reality, Hangzhou some of the sports because Hangzhou is the with the river flowing beside. Asiad medal count. 138 ­ Scotland (Russell Knox/Martin Laird) (AUS), Alvaro Quiros (ESP) such as the stadium, the and events.” headquarters of e­commerce I think this is something that The nation’s latest success 67­71, Australia (Mark Leishman/Cameron Smith) 62­76 NFL swimming hall and the Olym­ The OCA president also giant Alibaba. We hope all of will impress everybody. I’m was at the Jakarta Games in 139 ­ France (Alexander Levy/Michael Lor­ enzo­Vera) 66­73, Sweden (Alexander Results of the National Football League pic village,” predicted the Games will be those things will help deliver also very happy that we are August, where China won 289 Bjork/Joakim Lagergren) 65­74 games on Thursday (home team in CAPS): “I think we are moving an economic boost for the a great Asiad.” helping with the society. For medals, including 132 gold. 140 ­ Ireland (Shane Lowry/Paul Dunne) Chicago 23 DETROIT 16 64­76, Denmark (Thorbjorn Olesen/Soren DALLAS 31 Washington 23 steadily in the right direction. region. He further added he is most example, the Games village China’s gold medal tally for Kjeldsen) 63­77 NEW ORLEANS 31 Atlanta 17 The private sector is partici­ “This event will be a nice impressed with the landscape and the media village will the 12 Asiads is 1,473.