Azizulhasni tumpu bina otot kaki sebelum ke Rio

.@AzizulAWANG tumpu bina otot kaki sebelum ke Rio https://t.co/MLZ29PitHt #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/zliGuW5lmO

— Man Olimpik™ (@ManOlimpik) March 17, 2016

SHAH ALAM – Jaguh trek berbasikal negara Azizulhasni Awang kini menumpukan usaha untuk meningkatkan tahap kekuatan fizikalnya untuk persediaan ke Sukan Olimpik dalam usaha menandingi pencabar lain terutama pelumba dari Eropah yang jelas memiliki kelebihan fizikal.

Azizulhasni, yang akan bersaing dalam acara keirin, berkata segala persiapan untuk menghadapi O­limpik, yang akan berlangsung di Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Ogos ini, kini berada di atas landasan yang tepat tetapi dia kini memberikan tum­puan kepada membina otot di bahagian kaki. “Saya nak tambah sekurang-kurangnya dua kilogram berat otot kaki terutama di bahagian quadriceps.

Itu adalah sasaran utama saya ketika ini. “Ini kerana otot hamstring saya sekarang dalam keadaan baik berbanding di bahagian quadriceps yang agak lemah sedikit. “Selain itu, kami juga akan ber­kerjasama dengan saintis sukan dari United Kingdom. Setakat ini, dia begitu gembira dengan persembahan saya di London. “Jadi rancangan kami sekarang adalah nak memperkemaskan persediaan untuk ke Rio,” kata pelumba berusia 28 tahun itu dalam sidang akhbar selepas program ‘Road to the Olympic’ di Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) di sini semalam.

Dalam program anjuran Yayasan Sime Darby dengan kerjasama Fakulti Sains Sukan dan Rekreasi (FSR) UiTM itu, Azizulhasni berkongsikan kisah perjalanan kariernya bersama kira-kira 250 penuntut dan pemegang biasiswa penganjur. Hadir sama pada program tersebut, Dekan FSR, Prof. Madya Dr. Mohd. Hanafiah Abidin dan Timbalan Dekan (Jaringan Industri dan Penyelidikan) FSR, Datin Dr. Sarimah Ismail. Azizulhasni atau terkenal de­ngan jolokan The Pocket Rocketman yang meraih gangsa dalam acara keirin Kejohanan Trek Dunia di London baru-baru ini adalah antara prospek utama Malaysia untuk meraih emas pertama negara di Olimpik Rio.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Presiden Persekutuan Berbasikal Kebangsaan Malaysia (PKBM), Datuk Abu Samah Abd. Wahab berkata, dia telah mendaftarkan Jupha Somnet kepada Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) apabila nama pelumba trek wanita negara itu tersenarai dalam slot simpanan ke Olimpik yang dikeluarkan oleh Kesatuan Berbasikal Dunia (UCI). “Dalam slot simpanan ini, boleh jadi dia (Jupha) dapat ke Rio atau sebaliknya. Jadi MOM cadangkan supaya kami mendaftarkan namanya untuk ke Olimpik sebab perbelanjaan ke sana yang dikeluarkan oleh MOM untuk satu orang agak besar,” katanya. Skuad berbasikal trek di Olimpik Rio, selain Azizulhasni, akan turut diwakili Fatehah Mustapa yang beraksi dalam acara pecut wanita.

Skuad negara akan kembali ke Melbourne pada hujung bulan ini untuk menjalani latihan, sebelum berlepas ke Portugal untuk memperkemaskan lagi persediaan ke Olimpik.

Azizulhasni, Fatehah in for a thorough prep for Rio Olympics

.@AzizulAWANG & @fatehahcycling in for a thorough prep for Rio Olympics https://t.co/znKmzJbkJW #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/nRSt6UiId6

— Man Olimpik™ (@ManOlimpik) March 16, 2016

PETALING JAYA: It’s all-or-nothing for World Track Championships bronze medallist Azizulhasni Awang when he makes his third Olympic appearance in Rio de Janeiro in August.

Azizul and Fatehah Mustapa were confirmed as Malaysia’s representatives in track cycling following the announcement of the Rio Olympic quota slots by UCI, the world governing body for cycling.
Malaysia joins South Korea, China and Japan as the qualifiers from Asia, making up the 36-nation cast for track cycling.

Azizul will ride in men’s keirin while Fatehah will focus on the women’s sprint. Malaysia also earned a reserve slot for women’s omnium, but Jupha Somnet will only get to compete if one of the countries decline to send a rider.

With the Olympic qualifying done and dusted, head coach John Beasley said his focus would be on getting the duo ready for the challenges in Rio.

Beasley is set to concentrate more on Azizul, who despite missing five weeks of training due to a muscle tear and flu virus, showed that he is a genuine medal contender in Rio after taking bronze at the world meet in London.

After surviving two tough heats, Azizul advanced to the top-six final. However, he was boxed in the final lap and settled for the bronze as Germany’s Joachim Eilers went on to take the gold.
“He could have easily won the race if not for the tactical mistake in letting New Zealand’s Edward Dawkins (eventual silver medallist) overtake early. But a medal was what we wanted and Azizul was smart to race conservatively,” said Beasley.

“It was a pretty special achievement for him to get a medal considering he lost a few weeks of training in the lead-up to the world meet.”

Among the areas Beasley and his support team will be working on with the duo leading to the Olympics are on increasing their power-to-weight ratio, physiology and psychology apart from track training.

“Azizul is only 60kg and the one closest to him is Jason Kenny (Britain’s Olympic champion for sprint), who is 80kg  ... the others weigh 90kg or more. Needless to say, he is also the shortest of them all,” said the coach.

“It takes a lot out of him, so it’s also good that he is not doing sprint as it’ll take place before the keirin.

“So we’ll arrive there later from our Portugal training base. It’s vital we get things right. After coming close in London in 2012, it’s all about going for the gold medal this time and he only has one crack at it.

“Out of the world meet, he was the most improved rider. It’s going to be the same field at the Olympics and you have to be on your best on that day ... we will make sure he has the confidence to go for it.”

Pandelela wins bronze medal at World Championships in Kazan

Happy moment truly felt when shared with your favourite ones.😇😍 #happymoment #teammates #FriendshipDay pic.twitter.com/zDotlVryX5

— Lulu G Dolphine (@Pandelela_R) July 30, 2015

PETALING JAYA: Pandelela Rinong plunged her way into the history books by bagging bronze in the women's 10m platform individual final at the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia.
The 22-year-old, already assured of a place in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after qualifying for the final, put up a consistent display throughout the five-dive competition to nail the Malaysia's first ever individual medal at the prestigious meet.

Pandelela chalked 75.00, 65.25, 81.60, 81.60 and 81.60 to finish with 385.05 points.
North Korea's Kim Kuk-hyang was the surprise winner. The 16-year-old, who is making her debut in Kazan, shocked the field by grabbing gold with 397.05 points.

It was North Korea's first-ever success in world championships history.
Newcomer Ren Qian saved China the blushes by taking silver on 388.00 points after outgoing champion Si Yajie could only settle for fourth on 384.40 points.

Pandelela already had two bronze medals to her name in the 10m platform synchro partnering Leong Mun Yee – in Rome (2009) and in Barcelona (2013).

Pandelela, the bronze medallist at the 2012 London Olympics, advanced to the final in eighth place the day before and will cherish her feat in Kazan, made sweeter by the fact that she beat defending champion Si Yajie to the bronze.

Si Yajie, who won on her debut in Barcelona two years ago, was leading with one dive to go but a 72.00 on her final attempt saw her fade out of contention.

Azizulhasni di landasan buru tiket Olimpik 2016

KUALA LUMPUR – Kejayaan merangkul pingat emas acara keirin dalam siri kedua Piala Trek Jepun, minggu lalu meletakkan pelumba basikal sensasi negara, Azizulhasni Awang kini di landasan tepat untuk memburu tiket ke Sukan Olimpik Rio 2016.

Pelumba yang terkenal dengan jolokan The Rocket Pocket Man itu menyifatkan kejayaan yang diraih adalah rezeki anak keduanya yang dijangka lahir pada September ini. 

“Alhamdullilah musim ini saya bermula dengan baik dan kejayaan ini mungkin rezeki anak kedua saya yang akan dilahirkan pada September ini.

“Semestinya saya mengimpikan sebutir pingat Sukan Olimpik dapat disumbang kepada negara. Saya percaya dengan corak latihan sistematik yang direncanakan jurulatih (John Beasley) telah nampak kesannya dan segalanya berjalan dengan lancar.

“Pada pelumbaan itu, ia sangat sengit kerana ada Shane Perkins, Matthijs Buchli dan apa yang paling penting adalah saya dapat mengalahkan pemenang di Paris, Francois Pervis dari Perancis.

“Selepas pulang dari Tok­yo saya akan ke Melbourne untuk mulakan kembali latihan sebelum ke Beijing bagi menghadapi Kejohanan Grand Prix,” katanya ketika ditemui di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur sebelum berlepas ke Melbourne, semalam.

Azizulhasni, 27, turut membawa pulang sebutir pingat gangsa di Tokyo iaitu menerusi acara pecut individu selepas tewas kepada pelumba Jepun, Yuta Wakimoto dan Denis Dmitriev dari Rusia. 

Pelumba kelahiran Du­ngun, Terengganu itu adalah peme­gang pingat gangsa pada Kejuaraan Trek Dunia, Paris dan dia mahu meneruskan momentum kemenangan ini pada kejohanan Grand Prix Beijing pada hujung bulan Julai ini.

Antara pencapaian terbaik­nya tahun lalu adalah memenangi emas acara keirin Siri Piala Dunia UCI 2 di Cali, Colombia (Disember), emas Sukan Asia, Guangzhou dalam acara yang sama.

Azizulhasni turut memenangi dua pingat emas dan satu perak dalam Kejohanan Trek Piala Asia ACC di Jepun, bulan lalu. 

Shooter Nur Ayuni gets early Raya cheer

National rifle shooter Nur Ayuni Farhana with the 50m 3-position gold medal she won at the recent Singapore SEA Games. - Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: National rifle shooter Nur Ayuni Farhana Abdul Hamid has received an early Hari Raya cheer.

The 25-year-old Ayuni has been selected to compete in the World Cup in Azerbaijian from Aug 6-16, giving her a shot at qualifying for next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Besides Ayuni, the National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) also picked pistol shooter Alia Sazana Azahari for the Azerbaijan meet.

The 25-year-old Ayuni was given the nod for winning the women’s 50m rifle three-position gold at last month’s Singapore SEA Games.

Ayuni said the SEA Games breakthrough had given her a huge morale booster.
Prior to winning her first SEA Games gold, Ayuni’s form was inconsistent and she also suffered from self-doubt.

“Despite working hard over the years, I used to struggle to complement it with good results. But the gold at the SEA Games has now given me lots of hope and confidence,” said Ayuni, who made her SEA Games debut in Laos in 2009.

Now that she has regained her self-belief, Ayuni is determined to go all out to seal an Olympic ticket.
“I will be going to Azerbaijan with lots of confidence. I have never made it to the top eight in the World Cup and, hopefully, I will make it this time,” she said.

But before that, Ayuni will take a short break on Tuesday to celebrate Hari Raya with her family in Kuantan.

“I have been training hard this whole fasting month. Now I want to spend some time with my family. I cannot wait to try my mother’s delicious cooking,” said Ayuni, who is optimistic this season will be the best in her shooting career.

Jawatankuasa perintah dan kawalan tentukan kelayakan Atlet ke Program Podium

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Julai (Bernama) -- Keputusan mengenai kelayakan seseorang atlet untuk diserapkan dalam Program Podium hanya boleh dibuat oleh sebuah jawatankuasa khas yang dikenali sebagai Jawatankuasa Perintah dan Kawalan program itu.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz menjelaskan persatuan sukan kebangsaan (NSA) mempunyai hak untuk mencalonkan atlet terbaik masing-masing namun keputusan muktamad terletak pada jawatankuasa berkenaan yang dipengerusikan oleh Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin.

Program Podium merupakan program penyediaan atlet terbaik dalam kalangan mereka yang terpilih merangkumi pemakanan, latihan, kemudahan, sains sukan dan kejurulatihan.

"Kita masih membincangkan mengenai perincian berhubung program ini. Dari segi pemilihan atlet (sebagaimana yang diumumkan oleh Khairy) sebelum ini adalah berdasarkan perbincangan awal dengan NSA," kata Ramlan.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri Majlis Berbuka Puasa bersama ibu tunggal serta anak yatim daripada Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim dan Miskin Baitu Saidati Khadijah, Gombak anjuran Kelab ISN di sini, hari ini.

"Ini (pemilihan awal atlet) bagaimanapun sekadar panduan sahaja kerana apa yang diperolehi perlu dibawa untuk kelulusan jawatankuasa ini.

Pada masa ini, kita ada satu senarai awal (atlet) yang masih diteliti dengan lebih terperinci bukan sahaja mengenai pencapaian masa kini tetapi pencapaian mereka yang terdahulu supaya atlet yang dipilih adalah mereka yang menunjukkan prestasi yang konsisten," kata Ramlan.

Beliau berkata jawatankuasa berkenaan dianggotai oleh wakil daripada Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), ISN serta Kementerian Belia dan Sukan selain Pengarah Sukan Berprestasi Tinggi, Keith Power dari Great Britain.

Setiap badan berkenaan katanya, mempunyai seorang setiausaha yang berperanan menyelaraskan segala maklumat berkaitan sebelum bermula setiap mesyuarat mengenai Program Podium.

Fatehah kutip emas kedua

#JapanTrackCup WE Keirin Fatehah MUSTAPA(MAS) wins, 2 KAJITA(JPN) 3 LEE(KOR) 4 MAEDA(JPC) 5 MENG(HKG) 6 MOHD ADNAN pic.twitter.com/YG7uF2Igex

— 公益財団法人 日本自転車競技連盟 (@JCF_cycling) July 10, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR – Kayuhan Fatehah Mustapa semakin cemerlang untuk dia menokok satu lagi pingat emas apabila memenangi acara pecut wanita dalam kejohanan berbasikal Piala Trek Jepun Siri Kedua semalam Pelumba berusia 26 tahun itu, yang sebelum ini mengharumkan nama negara apabila menggondol dua emas menerusi acara pecut dan keirin dalam Piala Trek Jepun Siri Pertama Jumaat lalu, mengakui kemenangan tersebut sangat berharga kepadanya selepas dia berehat panjang daripada sebarang kejohanan.
 

“Memang saya mahu memenangi acara pecut pada hari ini (semalam). Sebelum ini saya terpaksa berehat panjang setelah pulang daripada Kejohanan Trek Dunia di Paris Februari lalu.

“Dan kejayaan saya di sini telah menyuntik semangat saya untuk terus mempamerkan aksi terbaik,” katanya, yang merupakan wanita pertama negara meraih pingat dalam Sukan Asia setelah menang perak dalam acara keirin di Incheon, Korea Selatan September tahun lalu.

Pelumba kelahiran Terengganu itu dan skuad berbasikal negara di kejohanan itu akan pulang ke tanah air hari ini untuk menyambut Hari Raya Aidilfitri sebelum memulakan semula latihan pada Ahad ini.

“Selesai sudah Piala Asia di Jepun. Menang dua emas dalam acara pecut dan satu lagi daripada keirin. Alhamdulillah, sekarang pulang untuk menyambut Hari Raya kemudian sambung semula kerja pada Hari Raya ketiga. Selamat berpuasa dan selamat Hari Raya semua,” katanya menerusi akaun Facebook.

Kejayaan Fatehah semalam hadir selepas rakannya Azizulhasni Awang merangkul emas acara keirin kelmarin.

Azizulhasni berkata: “Alhamdulillah saya berjaya meraih emas dalam acara kegemaran saya pada hari ini (kelmarin). Ada banyak perkara yang baik berlaku pada tahun ini dan saya berasa sangat gembira dengan kemenangan ini.

“Walaupun saya terlepas untuk menduduki tempat pertama pada Jumaat lalu (kejohanan siri pertama) di­sebabkan tidak diberi ruang dan terperangkap di bahagian dalam hingga menuju ke garisan penamat, namun saya telah belajar untuk tidak melakukan kesilapan sama.”

Kedua-dua pelumba itu memiliki peluang cerah untuk layak ke Sukan Olimpik di Rio, Brazil andainya momentum tersebut terus dikekalkan.

Fatehah sprints to another gold in Japan Track Cup

Malaysia's Fatehah Mustapa (centre) after receiving her prize for winning the women's sprint final in the Japan Track Cup II in Tokyo on Sunday.

PETALING JAYA: Fatehah Mustapa has bounced back in style.

A day after finishing last on a technicality in the six-rider keirin final, Fatehah showed her mettle by claiming the women’s sprint title at the Japan Track Cup II at the Izu Velodrome in Shuzenji, Shizuoka.

It was Malaysia’s only gold on Sunday as Azizulhasni Awang, who won the keirin on Saturday, was eliminated in the men’s sprint quarter-finals.

Fatehah made a strong start, topping the timesheets in qualifying by clocking 11.291. In the first round, Fatehah easily beat Lee Eun-ji of South Korea.

But the 26-year-old Malaysian had to go the extra mile to beat her two Japanese challengers from the semi-finals onwards.

She needed three heats to overcome Takako Ishii to reach the final. In the fight for the gold, Fatehah lost the opening heat to Kanako Kase but recovered to take the next two heats for her third gold in as many days.

Fatehah, who bagged the sprint and keirin titles at the Japan Track Cup I at the same venue on Friday was pleased with her efforts.

“I wanted to win the sprint badly today.  I finished second in the keirin on Saturday, but was relegated for a technical infringement.   

“I had a long break after the Track World Championships in Paris in February and the performances here gave me a good gauge of my abilities,” said Fatehah, who was the first Malaysian woman cyclist to win an Asian Games medal after taking the keirin silver in Incheon, South Korea, last September.

Azizul’s hopes of adding the sprint title ended after he was beaten by 2011 world champion Shane Perkins of Australian at the quarter-finals.

World Champion is ready for keirin. #JapanTrackCup pic.twitter.com/cbqyTSMCxb

— 公益財団法人 日本自転車競技連盟 (@JCF_cycling) July 11, 2015

Earlier, Azizul clocked 10.119 to be the fourth fastest in the qualifying. He beat Japanese Shugo Hayasaka in the last 16 only to be stopped by Perkins in the chase for a semi-final spot.

Russian Denis Dmitriev, a silver medallist at the World Championships, came from behind to beat Asian Games sprint team gold medallist Im Chae-bin of South Korea in three heats to bag the gold.

“I am happy with my performances here but coach John (Beasley) said we need to improve further before the World Cup season starts in November.”

Meanwhile, Malaysia also bagged a bronze in the men’s junior keirin final on Sunday through Muhd Khairil Nizam Rasol. Another Malaysian, Jupha Somnet finished fourth in women’s Omnium race.

Track cyclist Azizulhasni back on top in Japan

#JapanTrackCup ME Kerin @AzizulAWANG (MAS) wins, 2 @w_kazunari (JPN) 3 @PerkoPerkins (JAY) pic.twitter.com/j6TSexIxqK

— 公益財団法人 日本自転車競技連盟 (@JCF_cycling) July 11, 2015

PETALING JAYA: Cyclist Azizulhasni Awang has reinforced his reputation as Asia’s flagbearer in keirin with a storming ride in the Japan Track Cup II at Izu Velodrome in Shujenzi.

The 27-year-old Azizul, a bronze medallist at the Track World Championships in Paris in February, timed his final burst to perfection to come out tops in an impressive six-man final field for keirin.
Azizul finished ahead of Incheon Asian Games silver medallist Kazunari Watanabe while 2011 world champion Shane Perkins took bronze.

Azizul won the first-round heat and reached the final in similar fashion, finishing first in the second semis ahead of 2013 world championships bronze medallist Matthijs Buchli of Holland and Kazunari.

Muhd Shah Firdaus Sahrom just missed out on the top-six final after coming in fourth in the first semis won by Perkins.

This is a perfect boost to his build-up to the second phase of Olympic qualification period for track cycling, which starts in November.
There’s a lot to look forward to for Azizul as his wife Athiah Ilyana Abd Samat is due to give birth to their second child, also a girl, in September.

World Champion is ready for keirin. #JapanTrackCup pic.twitter.com/cbqyTSMCxb

— 公益財団法人 日本自転車競技連盟 (@JCF_cycling) July 11, 2015

Azizul, who also won gold in keirin at the Asian Cycling Championships in Korat in February, finished third in his pet race in Japan Track Cup I on Friday and was determined to make amends on Saturday.

“There are a lot of good things happening this year. I feel so happy with the victory today. I missed first place yesterday (on Friday) because I was stuck on the inside as we headed for the finish line,” said Azizul.

“I learned from that mistake and managed to get everything perfect today.
“It was a tough field ... even reigning world champion Francois Pervis of France failed to get past the first round.

“I hope to do well in the sprint tomorrow (today) too,” added Azizul, who thanked his sponsors Sime Darby Foundation for providing good support to the elite team.
Azizul’s win made up for the disappointment of Fatehah Mustapa’s relegation to sixth place in the women’s keirin final for a technical infringement earlier.

Fatehah, who bagged a double in sprint and keirin in Japan Track Cup I on Friday, qualified for the final after finishing third in the first semis heat. Farina Shawati Mohd Adnan failed to join her after finishing fifth in the second semis heat.

Eiman Firdaus Mohd Zamri won silver for Malaysia in the men’s junior points race final behind Immamura Shunsuke of Japan.

Kedudukan Walsh dibuat selepas raya

KUALA LUMPUR – Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail menjelaskan urusan untuk membawa masuk bekas jurulatih India, Terry Walsh bagi mengisi jawatan pengarah teknikal Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (MHC) masih berada dalam fasa perbincangan.

Jelasnya, keputusan untuk membawa masuk Walsh sudah lama diterima, namun sebarang kata putus tidak dapat dilakukan lagi kerana masih terdapat beberapa perkara yang perlu diperhatikan terlebih dahulu dan sebarang kata putus akan dilakukan dalam masa terdekat.

“Mengenai perkara tersebut pihak kami sudah berbincang dengan MHC dan kami tidak mempunyai sebarang halangan untuk membawa Walsh masuk ke dalam badan induk sukan berkenaan, namun keputusan muktamad dapat dilakukan selepas Hari Raya nanti.

“Keputusan untuk membawa masuk Walsh memang sudah ada dan ia dibuat tidak mempunyai kaitan berhubung prestasi skuad hoki negara dalam kejohanan Separuh Akhir Liga Hoki Dunia di Belgium tempoh hari.

“MHC memerlukan seseorang yang mampu melihat skuad hoki negara secara keseluruhan dan bukannya lebih tertumpu kepada sesuatu aspek sahaja dan ketika ini dialah (Walsh) calon yang dirasakan bersesuaian,” katanya kepada pemberita dalam majlis berbuka puasa bersama atlet negara di MSN Bukit Jalil semalam.

Chong Wei at ease after birth of second son

老婆，辛苦你了。感谢上天保佑母子平安。🙏🏻 Welcome to the family junior. We are so proud and happy to see you! 😊 pic.twitter.com/3ZALt4AgQv

— Dato' Lee Chong Wei (@LeeChongWei) July 9, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Lee Chong Wei can now face the challenges at the Taiwan Open next week in a very relaxed mode.

The 32-year-old Chong Wei’s wife Wong Mew Choo has safely delivered their second son – Terrance.

Weighing 3.96kg, the healthy baby boy was delivered at 4.38pm on Thursday – two days earlier than expected.

The couple’s first son, Kingston, is two years old.

The 32-year-old Chong Wei was happy that everything went smoothly and he can focus on the Taiwan Open, which begins next Wednesday.

“I’m happy that Mew Choo and Terrance are well and safe,” said the beaming father, who was with his wife when she delivered.

“Mew Choo was in pain and we had to rush her to the hospital today (Thursday). Glad all turned up good.”

Asked for the meaning of his child’s name, he said: “This time I left it to Mew Choo to choose. I just feel blessed to have two boys now. I’m sure many will think that these boys will grow up to be a badminton player like me ... I’ll leave it to them. I will support them, no matter what they decide.”

The Malaysian will face his first litmus test in the Taiwan Open since making a comeback in May from an eight-month ban over a doping violation.

He did well to win all his matches in the team competitions at the Sudirman Cup in May and the Singapore SEA Games last month. He then went on to win back-to-back titles in the US and Canada Opens.

At the Taiwan Open, the unseeded Chong Wei is expected to cross swords with top seed Chen Long of China.

He has lost to Chen Long in their last two meetings – in the final of the World Championships in Denmark last August; and in the semi-finals of the team event at the Asian Games in South Korea last September.

Chong Wei and Chen Long have played each other 19 times – with the Chinese leading 10-9.
The other players in the same half as Chong Wei and Chen Long are India’s K. Srikanth, Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto and China’s Wang Zhengming.

Those in the lower half of the draw are five-time world champion Lin Dan of China, second seed Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark and Hong Kong’s Hu Yun.

Asked if he will try to win the Taiwan Open for his second son, Chong Wei said: “I don’t want to put any undue pressure on myself. I just want to enjoy the game.”

Two years ago, Chong Wei won the Indian Open in April – just after the birth of Kingston.

Tetap hantar

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia tetap akan menghantar skuad hoki lelaki negara ke Sukan Olimpik 2016 sekiranya ditawarkan tiket ke temasya itu meskipun tidak layak secara merit pada saingan Separuh Akhir Liga Hoki Dunia di Antwerp, Belgium yang berakhir Ahad lalu.

With some of the @nfdpmalaysia boys at @MSNMALAYSIA buka puasa. pic.twitter.com/9OeI3PYDP9

— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) July 8, 2015

Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar berkata, segala keputusan akan berpandukan kepada peraturan sedia ada dan sekiranya skuad negara diberikan peluang ke Sukan Olimpik, tiada sebab untuk Malaysia menolak tawaran itu.

“Jika peraturan memberi ruang kepada kita dan ditakdirkan masih layak ke Sukan Olimpik, kita akan hantar walaupun bukan layak secara merit,” katanya pada sidang media semalam.

Khairy ditanya adakah Malaysia akan mengikut pendirian Konfederasi Sukan dan Jawatankuasa Olimpik Afrika Selatan (SASCOC) yang tidak akan menghantar pasukan kebangsaan mereka ke Sukan Olimpik selepas gagal layak secara merit untuk ke temasa sukan terbesar itu di saingan kelayakan Separuh Akhir Liga Hoki Dunia.

Skuad negara kini perlu menunggu keputusan empat kejohanan benua lain untuk mengira untung nasib mereka.

Peluang ke Sukan Olimpik dilihat sangat tipis selepas skuad bimbingan Tai Beng Hai sekadar menamatkan saingan di kedudukan keenam Separuh Akhir Liga Hoki Dunia di Belgium.

Sementara itu, Khairy berkata, pihaknya akan melakukan kajian terperinci sama ada akan memasukkan acara hoki ke Program Podium atau sebaliknya.

“Sebab program ini bukan tertumpu pada Sukan Olimpik saja, tetapi ia membabitkan Sukan dan dan Komanwel.

“Jawatankuasa Program Podium akan menilai prestasi pasukan kita di Belgium,” katanya.

Peng Kean sudah pulih secara klinikal sebelum ke Universiade - Dr Ramlan

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Julai (Bernama) -- Penyertaan atlet lawan pedang, Yu Peng Kean di Sukan Universiti Dunia (Universiade) di Gwangju, Korea Selatan adalah atas pilihan sendiri walaupun dia masih menjalani proses pemulihan ke atas lututnya yang cedera.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz berkata pihaknya tiada halangan untuk atlet itu beraksi kerana secara klinikal, kecederaannya itu sudah pulih.

Namun, Dr Ramlan mengakui Peng Kean masih menjalani proses pemulihan untuk membolehkannya mencapai prestasi terbaik seperti sebelum ini.

Begitupun atas komitmen dan hasrat untuk membalas jasa universiti, penuntut Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) itu mahu meneruskan aksi di Korea Selatan walaupun sedar dia masih dalam proses pemulihan.

"Secara klinikal dia sudah pulih, namun ada beberapa perkara yang perlu diatasi dari segi kekuatan otot paha dan kaki yang memberi sokongan kepada sendi lututnya yang perlu ditambah baik.

"Namun secara prinsipnya lebih elok dia meneruskan proses pemulihan sehingga dapat meningkatkan kekuatan kepada tahap yang lebih tinggi sesuai dengan keadaan ketika dia bertanding pada Sukan Olimpik 2012," katanya kepada Bernama.

Penyertaan Peng Kean di Universiade mencetuskan persoalan apakah dia sudah benar-benar pulih kerana kecederaan lama di lutut kanannya berulang ketika beraksi di pusingan kalah mati acara sabre.

Peng Kean, 24, yang menduduki ranking ke-133 dunia berjaya menewaskan dua lawannya di peringkat kumpulan untuk mara ke pusingan kalah mati.

Di pusingan kalah mati itu, kecederaannya berulang ketika ketinggalan 9-13 sewaktu bertemu atlet Itali, Riccardo Nuccio, sehingga dinasihati menarik diri oleh pegawai perubatan.

Situasi itu menjejaskan rentak Peng Kean yang akhirnya terpaksa akur kepada lawan dengan kekalahan 12-15.

Kecederaan yang dialami dalam satu pertandingan di Korea Selatan pada 2011 memaksa Peng Kean menjalani pembedahan sebaik pulang dari Sukan Olimpik London 2012.

Menurut Dr Ramlan, sebagai pengamal perubatan, beliau hanya boleh menasihatkan atlet mengenai tahap kesihatan dan kecergasan mereka sekiranya mahu beraksi tetapi keputusan akhir berada di tangan atlet sendiri.

"Hanya kalau apa-apa yang membahayakan diri atlet, tentu sekali kita akan halang. Disebabkan ini tidak membahayakan apa-apa, Peng Kean perlu akur tidak akan mencapai tahap prestasi yang tinggi," jelas Dr Ramlan.

Sementara itu, Dr Ramlan berkata beliau akan memantau kecederaan Peng Kean selepas atlet berkenaan kembali ke tanah air dan memberikan rawatan susulan sekiranya perlu.

Khairy to announce list of Athletes for Podium programme by next month

BUKIT JALIL, 8 JULAI 2015 - Menteri Belia dan Sukan, YB. Encik Khairy Jamaluddin menyempurnakan Majlis Perasmian Surau Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) dan Majlis Berbuka Puasa Ramadhan 1436H.
Posted by KBSMalaysia on Wednesday, July 8, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- The list of athletes to be drafted into the 'Podium Programme' after their impressive performances at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore will be announced next month or the latest by September.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said athletes picked for the 'Podium Programme' would be provided food, training, facilities, coaching and sports science.

Khairy said he already has the list of athletes identified for the programme that would be managed by the National Sports Institute (ISN).

"The athletes picked for the programme are not just for the SEA Games but Asian Games and the Olympics," Khairy told reporters after breaking fast and opening a new Al-Faizin Surau at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil, here Wednesday.

Khairy said winners of medals at the Singapore SEA Games would also receive cash incentives that would be credited into their bank accounts under Athletes Incentive Scheme (Shakam).

He said under the Shakam scheme the first gold medal will be worth RM20,000 and the subsequent gold medal will be paid (RM10,000) while the first silver is worth RM3,000 and the subsequent silver won will be paid RM1,500.

The first bronze medal won by athletes is worth RM1,000 and followed by RM500.

"The total payout is expected to be about RM2 million which is a big amount since our main focus is the gold medals. However, we feel some form incentive should be given to silver and bronze medal winners as well," said Khairy.

Meanwhile, the new Surau built at a cost of RM2.3 million can accommodate 500 at any one time.

Puas hati prestasi Chong Wei

With the support of my beloved fans that flew all the way from Msia as well as all fans in Canada, I did it! TQ! 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/FYzaRYOxzb

— Dato' Lee Chong Wei (@LeeChongWei) June 29, 2015

Kuala Lumpur: Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff mengakui berpuas hati dengan prestasi semasa Datuk Lee Chong Wei terutama selepas muncul juara Grand Prix (GP) Emas Terbuka Amerika Syarikat dan GP Terbuka Kanada.

Menurutnya, terdapat perbezaan dari segi permainan Chong Wei terutama selepas kedatangan Pengarah Teknikal, Morten Frost Hansen.

“Saya tengok permainannya baru-baru ini ada perubahan terutama selepas mendapat nasihat Frost,” katanya baru-baru ini.

Jelasnya, permainan Chong Wei sekarang ini penuh dengan tipu muslihat walaupun usianya sudah melebihi 30 tahun.

“Dia masih sukar untuk dikalahkan dan saya harap ranking di peringkat dunia kembali naik.

“Saya harap di GP Emas Taiwan dia mampu meraih mata untuk melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik 2016 Rio. Dia adalah harapan kita untuk memenangi pingat di sana,” kata Tengku Mahaleel.

Ujarnya, permainan Chong Wei juga dilihat lebih tenang, tidak terlalu gopoh-gapah dan tertekan.

“Saya berasa senang hati dan berdasarkan kebolehannya, saya harap dia mampu muncul juara di Kejohanan Dunia 2015 Jakarta.

” Frost ketika beraksi satu ketika dulu lebih banyak menggunakan kemahiran individu serta banyak helah, zaman Chong Wei lebih kepada smash serta pukulan lambung,” katanya.

Chong Wei to play in Taiwan, Mew Choo to have caesarean

PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Lee Chong Wei will be able to compete in the Taiwan Open with a peace of mind.

Chong Wei with wife Mew Choo and son Kingston before the former world No. 1 depart for Dongguan for the Sudirman Cup.

This is because his wife – former international Wong Mew Choo – has decided to deliver their second child by caesarean on July 11, a day before the two-time Olympic silver medallist departs for the Taiwan Open in Taipei from July 14-19.

Mew Choo was initially scheduled to give birth on July 17, leaving the 32-year-old Chong Wei in two minds about competing in Taiwan.

“My wife went to see her gynaecologist today. She made the decision to have the baby on July 11. Mew Choo understands how important it is for me to compete in Taiwan. I’m truly grateful to her for being so understanding,” said Chong Wei.

“What’s important now is that Mew Choo and our second child, a boy, will come through safely.
“It’s still sad that I have to leave them behind and fly off the next day, but it will be an inspiration for me to do well in Taiwan,” added Chong Wei, whose eldest son - Kingston - is two years old.

The Taiwan Open, which have attracted all the world’s top stars, will be Chong Wei’s last tournament before the World Championships in Jakarta from Aug 10-16.

Chong Wei, who slipped to No. 180 in the world last month before climbing back up to No. 65 following back-to-back wins at the US and Canada Opens, will not have it easy at all.

He faces South Korea’s Kim Dong-hoon in the first round with a potential second-round clash with 10th seed Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia.

If Chong Wei reaches the quarter-finals, he is expected to meet world No.1 Chen Long of China.
“I didn’t face any tough opponents in the US and Canada, but Taiwan will be a lot different. Playing some tough opponents is a good build-up to the world meet,” said Chong Wei.

“Winning or losing in Taiwan doesn’t really matter actually. What’s important is that I go there and get my confidence back and play well against the top players.”

Besides Chong Wei, Malaysia will also be represented by Chong Wei Feng, Liew Daren, Goh Soon Huat, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Zulfadli Zulkiffli, Tan Chun Seang, Woon Kok Hong, Yeoh Kay Ee, Jimmy Tay Yu Lun and Mohd Hafiz Hashim in the men’s singles.

Rombakan besar-besaran skuad Hoki Negara, Beng Hai serah kepada KHM

SEPANG, 7 Julai (Bernama) -- "Saya serahkan kepada KHM (Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia) untuk tentukan kedudukan saya," kata ketua jurulatih skuad negara, Tai Beng Hai.

Bagi Beng Hai, beliau bersikap terbuka sekiranya KHM mahu menggantikannya dengan individu lain bagi mengendalikan skuad dengan jolokan 'The Speedy Tigers' itu.

"Kita terpaksa tunggu laporan daripada pihak pengurusan pasukan sebelum KHM buat keputusan.

"Jadi masa depan kita semua, kena tunggu selepas mesyuarat post-mortem," katanya kepada pemberita sebaik tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA), di sini Selasa.

Presiden KHM Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal mengumumkan akan melakukan rombakan dalam skuad negara berikutan kegagalan 'The Speedy Tigers' mengesahkan tiket secara merit ke Sukan Olimpik Rio de Janeiro di Liga Hoki Dunia yang baru berakhir di Antwerp, Belgium.

Skuad negara sekadar menduduki tangga keenam di kejohanan itu selepas tewas kepada Ireland 1-4, sekali gus melepaskan peluang kedua mencari tiket secara merit ke Rio, sesudah gagal menempatkan diri ke separuh akhir apabila tewas 2-3 kepada India di suku akhir.

Beng Hai, diberi tugas besar menamatkan kemarau 15 tahun skuad negara ke Sukan Olimpik sesudah kali terakhir beraksi di edisi Sydney 2000. Beliau sebelum itu, menjadi jurulatih sementara menggantikan Muhammad Dharmaraj Abdullah yang direhatkan selepas keputusan hambar di Sukan Komanwel Glasgow tahun lalu.

Ia adalah kali kedua Beng Hai dilantik menjadi ketua jurulatih selepas memegang jawatan sama bagi tempoh 2009-2010.

Bagi Beng Hai, rancangan rombakan besar yang mahu dilakukan perlu dibuat tanpa menjejaskan prestasi pasukan, apa lagi ketika ini beberapa pemain sudah melahirkan hasrat untuk bersara daripada skuad negara.

Lima pemain senior yang berhasrat menamatkan karier mereka bersama pasukan kebangsaan ialah penjaga gol Roslan Jamaluddin, Baljit Singh Charun Singh, Azlan Misron, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil dan Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim.

Satu-satunya peluang Malaysia tersenarai ke Brazil nanti adalah dengan mengharapkan ehsan pasukan lain yang sudah layak secara merit ke Rio iaitu Australia atau New Zealand menjuarai Piala Oceania, Argentina atau Kanada muncul juara Kejohanan Pan American.

Pada masa sama, Malaysia turut mengharapkan Jerman, Belanda, Great Britain atau Belgium memenangi kejuaraan Eropah serta Jawatankuasa Olimpik dan Persekutuan Sukan Afrika Selatan (Sascoc) kekal dengan keputusan tidak akan menyertai acara itu di Rio.

Sebelum ini, Sascoc mengumumkan juara benua itu tidak akan beraksi di Rio, sekali gus bermakna ada dua slot kosong yang mampu memberi sisa-sisa harapan untuk Malaysia menyelinap masuk

Beng Hai leaves fate to MHC

Malaysia finished 6th at the World League Semi-finals Congratulations to @irishhockey Final score Ireland 4 Malaysia 1 #ayuhhokimalaysia

— MHC (@hockeymalaysia) July 5, 2015

SEPANG, July 7 (Bernama) -- National hockey chief coach Tai Beng Hai is leaving his fate and the status of his squad to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).

Beng Hai said there may be an overhaul following the failure of the 'Speedy Tigers' to secure automatic qualification to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the Hockey World League in Antwerp, Belgium.

Following the debacle, his position as national chief coach may also be affected.

"We will have to wait for the team management and MHC's decision on the next move. We can still make it (to Rio) albeit with a slim chance after being placed sixth.

"Our future will be decided after the post-mortem meeting," he told reporters upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport here today.

Beng Hai who has been coaching the national squad since 2009, said he was keeping his fingers crossed on his position as chief coach as any decision made would not affect the performance of the national squad.

In this regard, Beng Hai said several senior players had also expressed their desire to retire from the national squad.

The five players who wanted to quit national service are Roslan Jamaluddin, Baljit Singh Charun Singh, Azlan Misron, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil and Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim.

Malaysia could very well forget about playing at the 2016 Olympics as they are now in sixth spot after losing 1-4 to Ireland in the fifth and sixth placing match at the Hockey World League semi-finals last week.

Following the defeat, Malaysia became the fifth reserve team for the Olympics behind Canada, Spain, New Zealand and Ireland.

Malaysia mungkin boleh lupa Sukan Olimpik Rio selepas kalah 4-1 kepada Ireland

 

 

Jali deflects the ball in to give them hope IRL 3-1 MAS
Jali deflects the ball in to give them hope IRL 3-1 MAS #HWL2015 #RoadtoRio
Posted by International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Sunday, July 5, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, 5 Julai (Bernama) -- Malaysia mungkin boleh melupakan hasrat beraksi pada Sukan Oimpik 2016 di Rio de Janerio apabila sekadar menghuni tangga keenam selepas kalah 4-1 kepada Ireland pada Separuh Akhir Liga Hoki Dunia (HWL) di Antwerp, Belgium, Ahad malam.

Berikutan kekalahan pada perlawanan penentuan tempat kelima, Malaysia di bawah kendalian Tai Beng Hai masih menyimpan harapan tipis ke Rio dengan menjadi pasukan simpanan kelima di belakang Kanada, Sepanyol, New Zealand dan Ireland.

Pasukan, yang digelar 'Speedy Tigers', itu gagal melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik 2016 secara automatik apabila tumpas 3-2 kepada India pada perlawanan suku akhir, Rabu lepas.

Pada aksi penentuan tempat, Ireland menebus kekecewaan pada peringkat kumpulan apabila mendahului 2-0 dalam suku pertama menerusi jaringan Kyle Good pada minit kelima dan Peter Caruth, lima minit kemudian.

Pada suku ketiga perlawanan, Ireland, yang tewas kepada Malaysia 4-2 pada peringkat kumpulan, menambah jaringan ketiga menerusi Alan Sothern pada minit ke-40 sebelum Green Machine memastikan kemenangan mutlak Ireland pada minit ke-59.

Malaysia memperoleh gol sagu hati menerusi Faiz Helmi Jali pada minit ke-55.

Bulan lepas, Belanda, Jerman dan Argentina menempah tiket ke Rio secara automatik manakala Kanada, yang menghuni tangga keempat pada satu lagi saingan Separuh Akhir HWL di Argentina, menduduki tangga teratas dalam senarai simpanan.

Senarai menunggu itu diikuti oleh pasukan ranking ke-11 dunia, Sepanyol yang berakhir di kedudukan kelima dan New Zealand (ranking ketujuh dunia) di tangga keenam.

Malaysia perlu berharap agar Australia atau New Zealand muncul juara Piala Oceania manakala Argentina atau Kanada menjuarai Pan American, bagi memastikan Malaysia layak ke temasya berprestij itu.

Sekiranya Jerman, Belanda, Britain atau Belgium muncul juara Eropah dan Jawatankuasa Olimpik dan Konfederasi Sukan Afrika Selatan (Sascoc) kekal dengan pendirian agar juara benua Afrika tidak mengambil bahagian maka wujud dua lagi slot untuk diisi oleh pasukan dalam senarai menunggu.

Malaysia terlepas peluang keemasan pada Sukan Asia 2014 di Incheon, Korea Selatan apabila kalah kepada India di final. Juara Sukan Asia layak secara automatik ke Sukan Olimpik.

'Speedy Tigers' kini terpaksa menunggu kesemua kejohanan benua selesai dan berharap nasib akan menyebelahi mereka untuk beraksi semula pada Sukan Olimpik selepas 15 tahun.

Malaysia may hve kissed Rio Olympics goodbye after 1-4 defeat to Ireland

Ireland win it as Darling deflects home IRL 4-1 MAS #HWL2015 #RoadtoRio

Posted by International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Sunday, July 5, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia may have kissed the Rio Olympics goodbye after ending their Hockey World League (HWL) Semifinal campaign in sixth spot after losing 1-4 to Ireland in a 5th/6th classification match at the KHC Dragons Stadium in Antwerp, Belgium Sunday night.

With the 1-4 loss to Ireland, the same team which Malaysia had beaten 4-2 in their Group match, coach Tai Beng Hai's boys could miss the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil since it was the second chance for them after having lost an automatic spot due to the 2-3 defeat to India in the quarterfinals.

In tonight's match, Malaysia were trailing Ireland 0-2 by the eighth minute of the first quarter when Kyle Good and Peter Caruth scored in the 5th and 8th minutes.

Though there were no goals in the second quarter, Ireland continued their scoring act in the third quarter when Alan Sothern made it 3-0 in the 40th minute.

After a series of near misses, including from penalty corners, Faiz Helmi Jali managed to reduce the deficit in the 55th minute but Ireland restored the three goal advantage through Michael Darling's 59th minute strike.

Last month, Holland, Germany and Argentina had booked their automatic tickets to Rio while Canada who finished fourth in the other HWL Semifinal hosted by Argentina, finished on top of the reserve list.

Spain and New Zealand finished in fifth and sixth spots, respectively.

The only probability for Malaysia to be on the flight to Brazil is to expect Australia or New Zealand to win the Oceania Cup, Argentina or Canada to emerge champion in the Pan American tournament; Germany, Holland, Great Britain or Belgium to emerge European champion and the South Africa Sports Confederation and Olympic Council (Sascoc) stick to its decision to not participate.

Sascoc had said the South African contingent winner would not compete in Rio, meaning two spots will be available and Malaysia may be in with a chance.

Malaysia who lost a golden opportunity at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea by losing to India in the final (gold medal winner earns automatic spot to Olympics), the boys were hoping to make it to the Olympics after a 15-year lapse, by finishing at least fourth in the HWL in Belgium.

Now Malaysia will have to play the waiting game.