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Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Wednesday, 30 May 2018
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Djokovic Saves Apology for Facebook
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| Getty Images |
Novak Djokovic has taken to his Facebook page to apologise for his comments over pay in tennis. The world No1 suggested male players should be paid more than women because they attract greater interest.
However, he wrote: “I typically use this page to share my excitement with you, especially after big wins. But this time I had to take a few deep breaths before addressing you. As you may have seen, I was asked to comment on a controversy that wasn’t of my making. Euphoria and adrenalin after the win on Sunday got the best of me and I’ve made some comments that are not the best articulation of my view, and I would like to clarify them.
“As you all know, I care deeply about the future of the game and all of the players. Tennis helped me so much in my life and being where I am today, I felt the need to speak about the fairer and better distribution of funds across the board – this was meant for both men and women. We all have to fight for what we deserve.
“This was never meant to be made into a fight between genders and differences in pay, but in the way all players are rewarded for their play and effort. Tennis is a sport that I love and that gave me the opportunity to help others who still have a long way to go to achieve their dreams. This was my view all along and I want to apologise to anyone who has taken this the wrong way.”
Monday, 21 March 2016
Djoker Questions Equal Prize Money
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| Getty Images |
Novak Djokovic has questioned equal prize money in tennis, suggesting men should get better awards as they have more spectators.
Winning the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, he defended use of viewing statistics to determine fair distribution of prizes at joint events.
Earlier, Indian Wells Tennis Garden CEO Raymond Moore said the women's WTA Tour "ride on the coat-tails of the men".
Djokovic described the comments as "not politically correct".
The Serbian player said women "fought for what they deserve and they got it", but that the men's ATP tennis world "should fight for more".
"Stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men's tennis matches. I think that is one of the... reasons why maybe we should get awarded more."
"As long as it is like that and there is data and stats available and information... upon who attracts more attention, spectators, who sells more tickets and stuff like that, in relation to that it has to be fairly distributed."
Mr Moore caused controversy earlier when he said: "If I was a lady player, I would go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport. They really have."
He later apologised for the remarks.
A debate about the relative strengths of the men's and women's game should not be off limits, but the language Ray Moore used was deeply offensive - and it is hard to see how he can command the confidence of the players who will return to Indian Wells next year.
Novak Djokovic's comments are shared by very many in the men's game.
He is suggesting that prize money at combined events should be distributed on the basis of ticket sales and TV viewing figures.
That may lead in future to women being paid more, but could also fatally undermine the principle that men and women should be treated equally for competing on the same stage - irrespective of the number of sets they are asked to play.
World number one Serena Williams said Mr Moore's statement was "offensive", calling it "mistaken and very, very, very inaccurate".
Billie Jean King, who co-founded the WTA Tour and won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, tweeted: "Disappointed in Raymond Moore comments. He is wrong on so many levels. Every player, especially the top players, contribute to our success."
Sunday, 28 February 2016
Americas Cup Ainslie Team win Oman Series
Sir Ben Ainslie's BAR team have won the America's Cup World Series in Oman.
They were leading after Saturday's races but had a fight to stay top of the leaderboard on Sunday after a poor start in race four and two penalties in races five and six.
But other results went their way and BAR won with 76 points, two ahead of defending champions Oracle Team USA.
Four-time Olympic champion Sir Ben said: "It was pretty tough and we were relieved to get back on top of Oracle."
The BAR team included Rio-bound Finn world champion Giles Scott, whom Sir Ben praised for his tactics.
The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series is the first stage of competition in the 2017 America's Cup, with the next round of racing being held in New York in May.
The World Series will also visit Chicago, Portsmouth and Toulon this year, with a possible sixth event in Tokyo as it continues its bid to bring state-of-the-art sailing to a wider international audience.
Tuesday, 26 January 2016
London Calling Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred says the league could play a regular-season game in London in 2017.
“We are very interested in playing there, and we’re working hard on that one,” Manfred said. “I don’t think it will be an opener because of the weather issues. It would be later in the season.”
Baseball has been looking at the Olympic Stadium in east London as a possible venue. Manfred wouldn’t discuss the possibility of having a high-profile match-up between teams such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
“We haven’t really settled on teams, and I don’t want to speculate about that,” he said. “Obviously, we want to make as good a first impression in Europe as we possibly can.”
The NFL, NBA and NHL have all played regular-season games in London in recent years.
Thursday, 7 January 2016
Kawashima Positive About Dundee
Two-time World Cup goalkeeper for Japan, Eiji Kawashima, said Thursday he was delighted to have finally joined Dundee United and is convinced the Scottish Premier League club will beat the drop, despite tasting defeat in his debut against local rival Dundee on Saturday.
“It took longer than I expected to join the club (after a protracted struggle to obtain a work permit) but I am delighted to have joined this team,” Kawashima told a press conference.
Kawashima was thrown straight into Saturday’s local derby and his mistake gifted Dundee their equalizer in an eventual 2-1 defeat for United.
He atoned with some good saves, however, and won the backing of manager Mixu Paatelainen.
United prop up the Scottish league with just 10 points from 21 games, but Kawashima is unfazed.
“Things need to change little by little,” Kawashima said. “The players have ability and I believe we can stay in the top flight.”
Kawashima had been without a club since leaving Belgian side Standard Liege at the end of last season in search of a new team in Europe.
Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic cut Kawashima from the national squad for the World Cup Asian qualifiers in August, citing his failure to find a new club, and has not called him up since.
Thursday, 3 December 2015
Boks Coach Meyer Steps Down
Heyneke Meyer will not seek a renewal of his contract to coach South Africa when his current deal expires on 31 December, the South African Rugby Union has confirmed.
Meyer had said he would like to stay after leading the team to third place at the Rugby World Cup, but has made an about-turn after receiving stinging criticism of the team’s style of play and his record on transformation of the side.
South Africa were beaten 34-32 by Japan in their tournament opener before succumbing to eventual champions New Zealand in the semi-finals.
“I have always put the Springboks first in my time as coach and since returning from England I have realised that as much as I believe I still have a lot to offer, the time has come for change,” Meyer said in a press statement.
“My integrity has always been very important and I feel I can leave with my head held high. I’ve always maintained that my only motivation was to serve my country and to do what was best for the Springboks.
“I have put my heart and soul into the job and did my very best. I believe that, overall, I leave the team with much to look forward to in 2016, with new structures in place to ensure the Springboks will remain competitive on the world stage.
“The Springboks are a special team and carrying the hopes of a nation is a huge responsibility and great privilege. I realised that yet again with all the support I received from ordinary South Africans, both at the World Cup and upon our return to the country. Thank you to the countless faithful, positive and passionate supporters that have made my job as coach a joy.”
Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union, called the moment “a natural watershed”, adding: “Heyneke gave his all for the Springboks and it was a great pleasure to work with such a passionate South African. There were many highlights during his time as coach and those are the moments we will remember.”
Thursday, 19 November 2015
Q School Stressful - Paul Dunne
Paul Dunne has confessed that he found the final round of Qualifying School more stressful than his Open adventure earlier this year.
The Wicklow man was famously tied for the Open lead going into the final round before falling down the order at St Andrews in July.
Ahead of the last round of European Tour qualifying in Girona today, Dunne sat in 12th knowing that the top 25 plus ties would collect a card for next season.
After finishing tied for 13th spot, the 22-year-old told RTÉ 2fm’s Game on: “It’s different. You’ve to finish in the top 25 this week, you’re just trying to do as well as you can.
“But then going into today was a bit weird because I was in 12th.
“You don’t know whether to try to push on and go forward or play more conservative and just to try stay in the top 25 so it’s a different mindset.
“It was a difficult one for me to really know how to think about how I want to play.
“Mentally, it was more difficult to know what to take on and what not to. It played a lot of mind games with me.
“This one was probably more stressful and the other one [The Open] was more exciting.”
“This one was probably more stressful and the other one was more exciting"
Qualifying School consisted of 14 rounds, including six this week and the Greystones man admitted the schedule was taking its toll.
“[I’m] wrecked, to the honest,” he said before revealing he plans to play in South Africa and Australia in the next fortnight.
“The first five rounds weren’t too bad but today was quite stressful, start to finish, just trying to get through the line.
“It’s great, it’s been a long few months trying to get through so I’m glad it’s finally over.
“If you looked at it simply, all I had to do was finish in the top 20 three in tournaments in a row.
"When you break it down and put it in a simpler term it seems a lot more achievable.
“I knew if I played well for three weeks I’d get through without much hassle but the last few stages were a bit more stressful than I would have liked.
“I played well around the tougher courses, the tougher courses suited me more. I was delighted to finally get over the line.”
Sunday, 27 September 2015
Injured De Villiers Retires from Boks
Jean de Villiers has retired from international rugby after suffering a broken jaw in the Rugby World Cup win over Samoa.
The 34-year-old, who is the second most capped Springbok captain of all time, was forced off during Saturday's 46-6 Pool B victory and decided to retire after he was ruled out of the tournament with the injury.
He skippered the Boks 37 times, with last weekend's shock defeat against Japan proving the lowest point of his spell, but De Villiers remains confident that his side can still mount a challenge for the trophy in his absence.
Speaking on South Africa's official website, De Villiers said: "When I got injured yesterday and I left the field, I knew that I had played my last Test for South Africa.
"Injuries are part of rugby and I've had my fair share, so by now I know how to cope with them. It's very sad, but life goes on - I need to take it all in and move forward.
"The last time I got injured in a World Cup match and had to go home, was in 2007, also against Samoa, and that finished well for the Boks, so hopefully it will happen again.
"Having played for South Africa for 13 years, I've been fortunate to experience so many great things and I got to know so many good friends, but you never think it would end like this.
"It has happened now and I'll be eternally grateful for the time I've had in the Springbok jersey. I would like to wish the team all the very best and as a former Springbok, I'm now their No 1 supporter.
"They still have a massive game this weekend, and I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me, but rather to focus on the task at hand against Scotland."
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer paid tribute to his former skipper, who will fly back to
South Africa on Monday for further treatment and possible surgery.
"Jean is a true ambassador for South Africa and a person everyone in our country can be immensely proud of," said Meyer.
"The way in which he never gave up fighting to overcome his last serious knee injury reminded me again how much if a warrior he is and how highly he regarded the Springbok jersey.
"He will go down as one of the greatest Springboks ever and in my eyes he is probably one of the best captains in the history of world rugby, who always put the team first and gave his time for any player, young or old without ever changing who he is."
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