It is a new year and we are barely into the second week but already the stakes are high for athletes. The Dakar rally is on, the Australian Open is about to serve off and the home-based Eagles are preparing to win a first CHAN title.
But below are events that caught our attention in the last seven days.
Curry sets NBA 3-point record
Despite wearing shin guards [to protect a sore shin], Stephen Curry drained eight three-pointers [from 14] against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. The reigning NBA most valuable player had thus achieved the distinction of becoming the first man to make eight [8] three-pointers seven times in one season. Curry ended the game with 38 points to lead his team to a 128-116 win and they stay on course to breaking the 72-10 1995/96 Chicago Bulls’ record for most wins in a single season. They are currently at 34 wins and just two losses.
Azarenka wins first title in three years
Former world No.1, Victoria Azarenka seems to be back to her hitting best after a spate of injuries had limited her contest for the grand prizes in women’s tennis. Azarenka ended her title drought with a 6-3 6-1 win over Angelique Kerber in the Brisbane International final on Saturday as she prepares her assault on the Australian Open, which she won in 2012 and 2013, which serves off next week. Afterwards, the Belarusian said, “My dreams come true when I step on the court.” She is definitely dreaming of a third triumph in Australia.
The English FA Cup is still a giant-killing competition
They say it is the oldest football competition in the world but besides that accolade, it must be known as the giant-killing competition in the world. The FA Cup is the levelling ground for all tiers of football teams in England and this last weekend, it delivered a true upset as Oxford United [a League 2 side] came from behind to send EPL stalwarts, Swansea out of the competition just days after Alan Curtis was confirmed as manager till the end of the season. Welcome to the turbulent world of football management Curtis!
115-year cricket record was broken
Indian schoolboy, Pranav Dhanawade, has written himself into cricket’s hall of fame when he broke an innings record that had stood for more than a century.
The 628 runs scored in a single cricket innings by 13-year-old British public schoolboy A.E.J Collins had been declared unbeatable but Dhanawade was not hearing any of it as he smashed 1,009 runs, that included 59 sixes and 129 fours achieved in just 323 balls.
Legendary Indian cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar congratulated the schoolboy on Twitter – “Congrats #PranavDhanawade on being the first ever to score 1000 runs in an innings. Well done and work hard. You need to scale new peaks!”
Bavuma makes history with ton runs
Another cricket story that caught our attention was Temba Bavuma’s historic innings for South Africa last Tuesday. Bavuma became the first black South African cricketer to hit a century of runs in a one-day test match against England.
And in times of racial tension, the sporting record by the pint-sized 25-year-old from Langa township succeeded in dousing escalating tension between the affluent whites and their poorer black country men.
Navas scores after 16 months’ drought
If you cost £15million and you are a forward, even though not centre forward, you are expected to chip in with the odd goal once in a while but it has been a while since Jesus Navas had the experience of celebrating scoring a goal.
But after 16 months of hitting Row Z with his shots, the Spanish winger finally got back on the score sheet for Manchester City against Everton in the first leg semi-final of the Capital One Cup. We are sure that he will be happy irrespective of the 2-1 loss. Phew, that is a monkey off his back.
And finally…
93-year-old man bids to make Rio Olympics
Do not laugh because this is true! Bill Guilfoil, AT 93-years-young will be entering the trials to represent the USA in table-tennis at the Rio Olympic later in the year.
Guilfoil, with 80 years playing experience, will attend the trials in Greensboro, North Carolina in February after failing to make the grade for the 2012 Games in London.
“This year I’m going to practise more,” Guilfoil told KMBC News. “It’s exciting.” What is more exciting is the example he is setting that you are never too old to aspire and to dream.
Happy new year folks and may your dreams come true but be ready for the hard work!
