NEW YORK POST | By BRUCE GOLDING (just a coincidence! NOT the Prime Minister)
Last Updated: 5:09 PM, August 31, 2011
Posted: 5:08 PM, August 31, 2011
Read more:
He wasn't wiggy enough to risk dying behind bars.
A violent Jamaican drug lord who got busted while disguised under an Afro wig and fake Gucci cap pleaded guilty today to racketeering charges that could send him to prison for 23 years.
Christopher Coke, 42, struck the plea bargain with Manhattan federal prosecutors just weeks before the scheduled start of a trial at which he would have faced life in prison without parole.
The sudden turnabout came after the judge refused to toss damning telephone wiretaps and prosecutors moved to introduce evidence that Coke committed at least five murders in his home country while heading a drug ring known as the "Shower Posse" and the "Presidential Click."
Court papers say one of the victims was marked for death after stealing "drug proceeds" from Coke, who then administered his own brand of "Scarface"-style justice.
"While the victim was tied down, Coke killed him with a chainsaw," prosecutors Joceyln Strauber and John Zach wrote.
Coke's fearsome reputation prompted residents of the Kingston neighborhood he controlled to repeatedly clash with police after Prime Minister Bruce Golding ordered his arrest and extradition last year.
At least 76 people died during the month-long mayhem, which ended only after Coke was nabbed during a traffic stop, reportedly on his way to surrender.
In court this afternoon, Coke spoke with a lilting accent as he admitted conspiring to ship at least 3,000 kilos of marijuana and 15 kilos of cocaine to the United States between 1999 and June 2010.
He also admitted ordering the 2007 knifing of a Bronx drug dealer who owed money to one of his cronies.
"He got stabbed in his face," Coke said of the unidentified victim.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/jamaican_druglord_christopher_coke_e0W0yrd52zJTNikveT4Q2J#ixzz1We3oy6gU
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Big Crowd Weekend Breaks 4 Million Mark
Mike Woitalla of Soccer America writes of the continued success at the turnstyles for Major League Soccer.Three Week 24 games were postponed because of Hurricane Irene but the seven remaining games drew big crowds as the season's total broke the 4 million mark. For MLS attendance rankings ...
* The average attendance for Week 24's seven games was 20,813 as total attendance this season hit 4,095,750 (through 235 games).
* MLS broke the 4 million mark once before -- last season, when total attendance, with two fewer teams, was 4,002,000.
* The Portland Timbers sold out their 14th straight game with another 18,627 crowd for Wednesday's 1-0 win over Chivas USA.
* The Seattle Sounders rewarded 36,364 fans with a 6-2 win over Columbus.
* MLS's attendance average so far this season is 17,428. The 2010 season ended with a 16,037 league-wide attendance average.
* MLS's highest attendance came in its inaugural season of 1996 -- 17,406.
* The average attendance for Week 24's seven games was 20,813 as total attendance this season hit 4,095,750 (through 235 games).
* MLS broke the 4 million mark once before -- last season, when total attendance, with two fewer teams, was 4,002,000.
* The Portland Timbers sold out their 14th straight game with another 18,627 crowd for Wednesday's 1-0 win over Chivas USA.
* The Seattle Sounders rewarded 36,364 fans with a 6-2 win over Columbus.
* MLS's attendance average so far this season is 17,428. The 2010 season ended with a 16,037 league-wide attendance average.
* MLS's highest attendance came in its inaugural season of 1996 -- 17,406.
Cea mai buna casa de pariuri
Dupa o perioada de cel putin 9 ani in domeniul pariurilor pot sa spun ca am trei case de pariuri favorite:Betfair,Pinnaclesports si Bet365.
Betfair nu este o casa de pariuri,este un exchange de pariuri unde pariorii se lupta intre ei.Cotele sunt cele mai mari la betfair si sumele pariate pot fi foarte mari.
Pinnaclesports este o casa unde limitele de pariere nu prea exista.Puteti paria sume fabuloase la cote foarte bune.Nu am avut nicio problema cu retragerile la aceasta casa.
Bet365 e o casa britanica,cotata cu litera A la SBR ,ceea ce inseamna ca este situata in top 10.
Bet365 are cea mai buna platforma online dintre toate casele existente.Au cote bune si sunt seriosi.
Am conturi la peste 30 de case de pariuri bune sau mai putin bune dar astea 3 sunt favoritele mele.Bafta!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Drama at a Tripoli hotel
Drama at a Tripoli hotel
We tracked the dramatic overthrow of the Moammar Gadhafi regime on CNN and could see the mounting tension in their senior correspondent Matthew Chance, even as he continued to report bravely on developments. He was being held with other members of the media by army personnel in Tripoli's Hotel Rixos.
Chance hinted at their precarious plight on Saturday, August 20 when he heard the reports of the successful takeover of Tripoli by the rebels, and disclosed that he and his colleagues were not being allowed to leave the hotel. During five tense days, the journalists realised that a number of frightening scenarios could develop: they could be held hostage, used as human shields, summarily executed.
The brilliant Jomana Karadsheh, a Jordanian CNN producer based in Baghdad struck up a conversation with one of the soldiers, saying how she longed to see her loved ones, and wished to leave the hotel. The 50-year-old soldier's eyes filled with tears as he related to her and an Arabic-speaking CNN cameraman, how concerned he was about his own family caught up in the rebellion.She was able to convince him to release her media colleagues.
In a moving account on the CNN website, we see an aggressor being coaxed into the rediscovery of his humanity:
"Karadsheh and the cameraman reminded him that all the senior officials - and now even his young comrades - had abandoned him.
It was time to give up. 'Slowly, he started to change.'
The cameraman slowly stripped the soldier and gunman of their weapons. Now unarmed, the man looked at the journalists and said, "You can go now."
Where 'doing more with less' is the norm
Jean Lowrie-Chin | Jamaica Observer | Monday, August 29, 2011
THE recent Jamaica Teachers' Association Annual Conference was interesting. A militant outgoing JTA President Nadine Molloy-Young objected to the term "failing schools" while a grim-faced Education Minister Andrew Holness listened intently. The minister eventually had the last word, figuratively turning the Ministry's pockets inside out and declaring, "We have to do more with less."
We have wonderful teachers, but many of them may not understand the sacrifices made by their fellow Jamaicans to pay those taxes which fund the national budget. There are people in small businesses working 50 weeks per year, averaging 60 hours per week. They get no duty concessions, so they buy second-hand cars. They learn new technology overnight, glad for any gadget that could help them to do "more with less". When it comes to performance-related pay, they must submit detailed reports of activities and results along with invoices.
These brave entrepreneurs must prepare budgets which may have several iterations before final agreements are reached. Collections can be arduous - we know a pest-control outfit that ended up subsidising their customer after making two trips to Montego Bay to get hard-earned payment.
They had better file returns and pay taxes on time so that Tax Compliance Certificates (TCC) are up-to-date and they can get approval from the National Contracts Commission (NCC) to be able to tender for jobs. To stay on a productivity curve, they must have activity plans, board meetings, staff meetings, and strong financial management. When a business must present its results to a tough-talking board of directors, managers know it is a case of "put up or shut up".
Imagine then, when these businesses squeeze to hire a high school graduate with all sorts of teacher and pastor recommendations, only to discover that the individual can barely speak, much less write passable English. Teachers, you may not want to use the term "failing schools" but even a nicer name will not hide the fact that university lecturers are having to teach their students the fundamentals of grammar.
Nadine Molloy-Young is herself a role model, a winner of the Lasco Principal of the Year, impressing the panel of judges with her track record of leadership of the Buff Bay High School. She has every right to be defensive of and loyal to her fellow teachers, but she should call out the underachievers among them who are giving her noble profession a bad name.
Drama at a Tripoli hotel
We tracked the dramatic overthrow of the Moammar Gadhafi regime on CNN and could see the mounting tension in their senior correspondent Matthew Chance, even as he continued to report bravely on developments. He was being held with other members of the media by army personnel in Tripoli's Hotel Rixos.
Chance hinted at their precarious plight on Saturday, August 20 when he heard the reports of the successful takeover of Tripoli by the rebels, and disclosed that he and his colleagues were not being allowed to leave the hotel. During five tense days, the journalists realised that a number of frightening scenarios could develop: they could be held hostage, used as human shields, summarily executed.
The brilliant Jomana Karadsheh, a Jordanian CNN producer based in Baghdad struck up a conversation with one of the soldiers, saying how she longed to see her loved ones, and wished to leave the hotel. The 50-year-old soldier's eyes filled with tears as he related to her and an Arabic-speaking CNN cameraman, how concerned he was about his own family caught up in the rebellion.She was able to convince him to release her media colleagues.
In a moving account on the CNN website, we see an aggressor being coaxed into the rediscovery of his humanity:
"Karadsheh and the cameraman reminded him that all the senior officials - and now even his young comrades - had abandoned him.
It was time to give up. 'Slowly, he started to change.'
The cameraman slowly stripped the soldier and gunman of their weapons. Now unarmed, the man looked at the journalists and said, "You can go now."
Unusual week for Washington DC
It was an unusual week for Washington DC, where our relatives who always felt safe from such tropical occurrences as earthquakes and hurricanes experienced them both. The long-awaited opening of the Martin Luther King Jr Monument scheduled for yesterday to mark the 48th anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" speech, was postponed because of Hurricane Irene. At the time of writing this column, the warnings were grave: extensive flooding as far north as New York City. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
lowriechin@aim.com
Grenadian Teen Kirani James wins World Champs Gold
DAEGU, South Korea | Tue Aug 30, 2011 6:43pm IST
(Reuters) - Teenager Kirani James chased down defending champion LaShawn Merritt on the home straight to win 400 metres gold and Grenada's first medal at the world championships on Tuesday.
James, who turns 19 on Thursday and has run just a handful of senior races after winning a string of junior titles, surged past American Merritt just before the line to claim victory in a personal best time of 44.60.
Olympic champion Merritt, who has just returned from a 21-month ban for doping, had come round the final bend with what looked like a comfortable lead before being beaten by James's finish.
Merritt took his second world championship silver medal in 44.63 with Belgium's Kevin Borlee, whose twin Jonathan was also in the final, claiming bronze in 44.90.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Ed Osmond)
College Soccer Crowd Records Continue to Fall
Soccer America reports on the continued rise in attendance in college soccer here in the United States.College soccer continues to ride a wave of increasing popularity, evidence of which were the record crowds enjoyed by both No. 1 Louisville and Akron, the team it lost to in the 2010 Men's College Cup final, on Saturday. But there also record crowds at UAB and College of Charleston and the biggest turnout at Bowling Green in 15 years ...
Louisville won its battle with Preseason No. 2 UCLA, 2-0, in front of a record crowd of 7,821 at Cardinal Park. The previous Louisville record wa s 5,562 set against Ohio State in last year’s Sweet 16.
Akron beat Cleveland State, 5-0, before a record-setting crowd of 5,241 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field (formerly known as Jackson Field).
-- UAB drew 3,141 fans -- a regular-season attendance record for West Campus Field -- for its 2-1 season-opening victory over Clemson Saturday night. “What a perfect night it was,” UAB head coach Mike Getman said. “It was a great crowd that was loud and gave us a lot of energy. Our fans raised the intensity of our team and we couldn’t have won without the terrific crowd."
-- In spite of the postponement of the game scheduled to be Friday's NSCAA Game of the Week opener on Fox Soccer, College of Charleston set a school record of 2,931 fans for Sunday's match against South Carolina.
-- Bowling Green drew a crowd of 2,133 -- more than triple the previous largest crowd at Cochrane Field in the last 15 years -- for its 2-0 win over 2010 NCAA Division I semifinalist Michigan.
Louisville won its battle with Preseason No. 2 UCLA, 2-0, in front of a record crowd of 7,821 at Cardinal Park. The previous Louisville record wa s 5,562 set against Ohio State in last year’s Sweet 16.
Akron beat Cleveland State, 5-0, before a record-setting crowd of 5,241 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field (formerly known as Jackson Field).
-- UAB drew 3,141 fans -- a regular-season attendance record for West Campus Field -- for its 2-1 season-opening victory over Clemson Saturday night. “What a perfect night it was,” UAB head coach Mike Getman said. “It was a great crowd that was loud and gave us a lot of energy. Our fans raised the intensity of our team and we couldn’t have won without the terrific crowd."
-- In spite of the postponement of the game scheduled to be Friday's NSCAA Game of the Week opener on Fox Soccer, College of Charleston set a school record of 2,931 fans for Sunday's match against South Carolina.
-- Bowling Green drew a crowd of 2,133 -- more than triple the previous largest crowd at Cochrane Field in the last 15 years -- for its 2-0 win over 2010 NCAA Division I semifinalist Michigan.
Eto'o transfer proves MLS success is dependent on corporations, investors
If it were not already apparent, success of the modern game is dependent on corporate funding and owner investments.The growth of the game would be quite different if not for sponsors and external funding. From the naming rights of many stadia to the field boards and club kits, the branding from corporations is near impossible to ignore.
The current structure of Major League Soccer's player rules and salary cap present its own challenges. Without corporate funding, how would Major League Soccer rationalize the cost of David Beckham’s $5.5 million salary, or even Freddy Adu’s reported $425,000 in salary and compensation? Imagine a player in Major League Soccer earning $29 million annually, more than five times that of the league’s top earner. Only a small percentage of MLS players earn an amount worthy of comparison.
Samuel Eto’o’s transfer to Anzhi Makhachkala of the Russian Premier League is worth as much as $87 million. The three-year deal makes him the highest paid footballer and the second highest paid athlete of 2011. Formula One Driver Fernando Alonso reportedly earns more than $40 million annually.
The important note to consider that Eto’o’s latest deal is without endorsements. Eto’o is sponsored by Puma, who extended its partnership with the Cameroon National Team at the end of 2010. Financial terms of his endorsement were not disclosed.
The Eto’o deal mirrors similar but not quite as lucrative transfers as top talent above the age of thirty continue to move. Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie Keane was acquired from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month for $4.8 million per year. The two-year deal did not include a transfer fee from his former club.
In light of the many big names transferring both to clubs abroad and in Major League Soccer (as the league's transfer window closed), less has been discussed about each nation's able to retain homegrown players in their respective league. Lucrative contracts with clubs capable of winning hardware year after year provide few reasons for players not to consider a transfer. It is the tradition that is forgotten in the shadow of large salaries - an opportunity MLS may be capable of restoring.
Regardless, the result of the Eto’o transfer is an increased value for the soccer industry as a whole. While interests of players include new opportunities and environments, the interest of investors and owners is to transform a club into a business with the global brand power of Barcelona and Manchester United.
It is becoming the standard that corporate dollars are a requirement for world class soccer.
With MLS receiving more interest now than ever, the brand is also in its infancy on a global level. When is it time for MLS to begin building an international brand? As the league continues to attract world class talent (albeit in the latter stages of their careers), there is obvious potential with the likes of Beckham, Henry, etc.
However, little has been done to provide Major League Soccer with face time abroad. International preseason training and participation in the Emirates Cup may be just the start.
Under current terms, MLS broadcasting partners are limited to televising matches in the United States. The official video streaming service produced by MLS, MatchDay Live, also limited viewing to customers located in the United States during use via IP address, etc. According to Major League Soccer’s Blackout Regulations, MatchDay Live is not available outside of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It is the lure of the UEFA Champions League that is the most obvious draw for both corporations and the rich alike. The clubs finishing first and second in the Russian Premier League are guaranteed a spot in the group stage while the third place finisher is allowed a chance to qualify from the second stage of the competition. Neither Major League Soccer nor the CONCACAF Champions League are able to produce the television ratings and popularity that surrounds tournaments hosted by UEFA.
For those unfamiliar with the Russian Premier League, some may consider it comparable to Major League Soccer in its obscurity. However, the current UEFA Club Rankings list a number of Russian sides amongst the likes of AC Milan and Valencia, and even ahead of AS Roma, Tottenham and Manchester City.
The current structure of Major League Soccer's player rules and salary cap present its own challenges. Without corporate funding, how would Major League Soccer rationalize the cost of David Beckham’s $5.5 million salary, or even Freddy Adu’s reported $425,000 in salary and compensation? Imagine a player in Major League Soccer earning $29 million annually, more than five times that of the league’s top earner. Only a small percentage of MLS players earn an amount worthy of comparison.
Samuel Eto’o’s transfer to Anzhi Makhachkala of the Russian Premier League is worth as much as $87 million. The three-year deal makes him the highest paid footballer and the second highest paid athlete of 2011. Formula One Driver Fernando Alonso reportedly earns more than $40 million annually.
The important note to consider that Eto’o’s latest deal is without endorsements. Eto’o is sponsored by Puma, who extended its partnership with the Cameroon National Team at the end of 2010. Financial terms of his endorsement were not disclosed.
The Eto’o deal mirrors similar but not quite as lucrative transfers as top talent above the age of thirty continue to move. Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie Keane was acquired from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month for $4.8 million per year. The two-year deal did not include a transfer fee from his former club.
In light of the many big names transferring both to clubs abroad and in Major League Soccer (as the league's transfer window closed), less has been discussed about each nation's able to retain homegrown players in their respective league. Lucrative contracts with clubs capable of winning hardware year after year provide few reasons for players not to consider a transfer. It is the tradition that is forgotten in the shadow of large salaries - an opportunity MLS may be capable of restoring.
Regardless, the result of the Eto’o transfer is an increased value for the soccer industry as a whole. While interests of players include new opportunities and environments, the interest of investors and owners is to transform a club into a business with the global brand power of Barcelona and Manchester United.
It is becoming the standard that corporate dollars are a requirement for world class soccer.
With MLS receiving more interest now than ever, the brand is also in its infancy on a global level. When is it time for MLS to begin building an international brand? As the league continues to attract world class talent (albeit in the latter stages of their careers), there is obvious potential with the likes of Beckham, Henry, etc.
However, little has been done to provide Major League Soccer with face time abroad. International preseason training and participation in the Emirates Cup may be just the start.
Under current terms, MLS broadcasting partners are limited to televising matches in the United States. The official video streaming service produced by MLS, MatchDay Live, also limited viewing to customers located in the United States during use via IP address, etc. According to Major League Soccer’s Blackout Regulations, MatchDay Live is not available outside of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It is the lure of the UEFA Champions League that is the most obvious draw for both corporations and the rich alike. The clubs finishing first and second in the Russian Premier League are guaranteed a spot in the group stage while the third place finisher is allowed a chance to qualify from the second stage of the competition. Neither Major League Soccer nor the CONCACAF Champions League are able to produce the television ratings and popularity that surrounds tournaments hosted by UEFA.
For those unfamiliar with the Russian Premier League, some may consider it comparable to Major League Soccer in its obscurity. However, the current UEFA Club Rankings list a number of Russian sides amongst the likes of AC Milan and Valencia, and even ahead of AS Roma, Tottenham and Manchester City.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Fergie 'wouldn't have allowed' drought
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he "wouldn't have allowed" the club to go six years without a trophy, as he prepares to take on silverware shy Arsenal.The Gunners have failed to win a trophy under Arsene Wenger since their 2005 FA Cup final victory over United and, although Ferguson has been vocal in his support of his French rival in recent years, the Red Devils' boss appears to have stepped up the mind games again ahead of Sunday's clash sat Old Trafford.
On the prospect of going six years without winning anything, Ferguson said: "I wouldn't have allowed that to happen. You know, I don't contemplate these things.
"Arsene has got his way and I've got my way and, you do the best with what you believe in. And that's what Arsene is trying to do. It is a different way of management.''
Wenger has come under plenty of criticism of late for a difficult start to the season on the pitch and the sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri off it, though the pressure was alleviated a little by a midweek Champions League victory over Udinese.
Arsenal visited the reigning Premier League champions on Sunday having taken one point from their opening three games, and were left in the relegation zone by the end of the day.
What's next for Arsenal, Wenger?
At times, there's a certain stubbornness when it comes to clubs parting ways with an established coach. The quick exit that we see so regularly - especially in Europe - might happen often enough to be the standard, but there are examples of teams that seem unable to tell when it's time for a change. Public pressure and results might be against the coach, but somehow he keeps his job.
J Hutcherson writes of the unique relationship between Arsenal and their manager, Arsene Wenger.
If you happen to be an Arsenal fan, you've probably raised your level of concern about your manager. Arsene Wenger's squad was on the wrong side of an embarrassing 8-2 loss to Manchester United over the weekend, and they're at risk of losing control of their season in September. This from a club that disappointed in not putting up more of a challenge with a 4th-place finish last season.
With that in mind, the expectations at Arsenal are always going to be at or near the top of the table. Failing to get the team there has to be a concern, especially in England where it can be a quick slide from contender, to respectable, to trouble.
Part of that might be why Wenger doesn't seem as in danger of losing his job as another coach might in the same situation. Wenger has earned his leeway. He was the architect of one of the best runs in the history of English soccer - much less the more recent history of the Premier League. Arsenal's undefeated streak lasted for more than a season, he's won the title three times, and he's kept Arsenal in contention. It's that last item that might be the most important.
Under Wenger, Arsenal has had the title chasing stability to open a new 60,000-seat stadium and put distance between themselves and their London competition for most financially viable club in the capital. Anyone else in that role, and Arsenal's steps forward could just as easily become steps back. It's worth keeping in mind that Wenger has managed under very different chief executives, moving from David Dein to Ivan Gazidis.
No team hires a former Major League Soccer executive without the concept of cost control in mind, and that's been the story of Arsenal in recent seasons. They've played a very different game from the clubs nearest them in the table, working to make sure the budget is sensible while keeping the squad competitive. There's an argument that the Arsenal version of success - and by extension Wenger's - is almost unique at Premier League level. He's expected to do more with less than his rivals even though he built the modern version of the club and his own reputation under less stringent finances.
There's an argument that grows stronger with each loss that Arsenal have taken their financial football too far. Wenger hasn't been able to replace players at the level a club like Arsenal requires. His squads lose strength seemingly every season. His ability to hold the squad together enough to keep winning - i.e. his job - grows more difficult each time another player exits.
When Dein resigned as vice-chairman of Arsenal in 2007 Wenger offered to resign with him. After all, Dein was as important to Arsenal's era of dominance as the manager he hired. As the story goes, Dein talked Wenger out of it for the good of the club. No one at that level of the clubs administration seemed to suffer from the illusion that they would be better off without Wenger. That same thinking might be what's keeping him employed now.
Yet you have to wonder what's in it for Wenger. For all the talk of the challenge of returning a club to former glory, it's not the same when you're financially handcuffed the way Wenger seems to be. In many ways, his Arsenal no longer exists. The club is about implementing cost controls and financial fair play well before UEFA tries to enforce their new rules for how clubs spend their money. In other words, Arsenal have created a playing field that puts their manager, their squad, and their fans at a competitive disadvantage now. What that means for the future is more of an open question than Arsenal would like.
For their manager? Would anyone really blame Wenger for reconsidering his role in the light of recent events? He doesn't have the squad to compete against the Premier League elite, and there's an argument that Arsenal's finish last season was an overachievement rather than a disappointment. His squad is noticeably weaker in a market where Arsenal doesn't have the buying power of their nearest rivals. He remains playing against restrictions imposed by his club that seem beyond his influence.
It's the club that has in no small part worked against sporting success by putting so much stress on finances, real estate ventures, and stadium construction rather than doing as much as possible to compete in the transfer market and on the field. Their success is tempered in a way that doesn't work for most Premier League teams.
For Wenger, it's living through an era when everyone else in the Premier League - no matter how begrudgingly - wouldn't have minded being like Arsenal. Now? Arsenal are chasing their nearest rival Tottenham for contending team to fall off the most from last season. And yet, without Wenger in charge there's still the feeling that it could be worse.
That's where the Arsenal story takes a different turn. It's not so much about Arsenal parting ways with Wenger as it is Wenger parting ways with Arsenal.
J Hutcherson writes of the unique relationship between Arsenal and their manager, Arsene Wenger.
If you happen to be an Arsenal fan, you've probably raised your level of concern about your manager. Arsene Wenger's squad was on the wrong side of an embarrassing 8-2 loss to Manchester United over the weekend, and they're at risk of losing control of their season in September. This from a club that disappointed in not putting up more of a challenge with a 4th-place finish last season.
With that in mind, the expectations at Arsenal are always going to be at or near the top of the table. Failing to get the team there has to be a concern, especially in England where it can be a quick slide from contender, to respectable, to trouble.
Part of that might be why Wenger doesn't seem as in danger of losing his job as another coach might in the same situation. Wenger has earned his leeway. He was the architect of one of the best runs in the history of English soccer - much less the more recent history of the Premier League. Arsenal's undefeated streak lasted for more than a season, he's won the title three times, and he's kept Arsenal in contention. It's that last item that might be the most important.
Under Wenger, Arsenal has had the title chasing stability to open a new 60,000-seat stadium and put distance between themselves and their London competition for most financially viable club in the capital. Anyone else in that role, and Arsenal's steps forward could just as easily become steps back. It's worth keeping in mind that Wenger has managed under very different chief executives, moving from David Dein to Ivan Gazidis.
No team hires a former Major League Soccer executive without the concept of cost control in mind, and that's been the story of Arsenal in recent seasons. They've played a very different game from the clubs nearest them in the table, working to make sure the budget is sensible while keeping the squad competitive. There's an argument that the Arsenal version of success - and by extension Wenger's - is almost unique at Premier League level. He's expected to do more with less than his rivals even though he built the modern version of the club and his own reputation under less stringent finances.
There's an argument that grows stronger with each loss that Arsenal have taken their financial football too far. Wenger hasn't been able to replace players at the level a club like Arsenal requires. His squads lose strength seemingly every season. His ability to hold the squad together enough to keep winning - i.e. his job - grows more difficult each time another player exits.
When Dein resigned as vice-chairman of Arsenal in 2007 Wenger offered to resign with him. After all, Dein was as important to Arsenal's era of dominance as the manager he hired. As the story goes, Dein talked Wenger out of it for the good of the club. No one at that level of the clubs administration seemed to suffer from the illusion that they would be better off without Wenger. That same thinking might be what's keeping him employed now.
Yet you have to wonder what's in it for Wenger. For all the talk of the challenge of returning a club to former glory, it's not the same when you're financially handcuffed the way Wenger seems to be. In many ways, his Arsenal no longer exists. The club is about implementing cost controls and financial fair play well before UEFA tries to enforce their new rules for how clubs spend their money. In other words, Arsenal have created a playing field that puts their manager, their squad, and their fans at a competitive disadvantage now. What that means for the future is more of an open question than Arsenal would like.
For their manager? Would anyone really blame Wenger for reconsidering his role in the light of recent events? He doesn't have the squad to compete against the Premier League elite, and there's an argument that Arsenal's finish last season was an overachievement rather than a disappointment. His squad is noticeably weaker in a market where Arsenal doesn't have the buying power of their nearest rivals. He remains playing against restrictions imposed by his club that seem beyond his influence.
It's the club that has in no small part worked against sporting success by putting so much stress on finances, real estate ventures, and stadium construction rather than doing as much as possible to compete in the transfer market and on the field. Their success is tempered in a way that doesn't work for most Premier League teams.
For Wenger, it's living through an era when everyone else in the Premier League - no matter how begrudgingly - wouldn't have minded being like Arsenal. Now? Arsenal are chasing their nearest rival Tottenham for contending team to fall off the most from last season. And yet, without Wenger in charge there's still the feeling that it could be worse.
That's where the Arsenal story takes a different turn. It's not so much about Arsenal parting ways with Wenger as it is Wenger parting ways with Arsenal.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Bolt beats Irene on Washington Post
Washington Post's The Post Most
Most Popular
1. World track championships: Usain Bolt is disqualified in 100-meter final
2. Overhyped Irene makes Washington the inevitable butt of snickers
3. Beyonce is pregnant
4. Hurricane Irene was not the powerhouse most expected
5. Hurricane Irene closings, cancellations in the D.C. region
Click headline above to go to Washington Post homepage
Most Popular
1. World track championships: Usain Bolt is disqualified in 100-meter final
2. Overhyped Irene makes Washington the inevitable butt of snickers
3. Beyonce is pregnant
4. Hurricane Irene was not the powerhouse most expected
5. Hurricane Irene closings, cancellations in the D.C. region
Click headline above to go to Washington Post homepage
Amauri Carvalho
Amauri Carvalho De Oliveira compilation
Amauri Carvalho de Oliveira (born 3 June 1980), better known as Amauri, is a Brazilian-born Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Juventus.
Amauri was trialed at Palmeiras, the club of his place of birth, São Paulo state, but failed to impress. At the age of 19, he went to Santa Catarina state to work and played for a local club at Santa Catarina State League 2nd Division. Santa Catarina Clube was invited to Torneo di Viareggio in Italy, at which he showed his talent to scouts; he was signed by a club from the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, AC Bellinzona. He scored once in 5 appearances.
After half-season in the Swiss Nationalliga B and Nationalliga A/B playoffs, he played for Napoli in 2000–01, due to the abolish of non-EU quota in the mid season. Amauri until 2010 heard he was actually signed by Parma and on loan to Napoli, instead of signed by Napoli directly at the hearing of Caso Parmalat.
Amauri made his Italian Serie A debut on 14 April 2001 in a league match against Bari. He played as one of the starting XI and was replaced by Francesco Moriero in the 69th minutes.
He then played for Piacenza in Serie A for the 2001–02 season (on loan from Parma along with Matuzalém), and for Messina in Serie B during the 2002–03 season; he was also loaned from Parma to Empoli of Serie A in June 2002 along with team-mate Gaetano Grieco., but left the club, after the start of Coppa Italia 2002–03 on 13 September, for Messina, before the start of Serie B (which was delaye). Amauri made his club debut for Messina on 21 September 2002, a 3–3 draw with Catania. He replaced Emanuele Calaiò in the 76th minutes.
In mid-2003, Amauri joined Chievo in co-ownership deal, with Simone Barone loan became permanent. With Sergio Pellissier and Federico Cossato, he first played as a backup then a second-striker. In June 2005, Chievo bough the remain 50% registration rights from Parma.
During his time for Chievo, and especially in the 2005–06 season, ended with a qualification to the preliminary phase of UEFA Champions League (also favoured by the 2006 Serie A scandal), Amauri showed most of his potential, becoming one of the key players of the team.
On August 31, 2006, the last day of the 2006 summer transfer period, Amauri was sold to Palermo for a reported €8 million plus Denis Godeas, after having scored two goals in the return match of the third qualifying round against PFC Levski Sofia. Palermo did not have a good center-forward since the departure of Luca Toni in 2005 and needed to find a good partner for David Di Michele, as Andrea Caracciolo and Stephen Makinwa were not making a significant impact.
Immediately from his debut with Palermo, Amauri became a fan favourite and a key player for the Rosanero, scoring eight goals in 18 league matches until December 2006. A serious knee injury in a league match against Siena prevented him from playing for seven months;however Amauri recovered in time for the start of the 2007–08 season, being immediately featured in the regular lineup for Palermo's first match against Roma. He scored his first goal in the new season in the next match, a 4–2 away win to Livorno.
On May 30, 2008 Amauri completed a €22.8 million move to the Italian giants, Juve.in which part of the fee was paid via player transfer (Antonio Nocerino, tagged for €7.5M and the half of registration rights of Davide Lanzafame, tagged for €2.5M). Additionally, Juve had sold Fabrizio Miccoli to Palermo for €4.3M in 3 installments in the last year.
Since his arrival Amauri has impressed greatly in training and put on superb performances during Juventus' pre-season campaign. Against Lega Pro Seconda Divisione side Mezzocorona, he scored five goals in a 7–1 victory. He also has impressed and also hit the back of the net versus Brondby and versus Borussia Dortmund. He also impressed during Juventus' TIM Trophy against Milan and Internazionale, and Juventus' English Tour, in the Emirates Cup and against Manchester United in a shocking match at Old Trafford. He will fight for a first team position along with Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, and Vincenzo Iaquinta. Towards the end of 2008, Amauri began to play more regularly under Claudio Ranieri and ended the year with 11 Serie A goals, the second highest goals for Juve.
Amauri Carvalho de Oliveira (born 3 June 1980), better known as Amauri, is a Brazilian-born Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Juventus.
Amauri was trialed at Palmeiras, the club of his place of birth, São Paulo state, but failed to impress. At the age of 19, he went to Santa Catarina state to work and played for a local club at Santa Catarina State League 2nd Division. Santa Catarina Clube was invited to Torneo di Viareggio in Italy, at which he showed his talent to scouts; he was signed by a club from the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, AC Bellinzona. He scored once in 5 appearances.
After half-season in the Swiss Nationalliga B and Nationalliga A/B playoffs, he played for Napoli in 2000–01, due to the abolish of non-EU quota in the mid season. Amauri until 2010 heard he was actually signed by Parma and on loan to Napoli, instead of signed by Napoli directly at the hearing of Caso Parmalat.Amauri made his Italian Serie A debut on 14 April 2001 in a league match against Bari. He played as one of the starting XI and was replaced by Francesco Moriero in the 69th minutes.
He then played for Piacenza in Serie A for the 2001–02 season (on loan from Parma along with Matuzalém), and for Messina in Serie B during the 2002–03 season; he was also loaned from Parma to Empoli of Serie A in June 2002 along with team-mate Gaetano Grieco., but left the club, after the start of Coppa Italia 2002–03 on 13 September, for Messina, before the start of Serie B (which was delaye). Amauri made his club debut for Messina on 21 September 2002, a 3–3 draw with Catania. He replaced Emanuele Calaiò in the 76th minutes.
In mid-2003, Amauri joined Chievo in co-ownership deal, with Simone Barone loan became permanent. With Sergio Pellissier and Federico Cossato, he first played as a backup then a second-striker. In June 2005, Chievo bough the remain 50% registration rights from Parma.During his time for Chievo, and especially in the 2005–06 season, ended with a qualification to the preliminary phase of UEFA Champions League (also favoured by the 2006 Serie A scandal), Amauri showed most of his potential, becoming one of the key players of the team.
On August 31, 2006, the last day of the 2006 summer transfer period, Amauri was sold to Palermo for a reported €8 million plus Denis Godeas, after having scored two goals in the return match of the third qualifying round against PFC Levski Sofia. Palermo did not have a good center-forward since the departure of Luca Toni in 2005 and needed to find a good partner for David Di Michele, as Andrea Caracciolo and Stephen Makinwa were not making a significant impact.Immediately from his debut with Palermo, Amauri became a fan favourite and a key player for the Rosanero, scoring eight goals in 18 league matches until December 2006. A serious knee injury in a league match against Siena prevented him from playing for seven months;however Amauri recovered in time for the start of the 2007–08 season, being immediately featured in the regular lineup for Palermo's first match against Roma. He scored his first goal in the new season in the next match, a 4–2 away win to Livorno.
On May 30, 2008 Amauri completed a €22.8 million move to the Italian giants, Juve.in which part of the fee was paid via player transfer (Antonio Nocerino, tagged for €7.5M and the half of registration rights of Davide Lanzafame, tagged for €2.5M). Additionally, Juve had sold Fabrizio Miccoli to Palermo for €4.3M in 3 installments in the last year.Since his arrival Amauri has impressed greatly in training and put on superb performances during Juventus' pre-season campaign. Against Lega Pro Seconda Divisione side Mezzocorona, he scored five goals in a 7–1 victory. He also has impressed and also hit the back of the net versus Brondby and versus Borussia Dortmund. He also impressed during Juventus' TIM Trophy against Milan and Internazionale, and Juventus' English Tour, in the Emirates Cup and against Manchester United in a shocking match at Old Trafford. He will fight for a first team position along with Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, and Vincenzo Iaquinta. Towards the end of 2008, Amauri began to play more regularly under Claudio Ranieri and ended the year with 11 Serie A goals, the second highest goals for Juve.
Robin Van Persie
Robin van Persie (Dutch pronunciation:listen); born 6 August 1983) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord. Having joined Arsenal in 2004, van Persie has since become the club captain on 16 August 2011.His playing style and ability have drawn comparison to Dutch legend Marco van Basten.
The son of two artists, van Persie was encouraged to follow in his parents' footsteps but he instead preferred football and joined SBV Excelsior's youth squad.He made his breakthrough at his hometown club Feyenoord, where he spent three seasons and won the 2002 UEFA Cup.He was named the Dutch Football Talent of the Year for the 2001–02 season. Disagreements with coach Bert van Marwijk culminated in a change of club and van Persie moved to Premier League side Arsenal for £2.75 million in 2004 as a long-term replacement for Dennis Bergkamp He won the FA Community Shield and the FA Cup in his first season with the London club and went on to win the 2006 Rotterdam Sportsman of the year award. Van Persie has been named Premier League Player of the Month twice. Van Persie topped the goal assists leader board with 11 assists in the 2008–09 Premier League.Prior to playing for the senior team,van Persie was a Dutch Youth International.He played for Netherlands at 2004 and 2006 European U-21 Championship qualifying.van Persie made his senior international debut in 2005 in a friendly match against Romania.One month later, he netted his first senior international goal in a 4–0 win over Finland.Van Persie has over 50 caps and has scored 21 goals for the Netherlands. He has participated in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups and UEFA Euro 2008.
Van Persie joined Dutch side SBV Excelsior's youth squad at the age of 14, but left at the age of 16 due to the relationship with the coaching staff and thus signed for Feyenoord.He was quickly promoted into the first team due to injury problems among the squad, and made his debut for the club at 17, which was the first of 15 total starts. He received the KNVB Best Young Talent award at the end of the 2001–02 season. He signed a professional three-and-a-half year contract with Feyenoord in the following season, and scored five goals in a 6–1 Amstel Cup thrashing of AGOVV on 6 February 2003.However, clashes with manager Bert van Marwijk saw van Persie demoted to the reserve squad, and an irate van Marwijk told reporters, "His behaviour made it impossible for him to remain in the squad any longer so he will join the reserve side for the time being."During a match featuring the Feyenoord and Ajax reserves, he was one of several Feyenoord players assaulted by hooligans who had invaded the pitch.Van Persie's rift with van Marwijk continued when he was sent home on the eve of the 2002 UEFA Super Cup final against Real Madrid after the coach was displeased with van Persie's body language after being asked to warm up for a Champions League qualifier. Van Persie finished his tumultuous debut season on the first team, making a total of 28 appearances and scoring eight goals, in addition to finishing runner-up in the KNVB Cup.
Feyenoord unsuccessfully attempted to extend van Persie's contract during the offseason, and his deteriorating relationship with van Marwijk led to his spending most of 2003–04 on the bench. He again played 28 matches, but finished with two fewer goals than the previous season. Feyenoord shopped him at the end of the campaign but found few takers due to van Persie's past disciplinary issues. During the January transfer window, the Eredivisie club opened negotiations with Arsenal, who were seeking a long-term replacement for aging veteran Dennis Bergkamp, but both parties could not agree to terms.
On 17 May 2004, van Persie signed a four-year deal with Arsenal for £2.75 million, just over half of Feyenoord's original asking price of £5 million. Gunners manager Arsène Wenger, who planned to convert van Persie from a left winger to a center forward as he had successfully done with star player Thierry Henry, said of his new acquisition, "He can play on the left side of midfield, as a creative player behind the main strikers or as a target man."Arsenal had further padded their stable of strikers in January by signing Spanish forward José Antonio Reyes,leaving the two to battle for playing time. Van Persie made his debut and won a trophy in the process, as he came on as a substitute in the 3–1 FA Community Shield victory over Manchester United on 8 August 2004. Van Persie spent most of his time on the bench during earlier parts of the 2004–05 season, and made his competitive debut on 27 October by scoring Arsenal's opening goal in a 2–1 League Cup win over Manchester City. He was sent off for the first time, however, in an Arsenal shirt on 26 February during a 1–1 road draw with Southampton, following a lunge at left back Graeme Le Saux, for which Wenger was seen yelling an obscenity at van Persie from the sidelines. He then later lambasted his charge in the press. "I do not support van Persie today, but he did not look out of control at half-time.
When the referee has sent off a home player, he is under pressure, so, if any player had to behave, it was him." Meanwhile, Telegraph sportswriter Clive White described van Persie in his match report as "21 going on nine."Van Persie was consequently benched for a number of games, starting with Arsenal's upcoming FA Cup replay against Sheffield United, and he was reintroduced into the squad only after Henry was out with a calf injury, and his return to the first team saw him score twice in a FA Cup semi-final win over Blackburn Rovers. The rest of van Persie's season was cut short by injury, and he finished with ten goals in 41 appearances in all competitions.
Van Persie's good form at the start of the 2005–06 season earned him the Player of the Month award for November 2005 after eight goals in eight starts,and he was rewarded with a five-year contract extension until 2011 on 4 January.Two days after signing the contract, however, van Persie was again hit by injury when an opponent stepped on his foot and broke his toe during an FA Cup match against Cardiff.Van Persie played the next three matches with a hole cut into his shoe to alleviate the pain until he was finally rested for Arsenal's Premier League match against West Ham United on 1 February. He was an unused substitute in Arsenal's first Champions League final appearance, a 2–1 loss to FC Barcelona.
B.J. Penn
Best Damn BJ Penn Highlight Ever! (2:30) mark
Jay Dee "B.J." Penn (born December 13, 1978) is an American mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Penn was the first non-Brazilian winner of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the black-belt category.He is known for his willingness to fight anyone regardless of weight class, fighting as high as light-heavyweight when he competed against Lyoto Machida in 2005.
A former UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion, he is only the second fighter in UFC history to win titles in two different weight classes, with the first being UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. Penn served as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show. Penn is currently ranked as the #2 welterweight fighter in the world by Fight! Magazine and #8 welterweight fighter by MMAWeekly. Nicknamed "The Prodigy" for his astonishingly natural talent, Penn holds victories over former UFC champions Jens Pulver, Matt Serra, Sean Sherk and Matt Hughes, as well as former PRIDE champion Takanori Gomi. His record also includes notable wins over Caol Uno, Renzo Gracie, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez.
Penn was born to Jay Dee Penn, an Irish American and Loraine Shin, a third generation Korean-American. At the age of seventeen, Penn began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after being introduced to it by his neighbor, Tom Callos.Callos had put up fliers in local gyms looking for people to train with, and BJ's father Jay Dee Penn had called Callos and said his boys were interested.Callos then taught BJ and his brother what he knew.
In 1997 Penn began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ralph Gracie, eventually earning his purple belt from Gracie.At that point he moved to Nova União where he was eventually awarded his black belt in 2000 by Andre Pederneiras. A few weeks later he became the first non-Brazilian to win the black-belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.While Penn's most well-known and prestigious achievement was placing first in the black belt division in the 2000 world championships, he had success at the Mundials in previous years. In 1999, at the age of 20, Penn finished 3rd in the brown belt division, losing only to Fernando Terere.
While most people need a decade or more to become a black belt, Penn had, with only three years of training, not only received a black belt but defeated people who had been training their entire lives on his way to winning the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Penn is thought to have earned the fastest black belt of all active Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners.
His accomplishments in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship caught the attention of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which convinced him to switch to MMA.Penn made his mixed martial arts debut with the company on May 24, 2001 with a win over Joey Gilbert at UFC 31. He then demonstrated strong striking skills, knocking out lightweights Din Thomas and Caol Uno before suffering a decision loss in a championship fight against UFC Lightweight Champion, Jens Pulver1 In 2003, after Pulver left the UFC and relinquished his title, a tournament to crown a new champion flopped when Penn fought Uno to a draw in the finals at UFC 41, a failure which caused the UFC to later suspend its lightweight division. Penn bounced back later in the year with a victory over Takanori Gomi, future Pride Fighting Championship Lightweight Champion, in Rumble on the Rock, an MMA organization promoted by Penn's brother.
Shortly after defeating Hughes, Penn signed to fight for the Japanese Fighting and Entertainment Group's (FEG) K-1 promotion citing a lack of challenging fights left for him in the UFC.[11] The UFC promptly stripped him of the welterweight title, claiming Penn breached his contract and that the signing constituted him refusing to defend his title. Penn filed a suit against the UFC and publicized his side of the conflict, claiming his UFC contract had already expired. Penn filed a motion to stop the UFC from awarding a new welterweight title, but that motion was denied.
In his first fight for FEG, Penn fought again at welterweight (170 pounds) and defeated Duane Ludwig at the 2004 K-1 MMA Romanex show in under five minutes by arm triangle choke.Following the Ludwig fight, Penn moved up in weight class to face the undefeated Rodrigo Gracie at middleweight (185 pounds).Penn won by decision, extending his winning streak to four fights.
On March 26, 2005, at the inaugural event of FEG's new MMA promotion Hero's, Penn faced light heavyweight Lyoto Machida, losing by unanimous decision at K-1 Hero's 1. The fight happened at an open weight class with Penn weighing in at 86.5 kilograms (191 lb) and Machida 102 kilograms (220 lb). Later that year at K-1 World Grand Prix Hawaii, Penn returned to middleweight to face Renzo Gracie and won by unanimous decision.
Jay Dee "B.J." Penn (born December 13, 1978) is an American mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Penn was the first non-Brazilian winner of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the black-belt category.He is known for his willingness to fight anyone regardless of weight class, fighting as high as light-heavyweight when he competed against Lyoto Machida in 2005.A former UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion, he is only the second fighter in UFC history to win titles in two different weight classes, with the first being UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. Penn served as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show. Penn is currently ranked as the #2 welterweight fighter in the world by Fight! Magazine and #8 welterweight fighter by MMAWeekly. Nicknamed "The Prodigy" for his astonishingly natural talent, Penn holds victories over former UFC champions Jens Pulver, Matt Serra, Sean Sherk and Matt Hughes, as well as former PRIDE champion Takanori Gomi. His record also includes notable wins over Caol Uno, Renzo Gracie, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez.
Penn was born to Jay Dee Penn, an Irish American and Loraine Shin, a third generation Korean-American. At the age of seventeen, Penn began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after being introduced to it by his neighbor, Tom Callos.Callos had put up fliers in local gyms looking for people to train with, and BJ's father Jay Dee Penn had called Callos and said his boys were interested.Callos then taught BJ and his brother what he knew.
In 1997 Penn began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ralph Gracie, eventually earning his purple belt from Gracie.At that point he moved to Nova União where he was eventually awarded his black belt in 2000 by Andre Pederneiras. A few weeks later he became the first non-Brazilian to win the black-belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.While Penn's most well-known and prestigious achievement was placing first in the black belt division in the 2000 world championships, he had success at the Mundials in previous years. In 1999, at the age of 20, Penn finished 3rd in the brown belt division, losing only to Fernando Terere.
While most people need a decade or more to become a black belt, Penn had, with only three years of training, not only received a black belt but defeated people who had been training their entire lives on his way to winning the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Penn is thought to have earned the fastest black belt of all active Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners.
His accomplishments in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship caught the attention of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which convinced him to switch to MMA.Penn made his mixed martial arts debut with the company on May 24, 2001 with a win over Joey Gilbert at UFC 31. He then demonstrated strong striking skills, knocking out lightweights Din Thomas and Caol Uno before suffering a decision loss in a championship fight against UFC Lightweight Champion, Jens Pulver1 In 2003, after Pulver left the UFC and relinquished his title, a tournament to crown a new champion flopped when Penn fought Uno to a draw in the finals at UFC 41, a failure which caused the UFC to later suspend its lightweight division. Penn bounced back later in the year with a victory over Takanori Gomi, future Pride Fighting Championship Lightweight Champion, in Rumble on the Rock, an MMA organization promoted by Penn's brother.
Shortly after defeating Hughes, Penn signed to fight for the Japanese Fighting and Entertainment Group's (FEG) K-1 promotion citing a lack of challenging fights left for him in the UFC.[11] The UFC promptly stripped him of the welterweight title, claiming Penn breached his contract and that the signing constituted him refusing to defend his title. Penn filed a suit against the UFC and publicized his side of the conflict, claiming his UFC contract had already expired. Penn filed a motion to stop the UFC from awarding a new welterweight title, but that motion was denied.In his first fight for FEG, Penn fought again at welterweight (170 pounds) and defeated Duane Ludwig at the 2004 K-1 MMA Romanex show in under five minutes by arm triangle choke.Following the Ludwig fight, Penn moved up in weight class to face the undefeated Rodrigo Gracie at middleweight (185 pounds).Penn won by decision, extending his winning streak to four fights.
On March 26, 2005, at the inaugural event of FEG's new MMA promotion Hero's, Penn faced light heavyweight Lyoto Machida, losing by unanimous decision at K-1 Hero's 1. The fight happened at an open weight class with Penn weighing in at 86.5 kilograms (191 lb) and Machida 102 kilograms (220 lb). Later that year at K-1 World Grand Prix Hawaii, Penn returned to middleweight to face Renzo Gracie and won by unanimous decision.Miesha Tate
Miesha Tate
Miesha Tate (born August 18, 1986) is a professional mixed martial artist.
She is the current Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion and the current Freestyle Cage Fighting Women's Bantamweight Champion. She has also competed and won a silver medal in the FILA Grappling Championships
Tate is currently the #4-ranked pound-for-pound female MMA fighter in the world by MMARising.com and the #1-ranked 135-pound female fighter according to the Unified Women's MMA Rankings.
Tate wrestled on the boys' wrestling team in high school. In 2005, she won the high school women's state championship and went on to win nationals at the World Team Trials in the 158 lb division.
Soon after, Tate joined a mixed martial arts sport club at Central Washington University that was run by her current boyfriend and trainer, Bryan Caraway.
Miesha Tate
Tate debuted in mixed martial arts in 2007 at the one-night HOOKnSHOOT Women's Grand Prix. She defeated Jan Finney in the opening round, but was knocked out later in the night by a head kick from eventual tournament champion Kaitlin Young.
On June 27, 2008, Tate faced Cung Le protégé Elaina Maxwell at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson.Tate moved up in weight for the fight and defeated Maxwell by Unanimous Decision.
Tate won three more times and captured the FCF Women's Bantamweight Championship by defeating Liz Carreiro at Freestyle Cage Fighting on April 4, 2009.
She returned to Strikeforce at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina on May 15, 2009. Tate was originally scheduled to face Kim Couture, but Couture withdrew from the fight due to undisclosed reasons and Tate was matched up against undefeated Canadian Sarah Kaufman instead.In a competitive fight, Tate was defeated by Unanimous Decision, but it marked the first time that Kaufman had gone to a decision.
Tate knocked out Sarah Oriza eight seconds into the second round at a CageSport MMA event on October 3, 2009.
She successfully defended her FCF title by defeating Valerie Coolbaugh in the first round by armbar at FCF 38 on January 16, 2010.
Tate faced Zoila Frausto at Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe on March 26, 2010.Tate won the fight by armbar submission in the second round.
Tate is scheduled to be part of the one-night Strikeforce 135-pound women's tournament on August 13, 2010 at Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor.Arandom drawing was held on the day of the weigh-ins to determine first-round matchups and Tate faced Maiju Kujala in the opening round of the tournament.
Tate defeated Kujala by Unanimous Decision after two rounds to advance to the tournament final, then defeated Hitomi Akano by Unanimous Decision after three rounds to become Strikeforce Women's Welterweight Tournament Champion.
Tate was scheduled to challenge Marloes Coenen for the Strikeforce Women's Welterweight Championship on March 5, 2011, but withdrew from the fight after suffering a knee injury in training.
In order to unify all weight classes, Zuffa changed the title held by Marloes Coenen from Welterweight to Bantamweight prior to the fight taking place. Tate's fight with Marloes Coenen for the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship was rescheduled for Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson on July 30, 2011. Tate defeated Coenen via submission (arm-triangle choke) to become the new Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion. “I think I’m not in reality quite yet,” Tate said shortly after winning the women’s bantamweight title. “I can’t believe that I have a belt to take home with me. I really had to dig deep those last couple rounds. Like I said, I had a tough end to my training camp, but I just feel like I went out there and I did what I needed to do and I won the fight and I’m world champion.”
Miesha Tate (born August 18, 1986) is a professional mixed martial artist.She is the current Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion and the current Freestyle Cage Fighting Women's Bantamweight Champion. She has also competed and won a silver medal in the FILA Grappling Championships
Tate is currently the #4-ranked pound-for-pound female MMA fighter in the world by MMARising.com and the #1-ranked 135-pound female fighter according to the Unified Women's MMA Rankings.
Tate wrestled on the boys' wrestling team in high school. In 2005, she won the high school women's state championship and went on to win nationals at the World Team Trials in the 158 lb division.Soon after, Tate joined a mixed martial arts sport club at Central Washington University that was run by her current boyfriend and trainer, Bryan Caraway.
Miesha Tate
Tate debuted in mixed martial arts in 2007 at the one-night HOOKnSHOOT Women's Grand Prix. She defeated Jan Finney in the opening round, but was knocked out later in the night by a head kick from eventual tournament champion Kaitlin Young.On June 27, 2008, Tate faced Cung Le protégé Elaina Maxwell at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson.Tate moved up in weight for the fight and defeated Maxwell by Unanimous Decision.
Tate won three more times and captured the FCF Women's Bantamweight Championship by defeating Liz Carreiro at Freestyle Cage Fighting on April 4, 2009.
She returned to Strikeforce at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina on May 15, 2009. Tate was originally scheduled to face Kim Couture, but Couture withdrew from the fight due to undisclosed reasons and Tate was matched up against undefeated Canadian Sarah Kaufman instead.In a competitive fight, Tate was defeated by Unanimous Decision, but it marked the first time that Kaufman had gone to a decision.
Tate knocked out Sarah Oriza eight seconds into the second round at a CageSport MMA event on October 3, 2009.
She successfully defended her FCF title by defeating Valerie Coolbaugh in the first round by armbar at FCF 38 on January 16, 2010.Tate faced Zoila Frausto at Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe on March 26, 2010.Tate won the fight by armbar submission in the second round.
Tate is scheduled to be part of the one-night Strikeforce 135-pound women's tournament on August 13, 2010 at Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor.Arandom drawing was held on the day of the weigh-ins to determine first-round matchups and Tate faced Maiju Kujala in the opening round of the tournament.
Tate defeated Kujala by Unanimous Decision after two rounds to advance to the tournament final, then defeated Hitomi Akano by Unanimous Decision after three rounds to become Strikeforce Women's Welterweight Tournament Champion.
Tate was scheduled to challenge Marloes Coenen for the Strikeforce Women's Welterweight Championship on March 5, 2011, but withdrew from the fight after suffering a knee injury in training.In order to unify all weight classes, Zuffa changed the title held by Marloes Coenen from Welterweight to Bantamweight prior to the fight taking place. Tate's fight with Marloes Coenen for the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship was rescheduled for Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson on July 30, 2011. Tate defeated Coenen via submission (arm-triangle choke) to become the new Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion. “I think I’m not in reality quite yet,” Tate said shortly after winning the women’s bantamweight title. “I can’t believe that I have a belt to take home with me. I really had to dig deep those last couple rounds. Like I said, I had a tough end to my training camp, but I just feel like I went out there and I did what I needed to do and I won the fight and I’m world champion.”
Statement from the Bolt Camp
FALSE START - By Bolt publicist Carole Beckford
28 August 2011 - Daegu, South Korea - The world was unable to see the world's fastest man Usain Bolt defend his 100 metres title at the 13th World Championship in Daegu, South Korea on Sunday, August 28; this after a false start in the final.
Bolt who entered the final as favourite following easy wins in rounds one and two, cruised to 10.10 and 10.05 seconds respectively and was drawn in lane 5 in the final.
Bolt's teammate, Yohan Blake, took the gold to become the youngest world champion in 9.92 seconds with Walter Dix, second in 10.08 and former world champion, Kim Collins third in 10.09.
The false start proved to be an anti climax to the Championship so far following two other false starts on Day two. There is expressed disappointment for Usain and his team and overall for the Championship.
Usain will compete in the 200 metres heats on September 2 and the 4 X 100 metres relay on September 4.
Bolt has the world record of 9.58 seconds for the 100 metres.
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel
28 August 2011 - Daegu, South Korea - The world was unable to see the world's fastest man Usain Bolt defend his 100 metres title at the 13th World Championship in Daegu, South Korea on Sunday, August 28; this after a false start in the final.
Bolt who entered the final as favourite following easy wins in rounds one and two, cruised to 10.10 and 10.05 seconds respectively and was drawn in lane 5 in the final.
Bolt's teammate, Yohan Blake, took the gold to become the youngest world champion in 9.92 seconds with Walter Dix, second in 10.08 and former world champion, Kim Collins third in 10.09.
The false start proved to be an anti climax to the Championship so far following two other false starts on Day two. There is expressed disappointment for Usain and his team and overall for the Championship.
Usain will compete in the 200 metres heats on September 2 and the 4 X 100 metres relay on September 4.
Bolt has the world record of 9.58 seconds for the 100 metres.
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Friday, August 26, 2011
Happy 90th Birthday Daphne Hewett!
Daphne as Miss Jamaica 1938
Daphne – a luminous 90
Daphne Hewett with granddaughter Shelley Hendrickson (back row, left), and great-grandchildren (clockwise, from top) Amanda, Craig and Rachel Hendrickson for an oh-so-lovely family portrait. (photos from Jamaica Observer)
Folks at the Stella Maris Foundation in Grants Pen are delighted that one of their most generous supporters, Mrs Daphne Hewett, recently celebrated her 90th Birthday in fine style. Here is a lady who was Miss Jamaica 1938, and later had a wonderfully productive partnership with her late husband Gordon Hewett, earning her the Women Business Owners Trailblazer Award. Their Dagor chain of boutiques in hotels throughout Jamaica exuded Daphne’s beauty and elegance.
Daphne’s indomitable spirit comes from a deep faith in the Almighty, which she enjoyed sharing by leading praise and worship sessions for the young people in Grant’s Pen. Daphne continues to be a major donor to the Stella Maris Foundation, where the Sewing Centre is named in her honour. Here’s to a magnanimous Jamaican lady!
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/results/SO2---Timeless-Beauty_9477572#ixzz1WApcNWsM
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