2009 Sports Year in Review January-June
January 1, 2010
This is my personal review based on what caught my eye in 2009 on and off the sports fields.
Going back to the start of 2009 it was NFL playoffs that caught my eye. In the end we saw the surprising Arizona Cardinals meet the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Superbowl. The Steelers pulled off the win with a late touchdown to break the hearts for Cardinal fans. The final score was 27-23.
Also early in the year I enjoyed the Australian summer of tennis. It always gets off to an early start with the Hopman Cup in Perth, along with the Brisbane and Sydney tournaments in the lead up to the Australian Open. At the Australian Open tennis we saw Roger Federer lose to Rafael Nadal in the men’s final and Serena Williams started her climb to the no. 1 ranking with an easy win over Dinara Safina.
The highlight from a local point of view was the performance of Jelena Dokic at the Australian Open. She made good use of her wild card and defeated three seeded players as she reached the quarter finals before losing in three sets to Safina.
In February there was sad news from a personal point of view. This came with the passing of Mike Whitmarsh the beach volleyball player.
World Cup soccer qualifiers took place in February with the Socceroos heading to Japan to claim a scoreless draw. In other news we saw the return to professional cycling for Lance Armstrong. He would later place third in the 2009 Tour de France.
Nick D’Arcy had his sentence handed down after his assault on a former swimmer just after being named in the 2008 Australian Olympic swim team. He came back to swimming and won a place on the World Championship squad only to have that taken away from him.
In March the F1 season got underway with the Australian Grand Prix. It was here we saw the start of something big for the newly formed Brawn GP team. Jenson Button took the race and set off on a winning streak that established a nice lead in the Formula One driver’s championship.
In April the NBA finals were underway and the Bulls and Celtics were doing it all. They put on one of the most memorable series in history as they had so many matches decided in OT. In the end the Celtics advanced 4-3. In the NFL no. 1 draft pick was Matthew Stafford from Georgia who was picked by the Detroit Lions.
In May the big news in Australian sport was the Matthew Johns sex scandal. This former NRL player and high profile media personality was forced from his media job after he became the fall guy for a sex scandal which took place in New Zealand back in 2002. Also in May we saw Manchester United claim the English Premier League title. Liverpool ended the season in second place.
At the French Open tennis we saw a big upset as the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal was bundled out in the fourth round by Robin Soderling. This was good news for Roger Federer as he finally won the French Open and on the way completed a career Grand Slam. Federer also added the Wimbledon title to his list of Grand Slam wins to give him 15 overall. Federer was to go on and reach the final at the US Open where he was to lose to Juan Martin Del Potro in five sets.
In June the LA Lakers won the NBA Championship after they defeated the Orlando Magic 4-1. The Socceroos continued their rivalry with the Japanese soccer team as they defeated Japan in Melbourne in the final World Cup qualifying match for both teams. They had both already wrapped up their places at the finals to be held in 2010 in South Africa. On this occasion it was again Tim Cahill that played a starring role to help the Socceroos to a come from behind 2-1 victory.
That’s all for now, watch out for part two…
Cycling Reviews: Learn Before you Buy
April 30, 2009
Before buying a bicycle, you should make an effort and read up on various bicycle reviews that will provide you with all the necessary information about various makes and models of bicycles, and to also learn about all that is going on in the bicycling world. It is also not difficult to find bicycle reviews since almost every biking magazine and website will have them, and they are where you can get the latest information about latest in bikes, accessories as well as related products.
Learn About Everything Related To Bicycles
In fact, after reading bicycle reviews, you will know what is happening in the bicycling world all round the globe, and the authors are usually quite knowledgeable and even some are expert bikers that have international experience and who are also adept at recreational, mountain and road race biking. They will provide you with an insider’s point of view about what the pros and cons of various bike models and makes are, and there will also are information regarding national cycling events.
In fact, some of the bicycle review sites actually sponsor as well as promote biking events and thus you can also get the lowdown on how to get you involved in such events, and the reviewers, needless to say, are veterans that will give you the benefit of their first-hand expertise regarding various types of bicycles. It matters little what level of biker you are since these bicycle reviews have something of interest for every type of biker that will suit the beginner as well as seasoned rider, and thus will points you in the right direction with regard to the most suitable biking option for your particular needs.
Bicycle reviews are also useful for the competitive rider as they provide information about how to train and ride better, and among the helpful tips that you can get, you can include things such as power pedaling and resistance training as well as ways to pedal better. Such bicycle reviews are equally of interest to the competitive rider as they are to the regular rider and even the newbie. And, after reading them, you could become the proud owner of the appropriate bike as well as have improved on your riding skills.
If you don’t want to go by what is written in bicycle reviews, you could always visit the local bicycle shop, or even an online store, and get the staff there to provide you with the necessary information. And, with so many different bicycle stores and online shops, you can find what you are looking for, and by also combining the knowledge you gained from reading bicycle reviews; you can always come up trumps with your purchase and other riding needs.
Everything you need to know about quality-boxing gloves!
April 29, 2009
The quality boxing gloves, boxing equipments, boxing supplies and accessories is a must for any boxer to focus on the contest with the peace of mind. Boxing is a tough competition testing the unrefined energy and competing knack of both the boxers. The boxer who knocks down his challenger in the precise session round, is stated to be the victor of the match. The boxing stuff that is of an mediocre quality are not reliable and the boxer also has to endure a setback due to it. Therefore, in order to shield various frail body parts of boxers and dodge any unwanted irritations, the security gears and boxing equipments should be of a excellent eminence. The intent of the competition is to check the bigger energy and resistance power of the boxer, not to cost his life as human life is of a great significance.
In the earlier times, boxing was done with uncovered hands, but after the matches were over, the boxers were dreadfully offended due to the severe punching. Severe hemorrhage and lasting body defect are some of the results of participating in boxing without wearing safety equipments. However, now many policy in the boxing competition have been changed and the protection boxing equipments have now become a compulsion. The foremost vital accessory of the entire boxing supplies is the boxing gloves. We cannot imagine the current boxing without the pair of worth boxing gloves.
Nowadays, many famous businesses are manufacturing the bigger worth boxing gloves that are comfortable for the boxers. Before selecting excellence boxing gloves, make certain the gloves have breathable space within that helps to throw the excessive heat generated while thumping and gets in the fresh air to provide the soothing reassure to hands of the boxer. You must not select extremely tight or awfully unrestricted gloves for yourself, instead the gloves that have a great fit are to be chosen. Always ensue that gloves are fitted with the Velcro fixing element to fitting properly on the hands. The gloves guard the knuckles and faces of the boxers while punching severe during the competition.
Nick Adenhart a Fallen Angel
April 12, 2009
In my earlier post I was writing about bad news comes in threes. It seems bad news knows no numbers. I have just read about the tragic death of Los Angeles Angels baseball pitcher Nick Adenhart. He had the baseball world at his feet.
Hours before his death he had started as pitcher for the Angels against Oakland and pitched six shutout innings. The next morning he, along with two others was killed in a three-car accident. It was reported that the motorist that caused the accident ran a red light in his van and then fled the scene on foot.
Adenhart was just 22 years old. Their is full coverage about Nick Adenhart on the MLB website.
Survivor Australia Winner Dies in Accident
April 12, 2009
My mother always used to say bad news comes in threes. It seems for this week it is true. First there was the death of Brumbies player Shawn Mackay, then came news that former cycling champion Jobie Dajka was found dead in his home. He was just 27.
Now the latest news is that former AFL player and the winner of Survivor Australia, Robert Dickson was killed in a car accident in South Africa. His five-year-old son Byron was also killed and his wife Dusty and son Gabriel, 8, were injured.
Even though I closely follow the AFL he was not a player I was familiar with when he showed up on our screens here in Australia in the 2002 version of Australian Survivor. It was through that series that we got to know him.
Dickson’s AFL career consisted of 17 matches for the Hawks from 1988-90 and two for the Brisbane Bears in 1991. He was an emergency for the 1989 grand final.
In more recent times Robert Dickson had turned filmmaker. In 2001 he produced and directed The Passion to Play and in 2004 he made Shane Crawford Exposed. His most recent documentary was The Essence of the Game which was shown on the eve of the AFL season.
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said, “We’re all shattered by the news.
“Rob was a very creative individual and well known in the AFL and particularly the Hawthorn family. He has done some wonderful work and that will forever be a tribute to his professionalism.
“Our condolences go out to his broader family and our thoughts are with his wife Dusty and son Gabriel as they continue to be treated in hospital for injuries sustained in the accident and come to terms with the loss of their father, husband, brother and son.”
Dickson was on holiday in South Africa when the accident happened. He was due to join the AIS-AFL Academy team on its South Africa tour next week.
Leave a comment below if you care to share any memories of Robert Dickson.
Brumbies Shawn Mackay Dies After Heart Attack
April 6, 2009
In sad news for my hometown Super 14 rugby team the Brumbies, Shawn Mackay has died following a heart attack. A Brumbies spokesman said Mackay died at around 11am AEST today. He was 26 year old.
Mackay had been in a critical condition after being hit by an armed response car in a Durban street in the early hours on March 29. Mackay suffered a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation, a fractured skull and broken leg.
Mackay was in a medically induced coma for a period before undergoing surgery to repair his injured spine. After surgery he was able to answer questions with a blink of an eye and it was hoped he would recover from his situation.
Brumbies Rugby CEO Andrew Fagan says while Mackay had shown positive signs of recovery from his injuries, a subsequent blood infection has claimed his life.
“Shawn contracted an infection of his bloodstream after his surgery. He deteriorated rapidly, and suffered a cardiac arrest from which he didn’t recover.
The news has also hit hard the Sydney Roosters community as Mackay has spent time at the Rugby League club and Shawn’s father John Mackay played 94 games for Eastern Suburbs in the 70s and 80s. Shawn was a member of Easts Jersey flegg(U21) winning side in the 2002 season.
Is the Financial Crisis affecting your Sport?
March 19, 2009
The world wide financial crisis which was triggered in the US is having a far reaching impact. Sporting bodies and sports fans alike have been hit hard. The Williams Formula One team for instance will lose millions in sponsorship money.
Recently on talk back radio I heard sports fans in Canberra talking about how the crisis has meant they cannot afford to take their family to live sporting events. What impact has all of this had on you. Have you stopped going to live sports events in order to save money? Or do you belong to a sports team or sporting body that has had sponsorship funding slashed due to the crisis?
Love to read you comments.
Tough day at the office for three Australian Open players
January 26, 2009
Monday at the Australian Open has not been kind to Gael Monfils, Zheng Jie and Victoria Azarenka. The first two were forced to withdraw from the Open due to wrist injuries while Azarenka after feeling dizzy pulled out of her match against Serena Williams.
Men’s no. 12 seed Gael Monfils, who was down 6-4, 2-6, 1-6 to no. 6 seed Gilles Simon decided to withdraw due to a right wrist problem. This gifted Simon a spot in the quarterfinals at a major for the first time.
China’s Zheng Jie who was the no. 22 seed fell backwards during a point in the third game. As she was going to ground she put out her hand and damaged her left wrist. She received treatment but decided two games later to withdraw.
Victoria Azarenka from Belarus. Azarenka was playing the highest remaining seed, no. 2 Serena Williams. The 19-year-old who a few weeks ago won the Brisbane title was giving Williams a run for her money. She took the first set 6-3 but was trailing 2-4 in the second when she succumbed to dizzyness. It was not that hot so perhaps she went into the match with an illness.
The final match to complete the women’s quarterfinal saw a win for Carla Suarez Navarro over fellow Spaniard Anabel Medina Garriques. The girl who made a name for herself by eliminating Venus Williams won 6-3, 6-2.
Now that all eight women are known for the quarter finals it is interesting to see that there are four Russian players left in the draw. Australia, France, Spain and the USA each have one representative. If results go their way we could witness an all Russian semi final lineup.
Federer Escapes From Berdych at Aussie Open
January 25, 2009
Roger Federer came from 2-0 down against 20th seed Tomas Berdych to move into the quarter finals at the Australian Open. Federer took the match 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
Berdych was hitting the ball too heavy and with good placement for Federer early in the match as he exploded out of the blocks.
When Berdych got within sight of a huge upset he choked. He had an easy volley and overhead that he missed by miles at a crucial point in the third set. This gave Federer the break he needed to go on and record a famous victory.
Federer was glad to escape from this match. At the US Open at the same stage he also went to five sets before going on to win the title. Is that a good omen for Federer?
If Federer went out today it would have been the first time since the French Open in 2004 that he had not at least made it to a semi-final.
Next up for Federer is Juan Martin Del Potro who defeated Marin Cilic 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
Today has been an interesting day at the Australian Open. First we saw Jelena Jankovic lose to Marion Bartoli, next we saw Dinara Safina come from 5-2 down in the third set to defeat Alize Cornet and then the Federer match.
Slipping quietly into the quarters was Andy Roddick. He advanced by defeating Tommy Robredo in straight sets.
Aussie Jelena marches into fourth round
January 23, 2009
Earlier today it was the Serbia’s Jelena that moved into the fourth round after defeating Ai Sugiyama 6-4, 6-4. Tonight on centre court at Melbourne Park it was Australia’s Jelena Dokic that did us proud.
After not having played in a third round match at a grand slam since the 2003 Wimbledon tournament Dokic was back on the world stage at the highest level. Her opponent was Caroline Wozniacki the no. 11 seed from Denmark.
The crowd was right behind Jelena Dokic as she played a third round match at the Australian Open for the first time since 1999. Both players looked to be playing well in the first set. It was however Wozniacki who got the first break of the match. She maintained the lead and was able to take the first set 6-3. Dokic held six break points in the opening set but failed to convert.
Dokic said after the match that she was happy with her first set and that gave her confidence going into the second. Dokic dominated as she took the set 6-1. She was now firing, hitting winners and playing with confidence. You could almost say she looked like the former top ten player that she was.
The third set saw a pumped up Dokic break in the very first game. Wozniacki put a dampener on that as she broke back immediately. From there it was anyones match. Would Dokic fade. She did not have many matches under her belt. Wozniacki on the other hand is a player knocking on the top ten and plays consistently. Wozniacki reached at least the third round in each of the grand slams last year.
As the match continued it was Dokic who broke her opponent two more times to take a hugely popular win. The crowd at Rod Laver Arena gave Dokic a standing ovation. Dokic was back. It is the first time she has reached a fourth round at a grand slam since Wimbledon 2002. The final score was 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Just how far can Jelena go? Time will tell. Her next opponent is the winner of the Alisa Kleybanova / Ana Ivanovic match. As I write it is 3-2 in the third set to Kleybanova.
