BEIJING, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- In another fireworks-hailed spectacular, London officially took over the reins of the next Olympics from China, which will continue to celebrate in the days and months ahead their euphoric achievement of 51 gold to dislodge the United States for the first time to top the Games.
London Mayor Boris Johnson received the Olympic flag carrying the familiar five interlocking rings from International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge in a symbolic handover.
In his customary speech, Rogge declared: "These were truly exceptional Games."
Amid the celebrations, the IOC chief began with a note of next month's Paralympics and extended his wishes to the disabled athletes, saying "they also inspire us.
"In another special for the night, Kenyan pride soared and so did their national flag for the victory of Samuel Wansiru in the men's marathon. He received his gold medal from Rogge in an unprecedented honour at an Olympics closing.
Thousands of athletes poured into the stadium from four directions and partied on the blue tarpaulin covered field to the beat of drums, songs and dances after 17 days of high pressure competition, tears and joy.
In the carnival air and the flags of the 204 contesting nations, even China's basketball 'giant' Yao Ming was hard to spot and the crowd roared when he was picked up by television cameras.
The greatest moment of the Games was a superb 9.69s world 100m record from Jamaica's Usain Bolt, which eclipsed even the scourge of doping that the Games still could not shake off.
For the first time, Malaysia had a woman flag bearer in the Olympic, young diver Elizabeth Jimie was given the honour.
So did China who passed the flag Yao Ming carried in the opening to 33-year-old Zhang Ning, who defended her badminton women's singles title, for the closing.
In a brief slot for the next Olympics host, London's famous street sight, the red double decker bus with a plate registration "LONDON 2012" rolled into the national Bird's Nest stadium and came to a stop in front of the VIP bus.
The top of the bus the unfolded into a mobile stage for a pulsating performance by singer Leona Lewis and guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame.
They were joined by England's most famous soccer face, David Beckham, who wasn't even born yet when London last hosted the Games in 1948 after its first time in 1908.
At a press conference earlier today, Rogge said London would be challenged by the "very high bar" set by China.
"So it's going to be a challenge for London and also all subsequent Games. My hope will be that London can even put the bar higher so we have this constant evolution and improvement of the Olympic Games," he said.
The icing on the cake for China was topping the medals table for the first time with 51 gold although the much hoped for gold from hurdler Liu Xiang went awry after he withdrew due to injury.
The United States ended with 36, the same as in Athens. Russia was third with 23 gold and the 2012 hosts were fourth with 19.
Also getting a roll call during Sunday night's ceremony were the four new members of the IOC Athletes Commission, who were elected by the 11,000 athletes here.
They were South Korea's Moon Dae Sung (taekwondo), Russia's Alexander Popov (swimming), Germany's Claudia Bokel (fencing) and Cuba's Yumilka Ruiz-luares (volleyball).
The commission is now headed by Namibia's former sprinting great Frankie Fredericks.
-- BERNAMA
Showing posts with label Olympic Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olympic Games. Show all posts
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Olympic Day 15 : Taekwondo - No Last Gasp Medal From Taekwondo For Malaysia
BEIJING, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's last gasp of hope for an Olympic medal from taekwondo through Che Chew Chan fizzled out after she was first ousted in the quarterfinals and lost another opportunity in the bronze repechage.
"I was worried about too many things at a time and that perhaps added to the pressure and affected my own performance," said Chew Chan who was unable to hide her disappointment at losing 1-5 to Egypt's Noha Abd Rabo in the repechage.
"I had beaten her before in the Korea Open in 2006. But today, I could not judge the distance in making my attacks in the last two matches," said the national exponent who also scored only one point against Nina Solheim in the quarterfinals in the afternoon.
Chew Chan said there was little separating the standards of the contestants.
"It goes down to who performs better during the fight and when I got the chance to go into the repechage, it was like God giving me a second chance," she said.
Her defeat closes the chapter on Malaysia's outing in the Beijing Games with one silver to show from shuttler Lee Chong Wei.
In the morning, the 25-year-old Chew Chan beat Uzbekistan's Evgeniya Karimova 5-4 to become the first national exponent to advance into the Olympics last eight at the Beijing University of Science and Technology.
But in her next bout, the Malaysian could not land any of her kicks.
Although Solheim tumbled five times to the ground, she made good from the few opportunities she came close to the Malaysian.
"I tried to attack her head but also missed. I misjudged the distance and whenever I kicked, she kicked back. I did my best but I am not satisfied because I tried and lost," Chew Chan said.
National coach R.Dhanaraj said Chew Chan's biggest mistake was not following on her attacks.
Malaysia's other taekwondo challenger, Elaine Teo also lost in bronze repechage in the below 57kg category.
Malaysia have been participating in the Olympics taekwondo competition since it was introduced in the 2000 Sydney Games but have yet to get a rostrum finish.
When the Korean martial art was a demonstration sports, M. Vasugi and Hii King Hung returned with bronze medals from the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Games respectively.
-- BERNAMA
"I was worried about too many things at a time and that perhaps added to the pressure and affected my own performance," said Chew Chan who was unable to hide her disappointment at losing 1-5 to Egypt's Noha Abd Rabo in the repechage.
"I had beaten her before in the Korea Open in 2006. But today, I could not judge the distance in making my attacks in the last two matches," said the national exponent who also scored only one point against Nina Solheim in the quarterfinals in the afternoon.
Chew Chan said there was little separating the standards of the contestants.
"It goes down to who performs better during the fight and when I got the chance to go into the repechage, it was like God giving me a second chance," she said.
Her defeat closes the chapter on Malaysia's outing in the Beijing Games with one silver to show from shuttler Lee Chong Wei.
In the morning, the 25-year-old Chew Chan beat Uzbekistan's Evgeniya Karimova 5-4 to become the first national exponent to advance into the Olympics last eight at the Beijing University of Science and Technology.
But in her next bout, the Malaysian could not land any of her kicks.
Although Solheim tumbled five times to the ground, she made good from the few opportunities she came close to the Malaysian.
"I tried to attack her head but also missed. I misjudged the distance and whenever I kicked, she kicked back. I did my best but I am not satisfied because I tried and lost," Chew Chan said.
National coach R.Dhanaraj said Chew Chan's biggest mistake was not following on her attacks.
Malaysia's other taekwondo challenger, Elaine Teo also lost in bronze repechage in the below 57kg category.
Malaysia have been participating in the Olympics taekwondo competition since it was introduced in the 2000 Sydney Games but have yet to get a rostrum finish.
When the Korean martial art was a demonstration sports, M. Vasugi and Hii King Hung returned with bronze medals from the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Games respectively.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 14 : Taekwondo - Chew Chan Makes Taekwondo Quarter-finals
BEIJING, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- Che Chew Chan is keeping Malaysia's medal hopes alive after beating Uzbekistan's Evgeniya Karimova 5-4 this morning, to make it into the Olympics women's taekwondo above 67kg class quarter-finals.
She will meet Nina Solheim of Norway in the last eight scheduled this afternoon. Solheim is currently Europe's third-ranked middleweight champion.
If she wins, the Malaysian will be in the semis against Carmen Marton of Australia or Natalia Falavigna of Brazil. The final will also be completed today.
Chew Chan, who has beaten Karimova in the Asian qualifying round for the Olympics in December, trailed by a point in the first round but came back in the second to reel off four points against the Uzbek to lead 4-1.
"This is the first win for Malaysia in taekwondo in the first round of the Olympics. I have to win the next two matches if I want to get the gold, so I told myself, I cannot lose this match," said the 25-year-old Universiti Putra Malaysia student.
-- BERNAMA
She will meet Nina Solheim of Norway in the last eight scheduled this afternoon. Solheim is currently Europe's third-ranked middleweight champion.
If she wins, the Malaysian will be in the semis against Carmen Marton of Australia or Natalia Falavigna of Brazil. The final will also be completed today.
Chew Chan, who has beaten Karimova in the Asian qualifying round for the Olympics in December, trailed by a point in the first round but came back in the second to reel off four points against the Uzbek to lead 4-1.
"This is the first win for Malaysia in taekwondo in the first round of the Olympics. I have to win the next two matches if I want to get the gold, so I told myself, I cannot lose this match," said the 25-year-old Universiti Putra Malaysia student.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 14 : Wushu - Malaysia Pick Up Third Medal From Beijing 2008 Wushu Meet
BEIJING, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- Woman exponent Chai Fong Ying added a silver in a third medal for Malaysia at the Wushu tournament Beijing 2008 this morning.
She pipped Japanese Ai Miyoka by four-hundreth of a point for second place behind China's Cui Wenjuan in the taijiquan and taijijian combined event at the Olympics Sports Centre gymnasium.
Fong Ying scored a 9.70 in the taijijian this morning to add to her overnight 9.64 in the taijiquan for a total of 19.34, while the Chinese gold medallist was ahead with 19.69 points.
For the tournament here, the taijiquan, a soft and slow fluent movement martial art, is combined with the taijijian, which involves taijiquan and swordplay, as one event.
Yesterday, Malaysia gained two bronzes from Pui Fook Chien and Diana Bong.
The three-day wushu tournament is held in conjunction with the Olympic Games. The medals are not counted in the Olympic tally.
A total of 10 gold medals are at stake in the tournament which is split into floor disciplines called "taolu" and combat fighting known as "sanshou". China has won five golds, so far.Malaysia's seven competitors here are Ang Eng Chong (men's changquan), Lee Yang (men's taijiquan and taijijian combined), Lim Yew Fai (men's jianshu and qiangshu combined), Pui Fook Chien (men's nanquan and nangun combined), Diana Bong (women's nanquan and nandao combined), Chai Fong Wei (women's daoshu and gunshu combined) and Chai Fong Ying (women's taijiquan and taijijuan combined).
-- BERNAMA
She pipped Japanese Ai Miyoka by four-hundreth of a point for second place behind China's Cui Wenjuan in the taijiquan and taijijian combined event at the Olympics Sports Centre gymnasium.
Fong Ying scored a 9.70 in the taijijian this morning to add to her overnight 9.64 in the taijiquan for a total of 19.34, while the Chinese gold medallist was ahead with 19.69 points.
For the tournament here, the taijiquan, a soft and slow fluent movement martial art, is combined with the taijijian, which involves taijiquan and swordplay, as one event.
Yesterday, Malaysia gained two bronzes from Pui Fook Chien and Diana Bong.
The three-day wushu tournament is held in conjunction with the Olympic Games. The medals are not counted in the Olympic tally.
A total of 10 gold medals are at stake in the tournament which is split into floor disciplines called "taolu" and combat fighting known as "sanshou". China has won five golds, so far.Malaysia's seven competitors here are Ang Eng Chong (men's changquan), Lee Yang (men's taijiquan and taijijian combined), Lim Yew Fai (men's jianshu and qiangshu combined), Pui Fook Chien (men's nanquan and nangun combined), Diana Bong (women's nanquan and nandao combined), Chai Fong Wei (women's daoshu and gunshu combined) and Chai Fong Ying (women's taijiquan and taijijuan combined).
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 13 : Wushu - Malaysia's World Bronze Medallist Disappoints In Men's Changquan
BEIJING, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's world bronze medallist Ang Eng Chong finished a disappointing eighth with 9.25 points in the men's changquan on the second day of the Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008.
China's world champion Yuan Xiachao was near flawless as he delighted the home crowd in the long fist discipline to grab the gold with 9.83 points while Semen Udelov of Russia and Ehsan Pewyghambari of Iran took the silver and bronze this morning.
Watching on was China's Jet Li, himself a child wushu star who punched and kicked his way to film stardom and Hollywood. He made a quick exit soon after he was caught by television cameras inside the venue at the Olympic Sports Centre gymnasium.
Malaysia's reigning world champion Chai Fong Ying is lagging behind in the taijiquan. She will have to step up in the next routine, the taijijian, Saturday night to improve her medal contention.
In the taijiquan this morning, the 21-year-old Malaysian was in third spot with 9.64 points. China's Cui Wenjuan is leading with 9.85 points, Japan's Ai Miyaoka is second with 9.66 points and Taiwan's Fan Man Yun is lurking in fourth place with 9.62 points.
For the tournament here, the taijiquan, a soft and slow fluent movement martial art, is combined with the taijijian, which involves taijiquan and swordplay, as one event.
Tonight, national pugilist Pui Fook Chien will complete the nangun, a southern China cudgel displine, in the men's nanquan and nangun combined event and if he produces another solid performance, he will go home with a medal.
Fook Chien was joint second in the nanquan, the southern China style of fist boxing, yesterday, with Kok Nakata of Japan on 9.72 points, just two hundreth of a point behind leader Willy Wang of the Philippines.Another Malaysian, Diana Bong, will be in the women's nanquan tonight after her seventh placing in the nandao, an element of nanquan but which uses a short broad sword, yesterday. The medals are awarded for the nanquan and nandao combined event in the women's competition.
Lee Yang, Malaysia's world bronze medallist in 2005, will start off tonight in the men's taijijian and in the taijiquan tomorrow night.
A total of 10 gold medals are at stake in the tournament, which is split into floor disciplines called "tao lu" and combat fighting known as "sanshou", held alongside the Olympic Games.China have grabbed three gold already in the men's changquan, men's daoshu and gunshu combined event and women's jiangshu and qiangshu combined event. The women's changquan gold was lifted by Iran's Daria Tarasova.
Malaysia's seven competitors here are Ang Eng Chong (men's changquan), Lee Yang (men's taijiquan and taijijian combined), Lim Yew Fai (men's jianshu and qiangshu combined), Pui Fook Chien (men's nanquan and nangun combined), Diana Bong (women's nanquan and nandao combined), Chai Fong Wei (women's daoshu and gunshu combined) and Chai Fong Ying (women's taijiquan and taijijuan combined).
-- BERNAMA
China's world champion Yuan Xiachao was near flawless as he delighted the home crowd in the long fist discipline to grab the gold with 9.83 points while Semen Udelov of Russia and Ehsan Pewyghambari of Iran took the silver and bronze this morning.
Watching on was China's Jet Li, himself a child wushu star who punched and kicked his way to film stardom and Hollywood. He made a quick exit soon after he was caught by television cameras inside the venue at the Olympic Sports Centre gymnasium.
Malaysia's reigning world champion Chai Fong Ying is lagging behind in the taijiquan. She will have to step up in the next routine, the taijijian, Saturday night to improve her medal contention.
In the taijiquan this morning, the 21-year-old Malaysian was in third spot with 9.64 points. China's Cui Wenjuan is leading with 9.85 points, Japan's Ai Miyaoka is second with 9.66 points and Taiwan's Fan Man Yun is lurking in fourth place with 9.62 points.
For the tournament here, the taijiquan, a soft and slow fluent movement martial art, is combined with the taijijian, which involves taijiquan and swordplay, as one event.
Tonight, national pugilist Pui Fook Chien will complete the nangun, a southern China cudgel displine, in the men's nanquan and nangun combined event and if he produces another solid performance, he will go home with a medal.
Fook Chien was joint second in the nanquan, the southern China style of fist boxing, yesterday, with Kok Nakata of Japan on 9.72 points, just two hundreth of a point behind leader Willy Wang of the Philippines.Another Malaysian, Diana Bong, will be in the women's nanquan tonight after her seventh placing in the nandao, an element of nanquan but which uses a short broad sword, yesterday. The medals are awarded for the nanquan and nandao combined event in the women's competition.
Lee Yang, Malaysia's world bronze medallist in 2005, will start off tonight in the men's taijijian and in the taijiquan tomorrow night.
A total of 10 gold medals are at stake in the tournament, which is split into floor disciplines called "tao lu" and combat fighting known as "sanshou", held alongside the Olympic Games.China have grabbed three gold already in the men's changquan, men's daoshu and gunshu combined event and women's jiangshu and qiangshu combined event. The women's changquan gold was lifted by Iran's Daria Tarasova.
Malaysia's seven competitors here are Ang Eng Chong (men's changquan), Lee Yang (men's taijiquan and taijijian combined), Lim Yew Fai (men's jianshu and qiangshu combined), Pui Fook Chien (men's nanquan and nangun combined), Diana Bong (women's nanquan and nandao combined), Chai Fong Wei (women's daoshu and gunshu combined) and Chai Fong Ying (women's taijiquan and taijijuan combined).
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 13 : Diving - Bryan Misses Semifinals Boat Again
BEIJING, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Bryan Nickson Lomas was outclassed in his bid to enter the Olympics semifinals for the first time when he finished 26th out of a field of 30 in the men's 10m platform dive Friday night.
The Malaysian teenager who has not upped the difficulty of his dives paid costly for his inconsistency in the qualifying round where China's Zhou Luxin set a scorching pace with 539.80 points from six dives.
Bryan totalled 384.45 points, very distant from the 18th spot, the last semifinal ticket, that was clinched by Colombia's Juan Geullermo Uran with 418 points.
It was a disappointing outing for the 18-year-old national diver who missed the cut in Athens four years ago with a 19th finishing.
Friday night, he was clustered in joint 19th with four others after the first round with identical 72 points. He slipped two rungs after getting 68.85 for his second dive, a reverse two-and-a-half somersault.
But he plunged himself into jeopardy in the next two attempts. His body arched into the waters for a costly low of 44.80 in his third dive and he did little better with the fourth to post a 49.50 and was relegated to 27th spot.
He came back with 74.40 and 74.80 in the last two dives and it was all over.At the top, Zhou gave a clear hands off warning to the rest with his leading margin of 30 points and a stunning 99 point score in his fourth jump, a back three-and-an-half somersault.
Also in the top group were Australia's Matthew Mitchum who qualified second best with 509.60 and Russian world champion Gleb Galperin who is making a comeback from a spinal injury last year.
The semifinals and final are scheduled Saturday.
-- BERNAMA
The Malaysian teenager who has not upped the difficulty of his dives paid costly for his inconsistency in the qualifying round where China's Zhou Luxin set a scorching pace with 539.80 points from six dives.
Bryan totalled 384.45 points, very distant from the 18th spot, the last semifinal ticket, that was clinched by Colombia's Juan Geullermo Uran with 418 points.
It was a disappointing outing for the 18-year-old national diver who missed the cut in Athens four years ago with a 19th finishing.
Friday night, he was clustered in joint 19th with four others after the first round with identical 72 points. He slipped two rungs after getting 68.85 for his second dive, a reverse two-and-a-half somersault.
But he plunged himself into jeopardy in the next two attempts. His body arched into the waters for a costly low of 44.80 in his third dive and he did little better with the fourth to post a 49.50 and was relegated to 27th spot.
He came back with 74.40 and 74.80 in the last two dives and it was all over.At the top, Zhou gave a clear hands off warning to the rest with his leading margin of 30 points and a stunning 99 point score in his fourth jump, a back three-and-an-half somersault.
Also in the top group were Australia's Matthew Mitchum who qualified second best with 509.60 and Russian world champion Gleb Galperin who is making a comeback from a spinal injury last year.
The semifinals and final are scheduled Saturday.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 12 : Walking - Ice Water Knocks Out Yu Fang
BEIJING, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- While rain could not stop Russia's Olga Kaniskina from carving the Olympics record in the women's 20km walk Thursday, Malaysia's Yuan Yu Fang did not get to see the finish line.The veteran walker dropped out after 12km due to stomach pains which hit her soon after the start.
"I took some ice water this morning, maybe it was because of that. It got so uncomfortable that I couldn't continue any more," said the 32-year-old of her dismal exit from her third Olympics.
In Athens, she was 35th and was aiming for at least 15th spot this time in a field of 48 entries.
After the first two kilometres, Yu Fang was in 21st place and a distant 35th after four kilometres. She passed the sixth kilometre mark in 40th position and by the middle of the race, she was trailing 46th in the last group.
Kaniskina only let her emotions show as she strode to the finish to celebrate a Games record of 1:26:31s, surpassing the previous mark of 1:29:05s set by Wang Liping of China in Sydney in 2000.
The rain and the sodden track had left questions as to whether the Russian champion could demolish the three-year-old world record of 1:25:41s belonging to compatriot Olimpiada Ivanova.
Yu Fang had qualified for the Olympics with her season's best of 1:32:48s, outside her national record of 1:32:25s.
The 15th place in the race today went to Germany's Sabine Zimmer who clocked 1:30:19s.
Yu Fang was the last of three field athletes entered by Malaysia. Both woman pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu and man high jumper Lee Hup Wei failed to advance from the qualifying rounds.
-- BERNAMA
"I took some ice water this morning, maybe it was because of that. It got so uncomfortable that I couldn't continue any more," said the 32-year-old of her dismal exit from her third Olympics.
In Athens, she was 35th and was aiming for at least 15th spot this time in a field of 48 entries.
After the first two kilometres, Yu Fang was in 21st place and a distant 35th after four kilometres. She passed the sixth kilometre mark in 40th position and by the middle of the race, she was trailing 46th in the last group.
Kaniskina only let her emotions show as she strode to the finish to celebrate a Games record of 1:26:31s, surpassing the previous mark of 1:29:05s set by Wang Liping of China in Sydney in 2000.
The rain and the sodden track had left questions as to whether the Russian champion could demolish the three-year-old world record of 1:25:41s belonging to compatriot Olimpiada Ivanova.
Yu Fang had qualified for the Olympics with her season's best of 1:32:48s, outside her national record of 1:32:25s.
The 15th place in the race today went to Germany's Sabine Zimmer who clocked 1:30:19s.
Yu Fang was the last of three field athletes entered by Malaysia. Both woman pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu and man high jumper Lee Hup Wei failed to advance from the qualifying rounds.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 12 : Taekwondo - Elaine Out, Only Chew Chan Left In Taekwondo
BEIJING, Aug 21 (Bernama) - Malaysia's taekwondo challenge in the Olympics has whittled down to Che Chew Chan after Elaine Teo was beaten in the repechage of the below 57kg class Thursday where a bronze medal was at stake.
Teo's exit leaves Chew Chan as the only and final glimmer of hope left for the Malaysian contingent which has produced a silver medal from shuttler Lee Chong Wei thus far.Chew Chan is in the above 67kg contest that will be determined on Saturday, also at the Beijing Science and Technology University gymnasium.
Teo was shown the door in the first round in the morning, outscored 7-4 by former European champion Azize Tanrikulu of Turkey.Thanks to Azize who made her way into the final, the Malaysian gained a second chance, after waiting for seven hours, to fight in the repechage where two bronze medals were at stake.
Losers to the finalists from all stages make it into the repechage.But former world champion Diana Lopez of the United States, who is a head taller and with longer reach, beat Teo 3-0 in the first round of the repechage. Lopez was ousted 5-3 by Azize in the semifinals.
"I was satisfied despite losing in the bout in the morning but not in the repechage because I could not strike back at Lopez. I was waiting for her to attack me but she used the same strategy," said Teo.
"If I move in first, she will attack me easily," said the Malaysian who could not land any kicks on the American who had beaten her 5-0 in their previous meeting during the Olympic test event at the same venue.
If she had won, Teo would have made it into the bronze medal match against Italy's Veronica Calabrese.
Her second Olympics bid was a mismatch from the start.Due to a mistake in her entry form for the Asian qualifying tournament, Teo was marked for the higher class and she had to put on four more kilogrammes to go into her contest here.
"I am fighting two classes above my usual. After this, I will have to reduce weight to get back to the 51kg class," said Teo who lost in the first round of the 47kg category in Athens.
-- BERNAMA
Teo's exit leaves Chew Chan as the only and final glimmer of hope left for the Malaysian contingent which has produced a silver medal from shuttler Lee Chong Wei thus far.Chew Chan is in the above 67kg contest that will be determined on Saturday, also at the Beijing Science and Technology University gymnasium.
Teo was shown the door in the first round in the morning, outscored 7-4 by former European champion Azize Tanrikulu of Turkey.Thanks to Azize who made her way into the final, the Malaysian gained a second chance, after waiting for seven hours, to fight in the repechage where two bronze medals were at stake.
Losers to the finalists from all stages make it into the repechage.But former world champion Diana Lopez of the United States, who is a head taller and with longer reach, beat Teo 3-0 in the first round of the repechage. Lopez was ousted 5-3 by Azize in the semifinals.
"I was satisfied despite losing in the bout in the morning but not in the repechage because I could not strike back at Lopez. I was waiting for her to attack me but she used the same strategy," said Teo.
"If I move in first, she will attack me easily," said the Malaysian who could not land any kicks on the American who had beaten her 5-0 in their previous meeting during the Olympic test event at the same venue.
If she had won, Teo would have made it into the bronze medal match against Italy's Veronica Calabrese.
Her second Olympics bid was a mismatch from the start.Due to a mistake in her entry form for the Asian qualifying tournament, Teo was marked for the higher class and she had to put on four more kilogrammes to go into her contest here.
"I am fighting two classes above my usual. After this, I will have to reduce weight to get back to the 51kg class," said Teo who lost in the first round of the 47kg category in Athens.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 12 : Malaysia's Pui Off To Good Start In Beijing 2008 Wushu TournamentMalaysia's Pui Off To Good Start In Beijing 2008 Wushu Tournament
BEIJING, Aug 21 (Bernama) - National pugilist Pui Fook Chien opened strongly in the Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008, which started Thursday to coincide with the Olympic Games.
Fook Chien is lying joint second in the men's nanquan and nangun combined category, which brings together the southern China fist boxing style and cudgel disciplines respectively, at the Olympic Sports Centre gymnasium .
Fook Chien and Koki Nakata of Japan both scored 9.72 points in the nanquan, just two hundredth of a point behind leader Willy Wang of the Philippines, as the contest heads in the nangun discipline Friday night for the medal decider.
In the women's nandao, the southern China broadsword event, Diana Bong is in seventh spot with 9.44 points after the first part of the nandao and nanquan combined contest. The nanquan is also scheduled Friday night.
The wushu tournament comprising the 'taolu' and 'sanshou' competitions has over 100 exponents from 43 countries participating in 15 events.
Malaysia have sent seven exponents to take part in the 'taolu' floor discipline competition, featuring a series of attack and defense movements using bare hands or the use of weapons like the cudgel, spear and broadsword.The 'sanshou' is a combative contest with each bout consisting of three two-minute rounds.
The Malaysian competitors here are Ang Eng Chong (men's changquan), Lee Yang (men's taijiquan and taijijian combined), Lim Yew Fai (men's jianshu and qiangshu combined), Pui Fook Chien (men's nanquan and nangun combined), Diana Bong (women's nanquan and nandao combined), Chai Fong Wei (women's daoshu and gunshu combined) and Chai Fong Ying (women's taijiquan and taijijuan combined).
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge is scheduled among the medal presenters for the wushu winners Friday. The medals, however, are not counted in the Olympics tally.
-- BERNAMA
Fook Chien is lying joint second in the men's nanquan and nangun combined category, which brings together the southern China fist boxing style and cudgel disciplines respectively, at the Olympic Sports Centre gymnasium .
Fook Chien and Koki Nakata of Japan both scored 9.72 points in the nanquan, just two hundredth of a point behind leader Willy Wang of the Philippines, as the contest heads in the nangun discipline Friday night for the medal decider.
In the women's nandao, the southern China broadsword event, Diana Bong is in seventh spot with 9.44 points after the first part of the nandao and nanquan combined contest. The nanquan is also scheduled Friday night.
The wushu tournament comprising the 'taolu' and 'sanshou' competitions has over 100 exponents from 43 countries participating in 15 events.
Malaysia have sent seven exponents to take part in the 'taolu' floor discipline competition, featuring a series of attack and defense movements using bare hands or the use of weapons like the cudgel, spear and broadsword.The 'sanshou' is a combative contest with each bout consisting of three two-minute rounds.
The Malaysian competitors here are Ang Eng Chong (men's changquan), Lee Yang (men's taijiquan and taijijian combined), Lim Yew Fai (men's jianshu and qiangshu combined), Pui Fook Chien (men's nanquan and nangun combined), Diana Bong (women's nanquan and nandao combined), Chai Fong Wei (women's daoshu and gunshu combined) and Chai Fong Ying (women's taijiquan and taijijuan combined).
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge is scheduled among the medal presenters for the wushu winners Friday. The medals, however, are not counted in the Olympics tally.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 11 : Diving - Malaysia's Pandelela Placed 27th In Women's Platform Dive
BEIJING, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Young Pandelela Rinong, out to gain experience, was a bundle of nerves in making her Olympics debut in the women's 10m platform and finished 27th out of 29 contestants with 249.20 points.
The Malaysian, the youngest on the platform, got off to a wobbly start with a low of 36.45 points and was placed 29th after the first dive.
She recovered six rungs to 23th in her second dive with 53.65 points and in her third -- despite posting her best show of the night with 67.50 from a forward three an a half somersault -- she slid to 26th spot.
By the fourth she was in 25th place after marking 57.60s. In the fifth and last jump of the qualifying round, a nervous Pandelela could not hold herself together as she flailed into the waters with her worst of 34 points.
Behind the Malaysian were Natalia Goncharova of Russia who had 240.45 points and Annett Gamm of France with 234.20.
China's Chen Ruolin stunned with a 96.90 in the fifth round with a back two and one half somersault with one and a half twists to lead the field of 18 into the semifinals with a total of 428.80 points.
China have already grabbed six golds from the diving board and are tipped to wrest both the men's and women's 10m platform for a clean sweep.
Malaysia's platform ace, Bryan Nickson Lomas, hits the dive board on Friday, with hopes of making the last 18 to qualify for the semifinal.
He was placed 19th in Athens and was ranked seventh in the World Diving Championships last year.
-- BERNAMA
The Malaysian, the youngest on the platform, got off to a wobbly start with a low of 36.45 points and was placed 29th after the first dive.
She recovered six rungs to 23th in her second dive with 53.65 points and in her third -- despite posting her best show of the night with 67.50 from a forward three an a half somersault -- she slid to 26th spot.
By the fourth she was in 25th place after marking 57.60s. In the fifth and last jump of the qualifying round, a nervous Pandelela could not hold herself together as she flailed into the waters with her worst of 34 points.
Behind the Malaysian were Natalia Goncharova of Russia who had 240.45 points and Annett Gamm of France with 234.20.
China's Chen Ruolin stunned with a 96.90 in the fifth round with a back two and one half somersault with one and a half twists to lead the field of 18 into the semifinals with a total of 428.80 points.
China have already grabbed six golds from the diving board and are tipped to wrest both the men's and women's 10m platform for a clean sweep.
Malaysia's platform ace, Bryan Nickson Lomas, hits the dive board on Friday, with hopes of making the last 18 to qualify for the semifinal.
He was placed 19th in Athens and was ranked seventh in the World Diving Championships last year.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 11 : Taekwondo - Taekwondo Girls In Final Kick For Medals
BEIJING, Aug 20 (Bernama) - They passed each other at the weighing-in Wednesday but no words were exchanged.
Surprise could play the decider when Malaysia's Elaine Teo faces former European number one Azizi Tanrikulu of Turkey in their opening bout of the Olympics taekwondo below 57kg class Thursday.
Teo and teammate, Che Chew Chan, are Malaysia's last chance of a medal in the Games after shuttler Lee Chong Wei returned with the men's singles silver medal.
Che is in the above 67kg contest that will be determined on Saturday, also at the Beijing Science and Technology University gymnasium.
Teo is shorter and lighter than her Turkish opponent but she is counting on the fact that neither knows much of the other.
"We don't know each other, so there may be a surprise. Much will depend on tomorrow... if my feeling is good, everything will be good," said Teo who made her debut in the Athens Olympics in the light flyweight category of below 49kg and exited after the first round.
A mistake in her entry for the Asian qualifying tournament marked her for the higher class and since the SEA Games in December, the 27-year-old who is ranked fifth in Asia has had to pile on four more kilogrammes to tip the scales at 54kg.
Putting on weight was the easy part, turning the extra into muscle meant more weight training, she said.
Tanrikulu, younger by five years, was fifth in the European Championships this year. She stands at 1.72m, as compared to her 1.65m Malaysian rival and weighs closer to 57kg.Melaka-born Teo said Athens had been a good experience.
"I can control my feelings better, and better handle tension and nervousness. I am not thinking ahead but one bout at a time," she said.
If she wins, she will move into a quarterfinals bout against Diana Lopez of the United States or Chonnapas Premwaew of Thailand.
Lopez was the 2005 featherweight world champion and number three in the same tournament last year. The Thai girl was number two in the Asian championships, two years ago.
-- BERNAMA
Surprise could play the decider when Malaysia's Elaine Teo faces former European number one Azizi Tanrikulu of Turkey in their opening bout of the Olympics taekwondo below 57kg class Thursday.
Teo and teammate, Che Chew Chan, are Malaysia's last chance of a medal in the Games after shuttler Lee Chong Wei returned with the men's singles silver medal.
Che is in the above 67kg contest that will be determined on Saturday, also at the Beijing Science and Technology University gymnasium.
Teo is shorter and lighter than her Turkish opponent but she is counting on the fact that neither knows much of the other.
"We don't know each other, so there may be a surprise. Much will depend on tomorrow... if my feeling is good, everything will be good," said Teo who made her debut in the Athens Olympics in the light flyweight category of below 49kg and exited after the first round.
A mistake in her entry for the Asian qualifying tournament marked her for the higher class and since the SEA Games in December, the 27-year-old who is ranked fifth in Asia has had to pile on four more kilogrammes to tip the scales at 54kg.
Putting on weight was the easy part, turning the extra into muscle meant more weight training, she said.
Tanrikulu, younger by five years, was fifth in the European Championships this year. She stands at 1.72m, as compared to her 1.65m Malaysian rival and weighs closer to 57kg.Melaka-born Teo said Athens had been a good experience.
"I can control my feelings better, and better handle tension and nervousness. I am not thinking ahead but one bout at a time," she said.
If she wins, she will move into a quarterfinals bout against Diana Lopez of the United States or Chonnapas Premwaew of Thailand.
Lopez was the 2005 featherweight world champion and number three in the same tournament last year. The Thai girl was number two in the Asian championships, two years ago.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 10 : Cycling - Azizulhasni Finishes 8th In Men's Sprint
BEIJING, Aug 19 (Bernama) - National cyclist Azizulhasni Awang placed 8th in the men's sprint today after he was beaten in the quarterfinals yesterday by world champion Chris Hoy of Great Britain.
The 20-year-old national was shut out by Dutch duo, former world champion Theo Bos and Teun Mulder, with Kevin Sireau of France leading the pack in the 5th to 8th placing race-off at the Laoshan Velodrome.
Sireau crossed first in 10.719s for 5th spot followed by Mulder, Bos and the Malaysian, a first timer in the Games.
Azziulhasni has said he will take a break back in his kampong in Dungun, Terengganu, to celebrate Hari Raya before resuming training in Melbourne.'
The national team had been training in Melbourne and spent several weeks in Spain before coming to Beijing.-- BERNAMA
The 20-year-old national was shut out by Dutch duo, former world champion Theo Bos and Teun Mulder, with Kevin Sireau of France leading the pack in the 5th to 8th placing race-off at the Laoshan Velodrome.
Sireau crossed first in 10.719s for 5th spot followed by Mulder, Bos and the Malaysian, a first timer in the Games.
Azziulhasni has said he will take a break back in his kampong in Dungun, Terengganu, to celebrate Hari Raya before resuming training in Melbourne.'
The national team had been training in Melbourne and spent several weeks in Spain before coming to Beijing.-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 9 : Only Six Malaysians Left In Olympics Contest
BEIJING, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Only six Malaysian athletes are left as the doors to another medal for Malaysia from the Beijing Olympics are closed to allow merely a peek, after Lee Chong Wei's silver from badminton.
Tuesday, cyclist Azizulhasni Awang races for fifth to eighth placing in the men's sprint. His rivals are former wold champion Theo Bos of the Netherlands, Kein Sireau of France and another Dutch rider, Tuen Mulder.
On Wednesday, diver Pandelela Rinong, the 'baby' of the 33-athlete contingent, will take to the 10m platform only to glean experience. The 15-year-old, who was plucked as a young talent at nine, is the youngest diver to win a gold medal in the SEA Games last year, in the synchronised event.
Teammate, Bryan Nickson Lomas, hits the dive board on Friday, with hopes of making the last 18 to qualify for the semifinal. He was placed 19th in Athens and was ranked seventh in the World Diving Championships last year.
Walking mum Yuan Yu Fang's 20km event is on Thursday morning. The former Chinese national who became a Malaysian citizen in 1997 timed 1:32.48s at the Asian Race Walking Championships in Japan this year.
Also on Thursday, taekwondo exponent Elaine Teo will square off against Azize Tanrikulu of Turkey in the featherweight (below 57kg ). If she wins, she will move into a quarterfinal bout against Diana Lopez of the United States or Chonnapas Premwaew of Thailand.
Tanrikulu was fifth in the European Championships this year.
Che Chew Chan, the other taekwondo pugilist, who upset China's reigning Olympic champion Luo Wei in the Asian Championships in April this year enroute to a silver medal, is the last Malaysian to take the competition in the middleweight contest on Saturday, the eve of the Games closing.
Che opens her Olympics debut against Evgeniya Karimova of Uzbekistan who was fifth place in heavyweight category in the Asian tournament this year.
Chong Wei's runner-up place to China's Lin Dan for the badminton men's singles crown, the only podium achievement by Malaysia in the outing here, raises Malaysia's overall medals in Olympics history to two silver and two bronze medals.-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, cyclist Azizulhasni Awang races for fifth to eighth placing in the men's sprint. His rivals are former wold champion Theo Bos of the Netherlands, Kein Sireau of France and another Dutch rider, Tuen Mulder.
On Wednesday, diver Pandelela Rinong, the 'baby' of the 33-athlete contingent, will take to the 10m platform only to glean experience. The 15-year-old, who was plucked as a young talent at nine, is the youngest diver to win a gold medal in the SEA Games last year, in the synchronised event.
Teammate, Bryan Nickson Lomas, hits the dive board on Friday, with hopes of making the last 18 to qualify for the semifinal. He was placed 19th in Athens and was ranked seventh in the World Diving Championships last year.
Walking mum Yuan Yu Fang's 20km event is on Thursday morning. The former Chinese national who became a Malaysian citizen in 1997 timed 1:32.48s at the Asian Race Walking Championships in Japan this year.
Also on Thursday, taekwondo exponent Elaine Teo will square off against Azize Tanrikulu of Turkey in the featherweight (below 57kg ). If she wins, she will move into a quarterfinal bout against Diana Lopez of the United States or Chonnapas Premwaew of Thailand.
Tanrikulu was fifth in the European Championships this year.
Che Chew Chan, the other taekwondo pugilist, who upset China's reigning Olympic champion Luo Wei in the Asian Championships in April this year enroute to a silver medal, is the last Malaysian to take the competition in the middleweight contest on Saturday, the eve of the Games closing.
Che opens her Olympics debut against Evgeniya Karimova of Uzbekistan who was fifth place in heavyweight category in the Asian tournament this year.
Chong Wei's runner-up place to China's Lin Dan for the badminton men's singles crown, the only podium achievement by Malaysia in the outing here, raises Malaysia's overall medals in Olympics history to two silver and two bronze medals.-- BERNAMA
Monday, August 18, 2008
Olympic Day 9 - Athletic - Malaysian High Jumper Heads For Exit
BEIJING, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's presence in the Olympics track and field contest has shrivelled to only woman walker Yuan Yu Fang.
After pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu's exit Saturday, high jumper Lee Hup Wei followed suit Sunday.
Hup Wei managed only 2.20m and was placed 32nd out of 39.
Only the top 12 qualified for the final with the cutoff at 2.25m.
The Malaysian, making his Olympics debut, struggled with his jumps. He cleared 2.15m only after a second try and 2.20m in his third attempt before faltering at 2.25m.
Yu Fang's 20km walk is scheduled on Aug 21.
-- BERNAMA
After pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu's exit Saturday, high jumper Lee Hup Wei followed suit Sunday.
Hup Wei managed only 2.20m and was placed 32nd out of 39.
Only the top 12 qualified for the final with the cutoff at 2.25m.
The Malaysian, making his Olympics debut, struggled with his jumps. He cleared 2.15m only after a second try and 2.20m in his third attempt before faltering at 2.25m.
Yu Fang's 20km walk is scheduled on Aug 21.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 9 : Badminton - Olympics Gold Eludes Malaysia, Chong Wei Gets Silver
BEIJING, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The much-coveted Olympics gold eluded Malaysia's reach again after Lee Choong Wei was left clutching the silver from a sound thrashing by China's Lin Dan in the showdown for the badminton men's singles crown.
The entire nation was riveted on the match waiting to celebrate finally a gold but the 41-minute bout was such an anti-climax.
Chong Wei was outclassed by the reigning two-time world champion who was in superb control all the way and led from start to finish to wrap the gold medal for his first time at 21-12, 21-8.
Lin Dan is the first world champion to be crowned Olympic champion.
Chong Wei conceded that it was his easiest defeat ever to Lin Dan after more than a dozen meetings.
"I felt some pressure but that was not a factor. I lost and I have no excuses. Lin Dan played very well tonight," said the 26-year-old Chong Wei, who is the first Malaysian singles to enter the Olympics final.
"I could not match his speed and I could not get around him no matter how. Coach asked to me speed up the game but I just couldn't," he said when asked what instructions he got from coach Misbun Sidek during the break.
Chong Wei's second finishing raises Malaysia's Olympic medal tally to two silvers and two bronzes.
In 1992, brothers Razif and Jalani Sidek clinched a bronze. In 1996, Cheah Soon Kit and partner, Yap Kim Hock -- now national head coach, got a silver, and Rashid Sidek added a single's bronze.
Asked if he will stay on for a third Olympics, Chong Wei said he will look to the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou for now.
"Though we didn't win gold, national badminton has achieved the pinnacle at this prestigious games. We will try again at London Olympics," said Badminton Association of Malaysia president Datuk Nadzmi Salleh.
Lin Dan delighted the home crowd with his sharp smashes that sent Chong Wei diving to the left and right and he was preening with confidence from easily reeling off point after point to stretch the gap from 7-1 to 13-5 to reach game point in the first at 20-10.
In the second, Lin Dan whipped up an 8-0 lead before he sent a hasty backhand into the net to break the duck for Chong Wei but he never lost his domination one bit and cried as he hugged his coaches and saluted the crowds after the victory.
The only thing he lost tonight were his shoes which he threw joyfully to the home fans.
"It was the best match I have played in my career," said Lin Dan, adding that he was mentally prepared to be satisfied with a silver because his Malaysian rival was currently among the world's best.
His win marks the second time China lifted the men's singles crown after Ji Xinpeng in Sydney in 2000 and erases Lin Dan's embarrassing first round exit from the Athens Games four years ago where he was also the favourites.
The victory also gave China a repeat of their three gold haul from Athens. Besides the men's singles, China won the women's singles and women's doubles.
Indonesia took the men's doubles title and South Korea the mixed double gold.
-- BERNAMA
The entire nation was riveted on the match waiting to celebrate finally a gold but the 41-minute bout was such an anti-climax.
Chong Wei was outclassed by the reigning two-time world champion who was in superb control all the way and led from start to finish to wrap the gold medal for his first time at 21-12, 21-8.
Lin Dan is the first world champion to be crowned Olympic champion.
Chong Wei conceded that it was his easiest defeat ever to Lin Dan after more than a dozen meetings.
"I felt some pressure but that was not a factor. I lost and I have no excuses. Lin Dan played very well tonight," said the 26-year-old Chong Wei, who is the first Malaysian singles to enter the Olympics final.
"I could not match his speed and I could not get around him no matter how. Coach asked to me speed up the game but I just couldn't," he said when asked what instructions he got from coach Misbun Sidek during the break.
Chong Wei's second finishing raises Malaysia's Olympic medal tally to two silvers and two bronzes.
In 1992, brothers Razif and Jalani Sidek clinched a bronze. In 1996, Cheah Soon Kit and partner, Yap Kim Hock -- now national head coach, got a silver, and Rashid Sidek added a single's bronze.
Asked if he will stay on for a third Olympics, Chong Wei said he will look to the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou for now.
"Though we didn't win gold, national badminton has achieved the pinnacle at this prestigious games. We will try again at London Olympics," said Badminton Association of Malaysia president Datuk Nadzmi Salleh.
Lin Dan delighted the home crowd with his sharp smashes that sent Chong Wei diving to the left and right and he was preening with confidence from easily reeling off point after point to stretch the gap from 7-1 to 13-5 to reach game point in the first at 20-10.
In the second, Lin Dan whipped up an 8-0 lead before he sent a hasty backhand into the net to break the duck for Chong Wei but he never lost his domination one bit and cried as he hugged his coaches and saluted the crowds after the victory.
The only thing he lost tonight were his shoes which he threw joyfully to the home fans.
"It was the best match I have played in my career," said Lin Dan, adding that he was mentally prepared to be satisfied with a silver because his Malaysian rival was currently among the world's best.
His win marks the second time China lifted the men's singles crown after Ji Xinpeng in Sydney in 2000 and erases Lin Dan's embarrassing first round exit from the Athens Games four years ago where he was also the favourites.
The victory also gave China a repeat of their three gold haul from Athens. Besides the men's singles, China won the women's singles and women's doubles.
Indonesia took the men's doubles title and South Korea the mixed double gold.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 9 : Sailing - Kevin Lim Remains In Tail Of Laser Event
BEIJING, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Kevin Lim struggled to find a second wind to lift him from the bottom of the pool in the Olympics laser competition when he again trailed in the sixth race Sunday, to stay at an overall 36th in Qingdao.
The 32-year-old, who is in his fourth Olympics, finished 36th Sunday with four races left to the medal round.
Lim has already given up on his initial target of a top 20 finish. His best achievement in the Olympics was a 22nd place in Sydney in 2000.
-- BERNAMA
The 32-year-old, who is in his fourth Olympics, finished 36th Sunday with four races left to the medal round.
Lim has already given up on his initial target of a top 20 finish. His best achievement in the Olympics was a 22nd place in Sydney in 2000.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 9 : Cycling - Cyclist Azizulhasni Makes It To Sprint Quarterfinals
BEIJING, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- National cyclist Azizulhasni Awang survived tough competition Sunday to sneak into the quarterfinals of the Olympics men's sprint, in his last event.
But the pint-sized 20-year-old faces a formidable opponent in the last eight scheduled for Monday evening. He will race against Chris Hoy, gold winner in a 1-2 finish by Great Britain in the Keirin event Saturday.
Unless Azizulhasni upsets Hoy, he will find himself racing for fifth to eighth place on Tuesday.
Azizulhasni timed the seventh fastest of 10.272s in the qualifying round to pick 18 riders from 21 contenders for the first round.
"His seventh ranking is already a good result and Malaysia should be proud that he made the quarterfinals. He will have a tough race tomorrow but it will not be based on power alone; strategy will play a role and riders can make mistakes," said team manager Abu Samah Wahab.
In the first round, Azizulhasni was beaten by defending champion Ryan Bayley of Australia but the Malaysian was back in business in staving off Tsubasa Kitatsuru of Japan and Lukasz Kwiatkowski of Poland in the repechage with a time of 10.959s.
In the second round, British rider Kenny Jason outpowered Azizulhasni, forcing the Malaysian back into a repechage.
Despite being stretched over four races, he hung on grittily to edge Stefan Nimke of Germany and Roberto Chiappa of Italy to win in 11.010s.
Saturday, Azizulhasni, the Asian sprint and Keirin champion, was ousted from the second round of the Keirin after a tactical blunder.
-- BERNAMA
But the pint-sized 20-year-old faces a formidable opponent in the last eight scheduled for Monday evening. He will race against Chris Hoy, gold winner in a 1-2 finish by Great Britain in the Keirin event Saturday.
Unless Azizulhasni upsets Hoy, he will find himself racing for fifth to eighth place on Tuesday.
Azizulhasni timed the seventh fastest of 10.272s in the qualifying round to pick 18 riders from 21 contenders for the first round.
"His seventh ranking is already a good result and Malaysia should be proud that he made the quarterfinals. He will have a tough race tomorrow but it will not be based on power alone; strategy will play a role and riders can make mistakes," said team manager Abu Samah Wahab.
In the first round, Azizulhasni was beaten by defending champion Ryan Bayley of Australia but the Malaysian was back in business in staving off Tsubasa Kitatsuru of Japan and Lukasz Kwiatkowski of Poland in the repechage with a time of 10.959s.
In the second round, British rider Kenny Jason outpowered Azizulhasni, forcing the Malaysian back into a repechage.
Despite being stretched over four races, he hung on grittily to edge Stefan Nimke of Germany and Roberto Chiappa of Italy to win in 11.010s.
Saturday, Azizulhasni, the Asian sprint and Keirin champion, was ousted from the second round of the Keirin after a tactical blunder.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 8 : Cycling - Azizulhasni, Josiah Flop In Keirin Challenge
BEIJING, Aug 16 (Bernama) - National cyclist Azizulhasni Awang and Josiah Ng made promising starts but ended in a cloud of disappointment after both failed to qualify for the Olympics keirin final at the Laoshan Velodrome Saturday.
Azizul, the Asian keirin and sprint champion, finished 10th while Ng was ninth.
"I rode my heart out," said Ng who had finished sixth in Athens. The 28-year-old reckons he still has another two Olympics in him.
Azizulhasni had only three rivals in his second round heat but the pint-sized Terengganu rider bungled when he found himself trapped behind the group coming into the last corner.
His desperate attempt to cut out was blocked by Edgar Ross of Great Britain, Kiyofumi Nagai of Japan and Carsten Bergemann of Germany, who all qualified into the final from the heat.
Team manager Abu Samah Abdul Wahab said Azizulhasni's bid was wrecked by a wrong tactic because he did not follow coach John Beasley's order to stay in front.
The heat was depleted after Polish rider Kamil Kuczynski's bicycle flipped soon after the start and Dutch former world champion Theo Bos went smack into him.
Ng has tough company in current world champion and eventual gold winner Chris Hoy of Great Britain and Australians, Ryan Bayley and Kelly Shane in his second round heat.
Bayley, the gold winner for the individual sprit and keirin in Athens, played sacrifical hare for Shane to get upfront and ended up second, sandwiched between Hoy and Frenchman Arnaud Tournant to enter the final.
In the first round, Azizulhasni had Shane breathing down on him to the finish line in Heat 2 but the Malaysian held on stubbornly to arrive first.
Ng, initially placed third in Heat 3, was moved up to second to advance into the next round after second-placed Italian, Roberto Chiappa was relegated for pushing Nagai.
The Japanese came back from the repechage to make it into the second round and he took the bronze behind the 1-2 finish by Great Britain, with Ross Edgar taking the silver.
Of the three events entered by Malaysia, the national cyclists had high hopes of making the keirin six-man final.
Azizulhasni has a final event Sunday. He is the sole Malaysian rider in the 200m sprint.
Friday, he had teamed up with Ng and Rizal Tisin in the team sprint and the trio smashed the national record in finishing seventh fastest in the qualifying round, although they did not make headway after that.
-- BERNAMA
Azizul, the Asian keirin and sprint champion, finished 10th while Ng was ninth.
"I rode my heart out," said Ng who had finished sixth in Athens. The 28-year-old reckons he still has another two Olympics in him.
Azizulhasni had only three rivals in his second round heat but the pint-sized Terengganu rider bungled when he found himself trapped behind the group coming into the last corner.
His desperate attempt to cut out was blocked by Edgar Ross of Great Britain, Kiyofumi Nagai of Japan and Carsten Bergemann of Germany, who all qualified into the final from the heat.
Team manager Abu Samah Abdul Wahab said Azizulhasni's bid was wrecked by a wrong tactic because he did not follow coach John Beasley's order to stay in front.
The heat was depleted after Polish rider Kamil Kuczynski's bicycle flipped soon after the start and Dutch former world champion Theo Bos went smack into him.
Ng has tough company in current world champion and eventual gold winner Chris Hoy of Great Britain and Australians, Ryan Bayley and Kelly Shane in his second round heat.
Bayley, the gold winner for the individual sprit and keirin in Athens, played sacrifical hare for Shane to get upfront and ended up second, sandwiched between Hoy and Frenchman Arnaud Tournant to enter the final.
In the first round, Azizulhasni had Shane breathing down on him to the finish line in Heat 2 but the Malaysian held on stubbornly to arrive first.
Ng, initially placed third in Heat 3, was moved up to second to advance into the next round after second-placed Italian, Roberto Chiappa was relegated for pushing Nagai.
The Japanese came back from the repechage to make it into the second round and he took the bronze behind the 1-2 finish by Great Britain, with Ross Edgar taking the silver.
Of the three events entered by Malaysia, the national cyclists had high hopes of making the keirin six-man final.
Azizulhasni has a final event Sunday. He is the sole Malaysian rider in the 200m sprint.
Friday, he had teamed up with Ng and Rizal Tisin in the team sprint and the trio smashed the national record in finishing seventh fastest in the qualifying round, although they did not make headway after that.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 8 - Sailing - Sailor Kevin Lim In 35th Spot Midway Of Laser Race
BEIJING, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Kevin Lim finished 22nd in race five of the Olympics laser sailing event in Qingdao to improve his overall position to 35th, two better from overnight, as the competition reached its halfway point Saturday.
"We had a long day out for seven hours but only one race was held. We were ready for the next but somehow the race committee didn't call for the start and we came back after three to four hours of waiting," said Lim when contacted.
The competition with 43 sailors was to have finished all 10 races today before the medal round but low winds have scuttled the schedule.
Lim who had aimed to finish in the top 20 has also scaled back on his hopes.
"I pushed too hard in the first few races and took too many risks. Now I will just sail my usual and see how best it will take me," said Lim, who is at his fourth Olympics.
-- BERNAMA
"We had a long day out for seven hours but only one race was held. We were ready for the next but somehow the race committee didn't call for the start and we came back after three to four hours of waiting," said Lim when contacted.
The competition with 43 sailors was to have finished all 10 races today before the medal round but low winds have scuttled the schedule.
Lim who had aimed to finish in the top 20 has also scaled back on his hopes.
"I pushed too hard in the first few races and took too many risks. Now I will just sail my usual and see how best it will take me," said Lim, who is at his fourth Olympics.
-- BERNAMA
Olympic Day 8 - Athletic - Pole Vaulter Roslinda Misses Cut For Final
BEIJING, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu missed the Olympic finals when she failed all three attempts to match her national record of 4.40m which was the cutoff mark for the 12 qualifiers today.
The 26-year-old cleared 4.30m, which she had consistently done this season but was off her national mark set two years ago in Spain.
She started her opening height of 4m and proceeded to 4.15m and 4.30m, all cleared in first tries.
Roslinda is one of only two field athletes for the athletics programme here.
With her ouster, only the men's high jumper Lee Hup Wei is left and his qualifying round is scheduled for tomorrow night.
-- BERNAMA
The 26-year-old cleared 4.30m, which she had consistently done this season but was off her national mark set two years ago in Spain.
She started her opening height of 4m and proceeded to 4.15m and 4.30m, all cleared in first tries.
Roslinda is one of only two field athletes for the athletics programme here.
With her ouster, only the men's high jumper Lee Hup Wei is left and his qualifying round is scheduled for tomorrow night.
-- BERNAMA
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