I Dig Sports
BROWNSBURG, Ind. – Despite Mother Nature’s attempt to ruin all possibility for a 2019 edition of the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic, Attica Raceway Park officials and event promoter, Brad Doty, have put into action a new plan that allowed the 31-year event to return to the schedule.
Now a multi-day showstopper in northwest Ohio, the Brad Doty Classic has transformed into a two-day, Labor Day weekend program, welcoming Tony Stewart’s Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 to headline both days of competition.
Set Aug. 30-31, Brad Doty Classic Weekend will award a total winner’s share equalling $15,000; $5,000 during Friday’s preliminary and $10,000 during Saturday’s Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by Racing Optics finale.
“This is an exciting time for the Brad Doty Classic. I’m thrilled we were able to put this plan together and in such a short amount of time. I want to thank everyone involved including the entire All Star staff, all of those from Attica Raceway Park, and of course Ohio Logistics, Racing Optics, and all of the Brad Doty Classic partners for working together and making this event a reality after all,” Brad Doty explained. “It’s going to be a fantastic weekend.”
In addition, Brad Doty Classic Weekend will kick-off a massive, four-day stretch for Tony Stewart’s All Star Circuit of Champions. Following their visit to Attica Raceway Park, the series will move east and visit Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, Ohio, on Sept. 1-2.
Like Attica Raceway Park, the two-day visit to Wayne County will award a total winner’s share equalling $15,000; $10,000 during the annual Pete Jacobs Memorial on Sunday, followed by a $5,000-to-win program on Monday.
NEWTON, Iowa – On an extremely warm and muggy day in eastern Iowa, Chandler Smith led the way in ARCA Menards Series practice for Friday’s Fans with Benefits 150 at Iowa Speedway.
Smith’s fast lap came with three minutes remaining in the 90-minute session.
With temperatures already in the upper 80s and expected to climb into the upper 90s, drivers were expected to deal with a lack of grip on the 14-year-old Iowa Speedway pavement. Smith’s 24.399 second/129.104 mile per hour lap narrowly eclipsed teammate Michael Self, who led the session briefly before Smith’s fast lap. Self’s lap of 24.431 seconds/128.935 mph was good for second fastest.
Bret Holmes set the fastest lap in the opening moments of the session and stayed there throughout the next 85 minutes, but for most of that time Holmes was in the garage area. He made significant contact with the turn four wall about 20 minutes into the session, seriously damaging the right side of his car. Holmes and team are busy unloading their backup car in hopes of making a lap during General Tire Pole Qualifying.
Corey Heim was fourth at 24.499 seconds/128.577 mph and Ty Gibbs was fifth at 24.668 seconds/127.696 mph.
Christian Eckes, Carson Hocevar, Kaden Honeycutt, Travis Braden and Colby Howard rounded out the top-10.
In addition to the incident involving Holmes, the session was slowed four other times for incidents. The first caution of the day was for Rick Clifton, who’s car dropped fluid on the speedway. After the green came out following a lengthy clean-up the caution immediately came out again when Dick Doheny spun into the infield on the frontstretch. Howard spun off turn two shortly after the Holmes incident. Jason Miles also spun off turn two in the final half hour of the session.
Weekend weather forecast: Sunday finish could be brutal
Saturday should be a beauty, Sunday could be a beast at Royal Portrush.
The weekend weather forecast for the 148th Open calls for partly-cloudy-to-sunny skies during the third round, but only a 10-percent chance of rain. Winds are expected to blow between 10-15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, and a high of 66 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sunday, however, could be a little less inviting to the players.
“Outbreaks of rain” are likely for the afternoon and evening of the final round, according to The Open’s official forecast. Winds could strengthen to a sustained 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph late in the day.
Mickelson continues search for lost game: 'I'm just playing terrible golf'
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland – Just days after announcing he’d lost 15 pounds Phil Mickelson conceded on Friday at The Open that he continues to search for his lost game.
Mickelson’s second-round 74 left him at 8 over and headed home early for just the fifth time in his Open career. The bigger concern for the 49-year-old is his continued poor play which has led to five missed cuts in his last seven starts.
“I’m playing so bad that I don’t really know what to say. I’m just playing terrible golf,” Mickelson said. “You kind of go through the ups and downs in your career and you figure it out, but I really don’t have any answers right now.”
Mickelson revealed on social media on Sunday that he went through a “hard reset” in recent weeks that included a six-day fast and losing 15 pounds, but that did little for his game at Royal Portrush where he opened with a 76.
Lefty didn’t have any answers on Friday and wasn’t even sure he’d even play next week’s WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.
“I don’t know if I need some time away, or if I should try to play through it,” said Mickelson, who is currently committed to the event. “I’ll fly home and take a few days and see how I feel. I love Memphis, I love the course. I love everything about the event. I don’t know if I should just go take a few weeks off, or if I should try to keep playing.”
Mickelson’s decision may be influenced by his position on the season-long points list (30th). He will need a strong finish to the season to keep from missing the Tour Championship for the third time in the last four years.
James Harden has decided to withdraw from playing with the U.S. National Team at this summer's FIBA World Cup in China.
Harden is the second top player to pull out of a previous commitment to Team USA in the last week, joining Anthony Davis.
Harden told the Houston Chronicle on Friday that he had advised coach Gregg Popovich of his decision and that he'd use the extra time to focus on adapting to playing with new Rockets teammate Russell Westbrook.
Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry had surgery on his thumb this week in New York, but he is hoping to recover in time to play with the team.
The team's current roster has depth at guard with All-Stars Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker and Bradley Beal among those still committed.
The event runs from Sept. 1-15 at various cities in China. The tournament runs closer to training camps than it had been in years past.
Represented by Tom Jarvis, Sam Walker and David McBeath; England finished in first place in their second stage group ahead of Singapore who selected from Pang Yu En Koen, Clarence Chew, Beh Kun Ting and Josh Chua Shao Han.
However, for England it was a close call; they were extended the full five match distance by Singapore, as well as later in their concluding second stage group contest by Nigeria’s Bode Abiodun, Olajide Omotayo and Azeez Jamiu. Earlier, with no changes to the line-up, Nigeria had experienced a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Singapore who selected Pang Yu En Koen, Clarence Chew and Beh Kun Ting. The result, in effect, secured second place in the group for Singapore.
Meanwhile, for India there were fewer problems to secure first place in their second stage group. Selecting from Sharath Kamal Achanta, Amalraj Anthony, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Harmeet Desai and Manav Vikash Thakkar, not one individual match was surrendered as top place was secured.
Malaysia who selected from Leong Chee Feng, Muhamad Muhamad Rizal, Wong Qi Shen and Javen Choong finished in second place.
Meanwhile, in the women’s team event, a 3-1 success for England’s Tin-Tin Ho, Denise Payet and Emily Bolton against Singapore’s Wong Xin Ru, Goi Rui Xuan and Eunice Zoe Lim decided the first and second positions. Similarly, in the counterpart second phase group a 3-0 success for the Indian trio comprising Goi Rui Xuan, Eunice Zoe Lim and Wong Xin Ru in opposition to Nigeria’s Offiong Edem, Ajoke Ojomu and Cecilia Akpan determined the top two places.
The semi-finals and finals of both the men’s team and women’s team events will be played on Friday 19th July.
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Stage 1 – Results (Wednesday 17th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Stage 2 – Results (Thursday 18th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Stage 1 & Stage 2 – Detailed Results (Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Stage 1 – Results (Wednesday 17th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Stage 2 – Results (Thursday 18th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Stage 1 & Stage 2 – Detailed Results (Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Stage 3 – Draw (Friday 19th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Stage 3 – Draw (Friday 19th July)
Impressively the numbers far exceed those of recent editions; in 2013 in Beijing 165 players from 13 national associations competed, in Amman in 2015 it was 174 players from 16 national associations, in 2017, once again in Beijing, the number rose to 198 players from 12 national associations.
Notably Lu Shiow-Yen, the Mayor of Taichung is personally supporting the event; on Sunday 7th July, she was present in the Top City Departmental Square and played several of the 26 local para athletes who will compete to promote the tournament.
She affirmed that Taichung has the ability to organise international events, recognising the International Table Tennis Federation, Chinese Taipei Paralympic Committee and Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association alngside the media for their support. Additionally, she stressed the hope that this competition will enhance the international experience of domestic players and put Taichung capabilities in the world map.
Notably, 14 tables will be broadcast on the official website; the tournament is a qualifying event for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
A warm welcome awaits in Taichung.
ITTF-Asian Para Championships 2019: Live Stream
ITTF-Asian Para Championships 2019: Social Media
ITTF-Asian Para Championships 2019: Draws and Results
Crucially to secure top spot in the men’s team event, a 3-2 win was recorded against the no.3 seeds, the Nigerian outfit formed by Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun and Azeez Solanke; a contest which after the opening two matches appeared to be destined for an African victory.
Olajide Omatayo beat Muhamad Muhamad Rizal (9-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-5), before Bode Abiodun accounted for Wong Qi Shen (11-6, 11-5, 11-3). However; that was the end of Nigerian success. Leong Chee Feng overcame Azeez Solanke (11-8, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9), prior to Muhamad Muhamad Rizal prevailing against Bode Abiodun (4-11, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-7) and Wong Qi Shen sealing victory with success in opposition to Olajide Omotayo (11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8).
Defeat for Nigeria but their only defeat and thus progress to the second stage; in both the men’s team and women’s team events, outfits finishing in first and second positions advance.
Success in the men’s team event against the third seeds, it was the same for Malaysia in the women’s team competition; a 3-1 win was recorded against the Australian combination of Feng Chunyi, Melissa Tapper and Peng Kai, a team effort being very much the order of the day.
Feng Chunyi gave Australia the ideal start by beating Ho Ying (4-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9) but defeats for Melissa Tapper against Alice Chang (11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 14-12) and in opposition to Ho Ying (11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9) in addition to Peng Kai against Tee Ai Xin (4-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5) cost the Australians dear.
First place contrary to status for Malaysia, in the women’s team event, it was the same for England; the combination formed by Tin-Tin Ho, Denise Payet and Emily Bolton accounted for the no.4 seeds, Nigeria’s Cecilia Akpan, Offing Edem and Ajoke Ojomu. A 3-1 result was the outcome with Tin-Tin Ho beating both Cecilia Akpan (11-9, 11-5, 11-7) and Offing Edem (11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9).
Otherwise, for the leading teams it was first place.
In the men’s team event, top seeds, England represented by Tom Jarvis, Sam Walker and David McBeath finished in first place in their group as did the second seeded Indian combination of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Sharath Kamal Achanta and Harmeet Desai.
Meanwhile, in the women’s team competition, selecting from Eunice Zoe Lim, Goi Rui Xuan, Wong Xin Ru and Zhang Wanling, Singapore, the top seeds, secured first place in their group; a situation that applied also to the no.2 seeds, India who selected from Manika Batra, Archana Girish Kamath, Akhyika Mukherjee, Madhurika Patkar and Sutirha Mukherjee.
Play in the second stage takes place on Thursday 18th July.
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Results (Wednesday 17th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Detailed Results (Wednesday 17th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Results (Wednesday 17th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Detailed Results (Wednesday 17th July)
The eye catching racket is a result of the proposition made by the Hong Kong Table Tennis Association at the Annual General Meeting held earlier this year on the occasion of the Liebherr 2019 World Championships in Budapest; the basis of the proposal being to introduce colours other than red and black.
Good to see Bernadette Szocs put theory into practice; let’s make it “cool” to play table tennis as they say; let’s impart a fun element into serious competition but let’s make the colours happy and friendly, not drab.
Colours other than red and black is not new; prior to the ITTF Annual General Meeting in 1983 in Tokyo the colours on a racket were the same both sides; red was the norm followed by black but you could visit your local sports shop and buy a racket with blue or green rubber from the shelf.
An innovation in Johor Bahru but in soon could such colours become a permanent feature?
If the 2020 Annual General Meeting in Busan accepts the proposition, the ITTF Equipment Committee will co-ordinate efforts in order to develop a list of authorised colour combinations; specifications being submitted to the Board of Directors for implementation after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Aaron Shingler: Wales back-rower aims to shine after fearing for career
Wales back-rower Aaron Shingler feared a knee injury would force him to retire, but the Scarlet is confident he will now be fit for the World Cup.
Shingler, 31, has not played since suffering the injury during the Scarlets' Pro14 final loss to Leinster in May 2018.
But now he is back with Wales' squad as they prepare for the World Cup with a training camp in Switzerland.
"I'd say I'm nearly where I want to be," Shingler said.
"For eight months, I was questioning whether the leg would be good enough. Luckily enough it is. So I'm very happy to just be able to train.
"A couple of more weeks training with Wales and I'll hopefully get an opportunity. If that opportunity comes, then I feel like I'll be ready.
"I want to play for Wales and the Scarlets, so I just keep pushing."
'Concerned'
Before his injury, Shingler had established himself as an important player for Wales and the Scarlets thanks to his dynamic displays in the back row.
However, the 17-cap forward missed his country's Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year as his injury robbed him of an entire season.
During his lengthy absence, Shingler admits he thought that he might not make a full recovery.
"It was massively difficult. Up until the eight-month mark, I was thinking that I wasn't going to come back," he added.
"I just couldn't function daily. I'd have one good session and then the next day I wouldn't be able to train.
"When I came into camp, I was a little bit concerned with how I was going to cope but I'm feeling really fit and strong at the moment."
Wales' players are in the midst of a gruelling training camp in the Swiss Alps, with the extent of their physical exertions exemplified by Ross Moriarty's Instagram post which showed the back-rower vomiting pitchside with the caption 'No pain no gain'.
The squad's motto in Fiesch is 'Live high, train low', with the players living 2,300m above sea level and training 1,000m lower as they aim to boost their fitness levels and prepare for the energy-sapping humidity of Japan during the World Cup.
"I remember the first night I was up there, trying to get to sleep, and my heart was beating a lot harder than normal, which is unusual," Shingler said of the Swiss training camp.
"You get up for the toilet in the night, and you have to climb a little bit of stairs, and my heart is beating again.
"It just feels like you're working when you're sleeping. So that's what it's like up the top."
'One opportunity'
Shingler is one of 42 players in an extended Wales squad in Switzerland, and that will be trimmed to a final 31 for the World Cup in September.
The back row is arguably the most competitive area of the team, with head coach Warren Gatland likely to pick five out of Shingler, Moriarty, Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi, Aaron Wainwright and James Davies.
"Unfortunately, it's very fierce and I might only get one opportunity," said Shingler.
"In training, I have to impress every day, work hard every day and keep my fingers crossed that I get to go."
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