Taekwondo tests new scoring system before Olympics (AP)
LONDON (AP)—Taekwondo may be known mostly for its flashy kicks and acrobatic jumping, but it was the sport’s disputed scoring system that gained the spotlight at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. To avoid getting thrown out of the Olympics, the sport’s governing body completely overhauled its antiquated system of scoring punches and kicks. At this weekend’s British Open, an international taekwondo competition in Manchester, officials will be fine-tuning the new electronic scoring and video replay systems. The event is one of the key warm-up events ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, where the new technology will be used at the games for the first time. In addition to revamping how attacks are scored, taekwondo officials have also changed the rules to make fights more entertaining for fans: Players now score more points for fancy kicks to the head. “That encourages fighters to do the high kicks and spinning kicks that make spectators say ‘wow,”’ said Tony Grisman, the defending British Open champion in the men’s 68-kilogram division. “It’s definitely changed my strategy because if you’re thinking tactically of how to get the most points, you have to kick high.” That’s something Grisman hopes to try on his opponents at the Manchester tournament, which has attracted more then 400 top fighters from about 50 countries, including Olympic medalists and world champions. One of the British Open’s biggest tests will be how well the new scoring system works. “We’re trying to mimic the Olympic Games as closely as we can,” said Ian Leafe, who heads the group that organized the British Open. “The human eye is only so quick, so we needed a system that was more objective.” In Beijing, several countries complained about scoring discrepancies. A British protest even led officials to overturn the original results of a women’s heavyweight bout. In 2008, scoring was done manually by four corner judges and points were only awarded if three of the four judges registered a blow simultaneously. Critics said that left too much room for error, and taekwondo officials worried the Korean martial art might be replaced in the Olympics by karate or Chinese wu-shu. The World Taekwondo Federation, the sport’s governing body, decided to go electronic. Taekwondo fighters now wear an electronic body protector that registers kicks and punches only if the athlete strikes his or her opponent with sufficient force. Kicks to the head are still scored manually by corner judges, but coaches now have the right to at least one video replay per match, much like the Hawkeye system in tennis. Leafe said the new system should eliminate the potential for scoring disputes. “It’s now much more transparent and calls can be challenged instantly in the middle of a fight,” he said. In the case of a challenge, the fight immediately stops and the referee confers with the judges or consults a video replay. Since its origins as Korea’s oldest martial art—which was once only taught to elite warriors—taekwondo has transformed itself into the world’s most popular martial art. According to the World Taekwondo Federation, there are more than 70 million practitioners in 191 countries. Korean soldiers still study the martial art to develop their combat skills; taekwondo translates as “the art of the foot and fist.” But for Olympic purposes, taekwondo fighters focus on their feet. That’s because punches are only allowed to the body and are worth only one point—and only if the punch is strong enough to push the opponent off balance. However, kicks can score up to four points if they’re aimed at the head and if they involve a turning or spinning technique. Taekwondo officials also decreased the size of the competition area and introduced an inactivity penalty for any fighter who goes without trying to kick or punch for longer than 10 seconds. Such changes have taken the sport further from its martial arts origins, but that may be precisely what it needs to attract more fans. “Taekwondo as an Olympic sport is like a game,” said Grisman, the defending champion. “It’s not about who can do the best kick. It’s about who’s the most clever and can adapt to different situations and score the most points. That makes it more exciting to watch than a traditional martial art.” Online: www.gbtaekwondo.co.uk www.wtf.org
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Waldrom arrives ‘home’ to play ‘away’
You are here: Betting Guide » Rugby » Waldrom arrives ‘home’ to play ‘away’ With continued concerns over Nick Easter’s back injury, England have called up Leicester back-row forward Thomas Waldrom to the New Zealand as back up to the squad. The 28-year old is yet to be announced as injured prop Andrew Sheridan’s replacement, but with both number-eight Easter and flanker Lewis Moody struggling with fitness then Martin Johnson could well announce Waldrom as the man who comes in to provide cover. Johnson was quick to point out Waldrom was, at the moment at least, temporary cover, although the strength in numbers of front-rowers as opposed to the loose-forwards it would surely seem sensible to include the 28-year-old in the squad proper now Sheridan has returned home. “Nick Easter is still suffering from a sore back so we will be bringing Thomas out as temporary cover,” he said. The New Zealand-born back-row had a stunning debut season in the Premiership with Leicester, finishing the season with the league’s Players’ Player of the Season. Those following the Rugby Union betting odds will know how good he has been. Waldrom qualifies for England through his grandmother, but did represent the country of his birth for the Under-21 side, as well as the New Zealand Maoris. The powerful forward will now be looking to get into the England squad and play a part in them claiming triumph on New Zealand soil. The former Hurricanes and Crusaders number-eight certainly caught the eye last season with the Tigers, and his pace and power could come in use later in this tournament. While the coaching staff have been making positive noises regarding skipper Moody’s fitness, the question marks are still very much there, under the surface at least. Anyone looking at the Rugby union world cup betting needs to bear this in mind. For now though, and the squad will prepare for the Romania game this weekend as it is, without Waldrom, who isn’t allowed to take part in any training sessions with the squad until officially named as Sheridan’s replacement. By the time England finish their group campaign they will be hoping to have a clear indication as to who will be fit to play in the latter stages of this tournament. Related Articles:In-Play Betting – New Article Play Bingo and Win £92million Betfred Bingo – Free £5 Play Byrne focused for warm-up games Written by Bet123 · Filed Under Rugby Comments
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Lysacek: ‘I’ve set my sights on Sochi’ (AP)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP)—Olympic champion figure skater Evan Lysacek says he’s gearing up for a comeback for the 2014 Olympics. “I’ve set my sights on Sochi,” Lysacek said Friday night at the U.S. Olympic Committee annual assembly, while receiving the award as the federation’s male athlete of the year for 2010. Lysacek skipped last season because of a heavy schedule of non-skating events, but he didn’t rule out a return to competition. Back in training with coach Frank Carroll since May, Lysacek got back on the Grand Prix schedule this year, drawing Skate America and Trophee Bompard on his list of assignments. He has not competed since Vancouver, where he became the first American man to win the Olympic gold medal since Brian Boitano in 1988. “I wanted to make sure that going back into it, I was positive that’s what I wanted to do,” he said in explaining the long layoff. “I gave myself the option every morning when I got up. I said, `If I don’t want to go to the rink today, I don’t have to go.’ But I didn’t miss a day. I thought that was a good sign.” Lysacek’s comeback could set up a rematch with Russia’s Evgeni Plushenko, the 2006 Olympic champion who criticized Lysacek after the American defeated him in Vancouver. Lysacek did not do a quadruple jump on the way to his Olympic title, drawing the ire of Plushenko—and all of Russia. “I was positive that I won. But I suppose Evan needs a medal more than I do,” Plushenko said that night. Lysacek said he never held any ill will toward Plushenko and his comeback had nothing to do with setting up a rematch in Plushenko’s home country. “All is forgiven,” Lysacek said. “I wish him the best. Like I said there, sometimes things are said in the heat of the moment, especially by young people under pressure. You say things under pressure and I don’t blame him for that.”
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Giants WR Hixon has torn right ACL again (AP)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—New York Giants receiver Domenik Hixon(notes) will miss the rest of the season after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for the second straight year. The team said Hixon will have surgery in the near future. Hixon was hurt Monday night making a juggling catch on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning(notes) in the Giants 28-16 win over the St. Louis Rams. Hixon missed all of last season after tearing the ACL during an offseason minicamp workout. Also a key punt returner, Hixon had four catches for 50 yards in two games this season. He returned three punts for 31 yards. Fellow receiver Mario Manningham(notes) is undergoing further examination for a concussion sustained on Monday.
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Payment Picks Stats Updated – Live from BRD
Written by Betting-RSS admin on 18 September 2011. Hello guys. Yesterday I managed to get the press badge for BRD Nastase Tiriac Open. This is the surprise I was talking about. So I will be able to talk with the players, use my laptop and almost everything I want this year at Bucharest’s ATP 250 Tournament. So I really expect some good picks this time around. As you can see from the article with the main draw there are some difficult matches in the 1st round so I don’t expect to give many picks for Monday. I will sit back and watch the situation on court. I have also updated the statistics including Saturday and we have as follows: September 201146 WON / 2 VOID / 33 LOST Staked 296/ Returned 335.04 Yield 13.18% / ROI 113.18% Total P/L 39.04 So as a reminder there are only 2 places available till 1st of October for the payment picks at only 50 Euro per month. You can read all about the prices and what you will receive HERE. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And maybe give us a like on the right sidebar Facebook module on the Website and then subscribe for the payment picks at any time. The tennis previews are free and posted everyday on the website.
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