Off Topic Other Sport

Day 3 of the Hatsu Bashu and it seemed to herald a possible changing of the guard in the sport. The is talk that least one and possibly 2 of the Yokozuna might be about to have their careers pulled from under them. In a nation where respect is paramount, a Yokozuna who can't compete at the very top level on a constant basis, is asked to retire. He's not allowed to tarnish the Yokozuna rank. He can of course refuse, but if he does so he faces the prospect of being publicly sacked. They take the hint.

There were three major clashes today. The first was the Kaisei - Endo fight, the second the Takakeisho - Tamawashi bout and the third was the titanic battle between the man mountain Ichinojo and one of the all time greats, the Yokozuna Hakuho. Ichinojo went into the bout with a massive 10 stone 10 pound weight advantage.

 

Day 6 of the January Basho. Thee are some wonderful bouts during the day, but for me the highlight of day 5 came in the last match.

On a side note, I can't help but be impressed by the respect the combatants have for each other, especially towards the beaten opponent. Floyd Mayweather's lack of humility at the end of his last bout, stood in stark contrast.

 

Sumo day 6.

 

An absolute mauling for England in the West Indies. Piss poor preperation again and picked wrong bowling options. Batting absolutely dire. Just imagine how these clowns would have fared up against the great Windies fast bowlers of yesteryear. Our captain came out with one of the dumbest statements ever before the test. He said he wasn't bothered if the top 4 didn't get runs as long as 5-8 got some. Absolutely no long term test prospects if you can't consistently lay a decent platform amongst the top order. And finally over 90% of the crowd are visiting supporters. That's just not right on any level.

 

Things are just as bad here in Australia Chanin. None of the last 100 individual batting innings by Australian players has produced a century. This is the first time this dreadful feat has occurred in a hundred years. We really suck with bat in hand. Earlier this Summer India came a calling and for the first time in the history of the sport between the two countries, gave us a series flogging on our own turf. Of course India have a fantastic team, but we were second rate along side the visitors.

And now with the England effort against the West Indies, it make me wonder about the quality of the upcoming Ashes Series. Two **** teams battling it out?

 

How's this for completely f**ked?

From Boxing Scene.com

According to several reports, Uvalde Police in Texas have charged a 12-year-old elementary school student with capital murder in connection with the shooting death of 24-year-old pro boxer John VanMeter.

The incident occurred Wednesday, at the home of VanMeter and his girlfriend. There were two children in the home the time of the incident.

Vanmeter (2-4, 1 KO) had been boxing since 10-years-old and turned pro in 2016. He recently made some changes to further his boxing career and won his last two fights, including a decision win in November. Vanmeter was planning to again on a date in February.

Police reports state that VanMeter and his girlfriend heard a loud noise, as if someone was attempting to break their door in.

“She stayed in the back bedroom and he went to check it out,” said UPD chief Daniel Rodriguez to the Uvalde Leader News.

VanMeter’s girlfriend phoned 911 upon hearing a gunshot.

Police arrived and found VanMeter laying near the front door, with a single gunshot wound to the head.

He was taken to Uvalde Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short while later. He is survived by two children.

Witnesses told police that a male had fled the area at the time of the incident, dressed in all black clothing and wearing a black bandana across the lower part of his face.

The subject was eventually caught, and identified by witnesses, and he turned out to be only 12-years-old. He was taken to a juvenile detention center.

Because of his age (under 14), and Texas law, the juvenile suspect faces a maximum sentence of 40-years.

 

That batting stat is piss poor Cyc. You should have Smith and Warner back for the Ashes and they'll definitely help. I just get tired of the bullshit lines spouted. We'll probably make 300+ in the final innings and the Captain "will take the positives" out of that.

 

The athletic season is starting to get underway. It's been along wait.

Yomef Kejelcha has started in pretty good form. Hie looking to become just the fifth man to break 3:50 for the indoor mile. A couple of weeks ago he went 3:52 in the clip below. Since then he's run 3:51:7. He's hoping to take El Guerrouj's world indoor record which stands at 3:48:45.

 

Big thumbs up to the Welsh for turning around a 16 point shortfall against France in the 6 Nations. Running out a 24-19 victor in the driving rain was a monster effort.

Scotland go into tonight's game against Italy as a 1-16 hot shot and should get the job done.

The big clash though is the Ireland - England game. Ireland at home are 4-11. England 3-1. I think this will be a closer game than the odds look. The two teams have shared the last 5 championships. Obviously the home ground gives the Irish a leg up, but Eddy Jones will leave no stone unturned in his quest to roll the boys in green. This should be a cracking game.

 

Not long home from a trip to the Smoke to watch Chelsea with the little lad. I'm not a Chelsea fan but I'd never tire of watching Hazard strut his stuff - magician. I suspect he might be destined for a bigger stage next season - Madrid? Really looking forward to catching up with the highlights of England's immense away win in the 6N. Not so fussed on the cricket .

 

Eddie Jones was confident that England could beat Ireland at home. How right he was. What a win.

 

After the thumping at the hands of England last weekend, the Irish travel to Murrayfield to take on the Scots who've won their last seven 6 Nations home games. The Scots will probably get rolled, but here's hoping the flair of the home team can make a real game of it. There's a bit of talk going about at the moment about what appears to be a one dimensional Irish team.

Ireland go as a 7-15 chance while the Scots are 9-4.

11-1 Italy.
1-12 Wales.

1-5 England.
6-1 France.

 

Cyc there was plenty of talk going on round here before last Saturday that Ireland were very worthy second favs for RWC2019. Fickle sports journos and ex players with too much air time to fill. Ireland still a fine team as their victories against the Kiwis last year proved.

 

Bang on. I think last week may have said more about England than Ireland. It was a quite astonishing performance more or less from start to finish. Just hope we are mentally focussed tomorrow as if anyone can bring us back to earth it's our friends from across the channel.

 

The heavies are beginning to stamp their authority in the 6 Nations. Ireland get back into stride with a win of a poor Scotland and Wales make it 11 wins on the bounce to top the table. England host France in just over an hour and should get the job done.

There's a massive clash in the third round when Wales, looking to make it a record 12 on the trot, host England at Principality Stadium. The place will be rocking. Wish I was there.

 

Here's a young man with a future. Jakob Ingebrigtsen took the indoor 1500m World Record with a time of 3:36:21 last weekend in Norway. Only the Ethiopian athlete Samuel Tefera has run faster, but as didn't submit an on the day test sample, the time wasn't officially ratified. The open record stands to the great Hicham El Guerrouj at 3:31:18.

 

Now this lad has a future... One seriously quick 7 year old...!!!

 

What a test match in Durban. Last wicket partnership of 78 between Perera and Fernando to bring home the bacon for Sri Lanka by the smallest of margins. Bravo, I love Test match cricket.