Caution: Stephanie Rice, Manly Sea Eagles & Melbourne Storm Are Coming

Climbing a mountain the first time can be tough but as Stephanie Rice is finding out, it is even tougher the second time round when your motivation isn't what it was. After winning three gold medals, the golden girl of the Beijing Olympics let her hair down – partying as if it was an Olympic sport. She has just resumed training but is finding it's even harder when you switch from the hunter to the hunted.

The Manly Sea Eagles are in the same boat. Last year's NRL rugby champions will be up against it to defend their title. No one has successfully defended their NRL rugby league title since Brisbane did it in 1992-93.

Once again the Melbourne Storm should be one of the teams to fear in the NRL league. They have sat on top of the NRL ladder for most of the last three years. NRL results just haven't gone their way when it mattered most. They will be looking to be the first team since the Parramatta one of 1981-84 to make four successive grand finals.

Maria Kirilenko in Pretty Purple and Adidas Photoshoot

The Beautiful Miss Maria Kirilenko

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Image Courtesys: Stephane Carter of Tennisgrandstand.com

Greg Norman Introduces Wife Chris Evert To His Home State

Golfer Greg Norman stepped out last night as he introduced wife Chris Evert to his home state.

"Chris has asked me if I miss this place," said Norman. "And I said 'of course I do'. We've talked a lot about where I come from and the places I know.

"We fly back to the States tomorrow, but hopefully we'll get the chance to see more of Queensland in the future."

Norman said he had visited Evert's tennis academy in Florida and talked about how it compared to his Greg Norman Golf Foundation.

Norman, who married Evert last June in a $2 million wedding in the Bahamas, hosted a fundraiser at the Brisbane Convention Centre last night.

About 500 people attended "An Evening With Greg Norman" where the golfer renewed acquaintances with a few familiar faces, including old boss and mentor Charlie Earp.

Norman revealed he and Evert were considering starting a joint tennis-golf academy to develop young stars.

News and Image Source: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/

Cuban Boxing Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux Flees to Miami, USA

Cuban boxer Guillermo Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has defected to the United States and plans to turn professional.

Farah Colina said Tuesday her husband had no choice but to flee Cuba if he wanted to box again.

"I'm surprised on one level because he left home at the end of January saying he was going to Santiago," Colina said, referring to the eastern city that is Cuba's second largest. "But, on another level, I think he was obligated to do this."

Luis de Cubas, an agent for Arena Box Promotions in the United States, confirmed that Rigondeaux was in Miami and interested in fighting. The 28-year-old boxer won bantamweight gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

Colina said her husband called a neighbor Saturday to say he made it to Miami. The family does not have a phone.

Rigondeaux hoped to try for a third Olympic title at last summer's Beijing Games. But in July 2007 he and 2005 welterweight world champion Erislandy Lara disappeared during the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. Both were accused of overstaying their visas, arrested and sent back to the island.

Rigondeaux is the latest world class boxer to leave Cuba. Earlier defections include Lara and Odlanier Solis, the 2004 Olympic heavyweight champion.

News Courtesy: Associated Press, Google
Image Courtesy: Daylife.com

Chess: Kiril Georgiev Played 360 Games Simultaneously, Sets World Record

A Bulgarian grandmaster appears to have broken the world record for the highest number of chess games played simultaneously, organizers said Monday.

Kiril Georgiev played a total of 360 games simultaneously, winning 284, drawing 70 and losing six, during a marathon that lasted 14 hours and 8 minutes in Sofia's Inter Expo Center, the organizers said.

The record number of games and the winning percentage of 88 percent will allow Georgiev to apply formally for entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Kiril Georgiev is a three-time Bulgarian national champion and a former under-18 world champion, according to the Bulgarian News Network.

The Guinness Book says the current record for most simultaneous games played was set in 2005 by Susan Polgar, the Hungarian-American four-time women's world champion.

Polgar played 326 games, winning 309, drawing 14 and losing only three.

News Source: Associated Press, Google

Pink Cricket Balls For Test Matches?

The first move towards a night cricket Test in Australia will take place when a radical new pink cricket ball is put on trial in celebrity Twenty20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh, who is also a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) technical committee, will introduce the ball this weekend and is keen to get feedback from the likes of former Test stars Matthew Hayden, Mark Taylor and Michael Slater.

Modern sporting market focuses on events after dark, so now the race is on to develop a ball that can last 90 overs and be seen under lights.

Cricket Australia (CA) spokesman Peter Young said he was keen to see how the pink ball performed and night Tests were a definite item on the governing body`s agenda.

He added that a pale blue ball had also been discussed, given the traditional red ball could not be seen at night and the white One-day ball became too dirty.

News and Image Source: Zeenews.com

Diego Maradona Is A Proud Grandfather

Argentine coach, "The God" Diego Maradona became a grandfather on Thursday when his daughter Giannina Maradona gave birth to a baby boy, Benjamin Leonel at the Clinica Monteprincipe de Boadilla in Madrid on Thursday.

The father is Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, whose club announced the news.

Don Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atletico Madrid siad on the club's official website:

"On the afternoon of Thursday the 19th of February, 2009, Benjamin was born in Madrid. Everything went well and the child and his mother, Gianinna Maradona, find themselves in perfect conditions."

News Courtesy: Goal.com

2009 Women's Cricket World Cup Approaches

It doesn't get the same attention as the men's World Cup but the women's cricket World Cup is about to get under way in Australia. Eight teams will be split into two groups of four. They will play each other once with the top six progressing to the Super Six's. Following that a final will be played.

This is the ninth time the World Cup will be played since the first one occurred in 1973 – ironically some two years before the first male tournament. The World Cup is returning to Australia after a 21 year absence.

Australia are the defending champions and have won the tournament five times; England have won it twice and New Zealand once.

The World Cup won't get anywhere near the attention that the Ashes 2009 will get but that shouldn't diminish the exploits of these fine cricketers.

Spanish Model Elen Rives Dumps England Football Star Frank Lampard

THE CAUSE : Frnak Lampard with a Blonde in a Pub KISSING

THE EFFECT: A lone Elen Rives stepping out for a shopping spree at Harrods

Spanish model Elen Rives has reportedly dumped her footballer fiance Frank Lampard.

The couple, who have been together since 2002 and two children together, are said to have split up after a holiday in Florida.

A source told the News of the World: “It’s the saddest thing Elen’s ever had to do, but the love has gone.

“She was the one who ended it and she’s the one who’s moving out."

A spokesperson for Lampard confirmed the news saying: “Frank and Elen have separated. No one else is involved - they have simply grown apart. This is private matter and they won’t be making any further comment.”

Previoulsy a speculation was around the corner that the couple has drifted apart and suffered an additional strain in the aftermath of the death of Lampard’s mother, Pat. She died suddenly and tragically from pneumonia in April 2008. Since her death, Lampard has been paying tribute to her in his goal celebration by looking upward and pointing to the sky. An unnamed friend spoke about this possibility.

“Frank’s mum Pat was at the centre of the family and he spoke to her several times a day. He has struggled to cope with life without her."

News Source: www.dailystar.co.uk

Ana Ivanovic For Rolex and Yonex

Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic for Rolex and Yonex Ad - Pictures

Yelena Isinbayeva Sets New Indoor World Record

Russia's athletics icon Yelena Isinbayeva set a new indoor world pole vault record of five metres at the annual Bubka memorial tournament here on Sunday.

The 26-year-old beat her previous record of 4.95m, which she achieved here last year, and it was the sixth time in as many years that she has set a new world record indoors in Donetsk.
Two-time Olympic champion Isinbayeva was trailing Brazilian Fabian Murer, who set a new South American record with a 4.81m vault, but managed to clear the 4.86m mark in her next attempt to assure herself top place.

Her next two attempts at 4.96m were unsuccessful, but on her third try she managed to clear 4.97m to set a new world record.

"It was just superstition," she said. "We decided for 4.97 instead of wasting another attempt on an unlucky number."

She then ordered the five-metre mark, which she managed to clear on her second attempt.

News Source: AFP Google
Image Courtesy: Top147.com

Michael Chopra Breaks-Up with Heather Swan

Footballer Michael Chopra has split with his wife of seven months after she dumped him on Facebook.

Heather Swan, 24, is said to have let her husband know their marriage was over by changing her status to single on the social networking site.

The former couple are now locked in a bitter war of words and the Sunderland striker, who earns £30,000 a week, has updated his own page with the words: "Heather will have a new number tomorrow, ha ha," after cancelling her mobile phone contract.

"Things have been simmering ever since Michael went on loan to Cardiff. It's all pretty childish," a source is quoted as telling the Daily Mirror.

Chopra and Swan, who share one-year-old son Sebastian together, have had a stormy relationship and first separated just four weeks after their marriage.

Luca Toni Has Achilles' Tendon Injury

Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni has a right Achilles' tendon injury that could keep the Italian international out of the defending champion's Bundesliga game against Cologne on Saturday.

"He's been carrying it for a week already," Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann said Sunday, one day after his team's 2-1 loss at Hertha Berlin.

Bayern's second loss in three games dropped it to third place in the table, two points behind Hertha, who took over the Bundesliga lead with Saturday's victory.

Luca Toni started the match but was forced to leave after 35 minutes.

News Courtesy: USAToday.com

Usain Bolt Debuts 2009 with a 400-Meter Win

Usain Bolt in Lane 5 (extreme left)

World 100 and 200 metres record holder and Olympic champion Usain Bolt running in lane 5, ran to victory in his first race of the season on Saturday, winning a 400 heat in 46.35 seconds at the outdoor Camperdown Classic in Jamaica.

"It was all right. I am not really in the best of shape, but I'm happy I got through it and looking forward to (the UWI Invitational) next week," he said.
Image Courtesy: Jamaicaobserver.com

David Beckham to Rejoin L.A. Galaxy?

David Beckham will rejoin the Los Angeles Galaxy next month after AC Milan declined to make a higher bid before a deadline passed for reaching an agreement to acquire the English midfielder.

Beckham, 33, told the Galaxy he wanted to stay with the Italian club, whose initial offer was rejected by the Major League Soccer team. MLS Commissioner Don Garber set yesterday’s deadline to complete a potential transfer.

“We did not receive an acceptable offer,” Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena said in a statement late yesterday. “As a result, David remains an LA Galaxy player and we look forward to having him back with the club starting March 9.” The MLS season starts 13 days later.

News Courtesy: Bloomberg.com

Ana Ivanovic Hires New Coach Kardon

Ana Ivanovic hired Craig Kardon as her new coach Wednesday (11th Feb, 2009).

Ivanovic will start working with Kardon at the Dubai Tennis Championships next week, the Serb said on her Web site. The 47-year-old Kardon was the former coach of Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, Mary Pierce and Jennifer Capriati.

Ivanovic parted ways with her former mentor Sven Groeneveld.

Serbia Takes 4-0 Lead Over Japan in Fed Cup

Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic won their reverse singles Sunday as Serbia took an insurmountable 4-0 lead over Japan in the first round of the Fed Cup's World Group II.

Janovic beat Ai Sugiyama 6-3, 6-2, before Ivanovic cruised past Ayumi Morita, 6-1, 6-2.


"I was a bit nervous as this was the crucial point in the tie," said Jankovic, who dropped from first to third in the WTA rankings after an early exit at the Australian Open last month.


Ivanovic, another former No. 1, needed just over an hour to dispatch the 18-year-old Morita in the second singles.

Ashes 2009 Five Months Away But Already Looms Large

THE ASHES SERIES 2009

If the Australian Open and Superbowl are anything to go by, 2009 should be a massive year in sports. For cricket fans, there will another edition of the Indian Premier League to look forward to, the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup and the Ashes which will undoubtedly be the highlight.

The previous Ashes series in England was one of the best cricket series ever witnessed so there are high hopes that Ashes 2009 will deliver just as much drama, tension and excitement.

Currently Ashes betting is pretty even with Australia considered the slight favorites. This could well change by the time the first ball is bowled at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on July 8.

It will be interesting to see how England bounce back from the Kevin Pietersen – Peter Moores debacle. They are currently in the West Indies while Australia has a tough tour of South Africa ahead of them. If they lose that series, they will also lose the number one ranking.

Cole Haan, Maria Sharapova Collaborates

Cole Haan is showing off their spring line with tennis sensation Maria Sharapova as the face of the brand -- ET is at the photo shoot in Malibu, California to give you a sneak peek of the new ad campaign.

Photographed by internationally acclaimed photographer Martyn Thompson, Sharapova reflects the style and sport of Cole Haan's spring campaign. Assouline is the creative agency.

The campaign for Cole Haan’s 2009 sporting collection will debut the week of Feb. 9 in the March issue of Condé Nast’s Vanity Fair magazine.

"We are able to leverage her interest in fashion and sport, while connecting with our consumer in a new and unique way,” said Cole Haan CMO Michael Capiraso.

News and Image Courtesy: www.brandweek.com

After Australian Open, Its Paris Open : Maria Sharapova Pulls Out

Former world number one Maria Sharapova has pulled out of next week's Paris Open after failing to fully recover from a shoulder injury, organisers said on Wednesday.

"I confirm she will not be there, she will not be taking part in the Dubai tournament the following week," a tournament spokeswoman said.

The 21-year-old Russian has been sidelined since August and was not able to defend her Australian Open title last month, dropping to 17th in the WTA rankings released on Monday.

David Beckham Strips for Armani Underwear Again: Reveals His Sexy Torso Tattoo

David Beckham Strips for Armani Underwear Again: Reveals His Sexy Torso Tattoo : PICTURES

David Beckham shows off his sexy torso in yet another ad for Emporio Armani Underwear.

His tattoo is in Chinese and reads, "Death and life have determined appointments, riches and honors depends upon heaven." The photos were taken in black and white version.
Image and News Courtesy: Just Jared

US Women Badminton Team to Compete Fajr International Badminton Tournament in Iran

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will send a delegation of 12 Americans, including eight female athletes, coaches, and managers representing USA Badminton, to Tehran, Iran, from February 3-9th. The team will compete in the Fajr International Badminton Tournament at the invitation of the Iranian Badminton Federation.

Teams representing 16 countries plan to compete in the Iranian tournament, scheduled for February 5-8th. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and USA Badminton look forward to hosting the Iranian Badminton Federation for the U.S. Open in July.

The trip is sponsored by the State Department, which has since 2006 promoted people-to-people exchanges with Iran.
News Source: US Department of State and AP

Bayern Munich's Willy Sagnol Retires from Soccer

Bayern Munich's French Defender Willy Sagnol Retires

Willy Sagnol

Wife and Daughter of Willy Sagnol

Bayern Munich's French defender Willy Sagnol has retired from football after failing to recover from an Achilles tendon injury.

The 31-year-old French international suffered the injury at Euro 2008 and he has not played since.

It brings to an end an illustrious career which included five league titles with Bayern Munich, four German Cups and also an UEFA Champions League winner's medal in 2001.

Sagnol was also part of the French team which finished runners-up to Italy at the 2006 World Cup.

Announcing his retirement, he said: "The evidence is there - it's an injury which won't heal. Surgery is not possible. The only solution is to stop."

Michael Phelps "Sorry" For His Marijuana Pipe Photo

Career Ending Picture : Michael Phelps inhales from bong

Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps has apologized for his "regrettable" behavior after photographs surfaced of the athlete using a glass pipe associated with cannabis use.


British newspaper the News of the World published a shot of the gold medal-winning athlete holding the pipe - more commonly referred to as a bong - to his lips at a party in South Carolina that took place in November.

The publication alleges that Phelps was at a house visiting his secret girlfriend, student Jordan Matthews - and left partygoers shocked with his behavior.

In a statement released on Sunday, Phelps says, "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment.

"I'm 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me.

"For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public, it will not happen again."

News Courtesy: http://www.kjrh.com/
Image Courtesys: http://wcco.com/ and "News of the World"

Chess : Anish Giri : Youngest Grandmaster At 14 Years

Anish Giri, a teen of Nepali origin, became the youngest grandmaster in the world on Saturday, beating grandmaster Eduardo Iturrizaga of Venezuela for his final grandmaster norm at the tender age of 14 years, 7 months and two days.

The wonder kid, born of a Nepali father Sanjay Giri, a scientist in Russia, and Russian mother in St Petersburg on June 28, 1994, now lives in Holland, chessbase.com reported on Sunday. He speaks four languages, with Russian being his mother tongue. He also speaks fluent English, as well as a little Nepali and Japanese. He is currently learning Dutch to add a fifth language to his growing list.

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News and Image Courtesy : Myrepublica.com