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Curry gets 1st 3-pointer block of the season, Asafa chokes again at World Indoor Champs; Calabar, Edwin Allen, San Antonio Spurs and Omar McLeod all winners over the weekend!

by SportsWhat's Hot

What a weekend in Sports! Congrats to Calabar and Edwin Allen for winning the oh so entertaining and inspiring ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics’ Championships! With 16 finals to go, both schools led the field and there was no turning back.

Our young Jamaicans put on quite a show, looking very promising for our future in Athletics. Suga’s main concern though is the workload put on the star athletes. There needs to be some kind of stipulation put in place for the Boys and Girls to run only a certain amount of events, ideally 2, because once they excel in individual events they are further pressured to run relays to help their team and school. The star athletes should also be restricted from running the heats for their teams in relays. Careful consideration needs to be given to this matter in order for them to make the transition like our legend, Usain Bolt.

With all seriousness aside, who took Champs for Suga?

Junelle Bromfield of STETHS with 4 GOLD medals! Junelle won the Class 1 Girls’ 400m, 800m, 1500m and anchored the 4×400m relay. She was absolutely exceptional and did not even blow after any final she ran. Amazing. She also blew away her rival in the 400m, Ashley ‘Felix’ Williams of Holmwood who beat her recently so she was on a mission and the revenge was sweet.

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Ashley ‘Felix’ Williams, as her nickname suggests has a very similar running style and looks like USA’s athletic star, Allyson Felix. Ashley won the Girls’ 200m impressively.

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KC’s Akeem Bloomfield continued his reign in the Class 1 Boys’ 400m, of which he holds the record from last year.

The tall, powerful, Dejour Russell of Calabar was upset by his teammate, Michael Stephens in the Class 2 Boys’ 100m after he could not recover from his usual slow start, but he got the opportunity again to win Gold and did just that in the Class 2 Boys’ 110m hurdles.

Another disappointment was Defending Champ of the Girls’ Class 2 100m, Shellece Clarke of Edwin Allen. She was not fully on form, had a poor start and failed to medal. She was also pulled out of the 200m event.

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Instagram: @issachamps

Back to the winners! Christopher Taylor of Calabar! In addition to breaking the Class 2 Boys’ 400m record early in the heats in 46.33s, he also won 4 GOLD medals and ran a beautiful and strategic anchor leg in the last race of Champs, finishing ahead of KC’s Akeem Bloomfield in the Boys’ 4×400m relay. Akeem ran out too hard but had too much work to do anyway by the time he received the baton. Fantastic end to the Championships.

Then there was a big NBA game on Saturday night as well!

The San Antonio Spurs held the Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry to 1 for 12 on 3 pointers in their 87-79 win over the Warriors. It was Curry’s worst stats for 3-pointers this season.

What happened? San Antonio’s superb defence and LaMarcus Aldridge with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

Check out some of the high class defense action below!

Watch “Danny Green becomes the 1st player to block a 3-pt attempt by Steph Curry in 15-16′ season” on YouTube here:

Then there was another massive block sacrificing his body! Watch “Danny Green Rejects Stephen Curry | Warriors vs Spurs | March 19, 2016 | NBA 2015-16 Season” on YouTube here:

 

The IAAF 2016 World Indoor Championships also occurred over the weekend in Portland, USA.

Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson beat the Dutch, Dafne Schippers in the SEMIS but did not have as fast of a start in the finals, where Schippers edge her to win the 60m in 7.10s.

Watch “Dafne Schippers Wins 7.10 Women’s 60m Final Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix 2016” on YouTube here:

Asafa Powell was impressive in the semis, but as usual choked in the 60m final. He had a bad start and was edged out by USA’s Trayvon Brommell.

But who really came through for Jamaica?

Omar Mcleod!

I will leave you with Jamaica’s Omar McLeod’s win.

Watch “Omar McLeod 7.41s Wins 60m Hurdles Final – IAAF WIC in Portland 2016” on YouTube here:

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Who is going to heat up the field tonight at the National Stadium?

by SportsWhat's Hot
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Instagram: @issachamps

The ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs will be on fire tonight and tomorrow as the finals of events will be run and more records will be broken. A few have gone already!

Who will win? For the Girls, after tonight, Edwin Allen will be the clear winner for this year defending their title once again!

For the Boys it will be down to the wire between KC and Calabar. JC will be totally out of the running. No true blue in sight. Can Fortis overcome Rabalac this time around? May the best school win!

 

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Warriors suffer their 6th loss to the Lakers!

by SportsWhat's Hot

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Of all the teams after close shaves with the Hawks, OKC and Clippers recently, the Lakers were hitting on all cylinders yesterday to beat the Warriors 112-95, making it the Warriors’ sixth loss of the season.

Stephen Curry scored 18 points. According to ESPN Scorecenter, Curry stated, ‘Just one of those nights you want to avoid at all costs’. The team scored a season’s worst of 13% from 3-point range.

Who came up big for the Lakers? Young Jordan Clarkson who scored 25 points and D’Angelo Russell with 21 points. Kobe Bryant scored 12 points, sitting out a lot of the game with his sore shoulder but mentored his younger teammates from the sidelines.

The Warriors are still in pursuit to break the Bulls’ record of best season ever in the NBA of 72 wins. Warriors now have 55 wins. However, the San Antonio Spurs are closing in under the radar with 53 wins!

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The Weekend in Sports!

by SportsWhat's Hot
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Photo: www.icc-cricket.com

CRICKET

The West Indies Under 19 Cricket Team won the ICC World Cup vs India! Signs of a good future? Maybe not. They only scored 146 runs in 49.3 overs to win, however the bowling and fielding were impressive.

It is the first major title on any level that the West Indies has won since the senior team won the ICC World Twenty20 in 2012.

FOOTBALL

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Photo: www.theguardian.com

Arsenal put a dagger in Leicester’s campaign to win the Barclay’s Premier League title yesterday with Welbeck’s header in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 victory.

Leicester’s only goal was from a penalty kick at the end of the first half that probably shouldn’t have been awarded. They got a red card at 54′ downsizing them to 10 men, then Walcott of Arsenal equalised at 70′.

Here is a look at the BPL table now:

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There was exciting action in La Liga yesterday too. Lionel Messi had an unbelievable Penalty kick, where it was Barcelona 6-1 Celta Vigo! Watch it here!

BASKETBALL  – NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND

Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon put on a show for the Slam Dunk Contest! Zach LaVine reclaimed his title from last year with all 10s.

Klay Thompson defeated Splash brother, Steph Curry with 27 points in the final round to win the All Star Weekend 3-point shoot out competition. Thompson tied Curry’s score of 27 last year for the most points ever in the All Star 3-point shoot out competition.

The West beat the East, 196-173 with the record for the most points in a half, 92 and both sides surpassed the record for the most combined points in a half, 92-90.

Russell Westbrook got MVP for the 2nd straight year with 31 points.

Paul George of Pacers was on fire with 41 points, just 1 point shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 42 for the most points scored in an NBA All-Star game. Paul George also had the most 3-pointers in the game with 9.

This was also Kobe Bryant’s last All-Star game. All the greats were there to watch including the Greatest of all time, Michael Jordan a.k.a MJ. The commentator confirmed it saying, he IS still the greatest of all time. MJ sent his best wishes to Kobe. The other ‘MJ’, Majic Johnson also did a tribute. Kobe follows the 2 MJs with his level of skill and greatness. Kobe we salute you!

 

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Broncos win Super Bowl 50!

by SportsWhat's Hot

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Panthers won the coin toss but opted to   have the Broncos receive first. To get rid of the nerves perhaps? Suga thinks it was a bad move since they are used to having brilliant starts this season. Broncos started off by scoring a field goal.

Throughout the game there was flag after flag on both sides. However it was the Panthers’ offense and defense that made the most mistakes.

Panthers’ Defense worked hard forcing punt after punt for the Broncos but it was their Receivers and Blockers who failed them miserably, causing their QB Cam Newton to be sacked 6 times! One of those sacks resulted in the turnover to force Broncos’ first touchdown.

Suga thinks Cam Newton did all that he could do, except for his 5th sack when he could have dived on the ball and chose not to and the Broncos recovered it to seal the deal for the Super Bowl win. But with the speed and execution of Broncos’ defense, it probably wasn’t worth getting piled anyway.

So there you have it, the team with the best defense wins the Super Bowl 9 out of 11 times, now 10 out of 12 times. Defense won the game with the ending result 24-10. Congrats Broncos!

Congrats also to 5-time MVP Peyton Manning who hasn’t lost a game since returning from a huge injury that could have brought his career to an end. This was his 200th win and 2nd Championship ring.

The 39 year old has not announced retirement as yet as he had to have a couple of Budweisers first and will still think on the decision a bit more.

 

 

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Where are you watching Super Bowl 50 Jamaica?!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsSportsWhat's Hot

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The day is here for the Greatest Show on Earth, Super Bowl 50!

If you have no clue what has been happening but you have to watch the Super Bowl, update yourself and check out past NFL or post round ups by Suga.

Practically everywhere will be showing the Broncos-Panthers showdown. Who will you be carrying? Where will you be watching it?

Just to name a few, MoBay massive, Bigg’s BBQ Restaurant & Bar should be a treat. Anglers, Ochi with Wray & Nephew to keep you company and Endzzone with Heineken & Loaded fries specials for Portmore City!

Kingstonians have a range of options. To name a few, The Grid Iron @ Hope Gardens ($2500 presold; $3000 Gate; Food on sale; Free Parking) with host Yendi Phillips, $1500 Drinks inclusive @ Medusa, 100 Hope Road, The Blend Bar Pegasus, The Regency Bar & Lounge, C & C South Beach with tonnes of specials and the list goes on.

So whether it’s at the Bar or BBQ at a friend’s house, ENJOY!

Lady Gaga will be singing the National Anthem and The Halftime Show will include performances from Bruno Mars, Beyoncé and Cold Play!

Is it 6:30 yet?!!! Cam Newton and the Panthers, Peyton Manning and the Broncos LIVE on a TV near you!

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Kerber upsets Serena and wins her first Australian Open!

by SportsWhat's Hot

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The Women’s Australian Open Finals was quite a humdinger. Nerves got the best of Serena Williams in the 1st set. Her feet weren’t moving well, her serve was not on point and she had a lot of unforced errors.

The 28-year old German, Angelique Kerber broke Serena early in the 1st, Serena broke her back and then Kerber broke her again to win the 1st set 6-4.

Serena had better movement of the feet in the 2nd, served better, got her 1st ace and a few more, played better tennis but not her best and won the 2nd set 6-3.

In the 3rd and final set, Kerber started on serve then got the early break on Serena. Serena broke her right back and held serve to break even at 2-2. Kerber then broke Serena in the longest game of the match to go up 5-3 in the 3rd then started to smell victory. But Serena put that on hold and broke her to get to 4-5. Kerber kept calm and was able to break Serena to win the Championship and her 1st major title.

Kudos to Kerber for keeping up with Serena in those rallies and hitting many spectacular corner shots and 2 perfectly executed drop shots at crucial points in the game.

The number 22 seems daunting at the moment for Serena. Looks like Steffi Graf’s help last year helped Kerber. To keep Serena off her #22 perhaps? Steffi was the last German to win the Australian Open.

To catch what you missed while you were sleeping, check these channels:

Tennis: 5:30am-8am and highlights at 8-9am

ESPN Caribbean: 9-10:55am

 

 

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Djokovic destroys Federer in a spectacular display in the semis at the Australian Open and more!

by SportsWhat's Hot

Serena Williams booked her spot to the Australian Open finals for the ladies in style.

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Photo: www.theguardian.com

Serena played an absolutely clean and dangerously good first set, winning it 6-0 versus Radwanska who moved well and didn’t play badly but didn’t play well either. She failed to capitalize on chances she had. Serena was also just too good and on top of her game.

Radwanska finally got on the board holding serve at the beginning of the 2nd set. Serena broke her then Radwanska got herself back in the match breaking back Serena at 3-3, then held at 4-3. Serena failed to convert break point for the first time in the match. Serena then came back, held her serve and stepped back up the level of her game to break Radwanska and serve 3 aces in a row, then won the next short rally in the final game to win the 2nd set and the match, 6-0, 6-4.

The 4-month break Serena took after the US Open loss and so much physical and psychological pressure seems to be working in her favour. Best of luck to her in the Finals.

Other semi-finalists left in the Australian Open included Johanna Konta and Andy Murray who both made history by being the first pair of Brits to make the semi-finals of the Australian Open since 1977, which was 39 years ago!

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Johanna Konta – Photo: sports.yahoo.com

Konta was the first British woman to reach a Semi-final since Jo Durie in the US Open in 1983.

Konta, ranked 47th, had impressive wins throughout the Open, sending home Venus Williams in the 1st round and beat #21 Makarova in 3 sets. In the Quarters, she beat Zhang Shuai in 2 sets, who previously defeated Simona Halep and Madison Keys. Konta faced #7 Angelique Kerber last night.

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Photo: sports.yahoo.com

Previously, Kerber defeated favourite, #14 Azarenka in 2 sets, who is thought to be more of a challenge to or fear for Serena Williams. It was the first time Kerber was reaching the semis of the Australian Open, but her overall Grand slam experience helped her to overcome Konta and she beat her in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2.

On the men’s side, #1 Djokovic vs #3 Federer was at 3:30am! It was their 45th and decisive meeting, as they were 22 a piece. However, Djokovic had the edge as he has won the majority of the most recent meetings, including the last 3 Grand slam face offs.

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www.telegraph co.uk

They were both ready and on form. Previously, Djokovic defeated Kei Nishikori in straight sets and Federer defeated Tomas Berdych in straight sets as well, even though the first set went to a tiebreak.

Last night, Djokovic came out blazing in the 1st 2 sets, probably the best 2 sets he has ever played versus Federer in his career. It was quite a display. Federer dug deep and got himself back in the match, winning the 3rd set. In the 4th set there was a delay with the overhead roof that affected both players, more so Federer, the 34 year old, as play was scratchy for the first few games but Djokovic came out on top with 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 and now is ahead of Federer in meetings with 23.

Note though, Djokovic may have won the match but Federer won the point of the Australian Open!

Watch it here:

In the last Semi-final to be played today, Andy Murray will face Milos Raonic, who beat Gael Monfils in 4 sets. Murray defeated #8 David Ferrer in 4 sets as well.

Spectacular night in tennis. The repeats will be worth the watch if you missed it.