Olympics 2008 @ Beijing , China

Wooohoo! It's so nice!!..

:)

Feature: Katerina Emmons -- Shooting Golden Girl


Golden girl Emmons takes aim (Photo credit: Chen Gong)


You could say that shooting is in the blood for Katerina Emmons, the first gold medallist of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Not only is the winner of the Women's 10 meter Air Rifle the daughter of two-time world champion Petr Kurka, who doubles as her coach, she is also married to Athens shooting gold medallist, Matt Emmons.
In fact, the 24-year-old Czech Republic sharp-shooter met her husband-to-be at Athens four years ago, when, competing under her maiden name Katerina Kurkova, she won a bronze medal and Matt, representing USA, took the Men's 50m Rifle Prone gold (a title he will defend in Beijing on August 15).
Katerina, now ranked No. 4 in the world, described Matt as her "best teammate" after clinching her first Olympic gold medal with an Olympic Record 503.5 points, which included a perfect score of 400 points in the qualifying round. As a pair, they "work together as the best team in the world," she added.
They are considered to be shooting's 'golden couple,' although their Athens meeting was more than your average chance encounter between fellow competitors.
Instead, it came about under far stranger circumstances. After finishing her own events, Katerina worked as a shooting commentator for a Czech TV station.
One of her duties was to report on the Men's 50m Rifle Three Position, an event future hubby Matt was winning with ease going into the final round. Then, mysteriously and somewhat unusually, the stuff of nightmares happened.
Matt fired at the wrong target, lost his lead and missed out on the medals, finishing eighth.
Feeling sorry for him, as one shooter to another, Katerina sought Matt afterwards and found him seeking solace in a nearby beer garden. A conversation struck up and a relationship started -- albeit arranged around the world's major shooting tournaments -- their second meeting, for example, was in Bangkok.
They married in 2007 and have split their time traveling between the U.S. and the Czech Republic.
Shooting, though, wasn't Katerina's original sporting love. Growing up in Plzeň, the fourth biggest city in the Czech Republic, she competed as a swimmer until an illness ended a fledgling career.
To stave off boredom, her champion-shot father -- who, unlike many sports-mad dads, hadn't pushed his daughter toward his own chosen sport -- suggested she try rifle shooting, which Katerina soon discovered she could excel at.
What started as fun and occasional practice soon became serious sport. Her first major international medal came in 2002 when she won the World Championships at the tender age of 18.
The bronze medal she won in the Women's 10m Air Rifle at Athens followed two years later, and although she failed to do better than 27th in the Women's Three Position Rifle competition, she managed to progress in her main event, taking a silver medal in the 2006 World Championships and claiming European Championship gold in 2007.
Having won the Good Luck Beijing International Sports Shooting Federation (ISSF) World Cup earlier this year, when she matched Chinese champion and World No. 2 Du Li's 2003 World Record score of 504.9 points, Emmons came to Beijing with high hopes.
Proud first gold medallist of Beijing 2008 (Photo credit: Chen Gong)

Not that she crumbled under the weight of expectation. "I dealt with the pressure," Katerina told reporters after her victory. "The only way is just not to think about it. Just pull the trigger and shoot."
She is not sure whether or not she will eventually change her nationality and compete for the USA. "I will leave the door open. If I can, I'd like to shoot for the Czech Republic for as long as possible."
Indeed, Katerina's own Beijing Olympic odyssey is not yet over -- she could become a double Games medallist as she is due to compete in the Women's 50m Rifle Three Position competition on August 14, although it isn't her strongest event.
Then, there is also her dual role supporting Matt, who also has a double Olympic quest. "Half of my job is done and I've done it well. Matt is now going to do his job," she said.
With one medal in the bag, a glut of shooting gold medals could be heading back to the Emmons household from Beijing.
A kiss from hubby Matt (Photo credit: Chen Gong)

Nice!

But China leading now.. .. go USA.. xD

No China leading with 3 gold..!!

No No No!

Come on USA.. xD

go china beat USA !!!

Go Philippines!!!

Beat China & USA!!!

how could we? hehe we only have 15 players

we can win 15 gold medals, right?

haha

lolz!!!!!

eragon wrote:we can win 15 gold medals, right?

haha

Yes, go.hehe

I hope Malaysia Lee Chong Wei will win something..

didnt watch the parade
what's up with michael phelps and his winning something? didnt bother to read the newspaper

Chinese Man Kills Relative of U.S. Olympic Coach

By EDWARD WONG
Published: August 9, 2008

BEIJING — A Chinese man wielding a knife attacked an American couple related to a United States Olympic volleyball coach on Saturday, killing the man and wounding his wife and their Chinese guide atop an ancient tower in central Beijing.

The attacker then killed himself by leaping from the tower, American and Chinese officials said.

The attack on the tourists occurred on the first day of competition at the
Olympic Games in Beijing, after a dazzling opening ceremony the previous night in which China sought to project an image of power and strength while welcoming hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors. As news of the killing spread, it darkened the mood somewhat in the city, from the warrens of old alleyways where Chinese are eager to open their homes to foreigners, to the stadiums where visitors waited in line for events like swimming and gymnastics.

The dead American was Todd Bachman of Farmington, Minn., the 62-year-old father-in-law of Hugh McCutcheon, the head indoor men’s volleyball coach, American Olympic officials said. Bachman’s wife, Barbara, 62, was in critical but stable condition after eight hours of surgery.

The Chinese guide is a woman, according to Xinhua, the state news agency. She was not identified. McCutcheon’s wife, Elisabeth, a member of the 2004 United States women’s Olympics volleyball team, was with her parents when they were attacked.

The attack is an embarrassment for China, where leaders have taken pains to say that, more than anything else, these Olympics would be safe. The Chinese government has faced enormous challenges this year, notably during the Tibetan riots in March and the deadly earthquake in May, and is determined to show people here and abroad that it can maintain strict control of the country under any circumstances.

Violence against foreigners is extremely rare in Beijing and across China. Chinese generally do not exhibit hostility toward Americans or the United States. During the opening ceremony on Friday night, the American delegation drew thunderous applause when it marched into the Bird’s Nest, as the Olympic stadium is known, from Chinese watching inside and outside the stadium. The victims were not wearing anything that would have clearly identified them as Americans or visitors who had a connection to a United States team, said Darryl Seibel, a spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee.

More at : http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/sports/olympics/10beijing.html?hp

Yes Alan. Ive read that as well.

Re: Michael Phelps - He won the 400 m (I don't know what category) setting an Olmpics record he set also in Athens.

Oh, its the individual medley.

I hope that Singapore get a medal

China have 6 Golds now

Ana Ivanovic withdrew from tennis.

Nf-Heartbreaker wrote:didnt watch the parade
what's up with michael phelps and his winning something? didnt bother to read the newspaper

a new world record :)

JonLover wrote:Ana Ivanovic withdrew from tennis.

why Jon?

Damn it!

I miss the 4x100 relay which is where Phelps won his 2nd gold medal..

I need to watch it..

The news keep saying it was an awesome performance from USA especially Jason Lazek and France :)

Go Phelps you can won 8 gold medal this time :)

NooxPhe2 wrote:

JonLover wrote:Ana Ivanovic withdrew from tennis.

why Jon?

injured..she's feeling wrist and ankle pains

woooooo...

JB Walsh (Philippine Swimming Team) won earlier 7.15 PM the 200-m Butterfly - Heat 2... beating his own record 2:00:42, his time was 1:59:39.

Go Philippines!!!

Oh poor ana..

Hope Jelena, Serena and Venus can be 1 , 2 ,3!

hehe..

and Novak too :)

Congratulation Team India For Winning The First Ever Gold Medal In Olympic!

Five facts about Michael Phelps' five gold medals




By Chris Chase




1) If Michael Phelps were a country (Phelpsylvania, perhaps), he'd be tied for third overall in gold medals won.2) In the total medal count, Phelps would be tied for 12th overall with the Netherlands.3) India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Mexico and Bangladesh
(appx. combined population = 2.1 billion) have earned a total of four
Olympic medals in Beijing. Phelps (appx. population = 1) has five.4) Phelps has won five of the eight gold medals awarded in the men's swimming competition. 5) Excluding the United States and Australia,
the rest of the world has earned a total of five golds in the men's and
women's swimming competition. Phelps -- well, you get the picture.

Nadal and Djokovic advance to Tennis quarterfinals

Updated: 2008-08-13 20:10:43

(BEIJING, August 13) -- Rafael Nadal of Spain and Serbia's Novak Djokovic battled feisty Russian opponents to move into the quarterfinals of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Tennis event on Wednesday, August 13.

No. 2 seed Nadal, who will be anointed the World No. 1 on Monday, August 18, took a while to find his footing in the match but prevailed over Igor Andreev of Russia 6-4, 6-2.

No. 3 seed Djokovic struggled to gain control of the match through the first set, clinching his quarterfinal berth with a 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

Nadal will play Jurgen Melzer of Austria in the quarterfinals, while Djokovic plays the winner of the third round match between Argentina's No. 7 seed David Nalbandian and Gael Monfils of France.

The Men's and Women's quarterfinals in Tennis will be held at the Olympic
Green Tennis Center on Thursday, August 14.

Federer enters quarterfinals

Updated: 2008-08-13 21:31:53

(BEIJING, August 13) -- World No. 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland defeated Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic 6-3, 7-6(4) in the third round of the Men's Singles Tennis event at the Olympic Green Tennis Center on Wednesday, August 13.

Federer lost to Berdych in the second round at the Athens 2004 Olympic
Games.

"I'm happy with the way I play. I haven't lost to him [in six matches] since the [Athens] Olympic Games. He's always dangerous. You can see how hard he hits the ball," commented Federer after his third round match with Berdych. "I don't think he served his best today, which gave me quite a few opportunities to get into his second serve. I just tried to play tough and compact and not give him much. I did well today," added Federer.

Federer will face James Blake of the United States in the quarterfinal match
at the Olympic Green Tennis Center on Thursday, August 14.

oh no, boon heong and kien keat (badminton) lost to the indonesian..

Yes Alan, you're right..

Only Lee Chong Wei left..

Btw, I'm happy Djokovic made it.. :)

go Williams too..

OMG, Roger Federer is lossing his games. The buzz is that he is ending his five-year supremacy in tennis. Poor Federer. And he's officially handing out his number 1 position in the ranking.

He lost in the Olympics to American James Blake.

James then made this qoutable lines.

"One day I'll be able to tell my kids and grandkids that I beat the best of all time."
-- James Blake, after beating Roger Federer

The Williams also defeated

leong mun yee and elizabeth jimie (diving) lost too..

WHAT IS WITH THE BLACK ON HER SHOULDER???

Singapore enters table tennis gold medal match
08/15/2008 | 07:29 PM



BEIJING – Singapore advanced to the gold medal match of the women's table tennis team event Friday, outlasting South Korea, 3-2, in a tense semifinal highlighting their opposite styles of play.

The aggressive Singaporeans tried repeatedly to win points with high speed returns whizzing with topspin, while South Korea's Kim Kyung-ah and Park Mi-young — the world's top defensive players — countered with backspin-heavy chops that seemed to float across the net.

Singapore, ranked No. 2 in the team event, will face the winner of the China-Hong Kong contest to be played later Friday. The finals are Sunday. – AP

yes, lee chong wei is going to compete in the final.. hope he wins..

I can't believe I went to sleep in tears for the first time when watching tennis

I've watched it too last night.

Is Djokovic crying too?

yes, he cries.. but anyway, congratulations to rafa.. hope he wins..

Yes, he cries benj!..

But I'm pretty okay now, Djokovic won the Bronze Medal..



Australian Open champion and the best Serbian tennis player Novak
Djokovic won the Olympic bronze medal in Beijing, beating no.8 seed
James Blake in two sets 6:3, 7:6 (7-4) in 76 minutes.

After one of the toughest loses in his career yesterday, Novak was so determined to win the bronze medal for his country.

He started agressively, winning first seven points in the match. Blake
saved them and equalised to 1:1. Djokovic managed to break Blake’s
service in the fourth game for 3:1 and then held to increase his lead
to 4:1. There were no breaks till the end of the set, and Nole won it
6:3 in 25 minutes.

Novak had a break point in the opening game of the second set, but
Blake saved it. Then the American had a chance to break Nole’s service
but the Serb held. The set was decided in tie break. One mini break was
enough for Djokovic to take it 7-4 and win the bronze Olympic medal.

Nole will be awarded 205 ATP points.

The gold medal match between Rafael Nadal (ESP) and Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) is on Sunday.

Congratulations Nole!

congrats, djokovic..

It's over for the Philippines for any Olumpic medal.Sad.

not yet jon,, Ryan Rexel Fabriga is currently fighting in 10m flatform diving... and he's currently in 8th place after 5 dives out of 30.. don't lose hope!!! hehe

I see. I thought that Pinay jin Rivero was the last Philippine entry.

RP’s gold chances look good – in wushu demonstration
08/21/2008 | 09:03 PM

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is poised to win two medals—one of them possibly gold—in the Olympic demonstration sport of wushu after competitions in the Chinese martial art opened Thursday.

Former world champion Willy Wang placed first in the men’s nanquan (barehanded) category with 9.74 points. His aggregate score was an accumulation of three categories that include quality of movements, overall performance and degree of difficulty.

Wang was a fraction ahead of Koki Nataka of Japan and Fook Chien Pui of Malaysia who each had 9.72 points.

He will compete in the men’s nangun (long weapons) event Friday to complete the two-phase sport and determine the top finishers.

Marian Mariano, another RP campaigner, assured herself of a bronze by making the semifinals in the sanshou category. Mariano beat Hanna Sillen of Sweden to advance in the 60kg combat event.

On Friday, Benjie Rivera opens his bid in the 56kg combat event against Mohamed Mohamed Kamel of Egypt, while Mary Jane Estimar takes on Ambra Vielmi of Italy in the women’s 52kg class of the same event.

The President’s husband Mike Arroyo was one of a handful of Filipinos who were at the Olympic Sports Center to watch Wang.

Medals earned in demonstration sports are not counted in the regular medal tally. – GMANews.TV



I hope the next olympics will include Wushu...

demonstration only

Yes! Next olympic.. I'm sure.. WUSHU is In.. I'm hoping Squash IN too..

:).. Go Malaysia..

wow we won gold medal for wushuuuuuuuuuu!!!!yippeeee
the only medal for team philippinessssssssss.......congrats!!!!!

ive learned one thing in this year's olympics...
"never say its over unless its really over"
waaaaaa........imagine, we still did it!!!lol