🎱 Billiards & Snookers | 20th Annual Derby City Classic One Pocket Division

Another Filipino cue player in the name of Francisco “Django” Bustamante took the limelight after hailing as champion of the 20th Annual Derby City Classic One Pocket Division held at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana of Elizabeth, Indiana in United States. 

Some few days before Bustamante won, Roberto Gomez of the Philippines captured the Derby City Classic Bigfoot 10-Ball Challenge title held at the same venue.

Once again, the Philippine flag waves in international billiard tournament. 

Billiards will not be featured at the coming Asian Games in Indonesia but expected to be included at the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines in 2019.

As of now, no news about the 2019 Southeast Asian Games are being circulated. Only the possible venues like building the Clark Sports City are predetermined. 

 

⚽️ AFC Futsal Championship 2018

The 15th edition of the AFC Futsal Championship 2018 is to be held in Taipei from the 1st of February to the 11th.

Sixteen teams which are divided into 4 groups will compete at this year's edition. 

Southeast Asian teams participating at this tournament are Malaysia and Vietnam in Group A, Myanmar in Group C and 2016 AFC Futsal bronze medalist Thailand in Group D.

Below are the schedules and scores of the matches.

Group A

• February 1 | Malaysia 2-1 Vietnam
• February 1 | Chinese Taipei  2-2  Bahrain
• February 3 | Malaysia 4-5 Chinese Taipei
• February 3 | Vietnam 2-1 Bahrain
• February 5 | Vietnam 3-1 Chinese Taipei
• February 5 | Malaysia 1-3 Bahrain

Group B

• February 1 | Uzbekistan 13-2 South Korea
• February 1 | Japan 4-2 Tajikistan
• February 3 | Tajikistan 2-4 Uzbekistan
• February 3 | South Korea 2-5 Japan
• February 5 | Uzbekistan  2-4  Japan
• February 5 | South Korea  0-7  Tajikistan

Group C

• February 2 | Iraq  4-2  China
• February 2 | Myanmar  0-14  Iran
• February 4 | Myanmar  2-3  Iraq
• February 4 | China  1-11  Iran
• February 6 | Iran  5-3  Iraq
• February 6 | Myanmar  3-5  China

Group D

• February 2 | Kyrgyzstan  2-2  Lebanon
• February 2 | Thailand  5-1  Jordan
• February 4 | Jordan  1-3  Kyrgyzstan
• February 4 | Thailand  2-5  Lebanon
• February 6 | Lebanon  2-1  Jordan
• February 6 | Thailand  8-1  Kyrgyzstan

Knock-out Quarter Finals

• February 8 | Quarter Final1 | Full Time: Iraq  2-2 (p.9-8) Lebanon
• February 8 | Quarter Final2 | Full Time: Japan  2-0  Bahrain
• February 8 | Quarter Final3 | Full Time: Vietnam  1-3 Uzbekistan
• February 8 | Quarter Final4 | Full Time: Iran  9-1  Thailand

Semi Finals

• February 9 | Semi Final1: Iraq  vs  Japan
• February 9 | Semi Final1: Iran vs Uzbekistan

Bronze / 3rd Place Match

February 11

Gold Medal /  Championship Match

February 11

1928 Summer Olympics

The 1928 Summer Olympics was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands from July 28 to August 12 with 46 participating countries competing in 109 events in 14 sports. 

The Philippines was the sole nation from Southeast Asian that competed at this edition of the Summer Olympics and its second appearance in Summer Olympics. The country sent four athletes in two sports:

1. Teófilo Yldefonso in swimming (men's 200m breaststroke)
2. Tuburan Tamse in swimming (men's 400m and 1500m freestyle) *
3. Anselmo Gonzaga in Athletics (100m & 200m)
4. Simeon Toribio in Athletics (High Jump | 4th Place | 1.91m)

Teófilo Yldefonso

The Philippines won its first Olympic medal courtesy of Teófilo Yldefonso in Swimming. Yldefonso finished third place with a time of 2:56.4 in the men's 200m breaststroke event. Enough for him to win the country's first bronze and Olympic medal.

It is also the historic first medal for Southeast Asia.

* Tuburan Kontong Tamse was the first Muslim Filipino Olympian and first Muslim athlete from Southeast Asia in Summer Olympics.

Badminton & Basketball venue for Asian Games, Ready

The newly renovated Istora Senayan hall in the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in downtown Senayan was inaugurated by the presence of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Joko Widodo last Tuesday, January 23.

The inauguration also marked the opening of the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters championship which run until Jan. 28.

Istora Senayan will host badminton and basketball at the coming 18th Asian Games 2018 from August 18 to September 2. 

But before that big event, an Asian Games Invitational Tournament Test Event from February 10-24 will take place.

The 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang will feature 40 sports and will use 81 venues – 54 competition venues and 27 training venues – and all venues and infrastructure will be completed by June.

⚽️ AFC U23 Championship 2018 | #AFCU23 Finals

Good luck to team Vietnam for tomorrow's match against Uzbekistan!!! 

(Photo: Nhan Dan/Vietnamnet)

Another Slot for PH at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics

Philippines' Michael Martinez got the green light to participate at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea next month after Swedish skater Alexander Majorov withdrew in the event that opens a slot for Martinez. 

This will be the second time that Martinez will be competing in the Winter Olympic Games. His Olympic debut was last 2014 Sochi Olympics in Russia where he placed 19th overall.

The Philippines already got two athletes competing at this year's Winter Olympics. 

🎱 Billiards & Snookers | Derby City Classic Bigfoot 10-Ball Challenge

Congratulations to Roberto Gomez of the Philippines for winning the Derby City Classic Bigfoot 10-Ball Challenge title held at the Horseshoe Southern India­na in Elizabeth, Indiana, USA. 

Gomez defeated reigning World Junior Championship titlist Fedor Gorst of Russia in their championship showdown, 11-10. 

He pocketed the $16,000 top purse while Gorst collected $8,000 runner-up prize.

Other Philippine cue artists at the competition were Lee Vann Corteza, Ronato Alcano and Dennis Orcollo but failed to advance in the last stages of the tournament. 

Billiards will not be featured at the coming Asian Games in Indonesia but expected to be included at the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines were Filipinos are good at this sport.

⚽ AFC U23 Championship 2018 | #AFCU23 Semifinals

Photo: AFC

Congratulations Vietnam for advancing to the finals!!!

Full Time: Vietnam 2-2 Qatar (ET)

Penalties: Vietnam  4-3 Qatar

#YOG2018 News | Sailing

Photo: Singapore Sailing

#YOG2018 | Congratulations team Singapore! Singapore's Nacra 15 sailors have qualified for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after finishing the Australian Youth Sailing Championships in Queensland as the top Asian nation.

🤺 3rd Brunei Open Fencing Championship 2018

Photo c/o BruSportsNews

The 3rd Brunei Open Fencing Championship 2018 was held at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas last  January 9 to 14.

The event was participated by our Southeast Asian fencers from Indonesia, Malaysia and hosts Brunei. China also competed at the tournament collecting medals. 

Brunei fencers took four gold medals in individual events while Indonesia got one gold. 

Overall, Brunei became successful in their campaign at this year's edition of Brunei Open. 

Below are some of the results.

 

Men's Individual Foil

• Gold - Wen Yi Wei (China)
• Silver - Anaqi Asahrin (Brunei)
• Bronze - Md Fazillad H (Brunei)
• Bronze - Huzaimi Kassim (Brunei)

Men's Individual Epee

• Gold - Anggi Williansyah (Indonesia)
• Silver - Muhammad Dwi Wahyu (Indonesia)
• Bronze - 
• Bronze -

Men's Individual Sabre

• Gold - Haziq Asahrin (Brunei)
• Silver - Yunis Hamid (Brunei)
• Bronze - Anaqi Asahrin (Brunei)
• Bronze - Hardiwan Rahim (Brunei)

Women's Individual Foil

• Gold - Hjh Anis Sabrina Yahya (Brunei)
• Silver - Eleena Hj Anuar (Brunei)
• Bronze - Belinda Francis (Malaysia)
• Bronze -Masier Mahusin (Brunei)

Women's Individual Epee

• Gold - Alina Ali (Brunei)
• Silver - Amal N Mahzan (Brunei)
• Bronze - Nuru Hj Tarsad (Brunei)
• Bronze - Izz Ihzanuddin (Brunei)

Women's Individual Sabre

• Gold - Hjh Anis Sabrina Yahya (Brunei)
• Silver - Dk Siti Syahirah Pg Idris (Brunei)
• Bronze - 
• Bronze - 

🏸 Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters 2018

The Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters 2018 was held in Bangkok, Thailand which started last January 9. 

Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam and host Thailand were among the participating countries of this badminton event. 

Thailand as host is the big winner of this 6-day tournament winning three titles. While Indonesia and Malaysia got one title each.

Nitchaon Jindapol won the singles title defeating fellow Pornpawee Chochuwong in all-Thai finals of the women's event last January 14.

Jindapol reached the finals after defeating Soniia Cheah of Malaysia in the semi finals, 16-21, 21-15 and 21-17. While Chochuwong defeated another Malaysian shuttler Selvaduray Kisona in the other semi finals, 14-21, 21-9 and 21-11.

Winning the men's doubles is the tandem of Tinn Isriyanet and Kittisak Namdash (Thailand) after victoriously beating Indonesia's Wahyu Nayaka Arya Pangkaryanira and Ade Yusuf Santoso in the thrilling 3-set finals, 21-18, 11-21 and 22-20. 

Thailand also dominated the women's doubles event after the pair of Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai won over the duo of Anggia Shitta Awanda and Ni Ketut Mahadewi Istarani of Indonesia in the finals match, 21-19 and 21-17.

After two runners up finish, Indonesia got its title at the tournament courtesy of Tommy Sugiarto. He defeated Malaysia's Jun Hao Leong in the finals, 21-16 and 21-15.

While Malaysia did not go home without title as the pair of Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Goh clinched the mixed doubles titles disposing local bet Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Puttita Supajirakul of Thailand. 

The exciting match ended with the scores of 21-15, 14-21 and 21-16 favoring the determined Malaysian.  

Overall, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are still Southeast Asia's powerhouses in badminton.

 

🚴‍ Tawau Cycling Challenge 2017

Two-hundred and fifty cyclists from Brunei, Indonesia, Labuan (MAS) , Sarawak (MAS), the Philippines and Thailand participated in the 105km-Tawau Cycling Challenge 2017.

The two-day event was held last December 30 to 31.

This is an annual charity challenge started in 2015 and normally held in October. 

Congratulations to all the winners.  

Philippine cyclists | Photo c/o Go For Gold PH

Thailand to Host FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers

♣ Laos International Open Chess Championship 2018

The Laos International Open Chess Championship 2018 was held at the  Don Chan Palace Hotel & Convention in Vientiane, Lao PDR from the 2nd to 8th of January 2018.

The event was organized by Laos Chess Federation and was participated by our Southeast Asian chess enthusiasts from Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host Laos.

Also participating in this chess tournament are woodpushers from Armenia, South Korea, USA, India, Spain, Switzerland, Australia and Germany. 

But the the competition ended with Karen Gregoryan of Armenia taking the open title with 7.5 total points while Le Tuan Minh of Vietnam placed runner up with 7 points.

Duong The Anh and Bui Vinh of Vietnam came third and fourth place respectively with 6.5 points. While Philippines' Deniel Causo ranked 5th who also got 6.5 points after the ninth round.

Highest finisher of Singapore is Chan Peng Kong (12th place) with 6 points, Tupfah Khumnorkaew of Thailand (18th place) with 5.5 points, Joseph Toh of Malaysia (28th) with 5 points and Insesuphun Nattaky of Laos (48th) with 4 points.

Southeast Asia at the 1896 to 1920 Summer Olympics

No Southeast Asian nations competed at the 1896 to 1920 Summer Olympics. 

Below are the emblems of  1896 to 1920 Summer Olympics.

Photo via www.olympic.org

⚽️ AFC U23 Football Championship 2018

The AFC U23 Football Championship 2018 will be the third edition of the AFC U-23 Championship and will be held in China from January 9 to 27.

The biennial international age-restricted football championship is organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the men's under-23 national teams of Asia and has a total of 16 qualified teams competing for the title.

Three Southeast Asian teams are competing in this regional meet. These are Thailand in Group B, Malaysia in Group C and Vietnam in Group D.

Below are the schedule and full-time scores of group matches. (For complete details, visit: www.the-afc.com)

Group Stage

Group A

January 09  |  Full Time: China  3-0  Oman

January 09  |  Full Time: Qatar  1-0  Uzbekistan

January 12  |  Full Time: Uzbekistan  1-0  China

January 12  |  Full Time: Oman  0-1  Qatar

January 15  |  Full Time: China  1-2  Qatar

January 15  |  Full Time: Uzbekistan  1-0  Oman

Group B

January 10  |  Full Time: North Korea  1-0  Thailand
January 10  |  Full Time: Japan  1-0  Palestine
January 13  |  Full Time: Palestine  1-1  North Korea
January 13  |  Full Time: Thailand  0-1  Japan
January 16  |  Full Time: Japan  3-1  North Korea
January 16  |  Full Time: Thailand  1-5  Palestine

Group C

January 10  |  Full Time: Iraq  4-1  Malaysia
January 10  |  Full Time: Jordan  2-2  Saudi Arabia
January 13  |  Full Time: Malaysia  1-1  Jordan
January 13  |  Full Time: Saudi Arabia  0-0  Iraq
January 16  |  Full Time: Iraq  1-0  Jordan
January 16  |  Full Time: Saudi Arabia  0-1  Malaysia

Group D

January 11  |  Full Time: Australia  3-1  Syria
January 11  |  Full Time: South Korea  2-1  Vietnam
January 14  |  Full Time: Vietnam  1-0  Australia
January 14  |  Full Time: Syria  0-0 South Korea
January 17  |  Full Time: South Korea  3-2  Australia
January 17  |  Full Time: Syria  0-0  Vietnam

Knock-Out Stage

January 19 | Quarter Finals: Full Time: Qatar  3-2  Palestine
January 19 | Quarter Finals: Full Time: Japan  0-4  Uzbekistan
January 20 | Quarter Finals: Full Time: Malaysia  1-2  South Korea
January 20 | Quarter Finals: Full Time: Vietnam  3-3 (pen.5-3)  Iraq

January 23 | Semi Finals: Uzbekistan  vs  South Korea
January 23 | Semi Finals: Full Time: Vietnam 2-2  Qatar (Pen.4-3)

3rd Place Match / Bronze Medal Match

January 26 |  Full Time: Qatar  1-0 South Korea

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH / GOLD MEDAL MATCH

January 27 |  Full Time (ET): Vietnam  1-2 Uzbekistan

⛳ Philippine Amateur Open Championships 2018

The Philippine Amateur Open Championships 2018 was held successfully at the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite, Philippines from January 4 to 7.

Southeast Asian amateur golfers from Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host Philippines competed at this 4-day tournament.

Philippines was among the top placers of the tournament while other Southeast Asian golfers got into the top 10 in both men's and women's divisions.

In the men's division, it was South Korea's Joo Hyung Kim who captures the title with a one-over 73 while Luis Miguel Castro of the Philippines finished with a 69 and settled for runner-up with a 286 while another Filipino Weiwei Gao matched par 72 for third at 291 followed by local Ruperto Zaragosa (76-292).

Singapore’s Gregory Foo (71-293), Abdul Hadi, also of Singapore (71-294), Paolo Wong (72-296), and American Chris Yeom (70) and Gen Nagai (74), who tied for eighth at 297, and Carl Corpus (75) and Thailand's Nopparat Panichphon (75), who shared 10th place at 298. 

In the women's side, a strong 1-2-3 finish from South Korea was seen at the competition. Hwang Min-jeong won the title followed by Kim Hee Ji and Lee Jie Hyeon. Coming 4tth place was Philippine's Harmie Nicole Constantine. 

Photo via www.ngaponline.net

Southeast Asian Nations at the Winter Olympics

Five Southeast Asian countries already competed at the Winter Olympics despite most countries in the region are in the tropical. These countries are Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

As of the last edition (2014), no athletes from Southeast Asia won medal at the Winter Olympics. 

Malaysia    Philippines   Singapore   Thailand   Timor Leste

• The first truly tropical nation to compete in the Winter Olympic Games is the Philippines, who sent two alpine skiers to the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan. 

• Ben Nanasca and Juan Cipriano of the Philippines became the first athlete from Southeast Asia to compete in sport of Alpine Skiing in 1972 Sapporo Olympics.

• Prawat Nagvajara of Thailand became the first athlete from Southeast Asia to compete in Cross-Country Skiing in 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, USA. Thailand also debuted its Winter Olympics in this edition.

• Prawat Nagvajara of Thailand also became the first athlete from Southeast Asia to represent its country in two consecutive editions of Winter Olympics - in 2002 and in 2006.

• Michael Christian Martinez of the Philippines is the first athlete from Southeast Asia to compete in the sport of Figure Skating in 2014 Sochi Olympics. 

• Cheyenne Goh of Singapore is the first athlete from Southeast Asia to compete in the sport of Short Track Speed Skating in 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

• The Philippines holds the record of the most number of attended edition by a Southeast Asian nation in Winter Olympics appearing in 1972, 1988, 1992, 2014 and 2016.

• Thailand and the Philippines has the most number of Winter Olympians with six (6).

• Malaysia debuted at the Winter Olympics in 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics with two competing athletes in two sports - Figure Skating and Alpine Skiing.

• Singapore debuted at the Winter Olympics in 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics with one competing athlete in sport of Short Track Speed Skating. 

• Timor Leste debuted at the Winter Olympics in 2014 Sochi Olympics with one competing athlete in sport of Alpine Skiing. 

Thailand at the Winter Olympics

The country made its debut at the Winter Olympics at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, USA.

Prawat Nagvajara represented Thailand and competed in Cross-Country Skiing. He is the first athlete to compete in Winter Olympics for Thailand.

He is also the first athlete from Southeast Asia to represent his country in two consecutive editions of Winter Olympics - in 2002 and in 2006.

Thailand already had 6 Winter Olympians in two sports and looking for its first medal.

Timor Leste at the Winter Olympics

The country made its debut at the Winter Olympics at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Yohan Goutt Goncalves represented Timor Leste and competed in Alpine Skiing. He is the first athlete to compete in Winter Olympics for Timor Leste.

Singapore at the Winter Olympics

Singapore debuted at the Winter Olympics in 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics with one competing athlete in sport of Short Track Speed Skating. She is Cheyenne Goh competing in women's 1500m.

Malaysia at the Winter Olympics

Malaysia debuted at the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea in 2018. 

Malaysia sent two athletes in two sports. These were Jeffrey Webb in Alpine Skiing and Julian Yee in Figure Skating.

Philippines at the Winter Olympics

The first truly tropical nation to compete in the Winter Olympic Games is the Philippines, who sent two alpine skiers to the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan. 

The Philippines appeared in five (5) Winter Olympics, the most number attended by a Southeast Asian nation. 

23rd Winter Olympic Games - PyeongChang 2018

 (Updated last February 13, 2018)

The 23rd Winter Olympic Games is to e held in  PyeongChang, South Korea from February 9 to 25.

Southeast Asian countries who qualified at least one athlete for the quadrennial meet are Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste. 

Below are the results of our Southeast Asian athletes. (Click athletes name for the results) 

Malaysia - qualified two athletes in two sports. These are Jeffrey Webb in Alpine Skiing and Julian Yee in Figure Skating.

Jeffrey Webb  |  Julian Yee

Philippines - qualified two athlete in this edition thru quota places. Michael Martinez who represented the country at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics got a last minute qualification in PyeongChang 2018 after a withdrawal of a Swedish figure skater. The other Olympian is Asa Miller in Alpine Skiing. 

Michael Martinez  |  Asa Miller

Singapore - will compete compete with one athlete in Short Track Speed Skating.

Cheyenne Goh

Thailand - officially debuted in the Winter Olympics in 2002, Thai athletes have appeared in every edition with the exception of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Four athletes qualified for Thailand and this is biggest number of athletes Thailand had in one Winter Olympics.

Nicola Zanon  |  Alexia Arisarah Schenkel  |  Karen Chanloung  |  Mark Chanloung

Timor Leste - debuted at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi with one athlete. This time, the same athlete will represent and compete in Alpine Skiing. 

Yohan Goncalves Goutt

1st Southeast Asian Beach Handball 2017

The inaugural Southeast Asian Beach Handball 2017 was held in Dumaguete City in the Philippines from November 3 to 5.

Team from Vietnam emerged as champion in both men's and women's events at the 3-day event.

Thailand and the Philippines placed second and third respectively both in men's and women's events.  

  

Schedules

Nov. 4 Saturday

Women | 9:00am | Philippines vs Thailand

Women | 5:00pm | Thailand vs Philippines

Men | 10:00am | Vietnam vs Philippines

Men | 6:00pm | Thailand vs Vietnam

November 5, Sunday

Women | 9:00am | Vietnam vs Thailand

Women | 5:00pm | Philippines vs Vietnam

Men | 10:00am | Philippines vs Thailand

Men | 6:00pm | Vietnam Philippines 

♣ King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2017

The King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships was held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 25 to 30.

The tournament took place at the Apex Convention Centre where some of our Southeast Asian chess players from Indonesia and Vietnam participated.

The competition ended with Magnus Carlsen of Norway winning the Open Blitz event while Anand Viswanathan of India took the title of the Open Rapid event.

In the women's division, Nana Dzagnidze of Georgia victoriously took the title of Blitz event while China's Ju Wenjun won the women's rapid event.

Below are the final ranking of our Southeast Asian woodpushers at this tournament.

Open Blitz

• 16th - Le Quang Liem (Vietnam)
• 70th - Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (Vietnam)

Women's Blitz

• 26th - Pham Le Thao Nguyen (Vietnam)
• 38th - Vo Thi Kim Phung (Vietnam)
• 52nd - Sukandar Irine Kharisma (Indonesia)
• 55th - Hoang Thi Bao Tram (Vietnam)
• 80th - Nguyen Thi Mai Hung (Vietnam)

Women's Rapid

• 5th - Pham Le Thao Nguyen (Vietnam)
• 46th - Hoang Thi Bao Tram (Vietnam)
• 58th - Vo Thi Kim Phung (Vietnam)
• 81st - Sukandar Irine Kharisma (Indonesia)
• 83rd - Nguyen Thi Mai Hung (Vietnam)

Open Rapid

• 30th - Le Quang Liem (Vietnam)
• 43rd - Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (Vietnam)