Thai badminton star Ratchanok cleared of doping

 

The 21-year-old shuttler, who is beloved in Thailand and remains the kingdom’s best chance for a medal in Rio, tested positive for a banned substance in May after a tournament in China.

But the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Monday cleared her after ruling that the substance had been administered to treat a tendon injury and was allowed.

Thai Badminton star Ratchanok Intanon cries during a press conference regarding recent doping allegations Lillian Suwanrumpha (AFP)

“I was confident in my innocence and I am glad that I received justice. I will practise and hope to bring a medal back for Thais,” she told reporters at a press conference in Bangkok.

“The Olympics is my dream,” she added, before bursting into tears.

Rumours of the positive test result first surfaced in the Thai media last week, leaving fans on tenterhooks.

In a statement published Monday, the BWF said Ratchanok tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid which is banned in most circumstances.

However if administered directly into a muscle tendon for medical reasons it is allowed under the BWF’s rules.

“The panel concluded that because the route of administration of the substance in the medical treatment process was intratendinous — an authorised administration route — no violation of the regulations was committed,” the BWF said.

Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, said doctors had been treating Ratchanok for pain in her right hand and back.

“We said it was used honestly to cure her injuries,” she told reporters.

The 21-year-old star has charmed the Thai public — who affectionately call her Nong May — with her girl-next-door demeanour despite the fame and riches of sporting success.

In 2013 she became the youngest ever world champion. She was briefly ranked number 1 after winning Singapore Open in April but has since slipped to fourth.

A medal favourite in Rio, she will carry the Olympic hopes of a country with few top-class athletes.

She has caught the imagination of Thais as much for her rags to riches back story as on-court heroics.

Her parents are migrants to Bangkok from the country’s poor northeast who worked in menial jobs at a badminton centre on the outskirts of the city.

While they worked, Ratchanok played badminton unlocking her talent at the age of six.

In a recent interview with AFP in Bangkok she said she was “100 percent confident” of bringing home a medal from the Rio Olympics.

Fans congratulated Ratchanok on her Instagram account where she had recently posted a picture of the stars with the cryptic caption “I’m faded” as the doping rumours swirled last week.

“The sky after a storm always shines,” one fan wrote.

Another added: “You’re not faded, you are now brighter.”

 

Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Portugal suffers huge blow in Euro 2016 final as Cristiano Ronaldo injures his knee and had to be replaced – Business Insider

 

 

Portugal was a big underdog against host-nation France in the final of the European championship and their hopes took a huge blow early in the match as Cristiano Ronaldo had to be replaced after injuring his knee.

The injury came in just the eighth minute of the match as Dimitri Payet’s hard challenge on Ronaldo resulted in the players’ knees colliding. Ronaldo immediately went down grabbing in his left knee.

Replays showed that Ronaldo’s knee seems to buckle during the collision.

Ronaldo tried to stay in the match, at one point going to the sideline for treatment. But in the 24th minute, he finally succumbed to the pain, calling for a substitute.

Ronaldo had to be consoled by teammates as he could be seen breaking down into tears.

snapshot_20160710_142800.jpg

He was finally taken off on a stretcher and is officially out for the rest of the match.

See full story on www.businessinsider.my

Image courtesy of www.businessinsider.my

World Badminton: Jan O. Jorgensen to Face Lee Chong Wei After Lin Dan Upset – Badminton News

The Danish shuttler overpowered Lin 21-12, 21-15, just the third time in his career he’s beaten the two-time Olympic champion considered by many one of the true greats of the sport. It was an emotional victory for Jorgensen, who was forced to withdraw from the world championships on home soil in Copenhagen last year despite being a real medal contender. The second-seed wiped tears from his eyes as he recalled the training and sacrifice he’d poured into preparing for this year’s world championships.

Jakarta: Jan O. Jorgensen shattered Lin Dan’s dreams of a sixth world crown on Friday, defeating the Chinese badminton legend and booking a semi-final showdown against Malaysian superstar Lee Chong Wei in Jakarta.

The Danish shuttler overpowered Lin 21-12, 21-15, just the third time in his career he’s beaten the two-time Olympic champion considered by many one of the true greats of the sport.

It was an emotional victory for Jorgensen, who was forced to withdraw from the world championships on home soil in Copenhagen last year despite being a real medal contender.

jan-o-jorgensen-1
Image: Facebook fanpage “Jan Ø. Jørgensen”

The second-seed wiped tears from his eyes as he recalled the training and sacrifice he’d poured into preparing for this year’s world championships.

“Now here I am, playing some of the best badminton I’ve done ever,” the 27-year-old told reporters.

Jorgensen had one of the toughest draws in the men’s singles, and many did not expect him to emerge triumphant from his tete-a-tete with Lin.

jan-o-jorgensen-2
Image: Facebook fanpage “Jan Ø. Jørgensen”

But the fifth-seeded Chinese star never found his rhythm against Jorgensen, blaming everything from his physical condition to crowd noise for his poor showing.

Badminton fans had been pining for a semi-final bout between Lin and Lee, arch-rivals who for years have provided some of the most explosive contests on the court.

Lin, who has deprived Lee of gold medals not just at the world championships but the Olympics, expressed regret the old foes wouldn’t clash again in Jakarta.

“I’m quite disappointed I can’t meet Lee Chong Wei,” he said via a translator.

“But I have to accept the result, because I didn’t so very well today.”

Lee has returned from an eight-month doping ban guns blazing, convincing many his gold-medal drought at the world championships could come to an end in Jakarta.

He brushed aside 13th seed Hu Yun of Hong Kong 21-12, 21-18 on Friday, his third high-profile scalp in as many days.

Jorgensen acknowledged the formidable task awaiting him Saturday, saying Lee was “more hungry than ever to show he is the best”.

“In my book he needs to have a gold, I just hope it’s not this time,” he said.

Chen Long fought off a stubborn Viktor Axelsen to win 21-18, 30-29, with the plucky Dane pushing the top seed to the limit in an epic quarter-final that lasted more than hour.

It’s not the first time the 21-year-old Dane has punched above his weight against the Chinese champion, and Chen was prepared for the worst when Axelsen went on the offensive in the second game.

Attribution: ndtv.com, Youtube.com (video)
Image courtesy of ndtv.com

Gus Bradley expects Chris Clemons to miss Jags’ preseason opener


Clemons had 36 tackles, eight sacks and four forced fumbles last season.

Defensive end Chris Clemons has missed the Jaguars’ first six practices of training camp and remains on the team’s active/non-football injury list for personal reasons.

With that in mind, head coach Gus Bradley said not to expect the 12-year-veteran to be available when the Jaguars host the Steelers in the preseason opener Aug. 14.

“I would doubt he would play in the opener,” Bradley said, via the Florida Times-Union. “I wouldn’t count on that.”

The 33-year-old Clemons also missed most of Jacksonville’s offseason program, though he did participate in the team’s mandatory minicamp in June.

Clemons had 36 tackles, eight sacks and four forced fumbles last season.

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In his absence, Ryan Davis, Andre Branch and Chris Smith have seen increased time in Jacksonville’s pass-rushing “Leo” role.

Peter Gade Demonstrates His Trademark Shot To Confuse Opponent To Share Why It Is A Must-Learn

His playing style is known for fast attacks, smooth footwork and constant pressure. His deception is particularly creative for a world badminton player, and he uses a widely recognised and highly successful “trademark shot” (the so-called “double action” of the racket sends the shuttle to the back of the court, while aiming to bring the player towards the net). With a plethora of deceptive shots, he has been known to win points from more outrageous attempts, such as the reverse forehand (using the opposite side of the racket head to the one anticipated, to make contact with the shuttlecock at a radically different angle).

 

Attribution: Wikipedia | Image Attribution: scandasia.com | Video Attribution: YouTube.com

4 Simple Tips For Reading Food Labels: You Must Know

 

http://dailyhealthsolution.com/4-simple-tips-reading-food-labels/

 

TIPS FOR READING FOOD LABELS:

With so many food products lining supermarket shelves, you may feel like you need to spend hours deciphering the nutritional information on food labels to know how to make smart and healthy choices.

Certainly, label reading has become more complex as processed food products contain more health claims than years ago. Decoding food labels doesn’t require lots of time but it does require knowing some of the basics. Here are some tips to guide you:

1. Survey serving sizes. Since the calorie count is most important when it comes to losing weight, you need to understand that it’s really the calories per serving that matters most. Case in point – you may need to do a little calculation if you plan on consuming the whole package and find out that the whole package contains 2 serving sizes and each serving contains 120 calories (240 calories will be your total calorie damage). Also, know that some products appear as though they should serve one, but a closer look at the food label reveals something different.

Click here (below) for 7 Days High Protein Meal Plan:
Healthy-Meal-Plan-2-e1418551061949
2. Take note of trans fats. The American Heart Association recommended limit for trans fats is less than 2 grams of trans fats per day. The problem is that food labels are allowed to put 0 trans fats on products that contain less than 0.5 grams of trans fat. If you eat many of these products, you can exceed these limits. To help you make smarter choices, choose products that don’t contain partially hydrogenated oils on the ingredients list and with lower levels of saturated fats.

3. Focus on fiber. Fiber is being added to many new products today like yogurt, breakfast or granola bars and even cookies. Yes, you want to choose products with the most fiber (3 or more grams of fiber per serving) but it’s also true that the best sources of fiber are still beans, fruits and vegetables, oatmeal and whole grain cereals. Hang out in the produce aisle to view the produce products that are naturally high in fiber and don’t require any food label reading.

4. Understand immunity claims. You may have noticed that more products have immunity claims like “helps support a healthy immune system.” Sure, we all want to have a stronger immune system and be able to fight disease better but there’s really little scientific evidence that specific foods benefit the immune system. Currently the FDA is reviewing the suitability of product claims like these.

Hopefully these four tips will help you streamline your label reading and focus on finding the right foods to help you lose weight and boost your health at the same time.

Are you looking for proper meal plan with high protein but low calories that works for you? Click Here for 7 Days High Protein Meal Plan: 1500 Calories/Day



Attribution: Daily Health Solution, Source: Diet Tips, Image: Way to Grow

How to Achieve a Permanent Weight Management with The Mind-Body Connection

How to get your MIND and BODY connected to achieve a permanent weight management in your life?

http://dailyhealthsolution.com/essential-tips-permanent-weight-management-mind-body-connection/However, there are plenty of small but powerful ways to avoid common dieting pitfalls, achieve lasting weight loss success, and develop a healthier relationship with food. Weight loss statistics : Source What are you hungry for Dieting Fails:Dieters keep doing more of what never worked in the first place. The slogan Diets dont work has been with us for decades, and its absolutely true.

Read more…

What Triggers You to Overeat?

http://dailyhealthsolution.com/essential-tips-permanent-weight-management-mind-body-connection/
The most common triggers for overeating appear in the following checklists. Some are easier to overcome than others. Look at the lists and check the most common causes that make you eat even when you’re not hungry. Mark as many items as you feel apply to you.

Group A: I tend to overeat if

  • I’m busy or distracted at work.
  • I’m rushed and on the go.
  • I’m tired. I haven’t had enough sleep.
  • I’m with other people who are eating.
  • I’m out at a restaurant.
  • I’m in front of the TV or computer and need something to do with my hands.
  • I have a plate of food in front of me, and I feel I must clean my plate.

Group B: I tend to overeat if

  • I’m depressed.
  • I’m lonely.
  • I’m feeling unattractive.
  • I’m feeling anxious or worried.
  • I’m having negative thoughts about my body.
  • I’m under stress.
  • I want to be comforted.

Click here (below) for 7 Days High Protein Meal Plan:
Healthy-Meal-Plan-2-e1418551061949

The Mind-Body Connection: Get Control Over Your Eating Habit

People aren’t deliberately self-destructive. We don’t follow good advice because, frankly, overeating makes us feel better than depriving ourselves or engaging in strenuous activity. A bucket of buttered popcorn triggers powerful, primitive brain mechanisms; the prospect of jogging three miles doesn’t. Sharing dessert with your friends at a cozy restaurant feels convivial and comforting; running on a treadmill by yourself at the gym doesn’t.

How to get back your control over your eating habit? Start doing the following actions Read more…

How – and how not – to travel for running races | What To Know

What would you do for a beautiful Sunday when you are at New York City?

You never expect there are 50,000 runners  in New York City for a marathon.

http://mashable.com/2014/10/31/marathon-travel/

More than 50,000 runners are expected to travel to New York City this Sunday for the marathon.

If you’re one of them, or if you’ve ever traveled to compete in an athletic event, you know that there are a lot of ways things can go wrong. You’re staying in an unfamiliar place, eating unfamiliar food and sleeping in an unfamiliar bed.

Many runners have two approaches to competing in a foreign land: They either try to replicate their conditions at home as closely as possible, or they say screw it and run the race for fun, using traveling as an excuse for poor performance. But there is a middle ground.

Here are a few tips to help you balance having fun and doing your best when you travel for a race.

Get there early, stay late

Marathoner Chris Anselmo frequently travels for races, and says he always tries to arrive two nights early.

“I get in there earlier if I have to get acclimated to altitude,” he said.

He also spends a few days in the destination after the race so he can really enjoy himself without the race hanging over his head.

“After all, that is most of the reason why you are doing a destination run and not just doing one in your home town,” he said.

“Plus, it’s tough getting on a plane and sitting for hours just after a marathon.”

Try renting an apartment or house instead of a hotel room

When Michael Daly, a marathoner and founder of apparel company Boom Running, went to London for the 2011 marathon, he booked a small apartment in Lecester Square where he could prepare his own pre-race dinner and breakfast. That meant he could better control what he ate, and saved money. When Daly ran the Chicago marathon, he even packed his usual brand of pasta and red sauce to cook.

Find a place to stay near the starting line

“Though in hindsight I think this was slightly overboard,” he said.

Runner Stephanie Donohue traveled to Chicago for the Warrior Dash, but stayed with friends who didn’t live near the race.

“We got lost in a corn field on the way there, because that is all there is outside of Chicago,” she said. “We arrived late and started the race as the front pack was finishing their first lap, which was kind of fun.”
runners in the new york city marathon in 2009
Runners in the New York City marathon in 2009.

Image: Flickr, Rebecca Wilson

When Daly traveled to London, his apartment was “right in the heart of things,” but he had to take the train to the race start. He researched the train schedule and found his station in advance, but still ran into trouble.

“Turned out the location was maybe too central,” he says. “The apartment was on a very busy street, at a busy intersection, at a bus stop, in one of the nightlife districts. I basically didn’t sleep for five nights before the race.”

Plan for a variety of weather

Donohue also traveled to London for the Where’s Wally race in late March. She lives in Boston, so she thought the weather couldn’t be colder than what she usually experiences. She was wrong.

There was a brutal cold snap on the day of the race, and while she wore her warmest clothes, including a down vest, her feet had “turned into cloven hooves” by the race’s start.

“I didn’t even bother taking off my down vest for running and I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say I did not warm up, even while running, nor did I regain feeling in my feet until the end, when I ran straight through the finish line and into a tea shop across the street,” she said.

She now recommends runners bring clothes for a variety of weather, even if you think you know what the conditions will be.

The forecast for this Sunday predicts temperatures in the 40s.

Bring your running gear as a carry-on

Runner Abigail Lesneski always brings her own pillow when she travels for races. And Marathoner Lauren McNiff says she puts her shoes, race outfit, and whatever she needs during the race in a carry on bag when she’s flying.

Map it out

Find the race start in advance, and make sure you know how to get from where you’re staying to the starting line, recommends Anselmo. He also suggests finding a store nearby for last minute supplies like water and snacks.


View New York City Marathon – New York, NY in a larger map

McNiff researches ahead of time to find restaurants that serve her favorite pre-race meal and makes reservations so she won’t be stuck eating too late.

Ice or have a beer after you finish (or both)

Anselmo says when he finishes a race, it’s “buy the jacket, beer, beer, beer in that order.”

Make it memorable

Daly says he takes an ice bath after longer races, which helps his legs recover so he can enjoy the rest of his trip.

Daly says if he’s running a big city marathon, he buys the local newspaper the next day.

“It’s usually a very cool keepsake,” he said. “The Boston Globe and Chicago Tribune print the names and times of all finishers, usually in a special section dedicated to the race itself. When else will you make the newspaper in such a big city?”

Despite the extra planning and uncertainty, all of these runners recommend traveling for races. Sure, conditions might not be perfect, and there might be mishaps like noisy sleeping locations or missed turns on the way to the race.

But races usually showcase the highlights of the city, giving runners an up-close look they might not otherwise get.

Claire Trageser is a multimedia journalist who contributes to NPR, Marie Claire, and Runner’s World. She has been a runner since graduating college and trains for marathons in her free time.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments. Read more…

See full story at mashable.com/2014/10/31/marathon-travel/


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    Vertical running: Elite athletes race up skyscrapers in a 484 meter tall tower

    Do you ever run 2,120 steps non-stop in the tallest building in Hong Kong ?


    http://mashable.com/2014/12/08/vertical-running/

    At 118 stories, the tower is the tallest building in Hong Kong, and among the world’s tallest structures. The run took them to the 100th of the ICC’s 118 floors in 2,120 painful steps. Wilson, a wiry 40-year-old from Adelaide, Australia, finished first in just under 12 minutes, pumping the air as he crossed the finish line before slumping to the floor for a well-deserved rest.

    http://mashable.com/2014/12/08/vertical-running/

    Suzy Walsham and Darren Wilson are among a growing number of people who have embraced “vertical running” as a sport.

    http://mashable.com/2014/12/08/vertical-running/

    Read more…