China :: Sports Extra

Indian Grand Prix winning Red Bull-Renault driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (R) receives a champagne shower from second-placed McLaren-Mercedes driver Jenson Button of Britain (L) on the podium during the awarding ceremony of Formula One's Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida, southeastern outskirts of New Delhi on October 30, 2011. Vettel won the 60-lap and 307.249-kilometre race in a time of 1 hour 30 minutes 35.002 seconds. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany kisses his trophy after winning the Indian first Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, October 30, 20! 11.(Xinh ua/Reuters Photo) Red Bull Formula One driver Sebasti...

Related reading: McIlroy wins Shanghai Masters in playoff SHANGHAI (AP) U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy won $2 million in the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, beating Anthony Kim with a par on the first hole of a playoff. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses for photos with his trophy after winning the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters golf tournament in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. McIlroy holed a 2-foot putt for the victory after Kim missed a 3-footer. McIlroy had a chance to win in regulation, but the 22-year-old star from Northern Ireland missed an 8-foot birdie putt. He closed with an even-par 72 to match Kim (69) at 18 under on Lake Malaren's Jack Nicklaus-designed Masters course. "It's something that I feel like I can still get better at is winning ...

ISTANBUL, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka on Saturday booked their places in the final of the season-ending TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships in Turkey's largest city Istanbul. Kvitova fought back from a set down to beat Samantha Stosur 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 in the first single's semifinal of the day. Azarenka overcame her opponent Vera Zvonereva in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 to progress to the finals. Meanwhile, the semifinals in the double's category was also played Saturday with the pairing of Peschke/Srebotnik making the final by beating King/Shvedova 6-3, 6-4. The other semifinal saw the pairing of Huber/Raymond overcome Dulko/Pennetta 4-6, 6-3, 10-7 to reach Sunday's final. The WTA's year-end finale, being held at Istanbul's Sinan Erd...

Related Reading: NEW YORK (AP) As NBA players and owners wait to see who will blink first, fans are stuck staring at a blank calendar. NBA Commissioner David Stern canceled the rest of the November games Friday, saying there will not be a full NBA season "under any circumstances." The move came about after labor negotiations broke down again when both sides refused to budge on how to split the league's revenues, the same issue that derailed talks last week. Now, a full month of NBA games have been canceled, and Stern said there's no way of getting them back. Related stories NBA may cancel two more weeks' games: media 2011-10-26 NBA cancels first two weeks of season 2011-10-12 NBA cancels 43 pre-season games 2011-09-24 Editor: James | Source: CNTV...

Related Reading: David Freese hit the game-winning home run in extra innings as the St. Louis Cardinals edged the Texas Rangers 10-9 to force a game seven in the 107th World Series. Freese's walk-off homer to centre field in the bottom of the 11th inning capped a wild see-saw battle that levelled the World Series at three games each. Related stories Rangers blank Cardinals to even World Series 2011-10-25 Rangers come back to edge Cards 2-1 in World Series 2011-10-22 St Louis set up World Series showdown with Texas 2011-10-18 Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Related reading: Wanning becomes first Chinese city to host world top surfing tournament WANNING, South China, Oct .25 (Xinhua) -- ASP Women's World Longboard Final kicked off at Riyue Bay Wanning of South China's Hainan province with 36 surfers participating. Hainan, a rising international surf destination Jennifer Smith of the United States, the longboard ASP champion in 2007 and 2009, and Justine Depont of France are favored to win the champion. To turn Wanning into the best surfing destination in China, Wanning Government has built the largest surfing club in Asia and has signed an agreement with the World Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) on the introduction of Women's World Longboard Championship last February. Wanning is the first city to host this...

Related reading: Dutch rider Hummel wins seventh stage of 2011 Tour of Hainan DONGFANG, South China, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) --- Dutch rider Kenny Van Hummel from Skil-Shimano was timed four hours 36 minutes and 52 seconds to win the seventh stage of 2011 Tour of Hainan held here on Wednesday. Astana's Valentin Iglinskiy will now go back-to-back in Tours of Hainan barring any mishaps in the final stage around Sanya tomorrow. Hummel also won the the sixth stage and this is his second time to win the stage this year. Meanwhile, Hummel got the green jersey for leading the sprints classifications. The second place went to Chan Jae Jang from Terengganu Cycling Team of Malaysia with 4:36:53 and the third place to Danielle Colli from GEOX-TMC of Spain with 4:36:53. Justin Jules from V...

China national men's volleyball team is charging its course for London's 2012 Olympics. The next step is 2011 Men's Volleyball World Cup set to begin in Japan. Related stories China women volleyball team prepare for world cup 2011-10-15 Shenzhen Universiade: China men volleyball team beat Australia 3-1 2011-08-14 Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Related reading: Martin out to break drought in China BEIJING - Kenyon Martin wants to win a title, and he doesn't care if it takes coming to China to do so. Former Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin has joined CBA club Xinjiang Flying Tigers and wants to win a Chinese basketball championship ring. Shrugging off money as a motivation, the former Denver Nuggets forward said he joined the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for a simple reason - to play and win. "I know they (CBA club Xinjiang Flying Tigers) have won three league runner-ups. They need a championship. And I am coming for that," Martin said on Oct 6 after landing at the Uramqi airport, near where the team's court is located. Martin signed a one-season, $2.7 million contract, the league' m...

Related Reading: The apartment was gleaming, the view was to die for, and London Olympic officials could not have been more pleased. British officials showed off a new apartment Tuesday in the athletes' village for the 2012 London Olympics as they announced a milestone - more than 2,012 of the units are now complete. Related stories City Games more than warm-up for London Olympics 2011-10-17 London Olympic stadium track completed 2011-10-04 Tasting traditional food for London Olympics 2011-09-12 Universiade champion Qin eyes London Olympics 2011-08-14 Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Top international cricketers have thrown their weight behind the ICC T20I team and player rankings, which were officially launched, on Monday, saying it will give more meaning to one-off matches and also provide the players a good chance to assess their game. Reigning ICC World Twenty20 champion England was unveiled as the No. 1 ranked side while Eoin Morgan of England, Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis and Australia's Shane Watson were announced the top-ranked batsman, bowler and all-rounder, respectively, on Monday. Mohammad Hafeez (right) from Pakistan and Mahela Jayawardene during the press conference at the ICC Global Cricket Academy held to launch the Reliance ICC Twenty20 International Rankings at Dubai Sports City in Dubai on Monday. Related stories ICC releases Worl...

Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Related reading: Zhang and Zhang lead after pairs short program The Chinese duo of Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao lead the pairs competition at the ISU's Grand Prix Skate America after a strong skate in the short program on Saturday. Zhang Dan, left, and Zhang Hao, of China, compete during the pairs short program at the Skate America figure skating competition Saturday. The couple had the highest score of the night in their event. The Zhangs scored 62.85 points to finish ahead of Americans Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, who were second at 59.62. Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov of Russia were third at 59.62 despite him falling on the couple's opening triple toeloop. The two couples from Germany also had falls. The only Canadians in the field, Kirsten Moore-Towers, of St....

Related reading: Australian golfer Bondad wins in Sanya Ladies Open 2011 SANYA, South China, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Thanks to her 18th hole Birdie putt, Australian golfer Frances Bondad won the Sanya Ladies Open 2011 here on Sunday. Bondad begins her final round at Yalong Bay Golf Club Vikki Laing from Scotland finished second, followed by Chinese player Pan Yanhong. Bondad said, "When that eagle putt went in at the ninth, that kept me going, and made me think I can get up there." Pan said, "I'm a little bit nervous when I get to the scores. But this didn't influence me much." Related stories China's Pan Yanhong leads after Rd. 1 at Sanya Ladies Open 2011-10-22 Editor: James | Source: CNTV ...

Related reading: AUCKLAND, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's All Blacks pulled off a historic 8-7 victory against France Sunday, taking the Rugby World Cup in front of a home crowd and winning the title of world champions for the first time in 24 years. New Zealand's players celebrate with the Webb Ellis Cup after beating France in the Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, Oct. 23, 2011. New Zealand won 8-7 to claim the title. (Xinhua/David Rowland) For the home team it was undoubtedly the biggest game of their lives -- a chance to hold aloft the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since they last held it after the very first Rugby World Cup final against France in 1987. The French had derailed New Zealand's championship dreams twice before in 1...

WENCHANG, South China, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Dutch rider Tom Veelers from Skil-Shimano timed three hours 53 minutes and 30 seconds to win the third stage of 2011 Tour of Hainan here on Saturday. The second place went to Veelers' teammate Kenny Van Hummeland the third place to Mohd Harrif Salleh from Terengganu Cycling Team in Malaysia. Justin Jules from Velo-Club La Pomme Marseille in Latvia kept the yellow jersey for the first three stages for leading the general individual classifications. So far, Valentin Iglinskiy from Pro Team Astana retained the best Asian rider for the first three stages. Tom Veelers of Skil-Shimano team from Holland celebrates after taking gold during the third stage of the 2011 Tour of Hainan International Road Cycling Race in Wenchang, south China...

Texas Rangers' Michael Young takes batting practice Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are scheduled to play the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of baseball's World Series on Saturday. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)Norwich City's Marc Tierney reacts after hard tackle during their English Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, on October 1. Norwich play Liverpool next, at Anfield, on Saturday. (AFP Photo/Carl de Souza) Texas Rangers' Ian Kinsler steals second against St. Louis Cardinals' Rafael Furcal during the ninth inning of Game 2 of baseball's World Series Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Texas Rangers' Elvis Andrus, front, and Michael Young are congratulated in the dugout du...

Related reading: FA appoints Team Britain head coaches LONDON, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell have been appointed as the managers of Britain football teams who will compete at London 2012 Olympic Games, announced the FA on Thursday. Former England women's soccer coach Hope Powell (L) former England defender Stuart Pearce pose for a photograph after a news conference at Wembley Stadium in London October 20, 2011. Pearce will coach the British men's soccer team and Powell the women's at the London Olympics next year, the British Olympic Association (BOA) confirmed on Thursday. Pearce, England Under-21s head coach, was named as the men's football team manager while Powell, who has been England women's coach since 1998 was appointed to lea...

The former University of Minnesota star had a goal and two assists extending his NHL lead in goals and points to help the Maple Leafs rally for a 4-3 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night. Related stories Two ice hockey survivors transferred to hospital 2011-09-09 Hockey star Crosby comes back 2011-09-08 Fans gather outside stadium to mourn ice hockey players 2011-09-08 Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Related reading: Handless photographer in Chinese National Games for Disabled HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Despite losing his hands in an accident when he was one year old, Zheng Longhua from China turned out to be a handless professional photographer focusing on one theme: the disabled. Zheng, 52, started to hold camera with his wrists 30 years ago. To learn by himself, he rode through the streets on his bike to take pictures for neighbours, friends and sometimes strangers. As time flew by, Zheng explored his unique way of pressing shutter and developing films. Zheng shook off self-abasement and became more and more confident when more and more photo albums were added to his collection. Five years ago, Zhang started to travel around China, covering more than 60,000 ...

Related reading: AC Milan beat BATE Borisov 2-0 ROME, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Thanks to goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng, AC Milan comfortably beat BATE Borisov 2-0 in their European Champions league group match on Wednesday. AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, left, of Sweden, challenges for the ball with Bate Borisov midfielder Artyom Kontsevoi during a Champions League, group H, soccer match between AC Milan and Bate Borisov at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011. AC Milan won 2-0. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) There was a good chance after four minutes, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic only grazed a corner and Alberto Aquilani blasted the poor clearance just over the bar. Ibra tried to score a wonder goal moments later, his sudden screamer on ...

Related reading: Tour de France riders will face steeper mountain climbs and longer time trials, making for a wide-open race aimed to give stars like defending champion Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador plenty of challengers. At Tuesdays presentation of the 2012 course, Tour director Christian Prudhomme said more favorites can potentially be in the mix in the quest for the leaders yellow jersey over the 2,162-mile route. The Tours 99th edition starts June 30 in Liege, Belgium. It will feature nearly 62 miles of individual time trials and 25 tough mountain climbs. The super-steep stretch in eastern France will make its Tour debut in Stage 7. Related stories Australian cycling fans celebrate Evans' triumph at Tour de France 2011-07-26 Australia's Cadel Evans wins Tour ...

Related reading: Brazilian football legend Pele is visiting Japan to promote the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Pele also visited a Japanese elementary school in a tsunami-hit region Monday to offer encouragement to people trying to rebuild their lives after the disaster. Brazilian soccer legend Pele is surrounded by school children during a visit to a tsunami affected elementary school at Natori city in Miyagi prefecture on October 17. Pele visited the elementary school to offer encouragement to people trying to rebuild their lives after the disaster Related stories Socceroos a step closer to 2014 Brazil World Cup 2011-10-12 Brazil reports all construction for 2014 World Cup on track 2011-09-15 Brazil to offer mobile broadband internet for 2014 World Cup 2011-09-13 Editor...

Related stories China grabs 4 medals on final day of skating World Cup 2010-12-07 Zhou Yang claims the title of ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup 2010-11-01 Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Related stories Chinese Equestrian Rider: Back on horse in 2012 2011-07-28 Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Related reading: Vettel victory hands title to Red Bull Double world champion Sebastian Vettel won the Korean Grand Prix in crushing fashion Sunday to help his Red Bull team retain the Formula One constructors' title after a dominant season. Sebastian Vettel Sebastian Vettel celebrates his Korean Grand Prix victory with his team. Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam, South Korea Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. Just a week after cruising to third place in Japan, where Vettel confirmed himself as the 2011 drivers' world champion, the 24-year-old German was uncatchable as he drove to his 10th win this year, and 20th of his career. "This is special for us all, for th...

Related reading: U.S. race car driver Dan Wheldon dies in 15-car crash BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- American race car driver Briton Dan Wheldon died in a 15-car crash accident at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, according to media report. The fatal accident blew Wheldon's car flying up over other vehicles and landing in a catch fence. The race car of driver Will Power (L) hits the wall along with drivers J.R. Hildebrand (C) and Charlie Kimball (R) as flames from British driver Dan Wheldon's car burst (at far left) during the IZOD IndyCar World Championship race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada Oct 16, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] The race car of driver Will Power (L) goes airborne during the IZOD IndyCar World Championship race at the Las ...

Related reading: Wenger Sees Confidence Growing as Van Persies Two Goals Seal Arsenal Win Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he can see his team growing in confidence after a 2-1 victory against Sunderland which lifts the Gunners into the top half of soccers Premier League. Robin van Persie struck in each half at Arsenals Emirates Stadium yesterday, opening the scoring with the clubs fastest- ever Premier League goal, then earning the win with a late freekick. Arsenals third league win in eight matches this season moves Wengers team into 10th spot. Sunderland is 17th in the 20-team standings. Fourth-place Newcastle rallied twice to draw 2-2 against Tottenham, while West Bromwich Albion beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 in yesterdays other games. Robin van Persie struck in each...

Related reading: 7th Chinese City Games opens in Nanchang NANCHANG, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 7th Chinese City Games, the last multi-sport games held in China before the 2012 London Olympic Games, officially opened in Nanchang, the capital city of Jiangxi Province on Sunday. Fireworks are seen during the opening ceremony of the 7th National Intercity Games (NIG) in Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province, on Oct. 16, 2011. (Xinhua/Gesang Dawa) It's the biggest national sport gala ever held in Nanchang, a famous historical and cultural city boasting of numerous historic revolutionary sites. The 10-day Games will see more than 6,000 athletes from 57 delegations across the nation competing in 301 events of 25 sports. The parade also included athletes from Hong K...

Former NBA star Shaquille O Neal is setting new goals and reaching new fans. We got a chance to sit down with this big man in Beijing during his latest two-week tour of China, asking Shaquille if he enjoys his retirement from NBA. Former NBA star Shaquille O Neal is setting new goals and reaching new fans. Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Related stories Nadal Falls in Shanghai While Murray Moves into Last Eight 2011-10-14 Andy Murray enters next round at Shanghai Masters 2011-10-14 Murray ousts Wawrinka in 3 sets at Shanghai Masters 2011-10-14 Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Editor: James | Source: CNTV

Related reading: Eight teams will discover their fate in the Euro 2012 play-offs when the draw is made at 12pm on Thursday. Krakow's Sheraton Hotel is the venue for the draw which will determine which teams face off against each other in the two-legged ties which will take place on November 11/12 and 15. Four teams are seeded for Thursday's draw, so Croatia, Portugal, Republic of Ireland and Czech Republic will draw one of Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Estonia. Hosts Ukraine and Poland have been joined in the finals by Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Netherlands, Greece, England, Denmark and Sweden. Related stories Nasri penalty earns France Euro 2012 berth 2011-10-12 Germany continue winning streak at Euro 2012 qualifiers 2011-10-12 Unstoppa...

Related reading: A cyclist crossing the African savannah was in for a shock when some of the local wildlife objected to his presence. The mountain biker Evan van der Spuy of Team Jeep South Africa get taken out by an antelope during a mountain bike race at South Africa's Albert Falls Dam. The antelope was a Red Hartebeest buck which, according to Namibian.org, has "a poor sense of smell." The average shoulder height of a male is 1.25m and they typically weigh about 150kg. Despite being hit side-on by a charging antelope of this size, Van der Spuy was apparently unhurt. Editor: James | Source: CNTV ...

Related Reading: Australian Heinrich Haussler has won the second stage of the Tour of Beijing in a sprint finish. Haussler chased down Denis Galimzyanov (Katusha) in the final metres of the 137km ride to Mentougou, to the west of the Chinese capital, and eventually pipped the Russian in a photo-finish. Rabobanks' Theo Bos, of team Rabobank finished the first road stage of the tour from Birds Nest Olympic Stadium in third after outsprinting Italy's Francesco Chicchi (Quickstep) to the finish line. The 27-year-old Haussler entered the inaugural five-stage race on the back of the 2011 UCI Road World Championships where he played a crucial lead-out role for national teammate and elite mens silver medallist Matt Goss. Australia's Heinrich Haussler from the Garmin team ...

Related Reading: BEIJING, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The first-ever tour of Beijing will promote cycling in China, said UCI president Pat McQuaid here on Wednesday. "There is an interest and a market here, and sponsors want an exposure in Europe." said McQuaid. The race will boost domestic cycling in China and also accelerate the ambitions of Westen teams. "Several teams will have a sponsor in the car during the race," added McQuaid. As part of the UCI Worldtour, the tour of Beijing automatically draw the participation of the 18 UCI ProTeams. China also organized its national team to participate in this race. The team China is made up of nine riders who had been trained in the World Cycling Center in Switzerland during the past several weeks. Theo Bos of Rabobank ...

BEIJING, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- World number one Caroline Wozniacki and third seed Vera Zvonareva on Tuesday both sailed through to the third round at the China Open, but followed different paths. Wozniacki needed only one hour and 20 minutes to outclass Jarmila Gajdosova from Australia 6-2, 6-3 while Zvonareva survived a worrying second set slump to beat Klara Zakopalova of Czech Republic 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. The China Open, which ran in its eighth year, was hit by seed casualty again on the fourth matchday as world number seven Samantha Stosur went down to the 27th ranked Maria Kirilenko 7-5, 1-6, 7-5 after two hours' toil. She joined two other reigning Grand Slam winners Li Na (French Open) and Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic (Wimbledon) in the stars' early exit, definitely ...

Related reading: BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Two-time champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and Francesca Schiavone of Italy on Saturday were hardly tested in respective openers at the 4.5 million U.S. dollars China Open, the last of the season's four Premier Mandatory events. Kuznetsova had an easy time of it when her opponent Ajexandra Dulgheru of Romania pulled out trailing 6-2, 4-1 while seventh seed Schiavone wrapped up the last five games before beating Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia 6-1, 6-3. Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia reaches for a shot against Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania during their first round women's singles match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing on October 1, 2011. Kuznetsova went on to win 6-2, 4-1 after Dulgheru reti...