PACMAN ready to fight again

The come back of the pound for pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in the ring this year against a 33-year-old former champion from Ghana Joshua Clottey is all set.


Pacman impressed coach Roach yesterday when he boxed 11 rounds with four different sparring partners from where he showed a good game plan. Coach Roach added that Pacman is in great shape.

“He did such a good job yesterday I almost wanted to give him a day off. But Manny won’t take a day off. We’ll box 12 rounds on Saturday. That will be our peak day then we’ll start tapering off from that point,” Roach told fighttype.com.

Six weeks of training were good enough for Pacquiao to reach his maximum potential of both power and speed. Moreover, with just a matter of days, Pacman worked hard for his timing and his strength and conditioning.



Roach, the four-timer Trainer of the Year recognizes the ability of Clottey but for this fight, he has reduced the number of sparring rounds of Pacman from 150 as in the previous fights to a little over a hundred. He is getting even more confident that Pacquiao will be the first one to knock out Clottey.

These statements of coach Roach did not bother Clottey. He takes the fight as once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be up against the greatest fighter of this era and he said he’s not going to waste it.


“I have more confidence this time around because I’m taking this fight like if I win, I have bigger things ahead. I have so much respect for Manny, so that gives me more confident because I respect the guy,” he proudly said.

Roach said Pacman scheduled to spar 12 rounds today and will start tapering off with two weeks left for the fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

photos from google.com
By: Christeen Gae D. Padilla

A Chessboxing Challenge for Pinoys

Filipinos are widely known in the world as the home of great boxers of the generation such as Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Juanito Donaire, who showed their incomparable skills in the No. 1 fighting sport. On the other hand, we also excel in the No. 1 thinking sport, chess with the great minds of our very own Grandmaster Eugene Torre and Wesley So. These different sports made us world class, then why don't we try the combination of it? Can we survive if Chessboxing is the new challenge of the world to the Pinoys?

Chessboxing is an incredible sport, for it is a combination of the No. 1 thinking sport and the No. 1 fighting sport. It highly requires the players to have a high staying power both physically and mentally.
Curious about the mechanics of the game? In a chessboxing fight, players play alternating rounds of chess and boxing. The fight begins with a chess round then followed by a round of boxing followed again by a chess round and so on.

The fight consists of six rounds of chess and five rounds of boxing with the total of eleven rounds. They have four minutes time in each round of chess which it takes three minutes each boxing round. The two opponents have twelve minutes of their chess timers. there is a one minute break each rounds allotted for fighters to change their gears.

The battle ends if the opponent surrendered either in chess or boxing rounds, checkmate or exceeded the time limit on chess rounds, and knocked-out or referees decision in the boxing rounds. If the chess game ends in a stalemate, the opponent with the higher score in boxing wins. If there is an equal score in boxing, the opponent with black pieces win just like the standard rule in chess.

This chessboxing sport has been scattered all over the world by the World Chessboxing Organization (WCBO) that pledge to train people in a battle of fists and brains. They are currently in the process of thinking new training methods with the help of some experts from both sport worlds such as scientist and neurologist. The people behind the new sport believed that this sport will help us to retrieve our goal to have a healthy mind and body.

Chessboxing seems to be a big challenge for Filipinos if they will only discover this sport. They already proved their great abilities in different sports particularly in boxing and ches. Maybe its time to try some new sport like chessboxing to justify the extraordinary talents they have in the world of sports.







By: Christeen Gae D. Padilla

EVEN THEY CAN SWIM

Swimming at the Games
Swimming has been part of the Paralympics’ programme since the first Games in Rome 1960. More than 500 swimmers compete at modern Paralympics Games and at Sydney 2000 more than 200,000 spectators attended the swimming events over the nine days of competition.
The Paralympics swimming competitions is an adaptation of the sport of swimming for athletes with disabilities. Paralympics’ Swimming. Not only at the Summer Paralympics Games, but at disabled sports competitions throughout the world. The sport is governed by the International Paralympic Committee, hence the name of "Paralympics" swimming.
The rules for the sport are set by the International Swimming Federation(FINA) some of the rules are the same as those for able-bodied competitions. Significant differences include the starting position and adaptations allowed for visually impaired swimmers. Competitors may start a race by standing on a platform and diving into the pool, as in able-bodied swimming, or by sitting on the platform and diving in, or they may start the race in the water. In events for the blind and visually impaired, people called "tappers" stand at the end of the pool and use a pole to tap the swimmers when they approach the wall, indicating when the swimmer should turn or end the race. Competitors in these events are required to wear blackened goggles, so that partially sighted swimmers compete at an even level with those who are totally blind
Swimmers are classified according to the type and extent of their disability. The classification system allows swimmers to compete against others with a similar level of function. And Swimmers with physical disabilities are allocated a category between 1 and 10, with 1 corresponding to the most severe types of disability. Physical disabilities of Paralympics swimmers include single or multiple limb loss it can because of through birth defects and/or amputation, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries (leading to paralysis or disability in limb coordination), dwarfism, and disabilities which impair the use of joints
Blind and visually impaired swimmers compete within separate categories, Swimmers with mental disabilities compete in category 14. This is the only category not currently represented at the Paralympics Games.
Numbers are combined with a letter prefix depending on the event type. An "S" prefix corresponds to freestyle, backstroke and butterfly, while "SB" corresponds to breaststroke and "SM" to the medley. Hence, a swimmer with severe physical disabilities competing in backstroke may compete in an S3 event, while a blind swimmer in the medley would compete in class SM11
Blind swimmers have to wear blackened goggles to ensure that competition is fair. Goggles are removed at the end of the race and checked by an official
Swimming is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

What about Melo- Lebron for NBA Finals?

Carmelo Anthony had 40 points in last Thursday's win over the Cavs in Cleveland.


Fans craving for a Kobe-LeBron NBA Finals


Celtics beat the Cavs in 2008 NBA Semi-final round

Photos from Getty Images


Last year's could-have-been a Kobe-LeBron finals did not happen when Boston Celtics beat not only the Cleveland Cavaliers but also the fans who are waiting for a seven neck to neck match between two of the greatest player ever played on the NBA, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

As this season reaches its end, fans are once again having the no-ending debate of who is better between the two basketball superstars; longing for the match that they wanted to happen.

But Thursday's match between Denver Nuggets and the Cavs aspired a new match-up; Melo versus Lebron. The overtime match between the two teams created an epic game that will always be remembered by basketball enthusiasts, just like how they loved the match between Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain, and Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird.

Dwayne Wade and Chris Paul can't stop tweeting as the match progresses, saying that Melo-LeBron will be a great match in the finals.

Another match between Lebron James, 2009's NBA MVP and the Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony is sure to be an good watch, but who will emerge as the winner will be the apparent question to ask.

To watch the recap video of Thursday's match between the Nuggets and Cavaliers, just click here


By: Sheila M. Pelaez

“Zorbing madness”

“Zorbing madness”

When we go to amusement centers nowadays, we can see a new attraction that all ages love. The exciting ride inside a big plastic ball while following the flow of water was such a wild experience and a total fun for the people who tried it. However, do you know this new attraction in amusement centers that brings joy to us is originally an extreme sport that most of the people around the world love? This sport is widely known as Zorbing.

Zorbing is a bizarre sport of the millennium invented by Andrew Akers started in New Zealand. It is not actually riding inside the ball and made fun on the water; instead, it is all about throwing up yourself to roll down a hill inside the ball. Crazy thing as it looks like but the fun and excitement couldn’t be replaced by fear. Others might be scared to try because it might cause a big trouble for their life. Nevertheless, the materials has been used has a hundred percent guaranty that you are secured.









The zorb, which commonly known as the ball is made of a 0.8-millimeter tick transparent but strong plastic. The inner and outer balls are connected by hundred pieces of rope, which helps the balls turning together. It has one or two openings for the entrance and exit of the passengers. The openings are normally around 2 feet (60cm) wide. They also provide enough openings for passengers to have plenty of oxygen for the spectacular ride.





In the history of Zorbing, there's only one accident happened – a woman injured her back while Zorbing down the hill. Other than that, there were no reported cases at all.


Others might think that the zorb may look like the hamster ball, but they’re wrong because they have big difference. A hamster ball is made of rigid plastic unlike the strong quality of plastic that has been used in a zorb. The hamster runs along inside of the ball to move it forward while a zorb rolls on its own. You don’t actually have the power to stop it so much more when you choose to do this in a slope. It such a challenge to remain upright in a rolling zorb. If you are good in balancing yourself, try this sport to prove your staying power.




This crazy and adrenaline pumping sport spread throughout the whole world such in America, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Scotland, England, Sweden, Estonia, Canada, Czech Republic, Slovenia and even in the Philippines. We do actually have it in Boracay. The popularity of Zorbing has been broadening because of the fun and exciting experience, that everyone could feel through this amazing sport. Big thanks to Mr. Akers for inventing this crazy wild sport.


by: Christeen Gae D. Padilla

WILL POLE DANCING BE AN OFFICIAL OLYMPIC SPORTS?

Japan's Mai SatoPole Dancing Fitness Championships in Tokyo

Carolyn Braid, owner of Pole Dancing Winnipeg



Pole Dancers around the world are seeking a spot on the list of Olympic Sports. The campaign started July last year as Carolyne Braid, owner of Pole Dancing Winnipeg and other pole dancers invaded the world wide web in order to gain much ordeal in the luck of gaining the attention of Olympic officials.

Japan's Mai Sato,champion of the second International Pole Dancing Fitness Championships in Tokyo two months ago, said that like most gymnasts, pole dancers spend more than five hours of practice just to get the right routine. She said that "blisters are the rule, bruises a way of life, and the training — five hours a day, five days a week."

Pole dancers said that the only way to erase the sexual connotation to the sports that they love is to get the attention of the Olympics and be one of its renowned sports.

KT Coates, a leading pole dancer in Britain and director of Vertical Dance, is leading the effort to make pole dancing a "test" event in 2012 and foresees a more formal pitch in 2016, when the Olympics go to Rio de Janeiro. So far, the petition has about 4,000 signatures. Coates is shooting for 5,000.

Watch this video of Felix, 2009 World Pole Dance Champion here.

by: Sheila M. Pelaez

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE CAVS?

Photos from NBA Gallery


They are the best in the NBA. They keep winning games and in fact they have set a record of 13 consecutive wins. Probably, the most admired team and the envy of many. They play well, enough to wear those flashing smiles every after game. LeBron’s good and Shaq’s okay but there is something wrong going on. It seems they lack energy that every NBA team can make them fall.

What made me say this is their three consecutive losses in the season. First, in Denver Nuggets for they have struggled but fell in a 116-118 overtime match. LeBron undeniably looks so disappointed after missing his three-point shot that could have made their opponents to turn their heads down. The second is when they lost to Charlotte Bobcats. This time, LeBron is out of the game but it was also a mere disaster since Bobcats established several points lead over the Cavs. Last is when they fell into Orlando Magic with a 101-95 result.

I’m not a sports analyst. But in watching the Cavs play, I see their biggest problem is defense that their opponent can easily make a score. Another thing I notice is that, their shooting position is too bad. The Cavaliers, especially James has no problem in scoring, but all of them should work for it. James, for sure, also gets tired. He needs motivations and inspiration from his teammates.

Surely, this is the issue Cavs must have to work and give back the screams of the past. Not only in the regular season in the much awaited playoffs. And I know they can do it.

By: Zhella Jean Hulleza

WADE SHINES BEST AS EAST HUMBLES WEST

Photos from NBA Gallery

There is only one word that can fully describe how the 2010 NBA All-Star game came out- “PHENOMENAL.”

A world-record crowd of 108,713 filled the Cowboy’s Stadium to witness how the East became victorious in a 141-139 win over the West.

This year’s NBA All-Star game has the biggest crowd to watch a basketball game in the history. And for sure, Dwayne Wade is the happiest man that night. He was named MVP after establishing 28 points with 11 assists and six rebounds. Next to him was Carmelo Anthony with 27 points and LeBron James with 25. Other players who were also remarkable that night were Derrick Rose (the first Chicago Bulls player in All-star game since 1998) with 21 and Chauncey Billups’ 17 points with five consecutive three-point shots.

The West surely can have it; if only Carmelo didn’t missed the three-point shot that could have given them a point lead over their opponent.

Even Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki can’t beat D-Wade Experience. He, for certain, or everyone else can’t forget how impressive Wade’s performance was.

Wade gave his best in the second half making seven dunks with assists from LeBron and Howard who also made few dunks.

Wade disappointed their opponent when he came down the floor on fast break and slammed the house down.

The game was shown in 215 countries and 41 different languages.

To see the NBA All-Star Game highlights click here.


By: Zhella Jean Hulleza

Tiger out on Woods

Tiger Woods, the world's renowned as best golfer apologized to his friends and fans last Friday for the infidelities that made him leave the game in December for a wooly period of time. He said he is on his way back to therapy and planning to go back in playing golf. However, he did not mention when his biggest return will be and did not also gave false hope not to be this year.

Woods working out again his credibility as spokesman for corporate sponsors who have made his outrageous break in his golf career. The athletic gear maker Nike Inc. and men’s personal care company Gillette voiced out their support for him.

However, we can’t erase the big trouble in his personal life that this uncertainty may lead also for advertisers to take some pause. The scandal that deeply affect Woods since a car crash near his home last November has damaged his once-sterling persona in the eyes of consumers, and his ability to endorse corporations.

From this incident, business consulting firm Accenture dropped him from their advertising, as did telecoms company AT&T and luxury watchmaker Tag Heur except from Nike who considered Woods’ most important sponsor. And this decision of Nike according to Swangard, managing director, Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, University of Oregon, gives other advertisers cover to keep the golfer as a spokesman.

Experts noted Woods made wrong move by not taking control of this scandal earlier, not appearing in public and allowing his image to wither in sensational tabloids.

by: Christeen Gae D. Padilla

NASH WINS ALL-STAR SKILLS COMPETITION

From: Bing images



Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with the trophy after winning the Taco Bell Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend, at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on February 13, 2010.
Photograph by: AFP, Getty




Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash participates in the skills competition at the NBA All-Star Saturday night in Dallas. Nash beat Utah Jazz's Deron Williams in the final round. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)



Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash won the 2010 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge beating Utah Jazz’ Deron Williams with a difference of eight seconds in the finals.

Nash, who won the title in 2005, completed the obstacle course with a time of 29.9 seconds. Williams, on the other hand, struggled in the shooting stations and only finished second with a time of 37.9 seconds.

The NBA skills challenge is a regular competition in the All-star involving four point guards. It is a two-round timed obstacle course that includes dribbling, passing and shooting stations.In completing the course, all players must observe proper NBA ball- handling rules. The two players with the fastest times advance to the final round.

Other competitors who were eliminated in the first round were Milwaukee Buck’s Brandon Jennings and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook, who replaced the defending Champion Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.

"These young guys are tough, but I got my second wind,'' Nash said. "Then I took it easy on them.''

Williams, who was leading in the semi-final round was overpowered by Nash’s almost perfect play (dribbling, passing and shooting) in the final round.

To watch the 2010 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge Competition, click here.

By: Zhella Jean Hulleza

JORDAN: TEAM OWNER?

MJ to the Basketball Hall of Fame

Adam Morrison of Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats Logo

Photos from Google images

It is a common knowledge that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. Not only that, he is considered a supreme competitor and top pitchman. But among this many denomination, he might soon become a team owner.

Jordan is now a part owner of Charlotte Bobcats and is responsible for the teams' basketball operations. But recent reports implied that Jordan is not contented with his role in the said team. He, coach Larry Brown said, is determined in buying the team.

But Jordan, just like in any game that he played, has a tough competition in this matter. Former Houston Rockets executive George Postolos has also expressed interest in buying the said team.

Although Bob Johnson, Bobcats current owner has not commented regarding this matter, NBA commissioner David Stern said in Saturday's interview that Johnson is eager to sell the unprofitable club. He continued that Johnson is expecting the deal to be completed within two months.

Other reports that surfaced showed the disadvantage of Bobcats if Jordan did not win the deal. It said that "if" Postolos gets the control over the team, two figures might vanish from the teams record. Jordan would no longer have a role with the team, and its domino effect will be the resignation of the team's coach, Larry Brown.

Reports said that the only reason why Brown, another Hall of Famer, agreed to coach the Bobcats, is because of Jordan. And if Postoles gets the ownership of the team, Brown will forced to resign from the team.

For more about this topic, you are free to click this link.

By: Sheila M. Pelaez

ALL-STAR WITHOUT KOBE AND A.I.

Photos from: Google images

NBA fans, especially of Bryant and Iverson are surely going to be incomplete for these two former NBA MVPs won’t play in the All-Star game.

The NBA announced last Thursday that Bryant will be replaced by the Dallas veteran Jason Kidd for the Western division. David Lee of the New York Knicks will be taking Iverson’s spot in the Eastern Conference.

Due to sprained left ankle, Bryant was forced to withdraw his appearance in Dallas. Also, Bryant has missed the last three games for the Lakers with a sore left ankle.

Iverson, on the other hand, has missed Philadelphia’s last five games to be with his ill daughter.

The coaches will decide on whom to replace these two players in the starting line-up.

Other players who won’t be in the All-Star game due to injuries were: New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul to be replaced by Chauncey Billups of the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trailblazers’ Brandon Roy to be substituted by Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The All-Star Game between the East and West will be aired on Monday, February 15 at 9am (Manila time).

For complete listings of 2010 NBA All-Star Rosters click here.

By: Zhella Jean Hulleza

IT’S GETTING COLD IN THERE! (Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony)

Photos from: Google images

An energetic high-flying snowboarder jumping through a giant set of Olympic rings opened the ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

This opening ceremony is an event of historic importance for Canada to inspire a world audience of three billion.

Canada, the host country, is expecting to top the medal tally at these games, hoping to get gold on the country’s favorite sport which is the hockey.

Red, the prominent color of the Canadian flag, was very dominant that day. Crowd also became loud as Clara Hughes, a Canadian speed skater carry her country’s flag and let her team into the arena.

A song performed by Bryan Adams and Nelly Furtado was a tribute to the athletes for they were the role models. As Chief Executive John Furlong said, “The youth world over aspire to be just like you.”

As the ceremony goes, more than 100 screens around the stadium showed Canada’s diversity and natural beauty that turned the stadium into the recreation of the country’s constellations, oceans, rivers and forest. This visual presentation was accompanied with a song from a British Columbia resident and a dance from the Alberta Ballet.

Canadian sports legends- Hockey legend Wayne Getzy, speed skating hero Catriona LeMay Doan, NBA star Steve Nash and alpine ski star Nancy Greene light the Olympic torch. Upon lighting, minimal mechanical glitch occurred.The cauldron near the Coal Harbor was lit by Wayne Getzy.

In the long run, the opening ceremony became successful except for one sad story. Nodar Kumaritashvili, a Georgian athlete died after a training run at the Whistler Sliding Center. He was given a tribute and standing ovation at the ceremony.

Officials are now investigating his luge death.

For further information, related videos and photos about the 2010 winter games you can click here.

By: Zhella Jean A. Hulleza

NBA's All-star vs NFL's Superbowl

GOOGLE IMAGES

(Drew Brees, Most Valuable Player of 2010 Super Bowl)


The National Football League (NFL)Super Bowl XLIV, played February 7 at Sun Life (formerly Dolphin) Stadium in Miami, Florida became the most-watched television program ever, drawing an average audience of 106.5 million viewers and taking over the spot held for 27 years by the final episode of M*A*S*H.

With the goal of persuading even half the number of Super Bowl viewers, the National Basketball Association (NBA)All-Star game officials have been doing public relations to catch the attention of those football fans.

The 59th All-Star has kicked-off its Rookies and second-year players square off in the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam Friday, February 12, at American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks.

Will NBA finally get a nod from American audience and top what NFL has recorded in history of broadcast media?

by Sheila M. Pelaez

IT'S ROGER ONCE AGAIN

When Roger Federer played Rafael Nadal in last year’s Australian Open, he struggled for four hours of five sets but failed to win. Luckily, this year, it was absolutely the other way - he didn’t struggle but easily won the championships.

If Roger sobbed like a little kid a year ago, it now turned to an all-smile finals after easily beating Andy Murray in the Australian Open at Melbourne. It just turned out that he only needed two hours and 41 minutes of the first three sets to disappoint his adversary. It was very unusual for a Grand Slam tournament and very much hammering on his opponent’s part.

In an interview, Federer said that, all of a sudden it was over and it hit him (6-3, 6-4, 7-6). He even compared his match to a roller-coaster. Much that he controlled the whole game, leaving Murray choking back in tears.

“I can cry like Roger,” Murray said. “It’s just a shame I can’t play like him.”

Sad to say, Federer again shattered Andy Murray’s dream to be the first British man to win a grand slam that stretches all the way in 1936.

Winning 2010 Aussie open, was very special for Federer. It is now his 4th title in the tournament and his first as a dad. Federer became the first father to win a Grand Slam title since Andre Agassi 2003. Much more, he has achieved something which no man has accomplished since 1969.

Tracing back, Federer missed the chance to tie Pete Sampras record of 14 Grand Slam titles, after losing to Nadal. However, he didn’t wait that long. He just made history, after the winning the French Open. That time, he has completed a career by winning a major on clay to go with grass and hard-court titles.

At hand, Federer receives $1.86 million through the win, while Murray gets $927,990.

Again, congratulations Roger. He is really a great champion with talent and heart. In fact, he has achieved what everybody in the world of tennis wanted. For this, he once more confirmed that he’s the man to envy and watch out for. With 16 grand slams at hand, many players would be surely exerting most of their effort to at least tie or even surpass that record.

And let’s not talk about history, Roger’s still making it.

By: Zhella Jean A. Hulleza

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT: AT LAST MAYWEATHER vs. MOSLEY IS ON!

Boxing fans around the world is experiencing an emotional high after the future events that they were looking forward to in the four-sided ring had turned upside down.

The anticlimax that the aficionados felt after the could-have-been the most awaiting match of the year between the unbeatable Floyd Mayweather Jr. and the current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao was canceled, it was just then replaced with total excitement when boxing promoters agreed to kick-off another must-see fight between Mayweather and Sugar Shane Mosley.

On the Jan. 29 episode of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, it was officially announced that Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be fighting Sugar Shane Mosley on May 1. Both camps said that the fight is a "done deal" although the contracts haven't been signed.

Mayweather gained criticisms from boxing fans and critics when he declined a match with Mosley who is said to be his best opponent in the welterweight division.

But this ended when Mosley take an action to catch Mayweather with his guard down. After Mayweather annihilated Juan Manuel Marquez last September, a sign of his big comeback to the boxing world, Mosley made a scene by challenging Mayweather during his post-fight ring interview. Mosley's famous words during that time were "just want to get it on," and indeed, it just did.

Mayweather boosts his flawless record of of 40-0 with 25 knockouts. Critics said that he is a defensive genius, "the likes of which the sport has rarely seen". He could even be "the greatest defensive technician" ever.

Mosley, on the other, has a record of 46-5 with 39 knockouts. Although Mosley is now 39, he is not looking old as a fighter. Along with a knockout rate of 75%, Mosley possesses the ultimate combination of lightning-quick hands, and excellent agility.

With this at hand, critics said that this fight will be tight and that it is anybody's game. But whoever will get the last laugh from this fight, one thing will surely happen, this will bring fans around the globe a great dose of entertainment.

by Sheila M. Pelaez

“Sportastic Wheelchair Sports”

All kinds of sports need great power, strong endurance, and physical excellence. The weak and disable don’t have the rights to play any sports until Paralympics was created.

The Paralympic Games are the Official Olympic Games for athletes with physical, mental or sensory disabilities. Sir Ludwig Guttman organized a competition for World War II veterans with spinal-cord injuries in England in 1948. The movement went international when the athletes from the Netherlands joined in 1952.

There are so many sports featured in Paralympic Games such as the Wheelchair Sports. There are six popular Wheelchair Sports like the Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Fencing, Volleyball (Sitting), and Boccia.

Wheelchair Tennis is an impressive sport that enjoys great popularity during the Paralympic Games. To compete at a high level successfully, athletes must develop technique, stamina persistence, speed and reflexes. Among Wheelchair Tennis athletes, a Paralympic medal is considered as the highest recognition.

One of the most fantastic and popular sports of the Paralympic Games is Wheelchair Basketball for its unique style, the quick flow of the game and the endless action wit constant attacks to the basket and “man to man” defense.

Wheelchair Rugby began in Canada in 1977. Although it is a relatively new sport for people with disability, it is developing rapidly throughout the world. Wheelchair Rugby is a combination of the pace, regulations and skills required in Basketball and Rugby. The games are held on a basketball ground, and the ball used is similar to the one used in Volleyball.

However, Sitting Volleyball first introduced in 1956 and is one of the most important team sports for athletes with disability. The differences between Paralympic and Olympic Volleyball are minimal. Specifically, in Sitting Volleyball, the dimensions of the court are smaller; the ‘fillet’ (net) is lower, and the athletes play sitting down.

Fencing is a sport that calls for adaptability, inventiveness, good organization, and patience. In order to master it, the fencer spends long hours practicing. The athletes in Paralympic Fencing are those with locomotor disabilities. They compete on wheelchairs. During about the wheelchairs are fixed to the ground. This nevertheless allows the fencer the freedom to execute rapidly alternating movements.
Boccia is a competitive sport that is played by individuals, pairs or teams of three. Boccia is a sport for people with cerebral palsy and other locomotor disabilities who are wheelchair users, on both recreational and competition levels.

Paralympic Games unlock the gap between the normal and immobilize people. Wheelchair Sports are really an inspiration to show inequality and nothing is impossible if we can only believe in our own inner strengths.

by: Christeen Gae D.Padilla