And the winner, NcoV

The deadly new coronavirus is not only killing a lot of people, especially in China, but also spoiling most sporting events and festivals in Asia.  Some of the big events postponed or cancelled include the Standard-Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, the 10th Asean Para Games, women’s football Olympic qualifier in Nanjing, women’s basket-ball Olympic qualifier in Foshan, China Tour of Hainan, a cycling event and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championship in Hangzhou, also cancelled were the Asia Oceana boxing qualifier which was moved this month from Wuhan, to next month in  Amman, Jordan.  Also in danger of being transfered to  another country is taekwando’s Olympic qualifier in Wuxi, China, this April.  Even  local events like the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet (WVRAA) was  reset to March 21 in Aklan.  The Badminton Asia Team Championships here in Manila is likewise in danger of being  scrapped.  Olympic gold medal hopeful Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting will be  training  in  Malaysia instead of China.  The  Palarong  Pambansa  however, will push  through in May in Marikina.  Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympics officials  are  extremely worried about the possible effect of nCOV on the Summer Games, but are  hoping that  the  deadly  virus would settle down before the Olympics.

Bacolod

I  took  a  quick  trip  to  Bacolod  from  Iloilo to  attend  the Uytiepo cousins  reunion at  the  Inaka Japanese  resto.  It was also  a  chance  to  finalize the Elvisaya concerts during  the Masskara Festival in October.  Elvisaya is  set to  rock  at  the  Northwest  Inn, a hotel owned by my  cousin Larry Kilayko.  also made plans  to   hold  a gig  at  the  Ayala  mall Bacolod.  Elvisya was  likewise  invited  to  perform  at  SM  Iloilo during  the  Grandparents  Day in  September.  Ilonggo  songwriter  and  Indie  movie  producer  Gilbert  Capalla and  Dindo Bongcayo of  Perfect  Pitch will  be coordinating  the  event.  By the  way  Capalla  is  also  coordinating  the Run  for  Jesus 2020, a footrace  sponsored  by  boxing  champion Manny Pacquiao  on  February  27  at  the  Lapaz  Plaza,  Iloilo City. Capalla asked  me  to  assist  the  race  but  I  have  to beg off as  I  will be  leaving for  Bataan this  week.  Pacquiao  will be  leading  the  run  himself  together  with  the Iloilo  Royals  of  the  MPBL.  Pacquiao also sponsored a  10-ball  Billiard  tournament  at  SM  Bacolod.

Did you know? Jordan signs Zion

The NBA’s top pick last year Zion  Williamson  has  signed a five-year contract for a  whopping $75million with  Michael  Jordan’s shoe  and  apparel company, Jordan Brand, which outdistanced all  other  offers from  competing  brands including Nike and Adidas.  Zion’s  mother Sharonda  Sampson, was a sprinter at  Livingstone College while his  father Lateef Williamson was  a  football defensive tackle for NC  State before moving to  Livingstone.

George Bush

In  January  1997 former US president  George Bush at age 72, jumped out of an airplane 12, 500 feet  over Yuma, Arizona, reenacting a jump he was  forced to make in 1944 when ground  fire  hit  the  torpedo  bomber  he  was  flying.  Bush  a  pilot ,  said  the earlier  leap  was  a  “pure  terror”  while  the  new  jump  looks  like  pure  pleasure.

Dennis Rodman

was suspended for 11 games on January 17, 1997 for kicking a cameraman.  The Chicago Bulls’  star rebounder was also fined $ 25,000 and ordered to seek psychological help. 

Martina Hingis

of Switzerland became the youngest champion at Wimbledon in 100 years. The  16 year-old  beauty beat  Jana  Novotna  of  the  Czech  Republic on July  5,1997.  The following day, Pete  Sampras 26,  defeated France’s Cedric  Pioline, for his  fourth Wibledon  title.

Mike Tyson        

On June 5, 1997, Mike Tyson lost his heavyweight title in the third round of his Las Vegas rematch with Evander Holyfield. Tyson was disqualified after biting both of Holyfield’s ears.  The first time, he was warned but on the second time, he was ordered to his corner.  Tyson got a $ 3 million fine and  his license revoked.  “Abi  ni  Tyson  bulaklak chicharon ang dungan ni  Holyfield. Lemuel Maglinte said If  nag ingon  pa si Tyson unta, naa siyay pinakurat na suka”.