Malaysia’s Lee Chong-wei and China’s Li Xuerui will find their New Year’s break just a little more satisfying this year after winning the season-ending Badminton World Federation (BWF) Superseries Finals over the weekend. Chong-wei capped a stunning year when he crushed Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto in the men’s final to claim his fourth Superseries Finals crown and his seventh Superseries title of the year – the most he has ever won in a single year.
Xuerui defeated Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying in the women’s final to defend her crown and bring China its only gold of the tournament, cementing her spot at the top of the world rankings.
The surfing reached a stunning climax in Hawaii as Australia’s Mick Fanning produced two remarkable last-second rides to clinch his third world title. Fanning needed to reach the semi-finals to ensure the great Kelly Slater couldn’t make it 12 world titles but looked in trouble in both his fifth round and quarter-finals battles. But both times Fanning produced a brilliant ride at the death to secure victory. It wasn’t all bad news for Slater though, who at least managed to win the Pipe Masters event for the seventh time even if he fell short of the ultimate prize.
The EPL threw up a few huge results – none more telling than huge wins by Manchester City and Liverpool. City has been unstoppable on home soil so far this season and they made yet another statement of intent on Saturday with a thrilling 6-3 win over league leaders Arsenal. But not to be outdone, the Reds were ever more impressive in their 5-0 dismantling of Tottenham at White Hart Lane – a win secured despite the absence of injured captain Steven Gerrard and striker Daniel Sturridge. Those results mean Arsenal’s lead at the top has been slashed to just two points with Liverpool and Chelsea right behind and Manchester City a point further back in fourth.
And there will be some nervous organizers in Brazil after a court ordered all work must stop on the construction of a key stadium ahead of next year’s World Cup following the death of a worker on Saturday. The man fell to his death while working on the roof of the Arena da Amazonia stadium in Manaus, with the court insisting no more work can continue until they have been assured all safety measures are being adhered to. The stadium is due to play host to four matches next year including the Group D blockbuster between Italy and England.
