TOKYO 2020 PARALYMPIC GAMES
Previously scheduled to take place in August/September 2020, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Para badminton will be part of the Paralympic programme for the first time ever in the Games of the XXXII Olympiad.
Yangshuo Moon Hill (Guilin, China): Climbing, Hiking and Photography
Moon Hill Hiking
For the travelers who want a really close explore of the “moon”, you can hike up along the marble-paved, winding, and sometimes steep “appreciating moon path” to the top. After about 1 hour or so, you will be under the arch of moon and you will find stalactites of various shapes. Some of them like fairy Chang'e, Jade Rabbit and woodcutter Wu Gang in traditional Chinese legends. Enjoy your leisure time with those charming legends and let the gentle breeze drive all you stress and bad mood away.
Full Glow-in-Dark Bowling Alley for Modern Bowling Center
Oasis Bowling specializes in providing & installing bowling equipment,as well as bowling alleys for private clubs, organizations, and multifamily amenities.Our expertise, obsession with quality, and attentive guidance allows each of our residential clients to realize the unique vision of their home bowling alley or private bowling lane amenity.
Cyclists seek clarity to keep up interest
CYCLISTS have been put in the spotlight over the last few months following an increase in their numbers since the movement control order started.
The lack of closed-road cycling events due to the Covid-19 pandemic has seen these enthusiasts taking to the road on their own to resume their favourite activity.
There were also many who had taken up cycling when other sporting activities were not permitted during the initial stages of the MCO.
On Sept 17 last year, the police, in a Facebook post, cautioned cyclists to stay off highways.
The warning was a result of a number of incidents as well as viral videos and photographs of cyclists riding recklessly on highways.
However, some cyclists were taken aback by the announcement.
Later, Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Deputy Comm Datuk Azisman Alias said those found riding on highways could be fined up to RM2,000 under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (RTA).
Cyclists have been reminded that enforcement of the RTA and Road Traffic Rules 1959 (RTR) will begin from Jan 9.Growth in riders
KSH Bicycle (TTDI) Sdn Bhd saw a 300% surge in bicycle sales during the conditional MCO.
“The increase in sales started at the time when gyms and other activities were not permitted, and we continue to see a boom of customers until now, ” said marketing executive Darren Man.
“In fact, we have constantly run out of stock due to high demand.
“Whenever the bicycles arrive, they are sold out in days, ” he said.
He estimates that around 40% of customers are “newbies.”
KSH owner Alan Tan worries that the banning of cycling on highways may stifle the growth of the cycling community.
“The government’s message for everyone to keep fit is then contradicted.
“If the ban on cycling on highways is fully enforced, then separate bicycle lanes should be considered as a solution as there are many cyclists now, ” he added.
What’s binding?
The bicycle is recognised as a legitimate mode of transport under the RTA and is subject to provisions.
While rules in the Malaysian Highway Code are not legally binding, cyclists are bound by provisions under the RTR requiring their two-wheelers to be equipped with proper front and rear lights, working brakes and a functioning bell.
In addition, the police under Section 112(3) of RTA are authorised to stop, detain and arrest cyclists for other offences, including reckless and dangerous as well as careless and inconsiderate riding.
At present, only four highways are gazetted as being off limits to cyclists –- the Penang Bridge, Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (second Penang Bridge), Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) and KLIA Expressway (Elite) which includes the North-South Expressway Central Link.
Meanwhile, other highways, including Ampang–Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh) and Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar) expressly
prohibit bicycles from entering highways with clear signage in place.
For the cyclists, the announcement has cast some confusion on whether highways are indeed off limits.
Kuala Lumpur Cycling Association president Ahmad Ariff Astaman said, “Cyclists do recognise that they are restricted from certain roads, made clear through gazettement and signage.
“As soon as such signs are erected, we know that it is illegal for us to ride there.
“Only four highways have been gazetted by legislators and a handful of highway operators have exercised their prerogative to exclude bicycles from their highways with signage, and that is clear to us.”
Ariff, who is involved in developing athletes and organising international road races, said experienced cyclists were working within the confines of the law to avoid problems.
“We are looking for and hoping to get some clarity, either through a Federal gazette, signage or dialogues with cyclists, ” he said.
He is of the view that the interest in cycling will be increasing.
Ariff said there was no one-size-fits-all solution to covering the grey areas, as some cyclists had no choice but to use segments of open-loop highways to get to their destination.
“For example, a commuter travelling from Damansara Jaya in Petaling Jaya or Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur will need to use parts of the Damansara–Puchong Expressway (LDP) to get to an LRT station.
He pointed out that any blanket approach would affect other users, mainly those who relied on bicycles in making a living or for travel to work.General feedback
Netizens from both sides of the divide have voiced their views.
Some support the move to ban bicycles on highways, saying cyclists still have access to federal, state and municipal roads.
Cyclists, however, opine that they should be allowed to use motorcycle lanes on certain highways as it was safer.
Seasoned cyclists also said that common sense was necessary when deciding which highways or trunk roads to use.
Bukit Jelutong Cycling Club (BJCC) president Ahmad Salleh agreed that busy highways were too dangerous and cyclists knew this well, but it made little sense to prevent them from using motorcycle lanes.
“While there is still a speed difference between bicycles and motorcycles, the risk on highway motorcycle lanes is much lower than on trunk roads, which are used by every type of vehicle.
“We are all for using motorcycle lanes, like the one on Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE) which we have been using since 2008.
“Traffic volume on motorcycle lanes there is low compared to other highways, and it is separated from the main highway.”
Ahmad said many cyclists also used the Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas) for various purposes, including to get to work.
Sadly, the poor judgement displayed by new cyclists and lack of guidance had led to public displeasure, he acknowledged.
“What is frustrating is that we are all road users.
“We are not asking the government to change the infrastructure, we merely want to access highways, ” he reiterated.
BJCC captain Daniel Wong acknowledges that road users may come across some inconsiderate cyclists, hence the negative reports on social media.
“There are cases of newcomers who ride in the city on nice bicycles and hog the roads with their support cars, but we are not in that group.”
BJCC vice-captain Azman Rahman agreed that cycling was a growing trend and there must be solutions to ensure the healthy activity was done in a safe manner.
He said cyclists frequently encountered aggressive motorists as well as lorry and bus drivers who would drive too close to cyclists.
“Other road users need to be educated about sharing the road with us cyclists instead of being aggressive, ” he added.
Positive development
On a more positive note, the Youth and Sports Ministry initiated a dialogue on Sept 24 last year, involving the Road Transport Department, Malaysian Highway Authority, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research and National Sports Institute as well as cycling associations and clubs, to discuss prevailing issues.
The ministry had said that it would study feedback from the dialogue and hold another
meeting before presenting its findings to the Youth and Sports Minister.
But months after the announcement, Bicycle Friendly Malaysia president Johan Arifin Sopiee said cyclists still did not know whether they were allowed to use ungazetted highways and those without signage banning bicycles.
China hosts its first ever New Year national swimming competition
The finals for China's national swimming competition are being held from December 31 to January 3 in north China's Shijiazhuang City. Hosted by the Chinese Swimming Association, the top-level swimming competition is regarded as preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Swimming stars, including Yan Zibei, Xu Jiayu, Wang Shun, and Grand Slam winner of Olympic Games and World Champions Ye Shiwen take part in the final competitions.
On January 2, 10 finals will be held, including men's 200m backstroke, women's 100m freestyle, men's 200m breaststroke, women's 100m butterfly and more. Join CGTN to watch the third day of the competition.
Tokyo 2020: Shuttlers wary of virus threat
Though the epidemic has affected several sports with tournaments and leagues getting cancelled, shifted or postponed, badminton could be one of the worst affected in the time to come since the sport is dominated by Asians.
Why is speed climbing included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics’ controversial format?
Climbing is making its Olympic debut, but many have questioned the inclusion of speed climbing
China mulls cash injections, mergers to bail out airlines
BEIJING: China is considering measures such as direct cash infusions and mergers to bail out an airline industry crippled by the Covid-19 outbreak, according to people familiar with the matter.
One proposal involves allowing some of the nation’s biggest carriers — which are controlled by the state — to absorb smaller ones suffering the most from the collapse of travel, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information has not been discussed publicly.
Another option being explored is for the government to inject billions of US dollars to bail out the industry, they said.
Discussions are ongoing, and no decision has been made on what the final bailout package will look like, they said.
Sarah Lee’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic hopes take a hit after a disappointing fifth in keirin at World Cup cycling series
Sarah Lee in the rainbow jersey as the reigning world champion of the keirin event. Photo: Hong Kong Cycling Association
Cyclist Sarah Lee hit a speed bump on her road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after finishing a disappointing fifth in the women’s keirin at the World Cup series in Minsk, Belarus.
Wearing the rainbow jersey as the reigning world champion in the event, Lee failed to hit top gear in the six-rider final, suffering her first major defeat in 2019 after winning two World Cup series events and the worlds in Poland.
“There are many new faces in this opening round and they are very powerful,” said Lee when interviewed by UCI after her surprising defeat on Monday morning (Hong Kong time). “After the sprint on the previous day, we were a bit tired but we did our best. We are happy to see more young guns coming up to make the competition more exciting.”
Emma Hinze of Germany won the race. At 22, she came fourth in the World Cup Hong Kong leg in January behind champion Lee. Second place went to 20-year-old Mathilde Gros of France, who was crowned European champion in October and is widely
A Guide to Doing Karaoke in China
In Chinese people’s minds, there’s probably no better party place than the karaoke boxes. They’ve got tons of songs for singing talents to show off their beautiful voices, a variety of beers, soft drinks, and snacks for foodies, and appropriately dimly lit corners for antisocial people who can’t say no to a KTV gathering. Foreigners in China are very likely to be invited to a KTV party, so here’s a guide for you to get ready.
Five golds for China at FINA Champions Swim Series in Beijing
Three-time Olympic champion Sun Yang delighted the home fans as he led the Chinese swimmers to five gold medals on the first day of the FINA Champion Swim Series on Saturday.
Sun stormed a time of one minute and 45.55 seconds to win the men's 200m freestyle, beating his arch-rival Danas Rapsys of Lithuania in 1:45.74 and Dominik Kozma of Hungary in 1:48.98.
"I did not think it as a revenge since I lost to Danas in Shenzhen by 0.03 second. It is a good competition with the strongest rivals in the world. To me, Danas is very tough and also a respected friend," said Sun who took a gold in 400m freestyle and a silver in 200m freestyle in Shenzhen leg held on Jan 14-15. He will compete 400m freestyle on Sunday.
Two-time world champion Xu Jiayu tied for first place with his long-time idol Ryosuke Irie of Japan in 52.97 while Matt Grever of the United States finished third in 53.71.
"It is a great honor to tie Irie for the title. I feel like to compete in the Asian Games. I am a little bit tired but faster than I did in Shenzhen. It is just a test of my winter training," Xu said.
World record holder Liu Xiang proved her reputation in the women's 50m backstroke in 27.58, Yu Jingyao continued her winning streak in the women's 200m breaststroke in 2:24.52 and Yan Zibei led the men's 100m breaststroke in 58.83.
World champion Daiya Sato was the only double winner on Saturday as he claimed victories in the men's 200m butterfly in a Japanese national record time of 1:52.53 and the 200m individual medley on 1:55.55.
"I am surprised by my 200m fly because I was not in my best form. But the time boosts my confidence. It is a great start for me," Sato said.
In other women's events, Katinka Hosszu of Hungary snatched the gold in the 200m backstroke, Ajna Kesely of Hungary topped the 400m freestyle in 4:09.10, Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong, China was the fastest in the 100m freestyle in 53.33, and Molly Hannis of the United States beat Jamaican veteran Alia Atkinson in the 50m breaststroke.
On the men's side, World Cup overall winner Vladimir Morozov of Russia was the king in the 50m freestyle with a time of 21.55 seconds, and Nicholas Santos of Brazil won the 50m butterfly in 22.95.
55% OFF Swimming Pool Entry!
1 swimming ticket, relax, immerse in happiness, choose a healthy life, create a beautiful posture!
81% OFF Personal Training
3 Private 1-on-1 lesson! Free Wi-fi included! Gaudi is one of the different health clubs in Beijing. The idea advocated by Gaudi is absolute happiness and fitness. Here, members can not only experience the avant-garde popular fitness training methods. You can also experience the many outdoor sports activities that the club offers for everyone. Like scuba diving, skiing, cycling, you can even feel comfortable under the Harley’s wildness. Gaudi’s coaching staff are all graduates from sports colleges, have professional qualification certificates and have rich experience in business. The club not only has traditional one-to-one personal training courses, but also conducts one-to-many small group private teaching courses. Group classes use today's effective anaerobic intermittent training. You can bring your family and good friends together to exercise and encourage each other.
85% OFF YOGA COURSE! Includes Yoga, Belly Dancing and Hot Yoga
Yoga course experience set, 3 times experience, ordinary yoga + hot yoga + belly dance 1 times, businesses provide free black tea, WIFI, free bath, set confidence and beauty in one!