After two consecutive seasons on the throne, Bryce Cotton surrendered his MVP crown to Jaylen Adams, in one of the closest voting counts in years.
In the end, Adams’ league-leading assists tally and his growing reputation for clutch play, were enough to squeak past Cotton by 105 votes to 94. Jo Lual-Acuil finished third in the race with 62 votes.
Adams said this “tremendous honour” had been a “quiet goal” he’d set for himself prior to his debut season in Australia.
“I’m thankful for my coach, the front office and the ownership for bringing me here, the fans for their love all season and my teammates,” said Adams.
“It’s a special accomplishment.”
But now that he’s captured the coveted Andrew Gaze trophy, the Sydney Kings star has set his sights on Game 1 of the playoffs against the Illawarra Hawks.
Adams missed the final two games of the regular season with an illness, but he confirmed that he will be ready for the Kings’ quest for championship glory.
“I’m feeling good,” he said.
“I know how important this game is, I’m going to be prepared for it.
“It’s an opportunity for our team to come out and show what we’ve worked so hard for all year, show what we’re capable of doing.”
Who were the other winners?
Vic Law (Perth Wildcats) and Antonius Cleveland (Illawarra Hawks) joined Adams (Sydney Kings), Cotton (Perth Wildcats) and Lual-Acuil (Melbourne United) on the All-NBL First team, while Kai Sotto (Adeliade 36ers) clinched the Fans MVP award. Cleveland also won Defensive Player of the Year.
Rising star Bul Kuol (Cairns Taipans) won Rookie of the Year, while Keanu Pinder (Cairns Taipans) was deemed the league’s Most Improved Player.
Scott Roth was unsurprisingly named Coach of the Year after spearheading the Tasmanian JackJumpers’ incredible first season. The New Zealand Breakers’ Simon Edwards, won Executive of the Year.
Finally, Matthew Dellavedova leads the All-NBL Second team, which also features Josh Adams (Tasmania JackJumpers), Chris Goulding (Melbourne United), Mitch Creek (South East Melbourne Phoenix) and Xavier Cooks (Sydney Kings).
The All England Club (AEC) has officially banned Russian and Belarussian tennis players from competing in the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, the AEC has described the ban as a “sad”, but necessary stand against the country’s “illegal actions” abroad.
The participation of the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Victoria Azarenka, has been in doubt ever since UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston stated that they would need to provide “assurances that they are not supporters of Vladimir Putin”, before a House of Commons digital, culture, media and sport select committee in March.
World No. 2 Medvedev, was one of the favourites to win the Championships. Photo: Matthew Stockman via Getty Images.
The AEC has now gone a step further, banning them outright in a bid to “limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible,” as outlined in a statement released yesterday.
“In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players with the Championships,” it said.
“It is therefore our intention, with deep regret, to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to The Championships 2022.”
Men’s Tennis’ Governing Body, the ATP, has condemned the decision, describing it as discrimination that will set a harmful precedent.
“We believe that today’s unilateral decision by Wimbledon and the LTA to exclude players from Russia and Belarus from this year’s British grass-court swing is unfair and has the potential to set a damaging precedent for the game,” the ATP said.
“Discrimination based on nationality also constitutes a violation of our agreement with Wimbledon that states that player entry is based solely on ATP rankings.”
The ATP has indicated that it is exploring any potential means of overturning the ban.
“Any course of action in response to this decision will now be assessed in consultation with our board and member councils.”
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has also stated that it is “very disappointed in today’s announcement by the AELTC and the LTA to ban individual athletes who are from Russia and Belarus from competing in the upcoming UK grass court events.
“A fundamental principal of the WTA is that individual athletes may participate in professional tennis events based on merit and without any form of discrimination. That principle is expressly set forth in our rules and has been agreed to by both AELTC and LTA. Prohibitions against discrimination are also clearly expressed in their own rules and the Grand Slam rules,” says the WTA.
“The WTA has consistently stated, individual athletes should not be penalized or prevented from competing due to where they are from, or the decisions made by the governments of their countries. Discrimination, and the decision to focus such discrimination against athletes competing on their own as individuals, is neither fair nor justified.”
The Russian/Belarussian ban has drawn significant criticism on social media, with Novak Djokovic, Martina Navratilova and the Belarussian Tennis Federation (BTF), also criticising the AEC’s actions.
The BTF, in particular, is said to be aggressively pursuing international legal action to overturn the ban.
“Such destructive actions in no way contribute to the resolution of conflicts, but only incite hatred and intolerance on a national basis,” the BTF said in a statement.
“Throughout the history of tennis, armed conflicts have occurred in the world – in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Yugoslavia and other countries – but never until now have tournament organisers suspended athletes from the United States, Great Britain and other countries.
“Illegal decisions of international tennis organisations in relation to our athletes undermine the reputation of these organisations.”
Despite the criticism and potential legal ramifications, Chairman of the All England Club, Ian Hewitt, said “we recognise that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime.
“We have very carefully considered the alternative measures that might be taken within the UK Government guidance but, given the high profile environment of The Championships, the importance of not allowing sport to be used to promote the Russian regime and our broader concerns for public and player (including family) safety, we do not believe it is viable to proceed on any other basis at The Championships.”
While they will not be able to compete at Tennis’ biggest event, Russian and Belarussian players will still be permitted to compete at both ATP and WTA events, under a neutral flag, throughout the year.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Business NSW (BN) have appealed to their State Governments for changes to the isolation requirements of household close-contacts.
In both states, household contacts of a Covid-19 case must isolate for seven days before returning to their workplace.
But the VCCI and BN say these rules are having a detrimental effect on Australia’s two largest economies, and are proposing changes that would allow business to thrive, without sacrificing safety.
The business bodies argue that if household contacts take daily Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) before leaving their homes, and test negative, they should be allowed to “attend work as normal”.
“We need to release the handbrake and enable businesses to operate at the maximum capacity possible and lead our economic recovery,” says VCCI Chief Executive Paul Guerra.
Allowing staff who have tested negative, and feel well, to return to work, will ease the staffing difficulties that have plagued businesses under the current requirements, according to Mr Guerra.
“Access to staff continues to be a major issue for business and the current isolation requirements are making it difficult for them to provide service for customers and maximise their business opportunities.
“We are seeing other parts of the world moving ahead with revised requirements, and we can use that experience to our advantage.”
BN Chief Executive Daniel Hunter says Victoria and New South Wales’ high vaccination rates and clear capacity to live with Covid-19, mean businesses should be allowed to pursue economic recovery more freely.
“NSW and Victoria are Australia’s biggest economies and the current isolation rules are providing a barrier to businesses as healthy people are forced to isolate unnecessarily,” Mr Hunter says.
“With NSW airport workers currently having an exemption to the household contact rules, there is inconsistency and unfairness – this needs to be fixed so that all businesses can have fair access to workers in the current tight labour market and be open for business.
“Business needs certainty and we know that they are already struggling with supply chain issues and staff shortages. Let’s give them the opportunity they need to continue their recovery and let’s give it to them now.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, has indicated that changes will indeed be made to household contact requirements, declaring that Omicron cases have likely peaked in his state.
“The seven-day average, very pleasingly, is coming down. So that says to me that the peak has come and gone,” Andrews said at a press conference.
“We just have to wait and see that those few days of data turns into a trend that we hope it is.”
At the same event, Victoria’s Health Minister Martin Foley said “positive announcements” were coming soon.
“We’ll get down to very, very few rules very soon,” Foley said.
“That’s good for business, good for communities and fundamentally a reflection of the amazing thing Victorians have done.”
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is also expected to scrap seven day isolation periods in the coming days.
Taekwondo has shaped some of MMA’s greatest champions and truly iconic moments.
Every fan loves a head-kick KO, but few realise how many of them have been delivered by fighters with a black belt in the Korean Martial Art.
This isn’t surprising given that MMA analysts continue to underrate, and even ignore the discipline, fixating on the skills of Wrestling, Kickboxing and Muay Thai.
Few, if any broadcasters, have highlighted the advantages that Taekwondo’s dynamic footwork and aerial kicks can provide inside the octagon.
Nevertheless, some of the sharpest and deadliest strikers in MMA history were forged in Taekwondo classes.
Below is a list of The Jaded Newsman’s five greatest MMA fighters who fit this description.
5.Benson Henderson
A highly decorated UFC and WEC champion, Henderson’s mother kick-started his fighting career at the age of 9, when she took him to Taekwondo classes. He obtained a black belt, before adding further skills to his game and defeating the likes of Frankie Edgar, Glibert Melendez, Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz.
4. Rose Namajunas
Former UFC Strawweight Champion, Rose Namajunas, started Taekwondo at the age of five, gaining her black belt by the age of nine. Her stunning head-kick KO of then-champion, Weili Zhang, was a brilliant demonstration of her traditional martial arts background.
3. Valentina Shevchenko
Arguably on her way to becoming the greatest women’s fighter of all time, Shevchenko’s combat sports journey also began in a Taekwondo school at the age of five. She became a black belt, before perfecting her skills in Muay Thai and Kickboxing – disciplines in which she obtained multiple world titles. “The Bullet” is the reigning UFC Flyweight champion and looks set to dominate the division for years to come. If this KO doesn’t scream Taekwondo to you – nothing will!
2. Anthony Pettis
Another fighter who started Taekwondo at – you guessed it – the age of five. Pettis held a 3rd-degree black belt by time he was 18, before adding a BJJ black belt to his arsenal. One of the Great Lightweights of his era and a UFC and WEC Champion, Pettis is perhaps best known for his “Showtime Kick” on Benson Henderson. Grab your popcorn and check it out below.
1. Anderson Silva
Widely considered one of the greatest, if not THE greatest fighter of all time, Mr Silva needs no introduction. He holds the record for the most finishes in UFC title fights and in the history of the UFC Middlweight division. His 16-fight winning streak is one of the most dominant runs in MMA history.
Honourable Mentions:
Yair Rodriguez
Rodriguez’s flashy style and ability to spring unique kicking attacks from almost any angle, have made him a huge fan favourite. The Taekwondo black belt recently came agonisingly close to defeating former UFC champion, Max Holloway, in a “fight of the year” contender. Many believe “El Pantera” has the potential to become champion himself one day.
Edson Barboza
In January 2012, Edson Barboza sent Terry Etim into orbit with perhaps the most vicious head-kick UFC fans had ever seen. Many believe that thunderous wheel kick remains unmatched. Although Barboza never quite reached the pinnacle of the sport, he has been a top contender for years, and people know they’re in for a kicking masterclass whenever he fights.
Ciaran O’Mahony’s sports reporting for The Jaded Newsman has earned him a place on the International Sports Press Association’s (AIPS) prestigious list of the best sportswriters in the world.
O’Mahony was shortlisted in two AIPS Sports Media Awards 2021 categories (Best Columnists and Best Writers Under 30) for his investigative projects on pre-Olympic doping tests during Covid lockdowns and the rise of Rwanda’s first female football coach.
“I’m blown away,” said O’Mahony, The Jaded Newsman’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief.
“This is a huge honour and I’m so grateful to the AIPS for all of the work they’ve put into running a global competition and providing a platform to acknowledge all of the hard work that sports journalists do around the world.”
“Sport has always been my greatest passion in work and in life. Telling the stories of so many important figures in the industry and then having that work recognised internationally, means so much to me.”
The AIPS Awards are one of the highest international accolades in sports media, honouring the world’s best sports storytellers across video, audio, photography and writing.
Over 1730 journalists from 133 countries entered the 2021 edition of the awards, which were judged by an esteemed panel of 40 judges from 35 countries.
O’Mahony’s column on doping revealed exclusive WADA statistics that showed enormous dips in athlete drug testing during emergency lockdowns. The Presidents and CEOs of international doping bodies, and Olympians who had been denied medals by dopers in the past, were interviewed for further insights on the issue.
“It was a very competitive field and I’ve followed many of the writers on that list for a long time. I really admire their work,” O’Mahony said.
“It’s a great feeling to be listed alongside them.”
O’Mahony’s special feature on Grace Nyinawumuntu, the first Rwandan woman to become a professional football coach, was also highly regarded by the international panel of judges.
Nyinawumuntu was orphaned by Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and this trauma sent her into deep despair. But a football for women’s rights initiative created by IOC member, Felicite Rwemarika, offered her a pathway out of isolation and into Rwandan sports history.
O’Mahony was ranked in the world’s top 20 sportswriters under 30 for this story and he believes it sends a powerful message about the impact sport can have on society.
“The feature on Grace Nyinawumuntu was part of a special collaboration with the very talented Bianca Roberts. I have to say a huge thanks to Bianca because she was a huge part of bringing that piece to fruition.
“We produced a series of articles and a podcast on the impact of Felicite Rwemarika’s AKWOS (Association of Kigali Women in Sports) football program on women’s rights in Rwanda.
“Ms Rwemarika changed so many lives and led an important movement for social change in her country. Ms Nyinawumuntu was one of the most inspiring participants in that program, rising above unimaginable grief and loss to become the country’s first female professional referee and coach.”
The AIPS rankings have capped off a fantastic debut year for The Jaded Newsman, which was also recognised for its reporting on homelessness at the Victorian Homelessness Media Awards in November 2021.
The independent publication continues to grow in popularity and an increasing pool of experts are recognising the quality of the coverage it is providing readers on important social and sporting issues.
“I’m delighted as both a writer and an editor,” O’Mahony said.
“Starting a new publication with modest resources is a challenging and daunting task. There is so much more involved than writing engaging feature articles. It has been a huge learning curve as far as website design, promotional and social media campaigns are concerned. But I think we’re starting to reap the rewards.”
“Achieving so much in the first year is really humbling and it’s made me hungry to push The Jaded Newsman to even greater heights.”
“Our readers are the real winners because they have access to a publication that is not only turning heads, but also free from any financial or political bias. That’s very rare in this day and age.
“We’re starting to mix it with the world’s best and I don’t think we look out of place. We’re just getting started and I hope readers will continue to join us on the journey.”
The Jaded Newsman 