The History Makers
For the most recent editions of The Olympics a refugee team has been added to the ranks of nations an athlete can represent. Now for the very first time here in Birmingham, The World Games is delighted to welcome its own refugee team, representing Afganistan, Muaythai athletes Freshtar and Kawsar Sherzad. The sisters are originally from Afghanistan and were happy to practise their martial art there.
However last year when the Taliban regained control of their homeland, they knew this spelled trouble. The Taliban does not approve of women playing sport. So, in March the sisters tearfully said goodbyes to their parents and four siblings and flew to America to seek sanctuary. They landed in Denver with just the clothes on their backs, but quickly made friends with their new training partners at the Martial Art gym they found. Their new American coach Sean Madden was so impressed with their work ethic and love for the sport, that he personally organised a successful fundraiser to cover all the costs associated with the sisters competing at The World Games. This sum was additional to that donated by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (which itself has a proud record of promoting women and working with refugees) to cover the Sherzad sisters' flights to Birmingham. Whatever result the Afghans may achieve in the ring, it is beyond question a win for humanity.
When the qualifications for Muaythai and Kickboxing were published, observers were astonished to see that Monika Choclikova's name appeared in both lists. Were The World Games about to see the first athlete to medal in two different sports? The answer was yes and no, but it was not the Slovakian martial artist who would make history. Hungarian Petra Senanszky demonstrated in the Lifesaving completion that her speed through water is not confined to Fin Swimming. Monika's determination to make the podium is commendable, especially considering she is going to have minimal recovery time in the two most physical and brutal sports at The World Games.
The Fans Favourites
The billiards sport of pool has one of the best match ups to be seen at the Birmingham edition of The World Games. German Joshua Filler and home favourite Shane van Boeing are two of the most successful cue pushers around. They are both Marconi Cup regulars - the Cup is Pool's intercontinental Ryder Cup style competition where Europe has dominated over USA in recent years. They are in great form, thanks to big tournament wins in England this year. After two back to back final defeats six years ago, the veteran cueman from Rapid City, South Dakota finally got his hands on the coveted World Championship trophy. Though pool may not be an Olympic sport, former World Champion Filler has won a trophy in an Olympic venue. His UK Open triumph was at The Copper Box, one of the arenas used for the London 2012 Games. If you want to see world class pool, then this showdown will be epic.
It is rare that a bronze medal match is likely to be more exciting than the final. Sorry fans of Croatia and Qatar, if I had the choice of just one game I would skip your golden match up for the Brazil v USA encounter! It is almost an injustice that the two most entertaining sides in Beach Handball are playing off for third place. On one side Brazil, still the only country to ever be crowned champions of The World Games (both men and women!). Going head to head will be USA fronted by the amazingly acrobatic "Handball Ninja" star of many a YouTube video. The action will be non-stop entertainment, the crowd will be lod, the atmosphere electric. People of Birmingham you need to be there!
Brian Salmon for The World Games
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association, organised with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from 34 sports and over 100 countries will take part in The World Games.