Chongming clinches two more major races
Shanghai’s Chongming district has been chosen as the venue for an Ironman 70.3 triathlon and a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in a further boost to the area’s burgeoning status as a major international sports venue.
The Chongming district government on Friday signed an agreement with Wanda Sports to jointly stage the events in the island district, with both taking place in October this year.
Wanda Sports, which owns and operates the events, will be responsible for their operation, publicity and promotion and will provide support toward the construction of a Chongming sports-themed town, stadiums and other infrastructure.
Debuting in Hawaii in 1978, Ironman is one of the world’s biggest triathlon brands, accounting for 91 percent of the global market in long-distance triathlons.
Ironman 70.3, aka Half Ironman, is so called because the race totals 70.3 miles (113 kilometers) in distance — comprising of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.11-mile run. Each segment features half the distance of a standard Ironman triathlon.
Wanda Sports, a company owned by the Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda, acquired the brand in 2015.
The company bought the rights to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series last year.
The race, which was first staged in 1998, is known as the “world’s largest running series”, with more than 500,000 people taking part annually in 30 cities worldwide along routes lined with live bands, cheerleaders and themed water stations.
“By inviting more international competitions to the island, we hope to promote the development of Chongming as an international ecoisland,” said Liu Chun, deputy general manager of Wanda Sports.
“Signing up these international sporting events will help to stimulate the comprehensive development of a sports, tourism and culture industry in Chongming.”
Chongming was earmarked for development into an ecological island in 2001.
Fifteen years later, the municipal government announced plans for it to also become a major international outdoor sports leisure brand.
After more than a decade of construction on the island, Chongming is now home to a number of ecological reserves, such as the Xisha Wetland and Mingzhu Lake, which makes it “an ideal venue” for various international sports events, according to Wang Jing, deputy governor of Chongming District.
The island holds at least 50 district-level sports competitions every year as well as many international events, including a stop on the UCI Women’s Road Cycling World Cup.
“We are aiming to attract more people to participate in sports, outdoor activities and entertainment in Chongming and to build Chongming into an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise,” said Wang.
By inviting more international competitions to the island, we hope to promote the development of Chongming as an international eco-island.”
Liu Chun,
a true champion tonight.”
Wilder, 32, is 40-0 with 39 knockouts. This easily was his toughest bout. Somehow, he was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards.
Associated Press had it 86-83 for Ortiz heading into the 10th.
Ortiz, 38, is 28-1. He couldn’t have come much closer to becoming the first Cuban heavyweight belt holder after finally getting his match with Wilder. Their initial bout was scheduled for last November, but Ortiz twice tested positive for a banned diuretic.
Wilder basically threw away the early rounds with a lack of aggression and much clowning. The left-handed Ortiz was all business.
In the fifth, with boos raining down from the crowd of 14,069 at Barclays Center, Wilder finally landed a solid punch. That invigorated him and two rights to the chin sent down Ortiz.
Wilder couldn’t finish him, and was nearly finished himself two rounds later. Ortiz was so dominant in those three minutes that Wilder looked bewildered at his predicament.
The champ hung on in the eighth, then somehow found the fortitude and punching power to turn it around in the final two rounds.
“A true champion always finds a way to come back and that’s what I did tonight,” Wilder said. “Luis Ortiz is definitely a crafty guy. He put up a great fight. We knew we had to wear him down. I showed everyone I can take a punch.”