1st European Qualifier - Pescara, Italy - Feb 25-Mar 1

[Povetkin]

yes, it was a corner decision.

[slapbangwhallop]

Saunders is a great story. I didn't know anything about him, but I read some about his being a traveler. The American press will eat that up in their Olympics coverage, and it looks like, given his age and performance in this qualifier, he is a serious threat to medal at the Olympics. A match up against the American teenager Demetrius Andrade, especially if it were for the gold, could be one of the most interesting in the Games.

Apparently Stephen Smith refused to continue fighting Djelkhir after falling behind 11-1 in the first round. Given that poor sportsmanship, I'm sort of glad to see him lose in the third-place bout. There's obviously nothing against the English team, given their success, so it would be nice to see them not acting like the worst of petulant American athletes.

I could be wrong but I think that Nevin is also a traveller and an 18 year old as well

[sweetscience]

smith pulling out of the semi's was a good tactical move

there's no way he was going to catch up 10 points - so it makes sense to pull him so he is fresh for the next day - excellent move, pity he didnt win the day after thou

[emile]

Well, if it was purely strategic I'll somewhat retract my criticism of Smith (although the article I read made it sound like a decision of anger at the judging as much as anything else). I'm not sure that it made complete sense strategically - the fatigue and chance of injury from finishing out the fight versus the possibility that he might catch Djelkhir or, more likely, Djelkhir might dislocate his shoulder or something.

It's just not very sporting, but I guess that is partly at the feet of the way the tournament was set up, and the scoring system that makes it so hard to come back from an early deficit. It still strikes me as cynical though.

Do all young travelers have two first names?