Athlete Spotlight
MOSCOW (AP)—Wrestling's governing body is preparing for what could be the match of its life, holding a special congress in Moscow to discuss changes to modernize the sport and keep its place in the Olympics. Saturday's meeting of the federation, known by the acronym FILA, comes four months after the IOC executive board recommended that wrestling be dropped from the sports program of the 2020 Olympics.
PHOENIX (AP)— Obstacle course runners start on their feet, but eventually end up on their stomachs, sides, even backs at they clamber through mud, over shipping containers, across netting made of mangled ropes. The most mentally strong will choose courses where they have to jump off large platforms into water, run across fire, even crawl through water as live wires zap them from above.
‘The Scholar’ Seeks to Become World Boxing Champ
Written by Terry Poulos
Sonya Lamonakis played sports in high school and college but never in her wildest dreams had an urge to be a professional boxer. This is “The Scholar” we’re talking about, her nickname in the ring. She holds two master’s degrees and is a teacher in New York. Sonya really is a big ole softy. But once you step between the ropes, any adversary had best have boned up on “The Sweet Science,” as is boxing’s own longtime moniker, lest they learn the hard way at Sonya’s school of hard knocks.
ATHENS (AP)—AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis has been banned from any Greek national team for life after giving a Nazi salute while celebrating a goal in the Greek league. Greece's football federation said Sunday in a statement that the player's gesture ``is a deep insult to all victims of Nazi brutality.''
Alabama teen to play softball in Greece
Written by Deangelo McDaniel
TRINITY, Ala. (AP) —In the country where the Olympics started and sports competition dates to the 13th century B.C., West Morgan High School student Alexis Casteel is going to play softball.
Youth from The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Demetrios of Elmhurst, Ill. participated in the annual “Dive for the Cross” event, on January 5 at the Water’s Edge Aquatic Center in Bensenville, Ill. This beautiful event reminds us about the Baptism of Christ and the Sanctification of all creation. Girls and boys were separated into different divisions, and competed by age. Pictured, left to right, Lea Pagonis, winner of the girls division, ages 9-10; and (r) Arianna Kapotas, winner of the girls 11-12 division. www.st-demetrios.org
Dutch king-in-waiting stepping down from IOC
Written by Mike CorderTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)— Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander is quitting the IOC as he prepares to become king.
St. Demetrios Elmhurst High School Boys Triumph at Thanksgiving Tournament
Written by Maria A. Karamitsos
The high school boy's basketball team at The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios in Elmhurst, IL defeated the team from SS Peter and Paul Church of Glenview, IL at the 2012 Meropolitan Iakovos Thanksgiving Tournament. The thrilling match ended in a score of 52-36. Pictured (left to right) Coach John Sellas, George Koupas, Leo Theodore, Dimitri Karabelas, Conner Scarlatis, Anthony Accetta, Dino Kandalepas, Coach Nick Papanicolaou, Christos Kaldis and Anthony Neri.
St. Demetrios Elmhurst Boys Triumph at Thanksgiving Tournament
Written by Guest
The high school boy's basketball team at The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios in Elmhurst, IL defeated the team from SS Peter and Paul Church of Glenview, IL at the 2012 Meropolitan Iakovos Thanksgiving Tournament. The thrilling match ended in a score of 52-36.
ATHENS (AP)— Costas Mitroglou scored twice in the second half to lead Olympiakos to a 4-0 away win over last-place AEK Athens in the Greek league Sunday.
Mitroglou was also involved in the opening goal in the 23rd minute, being brought down in the area by Yago Fernandez. Djamel Abdoun converted the penalty and Fernandez was shown a red card.
Mitroglou scored with a long-range drive in the 57th and David Fuster made it 3-0 in the 85th before helping set up Mitroglou's second goal three minutes later.
Frustrated AEK supporters clashed with police after the game. No injuries were reported.
The win kept Olympiakos five points clear of second-place PAOK, which won 2-0 over Platanias. Also Sunday, third-place Panionios lost 1-0 at Atromitos and Panthrakikos beat Asteras 1-0.
