Life is Healthy

Golfer Michael Rosihan Yacub, left, receiving an award from Museum of Records chairman Jaya Suprana. (JG Photo/Dessy Sagita)

The Indonesian Museum of Records said on Sunday that the award given to a young Jakarta resident as the only registered golfer in Asia living with Down syndrome was an effort to erase discrimination against people living with the condition.

“Michael has inspired many people. He’s living with Down syndrome but managed to score many achievements,” said museum founder Jaya Suprana, refering to 20-year-old Michael Rosihan Yacub, who received the award on Sunday.

Aryanti Yacub, Michael’s mother and the chairwoman of the Indonesian Down Syndrome Association (ISDI), said there were many misconceptions about Down syndrome due to poor public awareness of the condition.

“People need to know that children living with Down syndrome are not idiots or imbeciles. They have potential, and can learn,” she said.

Aryanti said a doctor diagnosed Michael with Down syndrome early in his life and declared that his IQ was only 35. However, at the age of 2, Michael started to show his interest in sport activities especially golf.

“His father and his siblings are all golf lovers, so he was excited to try it,” she said. At a charity golf event in Singapore in 2006, he finished fifth among 140 entrants.

Aryanti said she hoped the award would help spread awareness that people with the condition could lead full lives. In 2001, the Health Ministry reported that there were more than 300,000 Indonesians living with Down syndrome, about 15 percent of all patients worldwide.

Television presenter and Down syndrome advocate Soraya Haque said many Indonesians still believed children were born with the condition because their parents did something wrong.

“They think having children with Down syndrome has to do with the parent’s past,” she said, adding that the cause remained a mystery to doctors.

Threats of cleavage in Formula One (F1) appear on Wednesday (8 / 7), when the Ferrari team along with seven other teams retreat from discussion was held in Germany with the World Motor Sport Council, the governing body of Formula One auto racing. The meeting will discuss the challenges and the future of F1.

"Eight team members of FOTA (F1 Teams Association) are invited to attend meeting to discuss the proposal in 2010 of that automobile sports. Unfortunately, the discussion may not be held because of FOTA resign from the meeting," so declared by the International Automotive Federation / Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in a statement.

FOTA, previously threatening will hold the race itself until finally there is the understanding announced in Paris last month, said in a statement that Formula One future is in danger.

FOTA members consist of Brawn GP champion and BMW-Sauber, Ferrari, mclaren, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso and Toyota.

Meeting session of Technical group will be held in Nuerburgring before the Germany Grand Prix takes place Sunday (12 / 7), planned followed by FOTA with three new teams that will appear in 2010 plus Williams and Force India that was sentenced from FOTA.

FOTA said in a meeting with the FIA technical head Charlie Whiting that they are otherwise contrary to previous understandings and will not make a choice because not listed in the 2010 race.

This problems caused only there five teams of non-FOTA, four of them still do not get the points that make the decision, while the Ferrari, the champion who never missed the race in 60 years, seems will be an observer.

Chris John, a World Featherweight Champion from Indonesia, finally achieves the Super Champions title from the World Boxing Association (WBA) as successfully maintain his titles for 10 times without dropping out.

Chris John when contacted by journalist on Sunday, said the title is received Saturday (27 / 6) at 18:30 local time at the Staples Center Los Angeles United States.

According to him, the title is given directly by the WBA president, Gilberto Mendoza Jr. witnessed by Ministry Secretary from Ministry of Youth And Sports and hundreds of Indonesian citizens in Los Angeles.

Super Champions title necessarily should be given to him at the WBA convention Cartegana, Colombia, 29 March to 2 April 2009 and at that time Chris John acts as guest of honor. But it was canceled and the delegation of the WBA plans to give the title while Chris John be in Los Angeles for preparation of the rematch against Rocky Juarez.

Indonesian Boxer with nickname "The Dragon" got his Super Champions title after successfully defend the title in 10 times without dropping out of contention. The tenth fight in order to maintain that titles was when up against Japanese fighter Hiroyuki Enokidi Tokyo Japan, 24 October 2008.

But until now this husband of former wushu athlete from Central Java Anna Maria Megawati is already 11 times maintaining his titles and he only got a draw (tie) result at his last time fighting against Juarez at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, 28 February 2009.

From 11 attempts to defend the title, five of them through mandatory fight, firstly against Jose Cheo Rojas from Venezuela, then against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, Derrick Gainner (United States), Roinet Caballero (Panama), and Hiroyuki Enoki (Japan).

And then six times through the choice fights against Jose Cheo Rojas from Venezuela, Tommy Brouwn (Australia), Osamu Sato and Zaiki Takemoto (Japan), Renant Acosta (Colombia), and last against Rocky Juarez from United States.

In fact at that time Chris John is scheduled to fight against Rocky Juarez on a rematch, but eventually postponed because John experienced respiratory interference problems or oxygen toxicity syndrome (oxygen intoxication).

Chris John experienced Respiratory disturbances during fifth round of his sparring in United States and at sixth round it has to be stopped by his coach to avoid more serious injuries.

Chris John, Indonesian boxer who was Featherweight World Boxing Association (WBA) champion canceled the match against his challenger, Rocky Juarez, boxer from the United States. Chris John reported fainting during practice in preparation for the match.

Quoted from the ESPN site's news , Chris John was unconscious after making three rounds of sparring on Saturday. The match should take place at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, on next saturday (27 / 6).

Sampson Lewkowicz, Chris John's adviser said, "He is out. He has something with the blood that diminishes his capacity as an athlete. I don't know exactly what it is but he is feeling ill. He went to the doctor and he had a check up and he had a blood test, and something is wrong. I don't know exactly what it is but the doctor said he can't train or exercise. He was training, but was feeling fatigued and went to the doctor."

Doctors who was examined Chris John have not been to ensure about John's blood problems. Lewkowicz said John planned to see his doctor again on Monday for additional tests.

"He will stay in the States until we get a full and comprehensive treatment," Lewkowicz said. "It's a blow for all of us. I hope he will feel better, but he won't be fighting." Lewkowicz said John took the blood test required by the California commission before a fight two weeks ago and it came back fine.

"This is nothing like hepatitis or HIV or anything," Lewkowicz said. "It's something like anemia, like he's missing oxygen in the blood. When he did his blood test two weeks ago, he was fine. He took this one because he felt ill and they found out something was wrong."

Because the duel against Juarez stay a week longer, Chris John may not continue the match as scheduled. Chris John will stay in the United States for a while to get some treatments. Now the promoter is looking for replacements of Chris John, so Juarez can still make his show next Saturday.

Potential opponent is Mexico's Juan Carlos Salgado, who is regarded as a quality prospect. Even if they can sign Salgado for the fight, HBO would still have to approve of him as an opponent, Richard Schaefer, Golden Boy Promotions CEO said.

Spain football club Barcelona FC ended Manchester United FC domination as European champions with an outstanding 2-0 victory in the final of 2009 UEFA Champions League at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome on Thursday may 28 2009.

This is Barcelona's third wins in Europe's premier club competition following their earlier successes in 1992 and 2006. The win gave Barcelona a treble, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. The club's win also gave Spain the most overall Champions League titles with 12, one better than both England and Italy.

Thierry Henry, Barcelona FC striker said "I've been waiting so long to get this title and finally today, The last five minutes were the longest of my life. You never know what can happen -- we were playing against best team in the world.

"It's amazing. All year we played the same way, we wanted to play football. I don't think we started well. We had to play better, then we passed the ball the way we can." Henry said.

This great victory for Barcelona also ended Manchester United's record 25-match unbeaten run in the competition and give them their first ever defeat in a European final.