The sporting action was on high around the world this weekend with several major tournaments culminating on Sunday, 23rd November. While poker players were battling for the title on the final tables of Asia Pacific Poker Tour 8 – Auckland and World Poker Tour – UK, three major sports tournaments – Formula One, World Chess Championship and Davis Cup climaxed in the international circuit. Lewis Hamilton and Magnus Carlsen clinched their 2nd world titles in Formula One and World Chess Championship respectively, while Roger Federer brought the first Davis Cup to Switzerland.
Formula One
In the last Grand Prix of the season at Abu Dhabi, 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton comfortable clinched the world title. Win this win he joins the great league of racers with multiple titles including his biggest rival Fernando Alonso. Hamilton made an impressive start from the 2nd spot at Yas Marina circuit and maintained the lead over his Mercedes team-mate and title rival, Nico Rosberg who finished 14th due to technical failure in car. “This is the greatest day of my life,” the 29 year-old said. “2008 was a great year in my life. The feeling I have now is way, way past that. The greatest feeling ever.”
The Force India team used threw a stiff competition to rivals and went on to secure the sixth and seventh place with Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez.
World Chess Championship
To the dismay of Viswanathan Anand’s fans in India and across the world, the undisputed World Champion from 2007 to 2013 couldn’t win the title which he lost to Magnus Carlsen last year. In the 11th game of world championship played in Sochi, the Norwegian chess whiz successfully defended his title playing white. Although Anand played better than the last year but Carlsen maintained the pressure throughout the game played on Sunday to clinch the title. “Today was one of the toughest days of all,” said Carlsen, “but I’m so happy I was able to push through.” Anand when asked about his defeat said, “His nerves held up better, he was at the end superior.”
Davis Cup
Roger Federer added the much awaited trophy to his kitty of 7 Wimbledon, 10 from the other three major tennis opens and Olympic gold and silver medals. Federer registered a devastating win 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets against Richard Gasquet giving Switzerland a 3-1 victory over France. The champion brought home the first Davis Cup to Switzerland. Gasquet played excellent tennis till the end but couldn’t surpass the Swiss man in red who took the match by storm. “I’ve been playing in this competition for 15 years now,” said a satisfied Federer. “At the end of the day I wanted it more for the guys and team.”
WHERE POKER AND SPORTS COLLIDE
The past weekend also saw some sporting greats take down to the poker felt when Rafael Nadal defeated Ronaldo in a poker battle. The tennis legend beat the former Brazilian footballer in a charity poker duel earlier last week. Read the complete story here.