Sports

Longoria a franchise player in Tampa

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Step into the zone with Evan Longoria. It is an imaginary place he enters before every pitch – a place where expectations and past failures are not permitted, a place where the only thing that matters is the challenge before him. It could be the bottom of the ninth inning at Boston’s Fenway Park, to do all he can, with his glove, to finish off the Red Sox. He has already blasted a home run over the Green Monster this day, but his work starts anew every time he steps into the zone. It’s a 4-3 lead with Boston’s Dustin Pedroia at the plate.

Sports

Ukrainian prospect pulse: Revisiting the 2013 NHL draft

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A first-round draft pick is usually two years from making his way onto an National Hockey League (NHL) active roster. Most return to their junior club for a final year of spirited competition before their second training camp. The rare super prospect occasionally makes the jump to the big club in his draft year. Three Ukrainians selected in the first round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft have followed uniquely distinctive paths into their pro careers. One made the NHL a year after being drafted, a second is spending his first pro year in the AHL (American Hockey League), while the third is finishing his juniors career with a flourish.

Sports

Terry Sawchuk subject of film documentary

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He was arguably the best goaltender ever to play in the National Hockey League. He was the best NHL’er to come out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He played 21 seasons in the NHL and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1971, one year after his death. He won four Vezina trophies (top goalie award) and four Stanley Cups. Born to Ukrainian Canadian parents and raised in East Kildonan, British Columbia, he once broke his elbow, never had it fixed and could never straighten it again.

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Klitschko outpoints Jennings to retain titles

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NEW YORK – Wladimir Klitschko outboxed a game but limited Bryant Jennings in the Ukrainian champion’s first United States fight in seven years, and he succeeded in defending his five heavyweight titles with a unanimous decision on April 25. The world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden sounded and felt like Kyiv, Ukraine. It was Klitschko’s fourth Garden bout and, despite a long absence, the venue seemed comfortable and familiar. The 39-year-old champ did not overpower his challenger, but was in total control from the opening bell in his 18th consecutive successful title defense. The pro-Klitschko crowd of 17,056 cheered loudly with every thundering punch, while lavishing cheers and chants on his older brother, former champion and current Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who helped warm up the winner prior to the fight.

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Ukrainian pro sport update: boxing

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Lomachenko and Usyk: amateurs go pro

The Ukrainian boxing team won five of the country’s 20 medals at the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, proving they were: 1) the world’s top boxing squad, and 2) Team Ukraine’s most valuable athletes. Four Ukrainians were heavily favored to win medals at the London Games – five succeeded, winning two gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko (gold) were two of the five medal winners to parlay their outstanding amateur achievements into the beginnings of profitable professional paydays. Lomachenko chased boxing history

When Vasyl Lomachenko, the heralded two-time Olympic gold medal champion was meeting with promoters to discuss a pro contract in the summer of 2013, he let them know he wanted to fight for a featherweight world title in his professional debut. As it turned out, Lomachenko had to wait for it until his second bout, a controversial loss to Orlando Salido.

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Ukrainian pro sports update: tennis and hockey

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Svitolina a rising star  in women’s tennis

Nineteen-year-old Elina Svitolina reigned supreme after the two-set contest in Baku, a final that saw two of the WTA tour’s rising stars collide. The Ukrainian youngster retained the maiden title she won at this same event in 2013 with a strong showing against Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia. At the time ranked No. 37 in the world, Svitolina had lost only one set in Baku and was clearly the stronger competitor from the start of the match. She breezed through the first set in a mere 22 minutes.

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Ukrainian pro sports update: basketball

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Olynyk shows future promise

The word “disappointing” would not be a fair description of Kelly Olynyk’s rookie season with the Boston Celtics. Rookie seasons are for learning from many mistakes while slowly, steadily getting better. Olynyk’s team, like most who select early in the NBA draft, was awful. Indeed, the Celtics were so awful they were content heading into the draft lottery in 2014. The 2103-2014 season saw Boston G.M. Danny Ainge trade productive players for more draft picks, shorter financial commitment and the hope of a brighter future.

Sports

Ukrainian pro sports update: basketball

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Olynyk shows future promise

The word “disappointing” would not be a fair description of Kelly Olynyk’s rookie season with the Boston Celtics. Rookie seasons are for learning from many mistakes while slowly, steadily getting better. Olynyk’s team, like most who select early in the NBA draft, was awful. Indeed, the Celtics were so awful they were content heading into the draft lottery in 2014. The 2103-2014 season saw Boston G.M. Danny Ainge trade productive players for more draft picks, shorter financial commitment and the hope of a brighter future.