Dominicans In Rio Olympics

The Dominican sports delegation to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics includes 29 athletes competing in 11 sports. The Dominican athletes are competing in: archery, athletics, boxing, cycling road, equestrian, judo, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, tennis and weightlifting.
Luguelin Santos, winner of the silver medal in the 400m dash in the London 2012 Olympics, is the flag-bearer in the opening ceremony on 5 August 2016.
Mark these dates to follow the Dominican athletes.

Judo. Wander Mateo (66kg)
Weight lifting. Luis Garcia.
Weightlifting. Beatriz Piron (48kg)
8 August:
Weightlifting. Yuderqui Contreras (48kg)
9 August:
Johnny Perez (100 freestyle swimming)
12 August:
Athletics. Luguelin Santos (400 meters)
Swimming Dorian McMenemy (50 m freestyle)
13 August:
Athletics. Yancarlos Martinez
13 August:
Boxing. Leonel de los Santos (52kg)
14 August:
Boxing. Hector Luis Garcia (56 kg)
15 August:
Athletics. Mariely Sanchez (200 meters)
Athletics. Jaunder Santos (400 meters hurdles)
16 August:
Athletics. Stanly del Carmen (200 meters)
Athletics. Yancarlos Martinez.
17 August:
Taekwondo. Luisito Pie (58 kg)
18 August:
Track and field. 4 x 100.
19 August:
Judo: Moises Hernandez (80 kg)
Track and field 4 x 400.
Athletics. Mayobanex D'Oleo (Men's 4 x 100 relay)
Athletics: Luis Enrique Charles (Men's 4 x 400 relay)
https://www.rio2016.com/en/dominican-republic
http://www.diariolibre.com/deportes/...-rio-FA4516744

The Americas Move On

Costa Rican teammates celebrate after advancing in the Round Of 16. Central and South American teams remain in play for the World Cup. 

2014 World Cup

The mayhem has begun. There will be many matches, featuring many handsome and rugged hombres to feast your eyes upon.

                                 Hulk is a veteran player of the host country, Brazil.

                                              The Dominican national team.

                                                    Players from Honduras.

Big For Boxing!

This is big news for the world of boxing and for sports in general. Thanks to Rod 2.0 for the heads-up!

Puerto Rican featherweight champion boxer Orlando Cruz has come out and become the first openly gay, active fighter in the sport's history. The 31-year-old Cruz represented Puerto Rico in the Sydney 2000 Olympics and boasts a strong professional record of 18-2-1.

Cruz said that he hopes to become a "role model" for youth, reports USA Today.

"I’ve been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself. I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man."

Las Olimpiadas

The Olympic Games begin today. Usain Bolt, one of my favorite athletes is expected to make another great showing in track and field. Let's hope so!

Fantasia de Deporte

Latin America has many players in professional baseball, particularly from the Dominican Republic. As we gear up for the All-Star break I wanted to share one of my favorite sports fantasies with you!

Sports Lovers

For all you lovers of basketball and fine Dominican men, rejoice! Al Horford and the Atlanta Hawks have made it to the NBA semi-finals which begin tonight against the Orlando Magic.

FOOTBALL FANTASY

Next to being at the Super Bowl here in the US, I would absolutely love to be in the Dominican Republic to watch the activities among gorgeous, excited Dominican men. Anywhere I can watch Dominique will suit me just fine!



















dr1 reports the following:
Local US football fans have a date on Sunday, 1 February 7pm at the kick-off event organized by the Dominican League of American Football (LDFA), Dominican Raiders team at Beer House Cafe. The Super Bowl XLIII game matches the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals. The gathering will be at the Beer House Cafe, (Tiradentes 28, 2nd floor, Naco, between Max Henriquez Urena street and Gustavo Mejia Ricart avenue). The Dominican League of American Football will present their exhibition and international games scheduled for 2009.

February is the preferred month for playing football in the DR because of the cooler temperatures. The Dominican League of American Football was re-launched in 2007. Dominican-born Luis Castillo plays professionally with the US National Football League's San Diego Chargers. Castillo is committed to promoting the sport in the DR. For more information on the LDFA, contact Ross Levy-Tovar at 809 564-6251 or 829-375-0989.

OLYMPIC GOLD

This post is a tribute to the latin countries that participated in the Beijing Olympics. I was particularly cheering for these three. They are at the top of their class, but are just now getting the recognition they deserve. And of course they are eye candy!

Felix Diaz, pictured here, is the first Dominican to win olympic gold in boxing.

The videos below are Nelson Evora of Portugal who won gold in the triple jump, and Usain Bolt of Jamaica who set world records in both the 100 and 200 meter dash races.

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

The caribbean nations fared well this season in track and field and other sports. Here are some pics I came across on ViewImages. Dominican Wendy Cruz is the winner of the mens road race held at the PanAm Games. Arismendy Pequero represented the Dominican Republic as he placed in the 400 meter run during the World Championships. Felix Sanchez, our very first Friday Fantasy, placed in the 400 meter hurdles race at the World Championships. Cuban athlete Yorda Garcia placed in the decathlon during the World Championships.

DEPORTE DOMINICANO

I love sports! Some would argue that I just enjoy watching handsome, sweaty men in tight shorts, swimwear or pants. Okay, that too. But I do like the competition.

Whereas Dominicans have a true passion for baseball, as mentioned in this YouTube clip and in our December '05 archive, they have also started making a name in other sports.












While we celebrate Barry Bonds breaking the homerun record set by Hank Aaron, let's also celebrate Alex Rodriguez being the youngest player (age 32) to hit 500 career homers.

Also, Dominican native Al Horford was the third pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft.

SPORTS NEWS

Speaking at a press conference at Santo Domingo's Clarion Hotel, NBA star Charlie Villanueva announced that he would like to represent the Dominican Republic in international competitions. Villanueva also announced that the team Dominican Power, made up of Dominicans residing in New York would play an exhibition game in the DR in August.

DP will be playing against members of the Dominican Basketball League. Villanueva is on the DP team.

PLAY BALL !!!

22-year old Santo Domingo-born Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins has won the Rookie Of The Year award for the National League. Ramirez becomes the sixth Dominican player to win the prestigious award.

Also in the MLB, Dominican-born Manny Acta has been appointed as manager of the Washington Nationals. Acta led the Dominican Republic to victory in the 2003 Caribbean Baseball Series. He's the fourth Dominican to be appointed to a managerial position in the Major Leagues.

Tourists visiting the Dominican Republic through January have the opportunity to attend Dominican style baseball games, with all the enthusiasm of the local crowds! In Santo Domingo games are played at the 25,000 seat Quisqueya Ball Park. Check here for game times.
www.lidom.com/calendario.htm


BREAKING NEWS: Today Alfonso Soriano, from San Pedro De Macoris in the Dominican Republic, has signed an eight year contract worth U.S. $136 million dollars. That makes him a billionaire in Dominican pesos!

Soriano is now an outfielder with the Chicago Cubs and will surely be a great replacement for Sammy Sosa in the hearts of Cubs fans.

MAJOR LEAGUE DREAMS

If you've payed any attention when in the Dominican Republic you've noticed how baseball dominates the sports culture. Many guys you meet will tell you of their current, or past, exploits on the diamond. I came across the following article and found it interesting enough to share with you.

MAJOR LEAGUE DREAMS

Everybody has the dream. The prospect of untold riches is affecting the way Dominican players are signed and scouted like never before.

These days, baseball generates money more easily than just about any other industry in the Dominican Republic, whose top exports are sugar, cofee, tobacco, rum, merengue and ball players, not necessarily in that order.

In 2003, there were 860 foreign-born players signed to professional contracts by major league clubs.

Of that number, an astounding 55 percent were from this tiny island.

The dream is money. The major leagues have always been a way out of poverty here, but now it is more so than ever. With players like Ramirez make $20 million per year and other top name Dominican players with huge contracts; Sammy Sosa, Moises Alou, Miguel Tajada and others.

Many Dominican players spend their winters at home. So, their wealth can be seen by youngsters still trying to make it.

The players in the Dominican Republic are free agents. For now, at least, they are'nt subject to baseball's amateur draft. When a talented player comes along, it's open season for scouts, agents and the buscadores(or bird dogs) who act as go-betweens and collect finders fees when they deliver a young player to a scout or agent.

It is unfortunate that the wealth of the major leagues has not made it into the very place where they get the leagues hottest talent. Recently, a 16-year old shortstop named Bartolo DePaula was signed to a contract. His bonus check was only $8000 dollars. A bargain for the Brewers, a fortune for his family.

In a country where many youngsters are desperately poor, there are still Major League dreams; still scouts and agents who'll get rich trying to make dreams come true.

Click here for a list of Dominican players/profiles in Major League Baseball.

Alicia Patterson has an insightful look at some players and what happens when a dream's defered.