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SEOUL, South Korea -- Chinas overwhelming domination of table tennis at the Olympics will likely continue in Rio, but theres drama about just which member of the fantastically talented Chinese national team will prevail.Starting Aug. 6, there will also be intense competition among the rest of the world for bronze and, just maybe, a surprise gold or silver.Among the other stories that could captivate: A 16-year-old American looks to make his name internationally, war-torn Syria gets its first Olympic table tennis entry and two female Paralympian athletes will also compete in Olympic matches.Even if its another largely all-China affair, fans who tune in will be treated to a mesmerizing mix of wicked spins and powerful slams, with players rocketing the small, lightweight, white plastic ball at each other in a blur of slicing parabolas.Heres a look at what to expect from the worlds most popular racket sport, otherwise known as pingpong:---THE CHINA SCRAMBLEJust qualifying for a Chinese team that has taken home 24 of 28 gold medals since table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988, and all the golds at the last two Games, is a major achievement.For instance, the current womens world No. 1, Liu Shiwen, didnt get one of her countrys two spots for singles, though she will be part of the team competition. Instead, it will be London champion Li Xiaoxia, now ranked No. 5, and reigning world champion and world No. 2 Ding Ning, who won silver in London, going to Rio in singles.For the mens side, current world No. 2 Fan Zhendong, a rising young star, and world No. 3 Xu Xin didnt make the Chinese singles team.London champion Zhang Jike, who was named after Brazilian soccer star Zico, will go to Rio in singles, despite being ranked No. 4 in the world and putting in erratic performances since London. Zhang, for instance, lost in the first round of a June tournament in South Korea to a player from Taiwan ranked No. 63 at the time.The other Chinese man for singles will be Ma Long, the current world No. 1, who lost in the finals of that South Korean tournament to Xu Xin.---THE REST OF THE WORLDAlthough still a source of national pride, some see a dip in table tennis popularity as China has become richer, more confident and more curious about other sports.The rest of the world, meanwhile, has been working to catch up. Theyve been helped by a rule that limits each country to only two players for each singles event; that gives everyone else a chance for medals, though mostly of the bronze variety.While China has the top three womens spots currently in the world rankings, there are three Japanese in the top 10, as well as one player each from Germany and Singapore.For men, China takes the top four spots, but after that comes players from Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Belarus and South Korea.The United States has never medaled in table tennis, but there is excitement about the future. Kanak Jha, now 16, was the youngest male to qualify for table tennis in Olympic history when he made the U.S. team in April while still 15.---DOUBLE DUTYTwo female Paralympian table tennis athletes will also compete in the Olympic games -- a first, according to table tennis officials.Natalia Partyka of Poland, who was born without a right hand and forearm, has been in the last two Olympics, in Beijing and London. Partyka has also won gold three times at the Paralympics.It is the first Olympics for Melissa Tapper of Australia, whose right arm has nerve damage.---SYRIASyria will send its first player to an Olympic table tennis tournament, despite a long, calamitous war.Heba Allejji will represent Syria in Rio after being awarded a special place in the table tennis competition.The 19-year-old is currently ranked No. 713 in the world.She has competed in international competitions before, including the 2016 Asian Olympic qualifiers and the World Tour Qatar Open. Wholesale Jordan Retro 11 . - Blake Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, J. Jordan Retro 11 Clearance . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. http://www.airjordan11canada.com/ . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Cheap Air Jordan 11 . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Air Jordan 11 Retro Canada .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Sunday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- CHASKA, Minn. -- The Americans need only five points from 12 singles matches Sunday at Hazeltine to win back the Ryder Cup from Europe for the first time since 2008.- MLB wild-card races: AL: Orioles (at Yankees), 3:05 p.m.; Blue Jays (at Red Sox), 3:05 p.m.; Tigers (at Braves), 3:10 p.m. NL: Giants (vs. Dodgers), 3:05 p.m.; Cardinals (vs. Pirates), 3:15 p.m.- Colorados DJ LeMaheiu led injured Daniel Murphy of Washington .348 to .347 for the NL batting title going into the seasons final day, and Houstons Jose Altuve was set to win his second AL hitting crown in three years.- SAN FRANCSICO -- Vin Scully broadcasts his last game for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 67-year career, even taking over the San Francisco Giants broadcast for the third inning of the regular-season finale at AT&T Park.- ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves bid farewell to Turner Field, their home for the last 20 years. The team is moving to a new stadium in the suburbs next season.- The AP releases its weekly Top 25 college football poll at 2 p.m.- EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Russell Wilson is set to start at quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks (2-1) despite suffering a sprained left knee ligament last weekend. Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets (1-2) try to rebound from a six-interception debacle against Kansas Cityy.dddddddddddd Game starts 1 p.m.- TAMPA, Fla. -- Trevor Siemian and the Denver Broncos try to improve to 4-0 when the reigning Super Bowl champions face Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whove lost two straight games. Game starts 4:05 p.m.- PITTSBURGH -- The Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers (2-1). Pittsburgh is coming off a 31-point loss to Philadelphia, the franchises worst setback in 27 years. Game starts 8:30 p.m.- CLEMSON, S.C. -- A year ago, No. 5 Clemson used a hard-fought, showdown game to launch its run to the ACC title and College Football Playoff. The TigAndy Murrays approach to his craft is supremely rational, his belief in sports science unquestioned. Ivan Lendl, Murrays coach, is a meticulous crosser of ts and dotter of is. The team that Murray has assembled leaves no stone unturned in its effort to keep Murray running, mentally as well as physically, like an exquisitely tuned race car.So why do Murrays wheels keep falling off at unexpected times?Its a fascinating quirk in a player who undeniably has greatness stitched into his muscle fibers. Murray is an elite, but hes still capable of shocking us with a spectacular, unexpected collapse. Its a seismic event, like the demolition of a giant old stadium by dynamite -- only nobody told the neighbors it was going to happen. The latest failure occurred in New York and just days ago in Glasgow, Scotland.Murray was on fire and on point all summer. He had gone 42-4 up to his quarterfinal meeting with Kei Nishikori at the US Open on Sept. 7, with four titles (including a major at Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal).At the same time, US Open defending champion Novak Djokovic was struggling with his game as well as unspecified personal issues. The tea leaves all pointed to Murray making a sensational breakthrough, perhaps even shattering Djokovics long stranglehold on the mens game.But Nishikori took Murray out in Flushing Meadows in five sets. Then, not quite two weeks later in Murrays native Scotland, Juan Martin del Potro added insult to injury. He avenged his gold-medal-round loss to Murray in Rio de Janeiro with a five-hour, five-set Davis Cup win that paved the way for Argentinas advance to the final.Of course, Murray is still ranked No. 2 and his position among the elites is secure. It has been since long before Roger Federers left knee buckled or Rafael Nadals warrior spirit turned pacifist. Murrays haul of a dozen Masters 1000 titles and his basic Grand Slam consistency justify his inclusion. He occupies a weight class above that of US Open champ Stan Wawrinka, but note that the Swiss now has the same number of Grand Slam titles (three). Wawrinka is the first to advise others not to read too much into the Grand Slam title count.Yes, I have three Grand Slams, Wawrinka said after winning the US Open. How many Masters 1000 have Murray? [The Big Four] have been there since 10 years. They have not only been winning, but being in semifinal, final every time. Thats why Im not there.All true. But had Murray found a way past Nishikori, Wawrinka might not be having to plead his unworthiness. Also, pundits might be talking about a true horse race for the No. 1 spot in 2017, between Murray and Djokovic.Instead, Wawrinka has inserted himself into the conversation as the best big-match player. At the same time, a lot of the air went out of the Murray balloon. Did he win Wimbledon and Olympic singles gold because he was able to navigate around Djokovic? Some will say so. The one reality is that when it seemed a showdown was imminent in New York, it was Murray who failed to show up.The intriguing thing isnt that Murray lost to Nishikori, the 2014 finalist, but how he went down. Murray was up a set and a break, and seemed to be in control after he put down a Nishikori insurrection and won the third set. But Murray became upset when chair umpire Maria Cicak halted play midpoint at 1-1, 30-40 in the fourth set after a gong-like sound was heard inside the stadium. It all slid away from there.Afterward, Murray downplayed the role of the distraction and his subsequent tiff with officials in his news conference. Instead, he turned philosopher: I could have won the match for sure. But, you know, I have also won some over the last few months that I should have lost.Murray wasnt about to flagellate himself after his critical loss to del Potro less than two weeks later.I did great today, Murray said. Im very proud of how I played. I thought I did fantastic. I fought for every point, tried as best as I could. Thats all you can do.Well, almost. Murray still needs to look for a way to tighten the lug nuts on his wheels for one or two more critical occasions during a career run. Nike Air Max Halvalla . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Nike Air Max Osta . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. http://www.suomiairmax.com/ . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. Halvalla Nike Air Max . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Nike Air Max Kengät Ale . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. HOUSTON -- When 7-year-old Will Erickson penned a letter to Jeff Luhnow imploring the Houston Astros general manager not to trade George Springer, he never dreamed hed get a response.The reason was simple.Because hes busy, Will told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Will decided to write the letter when he heard the Astros could be looking for pitching this offseason and might need to trade somebody like Springer to get it. His letter was straightforward. It said: Please dont trade George Springer these are the reasons. 1. He is my favorite player. 2. I get my hair cut like his. 3. He is a team player.It turns out that Luhnow wasnt too busy to take some time out to get back to the second-grader. He tweeted a picture of the letter with the words: Sound logic dont you think?Will said it took him about 15 minutes to write the letter and decided it would be cool to write one instead of simply sending an email after a letter-writing project his class did recently. He wasnt nervous about reaching out to a baseball executive despite being in elementary school.No, because it was just a letter not like talking, he said.Hes been to quite a few Astros games and loves the work of Springer, who is an outfielder.I like how he robs homers and hits home runs, Will said.During the week Wills bedtime is 8 p.m. so he isnt able to watch much of Astros games live since they begin at 7:10 p.m. But he DVRs every game and gets to watch his beloved Springers work from the night before after school each day.As for the hairccut, Will decided to change his hairstyle after seeing Springers cool do, which has shaved sides and is longer on top.dddddddddddd It was only supposed to be for a little while according to his parents, but now they cant get him to change it and say its part of his personality.Theres no curls (on mine) but its the same, Will said.After Luhnow tweeted Wills letter it got a lot of attention on the internet, with scores of people retweeting it and dozens of news stories being written about it. There was even a segment on the local news in Houston where his father discussed the letter that Wills teacher played on Wednesday for his class.They called me famous, Will said about his classmates.Will hasnt met Springer, but is a little worried about how hell respond if he ever gets the chance.If I saw him I would faint, Will said.When he isnt talking trades with baseball executives Will is a typical elementary school boy. He plays little league baseball and fit his first interview in between school and a trip to see Santa Claus at a nearby Christmas village.Its not much of a surprise what he planned to ask Jolly Old Saint Nick for on Wednesday night. He wants real snow or a baseball lesson from Springer at Minute Maid Park.Both are a tall order, but since Will lives in a place where temperatures in December can soar into the 70s, his parents arent sure which wish is more unlikely. ' ' 'ers victory over No. 3 Louisville appears to be a similar springboard this year with Clemson having little opposition to block a return trip to the league title game and the four-team playoffs.- Other follows to various Top 25 college football games.- DOVER, Del. -- Brad Keselowski sits on the pole for the race at Dover International Speedway. Four drivers will be eliminated from the playoff Chase. By Dan Gelston. Race starts 2:15 p.m.- PARIS -- IOC President Thomas Bach meets with French President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace as part of his two-day visit in Paris. The French capital is competing against Budapest and Los Angeles for the rights to host the 2024 Olympics. ' ' '