RIO DE JANEIRO -- Even defeat ultimately felt like victory for Yolande Bukasa and Popole Misenga. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys .The two refugees, originally from Congo, competed in judo Wednesday at the Olympics, and they showed that despite losing their country and their families, their spirit remained strong.Bukasa went out in the first round after losing to 11th-seeded Linda Bolder of Israel. Although Bukasa tried to land a strong grip on Bolders uniform, the Israeli quickly took control and threw Bukasa once before holding her down for 20 seconds to score an automatic win.After the match, which took under two minutes, Bukasa said she was joyful simply making it to the Rio Games.Im very happy even having lost, because I had the chance to fight at the Olympics, she said. Someday I think there will be a plaque commemorating the fact that I took part in the 2016 Olympics.Misenga, 24, fared slightly better than Bukasa, winning his first bout against Indias Avtar Singh after landing one throw for a single point.His second-round fight, however, pitted him against the top-ranked judoka in the division, world champion Donghan Gwak of South Korea. With the crowd chanting his name, Misenga fought relentlessly for about four minutes until Gwak scored an ippon victory.Smiling despite his loss, Misenga said it was an honor to face a world champion and that he was proud to have lasted as long as he did -- especially since some of the most lopsided bouts this week were over in seconds.Misenga hasnt seen his family in 15 years after being separated from them at age 9 during the war in Congo. Once in the capital of Kinshasa, he learned judo at a center for displaced children.He soon began competing, but he was treated harshly whenever he lost, with his coach locking him in a cage for days with little to eat or drink. Bukasa was treated the same way by her coach after poor performances.When the two came to Rio for the world championships three years ago, they deserted the team hotel and sought asylum in Brazil, eventually gaining refugee status. Since then, they have been training at a renowned judo school run by Brazilian Olympic bronze medalist Flavio Canto. He is the coach of judoka Rafaela Silva, who on Monday won Brazils first gold of the Rio Games.Claude Marshall, the sports coordinator for the U.N. refugee agency, said they are working to try to reunite Misenga and Bukasa with their families but havent had any luck. He described their performances as overwhelming and was struck by their reluctance to focus on themselves.Even here at the Olympics, they dont like to talk about themselves, Marshall said. They talk about doing this for the 10 million refugee kids out there and about the healing power of sport. He described the athletes losses in the preliminary rounds as no big deal and said that as far as (the U.N.) is concerned, they won.Misenga said he was proud that people around the world are watching refugees compete at the Olympics, and said that while he isnt in contact with his family, hes sure they have seen him on television.Ill send a kiss to them wherever they are, he said, adding that he intends to keep competing and hopes to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Judo is my life, he said. I will one day win a medal.Bukasa also plans to continue her training, and while she mourns having lost touch with her family, said she has found a new one in Brazil.Its not a blood family, but the people cheering for me here in Rio are like a new family, she said. I miss my family a lot, but Im fighting not only in judo, but for my life. I hope my family and the people of Congo will do the same. Nike NFL Jerseys From China .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. Stitched Nike NFL Jerseys . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. http://www.cheapnfljerseyssigned.com/ . McPhee said that Ovechkins father Mikhail is in stable condition after having the surgery this week and is no longer in intensive care. "Weve told him to stay as long as necessary with your dad," he said. Ovechkin and his Russian national team were eliminated from the mens hockey tournament in Sochi on Wednesday with a 3-1 quarter-final loss to Finland.Playing Wayne Rooney as a No 10 against Scotland is more of a risk than Daniel Sturridge playing as a striker, according to Stuart Pearce. Gareth Southgate has been tipped to choose Sturridge to lead Englands attack in their World Cup qualifier against the Scots at Wembley on Friday, despite the Liverpool forwards failure to score a Premier League goal this season,Manchester Uniteds Rooney has been confirmed to start as captain, but Pearce - who was part of the England side that beat Scotland at Euro 96 - is concerned by the prospect of Rooney playing behind Sturridge. Gareth Southgate confirmed Rooney will captain England in Friday nights World Cup qualifier with Scotland at Wembley When asked if starting Sturridge would be dangerous, Pearce told Sky Sports News HQ: I dont think its a risk at all. England interim manager Southgate opted to play Sturridge in the goalless draw with Slovenia in their last World Cup qualifier in October, with Rooney placed on the bench. Jurgen Klopp has selected Roberto Firmino to lead the line for Liverpool in recent weeks and kept Sturridge among the substitutes, while Rooney has regained his place in Jose Mourinhos starting line-up for Manchester United. Sturridge hit the woodwork twice as Liverpool beat Watford 6-1 last weekend However, Pearce is suitably convinced by Sturridges 20-minute appearance in Liverpools 6-1 win over Watford in the Premier League last weekend to back the forward for England, but believes doubts still surround Rooney. Signed Nike NFL Jerseys. .Sturridge came off the bench, I think he had five efforts at goal and hit the woodwork twice, said Pearce. One thing you do know is he is going to have efforts at goal. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. The big problem for me will come back to the Rooney situation. If Rooney is going to play just behind the striker, and Scotland are going to sit deep, I think Wayne just wants to play deep and get on the ball.If he does, Sturridge will be very isolated. Rooney cannot afford to keep dropping deep beyond their midfield. Hes got to stay beyond their midfield and look for space, and get on the ball.Thats where the question mark around Rooney keeps coming up, time and time again. Its because he wants to play deeper where theres no traffic of players, get on the ball and start spraying it around. If we play with two holders, youre wasting players. Also See: England v Scotland preview Rooney coming back into form VOTE: England or Scotland? 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