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Archive March 25, 2025

My upbringing was characterised by fear – Ingebrigtsen

Images courtesy of Getty

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the double Olympic champion, claimed that his father, Gjert, had “manipulated” and “controlled” him throughout his development on Tuesday in front of a court.

Gjert Ingebrigtsen, 59, is accused of physically and mentally abusing his 24-year-old son Jakob and another of his children in Norway.

Former coach Gjert for his son, who denies the allegations.

According to Norwegian state broadcaster NRK, “my upbringing was very much characterised by fear,” he said in a court hearing in Sandnes Jakob.

“Everything was decided by me,” he said. There was a lot of manipulation.

Jakob, who won 1500m gold at Tokyo 2020 and 5, 000m gold at Paris 2024, gave an in-depth account of a number of alleged abuses at the hearing on Tuesday.

He claimed that he was forced to train two or three times a day as a teenager and that he was a schoolboy who was unable to attend parties.

Jakob also referred to a number of instances in which his father assaulted him.

Jakob was eight years old when he received a negative report about his behavior at school, and it is claimed that Gjert repeatedly struck him.

He added that his father punched Jakob in the face because he was late for a race in 2008, making it eight years old. He claims that his father punched him in the stomach after he fell off a scooter a year later.

He referred to another alleged incident from 2016 at a junior championships where his father threatened him and another one where Gjert was said to have allegedly thrown his video game console out of the window.

Background

Jakob, 24, and his brothers Filip, 31, and Henrik, 34, both Olympic athletes, made public accusations that their father, who coached them until 2022, had been violent in October 2023.

The trio, who are one of seven Ingebrigtsen children, stated at the time that they still feel uneasy and afraid about Gjert, who they claimed was “very aggressive and controlling.”

Gjert claimed via his attorney that his claim was “baseless” and that he had never abused his children.

In April, Gjert was charged with one offence, but due to time constraints, five charges were dropped. The case was later expanded with a new charge.

Jakob won two Olympic medals, two of them, two of which were silver in the 1500m, and one of the 11-time European champions.

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  • Athletics

2026WCQ: Zimbabwe Shatter Nigeria’s Dreams, South Africa Beat Benin

In a 2026 World Cup qualifier, Zimbabwe held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, shattering the Super Eagles’ chances of winning.

Before Zimbabwe restored its lead in the 90th minute, Victor Osimhen scored in the 74th minute.

The Super Eagles’ first four matches in the qualification race had been a 0-2 defeat over Rwanda on Friday, so they were hoping to resurrect their World Cup hopes.

In Akwa Ibom, Nigeria faced off against the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, where they had a number of chances to take the lead. However, Eric Chelle’s side was unable to find the net due to some brave defending and wastefulness from the Super Eagles.

Nigeria continued to look for a solution, but it was difficult to dismantle Zimbabwe’s defense. The Super Eagles made a breakthrough in the 74th minute, though! Osimhen likely nods home in the far post neatly to a Ola Aina low cross. The Super Eagles won 1-0!

Iran Qualifies For World Cup 2026, Also Read:

X@NGSuperEagles in photo

Zimbabwe almost leveled things up right away, though, after Nigeria’s defense was slowed down. The Super Eagles were only able to concede with the crossbar.

Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City struggled to place his shot well on goal, despite the Nigerian looking to score another goal. The Super Eagles later made up for it because the defense failed to stop a late Zimbabwean attack. In the 90th minute, Tawanda Chirewa broke Nigerian hearts by beating goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in his near post!

With the draw, Nigeria are still rooted in fourth place, with seven points from six games.

In another Group C match, South Africa clinched a 0-2 victory over the Benin Republic, bringing them one step closer to the World Cup. With 13 points from six games, the Bafana Bafana are now in command of the group’s top spot. They are five points clear of Lesotho, which drew with Rwanda in second place.

Nigeria Vs Zimbabwe: Chelle Retains Starting XI, As Lookman, Osimhen Lead Attack

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will start for the team against Zimbabwe in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, keeping the same players who were on Friday in the win over Rwanda.

READ MORE: [World Cup Qualifiers] South Africa Risk Points Deduction For Fielding Ineligible Player vs. Lesotho

Zimbabwe’s starting XI: Nigeria

Nigeria’s starting lineup against Zimbabwe is shown below.

How ‘free spirit’ Raducanu is thriving without coach

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Emma Raducanu admits to never being afraid to “do things a little bit differently.”

The British number two’s inclusion in the WTA 1, 000 quarter-final without a full-time coach makes for brand-new feeling.

By defeating American 17th seed Amanda Anisimova on Monday, Raducanu won the Miami Open for the fourth time in a row.

The 22-year-old has won that many matches in one tournament for the first time since the 2021 US Open, when she clinched a fairytale victory as a teenage qualifier.

According to Raducanu, who is ranked 60th in the world, “I’d say I’m a bit of a free spirit, so I don’t need to be told what to do.”

“I believe that when I’m being really authentic, I’m playing at my best,” he said.

What has Raducanu changed?

Getty Images

Raducanu regularly adheres to what she believes is best for her, whether it be winning a Grand Slam championship as an unknown rookie, working with a carousel of coaches, or changing her schedule to fit her needs.

Although it doesn’t always turn out well, she continues to hold onto her beliefs.

On the eve of this tournament, Vladimir Platenik and I made another decision that was initially unplanned.

However, her move seems to have paid off with her run on the faster courts in Miami, which is a flattering surface for her style.

Raducanu has a freedom and self-assurance that have only improved since her stunning US Open success.

According to Raducanu, “I feel when I’m boxed into a regimented way that I can’t express myself in the same way.”

Mark Petchey, a well-known player in British tennis circles who worked with her as a teenager, has guided her throughout her time in Florida.

Petchey, who previously trained Andy Murray for his salad on the ATP Tour, has been providing coaching advice from Raducanu’s box on the practice courts.

Petchey and Yutaka Nakamura, Raducanu’s long-time ally, have been working together.

What Raducanu refers to as a “different approach” has resulted in shorter, less intense warm-up sessions and shorter periods of enjoyment.

“This week has been a great eye-opener to when I’m happy and expressive and myself,” Raducanu said.

Does she require a full-time coach?

The reasons behind Raducanu’s chopping and changing of coaches have varied, and there is good evidence of this.

After splitting with a fifth coach in two years, Raducanu argued that her “provoking” and “challenging” questions in some way contributed to the high turnover.

The Briton turned to childhood coach Nick Cavaday as a hero when she recovered from wrist and ankle surgeries in 2024.

He provided stability and a reliable sounding board, but his relationship with him abruptly ended in January as a result of his health issues.

Some people are still unsure whether Raducanu even needs a full-time coach despite the fact that her father, Ian Raducanu, hired Platenik.

Rare are instances of players without a coach engaging in long-range competition. Nick Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon final, is one of the recent winners.

The controversial Australian responded to Raducanu’s run by calling coaches “overrated” and never missed an opportunity to be provocative.

Where are all the experts now, people, awfully quiet, saying Raducanu is winning? posted on X by Kyrgios.

Jane O'Donoghue and Mark Petchey support Emma Raducanu at the Miami OpenGetty Images

The company’s representatives describe Petchey as a “familiar face” who is offering “support” when he balances his work as a television commentator with his role in Miami.

However, how long the agreement will last is unclear.

Tim Henman, a former British number one who has advised Raducanu over the years, thinks Petchey’s involvement “makes sense” because he is familiar with “Emma’s game.”

Henman, who will serve as vice-captain at this year’s Laver Cup, said, “It’ll be interesting to see how long it lasts for.”

Emma has stated in a fairly open interview that she finds it difficult to switch coaches.

I began playing tennis professionally at the end of 1992 and finished in 2007. I had three coaches.

Can Raducanu maintain his or her “competitive spirit”?

Given the number of injuries and issues she has dealt with since winning the US Open, questions about Raducanu’s resilience have been frequently raised.

Additionally, this season was difficult. Before atraumatic stalking incident in Dubai and Cavaday’s exit, her back injury pre-season interrupted her.

Some of the skeptical people were pleasantly surprised by her brutal defeat of world number 10 Emma Navarro in the second round in Miami.

McCartney Kessler and Anisimova, who were both physically hampered, were both swarmed with steel by her.

Raducanu acknowledges that she has lost some of her “competitive spirit” over the past few months and even for a few years.

Whatever she decides to do in Florida, keeping up her level over time is something she has lacked to do so far.

Henman points to Raducanu’s improved durability as a result of her playing more tournaments, despite losing six of her nine matches before the Miami Open.

More than she has in the first three months of the season, Raducanu has competed in seven events this year.

She will re-enter the top 50 for the first time since August 2022 after Miami.

Henman said, “It’s simple to look at the results, but I’d rather look at the course of the tournament,” which is a big, big positive.

related subjects

  • Tennis

How ‘free spirit’ Raducanu is thriving without coach

This video is not playable.

JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.

Emma Raducanu admits to never being afraid to “do things a little bit differently.”

The British number two’s inclusion in the WTA 1, 000 quarter-final without a full-time coach makes for brand-new feeling.

By defeating American 17th seed Amanda Anisimova on Monday, Raducanu won the Miami Open for the fourth time in a row.

The 22-year-old has won that many matches in one tournament for the first time since the 2021 US Open, when she clinched a fairytale victory as a teenage qualifier.

According to Raducanu, who is ranked 60th in the world, “I’d say I’m a bit of a free spirit, so I don’t need to be told what to do.”

“I believe that when I’m being really authentic, I’m playing at my best,” he said.

What has Raducanu changed?

Getty Images

Raducanu regularly adheres to what she believes is best for her, whether it be winning a Grand Slam championship as an unknown rookie, working with a carousel of coaches, or changing her schedule to fit her needs.

Although it doesn’t always turn out well, she continues to hold onto her beliefs.

On the eve of this tournament, Vladimir Platenik and I made another decision that was initially unplanned.

However, her move seems to have paid off with her run on the faster courts in Miami, which is a flattering surface for her style.

Raducanu has a freedom and self-assurance that have only improved since her stunning US Open success.

According to Raducanu, “I feel when I’m boxed into a regimented way that I can’t express myself in the same way.”

Mark Petchey, a well-known player in British tennis circles who worked with her as a teenager, has guided her throughout her time in Florida.

Petchey, who previously trained Andy Murray for his salad on the ATP Tour, has been providing coaching advice from Raducanu’s box on the practice courts.

Petchey and Yutaka Nakamura, Raducanu’s long-time ally, have been working together.

What Raducanu refers to as a “different approach” has resulted in shorter, less intense warm-up sessions and shorter periods of enjoyment.

“This week has been a great eye-opener to when I’m happy and expressive and myself,” Raducanu said.

Does she require a full-time coach?

The reasons behind Raducanu’s chopping and changing of coaches have varied, and there is good evidence of this.

After splitting with a fifth coach in two years, Raducanu argued that her “provoking” and “challenging” questions in some way contributed to the high turnover.

The Briton turned to childhood coach Nick Cavaday as a hero when she recovered from wrist and ankle surgeries in 2024.

He provided stability and a reliable sounding board, but his relationship with him abruptly ended in January as a result of his health issues.

Some people are still unsure whether Raducanu even needs a full-time coach despite the fact that her father, Ian Raducanu, hired Platenik.

Rare are instances of players without a coach engaging in long-range competition. Nick Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon final, is one of the recent winners.

The controversial Australian responded to Raducanu’s run by calling coaches “overrated” and never missed an opportunity to be provocative.

Where are all the experts now, people, awfully quiet, saying Raducanu is winning? posted on X by Kyrgios.

Jane O'Donoghue and Mark Petchey support Emma Raducanu at the Miami OpenGetty Images

The company’s representatives describe Petchey as a “familiar face” who is offering “support” when he balances his work as a television commentator with his role in Miami.

However, how long the agreement will last is unclear.

Tim Henman, a former British number one who has advised Raducanu over the years, thinks Petchey’s involvement “makes sense” because he is familiar with “Emma’s game.”

Henman, who will serve as vice-captain at this year’s Laver Cup, said, “It’ll be interesting to see how long it lasts for.”

Emma has stated in a fairly open interview that she finds it difficult to switch coaches.

I began playing tennis professionally at the end of 1992 and finished in 2007. I had three coaches.

Can Raducanu maintain his or her “competitive spirit”?

Given the number of injuries and issues she has dealt with since winning the US Open, questions about Raducanu’s resilience have been frequently raised.

Additionally, this season was difficult. Before atraumatic stalking incident in Dubai and Cavaday’s exit, her back injury pre-season interrupted her.

Some of the skeptical people were pleasantly surprised by her brutal defeat of world number 10 Emma Navarro in the second round in Miami.

McCartney Kessler and Anisimova, who were both physically hampered, were both swarmed with steel by her.

Raducanu acknowledges that she has lost some of her “competitive spirit” over the past few months and even for a few years.

Whatever she decides to do in Florida, keeping up her level over time is something she has lacked to do so far.

Henman points to Raducanu’s improved durability as a result of her playing more tournaments, despite losing six of her nine matches before the Miami Open.

More than she has in the first three months of the season, Raducanu has competed in seven events this year.

She will re-enter the top 50 for the first time since August 2022 after Miami.

Henman said, “It’s simple to look at the results, but I’d rather look at the course of the tournament,” which is a big, big positive.

related subjects

  • Tennis

World Cup Qualifiers: South Africa Risk Points Deduction For Fielding Ineligible Player Vs Lesotho

As South Africa faces a three-point deficit for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho last week, Nigeria’s chances of winning the 2026 World Cup may have come to an end.

Teboho Mokoena, the player who was in question, was a member of the Mamelodi Sundowns and was suspended from his game against Lesotho last Friday, which South Africa won 2-0.

In South Africa’s 2-1 victory over the Benin Republic in Match Day 1 of the qualification series, the midfielder was cautioned for the first time in November 2023. In Bafana Bafana’s victory over Zimbabwe in June 2024, Mokena received yet another yellow card.

A player who accumulates two yellow cards is ineligible to play the following game, per Section 67 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

“A person is automatically suspended from the next match of the same FIFA competition if they are given a caution in two separate matches of the same competition.” The disciplinary code read, “Such suspensions must be served before any other suspension.”

Despite two cautions in the race for the 2026 World Cup, South Africa faced Lesotho in the final match. In Group C of the qualifiers, Bafana Bafana won the match, giving her a two-point lead.

That implies that South Africa might face sanctions in accordance with FIFA Disciplinary Code Section 19 which could result in points being lost.

“The team to which a player is a member will forfeit the match and pay a minimum fine of CHF 6, 000 if they are declared ineligible following a protest.” The player may also be subject to sanctions, according to Section 19 of the code’s subsection 2.

However, Section 18: 1 of the law, which states “associations and their clubs are entitled to lodge protests,” may be a lifeline for South Africa. Within 24 hours after the game ends, protests must be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee in writing via the FIFA Legal Portal with a statement outlining the grounds.