Sanae Takaichi is expected to become the country’s first female leader in its history, taking the place of Sanae Takaichi, who was elected to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
After the first round of voting, neither of the five candidates had a majority in the lead-up to the election, so Takaichi won the election on Saturday. Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, won the vote.
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If Koizumi had won, he would have been the youngest prime minister in more than a century.
Takaichi, 64, a former minister of economic security, leans in favor of the LDP’s right-wing agenda.
On October 15, the next prime minister’s election is scheduled to take place in parliament.
295 LDP members and about 1 million members who paid their dues were the only ones who took part in Saturday’s vote. Only 1% of the Japanese population was represented by it.
Since the LDP is still the largest party in parliament, Takaichi is expected to take over as prime minister Shigeru Ishiba. The LDP-led coalition will need support from opposition lawmakers to run a successful government after the recent elections, but neither chamber currently has majority control.
The party will likely seek to form a coalition with the moderate-centrist Komeito in partnership with at least one of the more centrist-focused key opposition parties.
A declining population, geopolitical upheaval, a faltering economy, and growing unease over immigration will all contribute to Takaichi’s election as prime minister.
However, she will first need to make sure that the LDP, which has been in power almost nonstop since 1955, can woo voters once more.
Koizumi had earlier criticized the state of the party as “crisis” and said “the LDP must regain trust.”
Sanseito, a populist movement that calls immigration a “silent invasion” and credits immigrants with causing numerous ailments, is one of the ups.
In their LDP campaign, Takaichi and Koizumi aimed to appeal to voters who were drawn to Sanseito’s comments about foreigners, whether they were immigrants or tourists.
Takaichi urged Japan to “reconsider policies that accommodate people from completely different cultures and backgrounds.”
Koizumi continued, “Local residents are worried about the worsening of public safety and the illegal employment of foreigners.”
In Japan, where only 3 percent of the population is born abroad, there is a rare instance of such alarmism from mainstream politicians.
In keeping with her mentor, former prime minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi has previously supported aggressive monetary easing and large fiscal spending.
However, she moderated her campaign rhetoric, and China has also heard from the regular visitor to the Yasukuni war shrine.
Celebrations of a woman becoming Japan’s leader may quickly turn into disappointment because they are from the LDP’s traditionalist wing.
Tokai University professor Yuki Tsuji told the AFP news agency that Takaichi “has no interest in women’s rights or gender equality policies.”
Koizumi lacks depth and may have become unpopular with voters despite his charisma and contemporary image because he took paternity leave and surfs.
Koizumi is “good at displaying how reform-minded he is, but he’s not very good at debate,” according to Sadafumi Kawato, professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo, according to AFP.
Few athletes have earned the same slang as celebs like Cecilia “The First Lady” Braekhus.
She is the first woman in history to combine all four belts, the first to host a professional show there, and the first fighter whose influence led to the end of a 33-year sport-for both men and women’s, in her native country.
The 44-year-old trailblazer will face Slovenia’s Ema Kozin for the WBC and WBO light-middleweight titles in Lillestrom on Saturday.
Braekhus will retire from a career that has transformed both Norwegian and female boxing.
She tells BBC Sport that Norway had to be the location of the final bell.
The country and the people who removed the ban from boxing for professional purposes have been my backbone throughout my career.
Braekhus, a Colombian born and raised in Norway, has overcome all obstacles in her career, from exposing misogyny to silencing criticism in the process of becoming the sport’s undisputed queen.
She will leave with three Guinness World Records, including the longest reigning female champion (11 years, 154 days), the longest unbroken streak of a female champion (15 years, 337 days), and the longest unbeaten streak (36 fights).
made in Norway and was born in Colombia.
Images courtesy of Getty
At the age of two, Braekhus was taken from a Cartagena orphanage and raised in the Bergen town Sandviken.
She began kickboxing at age 21 against the advice of her parents, and at age 21 she switched to boxing.
Before making the decision to become a professional boxer, she had only lost five of her 80 amateur matches, which had been illegal in Norway since 1981 and could have resulted in a three-month jail term.
In order to pursue a career abroad, she unapologetically moved to Germany in her 20s. The only woman in the gym was her.
“We had 30 to 40 fighters, all men, and one woman in our promotional company.” And I had to be better than everyone else, she says.
“At that time, there was the notion that women couldn’t box or sell boxing unless they could remove their seductive clothing.”
The desire to fight in Norway persisted even as she made her home in Germany.
Week after week, she spent a week training before returning to camp to meet politicians and journalists.
She claims that it was a lot of work. I also had belts from world championships to defend. I was just laser-focused, which is where the discipline comes in.
At first, the Norwegian public opposed her. She explains that boxing was initially firmly opposed to.
The match that forever altered Norwegian boxing
The turning point came in Copenhagen in September 2014, when Braekhus faced Ivana Habazin for the chance to become the first undisputed women’s world champion.
Every fight involves pressure, but this one was unique. The future of Norwegian boxing itself was in jeopardy for Braekhus.
She claims that “that win was unquestionably a significant component of the puzzle.” That desire to fight in Norway was gone if I didn’t have those belts. Unfortunately, that’s exactly how it is.
The training, the mindset, and the discipline were immediately apparent to the audience.
Three months later, the parliament voted to end it with a vote of 54 to 48.
There was Braekhus. She says, “I was in the basement.” Up until the last vote, it was close, very close.
“The decision was made then.” We reached the top and ate some cake. That was pretty amazing.
She made headlines in Norway in 2016. The arena was sold out. The crowd included the Prime Minister.
In her 19th fight for the world title, Braekhus defeated Anne Sophie Mathis in two rounds to maintain her undisputed victory.
Retirement is “like a break-up,” according to the dictionary.
Images courtesy of Getty
Braekhus pioneered the sport by returning it to a whole country while pioneers like Jane Couch, the first female boxer to be licensed in the UK, fought to make it accessible.
She is now aware that she needs to step aside. She has no regrets and is excited to see women’s boxing expand because Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor both have six-figure pay raises.
According to Braekhus, “I’m incredibly proud of my story, so I wouldn’t want anything else.”
When I first started boxing, we didn’t receive anything back. It was just the love.
“I’m so proud of what I did, and I’m so proud.” Unbelievable . No one was becoming wealthy, just everyone had jobs.
She continues, “I’ve spent time in both camps.”
“I’ve been there when the road was paved, and I’ve been here today when it’s essentially paved for the next generation.”
Braekhus, who is already in the Hall of Fame, wants to retire as a two-weight world champion on Saturday.
The line has two belts, it says. Ema Kozin will fight unbrokenly. She claims that this must set the standard for everything she has gone through.
And that comes next”? She acknowledges that I’m a little done. While I’m still young and healthy, I want to see the world as well outside of the boxing ring.
However, the transition won’t be straightforward.
“First, I’ll take a break,” Braekhus says. You just need some distance, just like a breakup. We can become friends after that.
It’s going to be difficult to say goodbye, he said.
Perhaps the most difficult fight for someone who has lived her life fighting odds will be learning to live without a boxer.
Following Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will elect its fifth leader in five years on Saturday.
Following numerous political scandals and successive election defeats, the conservative party has been in disarray since almost continuously rule Japan since the 1950s.
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In October of last year, the LDP and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, lost their governing majority in lower house elections, which was followed by a drubbing in the upper house elections in July.
Ishiba announced on September 7 that he would step down after nearly a year of helms a severely detested minority government.
Who succeeds the LDP will face opposition from the US President Donald Trump’s trade war, rising inflation, and rising populism.
Five candidates, ranging from the son of a former prime minister to Shinzo Abe’s protégé, will be chosen by LDP lawmakers and one million rank-and-file members.
According to Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Japan’s Kanda University of International Studies, their decision could determine whether Japan will experience political stability or continue on the course of the “rotating prime ministership,” which dominated Japanese politics in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
This is a bad time for Japan to lack stable political leadership, Hall told Al Jazeera, “Even though it’s not historically unusual for Japan to have a high turnover rate.”
Taking a look at the candidates:
Shinjiro Koizumi
One of the two front-runners in the race is Junichiro Koizumi, 44, the son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi.
He took over as agriculture minister earlier this year as the country’s beloved staple food, rice, was seeing a sharp increase in demand.
According to Kazuto Suzuki, a professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo, Koizumi’s work on Japan’s “rice crisis” has sparked a surge in public support.
Traditional LDP leaders and the party’s heart are supporting Mr. Koizumi. He is adaptable to the demands of older LDP values because he doesn’t have a specific policy position, Suzuki said.
Koizumi, who is perceived as a political moderate, has pledged to work with opposition parties to implement balanced policies aimed at economic growth and fiscal discipline.
Stephen Nagy, a visiting fellow with the Japan Institute for International Affairs, believes that despite his popularity, his relatively young age and educational background could prevent him from becoming the leader.
Toshimitsu Motegi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Takayuki Kobayashi, three of Koizumi’s rivals, graduated from Harvard and the more prestigious University of Tokyo, respectively. Koizumi attended Columbia University and Kanto Gakuin University.
According to Nagy, “educated pedigrees bring respect to society and the LDP, whether we like it or not.”
On September 24, 2025, Shinjiro Koizumi, the agriculture minister, addresses the Liberal Democratic Party candidate debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Japan.
Sanae Takaichi
The only woman in the race and Koizumi’s main rival, Takaichi, 64, is currently in the lead.
Takaichi, a former economic security minister, is perceived as a “strong conservative candidate” by Nagy as Abe’s former protege.
According to Sota Kato, research director at the Tokyo Foundation, all candidates have put forth broadly similar expansionary policies in order to revive Japan’s economy after decades of stagnation.
Kato told Al Jazeera that Takaichi is “closer in stance” to “Abenomics,” her mentor’s three-pronged strategy of fiscal expansion, monetary easing, and structural reform.
Takaichi is well-known for having conservative views on issues like immigration and same-sex unions, as well as on international issues like China-Japan relations.
Although her views have won her over the LDP’s conservative wing, they disagree with more centrist members.
Some people believe she will sway more centrist voters away, according to Nagy, while others think it’s exactly what the LDP needs from opposition parties like Sanseito.
Former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichispeaks during the Liberal Democratic Party Presidential Election Candidate Debate at Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Japan, on September 24, 2025 [Jia Haocheng/Pool via Reuters]
Yoshimasa Hayashi
According to Kato of the Tokyo Foundation, Hayashi, 64, is regarded as the “dark horse” of the election due to his wealth of knowledge and amicable personality.
Hayashi is campaigning for an economic policy that emphasizes fiscal discipline while currently serving as the chief cabinet secretary. He previously held prominent positions, including minister of foreign affairs and defense chief.
He is perceived as a political centrist, just like Koizumi.
In contrast to figures like Koizumi or Takaichi, Hayashi offers a sense of stability, according to Kato.
His chances of winning may increase if he receives more votes than Koizumi or Takaichi in the first round of voting.
Hayashi argued that Japan should work with “like-minded” democratic nations to counteract China, Russia, and North Korea while citing his extensive ministerial experience during the campaign.
On September 24, 2025, Yoshimasa Hayashi, the LDP candidate candidate debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Japan [Jia Haocheng/Pool via Reuters]
Toshimitsu Motegi
Motegi, 69, previously served as the LDP’s secretary-general and held the positions of economy, trade, and industry.
His policies include incentives to encourage investment, wage increases for nurses and childcare workers, and price reductions for gasoline and diesel.
According to Kato of the Tokyo Foundation, his economic policies “fall somewhere between” Takaichi and Koizumi’s, who have placed more of an emphasis on fiscal discipline than their more traditional rivals.
Motegi and Hayashi both have factional backing within the LDP, but Suzuki, a student at the University of Tokyo, believes that this may not lead to enough votes to win the leadership position.
Although Mr. Motegi and Mr. Hayashi are well-versed in politics, they still support the traditional LDP. They have some party support, he said, but the general public doesn’t know about them.
On September 24, 2025, Toshimitsu Motegi, the LDP’s former secretary-general, addresses the candidates’ debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Japan.
Takayuki Kobayashi
Former LDP leader Takayuki Kobayashi, 50, is also a former minister of economic security.
His platform has a strong emphasis on promoting economic growth and assisting citizens with living expenses.
Kobayashi has the backing of many younger LDP members, but Nagy believes that his youth and background could be a hindrance.
Kobayashi is regarded as very accomplished, intelligent, and internationally thought-provoking, but he is still too young to compete with the LDP’s 80-year-old sharks, he claimed.
Suzuki of the University of Tokyo echoed his opinion.
Mr. Kobayashi has been a rising star in his field, but he is not yet well-known enough, Suzuki said.
Motegi, Hayashi, and Kobayashi have excellent political acumen and sharp discussion skills, but this party leadership contest doesn’t address these traits. The LDP’s popularity and revival are its most crucial factors, he continued.
Takayuki Kobayashi, a former economic security minister, addresses the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) presidential candidate debate at the Tokyo, Japan, on September 24, 2025.
The Football Interview is a new series in which the biggest names in sport and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for bold and in-depth conversations about the nation’s favourite sport.
We’ll talk about defining moments, career highs, and personal reflections, as well as motivation and mindset. The player behind the player is revealed in the football interview.
Hugo Ekitike has certainly had an impact since joining Liverpool, scoring five goals in his first ten appearances.
The Frenchman has settled straight into life in the Premier League after a £69m summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The 23-year-old made his first appearance at Reims, where he first started his career, followed by a brief stint with Vejle Boldklub in Denmark before signing for Paris St-Germain, first on loan, then on a longer-term deal.
Although things didn’t go his way in the French capital, Ekitike’s career began with a move to Frankfurt.
There he scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in the Bundesliga last season.
What kind of a young Hugo Ekitike was Kelly Somers?
Hugo Ekitike: Shy. Very shy . This has been altered by me. Nice, same as now. and devoted to football.
Kelly: When did football start or has it ever been in your life?
Hugo: I think football is just my whole life. I started out playing football. Most of the time, football is what I talk to my brothers, even in the middle of the night. That is just my passion and I just love what I do. Since I was a young child, it has been the only thing on my mind at the moment.
Kelly, you just mentioned your brothers. Do you remember playing football with your brothers?
Hugo: They are not good at football! We all enjoy playing football, but I’ve always been outside playing on the sidelines. I can recall playing at school as well. I kind of played it everywhere when I was young – that is my memories of football.
Kelly, when did you realize you could play football differently than your brothers?
Hugo: My cousin and my brothers both played football. They were playing for fun in teams and stuff but they didn’t reach the top level. However, my family and I both have a passion for football. They live the dream through me, but it didn’t work out for them.
Kelly: Have you always been a forward?
Hugo: I’ve always played offensively. I was a winger when I was younger, but when I was older, I grew, and I’m now too long! That is why I went in the middle – a centre-forward.
Kelly, Too long a sentence? You can’t be a striker for too long, in my opinion.
Hugo: Not too long, but obviously I am tall. I believe that Cody [Gakpo] is the only tall winger I know.
Kelly, do you recall the name of the first team you played for and the results you can attest from that team?
Hugo: Cormontreuil. I recall that my neighborhood club was nearby, so it wasn’t very important. No warm-up or warm-up was required; we simply went on the pitch and played games. I was very young. I began learning the fundamentals when I was four and a half, which was when I first started. To have fun, I played football. It was not serious. There were enjoyable times.
Kelly, who has influenced you or had the biggest impact on your career, like a coach?
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Kelly, has your career experienced a significant turning point?
Hugo: When I was 14, I was playing in the Reims academy and I was bad. I had a terrible attitude. I recall having numerous dreaming on the pitch. I had quality but I was dreaming too much – a sleeping player.
My parents and I made an appointment. They assured me that if that were to occur at the end of the season, it would be.
Kelly: You would be released?
Hugo, yes. Then, I was certain that it would never occur. In my mind, I wanted to be the best. I was fantastic when I returned. There was a turning point, and it focused me. I had other turning points later but that was the first one in my life.
Kelly, what other turning points did you experience? You’re only 23 years old and have played in four nations.
Hugo: When I went to Denmark, I was on the bench – I didn’t play. Because of my desire to demonstrate my competence, that was the turning point. I was the first striker on the list when I returned to Reims. They wanted me to go on loan but I showed in pre-season that I could play. That was a turning point. My entire life was made of it.
Kelly: Your time at PSG – how much has that shaped who you are today?
Hugo: My life’s biggest turning point is becoming a good player. That was my first experience with failure. It was probably half-time and it set me to be more tough in the head. Since moving to Paris, I’ve been different. I’m a much better person and player overall. I have changed so much.
Kelly: How has the current season gone at Liverpool?
Hugo: I had the impression that I was proud at first. To come here when I know where I come from. I am aware that football is a moment-only sport where you can go up and down straight. I make a conscious effort to always be prepared, work hard, improve myself, help the team succeed, and contribute to its success to the fullest extent possible by winning and trophies.
Kelly: What is it like playing with Mohamed Salah?
Hugo: Absolutely fantastic. Mo is a really cool guy who is open to me and friendly to talk to. He is great to play with. He is a really good athlete, and I watched him score the goals and other things on TV. You can learn from him and only improve yourself. It is good to share the pitch with him and I hope we are going to score lots of goals and bring some wins to the team together.
What is Kelly like outside of the game?
Heesheki
Kelly: What are your memories from your childhood?
Hugo: My mother and I were closer together. My mother and my little brother and I spent a lot of time together. It was just football. I was playing football while attending school. everywhere .
Kelly: I saw a video of your brothers and friends when you scored your first Liverpool goal.
Hugo: I recall that my friend was present, but it was too much; I dislike that kind of video. But it was nice that they were with me when I was in Paris. I have the same people there when I have success and when I don’t have success, and I think they are very proud of me and I think in time they are going to be good memories to see on video. They’ll probably be a part of many more goals.
Kelly, you stated in the comments that you disliked that kind of video. Are you quite a private person?
Hugo: I display this to the public if it’s me. I am aware of the difficulties associated with playing football for Liverpool because you are more well-known, but I don’t want people to know about my private life. I like to be famous but unknown. People are unsure of what I do when I’m at home, when I’m at my computer, or when I’m not talking to my brother.
Kelly, what do you do when you don’t play football on a typical day?
Hugo: One day off or two days off?
Kelly: You get what you want. Do you frequently take two days off at Liverpool?
Hugo: Not often, but if it happens I go to Paris to my family house and meet everybody. I can’t really do much with one day off, to be honest. I just unwind at home, playing games, swimming, and using the jacuzzi. I watch movies.
What genres of movies, Kelly?
My favorite one, Hugo? I have two which are Whiplash and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Kelly, tell me something about yourself that might surprise you:
Hugo, you didn’t realize I am left-handed? I don’t know, something special?
Kelly, do you have a talent that is unknown?
Hugo: Oh yes, I do. I can draw. Everything, including life, is human. I occasionally enjoy drawing. It’s always been easy for me.
Kelly, if you could only accomplish one more goal in your career, what would it be?
Hugo: It’s challenging because I want to win the Premier League with Liverpool right now.
The Football Interview is a new series in which the biggest names in sport and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for bold and in-depth conversations about the nation’s favourite sport.
We’ll talk about defining moments, career highs, and personal reflections, as well as motivation and mindset. The player behind the player is revealed in the football interview.
Hugo Ekitike has certainly had an impact since joining Liverpool, scoring five goals in his first ten appearances.
The Frenchman has settled straight into life in the Premier League after a £69m summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The 23-year-old made his first appearance at Reims, where he first started his career, followed by a brief stint with Vejle Boldklub in Denmark before signing for Paris St-Germain, first on loan, then on a longer-term deal.
Although things didn’t go his way in the French capital, Ekitike’s career began with a move to Frankfurt.
There he scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in the Bundesliga last season.
What kind of a young Hugo Ekitike was Kelly Somers?
Hugo Ekitike: Shy. Very shy . This has been altered by me. Nice, same as now. and devoted to football.
Kelly: When did football start or has it ever been in your life?
Hugo: I think football is just my whole life. I started out playing football. Most of the time, football is what I talk to my brothers, even in the middle of the night. That is just my passion and I just love what I do. Since I was a young child, it has been the only thing on my mind at the moment.
Kelly, you just mentioned your brothers. Do you remember playing football with your brothers?
Hugo: They are not good at football! We all enjoy playing football, but I’ve always been outside playing on the sidelines. I can recall playing at school as well. I kind of played it everywhere when I was young – that is my memories of football.
Kelly, when did you realize you could play football differently than your brothers?
Hugo: My cousin and my brothers both played football. They were playing for fun in teams and stuff but they didn’t reach the top level. However, my family and I both have a passion for football. They live the dream through me, but it didn’t work out for them.
Kelly: Have you always been a forward?
Hugo: I’ve always played offensively. I was a winger when I was younger, but when I was older, I grew, and I’m now too long! That is why I went in the middle – a centre-forward.
Kelly, Too long a sentence? You can’t be a striker for too long, in my opinion.
Hugo: Not too long, but obviously I am tall. I believe that Cody [Gakpo] is the only tall winger I know.
Kelly, do you recall the name of the first team you played for and the results you can attest from that team?
Hugo: Cormontreuil. I recall that my neighborhood club was nearby, so it wasn’t very important. No warm-up or warm-up was required; we simply went on the pitch and played games. I was very young. I began learning the fundamentals when I was four and a half, which was when I first started. To have fun, I played football. It was not serious. There were enjoyable times.
Kelly, who has influenced you or had the biggest impact on your career, like a coach?
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Kelly, has your career experienced a significant turning point?
Hugo: When I was 14, I was playing in the Reims academy and I was bad. I had a terrible attitude. I recall having numerous dreaming on the pitch. I had quality but I was dreaming too much – a sleeping player.
My parents and I made an appointment. They assured me that if that were to occur at the end of the season, it would be.
Kelly: You would be released?
Hugo, yes. Then, I was certain that it would never occur. In my mind, I wanted to be the best. I was fantastic when I returned. There was a turning point, and it focused me. I had other turning points later but that was the first one in my life.
Kelly, what other turning points did you experience? You’re only 23 years old and have played in four nations.
Hugo: When I went to Denmark, I was on the bench – I didn’t play. Because of my desire to demonstrate my competence, that was the turning point. I was the first striker on the list when I returned to Reims. They wanted me to go on loan but I showed in pre-season that I could play. That was a turning point. My entire life was made of it.
Kelly: Your time at PSG – how much has that shaped who you are today?
Hugo: My life’s biggest turning point is becoming a good player. That was my first experience with failure. It was probably half-time and it set me to be more tough in the head. Since moving to Paris, I’ve been different. I’m a much better person and player overall. I have changed so much.
Kelly: How has the current season gone at Liverpool?
Hugo: I had the impression that I was proud at first. To come here when I know where I come from. I am aware that football is a moment-only sport where you can go up and down straight. I make a conscious effort to always be prepared, work hard, improve myself, help the team succeed, and contribute to its success to the fullest extent possible by winning and trophies.
Kelly: What is it like playing with Mohamed Salah?
Hugo: Absolutely fantastic. Mo is a really cool guy who is open to me and friendly to talk to. He is great to play with. He is a really good athlete, and I watched him score the goals and other things on TV. You can learn from him and only improve yourself. It is good to share the pitch with him and I hope we are going to score lots of goals and bring some wins to the team together.
What is Kelly like outside of the game?
Heesheki
Kelly: What are your memories from your childhood?
Hugo: My mother and I were closer together. My mother and my little brother and I spent a lot of time together. It was just football. I was playing football while attending school. everywhere .
Kelly: I saw a video of your brothers and friends when you scored your first Liverpool goal.
Hugo: I recall that my friend was present, but it was too much; I dislike that kind of video. But it was nice that they were with me when I was in Paris. I have the same people there when I have success and when I don’t have success, and I think they are very proud of me and I think in time they are going to be good memories to see on video. They’ll probably be a part of many more goals.
Kelly, you stated in the comments that you disliked that kind of video. Are you quite a private person?
Hugo: I display this to the public if it’s me. I am aware of the difficulties associated with playing football for Liverpool because you are more well-known, but I don’t want people to know about my private life. I like to be famous but unknown. People are unsure of what I do when I’m at home, when I’m at my computer, or when I’m not talking to my brother.
Kelly, what do you do when you don’t play football on a typical day?
Hugo: One day off or two days off?
Kelly: You get what you want. Do you frequently take two days off at Liverpool?
Hugo: Not often, but if it happens I go to Paris to my family house and meet everybody. I can’t really do much with one day off, to be honest. I just unwind at home, playing games, swimming, and using the jacuzzi. I watch movies.
What genres of movies, Kelly?
My favorite one, Hugo? I have two which are Whiplash and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Kelly, tell me something about yourself that might surprise you:
Hugo, you didn’t realize I am left-handed? I don’t know, something special?
Kelly, do you have a talent that is unknown?
Hugo: Oh yes, I do. I can draw. Everything, including life, is human. I occasionally enjoy drawing. It’s always been easy for me.
Kelly, if you could only accomplish one more goal in your career, what would it be?
Hugo: It’s challenging because I want to win the Premier League with Liverpool right now.
I tested the own-brand washing-up liquids from supermarkets to see how much foam they produced, how well they removed dirt and grime, and ultimately how affordable they were.
View 2 Images
I found the best washing-up liquid was cheaper than Fairy(Image: Pawel Kacperek via Getty Images)
Washing products are a must-have item on many people’s weekly grocery list. They are designed to lift food particles and other debris, and they keep clean plates, cutlery, and mugs thanks to their antibacterial properties. I started to notice how expensive branded ones were, though, as I wasn’t purchasing the necessities every week.
I’ve always opted for Fairy in the past, but I decided to put supermarket own-brand washing-up liquids to the test to see how much they foamed, if they were any good at removing dirt and grime, and ultimately, how affordable they were. The supermarkets I tested were Lidl, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose, Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer.
Lidl – 65p
The Lidl washing-up liquid had a lovely smell, with a subtle fragrance that wasn’t too overpowering. However, I didn’t find it foamed up well, which is what I love in a washing-up liquid, as a little goes a long way, reports the Express.
I wouldn’t be against using it again for the money, though, and because it’s reasonably priced.
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Score: 5/10
95p washing-up liquid from Aldi Premium
Although the packaging was not particularly appealing, this washing-up liquid worked well, had a lovely scent, and had plenty of bubbles.
Although it removed some grime, I had to soak some items, which I wouldn’t normally need.
Score: 8/10
M&S – 70p
Although I didn’t really like the packaging or bottle, Marks and Spencer’s washing liquid was fantastic. It also produced lots of bubbles and foamed well, which furthered the business.
However, it wasn’t really my favorite. I wouldn’t be so reluctant to buy this washing-up liquid again because it was one of the more expensive products tested.
Score: 5/10
Fairy – £1
As a devoted Fairy user, I assumed I would be able to tell the difference between this liquid and some supermarket versions, but I genuinely couldn’t, demonstrating that their own products can perform just as well.
Sainsbury’s – 65p
My list of top-rated brands for washing-up products has included many of Sainsbury’s’ own-brand products. For the price, I thought this was the best, and it did everything you could want.
As I did most other supermarkets, where I shop, I chose the original scent, but I also like the apple scent.
Score: 10/10
Tesco – 65p
Even though Tesco and Sainsbury’s performed very similarly to one another, my opinion was that there wasn’t much of a difference.
Given that the costs were comparable, I suggest trying both to decide which to buy.
Score: 10/10
Asda – 62p
Although the price has increased over the years, I still think 59p is a respectable price for 500ml of liquid despite the fact that I’ve previously used Asda washing-up liquid.
Although it wasn’t as foamy as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, or Fairy, it was still a very good product, and I’d definitely use it again.
Score: 7/10
75p at Waitrose
I had to purchase this at Waitrose, one of the more expensive washing-up liquids, in a citrus scent, in addition to the original one.
Although the scent was a little too overpowering for me, it was a great washing-up liquid. I’d use this again, but I’d rather use the less expensive ones.
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