Category News

On the final day of the New Delhi World Paralympics, Anna Nicholson and Lydia Church of Great Britain took home the medal for shot put.

In Saturday’s morning session, Nicholson, 30, the team’s co-captain, placed third in the women’s F35 category with a personal best throw of 9.58 meters.

After finishing fourth at the 2019 championships, the Gateshead Harriers won their first medal at the Worlds, joining her bronze at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Mariia Pomazan, a gold medalist from Ukraine, came in more than two meters behind her, and Wang Jun from China won silver.

Teammate Church, 25, won the F12 competition for visually impaired athletes with a throw of 12.6m.

The Peterborough-based athlete previously won silver at the 2021 European Para Championships, which was their best performance on the world stage.

While Italian Assunta Legnante won the competition in 14.44m, her throw was only 7 cm behind China’s Zhao Yuping, who had already won the silver medal.

In the end, Tom Brady, Rob McElhenney, and Ryan Reynolds were absent.

There were no other cameos at the Cae Ras, and neither of the A-list owners were present.

So much for the alleged “Hollywood derby.”

However, that does not mean that Wrexham on Friday night was the focus of the world, especially given the live-streaming of the game in the US.

The plotline grew hot in the most recent installment, but this was pure Championship, with both the good and the bad goals from George Dobson and Patrick Roberts in the 1-1 draw keeping things interesting.

The mistakes, missed opportunities, and a lot of needles in this sport equal parts frustrating and fascinating for fans. Sport doesn’t always have to be at the highest level to be captivating.

Both teams blew hot and cold with a lot of huff and puff as Storm Amy whipped around.

Wrexham demonstrated in the first half that their rebuilt team is developing as a whole.

Although the Wrexham story had a showbiz bent and the money to go, the way they managed to get there has always been more grit than glamour.

Quality was present, but it was always supported by a never-ending supply of solutions.

The good news is that Wrexham are starting to look more like that kind of side with each passing week, both at home and in Hollywood.

Wrexham’s intensity resembled that of the team’s back-to-back promotions after a tireless comeback at Leicester City.

It should have provided more than just the one goal, which also should have made Birmingham appear less sluggish.

It was a letdown for some players, who were literally on their knees by the end, but it is yet another indication that Parkinson is still working with 13 new faces to form a cohesive group.

Making sure that ethos sticks is a challenge, to the 57-year-old’s credit, even if he does look to add players who will fit into that model.

We want them to understand what it means to play for Wrexham and what expectations come with playing for this club, Parkinson said.

“Our supporters have seen real character develop on the pitch,” said one Wrexham fan.

As an example, Parkinson cited the impactful Issa Kabore, who had already become a fan favorite after a few games since joining Manchester City on loan.

Birmingham’s Tom Wagner, who had been seen before the game with both sets of supporters and had been spotted at the adjacent Turf Inn before the game, was the only American owner present at Cae Ras.

He made a rallying cry at halftime when a video that was posted on social media admitted the pitch’s energy “wasn’t great” and exhorted the fans to make more noise.

A little less noise about his own position would be nice for manager Chris Davies to make.

There have been fan fumbles about the season’s start, with one win in five league games coming up against them, remarkable given how they stylishly stormed to promotion last year.

He claimed it was because he and his team were “direction” rather than “shouting and screaming” and that half-time they were late leaving the dressing rooms.

However, it seemed like a crucial moment, and his team responded accordingly, scoring within 20 seconds and demonstrating an increase in intensity.

Although the team finished the better side, it still represents steady progress for a manager who made a point of reminding fans after the game that ambition is one thing, and Birmingham have plenty under Brady and Wagner, but it shouldn’t be done in a hurry.

“I would think we were going to cruise the Championship, but I wouldn’t believe that,” Davies said. We already knew that the season would be very, very difficult, and you would have to make money from it.

Wrexham’s optimism may be a result of their getting tighter back.

They still managed to keep one clean sheet, which will not appeal to Parkinson, but they at least don’t appear as receptive as they did at times at the beginning of the campaign.

In five of their six opening games, the team had scored two or more goals. That has been reduced from three to three games in the three that have followed.

Additionally, they were reduced in the chances of losing them.

With Conor Coady leaving and Dom Hyam signing on deadline day and the manager expressing his appreciation for his impact, Parkinson said, “We were too open out of possession from the QPR game.”

We’ve fixed that, in my opinion, and the structure is stronger. There are many positive points because the young people have embraced the change in system.

Davies may feel the same way about his side’s one major error, just as Parkinson did about disciplining them.

The fact that it was once again a set-piece irks more than the average in the division indicates that this is the sixth time the Blues have conceded from a dead ball this season.

One more example needs to be taken into account, but they adequately defended other similar scenarios.

He said, “It’s very frustrating because it’s an awful goal from our perspective, but the determination and the way we defended them all after that was excellent.”

In the end, Tom Brady, Rob McElhenney, and Ryan Reynolds were absent.

There were no other cameos at the Cae Ras, and neither of the A-list owners were present.

So much for the alleged “Hollywood derby.”

However, that does not mean that Wrexham on Friday night was the focus of the world, especially given the live-streaming of the game in the US.

The plotline grew hot in the most recent installment, but this was pure Championship, with both the good and the bad goals from George Dobson and Patrick Roberts in the 1-1 draw keeping things interesting.

The mistakes, missed opportunities, and a lot of needles in this sport equal parts frustrating and fascinating for fans. Sport doesn’t always have to be at the highest level to be captivating.

Both teams blew hot and cold with a lot of huff and puff as Storm Amy whipped around.

Wrexham demonstrated in the first half that their rebuilt team is developing as a whole.

Although the Wrexham story had a showbiz bent and the money to go, the way they managed to get there has always been more grit than glamour.

Quality was present, but it was always supported by a never-ending supply of solutions.

The good news is that Wrexham are starting to look more like that kind of side with each passing week, both at home and in Hollywood.

Wrexham’s intensity resembled that of the team’s back-to-back promotions after a tireless comeback at Leicester City.

It should have provided more than just the one goal, which also should have made Birmingham appear less sluggish.

It was a letdown for some players, who were literally on their knees by the end, but it is yet another indication that Parkinson is still working with 13 new faces to form a cohesive group.

Making sure that ethos sticks is a challenge, to the 57-year-old’s credit, even if he does look to add players who will fit into that model.

We want them to understand what it means to play for Wrexham and what expectations come with playing for this club, Parkinson said.

“Our supporters have seen real character develop on the pitch,” said one Wrexham fan.

As an example, Parkinson cited the impactful Issa Kabore, who had already become a fan favorite after a few games since joining Manchester City on loan.

Birmingham’s Tom Wagner, who had been seen before the game with both sets of supporters and had been spotted at the adjacent Turf Inn before the game, was the only American owner present at Cae Ras.

He made a rallying cry at halftime when a video that was posted on social media admitted the pitch’s energy “wasn’t great” and exhorted the fans to make more noise.

A little less noise about his own position would be nice for manager Chris Davies to make.

There have been fan fumbles about the season’s start, with one win in five league games coming up against them, remarkable given how they stylishly stormed to promotion last year.

He claimed it was because he and his team were “direction” rather than “shouting and screaming” and that half-time they were late leaving the dressing rooms.

However, it seemed like a crucial moment, and his team responded accordingly, scoring within 20 seconds and demonstrating an increase in intensity.

Although the team finished the better side, it still represents steady progress for a manager who made a point of reminding fans after the game that ambition is one thing, and Birmingham have plenty under Brady and Wagner, but it shouldn’t be done in a hurry.

“I would think we were going to cruise the Championship, but I wouldn’t believe that,” Davies said. We already knew that the season would be very, very difficult, and you would have to make money from it.

Wrexham’s optimism may be a result of their getting tighter back.

They still managed to keep one clean sheet, which will not appeal to Parkinson, but they at least don’t appear as receptive as they did at times at the beginning of the campaign.

In five of their six opening games, the team had scored two or more goals. That has been reduced from three to three games in the three that have followed.

Additionally, they were reduced in the chances of losing them.

With Conor Coady leaving and Dom Hyam signing on deadline day and the manager expressing his appreciation for his impact, Parkinson said, “We were too open out of possession from the QPR game.”

We’ve fixed that, in my opinion, and the structure is stronger. There are many positive points because the young people have embraced the change in system.

Davies may feel the same way about his side’s one major error, just as Parkinson did about disciplining them.

The fact that it was once again a set-piece irks more than the average in the division indicates that this is the sixth time the Blues have conceded from a dead ball this season.

One more example needs to be taken into account, but they adequately defended other similar scenarios.

He said, “It’s very frustrating because it’s an awful goal from our perspective, but the determination and the way we defended them all after that was excellent.”

When Plinio Cruz is questioned about what distinguishes Alex Pereira from other fighters, he narrows his eyes and directs his gaze to the camera.

Pereira has a long-standing relationship with Cruz, who has remained close to his remarkable career.

Before responding, he raises his finger and reaches his head slowly.

This is an example, not to be compared to him, even though I’m not being cocky. Because he was in the know, Isaac Newton, according to Cruz, “many years ago, he had ideas that the church didn’t understand.”

“When I first started working with Alex in 2017, he used to tell me things that are just starting to come to mind.”

Because of how far ahead he sees the game, I was coaching him without fully comprehending what the meaning was behind it.

Because of that connection, I can now coach him much better. However, it took years for a connection to an ordinary fighter to form.

Brazilian kickboxing promotion Glory’s Pereira became a two-division world champion when he joined the UFC in 2021.

He won the middleweight and light-heavyweight belts and developed into one of the promotion’s biggest stars in the less than four years since his UFC debut.

The 38-year-old has a chance of winning, though his light-heavyweight title was slightly lost to Magomed Ankalaev from Russia in March.

Unheard of is the magnitude of Pereira’s accomplishments in the UFC before Ankalaev’s defeat.

The shortest UFC history victory came 736 days after his debut, making it the shortest two-division championship he had ever had.

Seven of Pereira’s nine organizational victories came by knockout, demonstrating his extraordinary striking prowess.

Cruz recalls the first time he experienced Pereira’s strength while sparring.

“It was shaking my brain,” Cruz says, “just the way he was jabbing, just the way he was touching.”

His punch is similar to the hardest punch of many guys. It’s frightening because he is so strong.

Pereira’s moniker “Poatan” is a nod to his fearsome strength and flawless technique because it comes from one of Brazil’s indigenous tribes’ languages.

“Poatan means stone hands,” according to Wikipedia. According to Pereira, “a stone is something strong, which is why I tattooed it on my hands, hands of stone.”

It means a lot to me to represent this indigenous background because of my ancestors, my grandparents, and the indigenous culture.

Before landing one of his first jobs working in a tire shop, Pereira was raised in a poor family in Brazil.

He had an alcohol problem there before turning to kickboxing in an effort to break his habit, which was influenced by his coworkers.

When I first began my training, I was unable to visualize success or even making a living from fighting, Pereira said.

Cruz describes the growth of the “humble” Pereira over the years as an “honor”.

Pereira’s stone-faced, emotionless stare-downs have occasionally had an impact on opponents before they even step foot inside the octagon, which has made him an intimidating opponent in the UFC.

When facing off against Jiri Prochazka once accused him of using “regimes, magic, and shamans,” Pereira honors his tribal ancestors by wearing face paint and a headdress.

Pereira is described by Cruz as being “introverted but a sweetheart.”

He appears to be much more loose in our inner circle. Yes, he is quiet, but Cruz claims that if he opens up, he is a sweetheart.

Pereira, who has used his platform as one of the biggest fighters in the UFC to connect with fans on social media through dance and meet-and-greets, has a star power that comes from his collection of highlight-reel knockouts.

Alex is a likeable person who not only delivers on the fighting, but he also has good manners. Cruz claimed that despite being a superstar, he lacks that superstar-like vibe that is impossible to replicate.

I believe people can relate to him because of his humble beginnings, which means everything.

Pereira defeated Prochazka to win the light-heavyweight title in 2023, making him the ninth fighter to win the division.

A record number also exists for the seven UFC fights he needed to win.

Whether or not Cruz regains his title from Ankalaev or not, Pereira’s standing among the all-time MMA greats is already established.