Latest news with #ChampionofChampions
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
9-year-old to take on world's best juniors
Joanna Ke has come a fair way. The Dunedin 9-year-old is playing golf people double her age could only dream about. She jetted off yesterday — with her parents and her coach, Dunedin professional Shelley Duncan — to play at the world's biggest junior invitational tournament, the Champion of Champions, in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, from July 29-31. The Columba College pupil booked her spot in the under-9 division at the tournament, featuring 250 junior golfers from 40 countries, after finishing runner-up at an event in Australia last year. She is believed to be the only New Zealand golfer heading to Ireland. "I feel very excited and nervous," Joanna said. "I'm looking forward to the tournaments. I'll just try my best, one shot at a time." Joanna Ke and coach Shelley Duncan put in the hard yards on the practice fairway at Balmacewen. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN The journey does not stop there, though. They will then head to St Andrews — the Scottish resort known as the "home of golf" — where Joanna, who will turn 10 while in Northern Ireland, will play in the St Andrews Junior Ladies' Open next month. It will be a full-circle moment for her coach. Duncan and Joanna get to play a round at the prestigious old course with former Otago Golf Club members Dylan Stock and Henry Hodgson, who have been caddying overseas. "It's quite cool for me," Duncan said. "I taught both of them how to play golf and now Joanna and I are going to play golf with them on the other side of the world at St Andrews." Joanna was born in China. Her family moved to New Zealand a couple of years ago, and landed in Dunedin in April 2023, when her mother contacted Duncan about coaching her daughter. "I had an expectation I was meeting a 13- or 14-year-old ... I looked down at the practice fairway and here's this little 7-year-old dot," Duncan recalled. Joanna, who plays off a 12.9 handicap, first picked up the clubs at the age of 3 and had been working hard with Duncan over the past two years. "Jaw-dropping, from time to time," Duncan said when describing Joanna's skills. "She hits some shots and I'm like, 'How on earth did you just do that?'. "We've worked really hard on keeping it fun. When she's a chatterbox, and she's talking to me, she plays much better golf." And has Joanna enjoyed working with the renowned Dunedin coach? "Yes — of course!" Joanna exclaimed.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Sebastian Vettel Provides Update On F1 Future Amid Red Bull Rumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel spoke about his future in Formula 1 after months of rumors about a potential return. Vettel was rumored to take on a role within the energy-drink racing team as an advisor or potentially team principal following the dismissal of Christian Horner. Since retiring after the 2022 season, the German has been out of the spotlight, working behind the scenes to create progress in causes such as women in motorsport and environmental challenges. A couple of months ago, there were links between Vettel and a potential role at Red Bull as an advisor. Sebastian Vettel of Germany looks on before the Race of Champions - "Champion of Champions" at Accor Stadium on March 8, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Sebastian Vettel of Germany looks on before the Race of Champions - "Champion of Champions" at Accor Stadium on March 8, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Photo byHelmut Marko, the team's current senior advisor, brought Vettel into Red Bull, and there were reports that indicate the retired driver could step into that role. Vettel spoke with German news outlet Auto Motor und Sport and clarified what his future holds. "Formula 1 is finished," Vettel said during the interview. "At some point, the time will be ripe to leave the field to others. You can see that with the rookies. I think it's good that a whole bunch of them have now been replaced. "It's not a vote against the old guys, but in favour of the young ones. In the past, I wasn't interested in which of the established riders no longer raced. The main thing was that I was allowed to drive." Vettel didn't address a potential executive role, leaving the door open to a return as a decision maker. While he may not race an F1 car ever again, he did express interest in the World Endurance Championship. "I don't want to rule out that something will come of it," Vettel added. "There have been talks, but somehow it hasn't worked out yet. In the past, I honestly wasn't that interested in endurance racing from my perspective as a lone competitor. Today I see it differently. "I find it totally exciting, this team structure, sharing a car, making compromises. In motorsport, it's hard to say: I only drive half the races. "The WEC would actually be a good fit with its eight races, which are also staggered differently to Formula 1. It's always a question of how intensively you want to do something. For me, it's always been the case that I want to do it properly when I get involved in something. Just going along for the ride is not for me." With so much uncertainty around Red Bull, Vettel could end up with a significant role in the organization, but he seems focused on other projects for the time being. More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘So unpredictable' – Snooker fans baffled as ‘one of more confusing players on the tour' knocks in staggering 147 break
CHINESE snooker star Fan Zhengyi scored the first maximum break of the new 2025 season - after a disappointing year. The world No.48 shocked fans when he hit an incredible 147 at the Championship League in Leicester on Thursday. Advertisement 2 Fan Zhengyi scored an incredible 147 during the first tournament of the new season Credit: X @CLSnooker 2 It was the second maximum break of his young career Credit: X @CLSnooker Fan became only the 38th player in the modern history of the sport to compile multiple maximums, scoring his first at the English Open in 2024. The perfect break came in the second frame of the match which finished 2-2. The highlight of the 147 was a tough cutback yellow to a blind pocket on 120, as he hit the white off three cushions to come back for the green in baulk. David Hendon on commentary said: "First of the season, but we know with the quality of players, it won't be the last. Fantastic from Fan Zhengyi." Advertisement READ MORE SNOOKER But his opponent Xu did not let Fan's effort get to him, as he recovered from 2-0 behind to earn a 2-2 draw in finishing the day unbeaten. However, supporters couldn't believe Fan's achievement after the disappointing year he's had, failing to make it past the last-32 of any competition. One posted on X: "Fan is one of the more confusing players on tour. Looks unbelievable sometimes but really unpredictable. "He's not won a match yet this season, but made a 147. Also lost a frame to Highfield who needed 3 snookers. Tough to predict." Advertisement Most read in Snooker Exclusive Exclusive Exclusive CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS While another added: " Definitely in the top-10 of most confusing players!" It was the 218th 147 in professional snooker history and first of the 2025/26 season. Championship League snooker match awkwardly interrupted by Ice Cream Van But Fan, who has won just three matches this calendar year, was dumped out of the competition with a haul of just two points. Advertisement Xu Si instead topped Group 29 with a record of two wins and a draw, beating Michal Szubarczyk and Liam Highfield before securing a tie with Fan to safeguard his spot in the last 32. The Championship League runs between June 30 and July 23, with 32 groups of four producing 32 winners, who are then split into eight groups of four. Two final groups of four will determine who contests the final on July 23, with the winner earning £33,000 and a place in the Champion of Champions event in Leicester in November. Advertisement List of all-time Snooker World Champions BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year. The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport. The first World Championships ran from 1927 - with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport. Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period. 1969 - John Spencer 1970 - 1971 - John Spencer 1972 - Alex Higgins 1973 - Ray Reardon (2) 1974 - Ray Reardon (3) 1975 - Ray Reardon (4) 1976 - Ray Reardon (5) 1977 - John Spencer (2) 1978 - Ray Reardon (6) 1979 - Terry Griffiths 1980 - Cliff Thorburn 1981 - 1982 - Alex Higgins (2) 1983 - Steve Davis (2) 1984 - Steve Davis (3) 1985 - 1986 - Joe Johnson 1987 - Steve Davis (4) 1988 - Steve Davis (5) 1989 - Steve Davis (6) 1990 - 1991 - John Parrott 1992 - Stephen Hendry (2) 1993 - Stephen Hendry (3) 1994 - Stephen Hendry (4) 1995 - Stephen Hendry (5) 1996 - Stephen Hendry (6) 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - Stephen Hendry (7) 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - Mark Williams (2) 2004 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (2) 2005 - Shaun Murphy 2006 - Graeme Dott 2007 - John Higgins (2) 2008 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) 2009 - John Higgins (3) 2010 - Neil Robertson 2011 - John Higgins (4) 2012 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (4) 2013 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - Mark Selby (2) 2017 - Mark Selby (3) 2018 - Mark Williams (3) 2019 - 2020 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (6) 2021 - Mark Selby (4) 2022 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (7) 2023 - 2024 - 2025 - Most World Titles (modern era) 7 - Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan 6 - Ray Reardon, Steve Davis 4 - John Higgins, Mark Selby 3 - John Spencer, Mark Williams 2 - Alex Higgins
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
Autograss racing to return to Carmarthenshire coast
The 2025 Men's National Autograss Championships will take place at Castle Lloyd Farm near Pendine on August 2 and 3, featuring a full weekend of high-speed racing and family entertainment. Organised by the South Wales Autograss League (SWL), the event will see 480 of the UK's top drivers compete across 12 classes. The SWL previously hosted the Ladies' and Juniors' National Championships last year. Among the competitors will be Corey Paisley, who made history in 2024 as the first StockHatch driver to win the Champion of Champions title. Mr Paisley said: "It's a feeling that can't be described. "It's been mine and my Grandad's dream since 2016. "I was so happy to win it for him. "It's the biggest event of the year." Racing begins at 9am on both days, with two heats per class on Saturday, followed by a third heat and finals on Sunday. The top eight drivers from each class will compete for the Men's National Champion 2025 title and a place in the Champion of Champions race on Sunday afternoon. The event promises something for all ages, with entertainment including an appearance by Sam Kurtz MS, Disney characters, fairground rides, bouncy castles, and a Royal Corps tank display. Gates open from 10am on Thursday, July 31, with on-site camping available at £5 per unit per night. Race-day tickets are priced at £20 per adult and £10 per day for children over 10, OAPs, and disabled visitors. The event is sponsored by PRG Trailers. Castle Lloyd Farm (SA33 4PT) offers panoramic views of Pendine Sands and Caldey Island. A minibus shuttle service will run to Pendine and Tenby throughout the weekend. Further updates and information can be found on the South Wales Autograss League Facebook page.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Harkomal strikes gold at National Arm Wrestling Championship
Harkomal Singh Gill, a student of CT University, has taken the national stage by storm with a dazzling performance at the National Arm Wrestling Championship 2025, held in Kerala. Competing in the fiercely contested 80 kg weight category, Harkomal not only clinched four gold medals but also earned the coveted title of 'Champion of Champions,' making his mark as one of the most formidable athletes. Harkomal Singh Gill not only clinched four gold medals but also earned the coveted title of 'Champion of Champions'. (HT Photo) Harkomal showcased an awe-inspiring display of strength, technique, and mental grit and emerged victorious in both the left arm and right arm events in the junior/youth division, and then went on to dominate the same categories in the senior division- sweeping the championship with four gold medals to his name. Harkomal excelled across two age groups, proving his unmatched consistency and mastery over the sport. Crowning this exceptional performance, the championship jury honoured him with the 'Champion of Champions' trophy, awarded only to the best overall athlete across all categories. 'My success is the result of years of hard work and disciplined training under the expert mentorship of Davinder Singh, director of student welfare, and Gurdeep Singh, head of the sports department,' said Harkomal. Manbir Singh, pro-chancellor of CT University, expressed his pride, stating, 'Harkomal's phenomenal performance is a shining reflection of resilience, passion and the pursuit of excellence. Winning four gold medals and the 'Champion of Champions' trophy is a dream achievement, and he has made all of us incredibly proud.' Echoing the same sentiment, Nitin Tandon, vice-chancellor, added, 'This victory is not just about medals, rather is a benchmark for future athletes.'
