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IOL News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Durban teenage MMA prodigy adopts 'messy' Dricus fight style
Coach Greg Thomas of Bushido Gym and Abigail Deneys in Abu Dhabi Coach Greg Thomas of Bushido Gym and Abigail Deneys in Abu Dhabi after she received the gold medal for the 77kg class. AMANZIMTOTI teenage MMA fighter Abigail Deneys thinks her messy fight style can take her all the way to the top, just like it did with current South African-born UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. Deneys, 15, just returned from Abu Dhabi where she fought in the World Youth MMA Championship for South Africa in the 77kg class. Deneys won gold by default because her opponent pulled out of the fight. "Definitely, having a messy and clumsy fight style can work in your favour...I feel like if it has worked for Dricus then why can't it work for me." Deneys said she was disappointed she didn't get to throw down in the octagon, a place she's grown familiar with since joining the sport just under a year ago. Under the careful direction of her coaches, Greg Thomas and Amanda Lino from Bushido Gym in Amanzimtoti, Deneys is hopeful to leave her mark on the sport. 'I really wish I could have fought in Abu Dhabi because it's not about medals for me. I genuinely enjoy getting into that cage and on the mat and just fighting. I feel like if I got the chance to fight, whether I got the gold or not, I would have been happy. Getting it by default kind of makes me feel like I cheated. 'I also felt like I was robbed of those small moments with my coaches and teammates. But the experience has taught me that there's always going to be something that happens that I didn't want to happen (Murphy's Law). 'I think going forward for my next fight I'm going to drop down to the 66kg category and in the future try to go lighter. It was still an honour for me to bring home gold, even if it wasn't in the way I wanted,' Deneys told Independent Media. The Toti' resident landed in South Africa last night and plans on getting back into the gym soon after she is done sleeping off the jetlag. Reaching for the stars Deneys has admitted that she's not academically inclined and was always the type to try out a new sport or hobby instead. And now that she's found one she likes, and has committed to, she plans on giving it a 110% effort. In short, she would much rather wake up and choose violence instead of the pen. 'I don't really juggle it. I do MMA and school is just kind of there. When school gets hard, I just focus extra on MMA. MMA is my top priority. 'I definitely want to end up UFC one day but obviously I'm way too young to even think about that right now. I think my short term aim would be to get signed by the EFC but the UFC is definitely a bigger goal. 'I feel like I can trust my coach to get me there. Especially looking at how far he got me in such a short space of time. One of my other coaches, Amanda Lino, recently fought in the EFC and got a new title. So I feel like Lino and coach Greg will get me far as long as I work hard for it,' Deneys said. Messy works, at least for Dricus it does... Before Deneys left for Abu Dhabi, she mentioned in the interview that she has a 'kind of messy fighting style'. After returning, she said she just may give the messy fight style a go, given how successful Dricus Du Plessis turned out with a similar stance in the ring. Du Plessis, in the past three years in the UFC, has defeated the biggest names in the sport when it comes to the Middleweight Class, including Robert Whitaker, Derek Brunson, Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. All with a 'messy' fight style, according to numerous fellow UFC fighters and pundits. While the world of UFC has been put off from Du Plessis's style of fighting, Deneys has embraced it and hopes it can bring her glory in the octagon some day. 'Definitely, having a messy and clumsy fight style can work in your favour. Your opponent doesn't know your next move. And I feel like if it worked for Dricus then why can't it work for me. I've made it a bit far already just by getting disqualified and tripping on myself. 'I think I have to start working extra hard on my ground game. Next year I will be allowed to ground and pound and that works to a fighter's advantage when you can't submit them,' Deneys said.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi CM orders ACB probe into Barapullah Phase-3 corridor ‘irregularities', accuses AAP of ‘corruption'
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Monday directed the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) to probe 'irregularities in construction of the Barapullah Phase III elevated corridor' while accusing the previous AAP government of 'corruption' in the matter. The CM issued the directions during the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) meeting on Monday. The meeting was also attended by Public Works Derpartment (PWD) minister Parvesh Sahib Singh and senior officials from the Finance and other departments concerned. In response, the AAP said the BJP's 'four-engine' government has failed to take 'even a single meaningful step to address the concerns of ordinary citizens' despite being in power for six months. 'Instead of governing, BJP has focused its energies on delay, deflection, and distraction — flooding the system with raids, investigations, and baseless cases that have yielded no evidence,' it added. Gupta highlighted that the project, scheduled for completion in October 2017, was repeatedly delayed and eventually ran into arbitration. 'The ruling favoured the contractor with an award of Rs 120 crore. When the payment was withheld, the company approached the High Court, which, in May 2023, ordered the PWD to pay Rs 175 crore, including interest and GST. The sum was subsequently paid during the tenure of then-PWD Minister Atishi,' said a statement from the CM's Office (CMO). 'During the (EFC) meeting, concerns were raised over the PWD's negligence and prolonged delays in the project. The Chief Minister instructed senior officials to ensure its timely completion, noting that the payment was necessitated because the previous government had prevented the company from executing the work,' the CMO said. Gupta also accused the previous AAP government of 'not filing a review petition and taking action against officials responsible for the cost overruns'. The CM said the contractor had initially offered to settle the dispute for Rs 35 crore, but the proposal was ignored, resulting in the escalation of the matter to the High Court. According to officials, the CM said 'the payment to the contractor hampered other PWD schemes'. Gupta further noted the possibility of PWD officials being complicit in the irregularities and said their actions would also be scrutinised under the vigilance enquiry. Assuring that the investigation will not hinder further progress, the CM said the project, which also faced delays due to pending approval for cutting trees, will be completed on time. An amount of Rs 1,260.63 crore was allocated for the project in December 2014. Construction work began in April 2015, with a stipulated completion period of 30 months. The original estimated cost of the project was Rs 1,260.63 crore, out of which Rs 1,238.68 crore has been spent so far, said officials adding that the new cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 1,330 crore. Officials said Rs 150 crore has been allocated for this year, of which Rs 86.43 crore had already been spent. 'No further delays would be tolerated and assured adequate budgetary support to complete the project, which is expected to significantly ease traffic between South and East Delhi,' said the CM. In May, the PWD minister had said the target is to operationalise the flyover by December. Earlier this month, the PWD had said it received permission from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to fell 250 trees that are required for the project to progress. The project – a 3.5-km four-lane elevated corridor – envisages seamless connectivity between Mayur Vihar I in East Delhi and AIIMS in South Delhi. The new flyover, which will merge with the existing Barapullah flyover at Sarai Kale Khan, is also expected to significantly enhance east-west connectivity. It will also improve access to the World Trade Center at Nauroji Nagar and other key areas in the capital like Green Park, South Extension, Hauz Khas, Dhaula Kuan and Delhi Airport.
Mint
14-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Cabinet note to be shortly moved for extending Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission till 2030
New Delhi: The health ministry will shortly circulate a cabinet note for extending the tenure of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) till 2030, a government official said. The five-year term of the scheme that aims to create a national digital health ecosystem ends in March next year, with only a third of the initial ₹1,600 crore allocated for the current phase having been spent. An Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) note will be first moved, following which the cabinet note will be circulated. The National Health Authority (NHA), which implements the mission, recently held discussions with states and union territories on the next phase of ABDM, which will focus on covering more people, onboarding private healthcare providers, and using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare. ABDM, which was launched in September 2021, has three components—Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), a digital health ID for each person, and a Health Facility Registry (HFR). 'Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is making efforts to connect healthcare services across the entire country digitally. With the first phase of ABDM set to finish in March next year, the NHA conducted theconsultation with States on ABDM 2.0" last week, the official said, adding states had a vital role to play in building a collaborative and inclusive digital health ecosystem under ABDM. The official said thatthe focus was on shaping ABDM 2.0 for a 2026-2030 roll-out. 'The talks covered important areas like how to make better use of allocated funds and encourage more people to sign up for digital health records keeper, known as ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account)." More than 790 million ABHA health IDs of have been created under the platform till date and 638 million health records linked to the system. Discussions also touched upon how new technologies like AI could be used to improve healthcare and the need for closer teamwork with states. The main aim is to speed up the pace at which both government and private healthcare providers adopt digital ways of working. 'The NHA is now going to evaluate all the ideas and suggestions, following which they will seek the Expenditure Finance Committee approval for the funds needed to upgrade the digital health initiative, following which Cabinet note will be circulated," the official said. To be sure, only about a third of the initial ₹1,600 crore budget for the current phase has been used so far. The recent meeting is a critical step in building a more efficient and widely available digital healthcare system for everyone in India, making this one of the central government's key initiatives. Notably, 414,864 health facilities and 666,956 healthcare professionals have been verified and are on board ABDM. Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered till press time. Arpita Mukherjee, professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, said the Indian healthcare system is fragmented and so is the healthcare data. "So, we have to prioritize digitization. The under utilization of the funds in ABDM may be because government health portals are not interconnected," she said. Dr. Harsh Mahajan, founder and chief radiologist, Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said the next phase of the mission will be even more important than the first one. "Bringing private healthcare providers on board and using technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) can improve how we diagnose and treat patients. In diagnostics, for example, AI can help doctors read scans more quickly and spot problems earlier. 'When this is supported by easy access to a patient's health records, it leads to better decisions and faster treatment. This is not just about technology. It is about making healthcare more connected and more focused on the patient," he said.
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
QuanWessels athletes to represent SA at IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi
A group of rising young athletes from the QuanWessels Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Academy in Sunninghill have earned their place on the international stage, following standout performances at the MMA South African National Championships. Several members of the team have been selected to represent South Africa at the prestigious International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Youth World Championships, taking place in Abu Dhabi this July. Under the banner of Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA), the national championships showcased the country's top junior talent, and QuanWessels made their mark. 'It is with great pride, watching our boys mature into quality junior athletes with 10 years of planning coming into fruition,' said coach Norman 'Chef' Wessels. Also read: 13-year-old MMA star needs support to compete for SA in Abu Dhabi 'They are a small but quality group of youngsters, going to represent QuanWessels and our country,' added another coach Richard Quan. 'They have done the hours and continue to grow, learn, and mature in our programme. All they need to do now is get on top, stay on top, finish, and win.' The IMMAF Youth World Championships is the premier stage for young mixed martial artists aged 8 to 17, bringing together top athletes from across the globe. For many, it represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete internationally. For Nicholas Sears (13), the road to nationals was not without obstacles. 'It was a major struggle to balance training for nationals while studying for exams at the same time. I just put my head down and dealt with it. Did what I needed to do.' When asked what he would say to his future self before stepping into the cage in Dubai, he said: 'You are gonna 'Fight to the Death' no matter what happens.' ALso read: EFC fighters eye what they want for the future Another team member, Logan Brown, spoke about the personal growth he's experienced through training at QuanWessels. 'I am a lot more confident and comfortable walking around, knowing I can defend myself. I am very excited to compete for South Africa, and to see how I compare to other athletes in other countries.' Even athletes not on the national team, like Stefan van Rooyen, are making the journey to Abu Dhabi to support their teammates. 'Before a big fight, I stay calm by listening to music, doing some light stretching, and visualising the match in my head.' As for his inspiration in the sport, he named UFC star Paddy Pimblett. 'He's fearless, entertaining, and always brings energy to the cage.' For Tiano Marko Massimo Frau, another standout competitor, the opportunity means everything. 'I feel really good. It is really a huge and a great opportunity for me to show the world that, as a South African, we can compete at the highest levels. Never give up, through any struggle, keep training and you will persevere.' Also read: Star-studded EFC 123 card features international matchups While the achievement is historic, the athletes now face a new challenge: Raising funds to cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and gear. 'We're calling on businesses, sponsors, and supporters to help get our kids to the world championships,' said Wessels. 'These children are making South Africa proud. They just need a little help to get there.' Details: [email protected] Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC vets Ali AlQaisi, James Llontop featured in UAE Warriors doubleheader in Abu Dhabi
UAE Warriors will host a doubleheader later this month. UAE Warriors 61, which takes place July 23 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, will be headlined by Arabian featherweight champion and former UFC fighter Ali AlQaisi (16-8), who meets former EFC bantamweight champion Sylvester Chipfumbu (11-6) for the promotion's inaugural Intercontinental featherweight title. Also featured on the card is a matchup between Season 32 "Ultimate Fighter" alum and Arabian welterweight champion Omran Chaaban (8-1), who meets Brazil's Wellington Madeira (7-1). Plus, UFC and PFL veteran Ronny Markes (25-10) takes on ACB alum Kazbek Saidaliev (13-3). UAE Warriors 62, which takes place July 24 in the same venue, features a headliner between welterweight champion Khotam Boynazarov (10-0), who defends his title against DWCS graduate and UFC alum James Llontop (16-5). Former Eagle FC Champion Imam-Shapi Mukhtarov (11-1) meets Azerbaijan's Anvarbek Daniyalbekov (9-0), and team Khabib Nurmagomedov's Ullubiy Amirzhanov (4-0) takes on submission specialist Ravshan Boymirzoev (5-0).
