Aurelia Butler

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    Joana Neves dead at 37: Paralympic swimmer dies after cardiac arrest as tributes paid for ‘great, charismatic athlete’

    A SWIMMER who won five medals in three Paralympics has died aged just 37.Brazilian Joana Neves went into cardiac arrest in the early hours of yesterday morning after being admitted to hospital on Sunday night feeling unwell.Swimmer Joana Neves, far right in green, has died aged just 37Credit: GettyNeves won five medals in three ParalympicsCredit: GettyHere she is at the 2022 World Para Swimming ChampionshipsCredit: GettyShe had travelled to the city of Sao Paulo for tests after suffering fits.Joana, known affectionately as Peixinha which means Little Fish in English or Joaninha, was born with bone growth disorder achondroplasia that results in dwarfism due to a genetic mutation in the arms and legs.During her glittering career she won a total of 15 medals in world paralympic swimming championships between 2013 and 2022 after taking up swimming on medical advice as a 10-year-old and starting to compete three years later.She also took part in three Paralympics, winning two silver and three bronze medals at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.READ MORE IN sport Mizael Conrado, President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, said in a tribute to the athlete, who hailed from the city of Natal in the north-east state of Rio Grande do Norte: “We are devastated at the departure of Joana Neves, our Joaninha.“So much charisma out of the pool, so much determination when she entered the water to represent our country, Rio Grande do Norte, her friends and her family.“How many people were proud of Joaninha’s achievements and how many joys she gave us. She was a great athlete.”Her club Sadef RN said in a statement yesterday confirming her death: “Parathlete swimmer Joana Neves died this morning in Sao Paulo.Most read in Athletics”She was in the city undergoing tests to seek a diagnosis of seizures she had recently suffered.“On Sunday night, after feeling unwell at the Paralympic Training Centre she was taken to hospital but was unable to resist after going into cardiac arrest.”We struck gold with a stay at the site of London’s 2012 OlympicsA club spokesman added: “At the last World Cup in 2022, she won four medals and broke two records. “During her career she had 15 podium finishes at World Cups between 2013 and 2022.“In 2020, she was voted Brazil’s best Paralympic swimmer in the best swimming trophy. She won five medals at the Paralympic Games.”One well-wisher added by way of a personal tribute on social media: “What a very sad day. My sincere condolences to the whole family.“A huge loss for our sport. She leaves an incredible legacy and most of all she leaves her joy in our memories.” More

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    Paris Olympics to lift sex ban with 300,000 condoms to be delivered to Olympic village

    OLYMPIC chiefs have lifted the ban on athletes having sex ahead of this summer’s Games.A sex suspension was implemented ahead of the 2020 Games Tokyo, which took place in the summer of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.The 2024 Olympic Games take place in Paris this summerCredit: ALAMYOlympic chiefs have lifted the sex ban they had in place for the 2024 GamesCredit: REUTERSThe ban was imposed in a bid to stop events from being scuppered by Covid outbreaks.But those preventative measures have been lifted ahead of this summer’s Games in Paris – meaning athletes can get up to as much rumpy-pumpy as they like.Olympic Village director Laurent Michaud said: “It is very important that the conviviality here is something big.”Working with the athletes commission, we wanted to create some places where the athletes would feel very enthusiastic and comfortable.”READ MORE ON PARIS 2024The Olympic Village , according to TMZ, will be stocked with a whopping 300,000 free condoms.So athletes will have no excuse for not practicing safe sex during the tournament.There won’t, however, be any free champers for them to drink during the competition.Although they will have a wide array of food from around the globe available to them every day.Most read in AthleticsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Olympic Village will be stocked with 300,000 free condomsCredit: GETTYFormer Center Parcs head-honcho Michaud said: “[There will be no champagne in the village, of course, but they can have all the champagne they want also in Paris.”We will have more than 350 metres of buffet with the world food.We’re twin sisters, 27, who both secretly battled same disease… now we’re plotting Olympic gold at Paris 2024 together”And I’m sure that the athletes will be very happy to have some French specialties made over here.”But the variety will first respond to the athletes’ needs for their nutrition and their performance.”The Paris Games – which get underway on July 26 and end on August 11 – are expected to attract the largest crowds since London 2012.Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi told Sky News: “It has to be a celebration and it is a celebration.”We’ve had many challenges in the past. “In Rio, we faced situations that were amazingly complex.”But what you see is that with a bit of goodwill from everyone – starting with the organisers.”But also as far as the Olympic community is concerned – meeting with the challenges and coming up with solutions… is in the greater interest that the Games represent.READ MORE SUN STORIES”What we all want is for unity, peace and a celebration of the best athletes. “This is how this creative family works together. Any challenge? We will win.” More

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    in Boxing

    Anthony Joshua gets ‘very cosy’ with Brit hairdresser in Dubai desert after she congratulated him after brutal knockout

    BOXER Anthony Joshua enjoys a day out with a hairdresser beauty while quad biking in the desert.AJ, 34, was seen with Kika Osunde’s hands wrapped around his waist and with her head leaning on his back.Anthony Joshua rides through the desert outside Dubai with hairdresser Kika OsundeCredit: SnapchatAJ, third from right, and Kika, second from right, together outside a restaurantCredit: InstagramIn another video he sits at the back with his arms around her and leans forward to reach the handles. Heavyweight star AJ had been driving the bike alone while Kika, 37, was in a buggy with others. But they soon got close on his bike in Dubai.A source said: “They looked very cosy and like they were having fun with each other.”READ MORE ANTHONY JOSHUAThe pair have been spending plenty of time with each other since AJ’s win over Francis Ngannou in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.Moments after his KO, AJ rushed over to Kika for a ringside cuddle and kiss, above right. He said: “How are you Kika? I haven’t seen you in so long! How are you?” She replied: “Congratulations. I’m good.”On Tuesday they were spotted dining with pals at Lebanese restaurant Babati Lounge in Dubai.Most read in BoxingThe pair go back several years, with AJ urging followers to support her Instagram in November 2020.Kika, known as Kika Good Hair, runs a salon in West London and boasts hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.’I know I’m gonna see him one day’ – Anthony Joshua calls out reporter in press conference after KO of Francis Ngannou She has said previously: “I’m all about seeing people live their best lives each and every day and in that we become united in our dreams and aspirations — all day every day.”AJ has a son JJ, eight, with his ex Nicole Osbourne. He has been romantically linked to models Cara Delevingne and Bella Hadid.A spokesman for AJ said: “Anthony is in a relationship . . . with professional boxing. He has no time for extra commitments.“He is having a break from boxing and will return to the gym this week. Sadly the claims of a relationship are just rumours.”AJ with Kika in Saudi Arabia during one of his big matchesCredit: TikTokAJ and Kika have known each other for some time, and he asked his followers to support her all the way back in 2020Credit: Instagram More

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    Inside Tyson Fury’s VIP Man Utd experience, from Sir Alex Ferguson meeting and advising Ten Hag to slap-up meal

    TYSON FURY had the red carpet rolled out for him as he watched his beloved Red Devils in FA Cup action.The WBC heavyweight champion was in attendance at The Theatre of Dreams on Sunday afternoon to watch Manchester United take on Liverpool in a pulsating quarter-final clash.Tyson Fury was at Old Trafford last weekend for Manchester United’s FA Cup clash with LiverpoolCredit: GETTYThe Gypsy King sat in the director’s box with his cousin and fellow boxer Issac LoweCredit: PAFury took a pre-match photo with former Red Devils boss Sir Alex FergusonCredit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONFURYFury came close to predicting the final score for the pulsating FA Cup quarter-final clashCredit: INSTAGRAM@MANCHESTERUNITEDAnd he was given the VIP experience that the majority of the Old Trafford faithful could only dream of having.Before taking his place in one of the best seats in the house, The Gypsy King was spotted backstage with club titan Sir Alex Ferguson.Fury couldn’t hide his delight as he posed for a snap with Fergie, who whipped out his best boxer’s pose for the photo.The Wythenshawe warrior attended the match with his cousin and fellow boxer Issac Lowe.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd the pair had a fancy meal before taking in one of the best games of the season from the director’s box.United ran out 4-3 winners thanks to a sensational last-gasp extra-time winner from substitute Amad Diallo.The game will go down as one of the all-time classics between the fierce rivals, something Fury predicted before kick-off.When asked for his pre-match prediction, he told MUTV: “Hopefully we get an absolutely great result [today].Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIssac Lowe was also proud as punch to have a snap with Sir Alex FergusonCredit: INSTAGRAM@ISSACLOWE6He and Fury enjoyed a slap-up pre-match meal in the hospitality areasCredit: INSTAGRAM@ISSACLOWE6″I think it’s going to be an absolute classic. Well, I hope it is anyway. Big scores.”Fury, 35, came close to getting the final score correct, predicting a 3-2 win for Erik ten Hag’s side.Tyson Fury and Paris spend £140 bargain hunting in Asda and says ‘Boris Johnson would be proud’ of his savingsAnd he called for Ten Hag to instruct his troops to go for broke before kick-off.He told ITV: “I think it will be a good game and hopefully United can turn the clock back and smash them.“Just go out there and attack [and] put pressure on them and play your best football, get stuck right in because that usually works. “It’s worked for me anyway, 35 times in a row, so that’s a good tactic.”The trip to Old Trafford will likely be one of Fury’s final social outings before he knuckles down for the biggest fight of his career.Fury is just eight weeks away from fighting former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles.The pair were supposed to have settled the score in a multi-million-pound Saudi showdown last month.But a horror cut in sparring for Fury pushed back the first undisputed heavyweight title fight in nearly 25 years to May 18.Fury has already begun preparations for the rescheduled Riyadh rumble, telling ITV: “[I’m] very fit. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I have got nine weeks to go so you can ask me in nine weeks if I am fit and ready.”I have just started camp, literally a few days ago so yeah I will be fit and ready by the time the fight comes, for sure.” Tyson Fury will face Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles on May 18Credit: EPA More

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    Anthony Joshua’s KO of Francis Ngannou was so devastating the ex-UFC champ is still having medical tests a week later

    FRANCIS NGANNOU revealed he was still having medical tests a week after his brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. AJ finished the ex-UFC champion in two rounds following three knockdowns and one final ruthless right hand.Francis Ngannou revealed he was still having medical tests a week after his KO to Anthony JoshuaCredit: ReutersNgannou was left needing oxygen following the finishing shot but spoke out on Instagram Live a week later to give fans an update. He said: “I was conscious right after (the KO), and since then everything’s been good. I’m still going to run some medical work, just in case.”Ngannou, 37, had dropped Tyson Fury on his boxing debut only to lose a controversial split-decision in October. But Joshua, 34, helped restore order in the ring just five months later with his emphatic finish. READ MORE IN BOXINGNgannou – now 0-2 as a boxer – revealed he was “falling asleep” while warming up to fight AJ as the bout did not start till 3am in Saudi Arabia. He said: “Leading up to that fight, it wasn’t my day.”Not to say the result would have been different but it wasn’t my day. At any moment of the day, I felt like I wasn’t good to go.“Even in the locker room, trying warm up, it wasn’t going well. I was falling asleep. I was sweating but I was falling asleep. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”That’s why I took some time out for me, some time to reflect on everything that happened to me.“Heads up to Anthony Joshua, they did everything right. Heads up to my team too, we did everything properly but I didn’t execute the plan because I didn’t feel present.”Oleksandr Usyk grimaces as he watches Anthony Joshua’s brutal KO of Francis Ngannou Ngannou walked out on the UFC and put his MMA career on hold to make the lucrative switch to boxing – which ultimately banked him around £20million. He instead signed for the Professional Fighters League but insisted his business in boxing is not yet over. Ngannou said: “I am not done yet. The only thing missing here was time.”I will take some time for myself to chill, then come back to training to get ready for another challenge.”Joshua knocked Ngannou out in round twoCredit: Getty More

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    Apollonia Llewellyn risks wardrobe malfunction in see-through top sending fans wild as she says ‘natural still exists’

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN left fans stunned in a see-through white top.The 24-year-old gave her followers yet another treat as she posed in the sun. Apollonia Llewellyn stunned in a see-through white topCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynShe risked a wardrobe malfunction as she put on a busty displayCredit: Instagram apolloniallewellynApollonia is no stranger to flaunting her curvesCredit: Instagram apolloniallewellynShe is a ring girl, model and influencerCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynApollonia stripped down to a figure-hugging top and left little to the imagination as she risked a wardrobe malfunction.The ring girl flicked her and smiled at the camera as she uploaded the sexy video on Instagram.She captioned the post: “Natural still exists.”With her 579,000 followers strongly agreed, with one saying: “Wow my golden girl. Love you.”READ MORE IN BOXINGAnother added: “A breath of fresh air Apollonia.”A third wrote: “Hello beautiful.”And more commented: “So sexy.”Apollonia is no stranger to dazzling her besotted fans, recently giving fans an eyeful as she put on a busty display in a black outfit.Most read in BoxingThe blonde bombshell also caught the eye in a tiny leather bra and showed off her curves at a football match.Apollonia, who comes from Leeds, works as a model and influencer aside from being a ring girl.Apollonia Llewellyn sends fans into meltdown by going make-up-free in lacy see-through dress for raunchy clipApollonia has 579,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynThe blonde bombshell comes from LeedsCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynShe loves a revealing bikiniCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellynShe often soaks up the sun while on holidayCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynApollonia’s glam snaps often go viralCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynShe was supposedly offered £100,000 to pose nudeCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynApollonia visited the Swiss Alps earlier this yearCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynApollonia is also a regular visitor of GreeceCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynConor McGregor dropped a like on this photoCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellynFans have labelled her ‘so sexy’Credit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn More

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    Oleksandr Usyk grimaces as he watches Anthony Joshua’s brutal KO of Francis Ngannou

    OLEKSANDR USYK was left grimacing after watching back Anthony Joshua’s brutal knockout of Francis Ngannou. Joshua floored Ngannou three times in two rounds with the final ruthless right hand finishing the job. Oleksandr Usyk grimaced after watching back Anthony Joshua’s KO of Francis NgannouCredit: X@DAZNBoxingJoshua stopped Ngannou in two roundsCredit: GettyBut Usyk might not have even seen the final blow having refused to watch on after AJ’s second knockdown. DAZN played back the fight to the Ukrainian and his reaction to Ngannou, 37, hitting the deck for the second time was that of shock. And he closed the laptop down to watch on no more, missing the moment the MMA star got to his feet only to be KO’d with the very next punch. Usyk, 36, returns on May 18 in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout against Fury, 35. READ MORE IN BOXINGThe pair are contracted to rematch right after but Joshua, 34, will hope to muscle his way into a title shot. And AJ – who has twice lost to Usyk – insisted he is just a phone call away if either want to get a deal done. He told Sky Sports: “For my career, I feel like wins are just left in the past, you can’t dwell on them too long because there’s always another challenge coming up. “I feel like a win just moves me onto not dwelling in my sorrows to much because a loss isn’t nice for anyone.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”And then in terms of Usyk and Fury, it’s really up to them. I’m only a phonecall away, even better, I’m only a tweet away. You can tweet me and we can make the deal, so it will happen.” On the Fury bout, Joshua said: “I’ll fight him in his back garden, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m a fighting man, you know what I’m saying? “Wherever, whenever, however – it doesn’t matter. As long as we deliver for the fans, that’s the main thing.”Inside Anthony Joshua’s amazing car collection More

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    I’m a boxing ring girl… it can be really awkward – it’s not as simple as walking around holding a card

    LIFE as a boxing ring girl isn’t as simple as you may think, according to beauty Amy Holden.The 24-year-old is an up and coming star turning heads and adding glamour to the sport. Amy Holden is a boxing ring girlCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__The 24-year-old insists the job is far from easyCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__Amy says the work requires long hours and loads of self-confidenceCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__The beauty is always at the gym as she needs to keep in shapeCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__Amy poses with Connor BennCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__Amy fell in love with boxing as her granddad was a huge fan and she used to date a professional fighter.But with no interest in throwing punches herself, being a ring girl was the next best thing.The job may look as easy as it gets, but Amy insists that could not be further from the truth.She explained to the Daily Star: “Its not as simple as walking around holding a card you know.READ MORE ON RING GIRLS”I believe it takes a lot of personality and charisma. “You need to be super confident to stand in a ring with hundreds of people watching your every move for a start – awkwardness really shows unfortunately.”You get asked for a lot of photos by photographers, the promotional team and people attending the event, so you need to be self-assured enough to know not every photo is going come out the best or the most flattering, but that’s OK. “We are all human at the end of the day.Most read in Boxing”Your day starts off early or sometimes the day before if you are travelling and ends late at night. It can be really tiring, and I think a lot of people underestimate this as they don’t see this part.”You have to be immaculate too – hair, make-up, nails, tan. All needs to be on point. I also go to the gym to keep fit and stay in shape. ‘The bikinis are getting smaller,’ says Apollonia Llewellyn as boxing ring girl shows off underboob in racy video”You never know what outfit the promoters are going to want you in, so you need to maintain your figure.”Amy used to attend her ex-partner’s fights and as she watched on ringside, she became interested in becoming a ring girl.The Londoner approached a boxing manager she recognised at an event and asked for an opportunity.She was then pointed in the direction of ring girl agency Brawl Babes and the rest is history.The blonde bombshell first strutted her stuff at unlicensed shows and is now beginning to stun at pro events.She has aspirations of taking to the ring at a Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua bout.And she is always talking to people, whether it be referees, sponsors, boxers or fans, in the hope of one day holding the cards as the eyes of the world watch on.Amy Holden says she always has to look ‘immaculate’Credit: Instagram: @amyholden__The blonde bombshell hails from LondonCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__She fell in love with boxing after attending her ex-partner’s boutsCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__Amy got her break after approaching a manager at a showCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__She is hoping to strut her stuff at more pro fightsCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__Amy has 7,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram: @amyholden__ More