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    ‘Like I was made in a lab’ – How Moses Itauma became ‘Project Thanos’ with background from Slovak mountains and Nigeria

    MOSES ITAUMA is a super-freak of a fighter built in a fantasy lab somewhere between the icy Slovak mountains and scorching Africa.The 20-year-old heavyweight prodigy, with a Nigerian father, was born in his mum’s Kezmarok home but raised in Chatham, Kent.Moses Itauma has credited his Nigerian father and Slovakian mother with inspiring him to successCredit: GettyItauma revealed his uncle woke him up at 2am to go to the world’s largest ice bathCredit: GettyItauma’s coach has likened him to Avengers character ThanosLike Itauma, former world champion Anthony Joshua has talked extensively about his Nigerian heritageCredit: GettyThe union between the rugged central-European region – where freezing dips in the Poprad river instill an ice-cold will – and the West-African hotbed of professional warriors like Anthony Joshua, has created the 6ft 3in southpaw superstar.And the code of ultra-discipline his military-focused maternal uncles have taught him has swirled with his father’s fearsome genepool to create a boxing force comparable with Marvel comic super-villain Thanos.When SunSport asks Itauma if the unlikely blend of cultures has created a monster, he tells us: “Yes. 100 per cent.“You probably wouldn’t think of putting those two nations together but I am very proud of my heritage.READ MORE BOXING NEWS“I have a military-like discipline from my mother’s side and I am just a genetic freak from my dad’s side.“It is like I was made in a lab and this was all planned: Project Itauma.“My old nutritionist actually used to call me ‘Project Thanos’, the Marvel character.”When SunSport drops our guard and reveals our age by admitting we have only heard of Thanos via our schoolboy sons, we are firmly informed: “He’s a big powerful purple guy who fights the Avengers.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“He is the villain in the film but, at the same time, he is very powerful and it takes all of the Avengers – who are all individually very powerful – to come together to beat Thanos.”Back on planet Earth, Itauma explains how bringing together two countries separated by 3,000 miles and the Mediterranean Sea has helped British boxing spawn a new superpower who can carry the hopes of the nation on his shoulders, after Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have retired.Moses Itauma ‘could beat’ Mike Tyson’s youngest heavyweight champ record after impressive first round KO of Demsey McKeanHe explained: “Being born in Slovakia and living there for a couple of years, to a Nigerian father, I have that little brag of being a weird mix of heritage.“But I have learned a lot from everyone, if you ever go into my bedroom or my car, everything is spotlessly clean and I know where everything is.“I went to go and work with my uncle in Switzerland for a while and I remember his apartment there being so spotlessly clean and he knew where absolutely everything was and everything had its place.“I remember him telling me that it makes your life so much easier if you know where all the important things are. That’s just one aspect.Itauma is unbeaten with nine of his eleven victories coming via knockoutCredit: GettyIn his last fight, Itauma demolished the highly-rated Demsey McKean in one roundCredit: Getty“Another is, I have a cousin who I went running with in Slovakia, at high altitude, and he is not a boxer or an athlete, he does not run, he’s chubby. But he outran me.“And he was telling me ‘we never quit, we never lose’.“His heart must have been doing cartwheels inside his body but that mentality is nice to see and know it is part of me.”It would be easy to assume that Itauma’s giant dad, who also sired light-heavyweight Karol and amateur footballer-turned-boxer Samuel, might be the sole source of the family’s fighting credentials.But Itauma reveals that the fearless Slovak side of his DNA has played a huge part in his rapid and ruthless rise to world title prominence among so many other Nigerian fighters.He said: “My mum’s maiden surname was Blaschek.“Which is quite well known, where we are from, for the men loving fighting and – not being crazy – but doing crazy things like running up mountains, doing 1000 press-ups and running back down again. They are known for being disciplined.“They are not crazy but they are so disciplined that people might think they are odd.“I remember one Christmas day my uncle saw on the news that there had been the world’s biggest ice bath somewhere and then, at 2am, he got me and my brother down to the lake to jump in for five minutes.“He’s not a complete nutter, just a very disciplined man.“I went to live and work with him for a little while in Switzerland, he might still be up drinking at 2am but then he was up at 4am, doing his press-ups and pull-ups, and taking a cold shower. I was only waking up at 4:30am and he was ready to go.Itauma revealed his family instilled a high level of discipline in him from a young ageCredit: Instagram / m.itaumaThe boxer has trained in extreme conditionsCredit: Instagram / m.itaumaItauma in Zdiar, Slovakia in 2019Credit: Instagram / m.itauma“And then, on my dad’s side, everyone knows about African culture and them being stupidly strong.“Just look at the boxing landscape now, Lawrence Okolie, Richard Riakporhe, Anthony Joshua, Joe Joyce, Daniel Dubois and Deontay Wilder, all of Nigerian heritage.“And in the UFC you have guys like Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman, the proof is in the pudding.”The buzz around Itauma has been shaking gym walls for five years, when aged just 15 he started arriving to spar the likes of Joyce and Okolie while still in his school uniform.There has been a concern that the latest British boxing ace was being overhyped and – like Dubois – was destined for a fall.But the one-round demolition of respected Demsey McKean in December opened the floodgates for fanfare and outrageous predictions that we have a mutant mix of Mike Tyson and Oleksandr Usyk on our lucky hands – and Itauma isn’t interested in dampening those flames.“Anything outside of the boxing ring is not really my expertise,” he told us at a Mayfair lunch arranged by manager Francis Warren.“When I get asked questions, I try to articulate the answers as best I can, but it’s not my job, it’s my job to fight. It doesn’t matter how I answer these questions, as long as I am respectful. It’s not my job to talk.“I had a couple of problems going into that fight and my coach even thought about pulling me out.“Dempsey was a big test for me but my coach wondered if it was worth potentially losing.“But I knew I could breeze into the fight, not get hit, and potentially knock him out early and that’s the only reason that the fight happened.“Before the fight, I said to myself ‘if I am the person that I think I am, then I should breeze through Dempsey’. And I did.READ MORE SUN STORIES“So I am the person I think I am.“I don’t need to be overhyped.”Itauma sat down to chat to SunSportCredit: The Sun More

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    Neymar enjoys family time with pregnant girlfriend Bruna Biancardi after he was accused of attending party with escorts

    NEYMAR has been seen enjoying some family time with pregnant girlfriend Bruna Biancardi after he was accused of partying with escorts. The Brazil superstar, 33, reportedly attended a party with at least 20 escorts and is accused of being unfaithful to his partner.Neymar has put on a united front with partner Bruna Biancardi after being accused of partying with escortsCredit: Instagram @neymarjrHe is accused of sleeping with Any Awuada and one other woman at a partyCredit: Instagram @anyawuadaNeymar previously apologised to Biancardi for an affair he had in 2023Credit: Instagram @neymarjrAccording to Leo Dias, Biancardi confronted the ex-Barcelona star after being sent videos of him surrounded by other women.The report claims Neymar left the party by helicopter but did not return home.One of the escorts, Any Awuada, told Brazilian TV programme Fofocalizando that she slept with Neymar at the party.The pair were also allegedly joined by another woman.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNeymar, who now plays for Santos, denies the claims he attended the party and said he gave the helicopter to a friend to borrow.The attacker has taken to Instagram to share a number of pictures of him with his kids and Biancardi.He has three children: firstborn Davi Lucca from a previous relationship, Mavie, his child with Biancardi, and Helena, with Amanda Kimberlly, and is expecting a fourth with Biancardi.Neymar has previously apologised to Biancardi for a previous affair he had during her first pregnancy, saying he “made a mistake”.Most read in FootballThe superstar returned to Santos in January after an injury-hit spell with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.He has registered six goal contributions in seven games for the club, who unretired Pele’s No10 jersey for his return.Neymar breaks down in tears and reveals ‘each day I am away is a day of suffering’ after injury hell More

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    Premier League star announces birth of ‘precious’ baby daughter as couple say they ‘couldn’t be more in love’

    A PREMIER league star has announced the birth of his “precious” baby daughter.Leicester City midfielder Harry Winks and his partner Lowri Algar revealed the heartwarming news on Instagram today.Marlowe Otilia WinksCredit: InstagramHarry Winks pictured with his babyCredit: InstagramLowri lying with Marlowe in hospitalCredit: InstagramMarlowe was born last Wednesday March 12.Lowri posted sweet snaps of their newborn along with the caption: “Marlowe Otilia Winks 12.03.25.”Our precious girl, couldn’t be more in love.”The heartwarming post included pictures of Marlowe sleeping peacefully with her mother Lowri.Another emotional snap showed Winks lovingly embracing his newborn child.The 29-year-old simply commented with a love heart on the Insta post.Family, pals and fans were quick to pay tribute to the beautiful couple after the latest addition to their family.One wrote: “Ohhh precious angel, congratulations gorjy xxxx.”Most read in FootballA second user posted: “Congratulations Lowri & Harry. What a beautiful baby girl Marlowe is, love her name.””Looking forward to my cuddle,” said another pal. ‘Best day of our lives’ – Lisandro Martinez announces birth of baby girl AuroraWinks left boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur to join Leicester in 2023.He signed a three-year-contract at The Foxes for an undisclosed fee reported to be around £10 million.Winks made his debut for the club in the opening game of the season, a 2–1 win against Coventry City in the EFL Championship.He played a pivotal role as the Foxes bounced straight back to the Premier League for the current season.Winks went on to score twice in 45 Championship appearances playing both as a defensive midfielder and a No.8 in Enzo Maresca’s team before the Italian quit for Chelsea.The former Spurs star is still at Leicester who are plying their trade in the Premier League this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESWinks has made 23 appearances and scored one goal across all competitions.But Leicester look to be destined for relegation after being thumped 3-0 at home by Manchester United yesterday.The Prem star and his partner announced the birth of their childCredit: InstagramWinks joined Leicester City for £10millionCredit: Rex More

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    ‘Best day of our lives’ – Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez announces birth of baby girl Aurora

    MANCHESTER UNITED ace Lisandro Martinez and his partner announced the birth of their daughter.Martinez, 27, and his girlfriend Muri Lopez Benitez announced in October they were pregnant with their first child.Manchester United ace Lisandro Martinez and his partner Muri Loopez Benitez welcomed their first childCredit: InstagramMartinez and Muri named their daughter Aurora and shared snaps on InstagramCredit: InstagramMartinez and Muri are childhood sweetheartsThe happy couple announced they were pregnant in OctoberCredit: Instagram @lopezbenitezmuriAnd the happy couple took to Instagram on Sunday to officially welcome their daughter Aurora to the world.The centre-back and Muri shared pictures of themselves hugging each other and the baby as well as a clip of him kissing the mother of his child.And the childhood sweethearts talked about how this is the happiest day of their lives.Muri added the following caption: “3/14/25 OFFICIALLY THE BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES!!! Welcome Aurora.”Read More on Man UtdThe snap amassed over 300,000 likes and a raft of comments from happy fans.One posted: “Welcome Aurora to the family!!!”Another commented: “Congrats, Mom and Dad!!! Enjoy these precious moments with family. I hope everyone is doing well.”A third wrote: “What a beautiful family you are building.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThis fan said: “God bless you, what wonderful news.”And that one gushed: “We love you so much Auroraaaaaa.”Adorable moment Lisandro Martinez’s mum helps Man Utd star with rehabMartinez has been sidelined since last month when he suffered a devastating cruciate ligament injury during United’s 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace.And Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim received some devastating news soon after as it is likely the Argentina international will miss the rest of the season.Muri announced the happy news on social mediaCredit: Instagram/@lopezbenitezmuriMuri has followed Martinez throughout his careerCredit: Instagram @lopezbenitezmuriMuri and Martinez also shared a clipCredit: Instagram @lopezbenitezmuri More

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    Sadio Mane, 32, welcomes first child with wife Aisha, 19, after wedding last year – and dedicates goal to baby daughter

    SADIO MANE dedicated his goal to his newborn daughter after welcoming his first child with wife Aisha Tamba.Mane, 32, tied the knot with Tamba, 19, last year in Keur Massar, an area in Senegal’s capital city of Dakar.Sadio Mane dedicated his Al-Nassr goal to his newborn daughter on FridayMane celebrated by rocking his arms as Al-Nassr came out 3-1 winnersMane and teenage wife Aisha Tamba have welcomed their first child in RiyadhThe ceremony was just six days before the start of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.The couple have now welcomed their first child, 14 months after their shock wedding, which was confirmed by Mane’s Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.And in dedication to his baby girl, Mane celebrated by rocking his arms while beaming with pride.The former Liverpool star’s goal doubled Al-Nassr’s lead in the club’s 3-1 win over Al Kholood on Friday.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFellow ex-Prem stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran also scored, before Al-Nassr went down to ten men as Nawaf Boushal was sent off.Al-Nassr were at the heart of Mane’s public reveal of his new baby.The club posted a video of the footballer reciting a verse from the Quran while walking through the club’s training facility.Mane recited: “Wealth and children are the adornment of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better with your Lord in reward and in hope.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Al-NassrThe video was captioned: “A new blessing for Sadio Mane! Wishing him and his family endless joy.”Allah provided them with its righteousness, and made her one of His righteous servants.”Erling Haaland’s salary is only ninth biggest in football with Chelsea flop Koulibaly earning more than Man City starAl-Nassr need to have a flawless final nine games if they are to close the 10-point gap on leaders Al-Ittihad.Mane, 31, won the Premier League and Champions League during his spell with Liverpool.He now reportedly earns £650,000 per week with Al-Nassr. The former Anfield star met Tamba through his agent, who was friends with her construction boss dad.A source told MailOnline: “Sadio and Aissata’s romance blossomed after his agent met her father.”Madou Tamba is a respected construction manager in Senegal and was tasked by Sadio’s agent to oversee the footballer’s various building projects in the country.”The two men developed a trusting working relationship and through that relationship Sadio was introduced to his daughter.”Everyone in the village of Bambali is delighted for them.”Sadio is a good man. He has given lots of money to the people of Bambali and he deserves to be happy.”Mane was playing for Bayern Munich at the time of their marriage, when Aisha was 18 years old.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey kept their relationship a secret until pictures of their wedding were revealed. Tamba was still a student when they met, but Mane reportedly vowed to marry her as soon as they started dating.Mane, 32, tied the knot with Tamba, 19, last year in Keur Massar, a suburb in Senegal’s capital More

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    Prince William reveals superstitious match day rituals when watching Villa & how he lurks on fan forums with random name

    PRINCE William has spoken of falling in love with Aston Villa after being taken to a match by friends as a boy.The heir, 42, said he was gripped by the “sense of belonging” and the passion of his fellow football fans.Prince William has revealed his ‘passion’ for Aston Villa and shares his superstitions, including moving the kids around during gamesCredit: Dan CharityGeorge, Charlotte and Louis better not get comfortable if their dad is watching Aston Villa losingCredit: GettyPrince William enjoys a matchday at Villa Park – where he enjoys mixing with the other fansCredit: GettyWills also revealed he visits fan forums anonymously online — and moves his kids around when watching at home to bring the team luck.We sat down with the heir to the throne for a chat at Villa’s training ground on the eve of their Champions League win over Club Brugge.They now have a glamour tie with PSG in the last eight to look forward to — and their fans can maybe dream of the glory days when they lifted the European Cup.Wills said: “Yep they won it, 1982, the year I was born. There’s a nice connection with them straight away.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut how did he become a Villa fan, seeing as he had no obvious connection with the Midlands?William, now 42, concedes it was relatively late when he got the bug but he was gripped by the camaraderie, and his interest intensified when Villa got relegated in 2016.He said: “There were a few moments that happened. I had some family friends who took me to my first Villa game when I was younger because they are big Villa fans.“It was against Bolton and I sat in the stands with my Villa beanie hat on and I remember Paul Merson was playing for Villa at the time. With the camaraderie among the fans and the chanting and the singing, I just felt like I belonged there.Most read in Football“I kept an eye on Villa from then on but didn’t get too involved initially. But Villa being relegated to the Championship in 2016 got me even more interested, strangely.“A few years earlier, we’d finished sixth under Martin O’Neill and now we weren’t even in the Premier League. Prince William on recreating Ronaldo’s goal celebration in his garden as he builds ‘Perfect Footballer'”I’m not certain why I became much more interested then but it might have been due to the rise of the smartphone.“I’d grown up looking at Ceefax on the television or the back pages of newspapers and if you didn’t have those to hand you were a bit out of the loop.“But now you can get so much data and follow how your team is doing all the time and there’s so much more discussion and debate. That’s how my passion really increased.“I’m incredibly proud of the club and the journey it’s been on. It’s hard to put into words and a lot of Villa fans are still pinching themselves a bit that we’re here and we’ve done this.”’The atmosphere was electric’William poured praise on manager Unai Emery, and said he can learn from his exceptional eye for detail and man-management skills. “He went on: “Last season was very tense and we were wondering if we’d get over the line to get in the Champions League and when we did it was a big deal.“When I came up here to see the team, the atmosphere was electric.“We are all so proud and pleased with what they’ve done and you can see the difference with a manager like Unai, who brings people together and works hard on the little details. “He’s a really good man-manager with a great support staff around him and the players enjoy playing for him.I’m kind of hoping they’ll all find their own teams in time. They don’t all have to be Villa fans. I’m trying not to be biased but obviously they see how passionate I am about it and they watch the matches with me.Prince William“There have been lots of good managers in Villa’s time but I’d say Unai is a step up on some of them in terms of his formations, and the length of detail he goes into with his videos. “He spends hours debriefing the previous match to get them ready for the next one.“He lives, eats, breathes and sleeps football and it gives you a bit of a lesson in life that if you really want to do something right, you’ve got to throw everything at it and give your time. “Unai is that dedicated, a completely obsessed man of football and that rubs off on the players.“If you’re doing what you love and speaking so well about how you love it then they’ll follow you. It’s quite a good leadership point.”William has often taken son George to games but is not forcing his eldest, or their siblings Charlotte or Louis, into supporting Villa.He said: “I’m kind of hoping they’ll all find their own teams in time. They don’t all have to be Villa fans. I’m trying not to be biased but obviously they see how passionate I am about it and they watch the matches with me. I’m trying to spread the love a little bit.“They do have Villa shirts, and ask to come to games with me, but they have other shirts as well. There’s been a bit of courting going on by other managers too.”William also revealed his irritation over the TV blackout, which bans Premier League games from being broadcast in England at 3pm on a Saturday.He said: “Getting up to Villa Park isn’t the easiest thing for me but I like to watch as many games as I possibly can either by being there or on TV. “I’ve tried to really make an effort to get there for all the Champions League games because it feels like that’s something you’ve got to make the most of when you’re in it. “The biggest thing at home is trying to find it on TV sometimes because obviously you’ve got the Saturday 3pm blackout which is irritating.”Illegal firestickHe puts the shutters up when it is suggested he could use an illegal firestick. He laughs: “Haha, no comment on that one. I’m a paid-up member of Villa TV though so I keep up to date through that. “But it’s really annoying that we still can’t watch our own team’s Premier League match in this country but you can go abroad and watch any game any time.”So when he watches Villa on TV, does he get into the matchday spirit as if he was in the ground?I like mixing with the fans. Anything Villa I love and they all love their Villa. It’s a family within a family and I do feel part of the Villa family.Prince WilliamHe replied: “If I’m home alone with the children, I probably don’t have the pre-match pint but I do have a bit of superstition about where I sit when I’m watching them. “If we’re not doing very well, I start moving round the house quite quickly and I put the children in different positions hoping that’s going to change our luck.” William recently popped into a Birmingham Wetherspoons to join Villa fans for a beer before a game at Everton.He said: “I like mixing with the fans. Anything Villa I love and they all love their Villa.“It’s a family within a family and I do feel part of the Villa family. This club does an awful lot — and I know lots of clubs do it too — but I particularly feel it with Villa in my life that I’m very included.“The morals and the vision and the general atmosphere and the culture of the club really matters.“For me, it’s always been very welcoming, very diverse, and all-encompassing.” He unhesitatingly names Irish stalwart defender of the 90s, Paul McGrath, as the greatest Villa player ever, while he also has a particular soft spot for Norwegian striker John Carew.He said: “Yeah it has to be McGrath, doesn’t it? I really liked Carew as well, he was a serious all-round player. There’s been quite a few good ones, but they are two who I would pick out.”He also loves to chip in with his opinions on fans’ internet forums, posting anonymously of course.He revealed: “I like going on the forums, I can be on there for ages. I listen to what other fans have to say and give them my opinions. I get quite into it, definitely. It’s important to have that debate.”However, he added: “Having said that, while I may be an armchair fan, I wouldn’t presume to tell Unai if he’s doing anything wrong.“I’m fascinated by what Unai is doing and how he tweaks his system and what he sees. “I’d love to know more about how he goes about managing the team better and how do you see those little details which no one else does.”READ MORE SUN STORIESUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Wills chats with Villa fave Morgan RogersCredit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceThe prince is full of praise for Villa’s Spanish manager Unai EmeryCredit: ReutersWills sits down for an exclusive chat with The Sun’s head of sport, Shaun CustisCredit: Dan Charity More

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    Mum of Thibaut Courtois’ love-child reveals fear they will be made homeless over unpaid mortgage despite his huge salary

    THE mother of football star Thibaut Courtois’ love child fears they will be made homeless as she cannot afford to pay for her damp-ridden house.Elsa Izac, 50, fears the £3million property could be repossessed as she owes £63,000 in mortgage payments, while severe mould eats away at its ceilings.The mum of Thibaut Courtois’ lovechild fears they will be made homeless as she cannot afford to pay for her damp-ridden houseCredit: GettyElsa Izac fears her home could be repossessed as she owes £63,000 in unmet mortgage paymentsCredit: Peter JordanSevere mould eats away at the ceilings in the propertyCredit: Peter JordanMeanwhile, £35million Real Madrid goalie Courtois, 32, lives a life of luxury in the Spanish capital on pay of £240,000 a week.Elsa, mother to seven-year-old Enzo, said: “Our house is falling apart. We simply can’t continue to live like this.”The former Versace fashion designer had a fling with the Belgian international after he moved in next-door when he joined Chelsea in 2014. They had Enzo three years later.Elsa says that in 2020 Courtois was told to pay her maintenance. Read More on SportBut Elsa, of Wimbledon, South West ­London, said it is not enough.She added: “I’m scared the bank will repossess our home and worry whenever someone knocks on the door. I don’t want to find us homeless suddenly.“It is not acceptable for me to see Thibaut travelling on private jets, partying in yachts, then leaving his child here in this environment.“Surely he can spare a bit more to look after his son?”Most read in FootballCourtois also has an 11-month-old daughter with his wife, and two other children from a previous relationship. He has been approached for comment.Thibaut Courtois’ honeymoon doesn’t go to plan for stunning wife as she shares what it’s like to marry an athleteElsa, mum to Enzo, seven, said: ‘Our house is falling apart. We simply can’t continue to live like this’Credit: Peter Jordan More

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    I’ll never forget coach’s reaction to my pregnancy… getting back to top was such a proud moment says Jessica Ennis-Hill

    OLYMPIC golden girl Jessica Ennis-Hill dealt with many a challenge in her career, but one of the toughest was her coach’s chilling reaction when she told him she was pregnant.It was two years after she had won the heptathlon at the London 2012 Games when she broke the news to Toni Minichiello.Jessica Ennis-Hill at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards last yearCredit: GettyJessica shows off her baby bump in 2014 while pregnant with the first of her two childrenCredit: Getty Images – GettyTrainer Toni Minichiello with Jessica at 2012 GamesCredit: GettyInstead of congratulating her, he instantly began scrolling through competition dates on his laptop to work out the bombshell implications.Jessica, who was made a dame in 2017 on the back of her Team GB Olympic glory, says of her pregnancy by childhood sweetheart Andy: “It was a bit of a surprise, it all happened sooner than we expected. “It was definitely a shock to all of my team.“My coach had this plan, ‘You’re going to do the Commonwealth Games in 2014, and then Worlds, then Olympics’.READ MORE IN SPORTS“I remember going to his house and being like, ‘I’ve got something to tell you — sit down’. “I was so nervous.“I said, ‘So I’m pregnant . . .’ “He was just so shocked. Most read in Athletics“He didn’t know what to say — he just kind of sat there“And then he got his laptop out and started looking at dates. Jessica Ennis-Hill stuns in bold outfit live on BBC for Paris Olympics as fans say ‘how I have missed you’ “He didn’t even say, ‘congratulations’, he was in such a fluster. “He said, ‘When’s he or she going to be born?’“I was sat there like, ‘Congratulations, you know, anything like that would be nice’. “Eventually he said, ‘Congratulations’.”Defining momentMinichiello was later banned from UK Athletics due to allegations of inappropriate behaviour, which he denied.Following the 2022 ruling, Jessica said she was never on the receiving end of any such misbehaviour.But she will never forget his cold response to being told back in 2014 that she was to become a mum at age 28.She adds: “It was quite a challenging time because everyone at that stage thought you don’t start your family during your career.“You do all your career stuff then start your family.“I think that’s since changed. I think a lot of women feel they have the support and policies in place to come back.”Jessica was forced to withdraw from the 2014 Commonwealth Games as a result.She was then determined to get back to her best, but acknowledged her body had changed, so her coach encouraged her not to ­compare how she was before — and just focus on the comeback.She says: “There’s a mental impact when you’re at the back of the group in training — and you’re the Olympic champion.“I would compare myself to me at my best. “When I looked at those times, I was nowhere near.“Eventually I did get stronger and those times came back, but I was never the same version I was before — but that was OK because of being a mum.”Her Olympic heroics at age 26 in front of an expectant home nation had capped an already stellar rise in the heptathlon — comprising the 200 and 800 metres, 100-metre hurdles, high and long jumps, shot put and javelin throw.She says: “My coach would say, ‘These are your post- pregnancy PBs’ [personal bests].”Jessica returned to training just ten weeks after baby Reggie arrived in her life, and initially struggled to rebuild her fitness.’Challenging time’She adds: “It was quite a tricky, challenging time because everyone at that stage thought you don’t start your family during your career, you kind of do all your career stuff and then start your family.“I think that’s since changed. I think a lot of women feel they have the support and policies in place to come back.” But she was forced to withdraw from the 2014 Commonwealth Games — and after she had son Reggie, who is now ten, Minichiello would compare her performances as “before” and “post” pregnancy.She says: “My coach would say ‘These are your post-pregnancy PBs [personal bests].”Jessica returned to training just ten weeks after Reggie arrived, and struggled to rebuild her fitness. She says: “There’s mental impact when you’re at the back of the group when you’re training — and you’re Olympic champion.Jessica beams after winning gold in the heptathlon at London 2012Credit: Times Newspapers LtdJessica competing in the long jump event during the heptathlon at London 2012Credit: Getty“I would compare myself to me at my best. When I looked at those times, I was nowhere near. “Eventually I did get stronger and those times came back, but I was never the same version I was before — but that was OK because of being a mum.”There’s mental impact when you’re at the back of the group when you’re training — and you’re Olympic championJessica Ennis-HillIt was more than OK, in fact, as just 13 weeks into motherhood she stormed back to win the 2015 World Championships in Beijing — then Olympic silver a year later in Rio de Janeiro.Jessica, who would retire the following year, now admits it was crazy trying to achieve again what she had done before her pregnancy.She says: “I thought, ‘What am I doing? What am I training for? This is hard’.“Your body changes so much. “It’s the hormones that go through your body for months after, the relaxing, that makes all your ligaments relax.“So my Achilles were loose and that’s not great when you’re trying to be this coil that needs to jump as high and far as you can.“I couldn’t train like I did before 2012.”But she made it her mission to return to the top of her sport — and soon revelled in the challenge.She says: “That journey was the hardest and the best — that feeling of beating the rest of the world, and those who doubted me, was the best.Greatest achievers“Your body is never going to be the same after having a child, whether it’s coming back to exercising or doing the Olympics.”While Jessica didn’t get a second Olympic gold, she wouldn’t change a thing.She says: “I was incredibly proud of what my body was able to achieve post-natally. “And having my son was the best thing ever. “But I might just get my silver one sprayed gold!”Jessica and Andy went on to have their second child Olivia in 2017 and she is now retired.When she married construction site manager Andy 12 years ago, she was already a national treasure.Her Olympic heroics at age 26 in front of an expectant home nation had capped an already stellar rise in the heptathlon — comprising the 200 and 800 metres, 100-metre hurdles, high and long jumps, shot put and javelin.In 2009, the Sheffield-born star won gold at the World Championships in Berlin and, in 2010, gold in the World Indoor Championships in Qatari ­capital Doha, plus the European Championships in Barcelona.In 2011, she claimed silver at the World Championships in South Korea and, five years later, that was upgraded to gold after Russian star Tatyana Chernova was found to have been doping.After silver at the 2012 World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, there then followed her defining moment atop the podium in London.Today, Jessica says she still gets competitive when she laces up her running shoes. Now aged 39, she adds: “I have done parkruns a few times — my husband was doing it quite a bit at one stage.“I still don’t want to get beaten, especially by someone with a buggy!”After retiring and being ennobled in the 2017 New Year Honours, Jessica won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award that year. She has also launched her own post-natal exercise advice app, become a patron of Sheffield Children’s Hospital and is a TV sports pundit. Oh, and she is launching her own podcast, Gold Minds, where she will chat to some of the world’s greatest achievers about how they overcame real-life challengesYour body is never going to be the same after having a child, whether it’s coming back to exercising or doing the OlympicsJessica Ennis-HillIt means she can finally use the psychology degree from Sheffield University that she gained after leaving school.She says of her podcast: “I get to speak to people about their golden moment that’s changed their life.“They also bring in three items that take us on their journey to reach that moment and the aftermath. “They’ve all been fascinating. “It’s delving into the psychology and mindset.”One of her guests will be British rowing cox Erin Kennedy — a two-time Paralympic champion. Erin, 32, was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, but has continued to win medals at the highest level, including gold at the 2024 Paris ­Paralympics.One of her guests will be British rowing cox Erin Kennedy — a two-time Paralympic champion.Erin, 32, was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago but has continued to win medals at the highest level, including gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics,.Jessica says of their chat: “Erin was incredible. “I was sat with my mouth wide open, blown away by what she has been through.“She brought in a wig because that was a huge part of her journey to getting back to ­­winning gold in Paris.”READ MORE SUN STORIESShe adds of podcast work: “As an athlete, you’re wanting to push your-self — and this was something out of my comfort zone I wanted to try.” Jessica’s Gold Minds podcast chats with former Olympic boxer Nicola Adams and former Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton are on all major platforms. New episodes land on Wednesdays, the next features sports presenter Gabby LoganJessica wearing the Union Flag after her Olympic triumph in front of her home nationCredit: The Times More