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    Keely Hodgkinson’s first race since sensational gold at 2024 Olympics announced as she makes long-anticipated return

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    Team GB star Keely Hodgkinson shows off bikini body in tiny swimsuit leaving fans hot under the collar

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    Roger Black and British relay icons finally receive gold medals… 28 YEARS after controversial race tinged with tragedy

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    Keely Hodgkinson stuns in bikini as fellow athletes brand Team GB Olympic hero ‘sexy’

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    Delicious Orie in shock RETIREMENT announcement aged 27 and reveals plans to take up totally different new job

    BOXER Delicious Orie has announced his shock retirement from the sport.The 27-year-old won gold medals at the 2022 Commonwealth and 2023 European Games.Delicious Orie has retired from boxingCredit: GettyHis success in the amateurs saw him represent Team GB in the Paris Olympics last year and he became Anthony Joshua’s sparring partner.Orie later signed for Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.But after just one pro fight, which he won in February, the Moscow-born Brit has decided to end his career and focus on a new job.Orie explained his decision in a statement, which read: “After much reflection, I have decided to hang up my gloves and retire from boxing to follow up on my degree and enter the corporate world.READ MORE IN BOXING”This sport has given me so much — incredible memories, unforgettable experiences travelling the world and many opportunities to represent my country at the biggest stages in the world. Forever grateful for the journey.”Over time, I’ve come to recognise that the same fire and love I once had for boxing has gradually faded. “As I’ve grown, I’ve come to value clarity and honesty with myself above all. “I hoped that turning professional would reignite the passion, but the truth has become clear: it hasn’t. Most read in BoxingBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Every fighter knows you need a deep love for the craft to reach the top – and without it, there’s no path forward.”Out of respect for the sport and for myself, it’s time to step away with honesty.”To everyone who supported me along the way — thank you. To my coaches, teammates, staff at GB Boxing and to those who stood by me through my (albeit brief) professional journey.”He thanked STN Sports chiefs Sean O’Toole and Paul Ready, promoters Frank and George Warren, as well as Grant Smith and his team at Sheffield base Steel City Gym.Orie added: “Your belief, support and guidance meant the world.”Fans were left shocked by the news, with one saying: “Hold your head high. You achieved so much mate, and will continue to.”Another added: “Best of luck in this next chapter, DJ. An absolute joy following your journey.”British boxer Frazer Clarke penned a touching message to Orie, saying: “I feel I’m writing this message to late brother but if you ever need or needed to speak to anyone you have my number.Read More on The Sun”I have no doubt no matter what ever you choose to do in your life you’ll be successful from the first time I met and spoke to you to then training with you its been clear your work rate and your attitude to learning and competing is second to none.”I hope you’re OK and wish you all the best if you need me I’m one call away champ.”Orie won his only pro fight earlier this yearCredit: Getty More

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    George Liddard is the West Ham super-fan who went from windscreen fitter to Britain’s next middleweight boxing hopeful

    GEORGE LIDDARD is hoping to wipe out the middleweight competition having gone from windscreen fitter to boxing prospect. The West Ham super-fan was an elite amateur, winning four national titles and medals on the international stage. Liddard, with girlfriend Tegan Brooks, wears the famous claret and blueLiddard is a regular at West Ham gamesCredit: INSTAGRAMBut he snubbed the chance to earn a place on the Team GB Olympic squad to instead turn professional in 2022 under Eddie Hearn.It came after a brief absence from the ring as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, where Liddard worked for a windscreen fitting company. He told the Hammers website: “I was part of Team England, and then Covid-19 hit, and there was a lot of uncertainty in my life. “During that period, I ended up working with my dad at a windscreen company.READ MORE IN BOXING”I got defeated by a well-known Great Britain fighter in a close fight after the pandemic, and that was the moment I said to myself to give it a go.”I got a text from Tony Sims, one of the legendary boxing trainers, asking me to spar with John Ryder. “So I went down there and gave a good account of myself. I’ve been at the Matchroom Gym ever since and have never looked back.” Liddard is 11-0 and returns on Saturday night at the Copper Box on the undercard of Johnny Fisher’s rematch with Dave Allen. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 22-year-old East Londoner faces Aaron Sutton but has his eyes on fighting for the British title and even world honours beyond that. He said: “I feel as if I’m at a level already where I can win a British title. “I know I’m good enough but have to prove it to the world, and the next fight is another opportunity to do that.”I’m in this game to be a world champion, and I want to win world titles down the line. I will be a world champion someday; I know that for sure. “I look forward to the day I stand there with a world title belt and say, I made it.” Liddard dons the famous claret and blue when he steps into the ring and regularly sits in the Hammers stands outside the ropes. He said: “I couldn’t pinpoint an exact moment when I started supporting West Ham, but I’ve followed the Club all of my life and attend home games now with my sponsor, ABSM Building Services.”I would have loved to have been at the Conference League final, but I was fighting on that Saturday. Read More on The Sun”I remember watching it in the hotel and being ecstatic when Jarrod [Bowen] scored that goal. “I was gutted to have not been there, but I won the fight, so it was a memorable weekend.” Liddard returns against Aaron SuttonCredit: Getty More

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    Six players to watch from Baller League as former Team GB Olympics ace is hailed by Shearer after stealing show

    BALLER League UK kicked off on Monday night – and delivered on everything it had promised. With huge names like John Terry, Jody Morris, Jens Lehmann, Gary Lineker, Chunkz, The Sidemen, Alan Shearer and more involved, the pressure was on to deliver on debut night. Marvin Sordell impressed Alan Shearer with a hat-trickChelsea legend John Terry is managing the 26ersCredit: PAEx-Watford and Burnley forward Sordell caught the eyeWith the rules being hugely different to normal football, it was spectacular to see how the players took to the format.Some really stood out, even among talents from the football league and ex-Premier League players like Ciaran Clark and Marvin Sordell. It was Angry Ginge’s ‘YANITED’ who ended the night at the top of the tree.But there were a host of players who impressed from each game.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSunSport’s Lloyd Canfield has noted down the ballers to watch…Game One: Mo Mahyoub – YANITEDPK Humble will take the headlines in this game, with his performance bringing the dancing, the skills and the entertainment to the pitch alongside the first goal of the tournament.But it was Mo Mahyoub who stole the show for YANITED on night one. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe attacker was on fire with electric feet, and scored a beauty at the near post, just kissing it before hitting the back of the net. It was a brace for Mo on the night before you knew it, and he was awarded the Man of the match too. Fans baffled as Mark Goldbridge ‘chats up Alisha Lehmann’ on Baller League live watchalongHe is going to be a threat in this league, and it was evident he has shone previously at academies like Man City and Man Utd as well as becoming Manchester’s 1v1 ‘Top Baller’ champion. Serious tekkers. Game Two: Declan McCarthy – MVPs UnitedAlisha Lehmann’s MVPs United took the win over Clint419’s FC R.T.W, and it was no doubt down to their sensational goalkeeper. A good link-up up top provided them with goals, but it was a stunning triple save from McCarthy that really blew me away. Michael Ndiweni scored but it was his keeper Declan McCarthy who shoneCredit: PAAlisha Lehmann is in charge of MVPs United along with Maya JamaCredit: Sky SportsFormer Newcastle striker Michael Ndiweni is not to be sniffed at, and neither is ex-Manchester United midfielder Josh Harrop, but the man in net managed to deny them both numerous times. He was a great stopper, but in this format you also have to be great with your feet, and he had it all. Game Three: Michael Folivi – SDS FCComing up against a side managed by John Terry and Jody Morris would strike fear into some forwards.Not Michael Folivi.The ex-AFC Wimbledon frontman looked more than comfy on the ball, showed off no better than when he strolled forward from the penalty line to stroke the ball into the top right corner when the pressure was on.The 27-year-old is up against some elite forwards in this competition, but for my money he is one of the very best involved. Expect to see more from the lethal striker for SDS FC, who looked like one of the best teams on the night.Micah Richards was a big-name observer at the Copper Box ArenaCredit: PAGame Four: Michael Hill – Santan FCMichael’s footballing pedigree, being formed at academies like Chelsea and Fulham was evident from the get go as he took on a Prem defender with 200 caps in Ciaran Clark. The midfielder was the ‘Starlight’, always in the right ‘Location’ to put the ball in the back of the net in what was a crunch ‘Clash’ for Dave’s side. Working perfectly in the ‘System’, defenders will be having a ‘heart attack’ seeing him line up against them next week. There really were ‘No Words’ that would do his performance justice, with a clean touch and tidy finish making it clear why his gaffer gave him the nickname KDB previously. Game Five: Toby Bull – M7 FCMiniminter’s M7 FC clutched up with a win against Chloe Kelly’s Wembley Rangers, with another goalkeeper proving one to watch in this game. The ex-Brighton stopper, who was in their matchday squad for a win over Manchester United in 2022 now plays for Lewes FC – and is still only 21. Let me tell you this kid made some exceptional saves, with two big ones springing to mind, palmed onto the post and bar. In what was such a tight game his performance was vital, and was another stopper who looked relaxed and composed with the ball at his feet. If I was Todd Boehly at Chelsea, I’d be taking a look that’s for sure. Game Six: Marvin Sordell – Depotrio FCBeing a striker selected for the team by Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer can either bring you extreme pressure or extreme confidence. For ex-Prem baller Marvin Sordell, it was the latter. A debut hat-trick bought critical acclaim from Newcastle legend Shearer, and it was more than deserved.When the 1v1 wildcard was called, it was he who stood up, lobbing Henri Lansbury and watching the ball loop into the back of the net as well as keeping it out of his own. READ MORE SUN STORIESA sublime performance from the Kettering Town forward who previously represented Bolton, Burnley, Watford and even Team GB at the Olympics showed that this is far from the end of his journey. An experienced attacker in these tight games will bring an air of calmness to his side which may just prove vital as we progress through the league.  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