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      in Boxing

      Boxing gold medallist Galal Yafai owes debt to legend O’Sullivan, 84, who convinced him to put Land Rover job on hold

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      FRANK O’SULLIVAN MBE remembers the moment he helped set Galal Yafai on the road to Tokyo gold.The 84-year-old legend of Birmingham amateur boxing had already helped mould older brothers Khalid and Gamal into future world and European champions, respectively.
      Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai was helped along by boxing legend Frank O’SullivanCredit: PA
      The boxing coach trained Yafai and convinced him to put a job at Land Rover on hold to dedicate himself to the sport
      But flyweight Galal had seen the dark side of the boxing business and, with a promising career at Land Rover developing, sought out life-changing advice from the absolute best source possible.
      O’Sullivan told SunSport: “Even when Gal was just starting out on the Team GB squad, he had a good job at Land Rover.
      “One day he came to me and said he didn’t know whether he could succeed as a boxer.
      “He asked me whether he should quit and focus on his career or sacrifice a promising job to focus on his boxing.
      “I remember holding his hand and telling him that, because he didn’t have children or a mortgage, he could afford to pursue boxing.
      “I told him his window of opportunity would not last long and he should not regret ‘what could have been’ ten years down the line.
      Galal Yafai celebrates his Olympic final winCredit: AFP
      Gamal Yafai, left, Khalid, middle celebrate next to GalalCredit: Getty
      “I then went to Land Rover, spoke to one of their top people and explained the situation.
      “They then decided to give him 12 months off to focus on boxing, keeping his job on hold, and sponsoring him.
      “I think that period really helped him and the company are very proud of having helped someone like that.”
      O’Sullivan, with 65 years of coaching experience, is too modest to accept he is the godfather of Team GB’s recent boxing success, having been mastermind Rob McCracken’s mentor for his amateur career.
      But he is so respected and admired around the Midlands that when a young Kal Yafai was going off the rails at school, his mum gave the head of the Birmingham City Boxing Club permission to beat some sense into the eldest of the three.
      With great fondness for the family, O’Sullivan revealed: “When Khalid first joined the club, his mum brought him down because he was being a bit naughty at school.
      Gamal Yafai, left, Khalid, and GalalCredit: @galalyafai
      “She actually gave me permission, if he gave me any problems, to give him a slap — but thankfully I never had to.
      “I have always taught that to get respect you have to give respect and that is something we have always put into every lad that comes through the door — chump or champ — as part of club policy.”
      O’Sullivan’s mobile rings five times during our interview, with interest peaking in his lifelong dedication to the sweet science.
      His wife is playing secretary as his decades of effort and faith — often unrewarded — finally get the recognition they deserve.
      Tonight, just like last night and tomorrow, O’Sullivan will be down the gym, treating novices and champions just the same.
      He said: “When I first took the gym over, for the first 25 years I never charged anyone a penny.
      “We kept afloat with running our own shows and having regular fun days — all free for the kids but I would charge the parents to come in the gym and watch or wait for them.
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      “I am still in the gym five nights a week now.
      “Mrs O’Sullivan thinks it’s about time I started giving some work to some of the other coaches but I am not ready to hand the reins over yet.
      “The follies of youth and age are catching up with me — but I will always keep trying to beat them.”
      Team GB boxer Galal Yafai into Olympics FINAL and guarantees silver medal after hard-fought war with Kazakh opponent More

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      in Athletics

      Olympic marathon runner who knocked over row of water bottles denies he did it on purpose and says they were ‘slippery’

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      THE Olympic marathon runner who knocked over an entire row of water bottles claims it was an accident – and insisted they were ‘slippery’.Morhad Amdouni hit the headlines at the weekend when he reached the water station during the 26.2-mile race in 27-degree heat in Sapporo.
      Morhad Amdouni wiped out a whole row of water bottles at a drinking station during the Olympic marathonCredit: Instagram
      He collected the final bottle in the line but claimed the rest were ‘slippery’Credit: Instagram
      But rather than simply grabbing one bottle like his competitors in front, the Frenchman wiped out the whole line that had been set up.
      To top it off, he grabbed the final drink and went on his way as his rivals and viewers at home watched on baffled.
      But after being branded the ‘biggest d***head of the Tokyo Olympics’ by Piers Morgan, Amdouni has told his version of events – and denied doing the deed deliberately.
      As reported by RMC, the athlete said: “With fatigue and all that, I was gradually starting to lose lucidity and energy while hanging on.
      “I would like to apologise to the athletes. At one point, I tried to hold a bottle of water but I dropped some. It was not easy trying to hang on.
      “Out of principle, I tried to share the bottles of water during the race while respecting everyone and going high and proud, fighting for our colours of the jersey.”
      He later clarified on Facebook: “To put an end to all the sterile controversies generated by the video, I put this video [out to help you] really understand what happened.
      “To guarantee freshness to the bottles, they are soaked in the water which makes them slippery.
      “However, it is clear that I try to take one from the beginning of the row but these slip when I touch them.”
      Amdouni eventually finished in 17th place recording a time of two hours 14 minutes and 33 seconds.
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      The race was eventually won by Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge.
      Kipchoge finished in a time of two hours, eight minutes and 38 seconds to take gold.
      In winning the marathon he became one of three to successfully reclaim the title, after his victory in Rio 2016.
      Frenchman Amdouni also competed in the 10,000m at the Tokyo GamesCredit: Getty

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      in Athletics

      Tokyo 2020 medal table: USA beat China to top spot after landing three golds on final day of Olympics

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      AMERICA once again claimed top spot in the medal table as they pipped China on the final day thanks to three golds.The USA scooped gold medals in the women’s basketball and women’s volleyball, while Jennifer Valente won in her omnium event in track cycling.
      Team USA finish the Tokyo 2020 Games at the top of the medal table thanks to three golds on the final day
      Track cyclist Jennifer Valente poses with her gold medal after winning the women’s omniumCredit: EPA
      The US Olympic team also won the most medals at Tokyo 2020 with a whopping 113 in total.
      They won an incredible 39 golds – one more than China – while also taking home 41 silvers and 33 bronze medals.
      It is the third Games in a row that America have finished top of the pile and sixth out of the last seven Olympics.
      The only Games they have failed to come top in the table since Atlanta 1996 is Beijing 2008 where hosts China finished in first place.
      Incredibly, Team USA have won the most medals at every Games since hosting the global tournament in 1996.
      Another astonishing achievement is that America have never finished outside of the top three in either the medal table or medals won since the very first Athens 1896 Games.
      And they could have had two more gold medals on the final day at Tokyo, but boxers Keyshawn Davis and Richard Torrez Jr lost in their respective lightweight and super-heavyweight bouts.
      Swimmer Caeleb Dressel won the most medals in the 2020 Games, having claimed five golds to bring his total Olympic medal count to seven.
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      Team GB finished fourth in the medal table after winning 22 golds
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      It was another memorable games for Team GB, who finished in fourth spot with a fantastic 22 gold medals.
      Two more golds were won on the final day, with boxer Lauren Price beating China’s Li Qian in the middleweight event.
      And Jason Kenny created British history by becoming the first Olympian to win seven gold medals after he defended his keirin title.
      Great Britain have now finished in the top four for the fourth consecutive Games, having finished fourth in Beijing, third in London and second in Rio.
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      Jason Kenny collects seventh gold medal of glittering career making British Olympic history More

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      in Boxing

      Dominant Lauren Price wins boxing gold for Team GB with flawless performance on final day of Tokyo Olympics

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      LAUREN Price put a final golden gloss on GB’s glorious Games as she won the Olympic middleweight title.Former cabbie Price admitted she was on a journey into the unknown against China’s Qian Li.
      Lauren Price won Team GB’s final gold medal at Tokyo 2020Credit: Reuters
      Price celebrates her middleweight victoryCredit: Reuters
      The Welsh wonder put the seal on Team GB’s success at the GamesCredit: PA
      Price dominated her finalCredit: PA
      But the only destination that mattered was the top of the podium for the Welsh wonder as she claimed GB’s 22nd gold of Tokyo and 65th medal in all.
      In the spiritual home of Sumo, this was an exhibition of class and quality by the 27-year-old, nine minutes of outstanding ringcraft.
      And she fully deserved Britain’s second boxing gold, after Galal Yafai yesterday, to crown a truly remarkable GB fortnight in the grand manner with a unanimous verdict.
      Price arrived in Japan as the favourite and world number one but she only made the final by the skin of her teeth and the casting vote of two judges in her last four clash with Holland’s Nouchka Fontijn.
      Li, by contrast, had not dropped a single round with any judge in her three contests at the Kokugikan Arena.
      That lasted just three minutes of the contest.
      The Newport southpaw was giving away three inches but snaked out her right to excellent effect, not allowing the current world champ – Price did not defend her crown – the chance to make any impression.
      With boxing captain Frazer Clarke leading the cheers from the balcony, the first round verdict – all five judges backing Price – was greeted by raucous applause.

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      And when four of the five officials also gave Price the second, she only had to stay on her feet for the final round to be assured of the title she came to take home to South Wales.
      She did that and more, continuing to pick her shots as the Chinese blundered into trap after trap.
      What a finish. What a Games.

      Brilliant Galal Yafai wins boxing gold for Team GB with dominant win over Filipino rival in Tokyo 2020 final More

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      in Athletics

      Team GB’s Jess Judd has to be helped off track after 10,000m final as she struggles in energy-sapping humidity

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      TEAM GB star Jess Judd had to be carried by medical staff after collapsing on the track following a sweltering run in the 10,000m finals.Judd collapsed to the ground after finishing 17th in the gruelling race at the Tokyo Stadium, which she completed in 32 minutes.
      Team GB’s Jess Judd collapsed to the track after completing the 10,000mCredit: GETTY
      The Rochford runner needed assistance after collapsing to the track
      Two medical officials help the striken Judd leave the trackCredit: REX
      Judd was placed in a wheelchair before she was taken off the track and given fluidsCredit: REZ
      The 26-year-old laid on the ground for several minutes and begged for water before team-mate Eilish McColgan, who came ninth, brought her a bottle.
      Judd was promptly checked over by medical officials, who briefly placed her into a wheelchair following the gruelling 32-degree run.
      And she was eventually taken away from the track and given fluids to help her rehydrate.
      After the race, the Rochford runner said: “That is the closest I’ve come to not finished.
      “When it gets to you, it gets to you.
      That is the closest I’ve come to not finishedJess Judd
      “I was desperate for water, I’ve never been this sweaty in my life.”
      Judd’s Team GB team-mate McColgan said of the arduous conditions: “It’s definitely one of the hardest races I’ve ever run in my life.
      “I couldn’t have done much more.
      ‘Those girls at the front, it’s absolutely incredible they can run those times in this weather.”
      Although the race kicked off at 7:45pm local time, the temperature was well over 32 degrees.
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      And to make matters worse for the competitors, the humidity was over 80 per cent.
      Four athletes failed to complete the energy-snapping race, which was won by Holland’s Sifan Hassan.
      Hassan, however, also fell victim to the horrific conditions, crawling on her hands and knees after crossing the finish line as she begged the slow officials to provide the finishers with liquids.
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      in Soccer

      Brazil vs Spain LIVE: Malcom extra-time strike seals win for Brazil in Olympic football gold medal final – latest

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      BRAZIL are defending their Olympic football gold medal against Spain as the two strongest squads in the competition face off.The Brazilians, captained by Dani Alves, needed penalties to get past a Mexico B team after a goalless draw and will hope to see a bit more from their strikeforce in the final.

      Kick-off: 12:30pm BST
      TV/ live stream: Eurosport Player/ discovery+
      Brazil XI: Santos, Nino, Carlos, Alves, Guimaraes, Luiz, Arana, Antony, Claudinho, Cunha, Richarlison
      Spain XI: Simon, O. Gil, Garcia, Torres, Cucurella, Merino, Zubimendi, Pedri, Olmo, Asensio, Oyarzabal

      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

      THANKS FOR JOINING US
      That’s all from us this afternoon as Malcolm’s extra time strike helped Brazil to the gold medal in the Men’s football at Tokyo 2020.
      Matheus Cunha had put the defending champions ahead at the break, before Spain responded in the second half through Mikel Oyarzabal.
      The sides couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes, but substitute Malcolm popped up to score the winner with just over ten minutes to go.
      It’s a third Olympic medal in three consecutive Olympic Games for Brazil, and two golds in a row.
      Thanks very much for joining us for it.
      It’s been a pleasure.
      OLYMPIC SPECIALISTS
      That’s three Olympic medals in a row for Brazil’s Men’s team, and three consecutive Olympic finals.

      London 2012 – Silver
      Rio 2016 – Gold
      Tokyo 2020 – Gold

      An excellent record for a proud footballing nation.
      JOY AND DESPAIR
      That’s the difference between victory and defeat.

      MATCH REPORT
      For a full report from the Men’s Football gold medal match at Tokyo 2020, click here.
      FULL TIME SCENES
      That’s what it means to Brazilian skipper Dani Alves.
      The 38-year-old adds another medal to his haul of 43 trophies, and he is still the most decorated player in the history of football .

      MATCH WINNER
      Brazil substitute Malcolm is the difference maker in Yokohama.
      His extra time strike after a swift counter-attack from a Spain corner is the deciding goal and earns Brazil a third medal in three consecutive Olympic Games.
      For Spain it was a third knockout game that went to extra time and the fatigue showed.
      They just didn’t have anything left in the tank after Malcolm’s goal and looked like they had accepted defeat.
      FT: BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      It’s Brazil who win the gold medal and retain the Olympic title they won in Rio five years ago!
      All of the players in yellow are on the ground, some in years.
      The Spanish players have also collapsed to the ground, they can’t have given anymore.
      They have to settle for silver though, and it’s Brazil who win gold!
      PEEEEEEEEEP!
      THAT’S FULL TIME!
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN!
      BRAZIL WIN THE GOLD MEDAL!
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      121. Pedri tries a cross into the box that Santos doesn’t know whether to claim or leave.
      He ends up leaving it and the ball drifts out of play, ticking more seconds off the clock.
      Pedri has his hands on his knees, he’s on his last legs.
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      120. The referee’s assistant signals TWO minutes of added time.
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      119. Gil cuts inside onto his left foot on the right wing and whips a cross towards the back post.
      It’s too close to the goalkeeper though and Santos gathers easily and falls to the ground.
      Sixty seconds to go!
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      117. Brazil are seeing out this game very professionally.
      Diego Carlos heads a cross away from danger that is met by cheers from his Brazil teammates.
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      115. Pedri tries to slide a pass in towards Bryan Gil in the Brazil box, but Santos is off his line to collect the ball.
      Spain are running out of time here.
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      113. PENALTY APPEAL!
      Dani Olmo sends an effort goalwards that comes off a yellow shirt, but where has it hit him?
      The Spanish players think it’s off a Brazil hand, but the referee is having none of it.
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      112. Substitutions.
      Moncayola is on for Zubimendi for Spain.
      And for Brazil Antony is replaced by Menino
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      111. Spain have less than ten minutes to force an equaliser here.
      They’ve done in once this game already, but can they do it again?
      As it stands they will have to settle for a silver medal.
      BRAZIL 2-1 SPAIN
      107. Carlos Soler’s corner is cleared away at the front post and Brazil break.
      The ball is played from right to left and into the path of Malcolm who is in space on the left hand side.
      He beats his man and lets fly with his left foot from a tight angle.
      Unai Simon gets a foot to it but the ball loops up and hits the back of the net!
      Is that the winner?
      GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLL!
      BRAZIL TAKE THE LEAD IN EXTRA TIME!
      MALCOLM MAKES IT 2-1!
      BRAZIL 1-1 SPAIN
      107. Spain corner.
      Dani Alves diverts a cross behind for a Spanish corner.
      Nobody is rushing to take this, both sides are feeling the effects of 106 minutes of football.
      BRAZIL 1-1 SPAIN
      106. Will there be a winner in the final 15 minutes?
      Or is this one destined for a penalty shootout?
      PEEEEEEEEP!
      THE SECOND HALF OF EXTRA TIME IS UNDERWAY!
      BRAZIL 1-1 SPAIN
      A change to report at the break in extra time.
      Claudinho makes way for Brazil, with Reinier on to replace him.
      PEEEEEEEP!
      THAT’S HALF TIME IN EXTRA TIME!
      BRAZIL 1-1 SPAIN!
      BRAZIL 1-1 SPAIN
      104. Spain’s goalscorer Mikel Oyarzabal is being replaced.
      Rafa Mir is the man to replace him.
      BRAZIL 1-1 SPAIN
      103. It’s been all Brazil in the last five minutes.
      Spain have looked shaky and they will be desperate for the half time whistle to blow.
      There’s 90 seconds left for them to hold out.
      Load more entries… More

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      in Boxing

      Emotional boxer Kal Yafai speaks to brother Galal after his Olympic gold medal win and reveals he’s brought him a PS5

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      PROUD Kal Yafai was full of emotion as he congratulated little brother Galal after winning Olympic gold – and bought him a PS5 to celebrate. Galal, inspired to box by his older brother Kal and Gamal, brilliantly boxed to Olympic gold as he beat Filipino Carlo Paalam.
      Galal Yafai with his Olympic gold medalCredit: AFP
      Kal Yafai with younger brother GalalCredit: @iam_yafai
      And he spoke to former world champion Kal afterwards while he was being interviewed by BBC.
      Galal put on a set of headphones given to him by BBC in the mixed zone and heard his brother’s voice.
      Kal, 32, said: “Galal, I’m so proud.”
      Galal, 28, responded: “Did you see that? Was it a good fight?”
      Kal replied: “Unreal, unreal. You’ve been brilliant the whole time.”
      He then added: “Galal, last thing I’ve gotta tell ya, I’ve got your PS5 out there, waiting for ya.”
      Galal said: “I can’t wait to get home and play on it, can’t wait.”
      Galal, last thing I’ve gotta tell ya, I’ve got your PS5 out there, waiting for ya.”Kal Yafai to brother Galal
      The flyweight won Team GB’s first gold of the delayed Tokyo Games in what has already been a record-breaking boxing tournament for the squad.
      With SIX medals guaranteed, it proved GB boxing’s most successful Olympics ever.
      Super-heavyweight Frazer Clarke, 30, and featherweight Karriss Artingstall, 26, both left Japan with bronze.
      Light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker, 24, and welterweight Pat McCormack, 26, were both reduced to silver having been beaten by Cubans in the final.
      But Yafai, who upset Cuban Yosvany Veitia, 29, in the quarter-finals, brought home the gold with a flawless run in the Games.
      Middleweight Lauren Price, 27, will attempt the same when she faces China’s Li Qian, 31, in tomorrow’s final.
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      The GB squad watched from the stands as Yafai bagged gold which left team captain and best friend, Clarke over the moon.
      He tweeted: “Other than my kids being born, this is the greatest day of my life.
      “I didn’t think it was possible to feel so much joy for another person Galal. Not just a great fighter but an amazing person and great friend.”
      Galal Yafai celebrates his Olympic final winCredit: Reuters
      Brilliant Galal Yafai wins boxing gold for Team GB with dominant win over Filipino rival in Tokyo 2020 final More

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      in Boxing

      Brazilian Hebert Sousa KOs opponent in final minutes to win stunning Olympic gold after trailing on scorecards

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      BRAZILIAN boxer Hebert Sousa dramatically won Olympic gold by knocking out Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the final minutes. Sousa was well down on he scorecards and heading for middleweight silver as he went into the last three minutes.
      Hebert Sousa won Olympic gold by knocking out Ukraine’s Oleksandr KhyzhniakCredit: Reuters
      Ukrainian wrecking ball Oleksandr Khyzhniak was well on his way to Olympic gold against Hebert Sousa, only for the Brazilian to produce a stunning left hook which sent Khyzhniak tumbling to the canvas. One of the great upsets – and comebacks – in amateur boxing history. pic.twitter.com/d6JhsrujYy— Taylor On Sport (@TaylorOnSport) August 7, 2021

      But in a simply stunning turn of events, he turned the fight on its head with an explosive and expertly timed combination.
      Khyzniaka pushed Sousa back into a neutral corner and looked to throw a right hand over the top.
      But Sousa had the same idea, and followed it up with a lightening left hook, which closed the show in empathic fashion.
      Khyzhniak, the hot favourite with European and World gold medals to his name, bravely made it back to his feet.
      But it was not enough to save his hopes Olympic title hopes, as the referee waved off the contest.
      It provided Sousa with a remarkable comeback win in one of the most dramatic finals in Olympic boxing history.
      Shortly beforehand, British flyweight Galal Yafai secured Team GB’s first boxing gold as he brilliantly beat Filipino Carlo Paalam on points.
      Yafai, 28, told the BBC: “It’s something I’ve always want to do, to be Olympic champion. Now I’m Olympic champion and I’m over the moon.
      “I’ve worked hard, took up boxing and thank God it’s worked out for me.
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      “I bet they’re over the moon all my friends and family. The support I’ve had from back home has been ridiculous.
      “It’s overwhelming I’m so grateful for the support I’ve got.
      “I’m so determined to win, I’ve got that heart and desire to win and it’s worked out for me today.”
      Lauren Price edges into final and stays on course for gold as Britain’s boxers deliver Tokyo 2020 medal rush More