Meet the hotshots hoping to clean up in the litter-picking world cup
Around 60 enthusiasts armed with gloves, pickers and bin bags are competing to represent the UK in the world cup of SpoGomi, a Japanese-inspired litter-picking sport.
Despite Japan's reputation for pristine streets, the British are the reigning champions. Defence of their title and plane tickets to the final in Tokyo were at stake.
After the whistle was blown at 11.40am, the teams of three rushed off to rummage in the nearest hedges. Their task was seemingly simple: collect as much rubbish as they could within an hour. But as Sarah Parry, the UK's reigning champion, explained, it is far from straightforward.
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The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tottenham captain Son Heung Min to leave club for ‘fresh challenge'
Tottenham captain Son Heung Min has revealed he will leave the club this summer. Son has spent the last decade at Spurs and achieved his goal of silverware in May when he helped the Premier League team to Europa League success with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United. It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club and South Korea captain Son explained his decision to target a "fresh challenge" during a press conference in his home country ahead of Tottenham's pre-season friendly with Newcastle on Sunday. After Spurs arrived in Seoul on Friday, Son - following a remarkable 454 appearances and 173 goals for the north London club - confirmed his desire to depart this summer, with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC (LAFC) leading the race for his signature, the PA news agency understands. Son told a press conference: "Before we start, I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer. "Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision. "It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career, such amazing memories. It was so hard to make this decision. He continued: "I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change - 10 years is a long time. "I came to north London as a kid, 23-years-old, such a young age. I leave the club as a grown man, a very proud man. "I want to say thanks to all the Spurs fans for giving me so much love. I hope the goodbye is also good timing and this is the right time to make that decision. I hope everyone can accept and respect that." New Tottenham head coach Frank confirmed Son would start and be captain in Sunday's friendly with Newcastle at Seoul's World Cup Stadium. It could be Son's final appearance for Spurs, despite the Uefa Super Cup fixture with Paris Saint-Germain in Udine on the horizon on 13 August. Frank said: "It's very clear that Sonny will start and lead the team out as captain. If that is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans. It could be a beautiful ending." Son joined Tottenham in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen and after a tricky debut campaign, he quickly became a fan favourite and subsequently a modern-day Premier League great due to his consistency and personality, clinching the golden boot award in the 2022-23 season, but he is now set to exit after 10 years in north London.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Saturday briefing: Isak interests Liverpool and Son set for Tottenham exit
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Son Heung-min announces departure from Tottenham as he seeks ‘bit of change' after decade at club
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has revealed he intends to leave the club this summer after a decade in north London. The 33-year-old attacker joined the Premier League side from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and went on to play more than 450 times for Spurs. In May he lifted the Europa League trophy but he had a poor season overall by his high standards and struggled with injury. 'Before we start the press conference I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer,' the South Korean told reporters on Saturday in Seoul, where Tottenham are on a pre-season tour. 'Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision.' Son, who has scored 173 goals for Spurs, did not say where he intends to go next and cut an emotional figure. 'It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision,' he said, flanked by new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank. 'I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time. I came to north London as a kid, 23 years old, such a young age. I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man.' Frank, who joined Spurs from Brentford this summer, paid tribute to the South Korean skipper. 'For me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player,' said the Dane, who took over from the sacked Ange Postecoglou. 'He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League. 'It is never easy to find the perfect timing and me coming in from the side, it makes it a bit easier to end on a high.'
