On The Up: Ricky Robinson – The man with the best shots in golf
Te Arai Links North course. Photo / Ricky Robinson
It's an image all Kiwi golfers know only too well.
Every time you open the Golf NZ app to log a score or book a tee time, up pops a stunning scene. A pin flag flying in the breeze on a coastal green with a wave crashing behind and
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RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Kai Kara-France hopes to make history as the first Māori UFC flyweight champion
Kai Kara-France after his win against Tyson Nam in 2020. Photo: photosport When Kai Kara-France steps into the octagon, he brings the warrior spirit of all his ancestors with him. The Kiwi mixed martial artist is out to make history this month with a shot at becoming the first ever Māori UFC flyweight champion. Kara-France (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Ati Awa), said he feels bullet-proof carrying his culture into the cage. "I channel it when I step in there, and it gives me a lot of clarity and gives me clear intentions that I can do this. When I'm in there, there's no team to hide behind, but I'm not alone. I have all my tipuna behind me and it just allows me to kind of go inwards. I don't have to go looking for answers. It's always in me. "It's my identity, it's my anchor. Fighting is my mahi, it's what people know me as. But long before I was a fighter, that's the reason why I'm a fighter, is because of my ancestors, my, and that's the blueprint I go off because they would've been navigating and all these challenges that they've had to go through." Since entering the UFC in 2018, Kara-France has proudly showcased Māoridom to the world. "That's what makes our culture so beautiful. So what I'm doing now in the modern day, I bring culture with me and I want to let everyone know where I come from and I'm very proud of it, be unapologetically Māori, and what better way than to become the first flyweight Māori champion? And if I don't do it, who else will?" Kara-France said he was chasing mana for his sons. "That's what's fuelling me. When I'm in there, I'm that warrior version of myself. When I'm back home with my family, I'm that sensitive, compassionate, unconditional love that I give to my wife and my two boys. It's being able to navigate those different roles and responsibilities as a man to let a younger generation that you can do it all and there is a time and place for everything, but also just prioritising what is important, and that's culture, that's whānau. "I want to win this belt, defend a few times, and step away from the sport with a brain. Go up north, put my feet up, go fishing, hunting, and just live off the land and know that I've got no regrets, and show my boys that are looking up to me that their dad went out there and he chased his dreams." Kara-France wanted to inspire not only his sons, but all rangatahi. "When I first started, there wasn't a fight scene here. It was very underground. People used to see it as savage or thugs and it's cool to see that kind of support around us and know that the next generation is saying, 'I don't want to just be an All Black, I want to be a UFC fighter like Izzy or Kai or Dan.' It's cool that we're leaving that legacy behind." UFC 317 Kai Kara-France vs Alexandre Pantoja UFC Flyweight title 29 June New Zealand UFC flyweight Kai-Kara France. Photo: Facebook - Kai Kara France Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
UFC flyweight Kai Kara-France 'starving' for championship ahead of Pantoja fight
Kai Kara France after defeating Raulian Paiva at UFC 234 at Rod Laver Arena Melbourne in 2019. Photo: Brendon Ratnayake / Kai Kara-France has been sharpening his tools for almost two decades, and now says it is finally time to carve his name into history. The kiwi will fight Brazilian champion Alexandre Pantoja for flyweight gold at UFC 317 on June 29. "It's time to eat and I'm hungry. I'm starving. 15 years I've prepared me for this and it's a different mode I'm feeding off. I've got to attack this and go and take it from the guy." With 13 knockouts in a division that rarely sees them, Kara-France is hunting number 14 - and the belt that comes with it. "I've been a professional 15 years now fighting, 15 years to prepare for this," Kara-France said. The 32-year-old said the name standing across from him was irrelevant. "Every time I step in there, it's me against myself. I don't really look at my opponent in much detail. My coaches and my team do that. I just focus on what I can control, bringing my best mentally, physically, and spiritually. I've figured that out in the fight game. It's usually who can do that is who gets their hand raised." He said he knew he possessed a weapon which could end the fight in an instant. "Something I've got in my back pocket is 13 knockouts in the flyweight division where there's not many knockouts. Pantoja's never been finished in the UFC, never been knocked out. I want to be the first one to do it. I know he's going to bring it to me, but I've got that in my back pocket waiting for him, ready to land that shot." It's been a rough road to a second title shot for Kara-France, who has recently battled the effects of multiple concussions throughout his career, sidelining him for 14 months. "All these things you have to go through to gain experience and knowledge, but it was being honest with yourself, knowing where you truly are at and not thinking you're invincible." He said his journey has simply hardened his resolve. Kai Kara-France at UFC 234 media call at City Kickboxing. Photo: ALAN_LEE "I haven't had an undefeated record, I've built my way up. I've had to fight for it. When you've tasted it, all the wins, the losses, the speed bumps, when you get in there, you're unshakeable because you've tasted it all." Kara-France (25-11-1), is 1-2 in his last three trips to the octagon, however his most recent appearance was an emphatic TKO of Australian contender Steve Erceg in August of last year. His first shot at gold ended abruptly when Brandon Moreno connected with a picture perfect liver kick at UFC 277 in July 2022. "Before that it was probably my best round. I cut him. His face was all bloodied and bruised, but he's a tough guy. He's a fighter and he did well to capitalise on that moment, getting underneath my elbow and took my breath away. But it just showed that I'm right there with the best guys and how close this division is. Anyone could be anyone." The flyweight title fight will co-main event the card, with the lightweight also on the line between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria. "Don't count me out. I've had injuries and had setbacks, I'm still one of the best guys. And the UFC rewarded me with a co-main event on the biggest card of the year." Pantoja (29-5) will be looking for a fourth consecutive defence, having taken the title from Moreno before seeing off challenges from Brandon Royval, Erceg and Kai Asakura. This won't be the first clash between Kara-France and Pantoja, the pair meeting in a two round exhibition bout on The Ultimate Fighter in 2016, the Kiwi on the end of a unanimous decision loss. France winning fight via knock out on the UFC series "The Ultimate Fighter". Photo: Facebook - Kai Kara France "A lot's happened since nine years. He's obviously become a world champion. I've progressed in my career, I've found my feet where I'm knocking guys out and living up to my nickname." Nine years later, the rematch takes place on one of the biggest cards of 2025. "It's a cool storyline. I get to run this back. We have shared the octagon and I felt his power, felt his world-class jujitsu and I did well in that fight to scramble and get back to my feet. Standup was quite equal, but it's all different now. I think I've refined my skillset to know that I can take out most guys." Kara-France said he had nothing but respect for Pantoja. "We have shared cards before and it's nothing personal. He is a family man and I respect that he's been a great champion, but this fight's bigger than me." However, while he may respect him, 'Don't Blink' intends to be ruthless once the cage door closes. "I'm going out there to attack this and just I'm ready for a fight. I know Pantoja is going to be tough and come forward, but I feel like that's what's going to make him vulnerable and it's going to leave openings where I can find that shot. So 13 knockouts on my record, about to be 14." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Scoop
A Month Of May To Remember For Kiwi Teenager Jacob Douglas
May proved to be a milestone month for Kiwi talent Jacob Douglas, who emerged from the busiest stretch of the USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tires firmly in contention for the title. The action-packed month began with a triple-header on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, followed by a mid-season test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The action concluded with the championship's sole oval race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. In total, Douglas completed more than 1000km of official timed running, covering 430 laps across three circuits. Highlights included his maiden USF Pro 2000 victory at the famed Brickyard and a top ten finish in just his second-ever oval race. 'It was a really busy month with a lot of proud achievements,' said Douglas. 'Standing on the top step of the podium at the Racing Capital of the World is something I'll cherish forever. 'Our pace has been strong all year, and we're consistently running at the front. We were unlucky in two races at Indy where we lost valuable points through no fault of our own, but we've shown we can win and fight for podiums. With the season only at the halfway mark, there's still a lot to play for.' Douglas's maiden win came in Race 2 of the IMS triple-header, less than 24 hours after a mechanical issue denied him a potential victory while he was leading the opening race. Misfortune struck again in Race 3 when he was caught in a Turn 1 incident while fighting for the lead. The team then made a quick turnaround to Mid-Ohio, where Douglas impressed with top-seven finishes in the four sessions he took to the track. At Indianapolis Raceway Park, Douglas delivered another strong performance, starting and finishing inside the top ten in just his second career oval outing. 'In 2022, we ran our first oval race at IRP, starting 17th and finishing 16th in USF2000,' he reflected. 'Three years later, we're battling in the top ten—it's clear we're making real progress.' Off the track, Douglas was also honoured with the prestigious Ian Snellgrove Trophy, awarded to the top graduate of the Elite Motorsport Academy Class of 2024. Academy Trustee David Turner was in Indianapolis to record Douglas's acceptance speech, which was played during the Motorsport New Zealand Awards evening. Douglas, who previously received the Bruce McLaren Trophy for topping camp week, was also invited to announce the Academy's Class of 2025. 'It's a humbling privilege to win the Ian Snellgrove Trophy,' said Douglas. 'The Elite Motorsport Academy has been an incredible experience, helping immensely with both on-track and off-track performance. I've become mentally and physically stronger and a more well-rounded driver because of it. 'Best of luck to the Class of 2025—you're in for the experience of a lifetime.' Douglas returns to the track June 11-12 for a two-day test at Road America, followed by a triple-header at the same venue the following weekend.
