Roy Krishna's journey from Labasa rice paddies to the world stage
Sam Wykes introduces us to a future leader and force of Fijian basketball, 15-year-old Makaefa Savu and alongside Lailanie and Melissa Fare discuss sports news in the worlds of cricket, football, skateboarding, table tennis, rugby union and more.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
The brutal reality of sporting comebacks
For some, a sporting comeback might be about money, fame or relevance. For others - like tennis superstar Serena Williams who is courting speculation she will join her sister Venus at the US Open this month - it can be as simple as having more left to give. In basketball star Lauren Jackson's case the decision to step out of retirement was all down to a happy accident. Getting back to super star fitness level was no easy task though and the cost and toll it took to re-enter the elite sporting competition was brutal. Athletes not only face intense training, heightened scrutiny, and huge pressure but also questions about whether they are up for the challenge. For those returning after a longer break, that is compounded even further. When boxer Manny Pacquiao announced he was returning to the ring almost four years after his last fight, it raised eyebrows, not least of all because he was facing a much younger rival. The 46-year-old took on Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship last month. But Pacquiao's bid to become the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history fell short after he failed to beat his 30-year-old rival in the Las Vegas bout. Instead Pacquiao and Barrios fought to a majority draw, with one judge giving Barrios a 115-113 win and the other two judges scoring it a 114-114 draw. The result allowed Barrios to retain his WBC welterweight belt. A Filipino senator from 2016 to 2022, Pacquiao had originally retired from boxing in 2021 while he also ran for president in 2022. But the former senator isn't the only athlete to step back into the competitive global limelight and joins sporting elites such as Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps and not to mention Jackson. After being forced to retire the first time in 2016 due to injury, Jackson got back into the game at a competitive level after initially rejoining the gym to get fit and shooting some casual hoops. "My whole goal was to lose weight gained during Covid so I got back into the gym and it evolved from there," she said. "It was never about getting back into high performance. I never anticipated I would go further." But what began as some casual court time in Albury, turned into a grand comeback in 2022, with Jackson playing in the Women's National Basketball League, as well as the Opals. Physically she would become the strongest she had ever been. If she hit a roadblock or had a meltdown along the way, she moved on. But that all came at a huge cost both physically and mentally. "My body was in shock because I was not used to competing at that level," she said of her return to high level competition. With small kids to consider, there was also the guilt that came with intense training and being away from home for periods at a time. Jackson admits retiring the first time was hard and she had visceral emotions about stepping back into the competitive limelight. "I was worried all the time, about my kids about my parents, about how changing schools would affect them," she said. But ironically it wasn't until she had recovered from injuring her Achilles and breaking her foot that she really hit her full fitness peak and entered "full on rehab mode" coming back even stronger than ever. The champion athlete was soon working out three times a day, juggling motherhood and other demands. Following her bronze medal win in the Paris Olympics last year, she stepped back from elite sport - this time for good. It was no surprise when it came to retiring the second time, it was not easy and the emotional rollercoaster was just as brutal. "I had a comedown just as hard," Jackson said. "But once I had the Christmas break, got an opportunity with the WBNL, and was spending time with the kids — that was a special time for me." She said she will have to monitor her injuries going forward. "I love the sport so much but have to remember the impact it had on my body. The physical injuries I got was because of the sport." Then there's the pressure all athletes face — something she does not miss. "That constant pressure to perform — I can't handle it anymore and I had to walk away because it's addictive," she said. Jackson remains grateful for every opportunity and is still amazed at what the human body is capable of. Post retirement 2025, the mother-of-two couldn't be happier. Now working as a part-time Special Advisor for the WNBL and also the Head of Women in Basketball at Basketball Australia, there's not a lot of down time. But she wouldn't have it any other way. "I'm having so much fun — post retirement I am busier than ever before," she said. According to Kevin Filo, a Professor in Sport Management and Event Management in the Griffith Business School at Griffith University, stepping back into an elite level of sport after significant time off was physically tough - even for the best athlete. The reasons why they did and kept doing so were varied. "It's essentially impossible to get into the psychology of these athletes," he said. "Rather it's often a confluence of circumstances." Some athletes adapted to life beyond their sport relatively well, while others had relevancy deprivation, which if pronounced could have "significant impacts on a person's identity". Prof Filo said many athletes enjoyed connecting with others, as well as the benefits of training and the competitive environment. Those who retired could even miss having a platform. These days thanks to advances in healthcare many athletes were also able to compete for longer and returning was sometimes not has hard as in years past. "Advances in health, technology and overall support means many athletes have been able to extend their careers," he said. "From a career return perspective this means they can re-enter as well, especially if it's something they enjoy." While not easy for every athlete, Prof Filo said athletes needed both determination and persistence to push their bodies but needed to manage expectations. "One of the reasons they do succeed is because of their ability to push boundaries," he said. How quickly an athlete returned and how soon depended on the sport, level of competition as well as the individual. Likewise when an athlete decided to retire, how each reacted to life after sport would vary, Prof Filo said. In the case of Manny Pacquiao, a four year break from competition would be harder at 46 than 42. But success was possible at any age and it was also subjective. Fellow basketball legend Michael Jordan's reasons for stepping back into the competitive sporting field were varied and complex. The now 62-year-old retired not once, but three times from basketball, first in 1993, then in 1999 to pursue a career in baseball. After returning back to basketball he hung up his laces up for good in 2003. "Michael Jordan's comebacks was broadly seen as a failure," Prof Filo said. "But he had some pretty impressive highlights even if they weren't as high as they were in the 1990s. In retrospect it was impressive given the amount of time he had off from the game."
ABC News
5 hours ago
- ABC News
Danielle Morgan Calls on Female Artists to Enter Pacific Break
Amongst the highlights this week on Radio Australia On Nesia Daily, hosts Michael Chow and Emily Nguyen-Hunt catch up with former Pacific Break winner Danielle Morgan, who's encouraging female artists to enter the region's biggest music competition. On Nesian Footy, Sam Wykes and Tinirau Arona are joined by a Waratahs player to talk heritage and unforgettable moments in camp. And on Pacific Pulse, Melissa Maykin explores childbirth in Fiji and the vital role of the doula Relax into your Sunday morning with two hours of the best stories from across the Pacific. Host Kuntamari Crofts, will take you on a Pacific Sundays journey, bringing you stories that will inspire, entertain and inform you.
Daily Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
AFL live ladder predictor: Every club's finals chances during round 23
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Adelaide has edged closer to locking up top spot on the AFL ladder after outlasting Collingwood in an epic battle at the Adelaide Oval. Amid a barrage of Collingwood inside 50s, the Crows held on to break a 10-game losing streak to the Magpies, who lost at the ground for the first time in 10 visits. It means Adelaide has locked up a top-two spot, and can claim the minor premiership with a win over North Melbourne next week. MORE: Crows break Collingwood hearts in finals-like epic Earlier, Gold Coast had a chance to sew up a top four position and plan an assault on the top two, but that's all up in the air now. The Giants came and conquered, all but securing a finals campaign in a huge upset that shakes up the ladder. Brisbane locked up its own future with an upset of its own over the Dockers, with Fremantle now in a perilous position where they could miss finals. It is becoming increasingly likely that there will be a 15-win team miss finals for the first time in the league's history. This page will be updated throughout the weekend's games to show exactly who is favoured to miss the cut at any given point. Adelaide Crows were the first to lock in finals. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/via Getty Images 1. ADELAIDE Played: 21, Won: 17, Lost: 5, Percentage: 141 RUN HOME R24: North Melbourne, Marvel (Saturday afternoon) What a win over Collingwood! The Crows have locked in the minor premiership - pretty much. They would need to lose to North Melbourne in round 24 to drop off, but even then, a home qualifying final awaits. Best Case Scenario: 1st Beat Kangaroos OR lose to Kangaroos AND Cats lose to Tigers Worst Case Scenario: 2nd Lose to Kangaroos AND Cats beats Tigers Expected Finish: 1st Beat Kangaroos OR lose to Kangaroos AND Cats lose to Tigers The Lions secured a finals berth after their win over the Dockers. Picture: Getty Images 2. BRISBANE Played: 22, Won: 15, Drawn: 1, Lost: 6, Percentage: 114.3 RUN HOME R24: Hawthorn, Gabba (Sunday night) Brisbane has secured its immediate future with a win over Fremantle – the Lions will play finals. A win over Hawthorn in round 24 could see them edge inside the top four, which is a huge result given the injury woes in recent weeks. Losing to Hawthorn would result in a home elimination final; potentially even against Hawthorn. Best Case Scenario: 1st Win against Hawks AND Crows lose to Magpies and Kangaroos AND Cats lose to Swans and Tigers AND Magpies lose to Demons Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose against Hawks AND Giants beat Saints AND Dockers beat Bulldogs Expected Finish: 4th Locked up a finals appearance with a dominant win over Fremantle on Friday. Now a lot relies on the win over Hawthorn next Sunday. We're still on Jeremy Cameron 100 watch. Picture: Getty Images 3. GEELONG Played: 21, Won: 15, Lost: 6, Percentage: 139.8 RUN HOME R23: Sydney, SCG (Sunday afternoon) R24: Richmond, MCG (Saturday afternoon) Sydney at the SCG could be a tricky fixture to venture through, but if the Cats escape victorious then a top-two finish beckons. A minor premiership is not out of reach, but it would take a Collingwood win over Adelaide and a perfect end to the season – with enough of a margin to overturn the small percentage difference. Best Case Scenario: 1st Win against Swans and Tigers AND Crows lose to Magpies or Kangaroos, with a 2.6% turnaround Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Swans and Tigers AND Hawks beat Lions AND Giants beat Saints Expected Finish: 2nd Win against Swans and Tigers and have expected winners from other matches A win over Sydney opens up a shot at the minor premiership, but only if the Crows slip up. But lose to the Swans and the Cats could slide outside the top four. Suns losing to Giants also firms up a top two finish There's still a lot to play out for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images 4. COLLINGWOOD Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost: 6, Percentage: 123.1 RUN HOME R24: Melbourne, MCG (Friday night) What an eight-pointer that game was. Collingwood could've locked up a top-four finish if they held on against the Crows on a wet Saturday night. Now they need to beat Melbourne to be in the conversation for a double chance. Best Case Scenario: 2nd Beat Demons AND have Cats drop two, plus Lions lose to Hawthorn. Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Melbourne AND have Giants beat Saints AND have Hawks beat Lions AND have Bulldogs beat Dockers Expected Finish: 4th Lose to Crows but beat Demons and have expected winners from other matches 5. HAWTHORN Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost: 7, Percentage: 122.7 RUN HOME R24: Brisbane, Gabba (Sunday night) A convincing win over Melbourne has them just about locked into finals - where they end up is still up to other results. Win against Brisbane and they're a chance for top four, lose and its elimination final time. They can't finish 9th; their percentage is better than Fremantle's and they're eight points ahead of the Dogs - who play each other next week. Best Case Scenario: 4th Beat Lions AND have Magpies lose to Melbourne. Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Lions, and have expected winners from the other matches Expected Finish: 8th Lose to Lions, and have expected winners from the other matches The Dockers loss and Giants win means the Hawks can't finish ninth, but will likely finish eighth. An upset win at the Gabba next week pushes them into double chance territory. GWS could make the top four or miss the finals. Picture: Getty Images 6. GWS GIANTS Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost: 7, Percentage: 115.5 RUN HOME R24: St Kilda, ENGIE (Sunday afternoon) The Giants will be playing finals after their upset over the Suns. But while they can keep moving up the ladder, an elimination final beckons - very likely a home final if they knock off the Saints next week. Best Case Scenario: 5th Beat Saints AND have Suns lose to either Power or Bombers AND have Hawks beat Lions Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Saints Expected Finish: 6th Beat Saints The Giants stamped their ticket to the finals with the dominant upset win over the Suns. Even if they lose to the Saints in round 24, they are locked into finals. A home final beckons if they win next week. The show is not over just yet for Nat Fyfe. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/7. FREMANTLE Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost, 7, Percentage: 108.6 RUN HOME R24: Western Bulldogs, Marvel (Sunday afternoon) Get ready for a classic 'round 24 elimination final' for Fremantle. The Dockers had a real chance to lock in a finals berth on Friday, but the loss to Brisbane could cost them a September appearance. They can still make the eight without winning next week, but it would take a whole lot of luck. Best Case Scenario: 4th Win against Bulldogs AND Cats lose to both Swans and Tigers AND Magpies lose to both Crows and Demons AND Lions beat Hawks Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose to Bulldogs and have expected winners from other matches Expected Finish: 9th Lose to Bulldogs and have expected winners from other matches The Dockers' destiny is still in their hands - win and they're in. But lose and they miss out. A true Round 24 elimination final. The Suns are on the verge of their first finals campaign. Picture:8. GOLD COAST Played: 21, Won: 14, Lost: 7, Percentage: 121.2 RUN HOME R24: Port Adelaide, AO (Friday night) R24: Essendon, PFS (Wednesday night) Could the loss at home against the Giants be the moment in history we look back at? Surely the Suns don't miss finals from here, but the pressure is on to hold onto a double chance. Best Case Scenario: 3rd Win games against Power and Bombers AND have Lions lose to Hawks Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose games against Power and Bombers Expected Finish: 3rd Win against Power and Bombers AND have Cats win against either Swans or Tigers A loss against the Giants has cost them a home qualifying final, but the Suns can still get a double chance - they just need to win out from here. The Bulldogs' last game of the season will determine their fate. Picture: Getty Images 9. WESTERN BULLDOGS Played: 21, Won: 13, Lost: 8, Percentage: 135.4 RUN HOME R23: West Coast, Marvel (Sunday twilight) R24: Fremantle, Marvel (Sunday afternoon) Luke Beveridge needs to echo the mantra of Dory from Finding Nemo: 'Just keep s-winning.' Knocking off the Eagles is a start, but the Bulldogs will likely need to beat Fremantle in the final round to make the top 8. But their destiny is still in their own hands, their percentage is superior to those around them. Just keep winning. Best Case Scenario: 4th Win both games AND have Giants lose to Saints AND have Suns lose to either Power or Bombers Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose to Dockers Expected Finish: 7th Win both games and have the expected winners from other matches would lead to a 6th-place finish. The Bulldogs won't miss finals if they win their final two games, and would need results to go their way if they were to drop one of the two clashes. Round 24 v Fremantle could be an elimination final. Originally published as AFL live ladder: Who will finish in the top eight, miss the finals
