Worthing Half Marathon 2025 in pictures
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Man Utd transfer boost with injury to former flop, 32, set to spark £40m Rasmus Hojlund bidding war
RASMUS HOJLUND has attracted huge interest from Napoli after former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku was ruled out for three months. The reigning Serie A champions have asked about a loan deal for the Denmark striker, who is admired by manager Antonio Conte. 4 4 It comes hours after fellow Italian side AC Milan officially confirmed their interest in Hojlund, 22, who is open to a move and has been on Fulham's radar. Hojlund was left out of the matchday squad for United's 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal in their season opener on Sunday. It is understood boss Ruben Amorim took the decision amid intense speculation over the striker's future. Benjamin Sesko, who came on as a substitute, is expected to be Amorim's first choice in the position following his recent arrival from RB Leipzig, with Matheus Cunha ideally one of the two No10s in Amorim's system. United are believed to be asking for £40million for the Dane, but they could entertain a loan under the right conditions. Napoli are now considering making a move for Hojlund after Lukaku, 32, limped off the pitch during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos last week. Ex-Old Trafford flop Lukaku is expected to be sidelined for three months after tearing a muscle in his thigh. Napoli released a statement on Monday, which read: "Following the injury, Romelu Lukaku underwent tests at Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a high-grade injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh. "The Napoli player has already begun rehabilitation and will also undergo surgical consultation." Should Hojlund be brought in to fill Lukaku's place, he'll reunite with former United teammate Scott McTominay, who turned his career around in Italy after signing for £25m. McTominay, 28, has excelled since joining the Naples outfit last summer, winning the Serie A Player of the Year award and a Ballon d'Or nod. Napoli can offer Hojlund European football that the Red Devils can't, with Conte's men competing in the Champions League for a second straight season. Hojlund, who joined for £72m two years ago, was United's main striker last season but scored just 10 goals in 52 games. His debut campaign brought 16 goals after his move from Italian side Atalanta. Teenager Chido Obi, 17, featured for the first team last season although it is unlikely he would be regarded as a regular starter, with his involvement likely to come from the bench. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho has turned down Roma's £20m offer to United, with the winger set to explore other options. 4
Reuters
6 hours ago
- Reuters
Redemption-seeking Inter gamble on rookie Chivu
Aug 18 (Reuters) - Inter Milan enter a new era this season by entrusting inexperienced coach Cristian Chivu to heal the wounds of the previous campaign and restore confidence to a side left reeling from the collapse of their treble bid. Last season, Inter's title defence crumbled in the final stretch as they lost out on the Scudetto to Napoli by a point. Their domestic struggles were compounded by a Coppa Italia semi-final defeat by city rivals AC Milan but worse was to come. The campaign ended in brutal fashion, with a 5-0 Champions League final loss to Paris St Germain, a result that marked the end of Simone Inzaghi's four-year spell at the helm. In a bold move, the club opted for inexperience to lead the next phase. Chivu, an ex-Inter player who spent six years managing the club's youth teams, replaced Inzaghi despite having coached just 13 senior matches, guiding Parma to Serie A safety last term. The Romanian began his tenure by taking Inter to the last 16 at the Club World Cup, which gave him the chance to assess two new signings — 21-year-old Croatian midfielder Petar Sucic and Brazilian winger Luis Henrique. But the real challenge begins now, as domestic and European campaigns loom large. While Inter have retained the core of their experienced squad, Chivu's arrival offers hope to new signings and younger players eager to make their mark. He already has a strong connection with striker Francesco Pio Esposito, who he coached with Inter's youth teams. After an impressive loan spell at Serie B side Spezia, the 20-year-old returned to Inter and scored on his first start at the Club World Cup. "Our bond is one of a lot of recognition and gratitude on my part, we have a special bond since we came up together," Esposito said after netting in a pre-season match against Monza. "His (Chivu's) first year on the bench was with me in the Under-14s, then we met again in the Primavera and now here in the first team at Inter." French 21-year-old forward Ange-Yoan Bonny, who worked under Chivu at Parma, has also joined Inter, with the club still hoping to bring in further signings, such as Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman. With a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent, Inter approach the new season with cautious optimism. Chivu's deep ties to the club and his proven track record in youth development offer a sense of continuity. For a team that came agonisingly close to glory last year, only tangible success will justify the decision of handing the reins to a rookie and dispel the lingering doubts from a campaign that promised everything but delivered nothing.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
40stone dad too fat to fit in car loses half his body weight
40stone dad too fat to fit in car loses half his body weight James, 38, has now finished six triathlons and three marathons James Baker, before his weight loss A man who was too fat to fit behind the steering wheel of his car after reaching almost 40st eating 6,000 calories a day has shed more than half his body weight and become a triathlete. James Baker, 38, was bursting out of a size XXXXXXL at his heaviest and was forced to swap cars with his girlfriend, after he could no longer fit in his Vauxhall Astra. It proved to be the kickstart James needed and in September 2022 he underwent a gastric sleeve - surgery that removes a significant portion of the stomach leading to reduced intake to promote weight loss. James took up exercise – started walking, cycling and swimming – and swapped his junk food and high calorie diet for healthier high protein meals and in 14 months lost 19st 7lbs - and now weighs a much healthier 18st 7lbs and can slip into a size XL with ease. With his waist shrinking from 60ins to 38ins, James continued on his fitness journey and completed his first triathlon - a multi-sport endurance race involving swimming, cycling, and running - in May 2023. Despite coming in last place, James said it was "one of the best things I ever did" and has gone on to do six Olympic distance triathlons, as well as three marathons. James used to eat 6,000 calories a day He has finally been able to take back ownership of his faithful Vauxhall Astra and is eager to compete in his next competition, the Cotswold 51 Five in May 2026. Dad-of-four James, an IT consultant, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, said: "I've always been a bit bigger than my peers. "As I got into adult life it spiralled a little bit. At the end of 2022, I got up to being 38st. I had to swap cars with my partner. For me really the whole car thing, not being able to get in the car, I thought if this carries on I'm not going to be around for my children much longer. Article continues below 'That was the real big catalyst realising I couldn't get into the car without having to breathe in and tuck myself in the steering wheel. I've got two children of my own and two step-kids. They're young and it got to the point where playing with them became difficult because of my size. James Baker now completes triathlons and marathons "I couldn't buy clothes in shops, and the clothes I was buying online were becoming more difficult to find because of the size I was'. James researched procedures and decided to undergo the gastric sleeve surgery in May 2023 – flying to Cairo, Egypt and paying £5,000 for the procedure funded through personal savings. He said: "I had my surgery in September 2022 and in the May of 2023 I did an Olympic distance triathlon with a friend of mine, Aaron Gwilt, 38 who did a lot of endurance stuff already. I can honestly say it was one of the best things I ever did'. James was going to work as an IT consultant one morning when he began to struggle getting in and out of his car. After requesting help with his weight through the NHS, he was put into a year-long weight management clinic before he could qualify for weight loss surgery. James was once too fat to drive his own car James did not meet the required body fat loss on the course to qualify for a gastric sleeve, and says he 'didn't feel I'd learned anything to teach me about nutrition'. Looking elsewhere, James booked a gastric sleeve in Cairo, Egypt, in September 2022 for £5,000, flying out with a friend and his boss at the time to have the surgery together. After spending five days in Egypt for the op, James began the quick recovery at home and started transforming his diet. He was only allowed to have clear fluid for a while, then pureed food, then food to be mashed, solid foods 8-12 weeks. Gorging on fast food and even having a snack drawer in the office, James would eat up to 6,000 calories every day, eating crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks at work before going to fast food restaurants on his way home. He said: "Before I would eat things like McDonald's and Burger King quite often. I would wake up and think 'I'll have a Burger King today'. I'd find a way of having it, even if it might mean driving out of my way so I could have it. "I'd then get home and eat a second dinner with my family. I'd constantly be reaching for snacks and comfort foods before bed like crisps chocolate bars and cakes. There would be times when we'd be watching the TV and if we didn't have anything in, I'd drive to the shops for a chocolate bar. James has lost half his body weight 'But it wouldn't be a normal size one, it would be a share size. Now if I'm training first thing in the morning I'll go for a run or a training session. Breakfast is something along the lines of granola and yoghurt. "I generally then don't eat until later in the afternoon. That will be things like one or two eggs with a slice of toast, or a small jacket potato with a filling. In the evening I'll have my dinner but again it consists of something protein based like diced chicken with tikka paste in a pitta bread. "Quite often my evening snack is what is left from dinner as I don't eat it all." James underwent gastric sleeve surgery Article continues below After coming last place in his first triathlon, James caught the bug and joined his local club two years ago. He said: "As I was running down the finishing line they were packing up around me. I've since progressed to middle distance. "I did the Manchester marathon in 2024. In total I've done six Olympic distance triathlons. My family been amazing to be honest. The other day I had a training run I needed to do and my son was also going to train, he wanted to do a run. 'Being able to do something like that, I'd never have been able to do before. Things like going to the park, when I was bigger I'd have to stop and need places to sit down. Sometimes I have to slow down and wait for other people where as before I was the one having to stop'.
