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Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Powys archer Megan Costall aims to inspire women and girls
Hafren Foresters Archery Club near Newtown, is on a mission to encourage more women and girls and people with disabilities to pick up a bow and arrow. The National Lottery and Sport Wales have helped the club hit the bullseye enabling them to launch women-only training sessions and workshops with a female coach. With a grant of £4,688, Hafren bought new bows, arrows and safety gear. A leading member of the club is Newtown-based Megan Costall who has set her sights on competing at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. When she was younger, Megan loved karate and only gave it up because she was told she was too young to do her black belt. She's also a former gymnast but she went along to the archery club at 14 years old. Her Dad has long been involved in the running of the club and her older sister was already regularly shooting. Channelling her competitive spirit, she was determined to beat them both. Since then, Megan has gone on to win a silver medal at the Berlin Open and helped the team win gold at the European Youth Championships in 2022. And Megan credits her progress to the archery club at Hafren. Megan said: 'The funding from Sport Wales is helping to develop and grow a thriving family. 'We couldn't run the club without the support and it means that people of all ages can have a go at a really inclusive sport and that's really important in a rural location. As Megan targets a place among the world's elite, the community club where it all started continues to show people of all ages and all abilities that they can reach their goals, be a part of a community and continue hitting the bullseye.
The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Venus Williams makes winning tennis return aged 45
She and fellow American Baptiste proved too strong for Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue as they triumphed 6-3 6-1 in a last-16 encounter that lasted 72 minutes. Her comeback will continue as she takes on another American in Peyton Stearns in the first round of the singles. It is Williams' first appearances in a WTA Tour event since March 2024. 'It was great to come out here and see the energy,' Williams said on Sky Sports after the match. 'As we were walking out to the court, we knew this was going to be a match. 'Our opponents actually played very well. It wasn't easy for us but we brought it together quickly as a team. It was inspiring to be out here. I love this game and still hitting it big.' Williams joked she wished she could have partnered with Baptiste, the 23-year-old world number 50, years earlier rather than playing with her sister Serena. She said: 'I think from the first point, I could see that we were going to be a good team. We just should have started playing earlier, years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way!' Britain's Emma Raducanu scored an eye-catching win on her doubles debut alongside former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Read more: Competing together for the first time, the duo fought back from an early deficit to beat fourth seeds Tereza Mihalikova and Britain's Olivia Nicholls 2-6 7-6 (4) 11-9 in a decisive tie-break set. It was a notable win for Raducanu and Rybakina against opponents who triumphed at the Berlin Open last month and also reached the final at Indian Wells earlier this year. British number one Katie Boulter fell at the first hurdle in the singles as she went out 3-6 4-6 to Greece's Maria Sakkari. Boulter lost her opening service game in each set and was never able to regain the initiative. Earlier, former men's singles champion Dan Evans enjoyed a triumphant return to the tournament as he came from behind to beat Zizou Bergs. Evans, the veteran former British number one, triumphed in 2023 but opted not to defend his title last year as he focused on the Olympics. The 35-year-old was awarded a wildcard to participate this time and took advantage as he overcame a slow start to beat the Belgian Bergs, the world number 52, 3-6 6-4 6-3. Bergs looked to have resisted the fightback when he edged back ahead with a break in the final set but Evans powered back to secure victory by winning four successive games. 'I didn't just want to take the wildcard and lose,' Evans said on Sky Sports. 'I felt I needed to pay them back a bit and try to 'defend' my title, because I couldn't last year. 'It was great, really enjoyed it, but it was rally difficult. There wasn't much rhythm. He played very well and I was lucky to come through that.'
RTÉ News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Venus Williams (45) makes winning return to the court after 16 months
Venus Williams made a winning return to action after 16 months out with doubles victory alongside Hailey Baptiste in Washington on Monday. The 45-year-old seven-time grand slam tournament winner accepted a wildcard to compete in the Mubadala Citi DC Open this week. She and fellow American Baptiste proved too strong for Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue as they triumphed 6-3 6-1 in a last-16 encounter that lasted 72 minutes. Her comeback will continue as she takes on another American in Peyton Stearns in the first round of the singles. It is Williams' first appearances in a WTA Tour event since March 2024. "It was great to come out here and see the energy," Williams said on Sky Sports after the match. "As we were walking out to the court, we knew this was going to be a match. "Our opponents actually played very well. It wasn't easy for us but we brought it together quickly as a team. It was inspiring to be out here. I love this game and still hitting it big." Williams joked she wished she could have partnered with Baptiste, the 23-year-old world number 50, years earlier rather than playing with her sister Serena. She said: "I think from the first point, I could see that we were going to be a good team. We just should have started playing earlier, years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way!" Britain's Emma Raducanu scored an eye-catching win on her doubles debut alongside former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Competing together for the first time, the duo fought back from an early deficit to beat fourth seeds Tereza Mihalikova and Britain's Olivia Nicholls 2-6 7-6 (4) 11-9 in a decisive tie-break set. It was a notable win for Raducanu and Rybakina against opponents who triumphed at the Berlin Open last month and also reached the final at Indian Wells earlier this year.
The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Venus Williams makes a winning return to action at the age of 45
She and fellow American Baptiste proved too strong for Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue as they triumphed 6-3 6-1 in a last-16 encounter that lasted 72 minutes. Her comeback will continue as she takes on another American in Peyton Stearns in the first round of the singles. It is Williams' first appearances in a WTA Tour event since March 2024. 'It was great to come out here and see the energy,' Williams said on Sky Sports after the match. 'As we were walking out to the court, we knew this was going to be a match. 'Our opponents actually played very well. It wasn't easy for us but we brought it together quickly as a team. It was inspiring to be out here. I love this game and still hitting it big.' Williams joked she wished she could have partnered with Baptiste, the 23-year-old world number 50, years earlier rather than playing with her sister Serena. She said: 'I think from the first point, I could see that we were going to be a good team. We just should have started playing earlier, years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way!' Emma Raducanu enjoyed rare doubles success in Washington (Adam Davy/PA) Britain's Emma Raducanu scored an eye-catching win on her doubles debut alongside former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Competing together for the first time, the duo fought back from an early deficit to beat fourth seeds Tereza Mihalikova and Britain's Olivia Nicholls 2-6 7-6 (4) 11-9 in a decisive tie-break set. It was a notable win for Raducanu and Rybakina against opponents who triumphed at the Berlin Open last month and also reached the final at Indian Wells earlier this year. Look at what it means!!! ❤️🔥 2023 champion Dan Evans digs deep to overcome Bergs 3-6 6-4 6-3 to progress in Washington. @mubadalacitidc | #MubadalaCitiDCOpen — ATP Tour (@atptour) July 21, 2025 Earlier, former men's singles champion Dan Evans enjoyed a triumphant return to the tournament as he came from behind to beat Zizou Bergs. Evans, the veteran former British number one, triumphed in 2023 but opted not to defend his title last year as he focused on the Olympics. The 35-year-old was awarded a wildcard to participate this time and took advantage as he overcame a slow start to beat the Belgian Bergs, the world number 52, 3-6 6-4 6-3. Bergs looked to have resisted the fightback when he edged back ahead with a break in the final set but Evans powered back to secure victory by winning four successive games. 'I didn't just want to take the wildcard and lose,' Evans said on Sky Sports. 'I felt I needed to pay them back a bit and try to 'defend' my title, because I couldn't last year. 'It was great, really enjoyed it, but it was rally difficult. There wasn't much rhythm. He played very well and I was lucky to come through that.'
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Who is Liudmila Samsonova's boyfriend and tennis coach Alessandro Dumitrache?
LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA has hit new heights at the All England Club reaching the quarter-finals for the first time. Her impressive Wimbledon 2025 performance has also brought attention to her coach and romantic partner Alessandro Dumitrache - here we get to know him. 6 Alessandro began working as Liudmila's coach in 2020 Credit: Instagram/@alessandro_dumitrache95 Samsonova has qualified for the quarter-finals of Wimbledon for the first time after beating Spaniard Jessica Bouzas in straight sets. The Russian also The 26-year-old now faces tennis legend She has risen as high as world number 12 under her coach Dumitrache and ahead of the biggest game of her career thus far - here is everything we know about him. Who is Alessandro Dumitrache? 6 The Italian used to compete on the ITF circuit Credit: Instagram/@alessandro_dumitrache95 6 He has overseen the best part of Samsonova's career Credit: Instagram/@alessandro_dumitrache95 Alessandro Dumitrache was born on January 1, 1992 in Italy. He played briefly on the ITF circuit before transitioning into coaching. The Italian reportedly began coaching Samsonova in 2020 and has overseen her rise in the sport. Samsonova won the 2021 Berlin Open as well as titles in Washington, Cleveland and Tokyo while being coached by Dumitrache. Most read in Tennis She also reached the fourth round of the 2025 French Open just prior to impressing further this year in SW19. 6 Neither of the pair have confirmed the dating rumours Credit: Instagram/@alessandro_dumitrache95 In this time it appears the pair have entered a romantic relationship with Instagram posts of the two dating back to 2020. Much of the relationship remains a mystery with neither confirming that they are dating. However, a series of Instagram posts on Alessandro's account seem to suggest that the pair might be. One post features the pair kissing while holding champagne glasses with the caption, 'Best wishes my love'. The 33-year-old also has a connection with the sportswear brand Asics stating in his Instagram bio that he is an ambassador for the company. 6 Liudmila regularly features on Alessandro's Instagram Credit: Instagram/@alessandro_dumitrache95 Liudmila has said very little about her Italian coach in a romantic or professional manner but has stated her gratitude for another member of her coaching team. Danilo Pizzorno began working with Samsonova in 2019 and the Russian credits a large part of her game to him. She said: 'I think [Danilo] is a genius, a tactical genius. Seriously. It's not because he's working with me. I think in the Read more on the Irish Sun 6 A post to Alessandro's Instagram account features the pair kissing Credit: Instagram/@alessandro_dumitrache95 'It was five years ago when I started working with him. I was working with him at the Piatti Academy and then when I split with Piatti, I contacted him and we started working again. 'All the technical, the shots, my forehand, my backhand, my serves, it's because of him. He built me.'
