Latest news with #BirminghamCommonwealthGames
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel co-captain signs to play in Australia
Kate Heffernan in action for the Steel against the Magic in Invercargill earlier this year. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography Southern Steel co-captain Kate Heffernan is spreading her wings after signing with the Adelaide Thunderbirds for the 2026 season. The midcourter is the latest Silver Fern to be granted an exemption by Netball New Zealand to play in Australia's Super Netball next season. The 25-year-old will join a stacked Thunderbirds team — who were champions in 2023 and 2024 — which includes Jamaican internationals Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling. Heffernan has been an integral part of the Steel over the past eight seasons, playing 101 ANZ Premiership games — all for the Steel — since her debut in 2018. Heffernan received her international call-up in 2022 and has since earned 39 caps, including playing at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Netball World Cup in South Africa. Since the changes to NNZ eligibility criteria, Heffernan is the fourth Silver Fern confirmed to play in Australia next year. Midcourter Maddy Gordon has signed with the Queensland Firebirds and goal keep Kelly Jackson also signed with the Brisbane team earlier in the week. Shooter Grace Nweke had re-signed with the NSW Swifts for 2026, after being named the team's MVP in her inaugural Super Netball season this year.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Aniq eyes gold in India for ticket to Glasgow Commonwealth Games
NATIONAL weightlifter Mohamad Aniq Kasdan is aiming to qualify on merit for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games next year. Mohamad Aniq, an Olympian, said that to realise his dream, he needs to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in India this August. 'If I want to qualify on merit (for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games), I really need to win gold in the qualification round this August (to automatically qualify). 'If I don't get (gold), I have to compete again at another championship next year to get a ticket to the Commonwealth Games,' he told Bernama. Meanwhile, Aniq said that he is targeting a total lift of 285 kg, with 125 kg in the snatch discipline and 160-165 kg (clean and jerk) in the India championship. 'I don't want to target too much in this championship because I have just recovered from a right shoulder (ligament) injury. In fact, the injury is 70-80 per cent healed and what is important to me is to qualify on merit for the Commonwealth Games,' he said. For the record, Aniq was the gold medallist in the 55 kg weightlifting category at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
India.com
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Happy Birthday Lockie Ferguson: All About New Zealand Fast Bowlers Love Story With Wife Emma Komocki
photoDetails english 2915356 Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand pace bowler and RCB star, recently married Emma Komocki, a British-born physiotherapist with an impressive career in sports medicine. The couple tied the knot on February 2, 2024, at a private ceremony in Waiheke Island, New Zealand. Emma, who moved to New Zealand in 2019, has worked with elite teams like Auckland Hearts, the New Zealand U19s, and Hockey NZ's Black Sticks. Despite Lockie's cricket fame, Emma keeps a low profile on social media. Their love story stands out for its privacy, mutual respect, and a strong foundation built on professional passion and emotional support. Updated:Jun 13, 2025, 12:08 PM IST 1. Emma Komocki: The Silent Force Behind Ferguson's Fast Bowling 1 / 20 Lockie Ferguson's wife, Emma Komocki, plays a vital off-field role in his cricketing career, offering unwavering emotional support and professional guidance as a qualified physiotherapist. 2. A Global Career in Sports Medicine 2 / 20 Emma's physiotherapy journey spans the UK and New Zealand, establishing her as a leading figure in elite sports care—making her more than just the "wife of a cricketer." 3. New Zealand Star Lockie Ferguson's Better Half Is a Sports Specialist 3 / 20 Emma has worked with top-tier teams like Auckland Hearts and the New Zealand Black Sticks, proving her impact in high-performance sports medicine is both respected and inspiring. 4. Love Story Blossomed Away from the Limelight 4 / 20 Despite Lockie Ferguson's cricket stardom, the couple kept their romance under wraps until their wedding in February 2024, emphasizing privacy over publicity—a rare move in today's social media age. 5. A Dream Wedding in Waiheke Island 5 / 20 The duo tied the knot at the scenic Man O' War Wine Estate in New Zealand, adding a romantic destination wedding to the list of cricket-celebrity nuptials that fans adore. 6. Emma's Minimal Social Media Footprint Sparks Curiosity 6 / 20 Unlike many WAGs of international cricketers, Emma keeps a low profile on Instagram, making her life an intriguing subject for fans who follow Lockie Ferguson's updates. 7. When Cricket Meets Healthcare: A Power Couple Dynamic 7 / 20 Emma's medical expertise and Lockie's athleticism combine to make them a sports power couple, showing how behind every fast bowler is a strong and skilled partner. 8. Emma Komocki's Work at Commonwealth Games & National Teams 8 / 20 Her credentials include stints at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and roles with British Athletics, showing her sports physiotherapy career is as noteworthy as her relationship. 9. Fans Curious About Lockie Ferguson's Married Life 9 / 20 Search queries like 'Who is Lockie Ferguson's wife?' and 'Emma Komocki Instagram' continue to trend, highlighting growing public interest in this dynamic duo's love story. 10. A Partnership Built on Purpose and Passion 10 / 20 Lockie and Emma's bond goes beyond traditional romance—it's a blend of shared values, career ambition, and mutual respect, making theirs a story that resonates with fans worldwide. 11 / 20 12 / 20 13 / 20 14 / 20 15 / 20 16 / 20 17 / 20 18 / 20 19 / 20 20 / 20
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Business Standard
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Harmeet Desai eyes 2026 Asian Games, begins preparations with UTT
Two-time CWG champion Harmeet Desai is focussed on a podium finish at next year's Asian Games in Japan and will use the sixth season of Ultimate Table Tennis, which will feature many accomplished players, to kick-start his preparations for the continent event. Desai, currently ranked 66th in the world, bagged gold medals in men's team event at the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. He also has a bronze medal in men's doubles at Gold Coast and a bronze at the men's team event in 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. "I don't like to predict so much. I am just taking it step by step, at the moment I am just focussing on UTT," Desai, who will be turning out for two-time champions Goa Challengers in the eight-team UTT, told PTI. "Definitely more important tournaments are coming. Next is Slovenia WTT tournament, Asian Games is also lined up next year so my focus is on to that as of now. "The UTT is a great platform to start my preparations for the Asian Games as many world champions, Asian champions and Olympians are participating in the event," he added. Goa Challengers are two-time defending champions, having won the title in 2023 and 2024 and are eyeing a hat-trick of crowns. He feels the league has changed the face of the sport in India. It began in 2017 but because of COVID two seasons didn't happen. "If you see the graph of Indian table tennis it has risen a lot. We used to be ranked around No.30 in the world but now we came up to top-10 in the recent past," Desai said. "In the last Olympics both the teams qualified for the very first time. We have been winning medals at the Asian Championships, Commonwealth Games. So many players have entered into top-100 in world rankings. "The juniors have been really doing well. Senior women team got into top-25 in the world rankings. These kind of things never happened before, so all credit goes to UTT because it gave us exposure to learn from foreign players, foreign coaches," he added. Desai, who is from Surat, is excited to play in his home state, which is hosting the tournament for the first time. "It's first UTT season in Gujarat, my home state, so I am really excited to perform before home fans. So it's a big opportunity to inspire youngsters who are taking table tennis as a future prospect. "It will great platform youngsters of Gujarat to watch international players, including 32 Olympians," he noted. The sixth season of UTT will be held at the EKA Arena here from May 31 till June 15.
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Aniq wary of new threats following weight class revision
KUALA LUMPUR: National weightlifter Aniq Kasdan is expecting to face a new set of rivals when he begins competing in the new under-60 kilogramme weight class later this year. Aniq previously competed in the under-61kg category and did well to finish fourth at the Paris Olympics last year. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has, however, conducted a revision of weight classes in the sport which will come into effect on June 1. Aniq's under-61kg class has been replaced with an under-60kg category while the under-55kg class has been removed completely. "I am sure there will be new contenders in this under-60kg class because it is now the smallest weight class available," said Aniq recently. "Those who previously competed in the under-55kg class will definitely move up to under-60kg. "I can roughly guess which nations will be dangerous in this new under-60kg division. China will obviously be strong and so will North Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. "We will have to wait until the World Championships in Norway (Oct 2-11) to get a clearer picture. By then we can start to crunch the numbers and get a clearer picture of what we need to finish in the top-four (in global competitions). "It is tricky because it appears like they (IWF) are making changes to the weight classes every two Olympic cycles, so we have to be ready to adjust." Aniq had previously competed in the under-55kg class and won silver (clean and jerk) at the 2021 World Championships and gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in the division. He stepped up to the under-61kg class in 2023 and won bronze (clean and jerk) at the World Championships that year and two silvers (clean and jerk, overall) at the world meet last year. The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in India (Aug 24-30) will be Aniq's first competition in the under-60kg class. The meet will also serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
