Latest news with #Judo
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Netflix star of Fool Me Once to star in new BBC series
The Powys star of hit Netflix show Fool Me Once will be starring in a new BBC feel-good series which boasts a top tier cast. Laurie Kynaston, who hails from Llanfyllin, is currently filming in Dublin a six-part series based on the award-winning, bestselling novel Leonard and Hungry Paul. The story follows two unique board-gaming friends meandering through leafy suburban life, charting a story about Judo, ancient Rome, first loves, and the expansion of the Universe. Laurie, 31, stars alongside Derry Girls ' Jamie-Lee O'Donnell and The End of the F***ing World's Alex Lawther in the series which has been filmed throughout May in Ireland. "Having the time of me little life over in Dublin with this lot," Laurie shared in a post on social media which was liked by fellow Fool Me Once star Michelle Keegan. "Leonard and Hungry Paul are fantastic people and we couldn't be making this show with a better bunch." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laurie Kynaston (@lauriekynaston) The former Llanfyllin High School pupil has been hailed as an emerging talent after winning an Evening Standard Theatre Award for his performance in The Son and also receiving a WhatsOnStage Award nomination. Most recently, he has starred in Harlen Coben's Fool Me Once mystery-drama Netflix mini-series alongside Dame Joanna Lumley and in the Disney+ drama about Anne Franks, A Small Light. In 2015, Laurie returned to Llanfyllin High School to take acting workshops with several drama students and visit his drama teacher Mandy Saunders who described her former student as 'always hardworking and disciplined' who paid 'meticulous attention to detail'. 'It is wonderful to see how his hard work has paid off and we are all so proud of his success- he deserves it!' she added. Llanfyllin High School also boasts an Oscar winner among its former pupils. Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain-raised cinematographer Lol Crawley won the prestigious award for his work in the epic period drama The Brutalist starring Adrien Brody. Speaking about Leonard and Hungry Paul, Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland, said : 'This series promises something special and is full of charm and poignant moments that encapsulate ordinary life. 'With a stellar cast bringing this acclaimed novel to the screen, it will make an exciting addition to BBC Northern Ireland's offering this year.'
Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Rasha Thadani has ‘first Dan rank' in Taekwondo, reveals Raveena
Actress Raveena Tandon revealed that her actress-daughter Rasha Thadani, whom she lovingly calls her 'Lakshmi', has a first Dan rank in Taekwondo. Raveena was in conversation with Farah Khan on the latter's Youtube channel. While giving a tour of her sustainable home, which has furniture made out of recycled wood, Raveena showcased a wall with the belts, which included a red, green and black. Raveena said: 'She is a first Dan First Dan Taekwondo She is a Dan.' In martial arts, a 1st Dan rank signifies the beginning of black belt level. It's the first level of a black belt, indicating that the individual has achieved a certain level of mastery and expertise. Farah said: 'My children also did Judo but after Blue Belt I think they left.' Raveena then showcased her son Ranbir's autograph collection and CDs, which are not available. She also showed a photo frame featuring Rasha's tiny footprints. The frame was put on the door. Revealing the reason, Raveena said: 'Look at my Laxmi's leg. Who is my Laxmi? Rasha. When a girl is born Laxmi is born in the house. If you keep her leg's mark on the door it will be good.' Further into the conversation, Raveena revealed that she was only allowed to go out with Farah, when she was young. 'The first time I went to a disco was when I was allowed, it was with Farah.' Raveena made her acting debut in the 1991 action film 'Patthar Ke Phool.' She established herself with films such as 'Dilwale,' 'Mohra,' 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi,' 'Ziddi,' and 'Laadla.' She will next be seen in 'Housefull 5' directed by Tarun Mansukhani. Meanwhile Rasha has recreated her mother's iconic track 'Chalo Ishq Ladaye' with actor Vedang Raina. The 'Sky Force' actor Veer Pahariya also reacted to their collaboration. In the comment section, Veer Pahariya called Rasha Thadani 'Heroine No.1,' expressing admiration towards the newcomer's screen presence and fluid dance moves. Rasha and Vedang teamed up for a skincare brand for its advertisement. Now that the audience has seen Vedang and Rasha's team up over an advertisement, they desire to watch Veer Pahariya and Rasha Thadani collaborate for a film, whether rom-com or thriller or comedy, and ignite the screens with their chemistry and believability as fresh faces. While Rasha Thadani made her way into Bollywood with 'Azaad,' Veer Pahariya made his debut with 'Sky Force,' which turned out to be a rather unconventional choice. Picking a patriotic role for a first film seems an uneasy task, however, Veer Pahariya's passion and hard work made it believable and sincere. The positive reviews and word of mouth further establish the fact that he's here to stay. 'Azaad' also marked the acting debut of Ajay Devgn's nephew, Aaman Devgan. Set in 1920s India, 'Azaad' sheds light on the life of a young stable boy who bonds with a spirited horse. The film also has Ajay Devgn, and Diana Penty in crucial roles. Indo-Asian News Service
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Olympian Filzmoser journeys from Khi to K2
If determination had a face, it would look like Austrian judoka and four-time Olympian Sabrina Filzmoser's as she cycled her way to Rahim Yar Khan amidst the heatwave that has gripped Pakistan. The retired judoka is on a mission to spread the message of peace and cycling from Karachi to K2 as a part of Judo for Peace expedition. "Alhamdulillah, our Judo legend reached Kot Sabzal, Punjab. It is a small town in the Rahim Yar Khan District, located near the provincial border of Punjab and Sindh," was the message that the Pakistan Judo Federation secretary sent this correspondent, very proudly, as he has been one of the key figures in the organisation encourage women athletes to do more, and he sees Filzmoser's efforts as a way to inspire Pakistanis too. The 44-year-old judoka arrived in Pakistan on May 21, marking the first day of her journey that is aimed at covering sea level to Skardu and onward to the K2 base camp, from where she plans to ascent towards the world's second-highest peak. On her first day, she held a press conference with Pakistan Olympic Association and Sindh Association welcoming her, while she took to the seaview and Jinnah Mousoleum as well accompanied by local judokas and security personal. "Filzmoser is an amazingly brave woman, and she was here in 2023 last time too," Ahmed explained. " This is her mission and her aim, but we as a judo federation are supporting her, we promised to welcome her when we met her abroad. "When she climbed Mount Everest a few years back, and she did that in collaboration with the Nepalese Judo Federation as well. She also started an Everest club at the highest altitude there and she helped them with mats and establishing the club. She wanted to raise the flag of Judo for Peace there. So because of her initiatives and her dedication the International Judo Federation (IJF) has appointed her as climate ambassador. She is also the chairperson of the IJF Athlete Commission. She has been a versatile individual, she is a pilot, worked in the police, as a medical professional, and also won bronze medals at the Olympics. Since she is a member of the judo family, so we are facilitating her with documentation etc, but she hired her own guide, Karakorum, Expeditions, she has funded them and contacted them on her. But we wrote letters to the IGPs of all the provinces for her security, we have spoken to DIGs. We did the same when she came to Pakistan in 2023. "She wanted to start her sea-level to K2 tour two years ago as well. We met her in Abu Dhabi, in Hungary, and before that in Japan at the IJF meets, when she expressed her desire to come to Pakistan, which was a very good thing, I thought. She wanted to come here and train our local players too. "In 2023, she wanted to do this, but we told her that the security situation was not suitable at the time. However, she was very insistent so we had to tell the embassy of her country to tell her not to come here, but still, she decided that she would directly land in Islamabad and cycle through to Abbottabad and then to K2 base camp. She made a cycling club and a club for judo and trained with local athletes as well. She presented her bicycle to the women cyclists at the end of the journey. She went all the way up to the top of K2, but she aimed to cycle from sea level, from Karachi to K2. So she has returned to Pakistan with that aim." Ahmed praised Filzmoser for training the youth in Hyderabad too once she reached there on May 22. She is documenting her journey and interacting with people on the road. She was even willing to go through Moro in Sindh which was not clear for security till May 22. But she carried on her journey to Sukkur as well despite the heat. "Its 52C now for lunchtime between Hyderabad and Sukkur, Sindh area, the village name is Kandyaro. 220km done, 100km to go, already eight hour on the cycle," was the update shared by Ahmed on May 23. According to the press release by PJF on Saturday: After an overnight rest in Rahimyar Khan, the first city of Punjab Province on her route, Filzmoser is scheduled to continue her journey northward, aiming to arrive in Lahore on May 28. Speaking to the media, she described Pakistan as a safe and beautiful country with unmatched hospitality.
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Derry Girls star cast in new BBC TV series, Leonard and Hungry Paul
Derry Girls star Jamie-Lee O'Donnell is set to star in a new BBC series, Leonard and Hungry Paul. The actress will star alongside Fool Me Once actor Laurie Kynaston and The End of the F***ing World star Alex Lawther in the six-part TV series. The show is an adaptation of Irish author Rónán Hession's acclaimed novel of the same name and is currently filming in Dublin. O'Donnell said she was "delighted to be part of a wonderful story, with a gorgeous cast and crew." The story follows "two unique board-gaming friends meandering through leafy suburban life, charting a story about Judo, ancient Rome, first loves, and the expansion of the Universe". Andrew Chaplin, known for the TV series The Full Monty and Alma's Not Normal, will direct from scripts by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson. Chaplin said of the series: "At a time when most shows involve dragons, detectives, or existential dread, Leonard and Hungry Paul takes a slower route - through kindness, the quiet gravity of small things, and the occasional game of backgammon. "Proof that not all heroes shout - some just know when to stay quiet." Novelist Hession added: "I am delighted to see Leonard and Hungry Paul being adapted for the screen. "It's a real privilege as a writer to see my work being brought to life in a different creative form."
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell to star in TV adaptation of Leonard and Hungry Paul
Derry Girls star Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Fool Me Once actor Laurie Kynaston and The End of the F***ing World star Alex Lawther have been announced as the leading cast for the upcoming TV series Leonard and Hungry Paul. The six-part series, which is an adaptation of Irish author Rónán Hession's acclaimed novel of the same name, is currently filming in Dublin. The story follows "two unique board-gaming friends meandering through leafy suburban life, charting a story about Judo, ancient Rome, first loves, and the expansion of the Universe". Andrew Chaplin, known for the TV series The Full Monty and Alma's Not Normal, will direct from scripts by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson. Chaplin said of the series: "At a time when most shows involve dragons, detectives, or existential dread, Leonard and Hungry Paul takes a slower route - through kindness, the quiet gravity of small things, and the occasional game of backgammon. "Proof that not all heroes shout - some just know when to stay quiet." Leading star O'Donnell said she was "delighted to be part of a wonderful story, with a gorgeous cast and crew." Novelist Hession added: "I am delighted to see Leonard and Hungry Paul being adapted for the screen. "It's a real privilege as a writer to see my work being brought to life in a different creative form." Independent production company Subotica is producing for BBC Northern Ireland in association with BBC Comedy, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and RTÉ, with Avalon co-producing and distributing internationally.
