Latest news with #LJ
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Local Olympic athlete targets ‘sneaky' podium finish at Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K
Pretoria's Olympic marathon runner, Irvette van Zyl, will celebrate her Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K debut on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Known for her fearless front-running, Van Zyl's participation adds an exciting local star presence to the Tshwane leg of South Africa's iconic road running series. After earning a gold medal on her Comrades Marathon debut in June, Van Zyl is shifting her focus to shorter distances as she works on regaining her 10km speed in the second half of 2025. The four-time Olympian has confirmed her entry for the Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K, which forms part of her build-up towards a standard marathon later this year. Van Zyl, who impressively finished fourth at The Ultimate Human Race on 8 June, said she is feeling better than expected as she transitions back to faster-paced racing. 'The body was lekker eina after Comrades. It took four days to start walking normal again and then I only started running again after ten days of full rest. The first two weeks back was slow and my body just felt so fragile. But after that every week went better and better. I have had a good four weeks of introducing speed again and every session has been going better. I'm very pleased with where I am right now mentally and physically,' she said with a smile. The Hollywood Athletics Club ace demonstrated just how well her training has been going with an encouraging 34:42 to claim ninth position at the recent SPAR Women's 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park in Centurion. That performance in addition to the excitement of running her very first Absa Absa Run Your City Series race in her hometown, has left the 38-year-old bullish about the prospect of ending up on the podium on a hilly course which favours her strengths. 'I'm really excited to do this year's Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K because last year I tore my hamstring post Olympics and I really wanted to do the race. I was entered but I had to make the call two days before not to run. But my husband LJ (Van Zyl) ran and he made me so jealous on the day because he had an amazing time on the roads. Being out there last year to see all the ladies run such good races motivated me. I'm really looking forward to being part of it this year and hopefully I can sneak in a top three position,' she remarked. Van Zyl's husband LJ who won a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships over 400m hurdles, will also run again as he tries to break the 40 minute barrier. Irvette says this is what makes the race so special for the Van Zyls – it takes place right in their backyard and ends up being a memorable outing for the entire family. 'Seeing that Tshwane is my hometown, I don't even have to go anywhere. The race is on my front stoep. We'll see if we take the kids with because we did last year, but I wasn't running whereas this year both LJ and I are running. It's going to be a good day out, racing hard and soaking up the vibes. I'm really excited,' she explained. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Lauren James has ‘something special' to inspire England
The defending champions bounced back from a disappointing tournament-opening defeat to France with an emphatic 4-0 win, and will now reach the quarter-finals if they beat Wales in St Gallen on Sunday night. Chelsea forward James only returned from a three-month hamstring lay-off in late June but, moved out wide on Wednesday night, reminded everyone watching how capable a catalyst she is. LJ ⚽️⚽️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 9, 2025 'We know we just need to get LJ the ball in dangerous positions and there could be a goal from anything,' said James' Chelsea team-mate Bronze. 'She's probably the best player in this entire tournament for something special. 'There's a lot of special players in this tournament. I know the likes of (Alexia) Putellas and (Aitana) Bonmati, a huge amount of talented players, but LJ's got that something special. 'She's only young, she's not at 100 per cent yet, so hopefully we get through the tournament and she just keeps getting better and better.' Just the second England player, after Ellen White, to net braces at both the World Cup and Euros. Lauren James 👏🌟 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 10, 2025 James opened the scoring with a stunning top-corner strike, then added a second at the hour mark, becoming just the second England player after Ellen White to net braces at both the World Cup and the Euros. The 23-year-old was also involved in England's second goal, delivering the free-kick that ultimately led to Georgia Stanway firing the Lionesses out to a 2-0 lead at the break. Ella Toone made it four in the 67th minute, when Alessia Russo also added a third assist. Brighton forward Nikita Parris, part of Sarina Wiegman's Euro 2022-winning squad, told the BBC: 'There's no ceiling on her talent – we're looking at a potential global star', while Russo said James 'creates something out of nothing'. Toone told BBC Radio 5 Live James was 'the most chilled person I've ever met, ever played with', a sentiment shared by defender Jess Carter, who told the broadcaster: 'There is pressure on her to perform but the best players thrive under pressure and that's what Lauren does. 'She's a phenomenal player and we all know that she's an incredible talent and I'm glad she's on my team.' Stanway agreed James brings 'something different to what we have got', but pointed out to BBC One: 'Everyone has to do their job in order for LJ to do hers.' Among those doing their bit was goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who provided a superb long pass to Russo in the build-up to James' opener, described by the Arsenal striker as 'unreal'. Bronze, Hampton's clubmate at Chelsea, added: 'Yeah, I mean, we know how talented Hannah is. Obviously I play with her every single day, so I know that she's got that ability. 'She's still a very young player as well, so she's still kind of learning the trade. But we can see it in training, the passes she makes. 'She does it a lot in games actually as well, but that one was obviously really special today and it really got the team going and gave a lot of people confidence.'
South Wales Guardian
10-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Lauren James has ‘something special' to inspire England
The defending champions bounced back from a disappointing tournament-opening defeat to France with an emphatic 4-0 win, and will now reach the quarter-finals if they beat Wales in St Gallen on Sunday night. Chelsea forward James only returned from a three-month hamstring lay-off in late June but, moved out wide on Wednesday night, reminded everyone watching how capable a catalyst she is. LJ ⚽️⚽️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 9, 2025 'We know we just need to get LJ the ball in dangerous positions and there could be a goal from anything,' said James' Chelsea team-mate Bronze. 'She's probably the best player in this entire tournament for something special. 'There's a lot of special players in this tournament. I know the likes of (Alexia) Putellas and (Aitana) Bonmati, a huge amount of talented players, but LJ's got that something special. 'She's only young, she's not at 100 per cent yet, so hopefully we get through the tournament and she just keeps getting better and better.' Just the second England player, after Ellen White, to net braces at both the World Cup and Euros. Lauren James 👏🌟 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 10, 2025 James opened the scoring with a stunning top-corner strike, then added a second at the hour mark, becoming just the second England player after Ellen White to net braces at both the World Cup and the Euros. The 23-year-old was also involved in England's second goal, delivering the free-kick that ultimately led to Georgia Stanway firing the Lionesses out to a 2-0 lead at the break. Ella Toone made it four in the 67th minute, when Alessia Russo also added a third assist. Brighton forward Nikita Parris, part of Sarina Wiegman's Euro 2022-winning squad, told the BBC: 'There's no ceiling on her talent – we're looking at a potential global star', while Russo said James 'creates something out of nothing'. Toone told BBC Radio 5 Live James was 'the most chilled person I've ever met, ever played with', a sentiment shared by defender Jess Carter, who told the broadcaster: 'There is pressure on her to perform but the best players thrive under pressure and that's what Lauren does. 'She's a phenomenal player and we all know that she's an incredible talent and I'm glad she's on my team.' Stanway agreed James brings 'something different to what we have got', but pointed out to BBC One: 'Everyone has to do their job in order for LJ to do hers.' Among those doing their bit was goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who provided a superb long pass to Russo in the build-up to James' opener, described by the Arsenal striker as 'unreal'. Bronze, Hampton's clubmate at Chelsea, added: 'Yeah, I mean, we know how talented Hannah is. Obviously I play with her every single day, so I know that she's got that ability. 'She's still a very young player as well, so she's still kind of learning the trade. But we can see it in training, the passes she makes. 'She does it a lot in games actually as well, but that one was obviously really special today and it really got the team going and gave a lot of people confidence.'
Rhyl Journal
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Lauren James has ‘something special' to inspire England
The defending champions bounced back from a disappointing tournament-opening defeat to France with an emphatic 4-0 win, and will now reach the quarter-finals if they beat Wales in St Gallen on Sunday night. Chelsea forward James only returned from a three-month hamstring lay-off in late June but, moved out wide on Wednesday night, reminded everyone watching how capable a catalyst she is. LJ ⚽️⚽️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 9, 2025 'We know we just need to get LJ the ball in dangerous positions and there could be a goal from anything,' said James' Chelsea team-mate Bronze. 'She's probably the best player in this entire tournament for something special. 'There's a lot of special players in this tournament. I know the likes of (Alexia) Putellas and (Aitana) Bonmati, a huge amount of talented players, but LJ's got that something special. 'She's only young, she's not at 100 per cent yet, so hopefully we get through the tournament and she just keeps getting better and better.' Just the second England player, after Ellen White, to net braces at both the World Cup and Euros. Lauren James 👏🌟 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 10, 2025 James opened the scoring with a stunning top-corner strike, then added a second at the hour mark, becoming just the second England player after Ellen White to net braces at both the World Cup and the Euros. The 23-year-old was also involved in England's second goal, delivering the free-kick that ultimately led to Georgia Stanway firing the Lionesses out to a 2-0 lead at the break. Ella Toone made it four in the 67th minute, when Alessia Russo also added a third assist. Brighton forward Nikita Parris, part of Sarina Wiegman's Euro 2022-winning squad, told the BBC: 'There's no ceiling on her talent – we're looking at a potential global star', while Russo said James 'creates something out of nothing'. Toone told BBC Radio 5 Live James was 'the most chilled person I've ever met, ever played with', a sentiment shared by defender Jess Carter, who told the broadcaster: 'There is pressure on her to perform but the best players thrive under pressure and that's what Lauren does. 'She's a phenomenal player and we all know that she's an incredible talent and I'm glad she's on my team.' Stanway agreed James brings 'something different to what we have got', but pointed out to BBC One: 'Everyone has to do their job in order for LJ to do hers.' Among those doing their bit was goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who provided a superb long pass to Russo in the build-up to James' opener, described by the Arsenal striker as 'unreal'. Bronze, Hampton's clubmate at Chelsea, added: 'Yeah, I mean, we know how talented Hannah is. Obviously I play with her every single day, so I know that she's got that ability. 'She's still a very young player as well, so she's still kind of learning the trade. But we can see it in training, the passes she makes. 'She does it a lot in games actually as well, but that one was obviously really special today and it really got the team going and gave a lot of people confidence.'
Glasgow Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Lauren James has ‘something special' to inspire England
The defending champions bounced back from a disappointing tournament-opening defeat to France with an emphatic 4-0 win, and will now reach the quarter-finals if they beat Wales in St Gallen on Sunday night. Chelsea forward James only returned from a three-month hamstring lay-off in late June but, moved out wide on Wednesday night, reminded everyone watching how capable a catalyst she is. 'We know we just need to get LJ the ball in dangerous positions and there could be a goal from anything,' said James' Chelsea team-mate Bronze. 'She's probably the best player in this entire tournament for something special. 'There's a lot of special players in this tournament. I know the likes of (Alexia) Putellas and (Aitana) Bonmati, a huge amount of talented players, but LJ's got that something special. 'She's only young, she's not at 100 per cent yet, so hopefully we get through the tournament and she just keeps getting better and better.' Just the second England player, after Ellen White, to net braces at both the World Cup and Euros. Lauren James 👏🌟 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 10, 2025 James opened the scoring with a stunning top-corner strike, then added a second at the hour mark, becoming just the second England player after Ellen White to net braces at both the World Cup and the Euros. The 23-year-old was also involved in England's second goal, delivering the free-kick that ultimately led to Georgia Stanway firing the Lionesses out to a 2-0 lead at the break. Ella Toone made it four in the 67th minute, when Alessia Russo also added a third assist. Brighton forward Nikita Parris, part of Sarina Wiegman's Euro 2022-winning squad, told the BBC: 'There's no ceiling on her talent – we're looking at a potential global star', while Russo said James 'creates something out of nothing'. Toone told BBC Radio 5 Live James was 'the most chilled person I've ever met, ever played with', a sentiment shared by defender Jess Carter, who told the broadcaster: 'There is pressure on her to perform but the best players thrive under pressure and that's what Lauren does. 'She's a phenomenal player and we all know that she's an incredible talent and I'm glad she's on my team.' Stanway agreed James brings 'something different to what we have got', but pointed out to BBC One: 'Everyone has to do their job in order for LJ to do hers.' Among those doing their bit was goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who provided a superb long pass to Russo in the build-up to James' opener, described by the Arsenal striker as 'unreal'. Hampton's outstanding pass was instrumental in the opener (Nick Potts/PA) Bronze, Hampton's clubmate at Chelsea, added: 'Yeah, I mean, we know how talented Hannah is. Obviously I play with her every single day, so I know that she's got that ability. 'She's still a very young player as well, so she's still kind of learning the trade. But we can see it in training, the passes she makes. 'She does it a lot in games actually as well, but that one was obviously really special today and it really got the team going and gave a lot of people confidence.'
