Latest news with #LarsHamer
South China Morning Post
07-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
How I went from being afraid of the deep to completing a 1.5km swim race in Hong Kong
Until 18 months ago, I could not swim. Actually, I would go so far as saying I was terrified of deep water. But, this week, I completed my first 1.5-kilometre open-water swim race at Hong Kong's Deep Water Bay. Advertisement It may seem strange for a 32-year-old who covers sport for the Post to be unable to swim, but I am not alone. According to Splash Foundation, almost half of the city's children cannot do so – a figure that is similar for adults and even higher among domestic workers. I decided, after a knee injury ruled out many forms of cardiovascular exercise, that the time had come to conquer my fear of the deep. 'Forty-seven per cent of secondary school kids live without the ability [to swim],' said Simon Holliday, the foundation's co-founder. 'And among the migrant domestic worker population, it is probably 70 or 80 per cent. So, huge numbers can't swim, and all they need is the opportunity, which is what Splash tries to do.' My fear stemmed from a swimming lesson at school in my hometown of Sheffield, England, when I was around five years old. For some reason, I panicked when in the deep end, started thrashing around and had to be pulled out by a lifeguard. Sport writer Lars Hamer, who is 32, only recently learned to swim. Photo: Jonathan Wong That 30-second episode meant that for more than two decades I could not even put my head under water in the bath, let alone contemplate swimming 1,500 metres in the ocean.
South China Morning Post
25-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
FPL Gameweek 34: Mohamed Salah to clinch Liverpool's title, give Cole Palmer another chance
This weekend could see matters both at the top and bottom of the Premier League resolved. Advertisement As for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, the main issue to contend with in Gameweek 34 is the blanks for Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. This comes hot on the heels of a Double Gameweek, so changes will be necessary as we close in on the final stretch of the campaign. I'm filling in today for my esteemed colleague, Lars Hamer, who's had quite the past few weeks in FPL. But let's get down to why you're really here. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca gives instructions to Cole Palmer (right). Photo: Reuters With two of the top three not in action, the highest-scoring players will surely come from either Liverpool or Newcastle United.
South China Morning Post
05-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Fantasy Premier League: Southampton set for the drop, managers face double jeopardy
Things are starting to get real in the Premier League. Southampton could have their relegation to the Championship confirmed on Sunday night, Liverpool could wrap up their title bid by the end of the month, and FPL managers are gearing for Double Gameweek 32 and 33. Advertisement Gameweek 31's deadline is Saturday at 6pm Hong Kong time, so we've put together a handy guide on how to handle this weekend and the crucial closing stages of the season. Gameweek 31 tips Gameweek 31 could be a high-scoring affair as managers can load their teams with popular FPL picks who are facing the three promoted sides. A triple-up on Newcastle players is a popular choice, given they face Leicester before games against Manchester United and Crystal Palace in Gameweek 32. An injury to Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert means Lars Hamer's team essentially picks itself this week. Photo: DPA Nick Pope (£4.9m), Jacob Murphy (£5.0m) and Alexander Isak (£9.5m) are the best picks, but Kieran Trippier (£5.6m) could be a great differential. The defender is only owned by 4.2 per cent of players, and has started the past two games. Advertisement He currently has a knock and could miss the game, but if his injury is only minor, given Newcastle's other injury woes, expect him to be in the starting XI going forward.
South China Morning Post
30-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Sevens: Argentina win first title, Kiwi women bag historic treble
This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP's journalism by subscribing . New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Sevens comes to a conclusion on Sunday, and there is sure to be as much interest in what happens off the pitch as on it. Saturday was not a good one for Kai Tak Sports Park, and the dismissive manner with which they handled people's complaints over a lack of food and drink is not likely to be forgotten in a hurry. It was a bad day for New Zealand's men too, who had their hopes of a historic third consecutive win in the city ended in the quarter-finals by France. HSBC SVNS Series and Olympic champions, the European side have never won in Hong Kong, and they are still waiting after losing to Argentina in the final on Sunday. Before that, the Black Ferns Sevens completed a historic treble with their win over Australia, and the city's teams have won their Melrose Claymores titles. It's day 3 at Kai Tak Stadium, follow us for live coverage of all the action as it happens. More from our reporting: Reporting by Lars Hamer, Mike Chan, Paul McNamara, Oscar Liu, Lo Hoi-ying, Connor Mycroft, Josh Ball, Tom Bell, Andrew Cesare Richardson and Shah Sahari.
South China Morning Post
28-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Sevens live: big wins for Australia women, Great Britain men on day 1 at Kai Tak
This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP's journalism by subscribing . New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Honestly, it feels as though we've been talking about this day for months, which, when you think about it, we have. Through the test events, the dark days of December and the last Sevens in Causeway Bay, everything has been building up to this. The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens has finally reached Kai Tak Sports Park, the shining jewel in the city's entertainment crown and for the next three days the centre of all our attention. There are 26 games on Friday, starting with Japan and Canada's women, an opening ceremony with lasers, a fan village, and 43,000 fans expected through the gates. So, follow us for live coverage of day one. More from our reporting: Reporting by Lars Hamer, Mike Chan, Paul McNamara, Harvey Kong, Wynna Wong, Jiang Chuqin.
