Latest news with #TournamentFinals
Time Out
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
A free pickleball extravaganza is coming to Union Square next week
Union Square is about to trade in its chessboards and farmers market stalls for something a little bouncier: Pickleball, America's "fastest-growing sport," is headed to 14th Street for the third year. On Thursday, August 21, CityPicklePalooza will take over the North Plaza with two pro-level courts and a full day of free fun. Part of Union Square Partnership's Free Summer Programming, CityPickle's pros are teaming up with Major League Pickleball to transform the public plaza into a full-on sports and social hub. From 9am to 6pm, anyone can grab a paddle and jump into the action, no matter their skill level. That being said, newbies might want to start with the instructional clinic, while children aged 9 to 12 receive their own dedicated sessions. More advanced picklers can step up to compete in the MLP Beat the Pros Challenge to match their skill set against that of some of the sport's top players. And if you just want to have fun with friends, you can sign up for open play time. Not everything has to be a competition! You also don't have to play pickleball at all to enjoy the day. There will be pop-ups and sampling stations from brands like N!CK's, RYZE, DoorDash, Playkout, Juice Plus, Electrolit, Dig Inn and Franklin to keep you refreshed. Expect games, giveaways and plenty of surprises; in Union Square, anything can (and usually does) happen. And if you're looking to score in more than just pickleball, the 'Down to Flirt' social mixer starts at 4pm and offers the chance to make some new connections—and maybe even a post-event date. CityPicklePalooza serves as the perfect pre-game for Major League Pickleball's Tournament Finals, happening August 22–24 at Central Park's Wollman Rink. Whether you're a seasoned player, just curious or in it for the free samples and people-watching, this is the kind of summer-in-the-city moment worth braving the steamy Union Square subway platforms for. Court slot reservations open up on the CityPickle app beginning at noon on August 14, so be sure to book ASAP. This is NYC, after all—even pickleball courts are prime real estate.
IOL News
11-08-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Unorthodox Patrick Ocheme offers high praise for Mohamed Camara after PFL Joburg
Patrick Ocheme (7-1) defeated Mohamed Camara (5-3-1) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28) in the main event of PFL Africa this past weekend. Picture: PFLAfrica Image: PFLAfrica Nigeria's Featherweight star Patrick Ocheme (7-1) showcased his maturity and composure against the resilient Mohamed Camara (5-3-1) in the inaugural PFL Africa Tournament this past weekend. Following an absolute humdinger show in Cape Town last month, the PFL rolled out its second PFL Africa show at Big Top, Carnival City in Johannesburg on Saturday where the Feather and Welterweight athletes got their turn to compete for a spot in the Tournament Finals, that will see the promotion crown its first African champions in Benin at the end of the year. In the main event, Ocheme and Guinea's Camara put on a show befitting of a headliner as these two warriors went toe-to-toe for three rounds. Ocheme eventually walked away victorious via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28) after dominating the exchanges on all fronts. The South African-based Ocheme gave the Joburg crowd a taste of his dynamic and unorthodox style, producing an array of strikes that mixed beautiful elbows, switch kicks, and knees. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Ocheme's Decisive Moment: A Lethal Knee and Elbows Overwhelm Camara in the Second Round In the second round, Ocheme delivered a beautifully timed teep kick to the midsection of Camara, before the latter unleashed some powerful bombs, including a telling left to the head of Ocheme. The Nigerian stayed on point with his reads and timing, and in one decisive moment, he launched with a lethal knee to Camara's body that dropped the Guinean. At that moment, the crowd thought the fight was over as Ocheme overwhelmed the grounded Camara with elbows as the referee kept a beady eye on the situation. 'I thought he was going to quit at that point, but he is an absolute warrior. He earned my respect in there today. When the referee said 'move or defend yourself', he said, 'I am still fine'. 'But I could also see that he was still in there,' said Ocheme of Camara. It has to be said, Mohamed Camara's conditioning is something to admire and strive toward. The man was in impeccable shape and showcased some of the best cardio and control in mixed martial arts, always coming forward with balanced breathing. Camara's Resilience and Ocheme's Triumph in the PFL Africa Featherweight Tournament Even after the adversity faced in the second round, Camara stepped up to the plate in the final five minutes and lifted his tactical game with good head movement, a strong jab, and counters, all from the base of a solid tank. This fight was a textbook example for upcoming athletes and proved yet again that a good gas tank plays an imperative role. In the end, Ocheme remained the sharper athlete with more accuracy, a higher volume, and a higher work rate. 'I never panicked, at any point in the fight,' says Ocheme when asked about the pressure and durability of Camara. 'When my coaches (like Dwain Meredith) are pleased with my preparation in fight camp, then I am happy and confident, regardless of anything. This is the fight game; the wheel can turn at any point, but I always stay positive.' Ocheme, who has been training out of Pandamonium Gym in Johannesburg, South Africa, will now advance to the semi-final of the PFL Africa Featherweight tournament and will face Burkino Faso-born Abdoul Razac Sankara next. While he has recently made South Africa his home, Ocheme still enjoys strong ties with his place of birth and is proud to fly the vertical triband. 'Maybe someday in the future, I would love to represent South Africa as well, but I was born and brought up in Nigeria. I am very proud of my national colours and I have a lot of support from my people back home, from all the kickboxing and MMA gyms and institutions, as well as the athletes. I'm very honored to be representing my country and my gym. It's all the same for me, it's about representing my family and friends.'
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman becomes first manager EVER to reach five international tournament finals in a row
LIONESSES boss Sarina Wiegman has made history after England beat Italy 2-1 to reach the European Championship final on Tuesday night. Wiegman, 55, has become the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach FIVE international tournament finals in a row. 10 10 The Dutch tactician has sensationally led England to three consecutive major finals off the back of the two finals she helped the Netherlands reach during her time as boss of her home nation. While in charge of the Netherlands side, Wiegman led the country to the 2017 Women's Euros and the 2019 Women's World Cup final. Of those two finals the experienced coach tasted success with victory over Denmark in the Euros, but suffered heartbreak in the World Cup final with defeat to the USA. Her time in charge of England has followed a similar pattern. Wiegman took the Lionesses to the Euro 2022 final at Wembley, beating Germany to eventually lift the trophy. While her second major tournament, the World Cup in 2023, saw England fall at the final hurdle with a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain. Now Wiegman has another chance to taste glory as her England side booked yet another final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Italy at Euro 2025. England left it late to overturn a one-goal deficit when super-sub Michelle Agyemang hit a drilled effort in the sixth minute of injury time to force extra-time. 10 10 10 10 While there was even more drama in the additional spell when Chloe Kelly stepped up to take a penalty with just seconds remaining of the game. The Euro 2022 hero saw her spot-kick saved, but was quickest to react as she poked home the rebound and sent the Lionesses through to their third consecutive final. Now Wiegman will be hoping she can translate her fifth final into a third major trophy by setting England up for victory against the winner of Wednesday's semi-final between Germany and Spain. Speaking after her side's late dramatics, Wiegman said of England reaching a third consecutive final: "We've seen so many different England teams now and we never give up. "We say we can win by any means, I think against Sweden [in the quarter-finals] with the penalty shootout we were a bit lucky that they missed two. "I think now we are going for that goal and we take risks, but it gives us something. "This team just keeps going and we never give up". Now the nation - and King Charles - are willing Wiegman and her brave Lionesses over the line to win another major trophy in Sunday's showpiece final in Switzerland. 10 10
