The Fiji Times

Boxer Ali braces for Ravalawa

“I’m built different.” These were the words of local boxer Mohammed Ali, son of local boxing veteran ‘The Razor’ Farzan Ali, in response to Gabriel Ravalawa as they prepare to battle it out in the Super Lightweight contest of the 2023 FMF Boxing Series under Tuwai Boxing Promotions. Mohammed said fans could expect an exciting...

Fiji boxers bag five medals in Samoa

Despite minimal preparation, the Fiji team to the Oceania Boxing Confederation championship in Samoa last week collected two silver and three bronze medals. Taniela Junior Vatunicoko, who fought in the 67-71kg (light middleweight) category, and female boxer Jasmine Daunakamakama who contested in the 63-66kg (welterweight) division both won silver in their respective categories. Joe Kolitapa...

Tacirua downs Colo-i-Suva; off to semis

Tacirua rugby has booked its spot in the Ram Sami Nasinu Rugby Football Union club competition semi-finals after beating a tough Colo-i-Suva side 10-6. Head coach Timoci Tikoisuva said they had to dig deep for the win. “It was a really tough game against our counterparts from Colo-i-Suva. They really pushed us to the wire...

Maroons outclass Marist; coach Malumu impressed

The Nabua Maroons side outclassed their opponents from the Marist Rugby Club by 29-15 in round eight of the Suva Rugby Union FMF Escott Shield competition at Bidesi ground in Laucala Bay yesterday. Maroons coach Jim Malumu said it was a tough clash with the team from Flagstaff but he was happy with the performance...

Thank you coach Noa, mentor and friend

The architect of Fiji women’s rugby rise to stardom, a woman of immense rugby passion and the coach ‘that every woman rugger runs to with their problem’ is no more. That and many others are the solemn words used to describe the great legacy left behind by former national player and coach Elenoa Kunatuba who...

Super Rugby Pacific | Best for last … Fijian Drua banks on 16th player in game against Reds

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua fans will not get a chance to see their team play at home, for at least the next nine months, after their last regular season match against the Reds in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific this Saturday. While the team is aiming for a spot in the playoffs, Fijian...

Allardyce apologises to Leeds fans after failure to stop relegation

LEEDS, England (Reuters) – Sam Allardyce was parachuted into Leeds United on a rescue mission to keep the club above the drop zone but was left apologising to fans after they were relegated on Sunday, saying the squad lacked the talent and depth of the top teams. Leeds were thrashed 4-1 at home by Tottenham...

Canada defeat Germany to win World Championship gold

TAMPERE, Finland (Reuters) – Canada beat Germany 5-2 to win gold at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Tampere on Sunday, securing a 28th title in the competition. The teams were tied at 2-2 after the first two periods at the Nokia Arena, but Germany could not sustain the pace as the Canadians dominated the...

Hazlewood makes the cut as Australia confirm WTC final squad

(Reuters) – Josh Hazlewood made the cut when Australia submitted their final 15-man squad for next week’s World Test Championship final despite recent injury concerns, the International Cricket Council (ICC) have announced. The paceman cut short his Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign earlier this month after reporting “minor side soreness” but had been declared fit...

ICC emphasises focus on women’s health on Menstrual Hygiene Day

(Reuters) – The International Cricket Council emphasised the importance of women’s health on Menstrual Hygiene Day on Sunday, saying the governing body aims to normalise and spark conversation around the topic of menstruation within the sport. The ICC conducted workshops for players and support staff at the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa this...

Manchester United boss Ten Hag calls for more investment

(Reuters) – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has called for more investment in the club so they can challenge for trophies after the team finished third in the Premier League this season. United sealed the third place, finishing the season with 75 points, after they came from behind to defeat Fulham 2-1 in the...

Minister visits Bolaca

Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru paid a visit to Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Napolioni Bolaca at his residence in Saweni in Lautoka on Saturday. Bolaca, who returned from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery in New Zealand, was grateful to the minister and his staff for taking time-off from their busy schedule to...

Silktails fly over Penrith Brothers

Kaiviti Silktails avenged their round one loss to Penrith Brothers as they defeated them by 23-10 at the Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Saturday. The side got the job done without eight regular starting players who were unavailable on game-day due to injuries and suspensions. The win has increased their chances to make the...

Army beats Topline; moves to second position

Army moved to second position in the Lautoka Club Rugby competition standings after defeating Topline by 21-5 at Nadovu Park in Lautoka during round five on Saturday. In a tense first half, both teams were physical in their approach to the game, with the forward pack going against each other. The score at the breather...

Super Rugby Pacific | Masi stars in victory

A sizzling hat-trick to find of the season Iosefo Masi has propelled the Fijian Drua to a dramatic one-point victory over Moana Pasifika on Saturday and kept alive their slim hopes of an historic quarter-final spot in Super Rugby Pacific at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The big moment Moana kept coming back at the Drua...

Fijian Drua stands strong | Skipper commends teammates for holding the fort

Fijian Drua skipper Meli Derenalagi said they had expected the Moana Pacifica to come out hard during their clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday. The Swire Shipping-sponsored side managed to rekindle their chances at the quarter-finals after scraping past the Moana Pasifika 47-46. “We knew they would be very physical and quick in...

Farrell to the fore as Saracens triumph again

LONDON (Reuters) – Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall poured praise on man of the match Owen Farrell after the flyhalf inspired the London club to a 35-25 victory over a gritty Sale in the English Premiership final on Saturday. The game had been widely billed as a showdown between Farrell and opposite number George...

Protesters invade pitch and briefly hold up Premiership final

LONDON (Reuters) – The English Premiership rugby final between Saracens and Sale at Twickenham was briefly held up on Saturday when Just Stop Oil protesters invaded the pitch and released orange powder. Three protesters ran onto the pitch 15 minutes into the match and, against a chorus of boos from the crowd, released powder in...

Saracens claim sixth title with 35-25 victory over Sale

LONDON (Reuters) -Saracens won their sixth title and first in four years when they eventually overpowered a spirited Sale to triumph 35-25 in a superb English Premiership final at a sun-drenched Twickenham on Saturday. Saracens, who finished top of the standings in the regular season, led 20-18 at halftime after a penalty try and one...

Kerr nets double as Chelsea crowned WSL champions, Reading relegated

READING, England (Reuters) – Sam Kerr scored twice as Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 victory over Reading on Saturday to win their fourth consecutive FA Women’s Super League title, completing a league and FA Cup double on the last day of the season and condemning their hosts to relegation. The Blues finished on 58 points...

Joshua promoter says no contract has been sent from Fury

(Reuters) – Promoter Eddie Hearn said on Saturday that reigning world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has not yet sent a contract to fellow Brit Anthony Joshua for a proposed September bout. Fury said on Friday a contract had been sent to Joshua for a Wembley Stadium showdown. Hearn begged to differ. “We have been sent...

Bayern win Bundesliga with last-gasp goal in dramatic season finale

COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) -Bayern Munich snatched their 11th consecutive Bundesliga title in dramatic fashion with a final day 2-1 win at Cologne on Saturday courtesy of Jamal Musiala’s 89th minute goal, grabbing the trophy from the hands of rivals Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund had gone into the last game of the season in top spot but...

Olympic champion Crouser shatters own shot put world record

(Reuters) – Two-time Olympic champion Ryan Crouser demolished his own shot put world record on Saturday, throwing for 23.56 metres at the Los Angeles Grand Prix. The American surpassed his previous world record of 23.37 metres, which he achieved at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon in June 2021. Crouser is the only man...

Djokovic owes growth of his career to ‘biggest rival’ Nadal

(Reuters) – Novak Djokovic joked that he was a relieved man after Rafa Nadal withdrew from the French Open due to injury but deep down the Serbian has nothing but respect for his eternal rival, saying a part of him would leave if the Spaniard retires in 2024. Nadal failed to regain full fitness from...

FASANOC hosts clinic

The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) Athletes Commission (AC) held a forum at the Holiday Inn in Suva yesterday with 17 representatives from all sporting federations in the country. FASANOC AC chairperson Hilda Vukikomoala Kunau was happy with the turnout. “I am pleased that we have 17 representatives present here today...

Win or lose … Kingdom cheers for Fijian Drua

“Whether you win or lose, we will support you no matter what.” These were the words of Wallace Kingdom, a die-hard fan of the Swire Fijian Drua while watching the clash against the Moana Pacifica in Lautoka yesterday. “A lot of people say things about the team when they lose, but become fans when they...

Tora leads group to show support for Fijian Drua

Together with a number of friends, local businesswoman Talei Tora has been attending each and every Swire Shipping Fijian Drua home game in Fiji since the beginning of last season. “This is just a group of close friends who are die hard fans of the Fijian Drua coming out to show our support for the...

Memorable trip for Graham family

Brendon Graham and his family travelled all the way from Momi Bay in anticipation to witness the Pacific Island clash between the Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua. “I came to watch the Pasifika play the Drua today (yesterday),” he said. Graham said he was hoping it would be a good match for the Drua to...

Ravatu savours trip to Lautoka after Fijian Drua’s win over Moana

“It’s worth it to come and watch the Fijian Drua play live.” This according to die-hard Fiji rugby fan Neumi Rawavatu who despite having a bad leg due to arthritis accompanied by his trusty wooden walking aid made his way to the Churchill Park all the way from Draubuta Village in Navosa. The 59-year-old came...

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Chess youngsters impress