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  • How Chicago Cubs’ Latest Trade Could Transform Bullpen Next Season

    How Chicago Cubs’ Latest Trade Could Transform Bullpen Next Season

     

     

    Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after getting an out during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park.

    Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after getting an out during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park.

    The Chicago Cubs continued their efforts to go all-in for next season on Sunday as they traded for two-time All-Star reliever Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros.

     

    Pressly was a key player in the Astros’ World Series run a couple of years ago and will return to being a closer after losing the job to Josh Hader last season.

     

    The Cubs had been looking to beef up their bullpen all offseason and now do so with one of the best relievers available via trade.

     

    Houston was not looking to trade him because they were unhappy with his performance. It was his $14 million salary that was keeping them above the luxury tax threshold.

     

    The 36-year-old posted a 3.49 ERA last season, but even that doesn’t show just how good he was down the stretch. His numbers were inflated by his struggles in the first month or so in his return to a setup role. Over his last 32 appearances on the season, his ERA was just 1.99.

     

    During the four-year run that he was the Astros’ closer, he posted a 2.99 ERA and had 102 saves. He had at least 30 saves in the last two years of that stretch.

     

    Maybe most importantly for Chicago, he is a dominant postseason pitcher. He has 14 career playoff saves and just one blown save, which came last year.

     

    Before that blown save he had not allowed an earned run in 20 outings. His postseason ERA is still just 2.78.

     

    That type of experience and proven performance could be crucial come playoff time, if the Cubs get their wish and finally make a run.

     

    It is likely the main reason that the team had opted to go with a veteran in the role rather than the young, but promising Porter Hodge.

     

    Hodge took over closing duties towards the end of the year and looked solid there. He posted a 1.88 ERA on the year with nine saves and had three blown saves. Now, Hodge can take his limited closer experience and move into a set-up role. From there, the Cubs can re-arrange their bullpen arms in ways that make more sense.

     

    The 23-year-old is clearly talented and could be the guy for the job after Pressly hits free agency next offseason. Another year of growth against MLB hitters could be crucial for his development before taking on the stress of being a closer for a playoff team.

     

    In the Pressly trade, the Cubs sent over pitching prospect Juan Bello. He was an international signing back in 2022 and has a 3.66 ERA over his first three seasons in the minors.

     

     

  • Nottingham Forest could make late move to sign £42m midfielder before deadline

    Nottingham Forest could make late move to sign £42m midfielder before deadline

     

    Nottingham Forest appear to be ramping up their efforts to sign new players before the January transfer window slams shut next week.

     

    The Reds are looking at attacking players to bring to the City Ground. Evangelos Marinakis wants the team to be well-stocked in the final third and efforts are being made to bring someone in.

     

    Matheus Cunha has been linked with Forest. Wolves are embroiled in a relegation battle and slipped into the relegation zone at the weekend, making it highly unlikely that they will sanction a sale.

     

    Another Premier League striker is being eyed by Forest too. However, Jamie Redknapp thinks Yoane Wissa could cost the club £40 million and once again that feels like a tricky deal to do.

     

    Although attackers are the order of the day, other players are being looked at before the deadline. One long-term target appears to still be on the radar but Forest won’t find it easy to bring him to the club this month.

     

    Douglas Luiz of Juventus FC during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Naples Italy on 25 January…

     

    Nottingham Forest want Douglas Luiz

    It does feel as though the Brazilian is going to be a wanted man during the next week. Luiz only moved to Juventus from Aston Villa in the summer, with the Old Lady paying £42 million to secure his services.

     

    According to the Daily Mail, Forest are waiting in the wings to try and sign Luiz before the transfer deadline. Manchester City hold the aces, however, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Fulham also keen.

     

    Luiz was an absolute revelation at Aston Villa last season. He helped the club achieve a brilliant top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League for the first time in many years.

     

     

    With PSR hanging over most Premier League clubs, however, Villa found themselves needing to sell. With that in mind, Luiz was offloaded with Juventus paying the money to land the Brazilian.

     

    Forest signing Luiz feels like a longshot

    It’s fair to say that Luiz is exactly what Forest could do with in midfield. Not since Ibrahim Sangare got injured back in August have the Reds had a proper midfield enforcer who plays as a number six.

     

    Luiz would do that and the fact that Forest could genuinely qualify for Europe this season might make him choose the Reds over some of the other clubs in the mix to sign him.

     

    The 26-year-old is at a nice age and he would arrive with his best years ahead of him and with that in mind, it would be ideal if Forest could get him tied down to something more permanent rather than a loan.

     

    Forest will be going full pelt for a new attacking player. However, that doesn’t mean other areas won’t be looked at too and if a player like Luiz fancies a move to the City Ground, the signing would be a very attractive one.

     

     

  • Georgia football returning sack leader undergoes surgery

    Georgia football returning sack leader undergoes surgery

     

     

    Former Bulldog Champ Bailey reflects on Georgia’s 2024-2025 season

     

    Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Gabe Harris has recently undergone surgery according to UGASports. Harris posted a picture via social media with his left arm in a sling.

     

    Harris is Georgia’s returning leader in sack production, which is a bit shocking because he recorded just two sacks in 2024. However, seven of Georgia’s eight leader sack producers from 2024 have left via the NFL draft or transfer portal.

     

    Harris, who recorded 14 tackles in 2024, is expected to be one of Georgia’s top defensive linemen/outside linebackers in 2025. Harris played with a brace around his left shoulder for the later part of the 2024 college football season.

     

    The 6-foot-4, 260-pound defender will likely miss time this spring. The Bulldogs need some young players to step up in their defensive line room considering all the experience and production that UGA is losing. Georgia returns just 21.6% of its sack production (eight of 37 sacks) from 2024. The Bulldogs are counting on Harris in 2025, so his recovery is one to keep an eye on.

     

    Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and tight end Colton Heinrich also underwent surgery. It is typical for numerous UGA players to have surgery following the end of the season.

     

     

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  • Everything Liam Coen said about the Buccaneers in his first Jaguars press conferen

    Everything Liam Coen said about the Buccaneers in his first Jaguars press conferen

     

    Liam Coen mostly stayed away from mentioning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his press conference with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

    Liam Coen mostly stayed away from mentioning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his press conference with the Jacksonville Jaguars. | James

    Unlike Black Monday, which created a handful of openings throughout the league, this Monday was celebratory for teams that made changes to their coaching staff. The Raiders introduced Pete Carroll, Aaron Glenn gave a fiery speech at the podium for the Jets, and down in Duval, Liam Coen made his first official appearance as the new Jacksonville Jaguars head coach.

     

    Coen’s crash out with the Bucs was nothing short of spectacular in that it was filled with the type of drama that made writers over at Bravo! blush. He went back on his word, burned nearly every bridge he spent a year building, and went from hero-to-zero in record time.

     

    His introductory press conference with the Jaguars is likely the last time we’re going to think about Coen for a while, especially since the Buccaneers are well underway with finding his replacement. It was the true closing of his chapter in Tampa Bay, though, and while fans are starting to move on from what happened it was clear based on his comments that Coen is long past that point of the process.

     

    Everything Liam Coen said about the Buccaneers in his first press conference as Jaguars head coach

    It’s not what Coen said but what he didn’t that serves as one final twist of the knife. Nobody in Tampa Bay was expecting much in terms of courtesy given how they were ghosted by the man at the podiun in Duval on Monday, but Coen made it clear that the Buccaneers were both a stepping stone for him and a place he’s not thinking about anymore.

     

    “Look, the opportunity to coach in Tampa was a phenomenal one to get my feet wet in the NFL as the offensive coordinator and I thank them so much for that opportunity,” Coen said. “As you continue to do more research and gain and more information as you go, it started to become, you know, more clear with every hour that this was an opportunity that you just can’t pass up for so many different reasons, and you ultimately want to do truly what’s best for you and your family. And that’s what this came down to.”

     

    What most non-Jaguars fans were tuning in for was to see if Coen would address the elephant in the room. A few questions were asked about the nature of Coen’s exit from Tampa Bay, but both he and Jaguars owner Shad Khan managed to steer clear.

     

    Khan was particularly short when pressed about the timeline of events between Coen agreeing to return to Tampa Bay and him becoming the next Jaguars head coach.

     

    “He’s out guy and we got him,” Khan said when asked about the process of hiring Coen away from the Bucs. “It’s as simple as that.”

     

    Coen didn’t totally gloss over his time with the Bucs, but he did spend more time talking about his history with Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams. That being said, he did give a shout out to his players in Tampa Bay and made a point to call Mike Evans a Hall of Fame wide receiver.

     

    “I will always love and remember those guys in Tampa, my players, those guys, love them to death,” Coen said. “But this is an opportunity to also go and do with some new guys, right? And to go reach and touch people, because that’s what coaching and teaching is, and that’s what this opportunity is all about, and extremely thankful for that.”

     

    Read into this how much or how little you want, but the only two Buccaneers that Coen mentioned during his press conference were Evans and head coach Todd Bowles. When asked about how he fixed the run game he credited the players for wanting to be better but referred to Baker Mayfield as ‘the quarterback’ when discussing his schemes.

     

    That might be a little petty as far as taking it as a slight, but it’s hard not to read between the lines given how things went down.

     

    One thing that Coen’s press conference with the Jaguars does, besides spill some more tea, is provide closure. The way he left Tampa Bay was about as messy as it gets, but all of that is in the past now. Coen has very clearly moved on, and it’s time Bucs fans do the same and look to what is still an incredibly bright future for the team.

     

     

  • The 100m matters most’- Kishane Thompson brushes off indoor win in Astana

    The 100m matters most’- Kishane Thompson brushes off indoor win in Astana

     

    Despite winning his indoor debut at the Astana Indoor Meet, Kishane Thompson emphasised that his focus remains on the 100m, which he believes matters the most.

    Olympic 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson has reacted to his win at the Astana Indoor Meet for Amin Tuyakov Prizes.

     

    Kishane was making his indoor debut at the event and despite the 60m win, he still insisted that the 100m is what matters the most.

     

    In the race, Kishane Thompson clocked an impressive 6.56 seconds to cross the finish line first ahead of the duo of Ali Anwar Al Balushi and Shuhei Tada who clocked respective times of 6.60 and 6.62 seconds.

     

     

    ‘It’s my first time seeing snow’- Kishane Thompson admits to culture shock in Astana as he enters new territory

    ‘It’s my first time seeing snow’- Kishane Thompson admits to culture shock in Astana as he enters new territory

    His first race of the season was the 60m at the Central Hurdles Relays and Field Events where he clocked a personal best time of 6.48 seconds. He insisted that his focus is not on the indoors but his coach is making some changes in their build-up, the reason behind his indoor debut.

     

    “We don’t necessarily focus on indoors, but if I have to compete I do my best to get my job done. Let’s see what goes after this trip,” Kishane Thompson said after the race.

     

    “The Jamaicans are more comfortable outdoors, because for us the 100m matters most that’s why we don’t necessarily focus on indoors.”

     

    He added that the race was great despite a slight strain after crossing the finish line. Kishane appeared to have limped a little bit before walking to his rivals.

     

    The Jamaican 100m champion explained that the new environment has made him feel a little bit different but he will just pick up from where he left from once he heads back to Jamaica.

     

    “The journey was very long but I love the energy and the vibe I get for the people, so that makes up for the long flight,” Kishane said.

     

    “Honestly, it wasn’t too bad. For some reason, I feel a bit more rusty than usual. It’s probably the new environment, another climate and running indoors.

     

    Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce announces major career move to the US as she begins to expand her network

    Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce announces major career move to the US as she begins to expand her network

    “I loved the environment and the vibe, I was able to adapt as best as possible. It gave me a new experience.”

     

    His main goal of the season will be winning a gold medal in the men’s 100m at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan and the few races before the event will be mainly for buildup.

     

    Several sprinters, including Noah Lyles, the defending champion and Letsile Tebogo have already expressed interest for the title, promising a thrilling showdown in the 100m.

  • Suffolk County Council Collaborates with Ipswich Town Football Club to Launch Stop Smoking Campaign: ‘Never Stop Trying’

    Suffolk County Council Collaborates with Ipswich Town Football Club to Launch Stop Smoking Campaign: ‘Never Stop Trying’

     

    Suffolk County Council, in association with Ipswich Town Football Club, is excited to launch a powerful new stop smoking campaign encouraging people to never stop trying on their journey to quit smoublished: 27 Jan 2025

     

    The campaign highlights real-life stories of struggle, perseverance, and success, reminding people that while quitting smoking is difficult, the benefits of stopping are well worth it, no matter how many attempts it takes.

     

    The campaign’s theme of persistence is echoed through a compelling new video that features Eddy and James, two Suffolk residents who have faced the challenges of quitting smoking and are now sharing their personal experiences. Their stories emphasise that quitting may involve setbacks, but it’s important to keep trying.

     

    This message mirrors the journey of Ipswich Town Football Club, who spent 22 years fighting to return to the Premier League—a long and challenging journey, but one that proves that with perseverance, you can achieve your goal.

     

    The campaign directs people who are thinking about quitting to Feel Good Suffolk – the county’s stop smoking service – who are ready to help, whatever stage someone is at. NHS figures show that smokers are up to three times more likely to quit with support from their local service.

     

    Cllr Steve Wiles, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:

     

    “I am proud to support this campaign, which is not just about quitting smoking, but about changing lives,”

     

    “By sharing the stories of real people like Eddy and James we want to inspire others to take that crucial first step. This campaign is all about supporting people in their quitting journey and showing them that they can succeed in the end with the right support. It’s also a great opportunity to promote the support that Feel Good Suffolk can provide, helping hundreds of Suffolk people with their journey to quit smoking.

     

    Dan Palfrey, Director of Foundation at Ipswich Town said:

     

    “We are proud to be part of this important campaign and to support our local community in making healthier choices. As a football club, we are committed to promoting well-being both on and off the pitch, and we encourage everyone who wants to quit smoking to seek the support they need.”

     

    The Never Stop trying campaign is part of the national goal to create a smoke-free generation, as outlined in the national strategy “Stopping the Start: Our New Plan to Create a Smokefree Generation”. The aim is to reduce smoking rates in England to below 5% by 2030, ultimately building a healthier future for all.

     

    Smoking is a key public health issue in Suffolk, contributing to nearly 1,000 deaths a year. Tobacco presents the single greatest risk for early deaths in Suffolk, which means that using smoked tobacco products poses a greater risk than other issues such as high blood pressure, obesity, alcohol, and air pollution. In 2024 alone, smoking cost Suffolk an estimated £703m in health and social care costs, lost productivity and smoking related fires.

     

    Those seeking support on their quitting journey should visit Feel Good Suffolk Stop Smoking. The service offers various methods designed to assist people at every stage, whether it’s one-on-one coaching, phone support, or digital tools.

     

     

  • Chelsea given huge Delap transfer boost as Maresca eyes Jackson replacement

    Chelsea given huge Delap transfer boost as Maresca eyes Jackson replacement

     

     

    Chelsea are keen on Liam Delap from Ipswich Town

    Chelsea are very interested in Liam Delap from Ipswich Town

    Chelsea appear to have made great progress in the race to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town. The 21-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month as Enzo Maresca looks to strengthen his frontline.

     

    Delap, who sees his contract at Portman Road expire in June 2029, has already featured 22 times in the Premier League this season, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in the process. Playing a key role in Kieran McKenna’s side, he’s given the promoted outfit a shot at survival.

     

    The England Under-21 international’s impressive performances haven’t gone under the radar, with numerous top clubs – including Chelsea – interested in securing his signature. football.london understands the west London team are long-time admirers of Delap, who joined Ipswich from Manchester City in the summer for £20m.

     

    It’s believed that it could be difficult to lure the Englishman away from Suffolk this month, with the Tractor Boys at the heart of a relegation scrap, and nor will it be cheap in any case. According to GiveMeSport journalist Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are in pole position to sign Delap.

     

    However, the report states that a deal may have to wait until the summer. While this comes as a major boost for the Blues, Enzo Maresca may have to wait a little bit longer before he has a new frontman.

     

    Shortly before the January transfer window opened, Delap was quizzed on his future at Ipswich and the speculation linking him with a move away. Speaking to Suffolk News, he said: “Yes, I don’t really look at things like that. So, yes, I’m just focused on Ipswich.”

     

    Delap added: “As a young player, you just want to go and play football. We’re lucky to be playing in the Premier League. I think we’ve got a great opportunity here at Ipswich and we’re just trying to show our ability week in, week out, that’s a big plus for me.”

     

    Maresca, who coached Delap during their time together in the Manchester City academy, reunited with the youngster when Ipswich defeat Chelsea 2-0 at Portman Road. Speaking to reporters ahead of that clash, the Blues boss said: “Liam is a fantastic player and also for his age.

     

    “I think we spent one year together and I think he scored 22, 24 goals and he’s a very good striker. In England, they have many like him – and they have many good players – good strikers and he’s working hard off the ball, on the ball he understands the game and can score goals. And also because of his age, I think he can also be an important player for England.”

     

    football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel

    Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics

    Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!

     

    Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you’ll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.

     

    Just remember to turn on the notifications once you’ve followed, and you won’t miss a beat!

  • Gout Gout: Age, height, origin, career, Usain Bolt comparisons & training with Noah Lyles

    Gout Gout: Age, height, origin, career, Usain Bolt comparisons & training with Noah Lyles

    Who excactly is Gout Gout? The Australian sprinting wonderkid set to start training with Noah Lyles and is earning comparisons to Usain Bolt?

    At just 16 years old, Australian sprinter Gout Gout is rewriting the record books and positioning himself as one of the brightest prospects in athletics.

    Born near Brisbane as the third of seven children to South Sudanese immigrants, Gout’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric, capturing the attention of the global track and field community.

    'Running against Lyles & Tebogo is different pressure' - Matthew Hudson-Smith on why Gout Gout should not drown into the 'new Usain Bolt' hype

    ‘Running against Lyles & Tebogo is different pressure’ – Matthew Hudson-Smith on why Gout Gout should not drown into the ‘new Usain Bolt’ hype

    Gout Gout was born two years after his parents settled in Queensland, where they established a new life after leaving South Sudan. He currently attends Ipswich Grammar School, where his athletic potential was discovered early.

    Di Sheppard, who now coaches Gout, first spotted him at age 13. “I saw him running on the oval, and there was just something about him and the way he moved,” Sheppard recalled to The Indipendent.

    Her instinct was right—Gout, who stands at 6 feet & 2 inches tall, quickly began to outpace athletes significantly older than him.

    Gout Gout: Age, Height, Origin, Career, Usain Bolt Comparisons & Training with Noah Lyles
    Gout Gout

    Gout burst onto the scene as a teenage phenom, dominating age-group competitions in Australia. At just 14 years old, he was already clocking times faster than athletes two years his senior. By 15, he had claimed the Australian U18 200m record.

    In August 2024, Gout further cemented his reputation on the international stage, earning a silver medal at the World U20 Championships. Later, he signed a sponsorship deal with Adidas, signaling the start of what promises to be a long and lucrative career.

    His most recent exploits came at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Queensland, where Gout showcased his remarkable potential.

    In the 100m heats, he clocked a wind-assisted 10.04 seconds—the fourth-fastest time in history for an under-18 athlete. While the tailwind rendered the time ineligible for records, he followed it up with a legitimate 10.17 seconds in the final, placing him sixth on the all-time U18 list.

    However, it was his performance in the 200m that truly made history. Gout ran 20.04 seconds, breaking Peter Norman’s 56-year-old Australian record of 20.07 seconds. This time would have earned him a fifth-place finish in the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, underscoring his world-class ability at just 16 years of age.

    With his long stride, high knee lift, and towering frame, Gout’s running style has drawn inevitable comparisons to sprinting legend Usain Bolt. The young Australian acknowledges the resemblance but is focused on carving out his own identity.

    “I do see it [the Bolt similarity],” Gout told Nine. “My stride length is pretty long, my knee height is pretty high, and just the amount of tallness I get when I’m running. I’m just me trying to be me. Obviously, I do run like him. I do sometimes look like him, but I think I’ve done a pretty good job of making a name for myself. I just want to continue doing that and continue to be not only Usain Bolt but Gout Gout.”

    Gout’s performances place him in elite company. His personal best of 20.04 seconds at age 16 surpasses the 200m times of a young Bolt at the same age. Only American prodigy Erriyon Knighton remains ahead of Gout in the all-time U18 rankings, with a best of 19.84 seconds.

    Sha'Carri Richardson: Age, networth, boyfriend, medals won & more

    In January 2025, Gout is set to join renowned coach Lance Brauman, who has guided athletes like Noah Lyles to global success. This move is expected to elevate his performance further as he targets qualifying for the Tokyo World Championships.

    “Hopefully we can qualify for the Tokyo World Championships,” Gout said after his record-breaking performance, before adding a reminder of his youth. “If not, I’ll just finish my school in Year 12.”

    While his immediate focus is on improving his times and gaining international experience, Gout’s long-term goals are clear. The 2032 Olympics in Brisbane will likely be the pinnacle of his career, as he will be 25 and at his athletic prime.

    Gout Gout’s journey from a young boy in Queensland to one of the most exciting talents in athletics is nothing short of inspiring.

    With his record-breaking performances, comparisons to Usain Bolt, and upcoming partnership with Lance Brauman, Gout is well on his way to becoming a global sprinting superstar.

     As Australia looks toward the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, Gout’s name is one to watch as he aims to make history on the world stage

  • From six-time struggler to champion: Shadrack Ngumbao’s journey to victory at the 2025 Prisons Cross Country

    From six-time struggler to champion: Shadrack Ngumbao’s journey to victory at the 2025 Prisons Cross Country

     

     

    Shadrack Ngumbao’s journey to victory at the 2025 Prisons Cross Country Image source: The Star

    Shadrack Ngumbao overcame years of setbacks to claim his first victory at the 2025 Athletics Kenya Prisons Cross Country Championships.

    Most athletes have to endure some of the toughest tests to make it to the sport and that is no different for Shadrack Ngumbao, the winner of the 2025 Athletics Kenya Prisons Cross Country Championships.

     

    The event was held at the Ruiru Prisons Staff Training College last weekend and Ngumbao was making his seventh appearance hoping that this time around, things would be different.

     

    He has been very unlucky in his previous visits, with his best performance prior to the 2025 edition of the event being the sixth-place finish he achieved in 2023.

     

    After stunning Ruth Chepng’etich, Loice Chemnung fires warning to Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet & Co

    After stunning Ruth Chepng’etich, Loice Chemnung fires warning to Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet & Co

    Going into the edition in 2025, Shadrack Ngumbao did not know what to expect since it had now become a norm that he would always finish outside the podium bracket. However, things turned out differently and he managed to claim his first victory after years of trying his luck.

     

    Now, you might be asking yourself what he was doing wrong in the six times he had competed there. Ngumbao admitted that he had to work on being smarter than he was before and also step up on his training ahead of grueling task.

     

    “This is almost my seventh time competing here and I have never won…my best performance before this win was finishing sixth in 2023. I have done enough build up and managed to train in hilly areas,” Ngumbao said in an interview after the race.

     

    “I have also worked on my mindset because cross country also requires one to be very smart. I have been training in Ngong under coach Muteti. I competed in Bomet and finished 20th and I was also in action in Machakos where I finished fifth.”

     

    He believes that winning the cross country has set him up for a great and interesting 2025 season where he plans to focus on road running and maybe the 10,000m.

     

    The 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan are also in the cards and Ngumbao will also be contesting for a slot in the national team.

     

    ‘It’s my first time seeing snow’- Kishane Thompson admits to culture shock in Astana as he enters new territory

    ‘It’s my first time seeing snow’- Kishane Thompson admits to culture shock in Astana as he enters new territory

    “I have prepared well for this season and my fans should expect the best from me. I will be focusing on the half marathon and the 10,000m race,” he shared.

  • Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley Shares Special Handshake with Daughter, 6, at NFC Championship Game

    Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley Shares Special Handshake with Daughter, 6, at NFC Championship Game

    Following the duo’s cute moment, the Eagles clinched a 2025 Super Bowl appearance by handily winning the game, 55-23

    Saquon Barkley always has time for his daughter — even right before a very important football game!

    On Sunday, Jan. 26, just before the running back, 27, and the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game and secured their spot in the 2025 Super Bowl, Barkley took a moment to greet his kids and girlfriend.

    In an adorable video shared on the NFL on Fox X account, Barkley’s daughter Jada, 6, son Saquon Jr., 2, and girlfriend Anna Congdon could be seen approaching him on the sidelines. The athlete asked Jada to “gimme a handshake,” and the pair launched into a prepared sequence, complete with kisses on each cheek and a peace sign.

    Barkley then bent down to hug Jada, who wore a white puffer coat with an Eagles sweatshirt underneath.

    “Love you, daddy!” she can be heard telling the running back.

    Although he didn’t have quite as involved of a handshake for his son, Barkley put his face up to Saquon Jr.’s and also gave Congdon a kiss.

    Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the football during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025

    It would seem the father-daughter handshake was a lucky one, as the Eagles took home a staggering 55-23 win. According to ESPN, Barkley scored one touchdown after dashing 60 yards during the Eagles’ first play.

    In total, he ran for 118 yards including three of the Eagles’ seven rushing touchdowns. ESPN Research reported that his run tied him for the most in a playoff game in NFL history.

    Immediately after the game, Barkley was photographed celebrating with his family, as he and Jada rolled around on the confetti-covered field with grins on their faces.

    “I ain’t gonna lie. I tried to downplay it in my head, but it’s amazing, man,” Barkley told Fox’s Erin Andrews after the team’s win, per ESPN. “It’s amazing. We’re here. Super Bowl.”

    “But the goal wasn’t just getting there,” he added. “The goal’s to win, and we’re gonna celebrate, enjoy this and get right back to work.”

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    Barkley has always been candid about his love for his family. Just six months after Jada was born, she made an appearance on the field at one of her dad’s New York Giants games. Congdon — who has been dating the NFL star since the pair met in college nearly 10 years ago — carried Jada in a papoose as the family of three posed for photos in the stadium.

    The athlete has also shared in an interview that his children have inspired his football career. In June 2019 (before Saquon Jr.’s birth), he told NJ Advance Media that he considers his daughter in every decision he makes.

    “Obviously I do it for myself because I love the game, I love competing and I want to go down as one of the best [in NFL history], but I go out there and sacrifice my body every single day for my daughter,” he said.

    “It’s not just football” where his goals are fueled by his daughter. “Every business decision I make, every investment, every marketing deal, all have to come with the mindset of my daughter being first,” Barkley told the outlet.