The Great Britain women’s basketball team has been drawn in a group D with Sweden, Denmark and Estonia for the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.
41 athletes have been offered membership to the Paralympic World Class Programme for 2023/24.
The Paralympic WCP is UK Sport’s National Lottery funded initiative supporting the delivery of success at the Paralympic Games and other major Championships. The next major events on the para athletics calendar are Kobe 2024 [World Para Athletics Championships – 17-25 May] and Paris 2024 [Paralympic Games – 30 August-8 September].
A further Paralympic WCP selection meeting will be held in January 2024 to consider marathon road athletes following the Autumn major marathon series.
The Paralympic WCP is split into several levels reflecting the actual and potential performance development levels of athletes: Podium, Podium Potential, and Confirmation. Athletes are nominated for the WCP to further the aim of UK Athletics to win medals at the 2024 and/or 2028 Paralympic Games. UKA are committed to the principle that winning will always be achieved with integrity and in line with UK Sport’s ambition of ‘Keep Winning and Win Well’.
Therefore, UKA must be confident that any athlete nominated for the WCP has the realistic potential and demonstrable performance capability and capacity to make the necessary progress to achieve a medal at least in one of the next two Paralympic Games.
The nomination for WCP membership is subject to UK Sport ratification and a signed athlete agreement between the athlete and UKA.
Head of Paralympic Performance at UKA, Tom Paulson, said,
“With the Paris Paralympic Games less than a year away, this is an important period for the athletes and coaches on the programme, and we look forward to working with them and seeing where the World Class Programme can support them appropriately, and where it can add value to enhance their potential as we look ahead to a Kobe, Paris and beyond to LA 2028.
“We would like to thank UK Sport and the National Lottery for their continued investment in the World Class Programme. Their support is essential to helping our Paralympic athletes continue to be the best prepared they can be for the major Championships and Games.”
The UK Athletics Paralympic WCP Athletes for 2023/24:
Paralympic Podium (20):
Kare Adenegan (Job King, Coventry)
Hollie Arnold (Blackheath and Bromley)
Columba Blango (Chris Zah, Shaftesbury Barnet)
Olivia Breen (Aston Moore, City of Portsmouth)
Jonathan Broom-Edwards (Bethan Partridge, Newham and Essex Beagles)
Hannah Cockroft (Paul Mosely, Leeds)
Aled Davies (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Cardiff)
Sabrina Fortune (Ryan Spencer-Jones / Ian Robinson, Deeside AAC)
Dan Greaves (Zane Duquemin, Charnwood)
Sophie Hahn (Leon Baptiste, Charnwood)
Sammi Kinghorn (Rodger Harkins, Red Star)
Maria Lyle (Joe McDonnell, Team East Lothian)
Owen Miller (Steven Doig, Fife)
Jonnie Peacock (Dan Pfaff / Benke Blomkvist, Charnwood)
Daniel Pembroke (David Turner, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow)
Ben Sandilands (Steven Doig, Fife)
Zac Shaw (Leon Baptiste, Cleethorpes)
Daniel Sidbury (Christine Parsloe, Sutton & District)
Zak Skinner (Aston Moore, Loughborough Students)
Thomas Young (Joe McDonnell, Charnwood)
Paralympic Podium Potential (14):
Fabienne André
Lydia Church (Mark Edwards, Peterborough & Nene Valley)
Nathan Maguire (Ste Hoskins, Kirkby)
Anna Nicholson (Richard Kaufman, Gateshead)
Luke Nuttall (Sonia and Chris McGeorge, Charnwood)
Derek Rae (Steve Doig, Fife)
Eden Rainbow-Cooper (Arno Mul, Red Velvet Racing Team)
Kevin Santos (Michael Utting, City of Norwich)
Ali Smith (Benke Blomkvist, Guildford and Godalming)
JohnBoy Smith (Christine Parsloe, Sutton & District)
Hannah Taunton (Charlotte Fisher, Taunton)
Harrison Walsh (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Swansea)
David Weir (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy)
Melanie Woods (Rodger Harkins, Red Star)
Paralympic Confirmation (7):
John Bridge (Darrell Maynard, Cardiff)
Barney Corrall (Aston Moore, Charnwood)
Ethan Kirby (Sonya Ellis, Newton Abbot)
Funmi Oduwaiye (Josh Clark, DSW Para Academy)
Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker (Nat Senior, Newham and Essex Beagles)
Marcus Perrineau-Daley (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy)
Steven Stone (Gary Manson, Forth Valley Flyers)
A team of 12 athletes has been selected to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia on Sunday 1 October.
The athletes have been selected to compete in the one mile, 5km and half marathon races at the first staging of these Championships.
Calli Thackery (Hallamshire) leads the women’s half marathon quartet after her Trial victory at the Big Half last week. She will be joined by Abbie Donnelly (Rob Lewis, Lincoln Wellington), Clara Evans (Pontypridd) and Samantha Harrison (Vince Wilson, Charnwood) in the women’s race where individual and team medals are up for grabs.
Meanwhile, Trials winner, Jack Rowe (Tim Eglen, Aldershot Farnham & District), Mahamed Mahamed (Idris Hamud, Southampton) and Jonny Mellor (Liverpool) will take on the men’s half marathon around the streets of Riga.
Following the UK Road Championships in Newcastle / Gateshead on Friday, Scott Beattie (Mike Bateman, Morpeth) and Tom Mortimer (Chris and Sonia McGeorge, Stroud) take the spots in the men’s 5km race, while Verity Ockenden (Swansea) assured her place in the team after a road 5km personal best of 15:26 at the trial.
In the shorter distances, Callum Elson (Cambridge & Coleridge) will represent GB & NI in the men’s one mile race, while Sarah McDonald (Andrew Walling, Birchfield) is called-up for the women’s contest.
Team Leader, Mark Pollard, said, “The World Athletics Road Running Championship is an excellent opportunity for these athletes to gain valuable experience at the global level. After two competitive trial events over the past week, we are pleased to be selecting several athletes to represent the country in Latvia next month.”
The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia on Sunday 1 October:
Senior women
One Mile
Sarah McDonald (Andrew Walling, Birchfield)
5km
Verity Ockenden (Swansea)
Half Marathon
Abbie Donnelly (Rob Lewis, Lincoln Wellington)
Clara Evans (Pontypridd)
Samantha Harrison (Vince Wilson, Charnwood)
Calli Thackery (Hallamshire)
Senior men
One Mile
Callum Elson (Cambridge and Coleridge)
5km
Scott Beattie (Mike Bateman, Morpeth)
Tom Mortimer (Chris and Sonia McGeorge, Stroud)
Half Marathon
Mahamed Mahamed (Idris Hamud, Southampton)
Jonny Mellor (Liverpool)
Jack Rowe (Tim Eglen, Aldershot Farnham and District)
Team Staff
Mark Pollard – Team Leader
Tom Craggs – Team Coach
Liz Yelling – Team Coach
Laura Moss – Physiotherapist
A new scheme has been launched by the Department for Business and Trade, the Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator, in association with Deloitte’s Sports Business Group and supported by the International Working Group on Women and Sport, tobenefit elite UK women’s sport competitions. The new programme will provide a series of sessions offering marketing insights, connections and networking events alongside mentoring for rights holders (leagues, teams, competitions and events) who are looking for investment.
The application process is open to rights holders of any UK-based women’s sports leagues, teams, competitions or events aiming to attract investment and boost their growth and will run for one year starting from autumn 2023. The Women’s Super League (WSL) and the Netball Super League were among the competitions sounded out as potential beneficiaries for this scheme, however it is also hoped that it will aid the growth of often overlooked sports and leagues such as women’s basketball and the Women’s British Basketball League.
The post-2012 Olympics funding disparity for basketball, despite its popularity, high youth participation rates and being the most diverse sport in the UK, further highlights the need for a fairer and more long-term approach to funding allocation. After the London Olympics in 2012, basketball received just £9.25 per participant between 2013 and 2017 as cricket gained £70.72 and rugby union almost £60, despite both sports having fewer participants among young people.
Despite these challenges, British basketball continues to showcase its talent globally, with numerous players excelling in prestigious leagues like the NCAA’s Division I and the NBA. The Women’s British Basketball League has continued to grow at a rapid pace over the past few years with record-breaking attendances last season as the London Lions completed their second-consecutive domestic clean sweep and achieved a 52-game winning streak. The announcement of the new scheme will hopefully provide a further platform for the league and sport to grow, as the new season approaches with the Lions building one of the most impressive rosters ever seen in British basketball.
The sport’s popularity remains strong among the British population, making it one of the nation’s top team sports after football as according to the Active Lives survey, more than one million Brits regularly play basketball while 14% of those aged 18-34 play it every week. However, the lack of appropriate funding for British basketball hampers its growth and potential to develop further talent. Adding to this, research from The London Lions – one of the UK’s premier basketball clubs – shows that 26% of Brits would like to play more and watch more basketball in the UK.
Vanja Cernivec, General Manager of the London Lions women’s team comments:
“The first thing that needs to be addressed is that women’s sport needs to develop high-level coaches alongside investment into the performance staff and facilities. By investing in the national teams, it will also enhance the number of role models for young sports players in women’s sport. But I think it all comes back to investing into coaches in the sport specific side and also on the performance side. Also, for high-level athletes to be exposed to international competitions. Not only government funding is needed, but also private funding – I think companies need to realise the potential of women’s sport, it cannot be popular if it’s not accessible and not on tv.
“There is a lot that we can do in the sporting eco-system and I think we are only scratching the surface of the potential of women’s sport, not only women being professional athletes but also women being coaches and involved in the business side of sport. The one thing that needs to be focused on is sharing the stories of successful women in sport so that young girls and boys can identify with their stories and see it as something possible to emulate. Adding to this, investing in girls and women is important at some stage I hope it is the norm that whatever is invested in men’s sport is also invested in women’s.”
Today’s action in Riesenbeck for the FEI European Championships in dressage and para dressage was as hot as the temperatures and, in an exciting battle, it was Britain who took the dressage team honours thanks to a 2.5% margin of victory over hosts Germany, with Denmark completing the podium in bronze.
With two British para dressage combinations also in action, both posting +74% scores in Grade 1 and 2 divisions, we’re firmly in the hunt for team honours in that discipline, too. The medals will be decided tomorrow, 8 September.
Dressage Grand Prix – team competition
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep
The second day of the Grand Prix test to decide the team placings promised so much – and it delivered on every level. While the much-hyped battle between the host nation’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Britain’s own Charlotte Fry was billed by many to be the main event, Charlotte Dujardin decided she wanted in on the party.
Charlotte’s 2023 hasn’t gone to script. With the arrival of baby Isabella in early March, she’d planned a quiet year but, once recovered from the rigors of giving birth and back in the saddle, she felt fit and confident. A quick decision to enter the Windsor CDI with Carl Hester and Coral Ingham’s Imhotep reaped benefits with two stellar performances and the return of Charlotte’s self-belief, and the notion of pushing for a European Championship place began to feel realistic. A good run at Wellington CDI on home soil again showed progress and the decision was made to head to CHIO Aachen – a show Charlotte adores – to put ‘Pete’ in the spotlight for his biggest test since the World Championships in 2022. It was an exam the Everdale-sired 10-year-old passed with flying colours, and so Operation Riesenbeck began.
Pete’s journey to Riesenbeck was made a bit longer by paperwork delays and the increased travel time meant he wasn’t at his spritely best on arrival but, thanks to the care of groom Francesca Gorni and team vet Andre Buthe, he was quicky back on form. Then, little Issabella also became poorly with a high temperature, giving Charlotte and partner Dean a sleepless night. It might not have been the perfect start to a championship but, by yesterday, things had fallen back into place ready for when it mattered most.
Since having Isabella, a calm has fallen over Charlotte – her motivations are different, as is her outlook, and she had a laugh and joke with the British support team as they prepared her and Pete for the ring. She entered the main arena looking relaxed, but still with the steely Dujardin determination we all know. A super halt to get the test underway was followed by a majestic – but not over produced-extended – trot. The half passes were elastic with good reach, which the judges gave an average of 8.7, and the halt to rein-back was well presented. Pete has a flair for piaffe and passage, and it was clear that Charlotte had been working hard on this since Aachen because what had been good then had become superb – regular, effortless and controlled. The eights and nines were flowing from the judges.
The walk section showed fair relaxation and she got a good transition into passage. The next piaffe showed tremendous ‘sit’ with regular steps and was absolutely on point, without a hint of forward travel. The two-time flying changes were joyous to watch and Charlotte really opened up the gelding for the extended canter, his large stride eating up the arena. The zig-zag was mistake-free and the line of one-time changes was incredibly expressive. The canter pirouettes were a hightlight, with the second to the right getting an average of 9.2 from the judges.
There was a final flourish across the long diagonal in extended trot before it was time to turn down the centerline. The final piaffe was almost foot-perfect, and the last halt tidy. The visible sigh of relief from both horse and rider was followed by an eruption from the crowd in reward for what they’d just watched. Charlotte left the arena visibly moved by the performance – her chestnut powerhouse has given his all for her. The final score was given as 82.422%, giving the lead to Charlotte and, importantly, the team and also marking a new personal best for Pete by nearly 2%.
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale
After three riders gone for each nation, Britain had the ascendency by a near six percent margin but, with a final rotation featuring some of dressage’s stellar scorers, the gold medal wasn’t a given by any means – it would be a tough fight to the end.
The crunch point came when it was the turn of world number ones Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB for Germany. This was the long-awaited Dalera-Glamourdale stand off that so many had been desperately waiting for – two dressage heavyweights, ready to do battle in the arena. Dalera is fleet-footed and almost glides above the surface with effortless grace, and she and Jessica know each other inside and out. They started brightly, but were trending just below Charlotte and Pete. As the test progressed, their marks crept up and up and, eventually, as they completed their centreline, surpassed Charlotte’s total to end on 84.612% – a little over two percent more than Charlotte to claw back some of Britain’s cushion. Next up was Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter for Denmark, who’s chance at gold had all but petered away but were looking to consolidate bronze. Nana and Zepter’s 78.556% did just that.
So, it was all down to World Champion Lottie Fry with Van Olst Horse’s Glamourdale. Many in the audience had taken to their phones to calculate what score was needed to hold onto gold. The answer was 78.712% – a big score, but more than within the combination’s capabilities.
Lottie cantered down the centreline with her ‘game face’ on – away from the arena, she’s bright, bubbly and always smiling but, once in the saddle, her competitive side takes over. With steely eyed focus, she and Glamourdale approached the judge at C, halted with a salute, then set off into an extended trot that ate up the ground with elegant ease. Lottie rounded the top of the arena, using the corner to almost slingshot the stallion into half-pass, then neatly right with a change of bend.
The piaffe/passage work, which is has noticeably improved since the World Championships last year, didn’t disappoint. There was pleasing stretch in the extended walk but, at this point, where Lottie had been trending above Jessica’s score, the marks began to draw closer. Glamourdale’s show piece is his canter tour and the two-time flying changer bounded across the arena with great expression – they were straight and clean. While it was apparent the stallion wasn’t quite fully focused on his task and rider, Lottie still rode every movement for a 10, as is her way. The extended canter was as breathtaking as always, and the zig-zag well-presented and executed. A clean line of one-time changes gave a sense of relief for onlookers and marks from the judges – the scores were about level. The pirouettes were tight and powerful in both directions, and the final extended trot a masterpiece.
As they came down the final centreline, ‘Glammy’ began to distracted again – the final piaffe faltered, but Lottie did her utmost to urge him on for one final push to the finish line. They halted and saluted, and Lottie’s game face finally slipped as she gave Glammy a huge pat. It was a huge performance, but could it secure a first team gold medal since London 2012. The marks from each judge were read out and the final score of 81.258% followed. Although not enough to get ahead of Jessica and team mates Charlotte and Pete, it was still a new personal best score and third overall for the duo. Most importantly, though, it was enough for that coveted team gold medal.
“Glammy is completely amazing and very special,” beamed Lottie. “Of course, I knew he was capable of taking us to gold, but we also need four of us on the team and four amazing horses. He felt amazing in there. He had a few small distractions, some noises from outside causing some tension, which is a shame, but it’s still a personal best score. We’ve improved on a lot of things from last year and I’m excited to get back out there this weekend.
“He went in there to a lot of applause, which was a bit distracting in the beginning, but in my rein-back I think he could hear something in the VIP area that caught his attention, which is a shame because it’s usually a good movement for him. Then, there were just a few little distractions, I could feel him just looking at things outside the arena, which isn’t normally like him. There were a few miscommunications, but I think a lot of it has improved so much and we were still able to get a personal best today. There were still so many amazing things in the test.
“It’s so special to win the team gold, especially with the team we’ve got here. We’ve done so many championships together as a team, and now we get gold at the Europeans. It’s really exciting and a very special feeling. I’m really excited about the next couple of days, especially now I’ve been in there once. I think I gave him a really good ride and a great feeling, so it will be exciting to get back in there, for sure,” she explained.
Britain first claimed the European gold at the FEI European Championships in Rotterdam in 2011, before going on to win a historic Olympic team gold at London 2012, so today’s achievement puts us in good stead to repeat that feat. Paris here we come!
Taking the three best scores form each nation, the final team scores were:
Gold – Great Britain, 242.220
Silver – Germany, 239.674
Bronze – Denmark, 228.727
4th – Sweden, 221.522
5th – The Netherlands, 218.603
6th – France, 216.770
7th – Austria, 216.119
8th – Belgium, 214.582
9th – Spain, 213.727
10th – Portugal, 210.249
The three Paris Olympic qualification places go to Austria, Belgium and Spain – congratulations.
Proud Performance Manager Caroline Griffth reflected on the team gold; “I am absolutely thrilled and euphoric. You know, this team has been building towards this for so long. We’ve set targets for ourselves and for each individual combination throughout the years and building up to this, and when you see the riding and the tests they produce, it is phenomenal.
“They support each other so very well. I can’t tell you, as a team they are super to work with, as are the much wider team we have – the support staff, the grooms and people that work behind the scenes. We all know each other very well and that’s what gels together and, when you see it come together, it’s amazing.
“We’ve definitely got Paris on our mind – that’s on our radar and that’s what we’re doing. This is part of that bigger plan. I’d also actually just like to say thank you to the organisers and the committee here, it’s been super facilities and that’s allowed these horses to shine,” she said.
Para dressage team competition
Georgia Wilson and Sakura – Grade 2
Buoyed by their silver medal performance in the individual test and the rest day that followed, Georgia Wilson and the chestnut Sakura, who she owns with parents Geoff and Julie, were raring to get back in the arena in a bid to improve on Tuesday’s score. The Grand Prix B test is the one which suits the duo best, so hopes were high. The final rider to go in the class, they had a score of 77.567% to beat, set by the gold medallist in their first meeting earlier in the week – Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Horse24 Dooloop.
Georgia and ‘Suki’ got off to a lovely start with a straight entry to a square halt. With a smooth transition into a forward, rhythmical trot, it was clear that Suki was tuned into her rider and together they meant business. They had a slight loss of rhythm in the medium walk across the diagonal, but Georgia was quick to regain the pace. The halt wasn’t quite square with one hind leg just trailing, but the required immobility was there.
The right leg-yield was on point, and the transitions crisp and neat. The leg-yield to the left was also good with strong steps. Georgia used her corner well to set up for the medium trot across the diagonal, which demonstrated a clear difference in pace. Every movement had a active rhythm, but never pushed out of what was natural. A super final halt brought what had been a superb performance to an end, then it was plenty of pats for Suki while Georgia’s characteristic smile lit up the arena.
There was an expectant wait for the score – it was a grand performance, but what would the tally be for the team? The final confirmed mark was 74.169% – just off their personal best, but a perfect start for the team and second overall, which bodes well for Saturday’s Freestyle.
“It was very hot out there, but I was really pleased with Suki and apparently two out of three halts were square, so I’ve gotten better!” said a delighted Georgia. “I’ve only got two in the freestyle, so hopefully I’ll get them both!”, she quipped.
“Suki hasn’t got the most uphill trot like some of the other horses have, so we’ve worked really hard on trying to get that trot a bit more expressive for the mediums. I was really happy with my trot work and she’s feeling much more of a powerful horse now. This test suits her more than the Grand Prix A because it’s not as stop-starty, so it’s much more flowing.
“I was quite nervous today because I really wanted to get a better score for the team, so I’m happy I did that. When we started at the start of the year, I got 67% in February, so to get a PB in my individual here is great. Nicky [Lickley, coach] has helped me, picked me up from the start of the year, so I’m really grateful,” she finished.
Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, Grade 1
Coming to your first championship is a huge undertaking for any athlete – new experiences, a different type of pressure, extreme apprehension – it can take its toll. But it would appear that Gabriella ‘Gabby’ Blake is relishing her new-found status. Like Georgia, she had a good first ride – and won her first medal – for a huge shot of confidence, and was looking to better that performance during her second time in front of the judging panel.
Once again, her gleaming grey partner, the Irish Sport Horse cross Connemara Strong Beau, proudly marched down the centreline with his rider and it was clear that they were here with a purpose. This is a test which calls for accuracy because there are plenty of turns and circles. From the start, the walk showed excellent forward movement and you could see Gabby looking at every turn, visualising the perfect line and then guiding ‘Beau’ to follow her planned route – and he was intently following her every command, with his cheery nature and expression winning over the crowd and, importantly, the judges.
As they came across the arena and into the halt at X, Gabby momentarily lost Beau’s attention and he fidgeted, which resulted in the only blip to an otherwise pleasing performance. They were quickly back into their rhythm, though, with the mistake behind them. The free walk showed a fair stretch and good stride length, and the last centre line was a super final flourish that ended with a good halt. It was a performance that oozed new-found confidence, but would that reflect in the score? The final percentage was 74.417% – so very close to a new personal best but, importantly, another +74% score towards the team tally.
“It was absolutely amazing, I don’t think he’s ever given me a ride like that ever! He was completely with me. I can’t ask for more. I’ve been struggling with getting the left bend – that would be my worst thing for a few years now, but today I nailed it. I’m not sure what happened in the halt, maybe he wanted to correct himself. I’m really happy with that – delighted! I’m ready for the freestyle and have something good planned! I’ll be rooting for Sophie and Charlotte tomorrow and see what happens!” said Gabby.
Coming up
As the dust settles on the dressage team competition, all eyes must now turn to the battle for individual honours. The Grand Prix Special gets underway tomorrow, featuring the top 30 combinations after the Grand Prix. All four of Britain’s combinations will be in the mix:
- Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca – 14:00 (13:00 BST)
- Lottie Fry and Glamourdale – 16:00 (15:00 BST)
- Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep – 16:20 (15:20 BST)
- Carl Hester and Fame – 16:30 (15:30 BST)
Over in the para dressage arena, there are still team medals to be awarded. After a great start today thanks to Georgia and Gabby, it’s now the turn of our two Grade 5 combinations to add their scores to Britain’s tally:
- Charlotte Cundall and FJ Veyron – 10:54 (09:54 BST)
- Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa – 11:39 (10:39 BST)
All the dressage action will be available to stream live with English commentary on FEI.TV via a subscription to ClipMyHorse.TV. The para dressage tests can be watched via the FEI You Tube channel.
Running orders and results are available from Longines Equestrian Timing.
Follow British Equestrian for all the action via: Website | Facebook | Instagram
The funding that the British Equestrian World Class Programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing our teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground.
British Equestrian is also extremely grateful for the support we enjoy from our partners – Bates Saddles, Dodson & Horrell, Fairfax & Favor, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team suppliers – Equi-Trek, Horseware, Lotus Romeo, Marksway Horsehage and Point Two. We’re indebted for the year-round support they provide to the World Class Programme and British teams.
On the 2nd and 3rd September, the cream of the UK’s archery talent assembled at Wollaton Hall in Nottingham for the National Tour Finals. More than 6,000 spectators attended or streamed the event from across the world as they watched the archers compete for the top podium spots in the disciplines of recurve, compound and barebow archery.
18-year-old world number one Penny Healey secured gold in the recurve women event, taking her third National Tour title in a row, to add to her World Cup Antalya 2023 gold medal and her win at the European Games in Krakow. Sarah Bettles improved on her 2022 National Tour bronze medal to take the silver, and British Olympian Bryony Pitman picked up bronze.
After her victory, Penny said: “This win means a lot. I’ve been struggling a bit for the past few months with my shot routine and stuff, and to finally have it come together on the finals field is amazing and it gives me great confidence for the World Cup Final next week.”
In the recurve men competition, Tom Hall shot his way through to the gold, beating Conor Hall who took silver and Monty Orton the bronze.
Afterwards, Tom shared how he conquered his nerves to take the National Tour title, he said: “Just trust it. That’s all I’m trying to scream into myself. When you’re out there and you feel nervous and you’re on the stage, everything is magnified. I’ve learned to just try to ignore it, find my shot, move through, and trust that the work I’ve done will get the results.”
In the compound competition, the women’s title was won by Lizzie Foster who saw off world number one Ella Gibson in an incredibly tight semi-final to face Layla Annison for the gold medal, with Gibson taking the bronze medal.
A shocked Lizzie said afterwards: “I’ll be honest, I don’t at this point quite realise what I’ve done. So maybe it’ll sink in tomorrow when I wake up and watch the video back and realise I have a gold medal around my neck.”
The compound men’s competition was won by 2018 and 2019 winner James Mason, Ajay Scott took the silver medal and last year’s second-placed shooter Kai Thomas-Prause took the bronze.
Speaking after his win, James said: “This win feels really good. It’s a big shock to be honest as I spent most of the season recovering from injury, so I went in with little expectations.”
The barebow competition saw an impressive rise in competitor numbers this year compared to 2022. In the barebow men competition, Daniel Kilgallon saw off competition from last year’s champion Wilco van Kleef-Bolton to win gold.
The barebow women’s event saw Sarah Hubbard fight hard to her first Tour Final gold medal; she beat Pat Hotchkiss to take the top spot.
This was the seventh time the two-day National Tour competition has been held at Wollaton Hall.
Image Credits: Archery GB
Supported by the Juniors Program in 2020 and 2021, then a member of La Conti Groupama-FDJ since 2022, Eddy Le Huitouze joins the WorldTour team for two seasons in 2024. Eddy Le Huitouze is two-time French time trial champion in the Espoirs category and bronze medallist at the European Championships in 2022.
| EDDY LE HUITOUZE |
| “I’m very happy to reach this new level. At Conti, you put one foot in the professional world, but joining the WorldTour team is something else. I’m very proud to reach this goal, and above all I’m looking forward to it. My ambitions for next year will be to get to know the top level as well as possible, to progress and to help my leaders. The team has been with me since I was a junior. A history has been created. It’s ideal to evolve in this environment. I already know a lot of people, and that’s going to make my integration easier. I already feel at home. After two years with the Juniors Program and two years with La Conti, this was the next logical step. I’d really like to thank the team for their confidence in me.” |
| BENOIT VAUGRENARD Sports Director and Head of Junior Program |
| “Eddy Le Huitouze will be joining the WorldTour team next year, having previously taken part in the Juniors Program and La Conti. Along with Lenny Martinez, he will be the second rider to go through this complete process. It’s always a real source of pride to coach young riders up to the highest level. Eddy is a strong rouleur. He’s also agile on a bike. I think that racing at a higher level should be better suited to his qualities. In Conti races, there are a lot of jolts, whereas Eddy has the ability to ride fast and long. Eddy is young, he hasn’t yet reached physical maturity, but I have no doubt that he’s going to become a very good rider.” |
Keely Hodgkinson (coach: Trevor Painter, club: Leigh) added another superb silver medal to her major medal collection on the final night in Budapest as brilliant bronze medals for both the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay quartets powered the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team to their best World Athletics Championships to match the record medal haul from 1993.
Hodgkinson’s bid in the women’s 800m has slowly built up to the final night in Hungary and it was worth the wait as she surged to silver down the home straight – storming past reigning world and Olympic champion Athing Mu (USA) – clocking a time of 1:56.34 minutes, just 0.31 seconds off Kenyan gold medallist Mary Moraa. British teammate Jemma Reekie (Jon Big, Kilbarchan) competed with the three medallists throughout and placed fifth in 1:57.72.
In the penultimate event of the Championships the British men’s 4x400m relay team of Alex Haydock-Wilson (Benke Blomkvist, Windsor Slough Eton Hounslow), Charlie Dobson (Benke Blomkvist, Colchester), Lewis Davey (Trevor Painter, Newham & Essex Beagles) and Rio Mitcham (Leon Baptiste, Birchfield) powered to a brilliant bronze – the latter running a storming leg as they guaranteed a podium place in 2:58.71.
Then in the very final event, the British women’s 4x400m relay team of Laviai Nielsen (Phillip Unfried, Enfield & Haringey), Amber Anning (Chris Johnson, Brighton & Hove), Ama Pipi (Linford Christie, Enfield & Haringey) and Nicole Yeargin (Boogie Johnson, Pitreavie) claimed their own bronze medal after an all-round strong performance – the quartet clocking their second quickest time ever in the event in 3:21.04.
In the only other individual final on the closing night, Morgan Lake (Robbie Grabarz, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) produced the best performance of her career as the former world junior champion finished a superb fourth in the women’s high jump final – coming so close to a maiden global senior medal but finishing her series with a best height of 1.97m, that an outdoor personal best.
Hodgkinson’s superb silver in the women’s 800m final and the brilliant bronze medals from the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay quartets gave the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team three fantastic medals on the final night in Budapest and pushed the overall total to an impressive ten – two gold, three silver and five bronzes – their equal best ever World Athletics Championships after the same haul was achieved in Stuttgart 30 years ago in 1993.
Hodgkinson said: “To be consistently up with the best in the world is all I want from my career. [It is] another podium, another medal so that is definitely a positive, but I did think I was going to come through on the inside. The line just came quicker than I thought it would.
“I gave it my all, like I always do. I don’t think I put a foot wrong – I’ll have to go watch it back again – but consistency. Another silver – it’s not bronze, it’s not gold – we’re still on the podium.”
In one the most anticipated finals of the entire Championships – scheduled for the very last night in Budapest – the women’s 800m final involving Hodgkinson and Reekie certainly delivered a race for the ages.
Hodgkinson, Mu and Moraa all set off from the gun to get to the front and it was the American world and Olympic champion – unbeaten in the distance for over three years – who got there. Hodgkinson settled into second with Moraa on her shoulder and Reekie placing herself fourth.
Through the bell – the first lap was run in 56.01 – Hodgkinson was fourth and Reekie third while Moraa went about pushing in front of Mu. Immediately around the bend of the last lap Mu appeared to start stretching the field out but with 300m to go it was well and truly a four-way battle for the medals.
Hodgkinson and Reekie set about chasing Mu and Moraa before it all changed on the home straight. Mu faded with 50m to go with Moraa surging ahead for the eventual gold medal in a personal best 1:56.03 while Hodgkinson dug deep and got in front of the American for silver in 1:56.34.
“I do love it. I was really looking forward to today. I was really up for it. I really did believe I was going to win again – you’ve got to believe, that is half the battle. It is a different order to last year, who knows what order it will be next year. One of these days I will get the top spot, today was just not meant to be.
“Olympic year – everyone brings even more of their A game than they usually do. There is no stone left unturned. Like I say, we’ll aim for gold again and see what happens.”
Reekie meanwhile gave it her all in the women’s 800m final, boldly going – and sticking with – the three favourites for the podium. She was in fourth coming into the final 100m and pushed all the way to the line to eventually finish fifth in 1:57.72.
She said: “I am proud of the way I ran it. I was brave and I went out, it was probably just a bit hot in the first lap. I am proud of the way I’ve run this season. I went to Jon [her coach] in an absolute mess and our goal was always to run under two minutes again consistently. To be here in the final is exciting for next year.
“It was always going to be hard [change of coach]. I was in the set up before for a long time. You build those relationships up but Jon has made it as smooth as he can for me and we are excited for the future. I am loving working with him.
“I really wanted to be up in those medals today but those girls are strong. I have got a lot of work to do but I reckon we can do it for next year.”
In the men’s 4x400m relay final, Haydock-Wilson – the individual 400m bronze medallist from last year’s European Championships – led the continental champions out on the opening leg and ran superbly to get the British team into second, right on the shoulder of the eventual winners America.
He handed over to Dobson, who at the cut in placed himself fourth with nothing separating the entire field at this stage. Dobson went wide down the home straight and produced a fine finish for a rapid overall leg to hand over with the team in second.
Davey kept it that way after the changeover with Dobson and kept France at bay in third for much of the first 200m. He faced a battle down the home straight but hung on brilliantly to keep the team in medal contention in third.
Mitcham, the only member of the team not part of the European Championship winning quartet last year but like Davey a silver medallist in the mixed 4x400m relay on the opening day of the Championships, had the task of keeping the team in the medals and he did that supremely well despite the chase of Jamaican world 400m Antonio Watson.
The Jamaican arrived on Mitcham’s shoulder with 200m to go but the Briton kept extremely strong and simply would not allow Watson to pass, surging ahead over the final metres to ensure bronze in 2:58.71, just 0.26 away from France in silver in the end.
Haydock-Wilson: “We come out here and we know that these are the worlds best. In fact it wasn’t long ago that all of us were just watching them on TV thinking ‘man, where would I be in a race like that?’ – and here we are on the podium in a race like that.”
Dobson said: “That [his 43.7 split] is unreal. I’m speechless. I am even more speechless than I was two minutes ago. Everything I had to do was for the team. I just had to get in a good position to hand off to Lewis so he could get around again and get to Rio and get around again and get a medal. That’s exactly what we managed to do.”
Mitcham said: “I don’t doubt these guys one bit. When he [Watson] came up on my shoulder, I didn’t doubt myself a single, single, single, single centimetre. I just knew I had it in us. Haydock’s the guy, Charlie 43.7 – we already know he’s the guy – Lewis he is the guy. I can’t say anything else, I’m too happy. I love these boys, this is what we do it for. That’s it.”
The women’s 4x400m relay final closed the entire Championships in Budapest and the experienced Nielsen – like Davey and Mitcham part of the silver-medal winning mixed quartet – led the British team out superbly.
There was not much between the entire field after the first 200m and she hung close to Jamaican Candice McLeod to hand over to Anning in second. Anning had to contend with a fast first 100m of the second lap but cut in with the team in second.
Jamaica pulled away with Anning battling with the Dutch and Canada but she held strong on that second leg. Pipi received the baton from Anning with there now nothing between herself, Jamaica in the lead and the Dutch behind.
Anning stalked leader Nickisha Pyrce down the home straight and passed in second to Yeargin for an extremely eventful final lap. Jamaican Stacey Ann Williams went out very hard and Yeargin – under pressure from Dutch world 400m hurdles champion Femke Bol – kept with her.
The final metres would be packed with drama as Bol surged to take gold for the Dutch while Yeargin battled to reel in the slow finishing Jamaican Williams. Yeargin just missed out but did more than enough for bronze in a rapid 3:21.04, 0.16 off Jamaica in silver.
Anning said: “I knew the second leg was going to be the strongest. I wanted to go out there and run similar to how I did in the heats. I wanted to get us in a good position and help Nicole and Ama. It was fun. Watching the boys get the bronze gave me so much energy. I knew we could do it and I am just so proud of the girls who brought it home.”
Yeargin said: “I was happy to be in the position I was. All the ladies did so well. I held my own. I tried my best. The last two metres got real loud and it was good entertainment at least. I was swimming for the line.”
Lake was the last British athlete to compete individually at these Championships and what a competition it was for the world junior champion in both the high jump and heptathlon from nine years ago.
She started the women’s high jump final at the earliest opportunity, 1.85m, going clear first time and doing the same at 1.90m. Lake was put under extreme pressure thereafter but dealt with it incredibly well in what would be the best performance of her senior career.
That’s because she was drinking in the last chance saloon at 1.94m, remaining composed to clear at the third and final attempt before having to do the same all over again at the next height of 1.97m.
Lake got better at each attempt at 1.97m and meticulously visualised her final effort, getting it spot on and producing a great leap, which would secure her a place in the top four with only four athletes remaining.
As the bar moved to 1.99m, Lake’s first attempt looked great but was a foul and she was then so close next time only to knock the bar again. At this point the three other athletes had cleared which meant a clearance would have kept her fourth.
She opted to pass and attempt 2.01m and just narrowly failed to clear with the only chance she was allowed. Still fourth at the World Championships with an outdoor personal best 1.97m represents arguably the best performance of her career.
Lake said: “It is a bittersweet moment right now, but I think in a few weeks’ time I will look back at this moment and be really proud of this. Fourth in the world is something I am very happy with. I was so close to a medal which stings a bit. But I am so grateful with how the season has panned out.
“Third attempt at 1.94m, third attempt at 1.97m – I think after clearing 1.94m it gave me that confidence for the next jump. Obviously, it is not fun to do third attempts which is something I need to get better at. But I just had that feeling of just staying in the fight. It’s good to know I can perform under pressure as well.
“My coach Robbie Grabarz has been there and done it. We’ve been working on keeping very calm. If I get a bit overexcited, the run-up goes a bit quick and I miss my mark, everything is rushed. So, every jump I take a breath and relax. It sounds so easy, but I have to trust that is the right thing to do.”
The Great Britain and Northern Ireland medal tally:
Gold (2): Katarina Johnson-Thompson – Women’s Heptathlon, Josh Kerr – Men’s 1500m
Silver (3): Mixed 4x400m Relay, Matthew Hudson-Smith – Men’s 400m, Keely Hodgkinson – Women’s 800m
Bronze (5): Zharnel Hughes – Men’s 100m, Ben Pattison – Men’s 800m, Women’s 4x100m relay, Men’s 4x400m Relay, Women’s 4x400m Relay
England Men’s Hockey Team secured their first European-level medal in 14 years after taking silver at the EuroHockey Championships, just missing out on the trophy to the Netherlands. The English side pushed a very impressive Dutch side all the way in the final, but it finished 2-1 to the Netherlands.
The Dutch took the double lead goal through field goals from Derck De Vilder (9′) and Duco Telgenkamp (37′), while England pulled a goal back through Sam Ward (47′) in what was a closely fought contest.
The opening minutes saw both teams exchanging attacks, with the Netherlands slightly dominating the possession. The first real chance came from the Dutch side as their captain Brinkman was in a one-on-one situation, but the English goalkeeper Ollie Payne nullified the danger. They again took a shot at goal from near the left side of the goalpost, but Payne stood tall to deny the Dutch from taking the lead.
The Dutch continued with their structured attack and were successful in breaking the deadlock through De Vilder’s field goal in the ninth minute.
England fought back and kept mounting pressure on the Dutch in the final minutes. They were rewarded with a penalty corner, but the Netherlands averted the danger to end the opening quarter with a narrow 1-0 lead.
The Netherlands dominated the ball possession in the second quarter. They kept making attacking inroads, but the English goalie kept the Dutch at bay. They also had a penalty corner in the final minute of the quarter but missed out on converting it.
England also made a few circle entries, but couldn’t find an opening, ending the first half with just a goal behind.
After a delayed start due to the thunderstorm, England took the first shot at goal at the start of the third quarter. However, Ward’s reverse flick was deflected by the Dutch defender.
The Dutch took control of the proceedings as they doubled the lead through Telgenkamp’s deflection from an open play in the 37th minute. They also had a penalty corner in the following minutes but couldn’t convert it.
While the Netherlands continued with their attacking intent, England created half-chances in the closing stage of the third quarter.
England came out all guns blazing in the final quarter and pulled a goal back within two minutes. It was Ward who found the back of the net from an open play in the 47th minute.
With the Netherlands down to 10 men, England took off their goalkeeper to put an extra outfield player. The Dutch had a clear-cut opening with an empty goal, but Brendon Creed’s diving save pumped up England’s spirits as they almost equalised but the goal was disallowed and a penalty stroke was awarded on a video referral by the Dutch.
Nick Bandurak’s shot was saved, but the stroke was rewarded on a video referral by England. However, they couldn’t capitalise on it as Bandurak’s second attempt was also defended by the Dutch goalie.
In the dying minutes, England had a series of penalty corners, but couldn’t take advantage the opportunities and they finished 1-2 in the final of the EuroHockey Championship 2023.
Reflecting on the final and overall performance in the tournament, England Captain David Ames said, “Very tough way to end the competition. Finals come down to small margins. I think we had a little bit of a moment of chaos with the video referral. I’m not sure we played as well as we could have in the first half but played pretty well in the second half and I think we deserved to get back into the game.”
“I’m very proud to win a silver medal. Everyone wants gold, and we fought long and hard for a long time to be able to get through the semifinals and to be on the stage pretty special. Now we just have to make sure we’re backing it a few more times and cross the line. We came in the tournament really well, having done a lot of prep, started obviously very well and just got better and better. When we sit down in a few weeks, we will be very happy and pleased that we have got to the final for the first time in 14 years,” he concluded.
The England Men’s Hockey team have reached the EuroHockey Championship final for the first time since 2009 after beating the world champions Germany on their home soil 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
The match was a tightly fought contest but neither team could take advantage of their chances and the 60 minutes remained 0-0 which led to the shootout.
The German team started the match with a high level of intensity and a high percentage of possession in the English D and after a free hit drilled the ball past Ollie Payne, but the English team referred the goal, and it was subsequently disallowed. The free hit wasn’t taken in the right place leading to the referral being upheld.
The English defensive line maintained their composure after the pressure of the Germans increased throughout the quarter and the first 15 minutes ended 0-0.
The second quarter started in a similar fashion with the German team pushing hard to try and break the deadlock. They had their first penalty corner in the 18th minute and the English team defended it excellently after the Germans missed the ball.
In the 21st minute, the German team earned three penalty corners in quick succession, but the English defence showed their strength to keep the German forwards at bay. The teams went back to the changing rooms at half-time with the scores remaining 0-0.
The English team started the second half of the match with a renewed hunger and started putting good passes together which led to more possession in the German area but couldn’t get the ball on target.
The third quarter continued with end-to-end action as both teams were fighting hard to secure the first goal of the game. In the final minute of the quarter, Sam Ward had a diving chance in front of goal that beat the German goalkeeper Jean-Paul Dannenburg but was saved on the line.
The match restarted with everything at stake for both teams in the last 15 minutes of the match and England had a couple of attacking movements but couldn’t take advantage of them.
With four minutes to go, Zach Wallace took down a looping ball in the German area and managed to get it in front of the goal, but the forwards couldn’t get it past Danneburg.
In the last two minutes, the German team had excellent build-up and took a shot at English goalkeeper Ollie Payne but he managed to block the ball and keep the score at 0-0.
Neither team could secure the vital goal and the teams went to a shootout which ended 5-4 to England to put them into the final for the first time in 14 years. It was goalkeeper James Mazarelo’s heroics in the shootout that confirmed England’s place in the final. He denied German captain Mats Grambusch from converting their fifth attempt and final attempt.
Player of the match, James Albery, said: “I’m slightly lost for words to be honest, it’s been a bit of a blur. It was an unbelievable game and to win it on the shootout at the end is fantastic.
“We’ve been focusing on our defence for a number of months now and Zach Jones [coach] has been leading the defensive side of our game and he expects the best and that’s what we tried to deliver tonight. To keep a clean sheet against the Germans is also really impressive.
“The shootout seems a fairly brutal way to go out after a game like that and it’s not the way we would have wanted to win the game, but we will take it. We’ve worked really hard at them and after we went out this team at the World Cup, we didn’t want that to happen again and it’s credit to the lads who have put in the work over the last few months.”
England will now face the Netherlands in the final on Sunday at 2pm BST.