Category: 6. Sports

Thirty years ago, a young man from Tzaneen stood proudly on the podium at the World University Games, a gold medal glinting against his chest, the South African flag draped behind him. This year, his daughter stood in his footsteps—not just as a competitor, but as a new chapter in a remarkable family legacy.

A legacy forged in athletics

“My parents are definitely my biggest support system,” says Karmen. “My mom is my role model—she also did the heptathlon—and my dad helps me a lot with javelin and shot put. It’s all just working so well as a system.”

A new generation takes the stage

While Louis dominated the field in javelin, Karmen has embraced the all-around demands of the heptathlon—a gruelling seven-event competition that tests speed, strength, skill, and stamina.

Even more impressive? Karmen only began training for the heptathlon in September of last year. For Karmen, the World University Games were about more than medals. They were about community, challenge, and connection.

“I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the crowd,” she says. “There’s just an incredible bond between the heptathlon girls. It was a core memory for me—I can’t wait to start training again.”

Despite the event being her international debut, Karmen handled the pressure with poise, viewing the Games not as a test, but as an opportunity to learn.

A father’s reflections

For Louis Fouché, watching his daughter step onto the same world stage he once dominated is a full-circle moment.

“To win gold in 1993 was a dream,” he recalls. “I was a country boy from Tzaneen, and to stand on that podium… it’s a feeling you can’t describe. The team was celebrating with me—I don’t think I took the medal off my neck until the next morning.”

Now, he passes on not just technical skills, but life lessons from a career at the top.

“Sport was always part of my life. There are ups and downs. But the experiences you gain—the people you meet—they last a lifetime. You use those lessons in life after sport.”

The next chapter

With her final year of Pharmacy underway and plans to continue studying towards her Masters degree on the horizon, Karmen’s plate is full. But she balances the academic with the athletic like a seasoned pro and with her family beside her, the foundation is strong.

“Sport and studies—it’s been a hectic four years,” she admits. “But I’m almost done, and I can’t wait to train for the next Games.”

From a gold medal in 1993 to a heptathlon debut in 2025 over thirty years later, the Fouché family proves that excellence doesn’t just run in the blood—it’s built on discipline, passion, and unwavering support.

As Karmen continues her journey, one thing is clear: this story isn’t finished. In fact, it’s just getting started.

Written by Kimara Singh Ruiters, pictures courtesy of the Fouché Family and Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games

In a startling turn of events that left cricket fans scratching their heads, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed a technical glitch after Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli briefly disappeared from the latest ODI batting rankings. The incident, which unfolded on August 20, 2025, sparked intense speculation across social media, with fans questioning whether it was a deliberate update, a system error, or a sign of impending retirement for India’s premier ODI duo.

Also Read: Team India’s Probable Playing XI In Asia Cup 2025: Shubman Gill-Abhishek Sharma To Open, Jasprit Bumrah Returns To Lead Bowling Attack, Sanju Samson Benched

The Mysterious Disappearance of India’s Icons

Just a week prior, Rohit Sharma was ranked No.2, while Virat Kohli occupied the No.4 spot in the ICC ODI rankings. Shockingly, the August 20 release did not feature either player within the top 100. Social media erupted with #RohitSharma and #ViratKohli trending worldwide, as fans and cricket analysts debated the cause of their sudden absence. The ICC quickly addressed the issue, admitting, “There was an error in our rankings tables today, but it has been rectified.”

Despite the glitch, neither player has retired or become inactive in ODIs. Both remain crucial members of India’s ODI squad, having played pivotal roles in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the UAE. Rohit Sharma’s match-winning innings in the final helped India secure their first ICC ODI trophy in a decade, while Virat Kohli excelled during the group stages, expertly navigating spin-friendly pitches at the Dubai International Stadium.

Rankings Update and Its Implications

Before Wednesday’s glitch, Rohit Sharma’s 756 rating points placed him just behind Shubman Gill, who leads the ICC ODI batting charts with 784 points. Virat Kohli held 736 points in the fourth spot. Following the mistaken update, Babar Azam moved up to No.2, leaving only Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer as the Indians in the top 10 ODI batter rankings.

Cricket experts highlight that such technical errors, though rare, can create unnecessary panic among fans. “Both Rohit and Kohli have been consistently performing at the highest level,” said a former selector. “This is clearly a system glitch, and rankings will soon reflect their rightful positions.” Accordng to Hindustan Times, an ICC spokesperson admitted the mistake, “There was an error in our rankings tables today, but it has been rectified.”

Social Media Buzz and Fan Reactions

The disappearance of two of India’s most prolific ODI players triggered a wave of online chatter. Fans speculated wildly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), raising concerns about a potential oversight or miscommunication from the ICC. Memes, polls, and threads dissected every angle—from hypothetical retirements to technical flaws—demonstrating the fervent following both players command.

The ICC has yet to update its official website with the corrected rankings, leaving enthusiasts eagerly awaiting confirmation. Given the duo’s recent performances and active status, it is expected that the rankings will soon reflect their actual standings, restoring normalcy in the ODI charts.

Tom Pidcock targeting a Grand Tour podium

In December 2024, it was announced he would be leaving Ineos, despite signing a five-year contract in 2022, and shortly afterwards, a three-year deal was struck with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. The decision raised more than a few eyebrows as Q36.5 are a UCI ProTeam, meaning they compete at the second-highest level of pro road cycling, just below WorldTour teams. But from his results this year, Pidcock may have been vindicated.

In his first race for his new team, the 26-year-old claimed his first GC triumph at the AlUla Tour. He then finished third overall at the Vuelta a Andalucia, second in the Strade Bianche, and 16th in the Giro d’Italia general classification standings. He also won the MTB cross-country European Championship title and the Andorra World Cup race.

Now, with Q36.5 being awarded a wildcard place at the Vuelta, Pidcock has chosen to skip the MTB Worlds in September – and another potential battle with his old rival Mathieu van der Poel – to see if he can take the next step in his development and challenge for a Grand Tour podium place.

“It’s a shame, because I would have loved to race, especially to battle Mathieu, but I want to focus more on the road and we’re building up our team,” Pidcock told De Telegraaf. “So it makes sense for me to ride the Vuelta.

“Getting on the podium would be amazing, but winning a Grand Tour is the hardest thing in the world for me. I know what it’s like to win a one-day race, but a Grand Tour? That’s a different story.

“My time trial still needs to improve a lot, but maybe I can aim for a top 10.”

A podium place may seem unlikely, but then again, Pidcock likes nothing better than beating the odds.

Athletes to watch at the 2025 Brussels Diamond League

At the heart of the programme lies the women’s 100 metres, a race brimming with star power. From the USA come Sha’Carri Richardson, the reigning world champion and Olympic silver medallist, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, whose breakout season has propelled her to the top of the world-leading list, and Maia McCoy, who has also run under 11 seconds twice this year.

Britain’s Daryll Neita, fourth in Paris, is equally determined to secure a place on a major podium. And with the late addition of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the Jamaican icon who has ruled sprinting for more than 15 years, the showdown has become unmissable. Fraser-Pryce’s Brussels meeting record of 10.72, set back in 2013, still endures, but Jefferson-Wooden’s blistering form suggests it may finally be under threat this year.

Other records are also firmly in play. Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi arrives in the Belgian capital targeting the mile steeplechase world record, a less familiar distance where World Athletics is experimenting with a shorter, faster twist on Yavi’s 3000m speciality. Having already come within a heartbeat of the 3000m world record, the Olympic champion now has the chance to make history over the mile.

Distance fans will also have one eye on Agnes Jebet Ngetich in the 5000m. The Kenyan was shoulder to shoulder with Beatrice Chebet when the latter broke the world record in Eugene and has been chasing history ever since.

Yet the excitement in Brussels extends far beyond the home straight. For Belgian fans, few sights will stir as much pride as seeing Nafi Thiam on home soil. A three-time Olympic champion in the heptathlon, she swaps the all-round test for the long jump pit in Belgium’s capital.

Hamish Kerr, the New Zealander who claimed high jump Olympic gold after a dramatic jump-off in Paris, will look to extend his podium streak against the very man he jumped off with in Paris, the USA’s Shelby McEwen. Kerr carries the season’s best of the field, having jumped 2.33m in Silesia just one week ago. But never count out Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk, who delivered a 2.34m at the European indoor championships back in March.

In the discus, Rojé Stona arrives as the Olympic champion and as the man who pushed the event into new territory with his record-breaking 70-metre throw. Germany’s Yemisi Ogunleye in the shot put and Dominica’s Thea LaFond in the triple jump add further sparkle. And then there is Elien Vekemans, the Belgian pole vaulter who has made a habit of breaking her own national record this year (five times, to be precise) and may yet do so again with the likes of Katie Moon, Molly Caudery, and Sandi Morris pushing her higher.

Much has been said about Pakistan’s search for stability at the top of the order, but Maaz Sadaqat has become the latest batsman to suggest that the quest may not be as bleak as once feared.

The 20-year-old left-hander lit up the Shaheens’ tour of Australia for the Top End T20 Series with a superb century against the Adelaide Strikers Academy, reminding selectors and fans alike that Pakistan’s batting cupboard might not be as bare as recent struggles suggest.

Maaz, who has steadily built a reputation in domestic cricket for his fluent strokeplay, finally got a chance to showcase his talent at the top of the order after replacing Khawaja Nafay. Against a disciplined Strikers attack in unfriendly conditions, he smashed 104 off 59 balls, becoming the second Shaheens centurion in the tournament after Abdul Samad. His knock was the backbone of the Shaheens’ innings, lifting the team to 202/6 in 20 overs—and sending a clear message that Pakistan’s next generation is eager to seize the stage.

For years, Pakistan’s batting frailties, particularly up the order, have been a recurring theme. But this Shaheens tour is beginning to paint a different picture. Alongside Maaz Sadaqat, youngsters like Nafay, Abdul Samad, and Yasir Khan have also chipped in with vital runs. Collectively, they have shown glimpses of the depth and versatility that could form the nucleus of Pakistan’s batting lineup in the years to come.

With Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan as incumbent openers—and Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan seemingly a thing of the past in T20Is—the need for a strong pipeline of batting talent has never been greater. Maaz Sadaqat’s innings, built on sound technique and calm temperament, stands out not just for its immediate impact but for the reassurance it provides.

For Pakistan fans accustomed to cycles of collapse and overreliance on a handful of senior names, Maaz and his fellow Shaheens represent hope. The talent pool is there—what remains is consistent nurturing, opportunities at the top level, and the patience to allow these young batters to grow into their roles.

If Pakistan cricket truly wishes to solve its batting puzzle, performances like Maaz Sadaqat’s century in Adelaide should no longer be seen as isolated sparks; they must be treated as building blocks for a more resilient future.

The Olympic halfpipe champion, who considered retirement after falling into depression following Beijing 2022, is now firmly centred on becoming the first athlete to win three consecutive halfpipe gold medals at the Olympic Games.

In doing so, the 25-year-old would join USA compatriot Shaun White as the only Olympians to be crowned Olympic champion three times in the freestyle discipline.

Kim explained, “I wanted to retire after Beijing. But I was also like, ‘I’m not going to go out like this. I’m not going to retire after the worst Olympics of my life.’ In the beginning, it was [about] winning gold medals. Now it means being able to create whatever life I want for myself and having a great team of people supporting me in that shared goal.

“I’ve realized that nothing’s in my control. The more I try to control things, the more problems I’ll have. So let me just let it all go.”

The snowboarding events at Milano Cortina 2026 will be held at Livigno Snow Park, in Valtellina.

Russell Bremner: Russell Martin needs to go before he is sacked.

Michael Kearney: Too early into his tenure as Rangers manager for him to be sacked? Normally I would agree, however what we are seeing on a game-by-game basis is quite possibly the worst Rangers team we have ever seen. Nobody fears us. Nobody fears coming to Ibrox. It’s still early in the season – if we act now it’s possible we can recover… but not with Martin as manager. He has to go, and go now.

Kevin Ord: Not sure Martin has anything to be proud of, another mountain to climb away from home again. Far too many players just not good enough.

Michael Beck: Team selection all wrong. We needed energy in the middle of the park, which [Lyall] Cameron would have given. [Mikey] Moore should have started. Martin can talk up his philosophy until the cows come home but it just won’t work. The players don’t buy into it, therefore it’s dead in the water. Teams know how to play against Rangers. A high press forces the defence deeper and the mistake will come.

Lorna Stenhouse: Russell Martin reverts back to “the way the club has been for many years” in nearly every interview as one of the reasons the club is not moving forward and this needs fixed. I’d like him to clarify what is he trying to fix? What has been going on?

William MacFarlane: The manager has to go now. He is poor and not a Rangers manager – let him go. The team is poor but he has to go.

Callum Carmichael: I never thought Martin was the right manager for us from day one but having appointed him I was prepared to back him until things went wrong. Things have now gone wrong in a dramatic way and the fact that he won’t change his style of play means that it’s the end for him. Please resign, Mr Martin.

Kevin Sandison: Not even close to being good enough. A lack of tactical knowledge from the manager means he is already on very thin ice. Failure to beat St Mirren, get a better result in Belgium and then the Old Firm could see him out of work on 1 September.

Peter Cooper White: All my years watching Rangers, it’s one of the craziest 20 minutes I’ve witnessed. Then after the game Martin said he was proud of his team. He is so deluded it beggars believe. The board must give him an ultimatum; improve quickly or you’re off.