• Muhammad Ali's grandson Nico Ali Walsh wins first pro bout

    Nico Ali Walsh paid tribute to his grandfather Muhammad Ali as he won his debut professional bout wearing a pair of shorts he had given him.

    The 21-year-old made easy work of the fight, knocking down Jordan Weeks after 70 seconds.

  • Muir and Reekie confirmed for head to head in Müller Birmingham Diamond League 1500m

    Olympic silver medallist Laura Muir will open her season over 1500m at the Müller Birmingham Diamond League on Saturday 21 May in an exciting head to head with training partner and Olympic 800m fourth-place finisher Jemma Reekie.

    Muir, the reigning European champion and World Indoor medallist (2018), clocked a sensational 3:54.50 in the Tokyo final to improve her own British 1500m record.

  • Muir now the most decorated Brit at European Indoors with Gold in Istanbul

    Now five-time champion Laura Muir carved herself a special piece of history in the only way she could as she brought home the British team’s first gold at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul on a night where Keely Hodgkinson sent a statement of intent in her own title defence.

  • Muir targets world record at world-class Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow

    With just 100 days to go, it has been announced that Britain's leating distant runner, Laura Muir, will attempt to set a 1000m World Record at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow on Saturday 15 February 2020.

    Confirmed to compete at the event which sees her race on familiar territory in her home city of Glasgow, the reigning double European indoor champion and European outdoor 1500m champion will aim to start 2020 in electric style as she targets a historic world record -breaking performance in front of her home crowd.

    Muir is already the British and European record holder over 1000m having clocked 2:31.93 back in 2017 to go second on the all-time list behind Maria Mutola, and now she will aim to take the number one spot by breaking the world record of 2:30.94 – set back in 1999 - when she races at the Emirates Arena next February.

    Not only does the venue serve as Muir’s indoor training base, but the 26-year-old also won 1500m and 3000m gold there at 2019’s European Indoor Championships – so she is relishing the opportunity to compete in front of packed home crowd as part of her Olympic Games preparations.

    Speaking on racing at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow, Laura said: “I can’t think of a better way to begin 2020 and Olympic year than with a world record attempt in my home city and in front of a home crowd at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow.

    “Through the hard sessions this winter, knowing that I’ll be stepping back out onto the track in Glasgow will be absolutely huge motivation, as will the opportunity to attack what is a really tough and long-standing world record.

    “With that said, I feel that going quicker that 2:30.94 is a real possibility, and I can’t think of a better place to go for the record than in Glasgow and at such a world-class event.”

    On the role the Emirates Arena crowd can play in the attempt, she added: “I know all about the Glasgow crowd from the European Indoors this year and I know they will be crazy as ever, so the opportunity to achieve something as historic as a world record with them cheering me all the way is really special.”

    The Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow serving as the UK-leg of the IAAF World Indoor Tour, and Muir’s presence in Glasgow sees her join the in competing at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow.

  • Muir to captain Team GB&NI in Budapest

    Multiple global medallist Laura Muir will captain the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at the 2023 World Athletics Championships taking place in Budapest, Hungary between 19-27 August. The Scottish athlete has been a prolific medallist for GB & NI over several years, winning Olympic 1500m silver in Tokyo two years ago.

    At last year’s World Athletics Championships in Oregon, she also sealed 1500m bronze which was her first world outdoor medal in her fifth appearance at the Championships.

  • Muir, Reekie and Nielsen sisters lead medals rush at Microplus UK Championships in Birmingham

    On a day where there were 18 UK titles to decide, Laura Muir claimed gold in the 3,000m, as a weekend of top-class athletics continued at the Microplus UK Indoor Championships in Birmingham, whilst fellow Scot Jemma Reekie also won gold in the 800m final.

  • Müller Birmingham Diamond League sees six world leads at a new Alexander Stadium

    British athletes shone at their home Müller Birmingham Diamond League as Dina Asher-Smith, Laura Muir, Matt Hudson-Smith, Keely Hodgkinson and the women’s 4x100m relay took victory while there were also six world leads set at an impressively renovated Alexander Stadium.

    Asher-Smith held strong in the women’s 100m – and was impressive as the British women set a world lead in the 4x100m relay – and Birmingham’s own Hudson-Smith also immoveable in the men’s 400m.

  • Müller British Athletics Championships Rescheduled for September

    British Athletics has today announced that the Müller British Athletics Championships will take place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th September, with events to be held behind closed doors at the Manchester Regional Arena. 
     
    The format and shape of the competition and guidelines that will be adhered to for competitors and those helping to stage the championship will be subject to the government guidelines in place and will be communicated in due course.
     
    The championships will be broadcast live on Friday night on BBC2, 1830-2100 and Saturday, afternoon on BBC1, 1315-1630.
     
    Joanna Coates, CEO of UK Athletics said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our athletes an opportunity to compete and still become British Champions at the end of the summer in what has been the most unprecedented of circumstances for all sport.
     
    “People will be aware of my passion for women’s sport and I am grateful that the gender mix in athletics means everyone gets to return to the field of play. However, for those sports where men and women compete in separate structures, I urge those organisations to ensure efforts getting women’s sports back up and running are championed with the same passion and sense of urgency.
     
    “Thanks to the BBC for supporting us to showcase our sport under the Friday evening lights, and also to Manchester City Council for their investment into the facility and working with us to confirm we could stage this event in such challenging times.
     
    “We are sorry that we cannot host our brilliant athletics supporters this year but hope for a healthy return for fans at sports events next year and to welcoming spectators to next year’s Olympic trials scheduled for 26-27th June.”
     
    Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member for Skills Culture and Leisure said: 
    “Although Mancunians will sadly not be able to attend in person, we’re delighted to be working with British Athletics to enable the 2020 Müller British Athletics Championships event to go ahead.  
    “As a world-class sporting city with elite facilities such as Manchester Regional Arena, plus a strong commitment to encouraging and widening sporting participation, Manchester is the natural choice to play host to this prestigious event.”
     
    Ticket purchasers will receive an automatic refund via the method of payment originally used to buy tickets and will not need to do anything or make contact. However, given the extraordinary circumstances and high volumes placed on banks during these times, the refund process may take slightly longer than usual.
     
    Finally, discussions are still ongoing with the Wanda Diamond League in relation to the Muller Grand Prix Gateshead which we can confirm is no longer scheduled for 16th August.   We have identified 12th September as a possible alternative however confirmation cannot be given at this time due to UK Government guidelines and restrictions and the event will now be held behind closed doors. Ticket purchasers will receive a full refund.

  • Mulligans Birmingham is saving the summer with 400 rounds of discounted crazy golf

    Adventure Leisure is saving the summer by launching £5 rounds of crazy golf.

  • Multi record-breaking Olympics legend, Michael Johnson, a Chartwell Speaker during Black History Month

    As Black History Month continues to acknowledge the vital role of Black communities in shaping the past, present, and future, it’s also a call to action for a more inclusive and equitable society, where every voice is heard and valued.

  • Multi-Olympic champion Sir Mo looking to secure Tokyo spot in Birmingham

    Sir Mo Farah will aim to clinch a Tokyo Olympics place on Saturday when he runs in the European 10,000m Cup at the British Athletics 10,000m Championships in Birmingham in what will be the first time he has raced the distance on a track since winning gold at the Worlds in 2017.

    The four-time Olympic medallist must beat the qualifying mark of 27 minutes 28 seconds and finish in the top two. He will race against Marc Scott, who ran 27:10.41 in February.

    Scott's time moved him second on the UK all-time rankings behind Farah's national record of 26:46.57.

    Farah, who has only raced once in 2021 when he won the Djibouti half-marathon in March, said: "I've missed the track a lot. The 10,000m on the track has been very good to me so I am excited to get back out there and see what I can do." He, and Scott, will be joined at the University of Birmingham Athletics Track by Jake Smith, Emile Cairess, Kristian Jones and Matt Leach in the Great Britain men's team.

    The women's team will be led by Eilish McColgan and completed by Amy-Eloise Markovc, Jessica Judd, Jenny Nesbitt, Verity Ockenden and Samantha Harrison. Sir Mo, who won gold over 5,000m and 10,000m at London 2012 and Rio 2016, recently said that he will quit the track after Tokyo.

    The rearranged Olympic Games take place between July 23 and August 8 with the men's 10,000m on Friday, July 30.

  • Multi-Olympic gymnastics champion, Biles, to return to competition

    Four-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles is set to make her return to competitive gymnastics at the 2023 US Classic in August. The 26-year-old, who has not competed since the delayed 2020 Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, took a break from the sport to work on her mental health.

    The American withdrew from five of her six finals in Tokyo over mental health and safety concerns. It is not yet known if she will compete at next year's Olympics in Paris.

  • Multi-‘Slam champion mom, Osaka, more 'open-minded’ and ready than ever before for Australia comeback

    Naomi Osaka says she is more open-minded, patient and confident in herself since giving birth to her daughter Shai in July.

  • Multiple global medallist Laura Muir set for 1000m world record attempt at the Birmingham World Indoor Tour Final

    Olympic silver medallist and World bronze medal winner Laura Muir will mark her return to the West Midlands at the Birmingham World Indoor Tour Final on Saturday 25 February as she attempts to break Maria Mutola’s world indoor 1000m record.

    It will be Muir’s first appearance back in front of a Birmingham crowd since she won 1500m gold and 800m bronze at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

  • Multiple host cities the future for Commonwealth Games?

    Multiple host cities and indoor ceremonies could become a feature of a "more affordable and more attractive" Commonwealth Games in future.

  • Multiply Awards honour outstanding achievements in Caerphilly

    The Multiply Awards ceremony took place at Bryn Meadows on Thursday 20th March, celebrating the exceptional accomplishments of individuals, groups, and schools within the Caerphilly County Borough.

  • Mumbai beat Delhi to win fifth IPL title

     

     

     

    Mumbai Indians secured a fifth Indian Premier League title with a five-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the final.

     

    Mumbai, the most successful team in IPL history, chased 157 with eight balls to spare as captain Rohit Sharma hit 68. Trent Boult took 3-30 for Mumbai, including Marcus Stoinis with the first ball of the match in Dubai.

     

    Delhi were 22-3 before captain Shreyas Iyer made 65 not out - he added 96 with Rishabh Pant - but Mumbai ensured their total was never enough. The defending champions were always in control of their chase after Rohit and Quinton de Kock plundered 45 from the first four overs.

     

    Rohit was caught at deep mid-wicket with 20 needed from 23 balls and, although Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya soon followed, Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 33 off 19 balls took Mumbai to victory. It follows their IPL wins in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 and means they have won the world's premier domestic Twenty20 competition at least twice more than any other team. This year's tournament was held in the United Arab Emirates without fans and delayed from the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic.

     

    England pace bowler Jofra Archer was named as the most valuable player. He took 20 wickets and scored 113 runs, including 10 sixes, for Rajasthan Royals. A comprehensive win for Mumbai was a fitting end to a tournament in which they have been the outstanding team.

    New Zealand seamer Boult, who starred throughout with 25 wickets, bowled a brilliant new-ball spell to put the game in their favour. Delhi rallied through Iyer and Pant, who made 56 off 38 balls, but Mumbai finished the innings impressively, conceding only 20 runs off the last three overs.

     

    Rohit batted majestically, hitting five fours and four sixes in his trademark, classical style. His first six, over long-on off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, came from the third ball of the chase. He fell with the end in sight but so comfortable was the win that Mumbai's bench were able to shake hands in celebration before the winning runs were hit.

     

    Delhi were appearing in their first IPL final and had lost all three previous meetings with Mumbai this season. They were underdogs before the showpiece began and suffered as their key players failed.

     

    Australia all-rounder Stoinis edged Boult behind to fall for a first-ball duck and fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan, Delhi's highest run-scorer in the tournament, made only 15. He was bowled playing an ill-advised sweep to off-spinner Jayant Yadav in the fourth over.

     

    Defending a low total, South Africa pace bowler Kagiso Rabada - the tournament's leading wicket-taker - could not prevent the Mumbai openers' onslaught and conceded 18 from his first over. He returned again when Mumbai lost their second wicket - Suryakumar Yadav was run out for 19 after a mix-up with Rohit - and was hit for 11 as Rohit ensured Delhi were unable to come back into the game.

     

    Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting said: "You've got to give credit where credit's due. Mumbai have been the best team throughout the IPL.

     

    "I am proud of this team. It is a great group of players and a great franchise. Mumbai Indians thoroughly deserved their win."

     

    Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma said: "I'm pretty happy with how things went.

     

    "We said at the beginning we want to make winning a habit for us and guys were excellent throughout the tournament. We couldn't have asked much more. We never looked back."

     

  • Mumbai Indians thrash Gujarat Giants in WPL opener

    Harmanpreet Kaur smashed a 22-ball half-century as Mumbai Indians thrashed Gujarat Giants by 143 runs in the first game of the Women's Premier League (WPL).

    Mumbai posted 207-5 with Harmanpreet making 65 off 30 balls and Hayley Matthews 47 off 31 balls. Gujarat's reply never got going after Australia's Beth Mooney retired injured in the first over with a knee problem.

  • Mystics reach WBBL Trophy Semi-Final after comfortably beating the Eagles

    The Manchester Met Mystics put on a perfect performance on defence and offence this evening, as they beat the Newcastle Eagles by 23 points to reach the WBBL Trophy Semi-Finals.

    The Eagles led 6-2 two minutes into the first quarter, but after two consecutive shots made by the Mystics to tie the game, the home side did not lead again throughout the entire game as the visitors pulled away.

    Ebony Horton started off the bench for the Mystics, but that did not stop her from dropping a joint game high of 19, while the visitors’ captain Georgia Jones managed 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in a dominating performance which definitely inspired her team to victory.

    Sophia Song and Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee also reached double-figures for scoring, dropping 11 and 10 points respectively and getting five rebounds each, while Hannah Shaw’s eight points and seven rebounds also proved crucial in helping the Mystics control the game.

    Eagles forward Alison Gornell was the other player to reach 19 points, and she also put up five rebounds and five assists for her team, while Maddy McVicar also reached double figures as she dropped 10 and added four rebounds and three assists.

    Orieoma Chukwu-Etu managed a game-high for rebounding with 12 to accompany her six points on her stat-line, with Deborah Rodriguez Perez the closest Eagle to reaching that tally of rebounds, managing six.

     

  • Mytime Active takes its golf offer to a new level at Hatchford Brook

    Charitable trust and local leisure provider, Mytime Active, has installed state-of-the art Toptracer golf driving bays at its Hatchford Brook Leisure Centre.