REMEMBER THE TITANS Meet ’s leading LGBT football team @sw_Londoner www.swlondoner.co.uk December 2016

Rook-y Balboa! Tipping We go the scales Inside a jockey’s battle to make weight

The hockey girls of Superb-iton

The fighter still remains Tommy Martin on his coaching comeback PAGE 3 December 2016 www.swlondoner.co.uk 2

Fencing GB medals Tokyo 1964: Henry‘Bill’ Hoskyns 1. secured a silver medal in the Men’s 5Individual Epee. Hoskyns, who com - peted in six different , lost in the final to Gregory Kiss of the Soviet Union.

Rome 1960: Allan Jay won a silver in the same event being beaten by home 2. favourite Giuseppe Delfino in the final. Delfino was a part of the gold medal winning team that defeated GB in the same Games.

Rome 1960: Hoskyns and Jay put aside their well known sporting rival - 3. ry to bag a silver medal in the Men’s Team Epee along with Michael Howard, John Pelling, Raymond Harri - son and Michael Alexander.

Melbourne 1956: Gillian Sheen won EN GARDE: Aiyenuro gold in theWomen’s Individual Foil putting in the hours at 4. making amends for her second round Camden Fencing Club exit in Helsinki 1952. This is Team GB’s Inset: Aiyenuro in ac - only fencing gold at an Olympic tion Games.

Los Angeles 1932: Judy Guinness secured silver in theWomen’s Individ - 5. ual Foil with Austrian Ellen Preis winning gold. However, some say two touches made by Guinness were failed to be spotted by officials. Aiyenuro looking to make

By Alasdair Hooper something weird.” Britain at the 1992 Barcelona didn’t have the set up that they the cAufter graduatting last Mfay wioth Olymrpics and hTas beeon coach - khave noyw so it waos a case of us Olympics a degree in sports science ing Aiyenuro since he first trying to work through the day to THANKS to misguided stereo - Aiyenuro, along with five other picked up a sabre, believes he exist and train in the evenings types, and Pierce Brosnan’s sabreurs, was accepted onto the has the necessary attributes to and weekends.” highly debateable performance World Class Program, which pro - make it and can also pass on his Richard Kruse’s fourth place alongside Madonna in Die vides funding so athletes can own advice in getting to the finish in the foil at the Rio Another Day, fencing has gar - train full time with the aim of greatest sporting event on Earth. Olympics did plenty to bring the nered quite an elitist tag. sending a sabre team to Tokyo. “Soji has always had potential. sport to a new audience thanks to However, Camden-based At Rio 2016 Britain had no He learns quite quickly, he’s a its mainstream television cover - fencer Soji Aiyenuro, 22, is keen sabre representation whatsoever good athlete and he was always age on the BBC. to show that fencing is for every - and it’s something Liverpool and mentally strong, which is some - Aiyenuro believes that another one as he begins his journey that Steven Gerrard fan Aiyenuro is thing you can see from a young inspiring performance, coupled will hopefully result in represent - hoping will be put right in four age,”Williams said. with the message that back - ing Britain in sabre at the 2020 years time. “From a coaching point of ground and financial constraints Tokyo Olympics. “For me it would be great.We view, I think the mentality is the are not a hindrance, is what is The Brunel University gradu - need someone to represent hardest thing to work on. needed to garner more of a fenc - ate lists success at Crystal Palace sabre from a British perspective “Dedication and commitment ing following in this country. in the LondonYouth Games, a last because it has been a while,” is exactly what it takes to get to “I think fencing needs some - eight finish in theWhitgift under- Aiyenuro said. an Olympics, particularly when one. It needs one person to have 20’s sabre as a 14-year-old and “If we get a team there it’ll be you’re younger there’s a lot of a really good result that everyone becoming 2016 under-23 British something that nobody has done distractions, decisions and sacri - can relate to and think if he does champion as some of his best for a good amount of time.” fices to be made. fencing then so could I,” he said. achievements. IanWilliams, who represented “When I was Soji’s age we “It’s not just for a certain type He began fencing at the age of of person and there’s been a lot 10 and has his eyes firmly set on more interest in fencing since Rio moving up the British fencing and Richard’s performance – it’s pecking order. just capitalising on that and get - “A friend of mine who fenced ting as many people as we can. at his private school invited me “It’s hard because fencing is to Camden Fencing Club. I seen as a niche sport so a lot of decided to try it one time and people think that they don’t want three weeks into doing it I did a to get into it for various reasons. competition, came second, and “It’s all about getting past thought let’s carry this on,” those reasons and everyone I explained Aiyenuro. know, that has thought that same “Fencing made me stand out thing, as soon as they’ve tried because it was so different to fencing they have said that they anything you see in my area. have really liked it. “ It was something completely “It is just all about getting different, something new and people to try it.” December 2016 www.swlondoner.co.uk 3 The danger of the sweet science

BIG FIGHT NIGHT: Wembley Arena under the lights.

Inset: Tommy Martin and Charlie Edwards.

By Daniel Blackham taken away, it erased everything all she wanted was for me to fight Charlie, I loved doing the pad - licence again. I wasn’t happy I’ve done and made it point - again because I was doing worse work, I loved being hands on and [when hearing the Blackwell less,”he explained. to myself, I was on the floor, I was then fight night came, or fight news] and I was concerned for Gone JR’S crippling “I actually believed that I had in pieces, I was broken. week should I say. him, but at the same time I was in punches on Nick Blackwell won the fight before I even went “My Mum said‘Tom I need to “When we got to the hotel, the the same situation, I tried to on too abruptly ended a career that had in there, so that’s my downfall, get you help, I need to get you press conferences and the apply for my licence again, and I taken a lifetime to prepare. The before my other fights I was so seeing someone’, the next thing I weigh-ins, that’s when it really hit know what he’s going through, long gruelling gym work, amateur nervous it kept me on my toes, know I was at Tony Adams’ sports home that, wow, this is over.It was you just think,‘there’s no life after Muhammad Ali’s doctor and professional bouts ended on but before the Hibbert fight I was clinic, so I went to see this coun - fine because I had to stay profes - boxing.’ That’s what I’ve got to do, a doctor’s order amidst the gri - just too confident and unfortu - cillor and just through speaking sional for him, held myself Ferdie Pacheco recommend - I’ve got to try and find life.” 1. ed Ali should retire in 1977. maces of spectators and nately it took my life away, it took to him it just managed to help me together for him, I treated it like 5 Adam Ballard from Croydon Ali went on to fight four more commentators. It was gladiatorial my whole career away.” open up to everyone else, and to I’d want to be treated.” years, losing three of his last without the gladiators. In the coming months, Martin Club explained talk to someone just shows how Martin explained his psycho - four fights. As Blackwell awoke from an watched on as campmates, spar - much you can change your life.” logical route back from the what can be done to support induced coma, he was told he ring partners and friends of his Martin was asked by Croy - injury, and signalled his sympa - former fighters. would never fight again. The stepped into the ring, and he was don’s own Charlie Edwards if he thy for Blackwell. “I feel that boxers need better Roy Jones Jr was once widely British Boxing Board of Control forced to watch from afar, admit - would corner him for his come - “I started to get a lot of thera - advice and support networks to 2. recognised as the best pound removed his licence and Black - ting that his next step to get help back fight. Martin gladly obliged py,” Martin admitted.“I held ensure they make sound finan - for pound fighter in the world. He continues to fight at age 47 well was forced to give up the came from an unlikely source. but admits coaching Edwards for everything in for about six cial decisions with their and takes on Bobby Gunn in craft he had been perfecting He said:“Most of all it was my months without telling anyone. earnings,”he said.“However it is his November 26 fight was March next year. since he was a child. Mum. My Mum hates me boxing, extremely difficult. “I didn’t want anyone to know hard to make a decent living in Blackwell would secretly step hates it, the very thought of it. But He said:“When I was training because I wanted to fight for my .” into the ring once more, but Mike Tyson, the youngest leave it in an ambulance. He is heavyweight champion ever. back in a coma for the second 3. Money issues meant he was time in eight months. Against the forced to carry on long past explicit instructions of his doctor, his prime, losing his last two he tried to apply for an Irish fights by . licence and suffered a bleed on the brain during an unlicensed sparring session. Shane Mosley former three- Tommy Martin, the youngest 4. weightWorld champion won ever English champion at the age his first 38 fights. At 45 he of just 20 was forced to retire due refuses to stop and has now to the same injury, a brain bleed, lost five and drawn one of his suffered against JohnWayne Hib - last nine fights. bert last year. Martin described the agonis - Sugar Ray Leonard retired ing moment he realised he would multiple times after suffering a never fight again. 5. detached retina. He was “I just broke down, absolutely stopped for the first time in his broke down, everything I’ve final fight by Hector Camacho worked for since I was a kid, just in 1997. December 2016 www.swlondoner.co.uk 4 The London Titans – the football club

for evSteer weas captainrof his Cyhich - ofinal of thenIGFLA Eue ro Cup in By Chris Reidy ester team when he came out. Hamburg losing in the final. He said:“Most of the lads were Head of communications and FEBRUARY 2017 will see the alright apart one or two who were player Scott De Blasio, 30, Month of Action for the Football v rough and ready and gave me a described the occasion as the Homophobia . few stares.” proudest moment in his time at For that month, homophobia But soon after that an incident the Titans. in football will be hot topic of happened that is far too common He said:“It was the best game conversation in the media and but too little heard about in the I’ve ever played in and the crowd perhaps on some of the terraces public sphere. were amazing. up and down the country. He said:“I was playing against “We played teams from Ger - a team who some of my supposed But what about the rest of the many, Sweden and London en mates from school played for. route to the final and then the year? “There was loads of homopho - teams from London were right It seems that homophobia in bic abuse from the side of the behind us for the final. football hangs on the periphery pitch.‘Faggot, ’ and all that “We got a medal and a photo of issues that are a priority to be kind of stuff. with Thomas Hitzlsperger. It really dealt with and is only mentioned “My manager was amazing and felt like we were superstars for when a campaign is happening threatened to take our team off the that moment.” or maybe if something contro - pitch – and that just hasn’t hap - Proof of the Titans’ meteoric versial is said within the game. pened for most of the lads who rise from Old Deer Park can be That is why football clubs such now play here.” seen with their partnership with as London Titans are so impor - The lads Phil was referring to Queens Park Rangers. tant to the sport. now form a 60-person strong In February this year, London Founded in October 2006 by group and growing unit of players Titans became the first LGBT team friends having a kick-about in who train on Tuesdays and turn brought into a major stadium Old Deer Park in Richmond, the out for the Titans on Sundays. before a match. club has grown into one of the The first team plays in the FA Training with the Titans gave a biggest LGBT football clubs in Sunday Senior Sportsman Premier real insight into what the club is all the country. League and for the first time in about. A football club that wel - The Titans pride themselves their history are in the quarter comes all but that takes football on offering a safe and friendly final of the Middlesex County FA seriously. No matter your football SET PIECE: Injured manager space for players across the sex - Sunday Trophy. They take ability, age, gender, sexual orien - Phil Steer takes the Titan uality and gender spectrum. on Ruislip Rovers on January 8. tation or any other label one can players through a corner drill That was the appeal for club Playing in Barnes at Dukes give, turn up with a smile and you manager of two-and-a-half years Meadow, the Titans also field will be embraced with open arms Phil Steer,32, who after coming teams in the London Unity League at London Titans. out at 23, had difficulties playing and the National Gay League. This is a football club who take football back home in Chich - Not just content with England, action all year round to make foot - ester and then Reading before the Titans have taken teams ball a better and more inclusive joining the Titans. abroad and last year reached the sport. Long may they continue.

Knockout London: CycleOut London:All A friendly boxing club abilities are welcome at this LGBT 2. started by playwright, 4. cycling club open to LGBT Patrick Cash. It provides people and their friends. sport not-for-profit, LGBT-friendly They run events all year boxing classes in London round, includng a monthly clubs and Glasgow. London ride. Stonewall FC: The Kings Steelers LLK: London Lesbian largest LGBT football team RFC: The Steelers, named Kickabouts is a bi-weekly 3. 5. friendly league in Central 51. in the UK and the brains after the founders’ love of behind the #Rain - American Football, claim to London. Launched in 2006, bowLaces campaign. be the world’s first gay they have more than 300 Formed in 1991, their first rugby team. Founded as an women on their books and team currently competes invitational team in 1985, attract around 70 people a at the 12th level of the foot - they joined the Surrey week for games of both ball league pyramid. County Union in 1996. five and 11-a-side. December 2016 www.swlondoner.co.uk 5

Methods that jockeys use to lose weight

Sweat suits allow minimal air flow in 1. and out of the body, creating a rise in 5temperature. Many jockeys will run around the racecourse in a sweat suit before racing to increase the amount they sweat to help their weight fall off.

The most common method used by jockeys is sitting in a steam room or 2. sauna. Much like a sweat suit, the heat inside these rooms will cause you to sweat and going for a swim afterwards will help the weight decrease quicker.

Drinking hot drinks like tea or coffee is a good way to warm up and 3. drop weight. Some jockeys will sit in a hot bath with a nice cup of tea for up to two hours the night before racing. This is arguably the most pleasant method.

Weighing yourself every day can often result in a negative effect and 4. does not always show an accurate figure, so dodge the scales and weigh yourself just once a week rather than having a daily battle with the scales. WINNING HORSE:Tom But all of these methods will be Cannon riding Notre Ami redundant if you fail to eat sensibly. at Fontwell. 5. While starvation is not the answer, nei - ther is a call to your nearest takeaway. Inset: Tommy Dowling A low-fat, high-protein diet is an effec - after riding at Fontwell. tive way to prevent weight gain. The battle with the scales

By Marina Stephens Cannon, whose favourite race - light and will range from meat after a serious accident sidelined weigcouhrse is the nsearby Sandown, annd vegetableas to scramblejd ohim for cmonths. Hke revealedethis y’s mind aims to keep his weight at 10st eggs on toast – it will never be injury potentially stemmed from anything indulgent or unhealthy. EVERY jockey strives to weigh as 3lbs during the racing season. depriving his body of protection. “I’m tall and unfortunately I little as possible. And this is due He said:“I get up and leave Prior to his injury in April 2016, to the fact that more rides are without having breakfast, on my put on weight very easily and I Dowling used to try and claim a available to jockeys who can way to ride out I’ll stop at a serv - find it quite tough to get it back weight of 9st 7lb, unbearably make lower weights and more ice station and grab a coffee or a down,” said Cannon, whose natu - light for a tall man. rides means more money. sugar free Red Bull.” ral weight is more than 11st. He says: "I was hardly eating The testing conditions jockeys After a busy day’s work, which His weight is always at the and my body couldn't manage it. must go through in order to consists of exercising horses in forefront of his mind but being In hindsight, I think this is why I achieve their desired weight can the morning and racing in the disciplined and keeping busy got so badly injured. There was are vital tactics for him. often slip under the radar. afternoon, Cannon ends the day nothing on my body so when I hit Jockeys face a gruelling and "Once my weight is down it's the ground there was nothing with just one small meal and, of amazing how quickly your body disciplined lifestyle as the major - course, he stays clear of alcohol. there to protect me and I ended gets used to running on very up with many broken bones." ity of them ride under their With the fuel for his high inten - little. Eating a pizza just isn’t Dowling now aims to sit at a natural body weight. sity days coming from just one worth the pain of stepping on the more sensible weight of 9st 12lbs It isn’t glamourous but it is an coffee or an energy drink you important part of the job. scales and being 2lbs heavier in and has altered his eating habits. might assume he would treat the morning!” he says. Nowadays he starts with some It’s safe to say you would rarely himself to something a little more see a beer and a slice of pizza in Dowling shed light on his new porridge, a rice dish for lunch substantial in the evenings. approach to making the weight. and a small meal in the evening. the hands of a jockey. However, his meal must be They wave goodbye to any - He recently returned to riding This doesn't seem like much but thing naughty and delicious as it it is far more than what he is most likely not nutritious. allowed his body before. Instead it has become the "My injury cost me a lot more for jockeys to live off than claiming light rides," he meagre diets and some even run added. on just one small meal a day. Evidently, jockeys have to It is an extremely tough life make a lot of sacrifices if they which makes a jockey’s perse - wish to be competing at the top verance and commitment to the of the game. They don't live the sport even more extraordinary. healthiest of lifestyles but main - Jump jockeys Tom Cannon and taining a low weight is essential if Tommy Dowling are both 25 and they are to secure as many rides stand at 5ft 11in. as possible. Anything above 5ft 10in is con - It is a punishing part of their sidered very tall for jump job but jockeys do slip into the jockeys as the additional inches routine of running on very little make it increasingly difficult to and have each other for support maintain a low bodyweight. when the going gets tough. December 2016 www.swlondoner.co.uk 6 Dons on the rise ahead of MK clash

PROTEST: The gates to Wimbledon’s traditional home Plough Lane

Inset:AFC Wimbledon celebrate to League One

By Rob Godmon they find themselves chasing you get a sense of the tricky line While it is no surprise that left further and further in the rear promotion yet again, sitting just the players will have to tread some AFCWimbledon fans view mirror, with a return to the outside the League One playoff between passion and aren’t prepared to just move on club’s spiritual Plough Lane great AFCWIMBLEDON play MK Dons places in seventh. professionalism during from their club being club home in the offing. Mayor of on Saturday. A sentence that, Neil Cox, the team’s assistant Saturday’s game. Balancing the ripped away- ripped 60 miles up London Sadiq Khan announced sport according to most Dons (of the manager, summed up the official management team’s desire for the M1 to be precise- there is a in October they would be able to Wimbledon variety) should line at the club, saying:“We’ll be cool heads and clear decision sense that the club as a whole are build a new stadium 200 yards revivals never have been written. professional. It’s just another making with the fans desire for now moving on to bigger, better from their former home on For the first time in the league three points at stake.” No doubt blood, thunder, and revenge will things, leaving the MK Dons- and Plough Lane. Bournemouth’s rise and pyramid they will be face to face they will be, but for the fans, it’s not be an easy task.“We’ll be the toxic circumstances The story has caught the rise: They just survived 1. relegation out of the Football with the club that should never anything but. fiery on the pitch- though not too surrounding both club’s attention of Hollywood 5 League in 2009 and secured have been. The club that stole It’s not actually the first time screenwriters, with a screenplay fiery!We know how huge a game formation- behind. promotion to the Premier their place in the football league, the two clubs have met. Three it is, for the fans especially.” The supporters group that currently in production.With the League only six years later. the club that attempted to pack previous cup encounters have One fan of AFCWimbledon owns AFCWimbledon, The Dons team soaring in League One, their vibrant history off in grubby brought two wins for MK Dons had a more incendiary view, as Trust, summed up this feeling of there are plenty of reasons to be little boxes to Milton Keynes. and one for AFCWimbledon, but you might expect.“The rivalry’s cool indifference to the Milton delighted for AFCWimbledon. Niki Lauda: Lauda suffered PeteWinkelman’s legacy in this is the first time they will meet still as strong as it ever was. Keynes side with this statement:‘I Reasons enough to concentrate 2. such bad burns in an accident Wimbledon is one of bitter, as football equals, with AFC There’s still the same level of am afraid, however, that neither on their own miraculous rise at the Nurburgring in 1976 he was read his Last Rites. But he boiling resentment. Even 13 Wimbledon actually looking hatred and passion. I think there the club nor Trust are going to from the ashes and ignore that also rose from the ashes to win years on from when their team down on their rivals in the table. comment on the issue of rivalry other club after Saturday’s match. could be trouble, in the crowd the 1977World Championship. was wrenched from them, it is no Talking to Tom Beere, AFC and on the pitch. They hate us as between the two clubs.’ After all, it’s just another three surprise that most AFC Wimbledon’s young midfielder, much as we hate them.” The nightmare of 2003 is being points. Right? Wimbledon fans are not ready to Busby’s Babes: Matt Busby forgive or forget. led Manchester United to a And no amount ofWinkelman’s 3. European Cup in 1968 despite snivelling regret can change that. having eight players taken Despite MK Dons attempting from him ten years earlier in to do things right- trying to the Munich air tragedy. develop young talent where possible –there is still no real public sympathy for the club James Braddock: The known as Franchise FC. 4. godfather of sporting There are some at AFC fairytales, Braddock rose from Wimbledon, however, that just the despair of the Great want to focus on the football, and Depression and broken hand for good reason. The to win the heavyweight title. Kingsmeadow club’s rise has been phoenix-like and Wimbledon FC rise: The spectacular. original Dons went from the There have been six 5. Fourth division to the First in promotions in fourteen seasons just three years spent the next since forming, rising from the 14 years there. The crazy gang ninth tier to the third. This season, also won the 1988 FA Cup. December 2016 www.swlondoner.co.uk 7 Gentlemen’s dispute sees running club

lead Mtr Gilshon recalledehow the wsome of thae most elitye coaches By Emma Boyd club’s fifth run was a unique event. this country had to offer. He said:“On February 27, nine Mr Gilson said:“Franz Stampfl SOUTH LONDON HARRIERS is members ran the longest cross was one of the world’s leading one of the country’s oldest athlet - country club training run of 29 20th century freelance profes - ics clubs which has produced miles to celebrate then Prince of sional athletics coaches. Olympic athletes and some of the Wales, EdwardVII’s recovery “He had a holistic approach to best coaches in the business. from typhoid.” coaching which covered mind, Now entering into its 145th Throughout their history South body and spirit and he also had an year, the club’s longest serving London Harriers members have uncanny ability to judge an ath - member of 64 years, Ferdie gone onto become world record lete on their short, medium and holders, Olympic champions and Gilson, offers an insight into the long term potential. even contributed to the develop - “His technical knowledge of history and members of the ment of sports. field events was immense and his Coulsdon clubhouse. Membership secretary Steve grasp of the psychological Founded on Boxing Day 1871 Vincent said:“One of our very aspects of sports has been in Peckham Rye, South London earliest members, James Gibb, is equalled by very few. Harriers was the brain child of credited with enhancing table “His influence on Olympic Ernest Smith after his abrupt exit tennis after he started using cellu - champions like the great Sir from later rivals, Peckham Ama - loid balls following a trip to Roger Bannister just goes to show teur Athletic Club. America in 1901. his amazing powers to enhance an Mr Ernest had previously “Even in the earliest days of the athlete’s confidence.” been their handicapper but left club, our members were competi - By October 1873, the notorious following disputes over his ego - tive cyclists, swimmers, rowers Mr Smith resigned in disgrace tistical and flamboyant and water-polo players. and in true fashion decided to behaviour, including the request “Charles Reidy was an out - once again to start another club. to rename the Handicapper’s standing post-war hammer Following his departure, South Cup‘Mr Smith’s’ and no longer thrower and still holds the South London Harriers and Blackheath fitting the profile of‘Gentlemen London Harriers club hammer Harriers developed a close rela - Amateurs’. record of 51.20m, set in 1952. tionship with joint training runs, Like any great idea, Mr Smith “Alfred Shrubb secured world meals and a competitive competi - pitched his plans to runner records in 1902, 1903 and 1904 at tion named the Nicholls Cup, AHEAD OF THE PACK: Charles Henry Larrette in the 17 different distances.” playing 103 annual mob matches Simon Manning in action pub and by 1873 the club had Club Olympians include since December 1869. for South London Harri - 108 active members. London marathon 1948 silver Today, the Harriers remain ers during latest meeting. In true British style, one of the medallist Tom Richards, 1956 Mel - proud of their heritage and con - first events for the newly found bourne 5,000m silver medallist tinue to champion their members Credit: South London club was a‘Hare & Hounds’ run Gordon Pirie and the 1908 London by providing the best facilities for Harriers on January 13 1872, where one single sculls rowing gold winner the future of sport but running, as runner would start 15 minutes Harry Blackstaffe. always, will always be at the heart earlier to avoid capture. The club was also home to of the club.

Gordon Pirie is one of the Edwin Montague com - All-time most famous members of peted in the 400 metres at Harrier 2. South London Harriers to 4. the 1908 Olympic Games. compete in the Olympics. He missed out on a place in Olympians Pirie won silver in the 5,000 the final with fellow Brit, metres at the 1956 Mel - Wyndham Halswelle, finish - bourne Games. ing ahead of him.

Harry Blackstaffe Tom Matthews won Jack George ran in the secured a gold medal in silver in the marathon at the 100 metres and 200 metres 3. 5. in the 1908 Olympic 51. the single skulls at the 1908 1948 London Games. London Games. The rower, Matthews finished behind Games in his home city of who was 40-years-old at Argentina’s Delfo Cabera London. However, George the time, pulled ahead of after a tense finale atWem - missed out on a place in Alexander McCulloch with bley Stadium, after the final of both events, 50 yards remaining to Belgium’s Etienne Gailly after finishing fourth with secure gold. entered the stadium in first American Nate Cartmell before finishing third. coming out on top. December 2016 www.swlondoner.co.uk 8 Mind blowing streaks New Zealand’s rugby union side are 1. on a run of 45 games without loss at 5home. The last time they tasted defeat was back in September 2009, when Morne and Francois Steyn kicked to a 32-29 victory.

Beach volleyball stars KerriWalsh and Misty May-Treanor won 112 2. games on the trot between August 2007 and August 2008. The three-time Olympic champions also won a superb 19 competitions during the run.

Coxless pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond won all 69 races they 3. competed in together between 2009 and 2016, with rowing’s most feared pair securing two Olympic gold medals and sixWorld Championships.

Germany has exerted its dominance on the sport of luge for a long time, 4. with its female athletes winning 105 straightWorld Cup races between 1997 and 2011, while have LEADING THE WAY: won 31/44Winter Olympic luge golds. Giselle Ansley has been a crucial player in the run, scoring 18 goals South Korea’s female archers have won all seven of the team achery gold Inset: Georgie Twigg 5. medals since the event was introduced at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, beating Credit: @SurbitonHC to the title in Rio earlier this year in a very one-sided final. Garrard’s invincibles are

jBy Audam Thseofilatos sthree Inivestmec Premier Divpision olur teyam,” said GaSrrard, desupite plapyers, especially ourryoungber -iton titles, Surbiton find themselves Surbiton having a team riddled girls,” he added. top again at the halfway stage of with international stars and “There is no doubt that the growing talent. SURBITON ladies hockey team this season, leading unbeaten success in Rio has had a hugely “The most impressive thing have flicked up a storm across East Grinstead by a point. positive impact on not only the the nation, leaving everyone Garrard’s undying love for the about the run that we have been team, but on the whole club. struggling to find fault with their game of hockey is reflected in on is that we have done it with a “We have a real mixture of game following a 50 match the way Surbiton play, exhibiting large squad of 40 players. Some players but it is our senior girls unbeaten streak. flair and plenty of attacking skill as young as 15 have made their who have shown exemplary More than 1000 days have with incomparable passion. debuts, making it a complete leadership and really bound the passed since Surbiton last tasted Through a mix of experience, team effort.” team together.” defeat in the league, with the youth and fluency that has truly Garrard says that Surbiton Experienced player Emily have found the perfect blend that team picking up three titles in boggled some of the game’s Atkinson has been a key part of that time. most teams can only dream of one of the tighest defences in the biggest heavyweights, they have and that, in fact, some of the very Bonds are strong, morale is certainly stamped their authority league, while also proving to be best games that they have played an influential role model for the high and the newly labelled on English hockey. have been without 2016 Rio younger players. ‘invincibles’ of ladies hockey are But, despite the clear edge that Olympic gold medallists Holly Despite playing down the brimming with confidence. Surbiton have over their rivals, Head coach Brett Garrard is Webb, Georgie Twigg and coach’s praise of her, Atkinson there is a sense of humbleness Giselle Ansley. shares Garrard’s belief that the bursting with pride and is full of that adds to the spirit of their praise for his team. “I have always thought that our team are improving by the day superb successes. international players have been and emphasised that their Looking back on their growth “There are no superstars in throughout this unbelievable run, brilliant role models to the other togetherness as a team will spur he could not be happier with the them on to futher success, both in progress that has been made the domestic league and Europe. under his careful guidance. She said:“The way that the “The team has grown girls and coaching staff interact is immensely over the years that I really incredible. have worked with them and there “Also, an important factor in has been a change in the way that success is definitely the way that we play,” said Garrard. we are an inseparable team both “Our game has evolved and on and off the pitch and this the girls are an extremely tight impacts on our results. unit and that is to our advantage. “We have all got the same aim, “Every member of the team the same goals we are working adds to the spirit that we play by. towards and when you see the Everyone has bought into the plan being carried out you also ethos of the club and that has start seeing the results. truly contributed to the run that “Surbiton’s future just simply we are on.” could not be taking a better Having won each of the last direction forward.” December 2016 www.swlondoner.co.uk 9 -y Balboa

SOUTHPAWN: Two chessboxers fight it out

Inset: Rodney James thinking of his next move

By Harry Howes London, it is an experiment cele - stead for the boxing rounds. a few of the guys are interested in release the frustrations of tight brated equally by both the Also a personal trainer, it and it would be great way to matches, something that is a boxing and chess communities. Rodney has been boxing for 12 put on charity events.” rarity in the traditional game. Other IF you stop to compare the arche - Having first arrived on UK years and is aware of the tactical There’s certainly a mutual “Chess doesn’t usually get typal boxer and chess player, it’s shores in 2008, the international similarities the sport he loves respect between the worlds of physical, but there have been hybrid easy to see them as complete interest in the sport comes as no shares with chess. chess and boxing, with both instances,” joked Leon. polar opposites. surprise to Rodney James, owner “The dominant plan wins the requiring intense concentration “There was one incident I sports Popular culture often leads us ofWimbledon and fight and I’m sure it’s the same and patience, which is a view heard of where a frustrated : Basic in name but to believe that only burly aggres - Boxing Club and self-proclaimed with chess,” he continued. firmly held by Battersea Chess player picked up a folding chair complex in form, this hybrid sors can be boxers, while chess chess novice. “There will be certain ways Club member LeonWatson. and hit an opponent with it, but I 1. combines golf’s -point players seem to fit the stereotype “I can see the appeal,” he said. that you can always win if your “Boxing may be quicker but suppose that’s more likeWWE- 5 accuracy with a throwing arm of brainboxes who can perform “When you box you need a ying opponent adheres to what you’re what goes through their mind is style chesswrestling. As far as I and a yang. I do gardening – the doing in the ring or on the board. the same,” he explained. know we haven’t had any - – think TigerWoods meets logical wizardry. Discobolus. Yet this is an exaggerated day after a fight I’ll tend to the “If your opponent is an inside “A boxer tries to move an es thrown at Battersea.” view, with the two disciplines flowers which may sound ridicu - fighter and you’re good on the opponent around, anticipating While it may not top many lists sharing more similarities than lous but a lot of boxers will outside, if you’re able to manipu - and countering his plans until the of suggestions for new Olympic Octopush: When you think you may expect. unwind by doing strategic things late the fight and stay on the opportunity to strike opens up. sports and may be considered to of Octopush, I bet underwater with a clear focus.” Both are incredibly tactical, outside and have good , They have to – their nose may be a novelty, the surge of chess - 2. hockey didn’t spring to mind. The 40-year-old makes up for requiring an ability to think sev - they don’t stand a chance. depend on it.” boxing since its conception has This bizarre hybrid entails an absence of chess knowledge eral steps ahead in order to “Chessboxing is definitely The concept of chessboxing been remarkable and opportuni - manoeuvring a puck across with a wealth of fighting experi - something I can see us doing also provides an opportunity for ties to take part will undoubtedly the pool floor into a goal. outwit your opponent. ence that would hold him in good Lennox Lewis is a dedicated here one day in the future. I think seasoned chess players to grow as it increases in popularity. chess player and it is well-docu - Volfsball: Self-proclaimed mented that Manny Pacquiao as the‘the greatest sport of the often uses it to relax. 3. 21st century’,Volfsball com - While it seems unlikely that bines basketball, cricket and former chess greats such asWil - football for a peculiar hybrid helm Steinitz or that provides endless fun. would have been useful in a bout, the comparisons lie in the psy - Joggling: People who juggle chology rather than the and jog are jogglers – it’s quite physicality – leading to the birth 4. the tongue twister. This sport of chessboxing as a . is perfect for clowns training Originating in in 2003, to run a marathon and has a competitors alternate between World Championships. rounds of both board and glove combat, with matches generally won by knockout or Football tennis: Originating in the 1920s, football tennis to provide the best spectacle for 5. provides the perfect combina - the viewer. tion for those who can’t choose The rise of MMA in recent between Roland Garros and years highlights the popularity of Milan Baros. boxing hybrids and despite a lack of prominence in south west