Sport
Silver lining for Cardigan boxer Garan Croft at World Boxing Cup
CARDIGAN’S very own Garan Croft, a talented light-middleweight boxer, has returned home to Crymych, proudly clutching a silver medal from the prestigious World Boxing Cup held in Cologne, Germany. The young pugilist, part of Team GB, showcased his mettle alongside eight other medalists, contributing significantly to Great Britain’s commendable performance at the international stage.
The journey to this momentous achievement began in the quaint village of Crymych, nestled in the heart of Pembrokeshire, boasting a mere 800 inhabitants. Garan and his twin brother, Ioan, discovered their passion for boxing at the age of eight at the Cardigan Amateur Boxing Club. Their early dedication and innate talent propelled them to Cardiff, where they trained rigorously with the Welsh team. Their perseverance bore fruit in January 2022 when they earned a coveted spot in the Great Britain Podium Squad at the Team GB training camp in Sheffield.
The Croft twins’ prowess was further validated in March 2022 when they clinched silver medals at the European Under-22 Championships in Porec, Croatia. Subsequently, their stellar performance continued, with Ioan securing a gold and Garan a bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later that summer.
Their exceptional skills did not go unnoticed. A Team GB review at the end of the previous year identified the Croft Twins as integral components of British boxing’s Olympic aspirations for Paris 2024. This recognition set the stage for their remarkable journey to the World Boxing Cup in Cologne.
At the highly competitive World Boxing Cup, Garan Croft found himself in the finals of the light-middleweight class, displaying remarkable prowess and determination. In a closely contested bout, he narrowly missed the gold, succumbing to a 3:2 defeat against Germany’s Magomed Schachidov. Despite the heart-wrenching loss, Garan’s silver medal stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment and talent.
Reflecting on the commendable performance of Team GB, GB Boxing’s Performance Director, Rob McCracken, lauded the team’s efforts. He remarked, “The World Boxing Cup in Cologne has been an excellent tournament that has provided our boxers with valuable experience. The quality of the competition has been very high with some excellent nations participating, and it has been a very good week for our team.”
The World Boxing Cup, organised by the German Boxing Association in collaboration with World Boxing, the new international federation dedicated to upholding boxing’s legacy within the Olympic Movement, witnessed a display of unparalleled talent from athletes worldwide.
Garan Croft’s achievement not only brings pride to his small hometown but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring boxers across the United Kingdom. As the Croft Twins and their teammates pave the way for future generations, their remarkable journey emphasises the importance of determination, dedication, and passion in the pursuit of excellence on the global stage.
Sport
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.
Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.
The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.
She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.
The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.
“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.
“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”
Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.
He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.
Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.
Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.
Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.
“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.
Sport
Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown
In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.
The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.
However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.
As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.
In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.
Sport
The stage is set – Senior Cup Final
It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.
League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.
Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.
There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.
The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.
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