Sportshour

Former Nigeria goalkeeper Carl Ikeme discusses his move into Mixed martial arts and says there is something very humbling about being choked out in the cage. Ikeme’s football career was cut short after he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017. He reflects on that period of his life and tells us he’s only recently been able to enjoy watching football again. Great Britain sitting volleyball player Nicole ‘Jodi’ Hill chats to us as the team set out on the road to potential qualification for Paris 2024 by playing in the Silver Nations League. Hill tells us she had a leg amputation after nine years of failed attempts to save her ankle after she fell off a balcony.And - Dr Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff explains the phenomenon of ‘Wembymania’, with the French teenage basketball prodigy Victor Wembanyama set to move to the NBA. Krasnoff – who is the author of the upcoming book ‘Basketball Empire: France and the Making of a Global NBA and WNBA’ - has seen first-hand Wembanyama’s popularity in Paris and tells us he’s viewed a

Ragnar Klavan joins us to chat about being the spokesperson for Estonia at Eurovision. The former Liverpool defender will deliver the scores of the Estonian jury at the singing contest. He also discusses his time playing for Liverpool and how he felt hearing You’ll Never Walk Alone as a player.Costa Rican surfer Brisa Hennessy believes the health challenges she’s been battling over the last 18 months have given her a greater understanding of who she is. Hennessy had a benign tumour on her brain and has struggled with brain fog, depression, lethargy and heart palpitations. Despite all of that, she has managed to qualify for the Paris Olympics.Babalwa Latsha tells us she has made it her life’s mission to ensure all young girls have access to sanitary products in South Africa and that when she was younger she sometimes went without them. The Springbok also discusses what life was like growing up in a township and how she has been held up at gun point and robbed more times than she can remember.And – amateur hik

One of King Charles III’s greatest passions outside of royal duty was polo, one of the world's oldest team sports. It’s a game played on horseback, where a long handled wooden mallet is used to hit a small ball. The King was considered to be a very good polo player and featured in some of the world’s strongest teams. His captain for five years was England international Julian Hipwood. Julian speaks to Caroline Barker about the times the then Prince stayed at his house in order to get a “quiet night”, how he mishit a shot and scarred Julian’s face and explains why he will do a “first class job” as King. We’re also joined by Antony Fanshawe, the director of polo for Guards Polo Club, which was set-up by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh in 1955. Eleanor Oldroyd is one of the BBC Radio's most experienced sport commentators, but she also commentates on key royal events. Before the coronation of King Charles III, Eleanor joins us to discuss the similarities and differences between commentating on an event l

The five times world champion – Viswanathan Anand – explains his approach to commentating on chess during the World Chess Championship. Anand believes that a fan’s experience of watching a chess game is equivalent to watching a marathon while flying in a helicopter and he aims to fill in the blanks. He also believes the battle between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren is among the best matches of the last twenty years.We speak to Birmingham Bulls player Dan Booth about how joining the inclusive rugby club has helped him and about the importance of the Union Cup. The tournament is the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ rugby tournament, featuring over 47 teams and 1400 players from more than 18 countries in a four day event. Booth discusses the issues he faced when he first revealed his sexuality to former team-mates and recalls how hearing homophobic abuse directed at the Bulls, while he was playing for another team led him to leave that team and join the Bulls.And – Royale Union Saint-Gilloise defender Christian Burgess

Eryn Mathewson tells us about competing for Team USA at the World Transplant Games in Perth this week. Eryn required a transplant and was given just seven days to live after suddenly developing liver failure. She has named her new organ “Salvador”, which is Spanish for saviour as her donor was of Dominican descent. Eryn discusses winning a silver medal in the 4x100 meters relay, her 80 year old teammate winning the 5K race, adapting to her new organ and her hopes of meeting her donor’s family one day.Malawi netball international Towera Vinkhumbo discusses the situation in her home country a month on from Cyclone Freddy wreaking havoc in the southern hemisphere. Vinkhumbo – who plays her club netball in Scotland – initially struggled to contact her family in Malawi. She tells us about the first phone call she had with her five year old daughter, who lives in Malawi and about how she’s using her position to raise awareness of what people need in the country following the storm.And Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt r

Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong tells us how he ensured his recent transfer to Serie A side Salernitana was carbon neutral and how his interest in climate change began when spending school holidays with his father in Lagos. Jessica Harrington tells us she’ll be watching her horse “Lifetime Ambition” run in the Grand National on television as she’s undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Harrington tells us she is doing well and what it would mean to her to finally train a Grand National winner.Snooker’s World Championship is underway and referee Brendan Moore will take charge of the final in his last match as a professional snooker official. The former bus driver tells us how he got into the sport and how the loss of his father means it will be an even more emotional farewell for him.And – Ceylon Andi Hickman from Football Beyond Borders tells us what more needs to be done to get teenage girls from Inner cities interested in women’s football.Photo: William Troost Ekong of Salernitana in action during th

Chloe Abbott tells us how she fulfilled a dream by singing on The Voice and how she’d love to appear in a Broadway Show. The 400m runner also gives us her thoughts on the idea of a musical based on the life of her former training partner and legendary athlete Allyson Felix. Abbott is hoping to make the USA team for the Paris Olympics and tells us how singing helps with her athletic training.Australia’s Kaye Scott wants a rule that sees elite level amateur boxers forced into retirement once they reach 41 years of age to be scrapped or changed. The 38 year old won a silver medal at the recent World Championships in India and will be 40 when the Paris Olympics starts. She tells us she’s coming into her peak years and wants to call time on her career when she’s ready.And David Sullivan tells us how losing four friends to cardiac arrest set him on a path to make golf courses safer. Sullivan’s playing partner died of a cardiac arrest while on a golf course and he himself has saved a mans life who had suffered a ca

It’s the first weekend of the new baseball season, and despite having some of the most recognisable names in world sport playing the game, baseball has suffered a dip in popularity in recent years. Some suggest it's become too slow, even a bit dull. The MLB, the governing body, have introduced new rules this season to speed up the game, but could they take a few notes from the creator of the hugely successful and fast moving Banana Ball? Jesse Cole, is the creator and owner of the Savannah Bananas and explained to Sportshour's Katie Smith how it works, why it's so successful, and why he was wearing a bright yellow tuxedo for the interview!?The Power of Ping Pong: French born Cameroon Olympic table tennis player Sarah Hanffou tells us about the work and remarkable results of her foundation ‘Ping Sans Frontireres’. The foundation uses the sport to create opportunities for communities all over the world to improve local economies and improve daily life. Sarah is also a passionate environmentalist and has made Pi

This time of year the banks of the River Thames in London are always filled with thousands of people. They line up to watch one of the oldest, hardest and most iconic rowing races in the world. The University Boat race. Crews representing the dark blue of Oxford take on the light blue of Cambridge in men's and women's races. So what does it take to win this gruelling event? Sophie Shapter knows, she was the cox of the winning Cambridge boat in 2018Carol Waller played in goal for New Zealand in their inaugural match in 1975, but the real challenge was just getting the game. Carol tells Sportshour's Katie Smith about the barriers the women's team had to overcome to be recognised, and the important role she played on and off the pitch to grow the game in New Zealand. It's been a long journey for Carol and the Football Ferns, but now New Zealand is co-hosting the World Cup in July and she can't wait!Marcus Smith II was a first round pick when he joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014. His NFL career continued to

Jerry Schemmel is the voice of baseball’s Colorado Rockies. As a renowned play by play radio announcer for the MLB, Jerry is warming up for a new season that will see him travel all over the USA. Travelling was part of his role when he was working for the Continental Basketball Association back in July 1989 when he got on United Airlines Flight 232 to Chicago… But the plane never arrived, in fact it crashed killing over 100 people. Jerry tells Caroline Barker his remarkable story of survival, loss and heroism. After escaping the plane, Jerry returned to the wreckage to rescue an 11-month-old baby, but could do nothing to help his best friend Jay Ramsdell, who he had been traveling with. Shaunagh Brown recently hung up her boots having been part of the hugely successful England rugby team. Now retired she tells us she’s never been so busy! Not only is she coaching in the Cayman Islands but offering her views on the England men’s team, previewing the Women’s 6 Nations and why now is the right time for the creat

Some of the best male golfers in the world are tackling the iconic Sawgrass course this week in the prestigious Players Championship. One man who knows better than most how to conquer the course is Jeremy Poincenot. The Florida course is regarded as one of the most challenging in the sport and more so for Jeremy, who is blind. Last year the two time Blind World Champion played in the blind version of the Ryder Cup, "The Vision Cup" which was played at Sawgrass including the infamous 17th hole. Did you know that obstacle courses are not just for bachelor and bachelorette parties and the military?! There is in fact a whole world of professional obstacle course racing, and it's even being incorporated into the next Olympics as part of the revamped Modern Pentathlon. So who better to find out a little more about the sport than multiple Obstacle Course Racing World Champion Nicole Mericle. Jasmyne Spencer has played in every season the NWSL, the top flight of professional soccer in the USA, since it started.

World Champion triathlete and movie screenwriter, Lesley Paterson, tells us how her athletic career has helped fund dreams of winning an Oscar. Her film “All Quiet on the Western Front” is nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards later in March. She spent 16 years battling to get it made and believes the opening scene of the film is “Oscar worthy”. Paterson also tells us she’s already been working on her speech as she worked as a waitress at the Oscars 17 years ago.South Africa’s Sinalo Jafta explains how issues with alcohol abuse led to her spending time in a rehab facility ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Jafta discusses how alcohol became something she used to block out the noise in her head when she wasn’t getting selected to play, how an intervention by team management led her to seek help and how at the time she thought her career was over. Since returning to the national side, she played in their World Cup final defeat against Australia.Plus, Jenny Nguyen tells us all about the “Sports Bra

The line-up is complete for the women's football World Cup taking place later this year in Australia and New Zealand. Haiti have joined Portugal and Panama in making the World Cup for the first time. We will be joined by former New Zealand captain Rebecca Smith who will give her thoughts on these teams and how significant it will be for Australia and New Zealand to host the tournament.Over the next couple of weekend the top leagues in Australia and New Zealand are staging their first ever pride round in their A-Leagues. We will be joined by James Lolicato who is one of the people behind the venture. We are also joined by an Olympian, a World Cup winner and a prince! Panama celebrate their victory and qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup during the 2023 FIFA World Cup Play Off Tournament match between Paraguay and Panama at Waikato Stadium on February 23, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) Photo:

Ghanian sports broadcaster Michael Oti Adjei and the BBC’s John Bennett pay tribute to Christian Atsu after he was found dead under the rubble of his home almost two weeks after the Turkey earthquake. The Ghana international – who was playing in Turkey for Hatayspor - had spells with Premier League sides Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle and was also well respected for his charity work in Ghana.Photo: Christian Atsu of Newcastle United arrives before the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James's Park, Newcastle on Saturday 21st December 2019. (Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A unique look at the most watched annual sporting event in the world the Super Bowl, this year hosted in Phoenix, Arizona.Whilst the Super Bowl is the ultimate dream, sometimes that dream becomes a nightmare. 8 long years of slugging it out in the NFL had made Joe Hawley tired both physically and mentally. When the Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s season ended in 2018, Hawley not only made the momentous decision to give up the game, he also decided to give away all his earthly belongings! He bought a van and for the next 2 years travelled the country with his appropriately named dog “Freedom”. Joe tells about that journey, and what finally stopped him living on the road. Carter Crosland is a high school football coach from Wickenburg, Arizona, but he’s not just any football coach. Born without arms or legs he was determined nothing was going to stop him being involved with the game he loves. He tells us his inspiring story and how he has overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges to flourish in the world of American

David Wheeler is a footballer with a difference. The Wycombe Wanderers star is now a veteran of the game having played in all but one of the top 5 tiers on English football. He's also unafraid to use his platform to speak about issues that are close to him, from mental health to the harm gambling advertising in the game can do. He was recently became the first ever Sustainability Champion for the PFA, the announcement coinciding with the official "Green Football Weekend".Do you trust everything you read on the internet?! Of course not, but what about if the internet is getting some really basic facts completely wrong!? "Correct the Internet" is a new campaign to challenge and change the bias the internet has developed against women's sport. Rebecca Sowden, a former New Zealand international footballer, is behind the campaignPresenter: Shabnam Younus-JewellPhoto: David Wheeler of Wycombe Wanderers celebrates scoring the opening goal for Wycombe Wanderers against Sheffield Wednesday (Credit: by Marc Atkins/Ge

Less than 10 weeks after giving birth, Napheesa Collier was back on court with her Minnesota Lynx team mates in the WNBA. A star of the sport, she's not only an Olympic Gold medallist but is kept busy as one of just a handful of players benefiting from a new deal with the league that pays them to help market the sport during the off season.Paul Felder had a long and successful career as an MMA fighter. So how did he come to terms with putting an end to what he loved? He decided to dedicate himself to a new sport, one with less kicking and punching! Paul has entered a new Pro Am Triathlon competition the "PTO" A new documentary is chronicling his attempt to swim, cycle and run back to the top. Roger Robinson knows a thing or two about running. He represented both England and New Zealand on the international stage, and the older he got, the more records he set, continuing to do so into his eighties! He also happens to be married to the iconic runner Katherine Switzer and is a prolific author. He's been tellin

Warning! If you are not good with heights, look away now. Canada's Lysanne Richard is one of the best high divers in the world. The former World Champion excels at throwing herself from extraordinary heights, and as she plummets from the tops of cliffs she can reach speeds in excess of 75 kilometres per hour... So how does she overcome fear and exactly how high is high diving? The city of Liverpool has a reputation for producing the very best in British culture and sport, from the Beatles to Anfield to Everton and beyond... but recently the city has been blighted by gun crime including the murder of several innocent people, mostly women. Now an initiative called 'Weapons Down Gloves Up is encouraging the community to come together and use boxing to reduce violence on the streets. One of those involved is UFC fighter Molly 'Meatball' McCann, a proud Liverpudlian Is it possible to combine high quality motor racing, scintillating battles around some of the most far flung corners of the earth alongside a desire t

Sweden's Lucy Wildheart tells us about the difficult choice she had to make as to which of her to loves, boxing and ballet, she should pursue professionally. Lucy tells us about her journey from giving up school aged 14 to finding ballet which she credits with changing her life having suffered from eating disorders and issues around body image. She also explains how she transitioned from the dance hall to the boxing ring and how her dance background helps give her an advantage over opponents.Photo: Lucy in action in the ring. Credit: Phillip Sharkey/Richard Maynard/Strike Sports Management

Orlando Magic’s Mo Bamba is one of the most recognisable names in basketball, and not just because rapper Sheck Wes named his viral song after him. He was born in New York City to parents who emigrated to the United States from Ivory Coast, and grandparents from Mali. He joins Sportshour's Caroline Barker to discuss the importance of keeping in touch with your roots and developing basketball in the place he says feels like "home".It's FA Cup third round weekend and Wrexham are the third-lowest ranked side left in the competition. It's been a whirlwind couple of seasons for The Red Dragons which has seen them taken over by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Despite their newfound global fame, Wrexham have been a force to be reckoned with in the FA Cup for a long time. In 1992, they caused one of the greatest shocks in its history as they beat reigning league champions Arsenal. We hear from Mickey Thomas, who scored in that game 31 years ago.After the death of fellow runner Agnes Tirop, Kenya's h