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Filipino Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Filipino Times
From delivering ice to becoming a veteran triathlete: August Benedicto bags Bagong Bayani Award
Long before the finish lines, medals, and global competitions, August Benedicto's story began on a bike, not racing, but delivering blocks of ice under the heat of the Tarlac sun. With eight siblings and a family struggling to make ends meet in Paniqui, young August knew that education was a luxury he had to fight for. So he peddled through early mornings, balancing schoolbooks with sacks of ice, chasing dreams that, back then, seemed far from the Ironman banners he'd one day cross. Now 41, Benedicto has become one of the most enduring names in Philippine triathlon. At the recently concluded Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay, held under grueling 40-degree heat, the Ireland-based Filipino veteran dug deep once again, finishing second overall with a time of 4 hours, 40 minutes, and 58 seconds. His performance earned him the Bagong Bayani award, a special recognition given to elite Filipino athletes who continue to raise the flag in international endurance sports. The course, brutal by any standard, featured a 1.9-kilometer swim, a 90-kilometer bike ride, and a punishing 21-kilometer run. Benedicto split 31:19 in the swim, 2:30:06 on the bike, and capped it off with a 1:33:59 run—yet another strong showing in a career that has spanned over two decades. From school to international tracks It's a journey built on quiet sacrifice. His first foray into competitive sports came at 14, when he was discovered for his raw talent in long-distance running. From school-level track meets to eventually earning a slot in the Palarong Pambansa, Benedicto made each opportunity count. He took on his first duathlon in 2003 and finished near the bottom of the pack. But the fire had been lit. By 2005, he was part of the Philippine Sports Commission's training pool and represented the country at the Southeast Asian Games in Pattaya, Thailand, clinching a bronze medal. It was there that he met British triathlete and future Ironman legend Chrissie Wellington, who encouraged him to try his hand at the sport that would later define his athletic life. He joined his first Ironman 70.3 in 2009 in Camarines Sur and finished as the fourth Filipino to complete the course. In 2012, he made history by clinching his first Filipino Elite title at Cobra Ironman 70.3, a feat he repeated in 2014, 2015, and 2016. 'I was so excited for this year's race,' Benedicto said after the event. 'Just imagine, I'm already 41 and I'm still competing with younger athletes, national team members, and elite triathletes. But I focused on my training — 10 to 15 hours a week, every week. One hour swimming, one hour running, and 100 kilometers of biking every weekend.' Sights on World Championships Dedication, it seems, is the fuel that keeps Benedicto going. He credits his wife Anna and longtime friend Cesar Manlikmot as pillars of support through the highs and lows. 'This award is for my family. For Anna. For everyone who stood by me,' he said with pride. As the finish line at Subic fades into memory, a new goal already looms: the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Mabea, Spain, this November. Benedicto is training for that with the same fire that once drove a teenage boy to deliver ice — not just to help his family, but to carve out a future no one thought possible. Also shining in Subic was Iriga City's John Patrick Ciron, who won the men's elite title with a time of 4:37:28, while Indonesia's Dea Salsabila Putri topped the women's division in 5:26:22. Erika Nicole Burgos, another Filipino standout, placed third in the women's elite category with 5:32:30, earning her a Bagong Bayani award alongside Benedicto. — Alona Cochon
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Liquidator fees for Irish-based Russian firm GTLK rise to over €41m
GTLK Europe owned about 70 jets and 19 sea vessels when it entered liquidation in 2023 Today at 21:30 The liquidators of two Ireland-based aircraft and shipping companies owned by the Russian government have continued to reap massive fees for their work, with their bill for the past two years having soared to €41.5m, according to fresh company filings. The joint liquidators of GTLK Europe and GTLK Europe Capital are Damien Murran and Julian Moroney, of Teneo's Dublin office.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Pat Phelan's Limbo to seek deal with Abbott after legal action launched
Abbott's Ireland-based Lingo Sensing Technology initiated the London action against Vitals in View companies based in Ireland, the UK and the United States. Vitals in View are the firms behind the Limbo business. The dispute relates to trademarks and alleged passing-off, according to court filings. 'Limbo has recently experienced massive international growth, and we have a deal agreed with Abbott/Lingo to amicably resolve and address any issues, that works for all parties,' Limbo chief executive and co-founder Rurik Bradbury told the Irish Independent. 'We'll announce more details of our plans and success in international expansion in the coming weeks,' he added. He said he expects the legal action to be struck out pending a resolution to the spat. Customers who sign up for the Limbo weight loss plan wear a continuous glucose monitor that's linked to an app on their phone. It's designed to assist customers with dietary changes that will help them to shed weight. It expects those using its system to lose between 3kg and 5kg in a month. It charges €199 a month for the system, or the equivalent of €149 a month or €99 a month if consumers purchase a six-month and 12-month plan respectively. Limbo started as VIV (Vitals in View) and later changed its name to Limbo in 2022. Headquartered in New York, Limbo has a research centre in Cork. Last year, Abbott launched what it said was the first ever consumer-focused 'biowearable' Lingo product. 'Lingo tracks glucose spikes and dips in real time and provides personalised insights and customised coaching, helping people implement healthier habits and pursue better sleep, mood, focus, energy and fewer unpredictable cravings,' it said. ADVERTISEMENT Abbott added that its scientists had spent more than two decades researching continuous glucose monitors. A spokesman for Abbott did not respond to requests for comment regarding the litigation against Mr Phelan's firms. Co-founded by Mr Phelan, Limbo's other co-founder is Tony Martin, a physiologist and coach. In 2022, the company raised an initial €6m in funding in a round led by Hoxton Ventures. The fundraising was also backed by US ex-basketball star Shaquille O'Neal, Irish rugby player Jamie Heaslip and former Apple senior executive Rory Sexton. This year, the company has embarked on a $12m fundraising round and anticipates having $80m in annual sales by 2027.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
FDA clears Neurent Medical's NEUROMARK for chronic rhinitis treatment
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance to Neurent Medical's NEUROMARK system for the treatment of individuals with chronic rhinitis. Comprising a single-use, handheld bipolar radiofrequency (RF) device and a reusable console with a graphical user interface, the system is designed to conform to the anatomy of the patient and target nerve-rich regions in the nasal cavity. Its bioimpedance monitoring technology adjusts energy delivery based on the changes in tissue conductivity. This method makes sure treatment is precise by continuously evaluating the conditions of the tissue and adjusting energy flow, thereby increasing therapeutic outcomes. According to the company, the system's real-time feedback and smart algorithmic control are crucial for directing the proper placement of the electrode and ensuring treatment delivery success. Its atraumatic leaflets and flexible haft will aid physicians in accessing challenging nasal cavity areas and increase the treatment coverage, along with the posterior areas of the lateral nasal wall. The system claims to operate by delivering impedance-controlled, low-power RF energy to disrupt parasympathetic nerve signals. This addresses the primary symptoms of chronic rhinitis, which include rhinorrhoea (runny nose) and persistent congestion in the nasal area. With the FDA clearance, the system is set for broader availability in the US market. The Ireland-based company focuses on chronic inflammatory sino-nasal disease treatments. Neurent Medical CEO Brian Shields said: 'We have just completed a highly successful commercial validation phase, positioning the NEUROMARK system at the forefront of chronic rhinitis care. 'During this phase, we collaborated with leading General ENT [ear, nose, and throat] and rhinology specialists across both private practice and academic settings. Their insights were instrumental in shaping this next-generation system. I am incredibly proud of how their feedback translated into meaningful technological improvements.' "FDA clears Neurent Medical's NEUROMARK for chronic rhinitis treatment" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brera Holdings PLC (Nasdaq: BREA) and Toronto Blizzard Grassroots Soccer Partnership Targets Youth Sports, an Estimated $69 Billion Industry by 2030
Worth $37.5B in 2022, Youth Sports are Projected to Hit $69.4B by 2030 According to with Sports Tourism's Total Economic Impact $91.8B in 2021 Joe Parolini is the Owner and Coach of Toronto Blizzard Joe Parolini is the Owner and Coach of Toronto Blizzard Dublin, Ireland; Naples, Italy; and Toronto, Canada, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brera Holdings PLC ('Brera Holdings' or the 'Company') (Nasdaq: BREA), an Ireland-based international holding company focused on expanding its global portfolio of men's and women's sports clubs through a multi-club ownership ('MCO') strategy, commented on its advisory agreement with the owner of Canada's premier soccer scholarship program, Toronto Blizzard Corp., designed to tap into the $69 billion youth sports market as reported by The initiative intends to leverage the Blizzard Development Academy and Brera's network of pro football clubs and youth academies across three continents, targeting the $37 billion sports tourism market as also reported by Brera looks forward to going beyond Blizzard's preeminence in girls soccer to also provide a clear pathway for boys and eventually girls to rapidly progress into the professional ranks. The partnership aims to provide young soccer players aged 3 to 7 (Little Blizzard Kickers) and 8 to 18 the opportunity to learn and develop as players from exposure to talent at Brera's clubs, including 'the Second Team of Naples,' SS Juve Stabia in Italy's Serie B; North Macedonian first-division men's team Fudbalski Klub Akademija Pandev, now known as Brera Strumica FC; its related women's football club Tiverija Strumica, now known as Brera Tiverija FC, and other clubs in the Brera network from Mongolia and Mozambique. This goal will be achieved through sharing Brera clubs' coaching methodologies with the Blizzard programs and together creating pathways for young players, modeled after Blizzard's 2022 initiative developed with the record-breaking Bundesliga (Germany) champions FC Bayern Munich. Toronto Blizzard Corp. President and Owner, and Soccer Hall of Famer Giuseppe 'Joe' Parolini commented, 'Brera Holdings is the perfect partner to help bring new coaching philosophies to talented youth in Ontario. When I took over the ownership of the Blizzard in 1999, ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls to play and receive the same quality of training and development was very important to me. Through this partnership I believe we can identify talent, develop and create pathways to other opportunities such as Juve Stabia in Naples where I was born, Brera Strumica and Tiverjia in North Macedonia, the World Squad, and more.' Talent identification camps in metro Toronto, and European on-site experiences planned to bring Blizzard players to Brera's club academies are intended to begin in the summer of 2026 or sooner. Toronto Blizzard will promote and coordinate the camps and European academies, which will be delivered by Brera clubs' coaches and players in collaboration with Blizzard technical staff. Friendly matches between Brera clubs and Canadian professional teams are also in the planning stages for 2026 and beyond, subject to financial sustainability. According to some 88% of women's college soccer athletes have played first at the youth club level, with 77% of men coming from the same feeder system. With private college tuition and fees rising from $11,000 in 1981 to $33,000 in 2021, as public college costs went from $2,500 to $9,500 in the same period, the value of an athletic scholarship has never been greater. 'We've seen the incredible soccer talent coming from Canada, as well as at the NCAA programs of U.S. universities where Blizzard alumni have distinguished themselves,' commented Brera Holdings Executive Chairman Daniel J. McClory. 'Our partnership with Toronto Blizzard will allow us to share our clubs' coaching philosophies as well as identify and help develop young talent in Toronto. We look forward to introducing this partnership to the Province of Ontario with the Blizzard, and bringing players to train at the academies of our clubs in Italy and North Macedonia, as these countries enjoy longstanding and particularly strong cross-cultural ties with the Toronto metro area,' he added. ABOUT TORONTO BLIZZARD CORP. AND BLIZZARD DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY CORP. Toronto Blizzard Corp. is a premier youth soccer organization under the continuous ownership, coaching and management of Soccer Hall of Famer Giuseppe 'Joe' Parolini since 1999. Along with its affiliated entity Blizzard Development Academy Corp. (collectively 'Toronto Blizzard'), they serve girls and boys playing soccer from age 8 to 18. Focused initially on ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls to play and receive the same quality of training and development available to boys, Blizzard is now going beyond its historical preeminence in girls soccer to also provide a clear pathway for boys to rapidly progress into the professional ranks. Noted for its competitive youth teams, talent identification clinics, and alumni match tours featuring college players developed by Blizzard competing against NCAA squads, among other innovations pioneered by Joe Parolini and his staff. Blizzard in 2022 developed a youth initiative with the record-breaking Bundesliga (Germany) champions FC Bayern Munich. In 2025 Joe Parolini was named an advisor to Nasdaq-listed Brera Holdings PLC, the first multi-club owner of soccer teams to IPO on a stock exchange. He is developing a strategic Brera-Blizzard plan to establish a comprehensive grassroots program for boys and girls in North America and beyond. The initiative intends to leverage the Blizzard Development Academy and Brera's network of pro football clubs and youth academies across three continents. ABOUT BRERA HOLDINGS PLC Brera Holdings PLC(Nasdaq: BREA) is dedicated to expanding its social impact football business by developing a global portfolio of emerging football and sports clubs. Building on the legacy of Brera FC, which it acquired in 2022, the Company aims to create opportunities for tournament prizes, sponsorships, and professional consulting services. Brera FC, recognized as "The Third Team of Milan," has been crafting an alternative football legacy since its founding in 2000. The club also organizes the FENIX Trophy, a nonprofessional pan-European tournament acknowledged by UEFA. This tournament, which has been referred to as "the Champions League for Amateurs" by BBC Sport, has garnered significant media coverage, including from ESPN. In its efforts to broaden its reach, Brera expanded into Africa in March 2023 by establishing Brera Tchumene FC in Mozambique, which quickly rose to the First Division after winning its post-season tournament. In April 2023, the Company acquired a 90% stake in the North Macedonian first-division team Fudbalski Klub Akademija Pandev, now known as Brera Strumica FC. Additionally, in June 2023, Brera made a strategic investment in Manchester United PLC, realizing a 74% gain. The Company has further diversified its portfolio by acquiring a majority stake in UYBA Volley, an Italian women's professional volleyball team, in July 2023, assuming control of Bayanzurkh Sporting Ilch FC, a Mongolian National Premier League team, which became Brera Ilch FC, in September 2023, and establishing a joint stock company for the North Macedonian women's football club Tiverija Strumica, now known as Brera Tiverija FC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brera Strumica FC, in June 2024. On December 31, 2024, Brera executed an agreement to acquire majority stake of the corporate capital of Juve Stabia srl, the company which manages the Italian Serie B football club Juve Stabia, also known as 'The Second Team of Naples'. The acquisition will be conducted in a multi-step process and marks a significant expansion of the Company's MCO model. As of February 12, 2025, Brera holds a 38.46% equity ownership interest in Juve Stabia. With a strategic emphasis on bottom-up value creation, innovation-driven growth, and socially impactful outcomes, Brera Holdings has established itself as a forward-thinking leader in the global sports industry. For more information, visit Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding the Company's ability to grow its business and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be accompanied by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, the popularity and/or competitive success of the Company's acquired football and other sports teams, the Company's ability to attract players and staff for acquired clubs, unsuccessful acquisitions or other strategic transactions, the possibility of a decline in the popularity of football or other sports, the Company's ability to expand its fanbase, sponsors and commercial partners, general economic conditions, and other risk factors detailed in the Company's filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update such forward-looking statements except in accordance with applicable law. Company Contact Information: Dan McClory, Executive Chairman, Brera Holdings PLCEmail: dan@ Joe Parolini, President, Toronto Blizzard joeparolini@ Joe Parolini is the Owner and Coach of Toronto Blizzard
