Ferrari on the way to stardom

Not many can ever call themselves a world champion but one UCLan student is one of the brightest stars in martial arts.

Ferrari Faqiri, a second year sports journalism student, enjoyed a successful 2010 which included winning the world martial arts championships in Las Vegas.

Preston born Ferrari has subsequently been nominated for a prestigious award, The Most Up and Coming Sports Personality at this year’s British Asian Sports Awards.



“It’s fantastic to be nominated for the most up and coming sports personality of the year, it just shows my hard work is being recognised and its gives me that little buzz to work even harder because even greater things lay ahead.”

No stranger to hard work Ferrari has to manage a university workload alongside a tough training regime which sees him work in the gym for up to fifteen hours a week.

“Just knowing the balance between university and training is hard. When I’m at university I’m a student and when I’m at the gym I’m an athlete, i try to give both equal time because i aim to be successful in both.”




Ferrari’s feet are completely on the ground thanks to one large influence in his life, his father Hashmat who coaches Ferrari and has also been nominated for Coach of the year in the British Asian Sports Awards.

“With my dad being nominated for coach of the year it’s fantastic because he works just as hard as me, He plays a key role getting me prepared for tournament as well as training. I started competing in martial arts tournaments at around 14/15 years old that’s also when i started working with my dad because i felt he would be the one to take me to where i need to be.”

Ferrari is now firmly setting his sights on what the future will bring, including possibly representing Great Britain in the Olympics next year. However, he will not stop focusing if he doesn’t manage to compete in London.

“If it comes it comes, I’m focused on being the best. Opportunities will come and i take them, there is no time limit on my success.”

“My goal is just to be the best i can be and whatever tournaments come along the way i just go out there with one aim to win.”

The British Asian Sports Awards will take place next month at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Full Story will be available in UCLan's student paper "PLUTO" next monday.

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AFC Fylde 1 - 3 Salford City

Salford City overcame AFC Fylde in a controversial win at Kallamergh Park thanks to a Steve Foster hat-trick.

It was Fylde though who started out brighter, having a goal from Andy Bell disallowed in the 10th minute for offside.

Even though the game was a scrappy affair, it sprung to life in the final five minutes of the first half, when a dubious penalty was awarded which Foster calmly slotted home.

Fylde hit back straight away thank to Matt Walwyn who collected Matty Kaye’s cross before turning it in.

Salford from the kick off attacked Fylde’s goal forcing Lewis Edge into a brilliant save before Foster scored the rebound.

Fylde started to find their feet in the second half but were always chasing the game against a well organised Salford team.

With Fylde pushing for an equalised Salford were dangerous on the break first hitting the woodwork before Foster completed his hat-trick with a cool finish although he appeared to be offside.

Man of the match: Steve Foster

Interview with Kelham O'Hanlon (AFC FYLDE MANAGER)



Interview with Mick Stringfellow (AFC FYLDE DEFENDER)