Month: July 2025

Combat Sports are a diverse set of physical activities that involve attack and defense techniques between two individuals. They encompass a wide range of modalities, including boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, capoeira, and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). The nuances of each sport are distinct and offer athletes an opportunity to choose a modality that best fits their skill and fitness level. However, all modalities share common traits such as a focus on discipline and respect for the opponent. They are also regulated to minimize permanent or severe injury by requiring use of protective equipment and enforcing rules to ensure safety.

Whether it is the precision of boxing, the agility of Muay Thai, the tactical brilliance of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or the intensity of wrestling, there is a place for all individuals in the world of combat sports. These empowering experiences are not only exciting to watch, but can unlock the potential of one’s body and mind to push past limits.

Training in a combat sport involves regular group classes that promote community and camaraderie. These positive social interactions support the health and well-being of athletes and encourage them to develop a healthy mindset. Research shows that participation in Olympic combat sports, like judo, can lead to improved quality of life in middle-aged and older adults. The key to success in these sports lies in the combination of physical training and mental resilience. Athletes must learn to overcome fear and discomfort, while embracing the challenges of the fight.

Ice hockey is a team sport that is played on an ice rink. The rink is divided into three zones: the attacking zone, the defending zone and the neutral zone. Each zone has two end zones, faceoff circles and spots and a goal crease.

The game was added to the Olympic program in 1920. At that time, players played with a puck made of rock salt, but today’s tournaments use synthetic ice and a hard-rubber ball. Players wear helmets with faceshields and can only compete on one team. The game is regulated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

During the early years of Olympic ice hockey, the U.S. dominated. But then the Soviet Union entered the tournament, and it was a whole new ballgame. The Soviets could outscore teams, and they were very good. It wasn’t until the late 1960s that the IIHF allowed professional players to participate in the Olympics.

Mike Eruzione’s game-winning goal in the “Miracle on Ice” semifinal against the Soviets in 1980 won America a gold medal and was voted the greatest sports moment of all time by ESPN viewers.

The 1992 Albertville games brought an end to the Red Army’s reign over Olympic ice hockey. The former Soviet Union disbanded, but athletes from the country now called Russia still competed as the Unified Team, and they won a gold medal. A few years later, the NHL began to allow its players to play in the Olympics, and the U.S. won its first gold since 1988 in Nagano.

Athlete endorsements are powerful marketing tools, leveraging an athlete’s public image and reputation to increase brand awareness, visibility, and sales. Athlete endorsements can create a connection between an athlete, the brand, and the audience, building authentic narratives of perseverance and success that inspire consumer loyalty.

When choosing an athlete, brands should select a person who represents their core values and embodies the spirit of their brand. This alignment fosters authenticity and builds a strong connection between the athlete and the audience, making the endorsement feel more genuine. For example, Serena Williams’ commitment to empowerment and excellence aligns seamlessly with Nike’s messaging around strength and equality. This is especially important during major events like the World Cup, where celebrity appearances can amplify visibility far beyond traditional advertising channels.

To maximize the impact of an athlete endorsement, marketers should focus on creating comprehensive campaigns that utilize multiple platforms and tactics. Social media is a key channel, where athletes can engage with fans through personal stories and day-in-the-life content. In addition, video content can bring the sponsorship to life, amplifying engagement rates and generating buzz for the brand.

Moreover, brands should track comprehensive metrics, including audience engagement rates, website traffic, and follower growth, to assess the success of an endorsement. Moreover, long-term metrics, such as customer lifetime value and brand loyalty, can help companies understand the enduring impacts of their athlete partnerships. Using these insights, marketers can develop more effective strategies that drive greater returns on investment and build lasting connections with consumers.

The Masters leaderboard is a real-time snapshot of player rankings at the iconic golf tournament. As players navigate Augusta National’s challenging course, their scores fluctuate based on the ebb and flow of every birdie and bogey that they make. These shifts directly impact their standing on the leaderboard and can create an extra layer of excitement for fans following along.

As the tournament enters its final round, the Masters leaderboard takes on an even greater level of importance. The winner of the coveted green jacket is awarded to the golfer with the lowest cumulative score over four rounds, and keeping track of the leaders’ progression throughout the weekend will be paramount for those hoping to witness an exhilarating finish.

Rory McIlroy shot up the Masters leaderboard on Moving Day with a 2-under 66, putting himself within striking distance of winning his first green jacket. The two-time major champion entered the second round in a tie for fifth place, but has a chance to win his third straight major this year. He’s tied with Corey Conners and Scottie Scheffler at 6-under, and Bryson DeChambeau is also in contention for his first Masters victory after posting a bogey-free 68.

As the leaderboard tightens, every stroke will be crucial as players fight for a spot in the final group at 8:00 a.m. ET on Sunday. If no winner is crowned after the final 36 holes, a sudden-death playoff will begin on the 18th hole and continue to the 10th until a single golfer has claimed victory.

There are few things more dramatic in baseball than a walk-off home run. They’re a staple of World Series history, and for many, they mark the most memorable moments in baseball’s greatest competition.

Freddie Freeman’s first-of-its-kind Game 1 grand slam flipped Dodger Stadium into Blue Heaven on Friday night. But it wasn’t the only World Series highlight of 2024.

The 1975 World Series is regarded as one of the greatest World Series games in history thanks to exciting lead changes and nail-biting turns of events. But it’s also infamous for the fact that Carlton Fisk’s famous “fingertip homer” in Game 6 was actually a hit off a clerical error.

Dennis Eckersley’s epochal ninth-inning relief appearance in the 1988 World Series remains a classic for good reason. The Dodgers were facing elimination and trailing the 104-win Boston Red Sox in a must-win situation with two outs. But Kirk Gibson, who’d been injured in the NLCS and wasn’t expected to play, pinch-hit and homered on his second swing. It inspired iconic pronouncements by Vin Scully and Jack Buck.

This year’s World Series has had its share of nail-biting moments, but few have rivaled the drama of the ’88 series. And despite the Dodgers’ shaky 9th inning, they still managed to beat the Yankees 4-2 and secure their first championship in 40 years. So in honor of this momentous occasion, here are the top World Series highlights to remember from 2024. (And don’t miss our full list of the best World Series games of all time, too). The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download it now for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Athletes, just like everyone else, often struggle with the transition into retirement. It is difficult for them to identify themselves outside of the sport that they have devoted most of their lives to and this shift can be even harder for elite and professional athletes.

In a video on her social media page, Alex Morgan announced her retirement from women’s soccer on Thursday. The USWNT revolutionary is widely considered one of the most important players in women’s sports history and her retirement marks the end of an era for the program.

Lorenzo Carter, a longtime defensive lineman for the Tennessee Titans, has decided to hang up his cleats at 29 years old. The former third-round pick racked up 21.5 sacks in his career and will now join the Buffalo Bills as an assistant.

After 12 seasons in the NFL, New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu is calling it quits. Known for his toughness and blond patch in his hair, the LSU Tiger was a Heisman Trophy finalist and was compared to a honey badger (a carnivorous mammal known to fight off much larger predators) throughout his career.

Despite the fact that many athletes retire at an early age, their transition to life after sport can be difficult. According to research done by Dr Cavallerio, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, female gymnasts’ transition experiences fell into three narratives: Entangled, Going forward and Making sense. This study highlights that it is important for sport organisations to develop strategies for their athletes to prepare them for retirement.

As a fan, there’s nothing worse than seeing your favorite show or character get canceled. Fans have a long history of protesting these cancellations with letter-writing campaigns, billboards and even hunger strikes. For many fans, their favorite shows provide community and an identity that’s linked to their own sense of self. Losing that connection can feel like a loss of identity, which is why they often fight to keep their shows alive.

This week, Crystal Palace supporters took to the streets to protest their club’s owner and a decision by Uefa to demote them from Europa League competition. The fans walked in to Selhurst Park wearing white shirts and carrying banners, including one that read “Uefa: morally bankrupt” and another that called out the club’s owner, American businessman John Textor.

While the group’s protest was not as large as some other tifos, it still had a big impact. It’s a small example of a larger trend in fans using sports as a platform for social change. Several fan groups have formed around political causes, from the Harry Potter Alliance to the Racebending Movement and Nerdfighteria.

Whether you’re rooting for Coco Gauff to defend her 2023 title or watching Novak Djokovic break more records, the US Open schedule is chock full of excitement. There’s a lot to take in over two weeks as the field of players dwindles until just two men and women are left to fight for one of the four Grand Slam titles.

The main event takes place from Monday August 18- Thursday August 23 (Finals day is Sunday September 8), but don’t miss the FREE qualifying tournament and week before that. The qualifiers are the best opportunity to see major rising players. In fact, 2021’s Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam.

US Open tickets are available for purchase on the tournament website, with a variety of ticket options including resale and standard face value tickets (shown as “blue dots” on the detailed seat map for each session). You’ll want to shop around, look in several different browser tabs, use multiple computer windows/screens, etc. to find the best prices and seats. Keep in mind that resale tickets are often subject to price fluctuations over time and the availability of standard tickets may be limited.

Note that you will need a cable subscription to watch the matches on ESPN/ESPN2. You can get around this by buying a yearly pass to ESPN+ (the streaming service that comes with your sports package). The app curates live events and you can watch up to 4 simultaneous matches at once. The only catch is that you can’t stream Arthur Ashe matches, which are preempted by ESPN.

The world of sports is a fast-paced environment that can be overwhelming for fans and athletes alike. Athletes, teams, and leagues must create a compelling narrative and deliver the right content to maintain fan interest, increase viewership and engagement, and drive revenue opportunities. Social media is a powerful tool for empowering athletes to connect with their followers, share stories, and create authentic connections.

Athletes can also use social media to promote their brands and grow their audiences. In a recent study, Geurin-Eagleman and Burch found that social media allows athletes to build a personal brand that extends beyond their athletic achievements. This brand-building strategy can lead to increased endorsement opportunities and career success for athletes.

Moreover, social media has become a vital source of information for sports fans. Even if they are not watching a game, most fans are scrolling through their social media feeds to keep up with the latest news on their favorite players or team. This is a key reason why it is so important for sports organizations to have a robust social media strategy in place.

Athletes can use social media to provide their fans with exclusive, behind-the-scenes content, from training routines to locker room banter. This intimate connection humanizes athletes and helps foster a deeper emotional bond with their fans. This content also increases the likelihood of an athlete being perceived as role model-worthy. Moreover, it can draw in new audiences—many of whom aren’t traditional sports fans—and boost overall viewership and engagement for teams and leagues.

Whether it’s fan engagement, athlete monitoring, VR training or the rise of women’s sports, these technologies have transformed the sporting landscape. They also pose challenges for organizations looking to leverage these emerging technologies and deliver on their long-promised impacts. The key to success will be to reassure fans about how their data is used, understand the needs of their audience before deploying technology, and offer a full range of in-stadium and out-of-stadium experiences.

The emergence of wearables, performance analysis and AI tools continue to be game-changers for teams and athletes at all levels. For example, for semi-professional football clubs, enhanced access to advanced technology such as Catapult Vector devices and high-level video analysis capabilities is transformative, enabling them to train players, mitigate the risks of injury and develop strategies akin to elite teams.

As artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms continue to advance, they can now be applied to break down complex sports data sets and provide actionable insights for coaches and athletes. This allows them to fine-tune player mechanics and improve strategy in ways that would have been impossible a decade ago. Examples include analyzing swing mechanics, measuring the velocity of a baseball pitch or the defensive positioning of players on a field.

Augmented reality (AR) continues to revolutionise the sports experience for both fans and athletes, allowing them to see virtual overlays of sports stats or betting odds on top of real-time footage from their seats in stadiums. This can improve the experience for fans and enhance monetization opportunities for sports organizations.