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This Week in Sports – The latest updates on all of your favourite sports!

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4 years ago

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BY MARCEL MARIAK

Hockey: Nation mourns the loss of ‘Canada’s Hockey Dad.’
The hockey community is in mourning following the death of hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky’s father. ‘Canada’s Hockey Dad,’ Walter Gretzky the father of the Great One who dominated the hockey game in the 1980s passed away on March 4th at the age of 82. Walter Gretzky was a pillar in the hockey world. Not only did he help create the greatest hockey player to ever live, inspiring generations for years to come, he was also the ideal model of what it means to be a Canadian. Although the stories and legacies told by the people who knew Walter vary, they always make a point of mentioning his humble demeanor and willingness to always help others. Walter was buried in Brantford, Ontario, and his funeral was broadcast live on media networks across the nation. Walter’s passing created an outpouring of tributes and support on social media, showing that while we may all have our differences, a single outstanding individual can unite us and serve as a reminder of what it means to be Canadian.

Mixed Martial Arts: UFC 259 – Jamaica gets its first-ever UFC champion in controversial victory!
In combat sports, there’s seldom any question as to who won a bout. It’s typically easy to determine the winner of a fight because one competitor is standing and the other one, well, isn’t. Every once in a while, the MMA philosophers get a chance to debate a controversial judge’s decision or dirty technique. This time, not only did fans witness a controversial championship bout, Jamaica also got its first-ever UFC champion.

In the men’s Bantamweight championship, the Russian champion Petr Yan defended his belt against the Jamaican-American Alazani Sterling. The fight ended with a rarely seen disqualification. Late in the fourth round, Petr Yan threw a brutal head-knee to his downed opponent. The strike had enough power to snap Sterling’s head back and nearly knock him unconscious. The fight was immediately paused by the referee, and when Sterling failed to get back up after a couple of minutes, he won the fight by disqualification. While Yan’s knee was unquestionably a dirty hit, Sterling’s failure to return to the fight sparked intense controversy in the MMA world; with several big-name fighters like Henry Cejudo and TJ Dillashaw claiming that Sterling exaggerated the injury to win the fight by disqualification. No matter what the MMA community argues, the official ruling stands as a disqualification (and rightly so). This means Jamaica can celebrate its first UFC champion!

Basketball: Kyle Lowry looking likely to leave the Raptors – sells his Toronto home.
Rumours about a possible Kyle Lowry trade have been going around for a while. With the success of the Raptors in the past few years, it’s no surprise that when whispers about a possible trade of our favourite point guard began circulating through the grapevine, the situation immediately became big news.

Last week, Lowry sold his Toronto home, which sent shivers down the spines of all hardcore Raptors fans. Although negotiations between clubs and players are secretive and difficult to predict, it’s beginning to look more and more likely that Kyle might be looking for a new team to represent. Not only did Lowry decide to sell off his house during the pandemic (an atypical move for someone who’s looking to keep playing for the Raptors), he also sold his Toronto mansion for quite a bit below its market value. With the trade deadline fast approaching, what this seems to suggest is that Kyle Lowry has his eyes on settling in another city in the very near future. This predicament leaves fans with an ominous question: is this the end of Lowry in Toronto, and if so, who would replace him?

Soccer: UEFA cracks down on racism in the sport.
Over two decades into the 21st century, it’s a shame that we still need to tell people that racism has no place in society. Unfortunately, racism continues to be a constant issue around the world. Just last week, the soccer world was shocked when a referee made a racial remark to a coach during a UEFA Champions League group-stage game between Istanbul Basaksehir and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. During the game, an argument broke out after a UEFA referee referred to Istanbul’s assistant coach as “the black one.” This comment sparked an outrage with players of both teams and the game was eventually abandoned as players began walking off the pitch. The game hadn’t even gone on for fiftee minutes.

To control the damage done by their referee, UEFA instantly put the arbiter under suspension and has launched an investigation into the offence. Tentatively, the official will have to attend a reeducation class before he’s able to return to the pitch. In the past UEFA, as well as other soccer associations, have been poor at handling racism-related issues. At times, it seemed that they simply didn’t care. This time, the situation was different. The controversy on the field sparked a massive social media storm when several big-name players from around the world began condemning racism.

Many still believe that the soccer world is failing to take racism seriously. Despite the various anti-racism campaigns and programs implemented by leagues and organizations around the soccer world, racism is still very present in the sport today. It’s no secret that racism breeds racism; and if a sport as popular as soccer fails to take it seriously, it demonstrates to countless young fans around the world that racism is ok or just an afterthought.

Baseball: Blue Jays pitcher, Robbie Ray, looking strong in spring training.
In baseball, spring training is a series of exhibition games that teams play against each other to practice strategy and improve performance. While it’s common to see players performing better as they get farther into spring training, it’s unusual to see a player improve in the middle of a game. That’s exactly what happened when the Jays played the Detroit Tigers!

Although the Jays lost 5-1 to the Tigers, the real takeaway for fans was the performance of Robbie Ray. Although the recently traded pitcher took a little while to get into his groove. Robbie played for 2 ⅓ innings, walking two hitters and giving up an RBI double. Despite this, Robbie Ray also got an impressive 6 strikeouts which redeemed him in the eyes of fans… but that’s not the interesting part. The odd yet very satisfying facts lay in Ray’s pitching statistics. As a rule of thumb, as pitchers become fatigued following subsequent pitches, their pitch velocity tends to decrease. Not Robbie Ray. When pitching his first two batters, Ray’s velocity was between 94-95mph. In the rest of the inning, Ray’s velocity ramped up to an impressive 96-97mph range with him even throwing a 98mph slider at one point.

After the game, Ray attributed his increased velocity to an efficient change he made to his posture while pitching. The Blue Jays’ manager, Charlie Montoyo, was incredibly happy with Ray’s performance despite the team’s harsh loss, “It’s huge how he made that adjustment. His stuff looked really good today,” praised Montoyo,’Although the Blue Jays have many things to improve and tweak before they’re ready for their first season game against the Yankees on April 1, fans can rest easy knowing that we have dynamic players on the team who are capable of making big improvements on the fly!

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Aryna Sabalenka: A tennis powerhouse and her historic 2024 Wuhan Open victory

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3 weeks ago

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October 25, 2024

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Credits: Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images

BY KRISHNA MISTRY

In the world of tennis, many players have made a significant impact, one of them being Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarus tennis player is known for her explosive game and aggressive style of play

Sabalenka has become a dominant force on the WTA, always ready for a challenge. Her recent triumph at the 2024 Wuhan Open has further solidified her status as an elite player, adding yet another milestone to her career.

She began playing tennis at a young age, quickly showing promise, and turning professional at the age of twenty-seven in 2015. It wasn’t until 2017 that she truly began to gain recognition when she helped Belarus reach the Fed Cup final. In that year, she also reached the top hundred in the WTA rankings.

Her breakout season came in 2018 when Sabalenka captured her very first WTA title in New Haven, followed by a premier-level victory at the Wuhan Open. By the end of 2018, Sabalenka ranked number eleven, establishing herself as one of tennis’s rising stars.

Over the years, Sabalenka has continued to build on her success, winning several WTA titles and Grand Slam titles. While Sabalenka was successful in regular tour events, she struggled to proceed further in Grand Slam tournaments early in her career.

The 2023 Australian Open marked a significant milestone in Sabalenka’s career when she captured her very first Grand Slam singles title. Her victory highlighted the years of hard work and perseverance, as she defeated some of the best players in the world.

That same year, Sabalenka moved up to the number one spot in the WTA ranking for the first time, briefly dethroning her rival, Iga Świątek. By the end of the season, Sabalenka had firmly established herself as one of the most consistent and dangerous players on tour.

Sabalenka’s dominance continued in 2024, with her most recent achievement coming at the Wuhan Open, a tournament that has become synonymous with her success. In October 2024, Sabalenka secured her third consecutive Wuhan Open title with a hard-fought victory over China’s Zheng Qinwen. The win not only added to her growing collection of trophies but also extended her unbeaten record at the tournament to an astonishing 17-0.

The final, which saw Sabalenka defeat Zheng 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, was a testament to her resilience. After losing focus and allowing Zheng to push the match to a deciding set, Sabalenka regrouped and powered her way to victory. “I felt like I just lost a little bit of focus and I let her come back in the match,” Sabalenka reflected after the win. “It became a three-set match. Balls are getting heavier, it’s the third set, a bit emotional.”

Her victory at the 2024 Wuhan Open marked her second WTA 1000 title of the year and her seventh overall. More significantly, it highlighted her dominance in China, where she has won five of her seventeen career titles. Sabalenka now holds the record for the most titles won in China during the Open Era, further cementing her legacy.

As of late 2024, Sabalenka has already claimed four titles this season, including the Australian Open and the US Open. Her Wuhan Open victory only strengthens her case as one of the premier players of this generation. With her sights set on reclaiming the No. 1 ranking from Iga Świątek, whom she trails by only 69 points, Sabalenka is poised to continue her ascent.

Looking ahead, Aryna Sabalenka’s blend of power, athleticism, and relentless determination makes her a formidable opponent on any surface. As she continues to refine her game and improve her mental toughness, Sabalenka is well-positioned to add more Grand Slam titles to her name and further establish herself as one of the all-time greats in women’s tennis.

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End of an era: Dwayne Bravo announces his retirement from cricket

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1 month ago

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October 15, 2024

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Credits: Getty/ICC

BY KRISHNA MISTRY

Dwayne Bravo announces his retirement from cricket after a twenty-one-year-long career as a professional cricket player. The forty-one-year-old recently announced on Instagram that he is departing from cricket.

Bravo shares his difficult decision. “Twenty-one years as a professional cricketer – it’s been an incredible journey, filled with many highs and a few lows. Most importantly, I was able to live my dream, because I gave at every step. As much as I’d love to continue this relationship, it’s time to face reality. My mind wants to keep going, but my body can no longer endure: the pain, the breakdowns, and the strain. I can’t put myself in a position where I might let down: my teammates, my fans, or the teams I represent.”

“So, with a heavy heart, I officially announce my retirement from the sport. Today, the Champion bids farewell. To my fans, I want to say a massive THANK YOU for your unwavering love and support throughout the years. To all my fans across the Caribbean, worldwide, and especially in Trinidad & Tobago – thank you for standing by me, especially in these recent weeks.”

I am sure you are wondering who Dwayne Bravo is and why he is so important in cricket. Let’s take a dive into Bravo’s career and his accomplishments. Bravo made his first-class debut for Trinidad and Tobago against Barbados in 2002 when he was just nineteen years old.

In 2003-2004, he made his international debut when England was touring West Indies. Unfortunately, he was not able to bat but was able to take 2-31 when bowling.

Throughout his career, Bravo has faced many injuries, a few being in the early parts of his career. He injured himself in early 2006 during the West Indies tour of New Zealand, where he strained his left side at the start of the tour and was unable to bowl. Bravo still preceded to play as a specialist batsman. His decision showed how far he had come as a cricket player in the previous two years, and demonstrated how much of a crucial player he had become to the West Indies team.

Bravo proves his resilience as he comes back from major losses. After a disappointing series in India. Bravo returned to the top in the ICC Champions 2006, when he took seven wickets at an average of 27.57 and scored one-hundred and sixty-four runs with an average of forty-one.

Bravo has played a total of seven World Cups in his career, from 2007-2019. Not only has he played on the West Indies team, but also has played on IPL teams such as Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and the Gujarat Lions.

On January 31st, 2015, Bravo announced his retirement from Test cricket. A few years later, in October of 2018, he publicized his retirement from international cricket as a whole but mentioned that he would continue playing franchise cricket.

Then in November of 2021, Bravo retired from international cricket and played his last T20I match against Australia at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. He continued to play league cricket across the globe and finally announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on the 27th of September 2024.

Bravo ended his career with a total of six hundred and thirty-one wickets from five hundred and eight-two T20 appearances, second only to fellow West Indian, Kieron Pollard. Bravo has retired as one of the most decorated players in CPL history.

With five titles in his name, including three with the Trinbaga Knight Riders. He led Trinbaga Knight Riders to back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2017, before guiding the St.Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their maiden title back in 2021.

As Bravo steps away from the sport, his absence will be deeply felt. However, his legacy will undoubtedly live on, not only through his remarkable achievements but also through his passion for cricket, which inspired countless young players to follow in his footsteps.

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The road to the Super Bowl has begun, and it is going to be an unforgettable ride

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2 months ago

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September 26, 2024

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BY KRISHNA MISTRY

The NFL season has started, and you know what that means: thrilling games, intense rivalries, fantasy football drama, and endless debates about which team has what it takes to make a run for the Super Bowl! After a long offseason of trades, draft picks, and preparation, the teams are ready to battle it out at the playoffs, and ultimately at the Super Bowl.

For those unfamiliar, the NFL stands for the National Football League, the premier professional American football league. It consists of 32 teams, all of which kicked off their season on September 5th, 2024, with the season running until February 9th, 2025. With so many teams vying for the ultimate prize, let’s break down what to expect during this action-packed season.

The offseason was full of dramatic roster changes, with many teams making trades, or free agent signing to improve their chances in the upcoming season. The biggest highlight was Aaron Rodgers leaving the Green Bay Packers and joining the New York Jets. Several other star players switched teams, and these moves will definitely shape the course of this season.

Keep an eye on players adjusting to their new teams, such as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the Tennessee Titans and running back Dalvin Cook now teaming up with the New York Jets.

As much as fans love high-scoring games, the defense still wins championships, and many teams have built strong units to stop the most lethal offences. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills all possess top-tier defenses that could be a factor in their playoff season. Keep an eye out for game-changing plays from defensive units. Sacks, turnovers, and defensive touchdowns could determine which teams rise to the top this year.

Several players will be making their return to the field after their shortened 2023 season due to injuries. Players like Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, ready to lead his team into the playoffs. Additionally, with the return of Breece Hall to the Jets and Javonte Williams to the Broncos Bolsters, both young backs are coming off significant injuries, and their recovery could be a game-changer for their respective teams.

As always, the competition for the playoffs is fierce. The AFC (American Football Conference) is stacked with powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills, all led by elite quarterbacks.

In the NFC (National Football Conference), the Philadelphia Eagles enter as favorites to win the conference again, but teams like the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions are all eager to challenge their reign. As the season progresses, every win counts and teams will fight for those crucial spots, knowing that a trip to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII is the ultimate goal.

No NFL season is complete without fantasy football enthusiasts tracking every yard, touchdown, and reception. With so much unpredictability in trades, injuries, and emerging stars, this season promises plenty of fantasy surprises.

Fans will be glued to their screens, tracking every stat, waiver wire pickup, and injury report to gain an edge in their leagues, making every Sunday all the more intense.

With blockbuster trades, the rise of young stars, and fierce competition across divisions, every game will matter as teams chase the ultimate prize—Super Bowl glory. So get your jerseys ready, your fantasy lineups set, and clear your schedule for those must-watch games.

The NFL season is back, and it’s sure to be filled with incredible moments, jaw-dropping plays, and unexpected surprises. Whether you’re cheering from the stands, or from your couch, this season will deliver the passion and excitement we’ve all been waiting for. So get ready for the highs, the lows, and everything in between. The road to the Super Bowl has begun, and it’s going to be an unforgettable ride.

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