While spending my teenage years in Hollywood, Florida I was surrounded by a variety of sports – surfing, paddle ball, jai-alai, running, swimming, biking, baseball, football, dog racing, car racing and golf to name a few. But I never paid much attention to boxing, except for watching it on television with my dad.
Hollywood now has Bellator Fighting Championships.
Bellator Fighting Championships (Bellator) is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion based in the United States. “Bellator”, which is Latin for “Warrior”, organizes its events into seasons with each event hosting the rounds of championship knockout tournaments for four weight divisions. (cont. on Wikipedia)
Here’s one of the fighters in Bellator’s third season -
Jessica Aguilar COURTESY JESSICA AGUILAR
The 28-year old fighter has the no. 7 world ranking in her division. So, she must be a pretty good fighter. What’s also interesting about her is that her mother doesn’t know she fights.
from the Sun Sentinel -
“It’s not going to come get you, you have to go get it,” Aguilar said. “If you want it, go for it. I wanted to be in the tournament and I had to do what I had to do to go get it.”
Of course, Aguilar still hasn’t broken the news to her mother that she competes in MMA, much less she’s ranked No. 7 in the world and will be fighting on national television.
“My mom is very old-fashioned, so I don’t think she’d like it too much,” Aguilar said. “I’m just living my dream right now and enjoying it and nobody’s going to take that from me. There will be a time when she needs to find out, but right now it’s the way it is and I’m just living my dream.”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Ndamukong Suh isn’t a generous guy. I just find this so self-indulgent. If communications and videos need to be sent to players individually and on-the-go versus at home on a computer, or in the locker room on one large screen, why not via an Iphone? I repeat, “one large screen” as opposed to this,
Think about that for a few seconds. Picture a recruit stepping into the Huskers’ locker room for the first time and seeing the lights dim while 123 iPads come on with a recap of Jared Crick’s biggest hits, Prince Amukamara’s pivotal interception, Niles Paul’s acrobatic catch or Alex Henery’s dramatic field goal.
As much as I love technology, this whole concept just makes me snicker. I’m not sure what the “compliance reasons” are…Will the guys lose the Ipads if they aren’t attached to their lockers? How about attaching a chain and tire to each one? Bottom line, these are lockers for crying out loud.
from Huskers.com -
When Nebraska recruited Ndamukong Suh, one thing that really captivated a serious pre-engineering student from Portland, Ore., was a mock-up of what players’ lockers might look like in a future locker room.
It wasn’t his name or his picture that charmed Big Suh. It was the computer that would be built in to the top of his locker.
Well, the technological sweet spot of reliability and affordability never materialized, and Suh never forgot.
While in high school, my son participated in soccer, baseball and track, and also played golf on his own. His worst injury? Well, it wasn’t during high school. It happened during college soccer – a torn ACL. He’s always been a good athlete, and still is although his interests have changed with age. It’s just a way of life for him. I can’t remember him not being in some type of training from his younger days all the way through college, to now in his late twenties. Was it too much? How do you minimize the risk of injury to lead to a healthier lifestyle?
from the Boston Globe -
Summertime has become prime time for legions of hyper-competitive young athletes to pound, pitch, and pursue their athletic passions, producing ever more injuries.
Surgeons and physical therapists say they see an epidemic of overuse — fractures, tears, and worn-down joints — in children who are playing at higher intensities and at younger ages. Surgeries to repair shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip injuries, once thought to be adult fare, are being routinely performed on preteens and teenagers.
Is golf the same without Tiger Woods? There are those who will say it isn’t, but tournaments will go on (with whispers of his name heard on each hole). Like other sports, new “heroes” will climb up the ladder. Will golf go on without Tiger Woods? Did cooking go on while Martha Stewart wasaway?
from the Boston Hearald -
Golf minus Woods is, well, golf minus woods?
Imagine a bag full of just irons. That’s only half the sport, and the [PGA] Tour, in its current Tigerless state, is half of its former self. Even less, probably.
In analyzing the Tiger Woods situation, it’s probably best to sit back and just look at him through a child’s eyes. Then it’s easier to understand another generation is coming along who will be ready to follow their own sports heroes.
Considering what NFL players are paid, or any professional athlete for that matter, you would think they could keep their heads in the game…and hands, well, keep their hands doing whatever they have kept them doing for decades…slapping butts, scratching, adjusting – you name it.
But I guess sitting on the sidelines, or the bench, or being off the field can be very boring. You’ve got to keep youself busy -
from Google news (AP) -
NEW YORK – Tweet away, boys. Just save it for before and after the games.
The NFL said Monday it will allow players to use social media networks this season, but not during games. Players, coaches and football operations personnel can use Twitter, Facebook and other social media up to 90 minutes before kickoff, and after the game following traditional media interviews.
During games, no updates will be permitted by the individual himself or anyone representing him on his personal Twitter, Facebook or any other social media account, the league said.
The use of social media by NFL game officials and officiating department personnel will be prohibited at all times.
I can get past the large biceps, huge feet, the masculine facial looks, the fact an atypical running short is being worn, and the large hands…
But it’s the fact that s/he doesn’t have a female looking waistline. It’s just so male. Fit women, even those who over exert at least have a slight waistline.
from the Daily Mail -
Female runner accused of being a man tonight took gold in the 800m World Athletics Championship.
South African Caster Semenya, 18, had to take a gender test after doubts were raised about her sex.
But despite the furore, she easily took gold in the final in Berlin.
The teenage sensation has sparked controversy over
