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Combat Sports are a group of disciplines where competitors engage in physical combat under specific rules. Some of the most popular examples include boxing, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. These sports demand a high level of skill and strategy while also requiring tremendous endurance. They are highly regulated to minimize permanent or severe injury, and athletes wear padded gloves, mouthguards, and protective helmets.

The vast majority of combat sports participants are men, although women’s participation in these activities has gained traction in recent years. Some sports are purely striking, while others emphasize grappling techniques. There are also hybrid rule-sets that combine both striking and grappling.

Many people are under the impression that martial arts and combat sports training is geared toward violence, but this is not true. The skills and strategies learned are practical for self-defense in real-life situations. They are not meant to be used as a weapon, but rather to deescalate conflict from the start by controlling or eliminating an opponent before they can cause harm.

Many students have also stated that the confidence and discipline instilled from training has helped them better cope with bullying as children or adults. Others have credited their training with helping them overcome depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. In addition to the social and psychological benefits, combat sports offer a full-body workout that helps build muscle tone and burn calories, which can improve overall health and well-being.

From augmented reality overlays to personalized highlight reels, sports technology is transforming fan engagement. With the growing adoption of emerging technologies in sports, organizations should reassure fans about their data privacy to build trust, identify needs and expectations before deploying new systems, convert more casual followers into avid ones, and enhance the value of out-of-stadium experiences to capture the huge market that consumes sport outside the stadium.

Advanced sports technology is revolutionizing how athletes train and play, with intelligent training solutions offering personalized guidance for optimal performance. Wearable tech such as instrumented mouthguards from companies like HITIQ enable players to monitor impacts and provide actionable feedback that can help prevent concussion, while AI-powered platforms like Spiideo automate video analysis for coaches and players.

The latest athletic gear integrates smart features such as thermoregulation and climate-adaptive designs that adapt to conditions. For example, Adidas’s 4DFWD running shoes feature 3D-printed lattice midsoles that change cushioning and support based on athlete foot scans. While Nike’s Aerogami jacket adjusts airflow to reduce core body temperature and humidity levels.

Athletes are also using augmented reality and virtual reality to train and practice. VR-powered systems such as Catapult’s Virtual Coach offer immersive environments for mental and strategic preparation, while communication helmets from companies like Riddell and Reebok enable athletes to communicate with teammates via built-in headsets. And individualized training programs are driving better performance and career longevity with data-driven guidance from bespoke apps and solutions like Catapult’s personalized training platform.

Formula 1 standings are updated throughout the season as each race is completed. Formula 1 is the highest class of international open-wheel, single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

Its name derives from the series of rules – covering engine size, component usage and more – that all competitors must abide by. Thousands of parts are involved in creating F1 cars, which act as aeroplanes flipped upside down and rely on front and rear wings and eight-speed paddle shift gearboxes to push them across the track and give drivers a grip through corners.

The first F1 races took place in 1950, with the inaugural World Championship season culminating at Silverstone – then known as the Royal Air Force Station – on May 13. Alfa Romeo driver Giuseppe ‘Nino’ Farina won the first title, followed by Juan Manuel Fangio and Luigi Fagioli.

Over the decades, the sport has seen huge technological advances. From pre-war models like Alfa’s 158 to mid-1950s front engined cars, F1 saw manufacturers such as Ferrari and Mercedes dominate.

In the 1990s McLaren and Williams reigned, with both teams winning 16 titles between them (seven constructors’ and nine drivers’). Ayrton Senna looked poised to add to his tally before his tragic accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Today’s cars are more powerful than ever and able to travel around the lap of a circuit in under two hours. Their engines – with their turbochargers, internal combustion units, motor generators-heat and motor generators-kinetic – produce more than 2,000 horsepower and combine to deliver immense downforce.

Many sports organizations leverage social media to boost fan engagement and connect with a new generation of fans. But for athletes, it can be a challenging place to navigate. With one wrong move, a player can tarnish his or her reputation and harm the team’s image or even deep-six their career.

Athletes can use social media to build a brand that reflects their positive public image and drive sponsorship opportunities for both themselves and the organization. This authentic connection benefits fans, too. Fans who feel connected to athletes are more likely to engage with game-related content, purchase merchandise and support the team.

Social media also gives athletes a platform to share behind-the-scenes content, which can deepen their connections with the audience. Athletes like Isaac Rochell of the Seattle Seahawks have used TikTok to show off everything from family moments to his business ventures, connecting with fans in a more personal way. This engagement has continued well after Rochell’s NFL career, demonstrating the longevity of a strong social media presence.

But the social media landscape can be a tricky environment for young athletes, who may not yet have the skills and experience to manage a social media strategy effectively. It’s important for coaches to be prepared to discuss social media with their players, ensuring that they have a plan in place to navigate the challenges. The coach can take the stance that some colleges and high schools have taken—and subsequently rescinded—by banning athletes from social media, or they can help them build an online presence early and guide them in developing a mature approach to the platform.

Sports are a powerful medium that capture the peaks and valleys of life, delivering moments of wonder that can leave fans gasping and sayin’, “Holy shit!” In the age of social media, a viral sports moment is one that goes from a simple game or event to indelible cultural touchstone and monoculture. These moments become part of a fan’s identity and help explain why they follow certain teams or even the sport itself.

The Olympics dominated viral sports moments in 2024 with “pommel horse guy” winning a bronze medal (and a spot on Dancing With the Stars), Ilona Maher rumbling over Aussies, Steph Curry knocking out France and so much more. But there were plenty of head-scratching micro-moments outside the games as well, with Pat McAfee’s pricey year at College GameDay, Squirrel White’s terrifying field rush, and Luka Doncic’s statue reveal all leaving fans bewildered.

In addition to the incredible on-field action, there were some outstanding sports marketing campaigns that tapped into the emotions of fans and left them cheering. One example is the Nike campaign that asked athletes to thank their moms for the impact they had on their careers. The result was an ad that went viral and earned tens of millions of reactions on social media.

These viral sports moments showcase the power of a good story in sport, and how a simple moment can become a lasting iconic movement that transcends the game itself. As you craft your next article, try to remember these examples of how a compelling narrative can help propel a story into the realm of virality.

The Masters (officially known as the Masters Tournament) is one of four men’s major golf championships and is held each April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, United States. The Masters is widely considered to be the most prestigious tournament in professional golf and its winner earns the coveted green jacket.

After three exhilarating days Rory McIlroy leads The Masters by two strokes from Bryson DeChambeau. But the Northern Irishman isn’t worried about his rivals on the leaderboard. He’s simply focused on his own game and he’s playing the best Masters golf of his life.

Rose is a close second as he chases a first green jacket but it’s not an open race at this stage. The Englishman had a nightmare start to the day but he recovered from seven over at the turn with an impressive 68 in the second round.

DeChambeau meanwhile bogeyed the 12th and he missed a birdie putt on the 16th to move back into second place. But he’s still hitting 59.3 per cent of his greens in regulation so he’s not out of it.

There’s also a strong challenge from the likes of Patrick Reed, Corey Conners and Ludvig Aberg who are all just four shots off the lead. It’s sure to be a thrilling final day of action at the 2025 Masters. The action begins at 2.40pm on Sky Sports Golf.

The biggest clubs in Europe compete to win the Champions League. It’s a competition that features many of the sport’s most famous names, from Johan Cruyff to Lionel Messi. This year is no different as the game’s elite teams look to add another prestigious title to their resumes.

In its current form, the Champions League features a group stage followed by a knockout phase. The first two rounds feature an open draw, while home advantage for the quarterfinals and semifinals is determined by a seeding system.

From 2024-25 onwards, the competition changed to a league phase with thirty-six qualified teams competing in eight groups of four teams. Each team played the other teams in their group twice, once at home and once away. Teams earned three points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for a defeat.

UEFA now eases entry criteria to allow for the top-four highest-ranked clubs in each country to enter the tournament, with the remaining places granted through a four-round qualifying tournament. Clubs must also be licensed by their national association and meet certain stadium, infrastructure and finance requirements to compete.

The Liverpool-Milan final in 1984 saw the first all-English team to make an appearance in a Champions League final. The Reds won the title with a 1-0 victory at the Feijenoord Stadion, but were defeated by Milan in the final at the Stadio Olimpico in a match best remembered for the antics of Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

The Asian Games are the biggest sports competition in Asia that takes place every four years. They were first held in 1951, soon after the end of World War II, with the aim of reestablishing friendship among nations through sports and contributing to world peace by recognizing diversity. The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are scheduled to take place from 19 September to 4 October 2026, and will be hosted by Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya for the third time after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. The Games are co-hosted by 45 national and regional Olympic Committees of Asia, and this event will provide an opportunity to further deepen growing exchange within Asia.

The AINAGOC Board of Directors decided to retain cricket and include Mixed Martial Arts in the 2026 Asian Games at its meeting on Monday. These two events will be incorporated into the sports programme as medal events, and will be classed under Combat Sports. The decision was based on the fact that the two events have a high number of participations in Japan. Moreover, cricket has been played at the three previous editions of the Asian Games.

The AINAGOC is preparing a transport plan to ensure smooth transportation for athletes and spectators during the 2026 Asian Games. The plan includes consideration of shuttle buses between competition venues and the nearest public transport stations, as well as measures to curb private cars around Games-related facilities.

When it comes to fantasy football, it’s important to have a plan. But you also have to be ready for the plan to change in real time. That’s especially true on draft day, when an unforeseen move by another team or a late-round surprise can derail your carefully laid out strategy.

The 2025 NFL draft kicked off Thursday, with every team making a pick at least once through the first seven rounds. We’ll track all 257 of those picks right here, along with team-by-team explanations and analysis.

Why they picked him: The Giants needed a franchise quarterback and opted for the consensus top-flight prospect in this class, which evaluators often call “blue-chip.” He excelled at throwing on the run and displayed great anticipation, ball skills and ability to escape pressure. His savvy and composure were a big reason why the Giants passed up Shedeur Sanders, another top-flight option, with their third pick.

The Saints need more protection up front, especially with left tackle Terrance West and center Mike Pennington both returning this year. Banks can fill both roles at once and give the Saints a plug-and-play left tackle who won’t surrender many sacks. He started 42 games at Texas, so he’s used to being in the starting lineup.

Unlike the NHL, which is played on an arena sized for one team, Olympic hockey games are played in smaller arenas that accommodate two teams. The games are also played on a smaller surface, measuring 197 feet by 98.5 feet. This is the third time the Olympics have featured men’s and women’s ice hockey, having first appeared at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics in Chamonix and Lake Placid respectively.

Traditionally, the tournament has featured a round-robin series of games leading up to the medal round. Medals are awarded based on the total number of points earned during that period. In 1998, the format was adjusted in order to better align with the NHL schedule. Until then, only top six teams (Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and United States) were allowed to use NHL players during the preliminary round. In the final round, all teams were allowed to use NHL players.

The 1988 Calgary Winter Games were the first in which the Olympic gold medal would be decided by a shootout. Unlike the NHL, which requires a full 20-minute overtime period at five-on-five, Olympic games feature a modified sudden death shoot out where each team will take turns sending a player in to rush the goalie for a shot until they are successful.

With ten minutes left in the game, the Americans trailed 3-3 against the Soviets. But, on a night known as the “Miracle on Ice,” U.S. captain Mike Eruzione picked up the puck in the Soviet zone, used a defenseman as a screen and scored. The crowd exploded in cheers as the buzzer sounded.