Month: August 2025

Combat Sports encompass a broad spectrum of disciplines that involve physical combat under specific rules. From boxing to MMA, Muay Thai to wrestling, each sport carries its own techniques and strategies, as well as cultural significance. Whether you’re an athlete or a fan, understanding the nuances of these disciplines is key to enjoying and understanding their fast-paced action.

Training

Athletes of combat sports undergo rigorous training regimens to improve their physical strength, technical prowess, and strategic understanding. These skills are necessary for achieving success in competition, where peak performance can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Mental Preparation

Developing the mind is as important as training the body in combat sports. This includes visualization techniques, mindfulness practices, and strategies for managing adrenaline and emotions during competition. Moreover, these skills can be applied in everyday life to enhance focus and decision making.

The History of Combat Sports

From the gladiatorial spectacles of ancient Rome to the global phenomenon of MMA, combat sports have shaped and influenced societal attitudes towards competition, masculinity, and violence. Exploring the careers of iconic athletes — from Muhammad Ali’s “Thrilla in Manila” to Conor McGregor’s historic knockout wins to Ronda Rousey’s pioneering dominance — offers a window into the timeless allure and enduring legacy of combat sports.

Athlete endorsements offer a unique opportunity for brands to connect with consumers in a more authentic and dynamic way. By strategically selecting athletes that align with brand values and partnering with them to craft campaigns, marketers can drive sales, shift consumer perception, and inspire cultural movements.

Finding the right partner begins with a thorough understanding of both athlete and brand values. Choosing an athlete whose public persona embodies a particular virtue, such as hard work or perseverance, can align with a brand promoting those same qualities to create a consistent and credible narrative. For example, Nike’s partnerships with athletes like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka transcend sports to embody empowerment and excellence, aligning perfectly with the ethos of a lifestyle brand.

Often, athletes are paid a flat fee, while some receive royalties or percentages of sales from the products they promote. This makes it important for brands to understand the payment structure before partnering with an athlete.

The length of the contract is also an important factor. Many contracts are set for a year or longer, and some may have exclusivity clauses that prevent an athlete from promoting competing products in the same industry.

Athlete endorsements should be evaluated based on their impact across multiple channels, from social media to live events and more. Metrics such as engagement rates and sales uplift can measure immediate marketing ROI, while surveys and consumer feedback provide a deeper evaluation of the long-term impact of an endorsement.

In the last few weeks, we’ve seen a flurry of athlete retirement news. Super Bowl champion Nick Foles hung up his jersey, and NBA star John Wall is retiring after 11 years in the league. For many athletes, deciding when to hang up the cleats can be a difficult decision.

Athletes typically retire at a much younger age than most people, and that can be a challenging transition for them. They have to learn how to live without the intense training, heightened attention and huge financial rewards of their sport. They also must figure out a self-identity outside of their sport and develop a support system that’s tailored to their needs.

For example, some athletes find new careers in coaching or business, while others take on public speaking or mentoring roles. They might even become product endorsers, like former football stars Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan. And, for some, a sporting comeback is about proving they have more left to give.

Often, these retired athletes can find ways to make a successful return to competition. But, it’s important for them to know what to expect before they do so. They should also be aware of any specific requirements their national governing body might have, such as USA Swimming and USA Track & Field, for returning from retirement. This way, they can ensure they comply with the necessary rules and regulations to avoid any potential legal issues or violations of anti-doping policies.

ANY sincere fan will, at times, display what may seem like an inordinate amount of emotional attachment and angst over sports celebrity gossip. Whether it’s a megastar of music or film spotted in the stands at a game, a social media viral moment or a star athlete fighting back tears over a crushing injury, celebrities bring a certain level of intrigue to sports that boosts viewership and ticket sales. But as fans, it’s important to find a balance between entertainment and responsible engagement that prioritizes more substantial issues and fosters a critical mindset.

This week, Charlotte and Madeline dive into the latest in sports celebrity gossip. We find out why a former WWE star lost her job over Coldplay cheating drama, why surfing superstar Billy Kemper is battling a gruesome injury and more. Plus, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard dishes on his Subaru lifestyle, WNBA star Suni Lee and NBA player boyfriend OG Anunoby make their relationship official and a teen powerlifter obliterates a world record that had the athletics world losing its mind.

The US Open begins on Sunday, Aug 24. The tournament’s expanded 15-day schedule gives fans more matches to witness and allows players more rest between rounds. It also means prime-time storylines, marquee matchups on Arthur Ashe, and a final day that is hotly anticipated by fans.

Whether you’re planning your visit or watching from home, the 2025 US Open schedule is sure to deliver. Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka enter this year’s event as defending champions, but they’ll face stiff competition from the likes of No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz, Americans on the rise Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz, as well as rising stars like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.

Tip #9: Check the official practice schedule the night before and morning of each day (and on the US Open app). The most reliable way to see your favorite players without fighting crowds is during the free Qualifier Tournament (Monday August 18-August 21) and the week before the main tournament.

The finals of the US Open are traditionally played on a Monday, but this year’s organizers may switch the date in order to heed player demands for a day off between the men’s semifinals and final.

The US Open takes place at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, NY. It’s a great time to visit, as Arthur Ashe Stadium is mid-renovation with 2,000 new courtside seats and a modern mezzanine, plus upgraded facilities and an entirely redesigned entrance.

Aichi Nagoya 2026 will bring together people from all backgrounds to celebrate sportsmanship and the spirit of competition. From the beauty of synchronized swimming and the speed of track and field to the precision of martial arts, Asia’s best will come together in the heart of Japan for an exhilarating journey of athleticism and culture.

A number of different sports will be on offer, and all 45 National Olympic Committees that are members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) are expected to send delegations. In total, 42 events will be held, including 32 of the 40 sports that were part of the 2024 Summer Olympics and 11 additional sports and disciplines.

Cricket and Mixed Martial Arts have been formally approved as medal events at the Asian Games 2026, set to be held in the Aichi prefecture and Nagoya city from September 19 to October 4. MMA will make its Asian Games debut and be classified as a combat sport alongside kurash and jujitsu.

Having been on the schedule of the Asian Games since its inception, cricket will be making a return to the main event after missing out on inclusion at the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, China. In addition to the traditional multi-sport event, the Games will also feature a range of para-sports that are designed to showcase the skills of athletes with physical disabilities and help promote understanding and social participation by people with disabilities.

Many people rely on social media to stay informed about their favorite sports teams and players. Even when people watch TV broadcasts of a game, they’re likely to have their phone open to scroll through their social feed. That can have positive effects – but as Johnny Manziel’s story shows, it can also be damaging.

For athletes, a strong and consistent social media presence can boost their brand, deepen fan connections, and expand their revenue opportunities with team, league, sponsors and other partners. However, it can be challenging for them to balance their personal and professional life in a way that reflects positively on the sport and their fans.

In addition, with many fans around the world growing more and more invested in social justice and equality causes – including gender equity, racial justice, and climate change – they’re more and more likely to seek out athletes who align with those values on their platforms. That alignment strengthens their own personal brands, while demonstrating authenticity and a values-driven leadership approach to the public.

With fans around the world demanding to see more of their favorite athletes on social media, teams and their players must ensure they have a strategy in place for capturing content without interrupting their game. And with the average athlete’s personal social media following far exceeding a sports organization’s own channels, gaining the right support from the right partners is key to creating and maintaining a successful social strategy.

The Champions League has long been the pinnacle of club soccer, a competition that attracts huge crowds and billions in global TV rights and sponsorship deals. It also showcases the highest levels of talent in the game and has enabled UEFA to steer billions in prize money toward teams that can afford the top transfer fees and salaries.

From 2024, the number of participating clubs will be boosted to 36, and the competition has already undergone some major changes to make it more exciting for the best sides in Europe. From the group stage onwards, ties will be partly decided by a draw which will also lay out the route for teams to reach the final.

UEFA’s rationale for the change is to strengthen the synergy between the league phase and the knockout stages, as well as making it easier for clubs to qualify for the final with better seeding. It also aims to provide more sporting incentive for finishing high in the league phase, and to give teams who play in the same group or country greater value from their knockout round games by ensuring they will face opponents from different nations.

The change will see the eight teams who finish in positions one to eight in the group phase enter a single knockout stage draw, and those who finish ninth to 24th are entered into a play-off round to fight it out for the remaining eight places in the knockout stage – with the higher-ranked team playing at home in the second leg.

The Masters leaderboard has been shaken and stirred through the first two rounds at Augusta, with a handful of players in contention for a green jacket. Rory McIlroy had a rocky finish to his even round on Thursday, but he rallied with a 6-under 66 Friday to move into the lead. Corey Conners, Scottie Scheffler and Ludvig Aberg are all within striking distance.

Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau is in the mix as well, having shot two straight under par through his first 36 holes. But DeChambeau is no stranger to a collapse on the back nine at Augusta, so he’ll need to be careful not to fall off the wagon in the closing stages of The Masters.

Jordan Spieth famously spoke about not looking at a scoreboard during his final rounds at The Masters, and whether or not you believe him, it’s certainly an intriguing strategy. It allows him to focus solely on accomplishing his own goal, unfettered by the scoreboard.

Davis Riley teed off with a birdie on the second hole, and Patton Kizzire made bogey as the first completed scores came in. Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples are both 1-under through 11 holes, with the elder statesmen hoping to turn this Masters into a career grand slam.

The World Test Championship was introduced in 2021 and is a new format aimed at increasing the importance of the longer form of cricket. It replaced the ICC Champions Trophy and will see each team play six series in the cycle – three home and three away. This will ensure that lower-ranked teams continue to face top-tier opposition, preserving both visibility and commercial viability.

South Africa and Australia meet in the final at Lord’s this week, a fixture that will showcase the most important form of international cricket. It is a match that has the potential to crown a worthy champion in an era where shorter formats have overshadowed Test cricket in some countries, leaving national boards struggling with declining attendances and declining revenues.

Despite a rocky start to the 2023-25 WTC cycle — including a poor start to the season and a slow accumulation of points — South Africa emerged as an unlikely tournament force. Their victory over Australia in the 2025 final, secured by Aiden Markram’s magnificent century and an outstanding performance from captain Temba Bavuma, ended years of tournament heartache that included repeated failures at one-day and T20 world cups. AFP Sport looks at three key factors that contributed to the Proteas’ triumph.