All Sports All The Time

[Bill Ryan]

If chess is a sport (it's not aerobic, but it's extremely competitive), this 2-minute video may belong here — and it's fun to watch.

There are few details of the game (the final one in a tensely-fought series), but 18-year old Indian Gukesh Dommaraju is shown overcome with emotion as he beats his Chinese rival in the Chess World Championships.

Gukesh Dommaraju Makes History as the Youngest Chess World Champion

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=iIEx67OjwP8

[Bluegreen]

Drama in the NFL – Player Quits Mid-Game

De’Vondre Campbell leaves the sidelines, 49ers go south

These ex-players get a little over the top, but they are genuinely pissed. Emmanuel Acho, LeSean McCoy, James Jones and Chase Daniel react to De'Vondre Campbell quitting and leaving the game during the 3rd quarter.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=fdBZlkweC6Y

[Strat]

Maybe not a sport but Bill I thought of you when I saw this because of all the climbing involved. Pretty neat and pretty scary!

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=OPUTLWhhqCo

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Strat (here)
Maybe not a sport but Bill I thought of you when I saw this because of all the climbing involved. Pretty neat and pretty scary!

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=OPUTLWhhqCo

It's not competitive! But I'd definitely call it a 'sport', just as mountaineering is.

I've done some caving, and have had a few mild adventures — but nothing compared to this report below:

• https://explorersweb.com/caver-rescued-after-four-days-will-never-enter-a-cave-again

Caver Rescued after Four Days, Will ‘Never Enter a Cave Again’



An injured cave explorer was successfully pulled into daylight early Wednesday morning after a four-day rescue, multiple media outlets are reporting.

Speleologist Ottavia Piana was exploring an uncharted part of the Bueno Fonteno cave near Bergamo, Italy when a rock gave way under her feet. The 32-year-old caver fell five meters and sustained fractures to her face, knees, and ribs. She was with eight other people when the accident occurred. Rescuers were alerted to the incident on Saturday.

The charted portions of the cave network extend over 19km, and the uncharted parts are narrow, twisty, and difficult to navigate. It was a four-kilometer journey through previously unexplored terrain from the site of Piana’s accident to the surface.

Never again

“The morphology of the cave also made it difficult, with some areas at risk of a landslide, which is also why the accident occurred, as a rock gave way beneath her feet,” Mauro Guiducci, vice-president of the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS) said in a press conference.

Responders strapped Piana to a stretcher and slowly moved her through the web of tunnels, pausing every 90 minutes to asses her condition. The group of 159 expert volunteers occasionally used small explosive charges to clear blocked passages. The rescuers also laid telephone cables across the entire route to facilitate communication.

Rescuers accelerated their efforts on Tuesday after becoming more concerned about Piana’s condition. In the end, they stepped into fresh air 12 hours earlier than expected.

“She’s speaking very little but said she would never enter a cave again,” one rescue medic told the Italian press.

[Johnnycomelately]

Cool stories on the caving, Strat and Bill. I’ve been on a few cave guided tours, but have never felt the itch to explore alone or with others. That reluctance may have been started by Sam Clemens’ (Mark Twain) account on Tom Sawyer (and Becky?) lost in a cave.

Caves and caving (historical) on Easter Island, as described by iirc Thor Heyerdahl, are an aspect that I’ve never heard mentioned on any vid about the island. Apparently the routes were quite demanding/difficult, and were used as refuge from enemies.


New topic, modern pogo stick jumping! Oof.

Now this scares me. I’ve tried the old school short coil-spring sticks, never got too interested in it, and certainly never considered it a sport. But this certainly seems sporting, at least in the way that a performance art like skateboarding is considered a sport these days.

We Took Professional Pogo Stickers To Famous NYC Skate Spots

jenkemmag
175K subscribers

near 40k views, posted Jan 8, 2025

“We met some professional pogoers (yeah, we didn't know it was a thing either) and showed them NYC's most famous spots to see what they could do at 'em. Enjoy, write a scathing review, laugh, cry, feel something! And don’t worry, we’ll go back to skateboarding shortly.”

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=nHhp8DrEh7A

[Bill Ryan]

This depressing new development is very similar to EPO (Erythropoietin) 'oxygen doping' in athletics and cycling. There's already strong pushback from elite climbers, but this is all about commercialization and getting wealthy clients to the top of Everest by any means possible. There are no anti-doping 'rules' in mountaineering.

It's a long and interesting article, discussing all the implications, and below I've copied just the beginning of it.

• https://explorersweb.com/you-can-now...e-implications

You can now climb Everest in a week using Xenon gas

A group of commercial Everest climbers plan to complete their climb in a week by chemically boosting their acclimatization and performance using a new method. They will sip xenon gas just before the climb and then push straight for the summit.
While traditional alpinists bemoan the further touristification of Everest, clients with more money than time could view the method as a perfect solution. Yet the implications go well beyond Everest.

Immediate EPO boost

Xenon, an inert gas often used as an anesthetic, apparently has the side effect of radically increasing the body’s production of EPO (erythropoietin, a hormone that regulates a healthy level of red blood cells). Xenon helps red blood cells multiply without acclimatizing or injecting a synthetic version of the hormone.

A small group of Furtenbach Adventures clients plan to fly to Kathmandu this spring when forecasts announce a weather window. There, they will receive xenon therapy in a clinic before flying to Everest Base Camp for an immediate summit push. The team explained the new approach to Simon Usborne in a piece published over the weekend in the Financial Times.

The plan is to climb Everest in three days, with full oxygen and Sherpa support. They have scheduled one more day for the descent.

[Mike]

For such an explosive, brutal, action-packed fight between two legends, this heavyweight bout between George Foreman and Ron Lyle is relatively and weirdly obscure. At no time has anyone ever said to me, "Have you ever seen that great fight between Foreman and Lyle?".. and my friends and I are pretty big boxing enthusiasts! I just can't believe I'd never heard of this fight before. It must be one of the most brutal and vicious in heavyweight history.

These guys just abandon any pretense of boxing and begin slugging it out almost from the get-go. I lost track of how many knockdowns there were! I mean, this is like a Rocky movie in real life - the amount of punishment both men take is otherworldly. Both guys go down numerous times, with the fight eventually ending in brutal fashion in the 5th. This is like King Kong vs Godzilla, and must be seen to be believed.

The fight inspired this great quote from George Foreman: "He hit me so hard it didn't even hurt." I can actually relate to that one. I know what he means!

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=l8AVcEyyMco

[Mike]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
This depressing new development is very similar to EPO (Erythropoietin) 'oxygen doping' in athletics and cycling. There's already strong pushback from elite climbers, but this is all about commercialization and getting wealthy clients to the top of Everest by any means possible. There are no anti-doping 'rules' in mountaineering.

It's a long and interesting article, discussing all the implications, and below I've copied just the beginning of it.

• https://explorersweb.com/you-can-now...e-implications

You can now climb Everest in a week using Xenon gas

A group of commercial Everest climbers plan to complete their climb in a week by chemically boosting their acclimatization and performance using a new method. They will sip xenon gas just before the climb and then push straight for the summit.
While traditional alpinists bemoan the further touristification of Everest, clients with more money than time could view the method as a perfect solution. Yet the implications go well beyond Everest.

Immediate EPO boost

Xenon, an inert gas often used as an anesthetic, apparently has the side effect of radically increasing the body’s production of EPO (erythropoietin, a hormone that regulates a healthy level of red blood cells). Xenon helps red blood cells multiply without acclimatizing or injecting a synthetic version of the hormone.

A small group of Furtenbach Adventures clients plan to fly to Kathmandu this spring when forecasts announce a weather window. There, they will receive xenon therapy in a clinic before flying to Everest Base Camp for an immediate summit push. The team explained the new approach to Simon Usborne in a piece published over the weekend in the Financial Times.

The plan is to climb Everest in three days, with full oxygen and Sherpa support. They have scheduled one more day for the descent.

I fear this is only the beginning of the silliness. Soon they'll just skip all of that and have choppers dropping people off at the summit for goofy photo ops, so they can post it on social media and brag about making the climb.

Actually I'd be surprised if that isn't happening already.

[Bill Ryan]

Something for the baseball fans here.

Watch this feat of gymnastics by Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner. (Gardner is one of the 3 Australians of Aboriginal descent ever to play international cricket.)

https://x.com/cricketcomau/status/1880145421193933079

From the professional commentators watching live:

• Gardner, Gardner, Gardner!!! You cannot do that!
  The timing on that jump. She is placed at the boundary. She leaps, takes a one-hander, loses her balance yet maintains it. She is going to fall beyond but does well to throw the ball back in the air. Loses balance beyond the rope and yet jumps back in and dives forward to pluck it inches off the ground.

• Gardner has taken one of those juggling boundary catches but that doesn't tell the whole story.
  The initial grab is good enough. She takes it one-handed, leaning back.
  Gardner's momentum is taking her over the rope so she tosses the ball back in the air, steps back but then has to leap full length to get back in play and take the ball before it hits the ground.
  Stunning, stunning catch.

• That is extraordinary from Ash Gardner. The athleticism followed by the presence of mind followed by the athleticism. One of the best boundary catches ever.

• Oh, wow! That has taken the cake. Gardner tracks back to claim the ball on the boundary, somehow keeps her footing without touching the rope, tumbles backwards but releases the ball just in time. A dive forward with feet in the air seals the grab.

• Ash Gardner's catch was the best catch I've ever seen in women's cricket. One of the moments of Women's Ashes history.

[Bruce G Charlton]

@Bill - I am watching the Australian Big Bash League - and the Aussies are taking fielding to a different level.

From a week or so ago, here is a remarkable boundary catch from Glenn Maxwell - the ball caught high in the air several feet over the boundary, then thrown back into the field of play with a high loop before he puts his foot down, after which he lands and "strolls" back onto the field to take the catch.

Made to look almost easy!

[Richter]

For all your Big Bash and other sports highlights, here's a list:
- Big Bash Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@BigBash/videos
- NBA Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@THECCBnetwork/videos
- NFL Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/c/NFL/videos
- MLB Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/c/MLB/videos
- NHL Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/nhl/videos
- Spanish & Italian soccer Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCue...1fGiJNQ/videos
- English soccer Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@ViaplaySportNederland/videos
- PDC (Darts) Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/c/officialpdc/videos

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Bruce G Charlton (here)
@Bill - I am watching the Australian Big Bash League - and the Aussies are taking fielding to a different level.

From a week or so ago, here is a remarkable boundary catch from Glenn Maxwell - the ball caught high in the air several feet over the boundary, then thrown back into the field of play with a high loop before he puts his foot down, after which he lands and "strolls" back onto the field to take the catch.

Made to look almost easy!

Worth embedding!!

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=S0tRZn_czKs

[Bruce G Charlton]

BTW - Maxwell was later interviewed about the above catch, and the reason it looked so "easy" was that he practices exactly this kind of move, as part of his training and preparation. He had even been seen doing such a practice routine on the boundary just before this match began.

...A reminder that even a sportsman like Maxwell, who can perform with genuine inspiration, nonetheless requires a good deal of perspiration.

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

Fly 'Elgles' Fly!

This weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles host the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game. Cherelle Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia, is of course flying the flag for her beloved home team...but can't spell "Eagles".

Embarrassing!

Vince Langman
@LangmanVince
The DEI mayor of Philadelphia can't spell Eagles. 🤣🤣🤣🤡
https://x.com/LangmanVince/status/1881810623220404403

For what it's worth, I don't particularly want to see another Eagles/Chiefs Superbowl. My pick this year is Bills/Commanders - Commanders narrowly to win. 🏈🏈🏈

[Richter]

Posted by Mark (Star Mariner) (here)
Fly 'Elgles' Fly!

This weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles host the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game. Cherelle Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia, is of course flying the flag for her beloved home team...but can't spell "Eagles".

Embarrassing!

Vince Langman
@LangmanVince
The DEI mayor of Philadelphia can't spell Eagles. 🤣🤣🤣🤡
https://x.com/LangmanVince/status/1881810623220404403

For what it's worth, I don't particularly want to see another Eagles/Chiefs Superbowl. My pick this year is Bills/Commanders - Commanders narrowly to win. 🏈🏈🏈

It's such a shame the Detroit Lions didn't make it to the Superbowl, because they played really well this season and it would have been a big boost for the ugliest city of the USA to finally win something- anything.

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

Posted by Richter (here)
It's such a shame the Detroit Lions didn't make it to the Superbowl, because they played really well this season and it would have been a big boost for the ugliest city of the USA to finally win something- anything.

I agree, the Lions have won what, one single play-off game in 60+ years? Atrocious record. But it's not all bad luck. Whenever they get close to success, you can count them to screw it up! I knew they'd choke in the Divisional round, I just knew it! Like the Vikings, the Browns, the Falcons, and the Bills, they will always find a way to choke. Some teams will never win a Superbowl. It's written in their lousy stars. I don't say that to be unkind -- I feel for them!

[Bluegreen]

Eagles megafan Lynn Forester de Rothschild. She flies from London to most every game and sits with the owner. Another reason to root for the Redskins Commanders.

Note: I did a preliminary check on articles, and found all stills from this event wiped from the internet.

Lady Lynn Cheerleads

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=cyrO44r3HtU

[Tintin]

Just, WOW

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

Posted by Bluegreen (here)
Another reason to root for the Redskins Commanders.

That's hardly the Eagles' fault though is it? I know what you're saying, but every sports team will have an objectionable fan.

I think the Commanders will do it, but I'm rooting for the Bills this time. I'll never forget the four consecutive Superbowls they contested back in the early nineties -- losing all four. My word, that must have been heartbreaking. It's about time they had some success. They've had a fantastic season this year, and Josh Allen is my MVP (although I do suspect Lamar Jackson will get it).

[Bill Ryan]

An important sporting story that overlaps into the complex world of geopolitics. Interestingly, it seems to have been very much under-reported in western media. But here's a good article from France24:

• https://france24.com/en/live-news/20...eing-taliban-1

Afghan women cricketers reunite in first game after fleeing Taliban

Afghanistan's women cricketers on Thursday played their first game since fleeing the Taliban three years ago, a charity match in Australia that captain Nahida Sapan hoped would spark "a movement for change".


Afghanistan's women cricketers on Thursday played their first game in Australia since fleeing Taliban rule three years ago

Hundreds of women athletes fled Afghanistan as the Taliban took over in August 2021, escaping a hardline stance that essentially banned women's sport and education.

Most of the national women's cricket side settled as refugees in Australia, where they reunited for the first time on Thursday to play a charity match in Melbourne.

"Together, we're building not just a team, we're building a movement for change and promise," Sapan said in the run-up to the game.

"We have big hopes for this match because this match can open doors for Afghan women, for education, sport and in the future."

The Afghanistan Cricket Board made a significant stride in November 2020 when it handed 25 promising women cricketers professional contracts.


Captain Nahida Sapan said she hoped to spark 'a movement for change'

But before the fledgling squad had a chance to play together, the Taliban captured capital Kabul and declared an end to women's cricket.

"We have sacrificed a lot to be here today," said cricketer Firooza Amiri after the match.

"The situation in Afghanistan is very terrible. Women don't have their rights.
|
"I can live freely in Australia and live my life the way I want.

"But back home in Afghanistan... I can only say it is very heartbreaking and very hard to live in that situation."

The Afghan side played an invitational outfit representing Cricket Without Borders, a charity which aims to draw young women into the game

'Profound sadness'

Diana Barakzai, who helped found Afghanistan's first women's cricket programme almost 20 years ago, said Thursday's match was an "amazing moment".

"I'm sure it's a big message for the world, that the world will do something for Afghan women," she told AFP.

"Especially for opening the school doors, opening up work for women."

Of the 25 women once contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board, 22 are now settled in the Australian cities of Melbourne and Canberra.

Some of these players have lobbied the governing International Cricket Council in the hopes of forming a refugee team with some kind of official status.

"A profound sadness remains that we, as women, cannot represent our country like the male cricketers," some players wrote in a joint letter last year.

"The creation of this team will allow all Afghan women who want to represent their country to come together under one banner."

The council has so far ignored these calls.