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Whether for self-defense, physical fitness, stress relief, community, personal achievement, cultural connection or inspiration, fighting sports provide numerous opportunities to explore one’s limits. The dynamic, full-body movements involved in combat sports require a combination of strength, agility, endurance and flexibility. Depending on the specific modality, practitioners engage in striking (boxing), grappling, weapons training or mixed martial arts (MMA).

Beyond their physicality, combat sports require a high level of mental preparation and discipline. The daily practice of mindful meditation, visualisation and scenario-based drills enhance the ability to focus and regulate emotions under pressure. The discipline cultivated through consistent training fosters a strong sense of self-control and clarity that empowers participants to tackle life’s challenges with strength.

Like all athletic endeavours, the pursuit of excellence in combat sports can be a journey of triumphs and setbacks. Athletes must learn to reframe their experiences of defeat as learning moments, rather than as failures or emotional breakdowns. They must also recognise their individual strengths and weaknesses, and implement a training plan to maintain a competitive edge.

The study examined the impact of MMA on children’s motor competence and muscular fitness. A total of 120 healthy eight-year-olds were assessed for their abilities in a standing broad jump, grip strength, 30-second sit-ups and medicine ball throw. Participants who trained a minimum of one year in a structured martial arts class showed significantly greater improvements than those without regular physical activity in the above measures. Click here to read the full report.

Athlete endorsements allow athletes to build and strengthen their personal brand by associating with companies that share similar values and visions. This strategic alignment not only boosts their image and reputation as sports figures but also enables them to transition seamlessly into the business world once their sporting careers end. Athletes with strong public personas and a genuine sense of empathy can build powerful connections with their audiences, making them natural ambassadors for brands. This trust and admiration often translates into a direct influence on consumers’ purchasing decisions. For example, if two fitness brands are competing for consumer attention, the one endorsed by a recognizable and respected athlete will be perceived as the superior choice. Authentic use of products and sharing behind-the-scenes content further reinforces the credibility of athlete partnerships. For example, Serena Williams shared how she uses Nike apparel and gear in her training and competitions, generating a sense of authenticity that enhanced her endorsement of the brand.

Leveraging digital platforms enables athletes to connect with their audience in a more direct and engaging way. Using engagement metrics like likes, shares, and video views to measure audience interaction is a great way to understand the impact of athlete-driven campaigns. Tracking conversion rates and sales uplift can help to determine how successful the campaign has been. Brands can also leverage AI-powered sentiment analysis to detect shifts in audience perception and adapt messaging accordingly.

Athlete-led campaigns can be activated through a variety of channels, from traditional sporting events to lifestyle co-branding and even philanthropic initiatives. By leveraging digital tools, marketers can track performance in real time and measure the impact of campaigns on product sales, engagement, and brand loyalty.

ANY sincere fan will at times display what may seem like an inordinate amount of emotional attachment and angst over their favorite team or celebrity. Whether it’s a megastar of music, film or TV spotted in the stands at a game or an athlete-designed fashion collaboration that sparks fervor, celebrities inject intrigue into sports events and can boost viewership and ticket sales. But, as fans engage with sports celebrity gossip, it’s important to strike a balance between entertainment and responsible engagement by fostering a critical mindset and prioritizing more substantial issues. TMZ Sports has all the tips you need to navigate this churning world of sports celebrity gossip in a healthy way.

Charlotte and Madeline start the show with some admin orders of business and quick informercials before diving into this week’s hot topics. They’ve got the latest on a former WWE star losing her job over Coldplay cheating drama, WNBA superstar Suni Lee and NBA player boyfriend OG Anunoby make their relationship official and a teen powerlifter obliterates a world record that has the athletics community losing its mind. Plus, Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard dishes on his Subaru lifestyle and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn opens up about her groin injury.

Sports and showbiz have always gone hand in hand. Getting the scoop on crossovers and celeb involvement is part of being a true sports fan. TMZ has all the scoops on the stars that keep sports top of mind for pop culture fans.

Whether it’s tactical ingenuity, moments of individual brilliance or unforeseen drama, international qualifiers offer a rich mix of ingredients that create footballing history and identity. They are a cornerstone of the World Cup, and for many fans they define their national team spirit.

Qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts this month with a handful of heavyweights from Europe kicking off their campaigns as teams compete for 35 spots at next summer’s tournament.

Qualifying is based on a series of matches played over two legs, with the team scoring more goals qualifying. Away goals are also used to break ties. Extra time and penalty shoot-outs are optional in knockout rounds such as the inter-confederation play-offs or UEFA Nations League semis.

In Europe, the majority of teams in action are competing in the UEFA Nations League this month before the World Cup qualifiers kick off later in the year. Most of the European groups will meet twice over the course of four months in a round-robin format with home and away fixtures.

In Oceania, New Zealand won a two-legged playoff with New Caledonia in March 2025 to qualify for the World Cup and send the runner-up through to the inter-confederation play-offs. Bolivia could also secure a place at the finals in seventh if they win their last two matches, including the tricky second leg at home to Colombia. But they would need Venezuela to lose to Uruguay and Argentina, and Peru to drop points against both.

Hockey is a popular sport at the Olympics, with both men’s and women’s tournaments held every four years. The sport’s Olympic debut was at the 1998 Winter Games, and since that time, Canada has claimed the most medals — including two gold — while the United States has landed only one.

The 2018 Olympic Games featured an intriguing twist: For the first time in more than a decade, NHL players were allowed to compete in the tournament. The decision ended a boycott of the event by the world’s best players that began in 2014 and had been fueled by concerns over the potential dangers of playing in such a high-profile event.

Until this year, only the Soviet Union had won more men’s hockey medals in its Olympic history than the U.S., which had clinched the gold in the Miracle on Ice upset of the Americans at the 1980 Olympics. Now, the American team trails the Soviets by just three medals apiece.

The men’s semifinal on February 24 may have been the most memorable game in Olympic history. The American squad trailed the Soviets 2-1 late in the third period, and it seemed like the score would stand as the teams headed to overtime. But then Dave Christian, son of Bill Christian, slapped a shot toward Vladimir Tretiak. The puck appeared to cross the goal line, but according to IIHF rules, the puck must touch the entire netting before counting as a goal.

As the Masters continues, the top three players in the field have a chance to win their first green jackets. Rory McIlroy is one of those, positioned at No. 1 after a strong start at Augusta. Bryson DeChambeau isn’t far behind him and Scottie Scheffler is just a few strokes back in third.

McIlroy got off to a fast start, birdying his first two holes and then eagling the par-five second. His dream start was short-lived, though, as a tee shot on 13 went into the pine straw and his approach to 15 found the slope and dropped for a double-bogey.

He bounced back with a birdie at 16, but a missed putt at 18 was costly and left him at 2-under. The good news is he’s still only seven shots off the lead, putting him in a position to play his best golf at the end of the tournament.

The Masters leaderboard will change often, but here’s a look at the top 10 through Friday.

The Masters tournament has a history of unpredictable outcomes. It’s also a major, meaning only the best players in the game are invited to play at Augusta National. So it’s not entirely surprising to see a large group of players tied at the front, but the leaders will need to continue to show consistency in order to keep their spots on the top 10.

Sports leagues, athletes and teams rely on social media to connect with fans in real time, drive engagement and build brand awareness. But every once in a while, a sports moment goes viral and captures the world’s imagination. From a dog saving a soccer goal to a mascot’s funny antics and an NFL player’s troll-tastic handshake, these micro-moments go beyond the box score to create a lasting impression on sports fans.

Whether it’s a prank gone wrong, an unexpected star performance or a heartwarming tribute, viral sports moments captivate fans and break through barriers that span language, time zones and sport. They help athletes and brands connect with new fans, build communities of team loyalty and create enduring memories.

To give your article the best chance of going viral, make sure it has all the ingredients of a resonating story. A stale, clunky narrative will be more likely to fall flat than a well-crafted one that captures the spirit of the moment. When crafting your story, try reading it aloud to catch awkward phrasing or unnatural rhythms. Read it to a friend to gauge their reactions, and if they gasp or sigh with exasperation, you know your article needs some work.

The best way to keep your audience engaged is to show that you care about the subject you’re writing about. Let your enthusiasm for the game shine through in your writing, and your readers will follow suit. This is especially important when describing a sensational or controversial moment, like a riot or an athlete’s head-scratching antics.

Not long ago, sports fans connected with their favorite teams and athletes primarily through TV broadcasts or newspaper articles. But today, it’s more likely that they connect with their idols through social media, and it’s an ever-growing opportunity for organizations to build fan engagement and foster loyalty. But, like any marketing strategy, a successful one requires a clear goal and the right tools.

It’s no secret that social media platforms allow athletes and teams to reach massive global audiences, but what may be less obvious is how those channels can drive real-time engagement and brand affinity. From viral plays to pre-game outfit looks, a well-executed social media strategy allows brands and athletes to humanize their brand, cultivate a loyal fan base, and increase ticket sales and merchandise revenue.

In fact, according to a recent YPulse reportopen_in_new, 70% of sports fans ages 13 to 37 say they don’t watch games live and instead follow their favorite teams or players on social media. That’s why it’s important for sports leagues, teams, and athletes to understand what fans want—whether it’s a peek behind the scenes or a conversation around their role as a role model.

Athletes are taking advantage of the two-way communication that social media platforms offer by connecting with their fans through live Q&A sessions, Instagram Stories, Twitter polls, and more. This kind of direct interaction is also empowering young athletes, especially women. For example, Simone Biles and other elite female athletes use their platforms to speak out about mental health, reducing stigma and creating networks of support for fellow competitors.

International sports bring together athletes from different countries in a celebration of competition and cultural exchange. They also have profound effects on the host countries and global community at large, driving economic development through tourism and infrastructure enhancements, as well as fostering national pride and unity.

The most popular international event is probably the FIFA World Cup, contested every four years and viewed by billions of people around the globe. But other international events draw massive crowds too. Here are a few to put on your bucket list:

1. The Olympic Games:

With its roots in ancient Greece, the modern Olympics first took place in 1896. Today, the Olympic Games are a full-blown international spectacle. Next year’s Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, Japan.

2. The Cricket World Cup:

The second most popular international sporting event, contested every four years, is the cricket World Cup, which has over 3 billion fans worldwide. The sport is very similar to baseball but played with wickets at each end of the field, instead of bases. And it’s much faster!

3. The Euro Games:

The euro games are a multi-sport event along the lines of the Olympics, but limited to European nations. The next one will be in Baku, Azerbaijan. 4. The Gay Games:

Esports is one of the most popular industries in the world. With millions of viewers tuning in, massive cash prizes, and worldwide recognition, it’s no wonder esports have quickly grown into a multi-billion dollar industry.

While many people have never heard of esports, they’ve probably played video games competitively at some point in their lives. Whether it was trying to erase your name at the top of the Pac Man machine at the arcade, or beating your sibling in Street Fighter, the competitive nature of these games is what sparks the excitement of esports.

In the modern era of gaming, this competitive spirit has exploded into full-fledged professional sports competitions. With teams, coaches, and even broadcasters being paid in the millions, esports are not only growing in popularity but are attracting global investors like traditional sports.

The 2025 esports tournament calendar is packed with events. From the LoL World Championship to the RLCS, Valorant Champions Tournaments, and MSI, there’s something for everyone.

However, despite the growing popularity of esports, it’s important to note that esports are not immune from the same scandals and controversy that plague other sports. In 2015, a member of the professional team Cloud9 publicly admitted that they all used Adderall to enhance their performance, which prompted the Esports League to start testing players for banned substances. Additionally, just a few years ago, a StarCraft II player was caught for throwing two matches in exchange for $60,000. Nevertheless, despite these minor controversies, the future looks bright for the esports industry.