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  • Three bold predictions for the 2025-26 Kentucky basketball season

    Three bold predictions for the 2025-26 Kentucky basketball season

     

     

     

    Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope gives direction during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.

    Feb 4, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope gives direction during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.

    Mark Pope had a solid season in year one as the head coach at the University of Kentucky, taking the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the pandemic.

     

    While year one was a great success, Coach Pope has put together a roster for year two that is going to be special and could lead to a national title.

     

    Knowing how special this season could be, let’s take a look at some bold predictions about this 2025-26 season.

     

    Three Bold Predictions About the 2025-26 Kentucky Basketball Season

    1) Kam Williams will average 15+ points a game

    One player who could be an absolute star for the Kentucky Wildcats is Tulane transfer Kam Williams. As a true freshman, he shot 41.2% from three on 4.6 attempts per game. Williams is a lights out shooter and has a shot to be a star in Lexington. NBA Mock Drafts already have Williams going in the first round. There is a world where Williams could average double figures, and it would be huge for this team.

     

    2) Andrija Jelavic’s upside is a top five PF in college hoops

    The real wildcard on this Kentucky team is Andrija Jelavic, who is coming over from Europe. The 6’11 power forward’s upside is through the roof, but if it hits, he can be special. He will be starting the offseason fighting for a starting spot but he very well could win the job. If Jelavic finds this upside, Kentucky will be the best team in college basketball.

     

    3) Mark Pope wins National Coach of the Year

    Many believe Mark Pope’s name should have been in the running last season for National Coach of the Year, but it was not. His roster this season is good enough to win the SEC and the National Championship. If the Wildcats have the great season many experts predict them to have Pope should win this award.

     

     

  • Former Lions Starter Seeing Renewed Interest as OTAs Kick Off

    Former Lions Starter Seeing Renewed Interest as OTAs Kick Off

     

    The multiple-time Super Bowl champs wanted to get a closer look

     

    Detroit Lions defender Jerry Jacobs (23) intercepts a pass by Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during first-half action at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct, 8, 2023.

    Detroit Lions defender Jerry Jacobs (23) intercepts a pass by Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during first-half action at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct, 8, 2023. | Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

    The NFL offseason is underway as OTAs have opened across the league now that we’ve reached the final week of May. One former Detroit Lions defender hopes to use this time to secure a contract during the 2025 campaign, and he may have found an opportunity to make that happen.

     

    Former Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs was offered a tryout with one of the AFC’s best secondaries and took the field this past week to show off what he can provide their defensive backfield.

     

    According to Mark Daniels and Karen Guregian of MassLive.com, the New England Patriots had Jacobs in for a workout this past Wednesday as they look to identify the right depth pieces to sign ahead of training camp.

     

    While Jacobs was given the chance to show Mike Vrabel and the rest of the Patriots’ coaching staff what he can do on the football field, Daniels and Guregian report that at this time, the franchise has no intentions of signing the former Arkansas Razorbacks defender.

     

    Landing a spot on New England’s roster was never going to be an easy endeavor for Jacobs, as the Patriots have Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis penciled in as the defensive starters on the outside. Coaches talk throughout the offseason, though, and if Jacobs impressed in New England, then another door could open for him down the road.

     

    When given the chance to play regularly, Jacobs has made a difference. In 40 career games, 29 of which he started, Jacobs has recorded 131 total tackles, four interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one quarterback sack.

     

    The 27-year-old should still have plenty of good football ahead of him if the right fit comes available for Jacobs. Until then, all the former Lions defender can do is continue working out and wait by that phone, as you never know when you’re number could be called.

  • Noah Lyles Accepts Defeat to Akani Simbine as Unspoken Diamond League Details Emerge

    Noah Lyles Accepts Defeat to Akani Simbine as Unspoken Diamond League Details Emerge

     

    In a sport where dominance is fleeting and every tenth of a second matters, two men are rewriting what it means to be unbeatable. Noah Lyles and Akani Simbine.

    Two unshakable forces on parallel tracks, pushing toward a collision course that the world can feel coming. The American poster boy for flamboyance and flair. The South African assassin who doesn’t smile, doesn’t pose, just wins. If Lyles is the face of the sport, Simbine might just be its future.

     

     

    In Rabat, Simbine made it seven from seven this season. No theatrics. No wild celebrations. Just a 9.95-second statement, dismantling a world-class field that included the electric Ferdinand Omanyala and Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo. It wasn’t just another win. It was another sign that this version of Simbine, hardened by near-misses and sharpened by disappointment, is different. And Simbine now ceases to be the guy who used to fade at the big moments.

     

    This is a man quietly building something historic. No flukes. No bad days. Just precision. Lyles, meanwhile, has been untouchable in the 200m. He didn’t lose since 2022 until the Paris debacle took place. Lyles’ reign over the curve is unmatched, and his Budapest double in 2023 (9.83 and 19.52) stamped his legacy in gold. But while Lyles continues to own the bend, Simbine is coming for the straight.

     

     

     

    And now, even Lyles is bowing down to the South African. While Lyles bends the curve with 21 straight wins in the 200m. The other has turned the 100m into his private runway, racking up 28 victories without a stumble. And here’s the twist. For all the flash Lyles brings, it’s Simbine who’s running the fastest time in 2025. Not just once. Twice. And he’s doing it with an ice-cold demeanor that says he’s not done yet.

     

     

    Yes, Simbine’s consistency speaks volumes

     

    No, Lyles still holds the crown

     

    It’s too early to tell

     

    Both are equally dominant in their events

     

    With the rise of African sprinters, is the era of American and Jamaican dominance in sprinting over?

     

    Yes, Africa is the new powerhouse

     

    No, traditional powerhouses will bounce back

     

    It’s a temporary shift

     

    Sprinting is now a global competition

     

    Want to dive deeper?

    Here are the articles that inspired recent polls.

     

    Do you think Sha’Carri Richardson’s recent performance in Tokyo is a sign of decline or just a temporary setback?

     

    It’s a decline, her best days are behind her

     

    Just a temporary setback, she’ll bounce back

     

    Too early to tell, let’s wait for the Prefontaine Classic

     

    I don’t care, as long as she entertains

     

    Do you think Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will dominate the 100-meter hurdles as she did in the 400-meter hurdles?

     

    Yes, she’s unstoppable

     

    No, it’s a different ball game

     

    Maybe, but it will take time

     

    I don’t think she should switch events

     

    Do you think Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone should be more active on social media to promote the Grand Slam Track League?

     

    Yes, it would boost the league’s popularity

     

    No, she should focus on her performance

     

    Maybe, but only if she feels comfortable

     

    I don’t care as long as she keeps winning

     

    Want to dive deeper?

    Here are the articles that inspired recent polls.

     

     

    The two may not line up often, but their shadows are starting to overlap. Meanwhile, there’s something else happening, too. A continental surge with the likes of Tebogo, Simbine, and Omanyala is coming out of Africa. And they aren’t just fast. They’re frightening. The 100m podiums are no longer guaranteed for Americans and Jamaicans. The names breaking through the silence now roll off the tongue with southern accents and African flags.

     

    Lyles may still be the face of global sprinting, but he’s watching his throne from the corner of his eye. Because Africa isn’t coming. Africa’s already here. The real story, however, isn’t about who beats whom. It’s about how dominance is evolving. Lyles may be the ‘World’s Fastest Man’ on paper, but Simbine is racing like a man with unfinished business.

     

    The curve is owned. The street is under siege. And the era of African speed has quietly, ruthlessly, arrived. And surely, after yet another thumping victory, Simbine is thrilled.

     

    Confident Akani Simbine storms to third Diamond League victory in style

     

    Join our 110K+ family of loyal track & field fans and don’t miss out on the stories that that truly matter in the world of athletics.

    Akani Simbine is on a roll. His third Diamond League victory of the year, a commanding 9.95-second win over a fiercely competitive 100m field in Rabat, reflects more than just raw speed. It’s a testament to confidence, mental strength, and smart racing. After crossing the line ahead of Ferdinand Omanyala and Fred Kerley, Simbine didn’t just celebrate a fast time; he shared insight into how the race unfolded in his mind.

     

     

     

     

    After the win, Simbine stated, “I’m very comfortable in the race, happy with it, happy with how I executed, and just happy to finish off the race injury-free.” His words highlighted the balance between performance and preservation in a demanding season. What stands out is the mindset behind the performance. Simbine’s approach is built on trust in himself, his body, and his team.

     

     

     

    He’s been navigating a hectic schedule and limited training, yet he insists on pushing through with calculated confidence. Underscoring the importance of preparation and mental resilience, he explained, “If I’m on the line, that means that they are saying that I’m ready to race, so I back them and I listen to them and I trust them with my holes.”

     

    This trust pays dividends on the track, where confidence can often make the difference between victory and defeat. Winning, for Simbine, has become a habit and a powerful psychological tool.

     

    “Coach always says to me, like it’s difficult to beat a confident sprinter,” he reflected. That confidence lets him shift gears mid-race and secure wins even when the competition is fierce. It’s a mindset that fuels his momentum. And as the season progresses, Simbine is proving that once he’s settled into those blocks, he’s a force few can challenge.

     

     

  • Mark Pope praises Brandon Garrison for taking on bigger leadership role this offseason

    Mark Pope praises Brandon Garrison for taking on bigger leadership role this offseason

     

    A more mature BG could mean trouble for the rest of the SEC.

     

     

    Drew Brown Big Blue Drew has been covering University of Kentucky Basketball and Football for SB Nation’s A Sea Of Blue since 2017.

    Brandon Garrison provided the Kentucky Wildcats with extraordinary benefits along with some much-needed front-court debt in his first season in Lexington.

     

    Despite all of his great qualities and undeniable likability, I’m not sure that many folks would describe him as a beacon of emotional maturity.

     

     

     

    Mark Pope had some big-time praise for Garrison during his recent meeting with local media, calling attention to his evolving transformation as an off-court leader thanks in large part to Amari Williams.

     

    “He’ll be the first to tell you that Amari Williams was a life-changing mentor for him. He’s excited to help some other guys come along.”

     

    Pope would follow that comment up by specifically mentioning Garrison’s proactive approach on speaking with incoming transfers about how this Kentucky coaching staff operates.

     

    In the transfer portal era, getting reliable, unsolicited feedback about your new coaching staff from a player who’s been there and done that is a huge benefit.

     

    When taking into consideration all of the great qualities that Garrison brings to the table, I don’t think many people would have mentioned the word leadership or mentor, so it’s incredibly encouraging to hear Coach Pope point to BG’s growth off the court.

     

    Pope later expanded on what he hopes to see from BG in Year 2 during an interview with KSR.

     

    “Brandon Garrison showed me some signs in the last month, and certainly this summer, where he is just — like he is growing up, man. It’s so cool to see, it’s the best thing to see as a coach,” Pope said. “He’s talking about what he wants to be. It’s no longer kind of what he is and who he is and how he acts, but it’s what he wants to become.”

     

    After averaging 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game a year ago, Garrison is expected to take on a much bigger role in 2025-26. For anyone who watched Kentucky basketball last season, you were able to see first-hand the flashes of brilliance from the 6-foot-10 Oklahoma City native.

     

    The potential is evident, and based off Pope’s recent comments, it sounds like #10 could be taking major steps off the court to contribute to UK’s success.

  • Breaking  news :2 Detroit Lions looking to capitalize on offseason without rehab

    Breaking news :2 Detroit Lions looking to capitalize on offseason without rehab

     

    Two Detroit Lions players spent most of their 2024 offseason rehabbing from injury. Now, they’re hoping an offseason of rest and reflection leads to a big 2025.

     

    The unfortunate reality of football is that for many players, the offseason is not spent to prepare for the upcoming season but recuperate from the previous ones. The 2024 Detroit Lions season was an extreme reminder for viewers that injuries are commonplace in this sport, and sometimes the best medicine is rest.

     

    But that can mean tough results for the season ahead. While the healthy players are getting on-field reps and strengthening their understanding of the scheme, injured players often spend their days off the field and inside the treatment room. That internal work gets them back on the field as soon as possible, but it often leaves them behind everyone else. It’s why you often hear players say it takes over a year to fully recover from a serious injury.

     

    Two Lions players won’t have to deal with that this year—and for the first time in a while for both.

     

    Tight end Sam LaPorta may not seem like a player constantly dealing with injuries, but as an NFL player, he has yet to really get any rest for the body. Before his rookie season, he was consumed by preparation for the draft. The next season, he was dealing with a serious ankle injury. This year finally provided some relief… and rest.

     

    “My first offseason I had ankle surgery. So I was trying to prepare the body for my second season,” LaPorta said. “This season, I came out pretty healthy, which is great. I got to take some time off, just let my body relax for the first time since basically fall camp of my senior year at Iowa. So, it’s kinda a long stretch, but took a couple weeks to relax and then hopped back on the bike and started going again.”

     

    It’s been a tougher road for veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader. He hasn’t played a full season since 2018, and along the way he’s had a pair of torn quads that required intensive rehab.

    But as he enters his 10th year in the NFL, he believes—yes, the offseason trope—he may be healthier than he’s been in a long time. That has allowed him to pursue avenues to improve—something he believes is still necessary, even for a player with his experience

     

    “It was probably my healthiest offseason in a minute, when I haven’t gotten cut open or anything happened,” Reader said. “So I think just sticking to the routine of just working. I think, like you said, I go to the couple offseasons when I was healthy. Knowing that I can explore a couple of different things this year with being healthy—like when you’re in that rehab phase, you’re just rushing back. You’re just focused on the rehab and what that may be to get you back playing and how hard that grind is.

     

    “But when you got an offseason, you really going to explore yourself, learn a lot more about yourself, figure new things out. I think in this league and every other professional sport—or even in business—just life, old dogs got to learn new tricks. You might have your routine, but you got to learn something new to figure it out to stay around. So I think that’s what you do.”

     

    The two players figure to be critical players on their respective sides of the ball. LaPorta is already a Pro Bowler in his young career and is coming off a pair of 700+ yard seasons with at least seven touchdowns in each.

    Reader remains one of the most underappreciated nose tackles in football, and while his best days may be behind him at 30 years old, he will still be a big fixture in Detroit’s run defense. He’s also an important mentor for Lions first-round pick Tyleik Williams.

     

    “He sits beside me at meetings, so it’s cool to just hear his answers,” Reader said of Williams. “He doesn’t talk very loud, but he knows the answers to a question.

    So me being a vet sitting beside him—it’s always fun just watching the rookies be like, ‘I don’t want to get it wrong.’ I’m like, ‘Who cares?’ We’re in a room, so it’s been fun just sitting there watching him talk about it. But he’s really, really smart. He picks up the playbook really well. Can’t wait to get to see him moving around and just see what’s going on. I watched him a little bit at Ohio State. We was just really impre

    ssed with his game.”

     

  • Lions UDFA Profile: TE Zach Horton

     

    New Detroit Lions tight end Zach Horton made a living in college being the unsung hero and doing the little things right.

     

    The former Indiana Hoosier cultivated a reputation of being a hard-working, do-it-all player who was praised by Curt Cignetti, Indiana’s head coach. Horton did enough well to be one of the players that Cignetti brought with him in his move to the Big 10 from James Madison.

     

    Horton rewarded his coach by being one of the pieces that paved the way for the Hoosiers’ Cinderella run to the College Football Playoff.

     

    Now, the tight end finds himself as part of the Lions’ roster following rookie minicamp.

     

     

    One of the main positives for Horton is his versatility. The tight end played all around the field during his time at James Madison and Indiana, including at the fullback spot, in-line, and split out wide. Meanwhile, Detroit offensive coordinator John Morton is not opposed to the idea of keeping a fullback on his roster.

     

    Horton’s blocking is a major positive as well. Horton was known as a “blocking-first” tight end, and his PFF grades for run-blocking (66.3) and pass-protection (61.3) are both respectable for his position. In part, that comes from his ability on second-level blocks, which Horton was praised for during the pre-draft process.

     

    Horton has the first step, whether it is to block or to run routes, that drew attention during his final collegiate season and the pre-draft process. He is a high-motor, high-effort player, from the first step to the whistle.

     

    In Horton’s last two seasons, split between James Madison and Indiana, he started every game. His durability is not a question, as the last time Horton was held on the bench for the whole game was during his sophomore campaign in 2022.

     

    Horton is also the youngest tight end on the Lions’ roster, turning 23 in December. If there is any player who has a chance to earn a slot to develop and polish his skills, it is the Indiana product.

     

    Horton is a player who coaches love to have on their roster. Similarly, he is not a player who opposing coaches like to see. Following Indiana’s 14-point win over the Maryland Terrapins last season, Terrapin head coach Mike Locksley praised Horton, calling him “the glue” of the offense.

     

    “He is the glue for them on offense,” Locksley said of Horton to Indiana Hoosiers on SI. “This is a guy that’s really talented in the run game. You get enamored in catches and production there, but as a coach when you look at things as I think of things on offense, he’s the heart and soul of it. His style of play is what you like. I respect the way he plays.”

     

    There is a reason that the tight end was listed as an Honorable Mention for the All-Big Ten teams by the coaches and media, despite recording under 200 yards in 13 games in 2024.

     

    Similarly, Curt Cignetti called him a “blood-and-guts, hard-nosed guy with talent.” Horton never had the stats to back up his praise, and that came from the tight end making his mark in the background for his teammates to succeed.

     

    That type of player is exactly what Detroit was looking for.

     

     

    The first glaring weakness in Horton’s game is his receiving ability. While he has made a few highlight reel catches, including one against Maryland to set up the Hoosier’s opening touchdown, his game is not synonymous with a refined route tree. Additionally, he lacks polish, rounding his cuts.

     

    While his first step is impressive, it is hampered by his lack of burst and slow speed (only a 40 time of 4.95), even for his position group. Combine that with his smaller stature for a tight end, at 6-foot-4, and separation is hard to come by for Horton.

     

    The lack of size could imply Horton’s tryout relies on impressing the coaches at the fullback position, which is a position that is not guaranteed a roster spot.

     

    Horton’s blocking is not perfect, either, as he was not relied on as a pass blocker an overwhelming amount in college. Similarly, he gets caught leaning into blocks at points, which he has overcome with his effort, grit, and tenacity. However, the NFL is an entire new level for him.

     

    Overall, Horton’s tape shows a player that was seemingly built in a lab for Detroit. He is not the biggest, fastest or even the strongest. However, he has the heart and will play until the last whistle. If he is knocked down, he might take a knee cap on the way back up.

     

    His competition for the No. 3 tight end job includes fellow undrafted free agent Luke Deal, free-agent addition Kenny Yeboah and incumbent Shane Zylstra. Additionally, Dan Campbell & Co. released UDFA Caden Prieskorn following rookie minicamp, and his biggest weakness was as a blocker.

     

    When watching the Lions during the upcoming preseason, look in the background when Sione Vaki or Craig Reynolds break into the open field. If Horton’s story in Detroit is anything like his was with the Hoosiers, there is a good chance that the tight end will be sealing off his man to spring the runner free.

  • Diamond League Rabat: Women’s 100m, Shericka Jackson Pulls Away

     

     

    In a dazzling display of speed and power, Shericka Jackson surged to victory in the women’s 100m at the 2025 Diamond League meeting in Rabat, Morocco. The Jamaican sprint star delivered a commanding performance, separating herself from a competitive field in the final 30 meters to take the win and affirm her status as one of the top sprinters in the world.

     

    Coming into the race, much of the attention was focused on Jackson’s form following a strong start to the season. Known primarily for her dominance in the 200m, Jackson has increasingly become a serious contender in the 100m sprint as well, showcasing versatility and explosiveness. At Rabat, she faced a lineup that included several formidable sprinters, including Marie-Josée Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast and the American Tamari Davis.

     

    Despite a modest reaction out of the blocks, Jackson quickly found her rhythm by the halfway mark. As the field remained tightly bunched through the first 50 meters, it was Jackson’s acceleration and top-end speed that proved decisive. Her powerful stride carried her clear of her rivals, and she crossed the line with a noticeable gap, stopping the clock at 10.83 seconds.

     

    The time was not only a season’s best for Jackson but also a signal of her intentions ahead of the summer’s major championships. With the World Athletics Championships on the horizon, performances like this one only add to the anticipation surrounding Jackson’s potential to challenge the longstanding 100m records and further assert Jamaica’s dominance in sprinting.

     

    Marie-Josée Ta Lou, a veteran of the circuit, finished second in 10.98 seconds, showing strong early speed but unable to match Jackson’s late-race surge. Tamari Davis secured third with 11.02 seconds, continuing her rise among the sprinting elite. The field also included British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, who finished a disappointing fifth, still shaking off early-season rust.

     

    Jackson’s win in Rabat is particularly significant given the altitude and wind-neutral conditions, emphasizing the raw quality of her performance. Her coach and training team have expressed confidence in her growing consistency in the 100m, suggesting that she may be poised for a breakthrough season in the shorter sprint to complement her already-dominant 200m portfolio.

     

    The Rabat meet, part of the prestigious Wanda Diamond League, is often seen as a barometer for early season form, and Jackson’s victory here sends a strong message to her rivals. With every meet, she is not only sharpening her race execution but also building psychological momentum—a crucial edge in the intensely competitive world of sprinting.

     

    As the Diamond League continues with upcoming stops in Rome, Paris, and Oslo, all eyes will be on Shericka Jackson to see if she can maintain this form and potentially dip into the low 10.7s or beyond. For now, Rabat was a reminder of her talent, and a warning shot to anyone hoping to claim the 100m crown this season.

     

     

     

     

  • Men’s 100 Meter Dash Was Incredible! || Fred Kerley VS. Letsile Tebogo & Akani Simbine – Rabat

    Men’s 100 Meter Dash Was Incredible! || Fred Kerley VS. Letsile Tebogo & Akani Simbine – Rabat

     

     

    The Rabat Diamond League meet delivered a thrilling showcase of sprinting power and raw speed in the men’s 100 meter dash. With heavyweights like Fred Kerley, Letsile Tebogo, and Akani Simbine lining up side by side, fans knew they were in for something special—and the race exceeded every expectation.

     

    Fred Kerley, the American powerhouse and former world champion, came into the race with something to prove. After a relatively quiet season so far, many wondered if Kerley could still dominate the blue-ribbon event.

    On the other side, Letsile Tebogo of Botswana—just 20 years old—is already being hailed as the future of sprinting. His meteoric rise through the junior and now senior ranks has brought him into direct competition with the world’s best. And then there’s Akani Simbine, South Africa’s pride and a model of consistency. He’s made finals at every major championship and is always in the mix.

     

    As the athletes settled into the blocks, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric. The crowd in Rabat had waited all evening for this showdown. The gun went off, and the explosion of speed was immediate. Kerley, in lane 4, blasted out of the blocks with his trademark power. Tebogo was slightly slower off the mark but began to close the gap quickly as his long strides kicked into gear. Simbine, smooth and composed, held his own through the drive phase.

     

    By 60 meters, it was a three-man race. Kerley still held a slight lead, but Tebogo’s surge was undeniable. The young Botswanan looked like he was flying—relaxed, fast, and hungry. Simbine was right there, pushing both men to their limits. The final 40 meters were a blur of limbs, intensity, and effort.

     

    In the end, Fred Kerley edged out the win with a time that silenced doubters and reminded the world why he remains a force to be reckoned with. Tebogo crossed the line just milliseconds behind, proving that he belongs in the top tier of global sprinting. Simbine, finishing strong, rounded out the top three in a time that would’ve won many other meets.

     

    What made this race incredible wasn’t just the times posted, but the sheer competitiveness. It wasn’t a runaway victory—it was a battle. Three men, three nations, all pushing each other to the brink in pursuit of excellence. That’s what track and field is all about.

     

    Moreover, this race had bigger implications for the upcoming season. With the Olympics looming, every meet is a chance to test form and send a message. Kerley’s performance said loud and clear: he’s not going anywhere. Tebogo, with his fearless approach and sky-high potential, is on a collision course with greatness. And Simbine continues to show that he is among the most dependable sprinters in the world.

     

    As the crowd erupted and the replays rolled, one thing was clear—the men’s 100 meter dash in Rabat was more than just a race. It was a statement, a spectacle, and perhaps a preview of the fireworks still to come in Paris 2024.

     

     

     

  • Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Biggest Rival, Femke Bol’s World Indoors Absence Called Out by American Track & Field Coach

    Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Biggest Rival, Femke Bol’s World Indoors Absence Called Out by American Track & Field Coach

     

     

    In the world of track and field, few rivalries burn brighter than Femke Bol vs. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone — a clash of titans in the 400m hurdles, marked by medals, records, and unfinished business. And while no one knows exactly when these two will next line up against each other, all signs point to a potential showdown at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships later this year. Until then, the next chapter of Bol’s journey begins not in a grand championship stadium, but on a warm Sunday evening in Rabat, Morocco, where she opens her outdoor season in the 400m hurdles. But before that, a choice was made — a bold, calculated pause.

     

     

    Femke Bol, known for her relentless racing calendar and yearly indoor dominance, stunned fans this winter. She chose not to compete individually in the indoor season for the first time in her career. The reigning world champion in the 400m hurdles had always been a winter warrior. In 2022, she brought home two silver medals from the World Indoor Championships in Serbia. In 2024, she did even better — gold and silver, cementing her status as the queen of short track. And yet, in 2025, she pressed pause.

     

    “I’m training hard and preparing myself for another successful year on the track,” she wrote in a long Instagram post, “but I also felt that I needed a bit more time away from competing. Therefore, I have decided to not race individually this indoor season.”

     

    Meanwhile, she left a door open to relay duty at the European Indoors in Apeldoorn, and when the time came, she delivered. Gold in both the women’s and mixed 4x400m relays — a reminder that even when resting, Bol still rises. In the meantime, her rival, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, also sat out the indoor season — but hers was a more familiar silence. She hadn’t raced indoors since 2021, when she finished eighth in the 60m hurdles at the New Balance Grand Prix. Indoor tracks, it seems, have never been Sydney’s preferred battleground. And that’s where their paths begin to diverge.

     

     

     

    Two months after Apeldoorn, Coach Anderson Emerole lit the spark again. On The Final Leg Track & Field podcast, he reflected on Bol’s decision to sit out. “This is the first year that she [Femke Bol] skipped out on an indoor season.

     

    Every single year of her career, she’s always run indoors, but I think due to this being a slightly longer season, she wanted to make sure she could lock down her training and get prepared to defend her gold medal at the world championships this year. Remember 2023, Femke Bol won the gold medal when Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone chose to focus on the 400, but unfortunately got injured that year.” He was, of course, talking about Tokyo — the 2025 World Athletics Championships, where Bol will return as defending champion in the 400m hurdles.

     

     

    It was hers to claim in 2023, a year when Sydney pivoted to the flat 400m but never made it to the start line because of injury. Bol seized the moment and the gold. But Paris 2024 brought heartbreak. On the biggest stage of all, Bol was left chasing. Sydney returned. So did Anna Cockrell. And in a blazing final, it was Bol who fell short, beaten not just physically, but symbolically, as the crown momentarily slipped from her grip. Now? She’s regrouped, she’s recharged, and she’s ready!

     

    On that matter, Anderson said, “She’s starting off her season outdoors in the 400-meter hurdles here in Rabat.” The field is no soft landing. Bol will face Andrenette Knight, Shiann Salmon, and Rushell Clayton — a trio of fierce Jamaican contenders hungry to carve their own path to Tokyo. But for Bol, it’s more than just a season-opener. It’s a statement. She’s not hiding. She’s not hesitating. She’s building. Because when the lights shine brightest in Tokyo later this year, Bol knows what awaits: Sydney, Anna, Redemption, and how good are her records against them?

     

    The clash between Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Anna Cockrell, and Femke Bol

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    According to track coach Anderson Emerole, the Paris Olympics women’s 400m hurdles final had the makings of a dream podium: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Femke Bol, and Anna Cockrell — the expected 1-2-3 in some order. But when the dust settled inside Stade de France, the script took a twist.

     

    Anna Cockrell, the underdog in that elite trio, ran the race of her life. With grit, rhythm, and perfect form over the final barriers, she edged past Femke Bol, keeping the Dutch star off the podium’s second step and claiming a silver of her own. It was a breakthrough — a statement. But also, statistically, an outlier. Because in their last nine head-to-head matchups, Cockrell has only beaten Bol once — in Paris. Every other time, Femke has had the upper hand.

     

    That Olympic silver may have been Anna’s biggest moment, but for Femke, it was a rare stumble. And when it comes to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the rivalry looks even more lopsided — at least so far. In the women’s 400m hurdles, Femke Bol has yet to beat Sydney. Zero wins. Three losses. And none of those defeats came on low-key stages.

     

     

    Tokyo Olympics 2021 — Sydney set a world record and left Bol trailing in silver.

    2022 World Athletics Championships — another world record, another dominant gold for Sydney.

    Paris Olympics 2024 — Sydney returned from injury and reclaimed her throne.

     

     

    Three iconic moments, three gold medals, three times Bol watched from behind. But here’s the thing: Bol isn’t done. If anything, the fire burns brighter. Cockrell may have struck once. Sydney may still be unbeaten, but this season, Bol is recalibrated, rested, and ready. And the possible showdown in Tokyo 2025? That could be her redemption stage. Because for all the medals she’s won, there’s one title she’s yet to claim: Beating Sydney.

     

     

  • Inside Arsenal Women’s Champions League celebrations: Gunners stars party with popstar Jess Glynne as Chloe Kelly and Co hit the dancefloor in Lisbon after triumph over Barcelona

    Inside Arsenal Women’s Champions League celebrations: Gunners stars party with popstar Jess Glynne as Chloe Kelly and Co hit the dancefloor in Lisbon after triumph over Barcelona

     

     

     

     

     

    After a historic night in Lisbon, Arsenal Women etched their name in European football folklore with a stunning Champions League victory over Barcelona—and the celebrations were nothing short of spectacular. The Gunners, led by a fearless squad including Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson, and Frida Maanum, didn’t just lift the trophy—they lit up the night with an after-party that fused football glory with music royalty.

     

    The city’s iconic waterfront came alive as the team and their supporters gathered for an exclusive post-match celebration, with none other than Grammy-winning popstar Jess Glynne providing the soundtrack to an unforgettable evening. Fresh from a headline tour, Glynne brought her powerhouse vocals to the dancefloor, performing live renditions of hits like “Hold My Hand” and “Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself” as the Arsenal stars danced and sang along.

     

    Chloe Kelly, who played a pivotal role in the final, was among the first on the dancefloor, joined by teammates Katie McCabe and Alessia Russo. The trio set the tone for the night with infectious energy, trading in football boots for dancing shoes as champagne flowed and confetti rained. Social media buzzed with behind-the-scenes clips showing the players lifting the trophy in the middle of the crowd, laughing and taking selfies with fans and staff.

     

    Arsenal captain Leah Williamson, who returned from injury to lead the team through their European campaign, gave a heartfelt toast. “We’ve dreamed of this moment since we were kids. This is for every young girl who believes she belongs here,” she said, holding her medal high. Her emotional words drew cheers from the room and were later echoed across platforms as fans praised the team’s resilience and unity.

     

    Jess Glynne, who is known to be a long-time Arsenal supporter, told reporters she was “honoured” to be part of the night. “These women are legends. They didn’t just win a match—they’ve changed the game,” she said, posing with the Champions League trophy alongside the squad. Her presence added an extra sparkle to an already glittering night, blending sport and music in a way that captured the spirit of modern football culture.

     

    Lisbon’s historic Praça do Comércio provided a picture-perfect backdrop, with red and white lights illuminating the city’s skyline. Even rival fans had to admit—the celebrations were world-class. Arsenal’s social media team documented the night in real-time, sharing candid moments, dance-offs, and even a surprise appearance by former club legend Kelly Smith, who joined in the revelry.

     

    As dawn approached, the celebrations showed no signs of slowing. But for Arsenal Women, the night was about more than partying—it was a statement. After years of progress, setbacks, and rebuilding, they had reached the summit of European football. And they did it with style, unity, and joy that will be remembered for years to come.