Sports
Obama Joins NBA Africa As Strategic Advisor
Former U.S. president Barack Obama joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner, the NBA announced on Monday. In this role, Obama “will help advance the league’s social responsibility efforts across the continent, including programs and partnerships that support greater gender equality and economic inclusion.” In addition, the role gives Obama a minority equity stake in the new venture, which he plans to eventually use to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programs across the continent. NBA Africa has several roles, including hosting the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with teams from 12 African countries. The venture is also focused on expanding the NBA’s presence in Africa, deepening engagement with players and fans across the region and growing programs like Jr. NBA, Basketball Witho...
John Cena Speaks On The Rock’s Potential Return to WWE
John Cena, who recently made a return to the WWE ring, recently spoke about the possibility of The Rock‘s return to the sport. WWE superstar turned Hollywood actor, John Cena recently shared with Ash Crossan that he would be excited to see The Rock return to the ring. He said, “Dwayne Johnson is a star in his own universe. There is no one like him. There will never be anyone like him. For him to be gracious enough to return to WWE, its own global entertainment phenomenon, that’s great for WWE and it is great for The Rock.” Cena made it clear that he did not want to speak for the Rock but he did add, “As a fan of WWE, I really hope he returns. I think it would be special for everyone.” With the return of John Cena to WWE, other rumors surrounding Johnson’s return have also been ignited. Thi...
Chris Hemsworth’s Personal Trainer Luke Zocchi Tells Us How We Can Train Like Thor
Between effortlessly wielding Mjölnir and single-handedly overpowering Thanos, it’s befitting that Thor, aka Chris Hemsworth, possesses the physique that is equal to his worthiness as the Asgardian God of Thunder. Many Marvel fans who also enjoy working out and lifting heavy at the gym have looked up to the Australian actor and his build as an ultimate goal, but for most of us, looking like a Hollywood star seems almost impossible to achieve. Hemsworth’s childhood friend and personal trainer Luke Zocchi — pictured above on the right of Hemsworth, while on his left is his stunt double — is a fitness expert with roots in boxing, and has joined us at HYPEBEAST to speak about his experience with Thor himself, the training program the two came up with together, and why one should never skip car...
English Football Introduces New Heading Limit Amidst Long-Term Head Injury Concerns
English football has introduced a new heading rule for the upcoming 2021/22 season that will see players limited to 10 “higher-force” headers in training per week. The announcement — that will be implemented across all professional levels of football in the U.K. — comes after a series of studies found that repeated heading could lead to dementia and other long-term diseases, while a 2018 study by the University of British Columbia found that blood levels of proteins associated with damage to nerve cells increase after heading the ball. The new rules, delivered in a joint statement from the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, Professional Footballers’ Association and League Managers’ Association, advises that “a maximum of 10 higher-force headers are carried out i...
An Oral History of Skateboarding in the U.K.: Part 2, 2000-Today
After charting British skateboarding’s journey from the late ‘70s to the turn of the millennium in Part One, the second installment of our oral history of U.K. skateboarding looks at its modern era. Beginning with the cultural impact of Tony Hawk’s Pro-Skater, this was the period when the Southbank was saved and that Palace was born, placing the U.K. on the skateboarding map in a way that had never happened before. Alongside that, skateboarding crossed into the mainstream to an unparalleled degree. On one hand, luxury houses from Lanvin to Louis Vuitton began looking to skateboarding for inspiration, while on the other skateparks were built up and down the country, and a new — more diverse — generation became involved in the sport. This is how British skateboarding moved from the rough wor...
Philippines Wins Its First-Ever Olympic Gold Medal
The Philippines has won an Olympic gold medal for the first time in history at the Tokyo Summer Games. Awarded to weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in the 55-kilogram category of women’s weightlifting, Diaz simultaneously set an Olympic record with a combined total of 224 kilograms (493 lbs.) across her two lifts. The event saw Diaz go head-to-head with world record-holder, China’s Liao Qiuyun. Both competitors lifted 97 kilograms (214 lbs.) each in the first round’s snatch lift, but for the following clean and jerk, in which competitors lift the bar to their shoulders before raising it above their heads, Liao lifted 126 kilograms (278 lbs.), while Diaz exceeded with a 127-kilogram lift. In addition to serving in her country’s air force, Diaz is a four-time Olympic competitor who first made waves ...
Kyle Lowry Rumored To Seek $90 Million USD Three-Year Contract in Free Agency
Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry is set to become an upcoming free agent. As an NBA league veteran, many teams are likely interested in the point guard despite entering the latter stages of his career. Lowry is currently a six-time All-Star on a champion-winning team and has been seen as one of the best playmakers in the game. Based on his many years in the league, his upcoming free agency might be the last chance Lowry gets to earn a significant payday. Five Reasons Sports‘ Adam Borai reported that the Miami Heat are still very much interested in a deal with Lowry and are looking into his range of $90 million USD over the course of three years. Lowry’s shooting and ability to read the court would make him a great addition to the Heat roster as a seasoned player in the league. HYPEBEAST als...
Las Vegas Sportsbooks Reportedly Brace for Aaron Rodgers Retirement Announcement
After much speculation, it appears that Aaron Rodgers might just be done with the Green Bay Packers. According to reports, Las Vegas is preparing for a major announcement from the QB as it is expected that Aaron Rodgers will announce his retirement later this week and subsequently, not return to the Green Bay Packers. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk said that “multiple sports books reportedly believe Aaron Rodgers will be retiring next week,” already reflected in the Packers’ over-under win total. PointsBet sportsbook which previously placed the Green Bay Packers in an over-under win total at nine, recently took removed the team from the list of 32. DraftKings also removed the Packers and other related “Team Specials”. First reports of NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers disgruntled feelings towards the ...
13-Year-Old Skateboarder Momiji Nishiya Becomes Japan’s Youngest Olympic Gold Medalist
13 years old Momiji Nishiya has just made history by becoming Japan’s youngest Olympic champion, and second-youngest individual gold medalist in Olympic history after American springboard diver, Marjorie Gestring (1936 Berlin Olympics). Winning gold in Women’s Street Skateboarding, Nishiya now joins Yuto Horigome and his gold medal from yesterday’s Men’s Street Skateboarding event. The silver medal, coincidentally, also went to another 13-year-old skater Rayssa Leal of Brazilian, where Bronze was awarded to fellow Japanese skater Funa Nakayama. Nishiya kept it cool as she entered the competition with zero expectations of winning a medal. “I wasn’t too worried about getting a medal. I didn’t think I could win, but everyone around me cheered me on so I’m glad I was able to find my groove,” s...
Team USA Falls 76-83 to France in Tokyo Olympics Opener
As the Tokyo Olympics has officially begun, Team USA’s men’s basketball team came out with a shocking 76-83 loss at the hands of France last Sunday. Citizens are having a social media field day about the All-Star packed lineup. This is the first time Team USA has lost its first Olympic game since the 2004 semifinals against Argentina. France was also the same team that got America eliminated in the 2019 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals. Although Team USA led by eight points at halftime, France came back with a 25-11 advantage by the third quarter and led with six points during the fourth. France connected on 47 percent of its attempts, while America only shot 36 percent from the field. NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert along with Boston Celtics’ Evan Fournier took the reigns for Fra...
Tokyo Olympics Sees Record 121 NBA and WNBA Players Competing on National Teams
The NBA and WNBA have had a record number of players representing their national teams at this year’s Tokyo Olympics. A total of 121 professional basketball players from the two organizations are featured, while 27 NBA and 10 WNBA teams are represented at the Summer Games. This year’s record surpasses the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics where only 46 and 25 NBA and WNBA players, respectively, were at the games. This time, a record of 49 current NBA players and 29 current WNBA players and 16 former NBA and 22 former WNBA players make up the 121 in Tokyo. Outside of the U.S., Nigeria has the most current NBA players on its roster, followed by Australia, then France. Out of the 12 teams competing at the Olympics, 11 of them have at least one NBA athlete. The NBA is well represented, with the Dal...
The Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony Saw Lowest Ratings in Nearly 30 Years
According to reports, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony saw the lowest ratings in nearly 30 years. Preliminary figures for the four-hour televised event is now being called a ratings flop drawing 17 million viewers worldwide. The lowest ratings since the 1992 Barcelona Olympic games, viewership was down 36 percent from the 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony (26.5 million viewers). Despite the low ratings, NBC did note that the kick-off event still dominated the Friday night primetime timeslot and was the second-most watched standalone telecast in the past year. Additionally, NBC saw a 76 percent increase in viewership on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app. The ratings flop was predicted as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony featured a 13-hour time difference between Tokyo ...
