Latest news with #professionalathlete
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Reveals How He Fell In Love With Basketball
Luka Doncic Reveals How He Fell In Love With Basketball originally appeared on Fadeaway World. In a surprise guest appearance on the 'Mind the Game' podcast, Lakers star Luka Doncic opened up on all kinds of topics, ranging from his personal life to his career in the NBA. In one segment, Doncic even tells the story of how he first developed a passion for the game, tracing the origins of his love back to his father, Sasa. Advertisement "For me, I wasn't good at any other sports," said Doncic. "I was playing a lot of sports, tennis, soccer, and basketball were the main ones. For me, it was fun just to do sports. And then I went outside, I love to go outside after school. I went outside every day, playing anything, but mostly basketball. I went to his games when I started being a ball boy… EuroLeague games. That's how I used my time to get into basketball. They let us in before the game, halftime, I was just shooting.' Doncic, 26, grew up in Ljubljana, Slovenia, as the son of a professional athlete. Doncic's dad, Sasa, played one season of Euroleague basketball, averaging 2.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game on 40.6% shooting. He also played in the Slovenian Premier League, where he won two championships and three Slovenian Cups. After Sasa's playing career ended in 2010, he took on a coaching role for various clubs until 2022, when he presumably retired. At 50 years old, Sasa's career is already said and done, but the same cannot be said for his son, Luka, who is currently taking the league by storm. After growing up in the game and developing a love for the sport at an early age, Doncic was able to get a head start on his development, and it could be why he's so effective on the court today. After years of learning and growing with professionals, Luka learned all the tricks of the trade, and it's translated well into his career. Advertisement Starting at 13, Doncic's basketball journey is nothing short of impressive. Just a few years after joining Real Madrid's youth academy, he became the youngest player ever (at just 16 years old) to play for a senior team in the Spanish ACB League. It didn't take long after that for Doncic to emerge as a true basketball superstar. He won his first Euroleague MVP in 2018, led them to a championship, and then cemented his future by going third overall to the Mavericks in 2018. Ultimately, it didn't work out in Dallas, but Luka's status as an elite point guard remains intact. At just 26 years old, Doncic is one of the best players in the NBA, and he's the face of the Lakers after they gave up Anthony Davis to trade for him. In 50 games during the 2024-25 campaign, he averaged 28.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game on 43.8% shooting. As a 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA player, and former Rookie of the Year, Luka's talents are undeniable, and his potential may be the highest for anyone in the league at his age. Going into a critical offseason, Doncic must stay in shape and develop chemistry with teammates so that he can help lead the Lakers to better results in 2026. Related: Chicago Bulls Would Have Offered Anything In Exchange For Luka Doncic This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
CNA
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
MotoGP champion Martin intends to leave Aprilia before 2026 season
MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin announced his intention to leave Aprilia ahead of the 2026 season on Thursday, a week after the Italian team said they expected the Spaniard to honour the two-year contract he signed with them. The 27-year-old, who won his first MotoGP title last season with Pramac Racing, switched to Aprilia and has yet to score a point this year after seven rounds. Wrist and ankle injuries sustained in a pre-season crash ruled him out of the first three rounds before a crash in his first race in Qatar led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs. "When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology," Martin said in a statement. "In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead of one, and so we included that condition. "Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season." Aprilia said last week that they had not had any negotiations with Martin to change his contract while also warning other teams not to approach him. PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE Martin said he was taking control of his future as a professional athlete. "At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026," he added. "This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time." Without Martin, Aprilia have struggled for results but finally won a race this season when Marco Bezzecchi triumphed in the British Grand Prix on Sunday. After the victory, which came after race leader Fabio Quartararo retired with a technical issue, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said: "This is a message for Jorge, our bike can win." However, Martin remains unconvinced they can compete in the long run and will look for another manufacturer by the end of the season. Martin was in the running last year for a factory Ducati seat which went to six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who leads this year's championship with 196 points. Martin completed only 13 laps in pre-season testing and retired from the only race he competed in after the crash in Qatar. "Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it is true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase," Martin said. While the door to Ducati may be closed and KTM are also struggling for results, Honda could offer him a seat, especially after Luca Marini sustained severe injuries in a testing crash. The Italian's contract runs out at the end of the season.
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
‘I had no doubt that Christian Wade would make it as a rugby player'
When Jon Scourfield surprises Christian Wade at Kingsholm, Gloucester Rugby's ground, the former England wing almost jumps out of his skin before an enormous smile creases his face. Scourfield had been a rugby league player with the London Broncos and, after retiring, found his way to the Royal Grammar School, RGS High Wycombe which is where he came across the diminutive 11 year old Wade who even then was brimming with talent. 'I first saw him in year 7. He didn't want to play rugby. He thought of himself as a footballer,' Scourfield explains. 'I was doing some little 25m sprints at a games session and wow! He was beating everybody by five or 10m. If it hadn't been rugby it would have been athletics. 'Christian quickly bought into rugby despite his lack of size. I had no doubt that he had the potential to be a professional rugby player. 'He's brave in many ways, physically and in his willingness to step outside of comfort zones. To try to become an American footballer, to return to rugby and play for Racing in the top 14, switch to Gloucester and then make another switch to rugby league – well It says a lot about him. 'He always stood out. He can strike you as a bit laid-back but he has the capacity to work incredibly hard. I couldn't be any prouder of him – he is very humble.' The feeling is clearly reciprocated. 'When I first went to RGS I still wanted to play football, but that soon changed,' Wade explains. 'Mr Scourfield played a huge part in my rugby development and also my development as a human being. He was always there to support us. He taught us discipline and was a great mentor, always pushing.' Wade appreciates how his schooldays have helped to shape him in adult life. 'A lot of it was about instilling the discipline you need to succeed. I had that at school and at home – it was part of my Caribbean background. My mother's family had come over from St Vincent to better themselves, and that could only be achieved by hard work and discipline. 'They were strict and instilled a work ethic. The good habits from school and home, from an early age, become part of you. If you don't do the right things and work hard, if you take shortcuts in training, there is always going to be that voice in the back of your mind. It's important to always have that voice.' As a passionate advocate of spreading the rugby gospel beyond its traditional public school heartlands, Wade fully supports the Gallagher Touchline Academy, a free and easy-to-follow rugby programme designed to provide teachers with the skills and confidence to teach rugby. The programme has been created in partnership with Gallagher Premiership Rugby Clubs and will be rolled out in schools across the UK over the next three years. The initiative will empower teachers, helping them to deliver rugby lessons in schools, inspiring the next generation of players and fans. 'I want to be part of that movement to get rugby back into state schools. 'That is going to be huge. I know the impact good coaching at school had on me. I was one of the lucky ones who didn't have to pay for my education via the 11+, but not everybody is lucky and gets the quality of training. 'Learn the basics at school, get that enthusiasm for the game and then join the local club – you create great networks, friendships and camaraderie. 'As a youngster, boredom is your enemy. There aren't the youth clubs we used to have when I was young. When you are idle this is when mischievous stuff happens and issues develop, and we need to give kids some stuff to do. We need to give kids more opportunities to play rugby and sport in general.' Scourfield's teaching philosophy embraces all of that. 'You have to make it enjoyable. The physical aspect of rugby can be quite challenging for young year 7 pupils who have never experienced the game before. Enjoyment is the main thing though, if they have that they will continue into adulthood, whatever sport they choose. 'Rugby teaches so many life skills: respect for themselves, team-mates and opposition. I see students now that, without the discipline aspect of rugby, would find life a little bit harder.' From his own personal experience, Scourfield appreciates the need for rugby to spread its wings if it is to thrive. 'I am aware of the challenges. My job before RGS was introducing rugby and cricket at a comprehensive secondary school. If we can't get more players coming from a more diverse background, then the sport that changed my life is going to change and possibly even wither a bit. All the players coming from independent school backgrounds is not sustainable long-term. 'The reason I got into rugby was that a teacher tapped me on the back at my comprehensive and said, 'Come and give this sport a go.' In the end, rugby has given me a life. 'My message [to teachers] is to get involved, you will almost certainly really enjoy it. Be the coach who brings through the next Christian Wade!' Watch the moments that Ellis Genge, Christian Wade and Marcus Smith were surprised by their teachers and mentors. Gallagher is Right Here for Rugby and Right Here for Business – go to to see what Gallagher can do for you.
News.com.au
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Queensland Maroons star Lindsay Collins reveals absurd $1000-a-week grocery bill
The cost of living impacts everyone but not many could say it costs them upwards of $1,000 a week for their weekly grocery shop alone. But for 106kg hulking Queensland Maroons enforcer Lindsay Collins he spares no expense when crafting his weekly diet, consisting largely of grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, organic eggs and bags full of avocados. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Earlier this year Collins' wife Kaylah revealed on social media that the family's weekly grocery bill was well above a thousand dollars. And now Collins has opened up about his insane diet ahead of what will be his 13th State of Origin appearance for Queensland in Game 1 on Wednesday. 'I'd love to not spend $1000-a-week on f***ing groceries but that's what I've got to do,' he told Code Sports. 'If I didn't have to spend that much I wouldn't. I'm also trying to fuel my family with the right stuff. It's bigger than me.' The Bondi-based couple and their 11-month-old daughter Georgia, shop exclusively at farmer's markets and organic butchers where prices for top quality produce are at a premium. Collins himself is no light eater and given the rigours of being a professional footballer the 29-year-old averages an intake of around 6,000 calories a day spread across five meals. While Collins has tinkered with his diet over the years, the Roosters forward says he has finally found what works for him. From his breakfast that used to be a handful of Weet-Bix with sugar every morning, it now is often 500g of beef mince, six free range eggs and an avocado. 'You test, try and figure out what works and what doesn't work for you. It's been a long trial and I'm still working out the kinks … We are professional athletes and have to look after ourselves,' Collins continued. 'It's not only your footy career – it's also life after. There is a huge impact in what food can have on your body and how you feel.' Collins' daily diet consists of beef mince, eggs and avocado for breakfast, snacks on fruit and yoghurt during the day and usually steak for dinner. He avoids heavily processed foods and gluten. Breakfast – 500 grams of grass-fed beef mince, six free-range eggs, organic avocado Morning tea – organic yoghurt, banana, honey Lunch – club provided beef/chicken, rice, vegetables Afternoon tea – organic fruit
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raymond Muratalla: The Rising Force Redefining Knockouts
Raymond Muratalla's ascent to professional athlete status is a plain show of mental strength in pursuit of excellence. Making his debut in 2016, his record 22- 0- 17 KOS has earned him rankings with various boxing bodies. Advertisement Nicknamed 'Danger', he is ranked 1st by WBO, 4th by IBF, and 6th by The Ring at lightweight. While keeping active with three fights in 2023 and three fights in 2024, he has managed to stop four of his opponents. The most recent knockout was on Jesus Antonio Perez Campos in the 2nd round on November 2, 2024, in Venora, United States. Before that, he won by unanimous decision against Tevin Farmer in 10 rounds on July 13, 2024. In the same year, Muratalla bagged another unanimous decision win in 10 rounds against Xolisani Ndongeni on March 29th, 2024. Back in 2023, he made a record of three consecutive knockouts on opponents, Diego Torres Nunez on November 4th in the 8th round, Jeremiah Nakathila on May 20th in the second round, and finally, against his first opponent in 2023, Humberto Galindo on March 25th in the 9th round. Standing at 173 cm (5'8') with a reach of 183 cm (73 inches), Muratalla, in his orthodox stance, is set to face opponent Zaur Abdullaev, 20-1-0, a Russian professional boxer, on 10th May 2025. The venue of the match will be at Pechanga Arena, San Diego, United States. Live following will broadcast on Sky Sports Action in the UK and ESPN in the United States. With records of NABF, WBO, and NABO titles, Muratalla has an assignment to retain his grounds this weekend among boxing elites and make a shaking impact in the lightweight division.
