Tony Stewart, alongside wife Leah Pruett, made a stunning appearance at Tuesday night’s National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Awards banquet. The event took place at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California to recognize the champions of the NHRA and celebrate the season. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion took to his Instagram story with a photo of himself alongside Pruett at the awards banquet. Stewart was seen in a black and white tuxedo, while Pruett was sporting a black dress and high heels. Thanks for the submission! Here’s the photo of Stewart and Pruett at the NHRA Awards: Pruett also shared photos from the occasion to her Instagram story, to which Stewart added to his personal story. Here’s the photo Stewart shared from his wife’s Instagram: Stewart shared another photo from the NHRA Awards banquet where he’s standing alongside fellow NHRA competitor Matt Hagan, who competes for Tony Stewart Racing. TSR’s social media team shared the photo, to which Stewart reposted to his Instagram story. The Indiana native penned a fitting caption for Hagan, writing: “Happy birthday, Matt! 🎂” This past season marked Tony Stewart’s second NHRA campaign, one year after winning NHRA Rookie of the Year honors. He moved up to the Top Fuel Division as a fill-in driver for Leah, who stepped away to have the couple’s first baby, a son named Dominic. In 2025, Stewart won his first career Top Fuel race at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. The former driver of the #14 in the NASCAR Cup Series also won the regular season championship and later finished runner-up in the final championship standings. When did Tony Stewart last race in NASCAR? Now a driver in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Tony Stewart stepped away from NASCAR competition after the 2016 Cup Series season. The Indiana native was one of the most successful drivers in the sport as he won 49 career Cup races and three championships across his 18-year stint. Tony Stewart won two championships driving the #20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, one in 2002 and the other in 2005. He continued to drive for JGR until the end of the 2008 season, where he left to start his own racing team, Stewart-Haas Racing. The team was co-owned by Stewart and Gene Haas and was a staple in the Cup Series until the organization ceased operations at the end of the 2024 season. Tony Stewart’s third and final championship came in 2011, behind the wheel of his self-owned #14 machine. He won five of the 10 playoff races in the 2011 campaign en route to the championship.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/news-tony-stewart-wife-leah-pruett-steal-spotlight-glamorous-nhra-awards-appearance
Tag: championships
Maria Sharapova gets honest about why she found it ‘really difficult’ to hug & be friendly with fellow WTA stars
Maria Sharapova recently shared her approach to handling competition and friendships on the tour. She said it was difficult for her to be social or friendly with other players during her career. Ad Sharapova won five Grand Slam titles and became one of only ten women in the Open Era to complete a Career Slam. She captured her first Major at Wimbledon in 2004 and her last at the French Open in 2014. Thanks for the submission! In an interview on The David Rubenstein Show, the Russian shared new stories about her time on tour. She said she never felt comfortable hugging players after matches and always focused more on competition than being social. Ad Trending “I was pretty honest about the relationship of being an athlete to another athlete. I always found it really difficult to share the thought of, Oh, why don’t we have a drink or go out to dinner and have an appetizer. Like, when I’m trying to really beat you the next day, and I’m going to pump my fist in your face, but then I’m going to give you a hug after? It’s just, it’s never really made sense,” Maria Sharapova said (Video Time 15: 00) Ad Ad Sharapova made her Grand Slam debut in 2003. She featured at the Australian Open and the French Open, but failed to win a match at either event. She finally opened her account at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships and reached the last 16 in London that year. The Russian captured her first title at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo. She added another to her locker by winning the Bell Challenge in Quebec City and was awarded the WTA Newcomer of the Year for her efforts. Ad Sharapova maintained her competitive nature behind the scenes during her time on tour. She wasn’t a big fan of small talk in the locker room with her peers. “Small talk wasn’t my specialty, I’ll be honest. I was very focused, and I was very, like, the locker room was my office. And, you know, I wouldn’t spend much time there. I was in and out. I treated it as a really important profession.” Ad “I think consistency was the highlight of my career” Maria Sharapova Maria Sharapova made her debut at the Indian Wells in 2002. She became the second youngest player in the Open Era to win Wimbledon in 2004. Ad The former World No. 1 said she was proud of her consistency during her overall career. She also credited herself for showing up for her team and sponsors amid the hectic schedule on tour. “I’d say consistency. I think consistency is. You can have results, and they could come at various times in your career, but I was consistent for many years. And you have to show up. You don’t just show up to play first round or the finals, you have to show up for press conferences after, before every match, before every tournament,” Maria Sharapova said Ad Sharapova entered the top 20 of the WTA Rankings in 2004. She remained in the top 20 for the next 12 years on tour. “Just the consistency and the mental wear and tear of showing up week in, week out. So I felt like I consistently showed up for my team, for my sponsors, and for a long period of time, I’d say that. As I look back, I’m proud of that,” Maria Sharapova added The 38-year-old is engaged to Alexander Gilkes. They share a son named Theodre, who was born in 2002. × Feedback Why did you not like this content? Clickbait / Misleading Factually Incorrect Hateful or Abusive Baseless Opinion Too Many Ads Other Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Edited by Aman Mohamed.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-maria-sharapova-gets-honest-found-really-difficult-hug-friendly-fellow-wta-stars
Buckle up for a wild week of Maine high school soccer
Maine high school soccer is entering its final and most exciting week of the season, and Bangor-area fans will be treated to some of the best action as several of the North regional championships take place locally on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Bangor’s Cameron Stadium will host the Class A and Class B North title games. On Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., the defending state champion Bangor Rams girls will play on their home field against Camden Hills for the Class A North crown. The Hermon Hawks won’t have to travel far in their bid for the Class B girls North title, facing Skowhegan on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., also at Cameron Stadium.
The John Bapst boys team will also play at home when it takes on Oceanside on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in a Class B boys title matchup between the top two teams in B North.
Meanwhile, Hampden Academy will host the Class C North championships. The Orono boys will look to maintain their unbeaten season as they face second-ranked Mt. View of Thorndike.
The Class D North boys championship between Madawaska and Fort Fairfield will be held in Presque Isle, which will also host the statewide Class D girls divisional matchups.
Brewer High School will host the 8-player North title games on Wednesday, including the girls’ matchup between top seeds Dexter and Wisdom.
Below is the full regional championship schedule, courtesy of the Maine Principals’ Association.
—
### Regional Soccer Championships
**Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025**
**Class A North at Cameron Stadium, Bangor**
– Girls (4:30 p.m.): #1 Bangor (Home) vs. #2 Camden Hills (Away)
– Boys (7:00 p.m.): #1 Camden Hills (Home) vs. #3 Brunswick (Away)
**South at Falmouth High School**
– Girls (4:00 p.m.): #1 Scarborough (Home) vs. #3 Windham (Away)
– Boys (6:30 p.m.): #1 Scarborough (Home) vs. #2 Falmouth (Away)
**Class C North at Hampden Academy**
– Girls (4:00 p.m.): #1 Fort Kent (Home) vs. #3 Winslow (Away)
– Boys (6:30 p.m.): #1 Orono (Home) vs. #2 Mt. View (Away)
**South at Edward Little High School, Auburn**
– Girls (4:00 p.m.): #1 Maranacook (Home) vs. #3 Mt. Abram (Away)
– Boys (6:30 p.m.): #1 Hall-Dale (Home) vs. #2 Mt. Abram (Away)
**Class D North at Dr. Gehrig Johnson Field, Presque Isle Middle School**
– Boys (5:00 p.m.): #1 Fort Fairfield (Home) vs. #2 Madawaska (Away)
**South at Cony High School, Augusta**
– Boys (5:00 p.m.): #1 Monmouth (Home) vs. #7 Richmond (Away)
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**Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025**
**Class B North at Cameron Stadium, Bangor**
– Girls (4:30 p.m.): #2 Hermon (Home) vs. #5 Skowhegan (Away)
– Boys (7:00 p.m.): #1 John Bapst (Home) vs. #2 Oceanside (Away)
**South at McMann Field, Bath**
– Girls (4:00 p.m.): #1 Cape Elizabeth (Home) vs. #2 Yarmouth (Away)
– Boys (6:30 p.m.): #1 Yarmouth (Home) vs. #2 Greely (Away)
**Class D (Divisional) North at Dr. Gehrig Johnson Field, Presque Isle Middle School**
– Girls 1 (4:00 p.m.): #1 Ashland (Home) vs. #5 Monmouth (Away)
– Girls 2 (6:30 p.m.): #2 Penobscot Valley (Home) vs. #3 Central Aroostook (Away)
**8-Player North at Brewer High School**
– Girls (4:00 p.m.): #1 Dexter (Home) vs. #2 Wisdom (Away)
– Boys (6:00 p.m.): #1 Piscataquis Community (Home) vs. #2 Katahdin (Away)
**South at Gardiner High School**
– Girls (4:00 p.m.): #1 Bangor Christian (Home) vs. #2 Richmond (Away)
– Boys (6:00 p.m.): #1 Telstar (Home) vs. #2 Pine Tree (Away)
—
The state championship games will take place around Maine on Saturday, with the following host sites:
– Class A at Messalonskee High School, Oakland
– Class B at Edward Little High School, Auburn
– Class C at Cony High School, Augusta
– Class D at Hermon
– 8-Player at Brewer High School
Fans are encouraged to come out and support their local teams during this thrilling final week of high school soccer action!
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/03/sports/high-school-soccer/packed-schedule-maine-high-school-soccer/
Madison Keys vs Amanda Anisimova preview, head-to-head, prediction, and betting tips | WTA Finals 2025
Match Details
- Fixture: (7) Madison Keys vs (4) Amanda Anisimova
- Date: November 3, 2025
- Tournament: 2025 WTA Finals
- Round: Round Robin
- Venue: King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Category: Year-end championships
- Surface: Hard
- Prize Money: $15,500,000
- Live Telecast: USA Tennis Channel | UK Sky Sports | Canada TSN
Madison Keys vs Amanda Anisimova Preview
Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova will face off in their second group stage match of the WTA Finals. Keys captured her first Grand Slam title this year by winning the Australian Open. She also reached the semifinals at Indian Wells and the quarterfinals in Montreal. However, the American was surprisingly defeated by Renata Zarazua in the first round of the US Open and this marks her return to the tour after a two-month break.
Keys began her campaign in Riyadh with a lackluster performance against Iga Swiatek, suffering a 6-1, 6-2 defeat. She struggled to find her rhythm and will be desperate to raise her level in the upcoming match.
On the other hand, Amanda Anisimova has had a remarkable season. She won the title in Doha and finished as runner-up at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Additionally, she claimed the title in Beijing and reached the last 16 in Montreal. Anisimova’s start to the WTA Finals was underwhelming as she lost to Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-1 in the first round.
The fourth seed will be eager to bounce back and solve the challenge posed by Keys in this high-stakes encounter.
Head-to-Head
The head-to-head record between Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova stands at 0-0. This will be their first competitive meeting on tour.
Madison Keys vs Amanda Anisimova Odds
All odds are sourced from Oddschecker.
Prediction
Madison Keys missed the Asian hardcourt swing and appears to be struggling with match fitness in Riyadh. Her performance against Swiatek was underwhelming, and she will know that she must elevate her game in the next round. Keys is one of the cleanest hitters on tour, which could prove pivotal.
Amanda Anisimova, meanwhile, has impressed this year with consistent and powerful performances. Having narrowly missed out twice on winning a Major title, she will carry that momentum forward into the next season. With her all-around strong game, Anisimova can beat any opponent on tour.
In this All-American clash, Anisimova is a slight favorite. At just 24 years old, she has shown more consistency than Keys and should be able to emerge victorious.
Pick: Amanda Anisimova to win in straight sets.
Betting Tips
- Tip 1: Match to have fewer than 20 games.
- Tip 2: Anisimova to register more winners than Keys.
Former WWE champion to replace Jon Moxley, Heel faction FINALLY implodes? – 3 major surprises that can happen on AEW Dynamite this Wednesday
After receiving mixed reviews for WrestleDream 2025, AEW has quickly shifted its focus to the upcoming pay-per-view, Full Gear 2025, which is less than a month away. The Jacksonville-based promotion has already started building momentum for Full Gear during recent episodes of Dynamite and Collision.
On the flagship show, the Women’s World Title match was confirmed for the upcoming PPV after champion Kris Statlander accepted Mercedes Mone’s challenge—originally issued at WrestleDream. Additionally, a major No. 1 Contenders’ match was scheduled to determine World Champion Hangman Page’s next challenger. This crucial match is set to take place on this week’s episode of Dynamite: Fright Night.
With Dynamite: Fright Night airing this Wednesday, AEW President Tony Khan is poised to take the next step in generating excitement for Full Gear. Fans can expect some intriguing twists and surprises on the show. Here’s a look at three potential surprises AEW might unveil on Dynamite: Fright Night.
### #3. Claudio Castagnoli Betrays Jon Moxley on AEW Dynamite: Fright Night
Jon Moxley has been facing a turbulent stretch in AEW lately. The Purveyor of Violence’s recent track record in big matches has been less than stellar—from losing the World Championship to Hangman Page, to falling in the Lights Out Steel Cage match at Forbidden Door against Will Ospreay’s team, and more recently, losing to arch-nemesis Darby Allin in an “I-Quit” match at WrestleDream 2025.
Given these setbacks, Moxley’s faction, the Death Riders, could hold a vote of no confidence in their leader during Dynamite. Leading this possible coup is former WWE United States Champion and multi-time WWE Tag Team Champion, Claudio Castagnoli (formerly Cesaro). As the Swiss Superstar and the group’s most experienced member after Moxley, Claudio might convince the faction to abandon the One True King, potentially taking over leadership of the Death Riders.
### #2. The Don Callis Family Could Implode
Tensions within the Don Callis Family have been building for some time, particularly between Konosuke Takeshita and Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada. Their dynamic took a hit after the duo failed to capture the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Brodido at WrestleDream 2025. During that match, Okada accidentally struck Takeshita, showing no remorse; instead, he grinned at the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
Takeshita did not take this lightly and attempted to confront Okada on last week’s Dynamite, but was stopped by Don Callis and AEW TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher. In response to these internal frictions, Don Callis has called for a family summit on this week’s Dynamite: Fright Night.
While this summit aims to resolve internal disputes, it could very well backfire. The massive egos of both Takeshita and Okada might spiral out of control, causing the faction to implode. This could result in the formation of rival subgroups within the family or even result in the eviction of one of the two stars.
### #1. Cedric Alexander Joins the Hurt Syndicate
WWE released Cedric Alexander in February of this year. Although he signed with TNA shortly after, speculation has swirled among fans that the 36-year-old could reunite with his former Hurt Business allies—MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin—now rebranded as the Hurt Syndicate in AEW.
With Cedric’s contract set to expire soon, these rumors may finally come to fruition this week. Tony Khan is expected to sign Cedric Alexander and debut him on Dynamite: Fright Night.
This week’s Dynamite: Fright Night also features a pivotal four-way match where Bobby Lashley of the Hurt Syndicate will face Samoa Joe, Ricochet, and Hook for a chance to become the No. 1 Contender for Hangman Page’s AEW World Championship.
As the match unfolds, interference from the allies of each competitor is highly likely. Amid the chaos, Cedric’s debut could play a critical role in helping Lashley secure the No. 1 Contender spot—marking a major win for the Hurt Syndicate and their newest member.
—
With Dynamite: Fright Night just around the corner, AEW fans have much to look forward to as the promotion ramps up toward Full Gear 2025. Whether it’s shocking betrayals, faction drama, or surprise debuts, this week’s show promises to deliver plenty of excitement.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/former-wwe-champion-replace-jon-moxley-heel-faction-finally-implodes-3-major-surprises-can-happen-aew-dynamite-wednesday
Joe Torre Documentary Directed by John Turturro in Production
Joe Torre, the longstanding Major League Baseball player, manager, and executive, takes center stage in a new documentary directed by John Turturro and produced by Motto Pictures. The film, titled *Joe Torre*, chronicles the remarkable career of this iconic figure, who managed the New York Yankees to four World Series championships—and achieved much more along the way.
Torre remains the only person in MLB history to have recorded 2,000 hits as a player and 2,000 wins as a manager, a testament to his extraordinary dual success in the sport.
“Joe Torre’s lifelong journey to the World Series is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, through a changing landscape and turbulent times. There’s something deeply human about Joe Torre’s quiet strength,” said Turturro in a statement. “In a time when men in sports hid their emotions behind toughness, Joe defied convention. His strength comes from compassion, his victories from understanding people.”
Currently in production, the documentary explores Torre’s life story—from a nervous child with an abusive father to a professional baseball player who won the league’s Most Valuable Player award (MVP) in 1971, and later to a manager who was fired three times before taking on his role with the Yankees.
Torre played in 4,272 games as a player and experienced a career as a manager before finally leading the Yankees to a World Series victory against the Atlanta Braves.
“It’s hard to imagine that a nervous Brooklyn kid who had low self-esteem could go on a journey like mine across more than 60 years,” Torre reflected in a statement. “I once didn’t think I was going anywhere. But baseball gave me a place to hide and ultimately the opportunity to find things in myself that I never knew were there. I am grateful that John Turturro, who witnessed the hometown dream I’ve been fortunate enough to live, is joining me to look back and tell the story in a personal way.”
Stay tuned for more updates on this compelling documentary that celebrates the life and legacy of one of baseball’s most respected figures.
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/joe-torre-documentary-directed-john-turturro-1236563435/
‘Halo is on PlayStation going forward’ says franchise’s Community Director
Halo Studios marked the end of one era and the beginning of another last week with a major announcement: Halo: Campaign Evolved. This Unreal Engine 5 remake of the first Halo game is set to release next year on Xbox, PC, and for the first time ever, the PS5.
In confirming the PS5 release for Halo: Campaign Evolved, Halo Studios also revealed that future Halo games will be available on PlayStation as well. Halo Community Director Brian Jarrard made the announcement on stage at the Halo World Championships, stating, “Halo is on PlayStation going forward, starting with Halo: Campaign Evolved.” Notably, he wore a t-shirt featuring the PlayStation logo during his announcement, underscoring the significance of this shift.
The news of Halo coming to PlayStation sent shockwaves through the gaming community. The official PlayStation post welcoming the franchise garnered over 12 million impressions on X, reflecting immense excitement and engagement among fans.
In response to this landmark development, GameStop boldly declared the “Console Wars” over. What this means is that any new entries in the Halo series moving forward will launch on both Xbox and PlayStation platforms—whether that’s the PS5 or the inevitable PS6.
While we are likely still a few years away from the follow-up to Halo Infinite, one thing is clear: the future of Halo is no longer exclusive to Xbox. Fans can look forward to enjoying Halo on both their Xbox and PlayStation consoles in the years to come.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146524/halo-playstation-future-releases
Biola runs away with PacWest crowns
**Biola’s Von Molendorff and Mapes Win Individual Titles, Eagles Take PacWest Cross Country Team Championships**
Biola’s Melt Von Molendorff and Bethany Mapes secured individual titles as the Eagles captured both the men’s and women’s team championships at the PacWest Cross Country Championships held Saturday at Hawaii Country Club.
Von Molendorff completed the men’s 8K course in 24:33.6. Concordia Irvine’s Noah Plaza finished second in 24:44.4, followed closely by teammate Spencer Handorf in third place at 25:02.4. Hawaii Pacific’s top finisher was Aaron Garcia, who placed 53rd with a time of 29:00, while Chaminade’s leading runner, Kalamakua Francisco, came in 58th at 29:37.0.
The Biola men dominated the team standings with 35 points. Hawaii Pacific finished eighth with 252 points, and Chaminade placed tenth and last with 280 points.
In the women’s 6K race, Bethany Mapes crossed the finish line in 21:40.6. Vanguard’s Ella Murray was second in 21:46.4, and Point Loma’s Madeline Reeves took third at 21:46.7. Hawaii Hilo’s top runner, Sequoia Gonzales, finished 12th in 22:19.7. Chaminade’s Nikiji Dayse was 15th with a time of 22:23.7, and Hawaii Pacific’s Carly Dyer placed 54th at 24:23.6.
Biola claimed the women’s team title in the 12-team field with 42 points. Hawaii Hilo took seventh place with 165 points, Chaminade was ninth with 268, and Hawaii Pacific finished 12th with 311 points.
—
**UH Hilo Sweeps Westmont; Chaminade Falls in Five Sets**
In women’s volleyball action at Vulcan Gymnasium, Malu Garcia led Hawaii Hilo with 14 kills, while Alohi Garcia added nine, helping the Vulcans sweep Westmont 25-22, 25-23, 25-22. Emerson Reinke recorded 38 assists for Westmont (17-7, 6-2 PacWest). Maddie Finnegan had 10 kills for the Warriors (7-13, 2-5 PacWest).
Meanwhile, Chaminade fought hard against No. 5 Point Loma but ultimately fell in five sets, 25-23, 15-25, 25-19, 21-25, 15-10, at McCabe Gym. Abigail Nua led Point Loma with 20 kills, and Kyra Miles added 13 for the Sea Lions (18-2, 7-0 PacWest). Lillie Hinton posted 16 kills, and Reina Krueger chipped in 13 for the Silverswords (12-12, 6-2).
—
**Women’s Basketball Teams Picked at Bottom in PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll**
The Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii Pacific, and Chaminade women’s basketball teams were projected to finish in the bottom three spots of the PacWest standings, according to the Coaches Preseason Poll.
Vanguard leads the poll with 164 points, followed by Point Loma with 147 and Westmont with 145. Hawaii Hilo was picked 11th with 50 points, Hawaii Pacific 12th with 30 points, and Chaminade 13th with 17 points.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/10/26/sports/hawaii-beat/biola-runs-away-with-pacwest-crowns/
“I faced a lot of harassment” – Lia Thomas speaks out about challenges as trans swimmer while being honored with ‘Voice of Inspiration Award’
**Lia Thomas Reflects on Challenges as Transgender Swimmer After Receiving ‘Voice of Inspiration Award’**
Lia Thomas recently reflected on the challenges of being a transgender swimmer after receiving the prestigious *Voice of Inspiration Award* at the 2025 Violet Visionary Awards. Thomas made history as the first openly transgender swimmer to compete at the Division I Championships.
Initially, Thomas was a member of the University of Pennsylvania men’s swimming and diving team. During this time, Thomas became a finalist in the 500-yard, 1000-yard, and 1650-yard freestyle events at the 2018 Ivy League Championships. In 2019, Thomas began hormone replacement therapy, marking a significant transition.
In 2021, Thomas returned to competitive swimming, this time representing the Penn women’s team. Thomas’ rise to fame peaked during the 2022 NCAA Championships, where she tied with Riley Gaines. The event sparked controversy as Gaines publicly protested against Thomas’ participation.
### Reflections on the Journey and Challenges Faced
After receiving the award on Thursday, Thomas shared emotional reflections on the swimming journey, highlighting the hurdles and harassment faced by transgender individuals. During her speech, she also emphasized the lack of proper support available for transgender youth.
> “It makes me very emotional because I remember all too well not that long ago being 18 and just realizing that I’m trans and feeling so excited at the prospect of being able to be who I am, but feeling so terrified to take those steps because I didn’t know any other trans people. I barely knew what being trans meant,” Thomas said.
She further added,
> “If I had had an organization like that as a kid to give me the knowledge and language to describe my transness, how important that would have been. Because I faced a lot of harassment. I got a lot of messages of violence against me in my Instagram comments and DMs.”
Alongside winning a title at the 2022 NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships, Thomas was also nominated for the *NCAA Woman of the Year* award.
### Riley Gaines Criticizes Lia Thomas Receiving the Award
Lia Thomas’ *Voice of Inspiration Award*, sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers, drew criticism from fellow swimmer Riley Gaines. Following the event, Gaines took a swipe at the MLB team, stating:
> “Last night Lia Thomas was awarded the ‘Voice of Inspiration’ award at a Dodgers-sponsored event. The only people he’s inspired are other opportunistic men who realized they can violate & steal from women and be celebrated for it.”
The tension between Thomas and Gaines intensified after their tied result at the NCAA Championships, where only Thomas, the transgender athlete, was awarded the trophy — a decision that did not sit well with Gaines.
—
*About the Author*
**Janhavi Shinde** is a Sports Management graduate and a US Olympics journalist at Sportskeeda. She emphasizes meticulous research and fact-checking across multiple sources, including social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, as well as various sports publications.
Janhavi has competed nationally in the 10m Air Rifle Shooting event alongside renowned athletes such as Anjali Bhagwat, Apurvi Chandela, and Anjum Moudgil, fueling her passion for sports. Her favorite Olympian is Abhinav Bindra, and she especially cherishes the gold medal victories of Bindra and Neeraj Chopra for revolutionizing the mindset of Indian athletes toward sporting excellence.
If given the chance to introduce a new sport to the Olympics, Janhavi would choose American Football for its widespread appeal and intense competition. Outside of reporting on Olympic news, she enjoys reading, painting, and traveling.
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*Edited by Janhavi Shinde*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/olympics/news-i-faced-lot-harassment-lia-thomas-speaks-challenges-trans-swimmer-honored-voice-inspiration-award
Manitobans eager to strike gold on world stage
Already making history earlier this year when she became the first woman to win the Marinelli City Singles bowling tournament, Marissa Naylor-McCall is now bolstering her training routine as she prepares to represent Team Canada at the 2025 International Bowling Federation (IBF) World Championships.
Naylor-McCall is one of two Manitobans representing Canada at the adult level, alongside Mitch Hupe. Both bowlers attended the last world championships in Kuwait in 2023, where every Team Canada bowler brought home a medal. It was a record year for Canada.
“We all brought home a medal which hasn’t happened in many years,” said Naylor-McCall.
This will be Naylor-McCall’s fourth year representing Team Canada as an adult and her second World Championships tournament. She spoke highly of her teammate Hupe, a three-time National Bowler of the Year who returns for his 12th adult year.
“(Hupe) has lived and breathed it his whole life,” she said. “He can basically do it all.”
Hupe bowled at Wichita State in college, one of the most renowned bowling programs in North America, boasting 24 Intercollegiate Team Championships between the men’s and women’s programs. Naylor-McCall noted that Hupe was the anchor for Team Canada during the 2023 IBF World Championships, where the men took home gold in the team event for the first time.
“He’s a phenomenal person but an even better bowler,” she said. “He’s a phenom in the bowling community here in Manitoba.”
Hupe bowls on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, where Naylor-McCall will be taking her talents beginning next season. Excited for the opportunity, she isn’t letting it distract her from her current goal to win gold in Hong Kong.
“I’m excited for next year, but Hong Kong is definitely the focus for right now,” said Naylor-McCall. “Then we’ll set our eyes on (the PBA tour) next year.”
Team Canada head coach Tyrel Rose, who re-joined the team in late 2023, said the team is eager to fight for their place on the podium.
“There is a bit of a chip on the shoulder,” said Rose. “There’s definitely a bit of a ‘we still want to prove ourselves’ attitude.”
Several countries didn’t participate in the 2023 world championships held in Kuwait for political reasons. Rose added, “I think when you can come in as a world champion and still come in with an underdog mentality, you’re doing something right.”
Rose said he and Naylor-McCall hit the ground running in their professional relationship.
“We kind of hit it off really well as a coach and an athlete,” said Rose. “(Naylor-McCall) is very driven. She works really hard at everything she does, whether it’s her business, bowling, or golf. She’s like a sponge — she just wants all the coaching all of the time.”
He said her leadership is an asset given the women’s team’s lack of experience.
“(Naylor-McCall) brings that kind of professional energy to the team,” said Rose. “To have that leadership — she brings that to the team as if she was a 10-year veteran.”
Rose noted that Hupe, who won a World Masters Gold in 2018, hasn’t lost his touch.
“He’s still grown from there and developed a sense of confidence in himself that he didn’t have five, six, seven years ago,” said Rose. “He really knows what his strengths are and knows how to play to them.”
Rose was an assistant coach for Team Canada from 2009–12, head coached from 2014–18, before taking some time off to spend with his family. He said the connection he shares with his team is invaluable.
“One of the things that’s always driven me is getting to share in this experience with our players,” said Rose. “That kind of emotional connection, the highs and the lows, it’s great.”
Michael Schmidt, executive director of the Manitoba Tenpin Federation, said he expects the two Manitoba veterans to make the province proud in Hong Kong.
“They have experience, they’ve represented Canada numerous times. They know how to get the job done, and I just wish them as much success as possible, to bring home some more gold medals,” said Schmidt.
For Naylor-McCall, bringing home gold in the singles event is high on her priority list. But winning as a team is her biggest wish.
“The ultimate goal always for these events is winning gold in the team event,” she said. “I know on the women’s side we haven’t medalled in the team event for a long time. We just have to trust in the preparation. If we can keep it simple and just do what we do best, I’m sure that getting on the podium will be pretty easy for us.”
The IBF World Championships start in Hong Kong on November 24.
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/10/07/manitobans-eager-to-strike-gold-on-world-stage