#wnba skills challenge 2024

[cyoolbeans]

Renee Montgomery winning the skills challenge basically means that the lynx won so

[caitified]

Hihi really love your fics. Its my first ask haha. Was maybe thinking if you could do a fic of CC and a teammate, teammate can be either a rookie/vet but is kinda cold to CC (really just kinda awkward with new people). When CC gets shoved roughly on court, reader gets all up in the opps face and protects CC and their relationship deepens from there?

Thank you!

rookie season

caitlin clark x reader

warnings:none, i got carried away so you’re getting their entire backstory sorry 🙊

the first time you and caitlin clark really crossed paths was in the championship game during your senior year at lsu. she was the face of iowa basketball, and you could tell from the moment you saw her on the court that she had something special. she was confident, fierce, and competitive—just like you. but in the end, your team pulled ahead, winning the title in front of a packed crowd.

as the final buzzer sounded, you couldn’t help but catch her eye. there was a mutual respect, but there was also that playful rivalry. on the court, you were opponents, but off it, you could tell you had a little bit of a thing for each other. you knew that fire in her eyes. it mirrored your own.

after the game, you shot her a quick text. “close, but not close enough. see you soon clark,” you wrote, the taunting light in your words meant to sting just a little. but it was all in good fun.

caitlin stared at the message for a long time, a frown tugging at her lips. she was already upset about the loss, but this—this was a challenge, and she couldn’t ignore it. she hated losing, but she hated being underestimated more. her fingers hovered over the screen for a few seconds before typing out a response. “i’ll get you next time. count on it.”

the rivalry continued through the years, even as you went your separate ways. after graduation, you entered the wnba, getting drafted to the indiana fever, and had an incredible rookie season. caitlin, meanwhile, went on to dominate her final year at iowa. but despite her skill and talent, she couldn’t overcome south carolina in the national championship. when she lost, you couldn’t resist—sending her a cheeky text. “looks like you came up short again. better luck next time.”

you expected her to get a laugh out of it. it was playful, just like before. but caitlin’s reaction wasn’t what you expected. she stared at the message, hurt more than she’d care to admit. the loss had stung, and your words felt like salt in the wound. still, she didn’t reply. she couldn’t. not yet.

then came the 2024 wnba draft. when caitlin’s name was called and the indiana fever picked her, now you were on the same team. and things only got more awkward from there.

every time caitlin interacted with other players, like katie lou or aliyah, she noticed something. you were always friendly, always smiling, always making an effort to bond with them. it was easy. natural. but with her, it was different. you barely spoke to her beyond the bare minimum, and every time she tried to start a conversation, you gave short, one-word responses. it confused her.

“why doesn’t she like me?” caitlin thought, watching you laugh with katie lou as the team played cards in the lounge after practice. “i don’t get it.”

every time you teased or joked around with your other teammates, caitlin felt the sting of your coldness. it was like she was invisible to you, even though you were teammates now. it made her question herself. was it because she lost that championship? because of how things had gone down in college? did you still think of her as just an opponent? the thought ate at her.

then came the game against one of the toughest teams in the league. caitlin had been getting pushed around, more than once, and the tension on the court was palpable. you could see her jaw clench, her shoulders stiffen. when the opposing player—a notoriously aggressive forward—got in caitlin’s face, pushing her and swearing, caitlin didn’t back down. but it was obvious she was starting to lose control.

you didn’t even think about it. you just reacted. before anyone could stop you, you were between them, your body protecting hers. you stood tall, staring the other player down, your voice cold but firm. “you don’t get to do that to her,” you said, the words leaving no room for argument.

caitlin stood behind you, a mixture of shock and gratitude on her face. she didn’t expect you to step in. she’d always been the one to fight her battles, but something in the way you had defended her made her heart race. it was different. personal. and for the first time, she realized just how much she needed that support from you.

after the game, when everything had calmed down, caitlin found herself alone in the locker room, her thoughts swirling. she hadn’t expected you to protect her like that. it made her feel something deep, something she couldn’t put into words. and she wanted to know more. wanted to understand why you acted the way you did around her, why you kept your distance.

you were sitting by your locker, wiping down your sneakers when she walked up to you. the silence between you two was thick.

“why didn’t you say anything before?” caitlin asked, her voice soft but edged with curiosity. “you’ve been so… cold with me. i don’t get it. i mean, you’re nice to everyone else, but with me… you act like i’m invisible. i just wanted to know why.”

you looked up at her, meeting her eyes for the first time with something softer in your gaze. the rivalry between you two wasn’t there anymore. not really. “i didn’t know how to be around you,” you admitted, your voice quieter than you intended. “in college, you were the one i had to beat. and then you got drafted here, and… it felt weird. like i didn’t know how to treat you.”

caitlin blinked, processing your words. “you didn’t know how to treat me?” she repeated, her voice catching slightly. she had hoped for something else, but hearing you say it made her understand. maybe she had been too focused on trying to prove herself to you. “so, you’re not… mad at me?” she asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

“no,” you said with a small smile. “not mad. just… confused. i didn’t know if we could be something else after everything. i guess i wasn’t ready to let go of the rivalry.”

caitlin let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, her shoulders relaxing. she smiled, a genuine one this time. “maybe it’s time we let it go.”

from that moment on, things changed. you and caitlin started to talk more, really talk. you found common ground, sharing laughs, teasing each other, and slowly, the barriers you had built up started to crumble. the more you got to know her, the more you realized there was more to her than the fiery competitor you once knew. and maybe there was a lot more between you two than you had ever expected.

not me lying and saying i was gonna post a few days ago. i’m so sorry i’ve been so busy. enjoy. REQUESTS R OPEN

part two? let me know

[bllsbailey]

In an Olympics of Blasphemy and Gender Controversy, Turkey's Yusuf Dikeç is the Hero We Need

The 2024 Paris Olympics can't get out of their own way. Between blasphemous opening ceremony moments to rage and counter-rage over gender-challenged individuals competing in women's sports, it seems that naught but controversy flows through this Olympiad as surely as the river Seine.

MORE: Paris Olympics Organizers Apologize for Opening Ceremony Fiasco, and It's As Lame As You'd ExpectFemale Olympic Boxing or Domestic Violence? For the IOC, Wokeism Is More Important Than Safety

Enter Turkish cat lover Yusuf Dikeç.

The 51-year-old Dikeç, who gives every impression of being the poster child for mild-mannered, inoffensive middle-aged men everywhere, apparently had nothing much going on this week. So, he decided to take a vacation to France, while there spending some time casually enjoying his hobby.

The tweet isn't completely accurate, as Dikeç was wearing earplugs. That duly noted, the medal part is true. Dikeç and his partner Şevval İlayda Tarhan, who is less than half Dikeç's age, won the silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event.

Dikeç's casual air is no act, but rather the natural byproduct of a man comfortable in his own skin and with his skill.

“I shoot with both eyes, most shooters do it with one. So I didn’t want that all that equipment. Shooting with two eyes — I believe that it’s better. I’ve done a lot of research on it, so I didn’t need the equipment,” Dikeç told Turkish radio station Radyo Gol. “Shooting with my hand in my pocket has nothing to do with artistry. I am more motivated and feel more comfortable while shooting,” he said, adding that this stance “is actually about bringing the body to equilibrium and focusing and concentrating.”

Confident but not cocky. Exactly how we like our heroes.

Dikeç is no newcomer to competitive shooting. He first medaled in 2005 at the Mediterranean Games. Including his newly acquired Olympic hardware, he has won 10 gold, 11 silver, and six bronze medals at 10, 25, and 50-meter distances in assorted international competitions. I believe the appropriate expression, albeit slightly dated, is “mad skillz.”

One of sports' greatest strengths comes from relatable athletes. The ones who are affable and personable when not competing draw the greatest fan base because, despite the obvious difference in physical talent, there is a common thread binding us together. A prime example of this is Caitlin Clark, who, all the mean girls' garbage thrown her way by assorted sulky WNBA players notwithstanding, clearly loves playing the game and being a normal, likable person off the court. 

MORE: Why Caitlin Clark Is the Role Model Modern Girls Need

While little is known of Yusuf Dikeç away from the shooting range, he gives every appearance of utter normalcy. Or, at the least, normalcy as embodied by someone who could literally shoot the lights out while giving all indications being able to do so is as matter-of-fact as ... oh, having a kitten perched on your shoulder.

[aggold15hi01]

My own thoughts-Zhou getting points and how 2024 is a difficult year for me

Post can be also found on my personal blog: https://realpaulaleah4everwrites05.blogspot.com

So proud of Zhou getting points for the very first time!!!!

I have to admit; this year alone does feels truthfully tough dejectedly mostly for the reason that I did felt as if this year does feels difficult for me ever since Logan had lost his seat midway through his short-lived F1 season then JV want to talk about him (Logan that is) just as when he felt as if he (JV I am talking about here.) is feeling salty about how Logan is shining and thriving as dejectedly; I do sincerely think JV is just no worse than an estranged family member who are feeling sincerely jealous about how he (Logan) is shining and thriving when he had walked away from both F1 and also from WRT as well.

Plus there are also loads of tough events of 2024 but I am not going to speak about it on here. (If you want to read the post with the tough and dejecting events of 2024 then you may consider reading it on my personal blog via Blogspot.)

Anyway; apart from Allisha becoming the first woman/ wahine whom she won both the 2024 Skill Challenge and the 3 Pointer challenge event in this year's WNBA's All Star event; I'd think Zhou getting points (Or Zhoints as many of the fans would call it on here.) is one of the highlight career of this year and this season alone obviously.

Anyway, those are my own thoughts on both based on how 2024 does feels like a deeply tough year just for me personally and also, congrats to Zhou for getting both the points (Or Zhoints that is) and also having a strong finish at the Qatar GP of this year.

[oscarrobertson0]

WNBA Player Rankings 2024 | Unbelievable

The WNBA is a growing force in women’s professional basketball, showcasing talented players. As we approach 2024, the league continues to improve and become more competitive, with new talent and seasoned veterans making player ranking predictions challenging. But we have taken on the challenge here at WNBA Player Rankings 2024. After carefully analyzing past performance, skill development, and…

[tvrundownusa]

tvrundown USA 2024.07.19

Friday, July 19th:

(exclusive): "Omnivore" (apple+, docuseries w/ chef René Redzepi, all 8 eps), Sweet Home (netflix, Korean monster, season 3 available, all 8 eps, series finale)

(movies): "Spread" (TUBI, comedy, ~95mins), "Find Me Falling" (netflix, rom-com, ~95mins), "Young Woman and the Sea" (dsn+, swimmer Trudy Ederle docu-drama, 2hrs++), "Skywalkers: A Love Story" (netflix, acrobatic daredevils documentary, 100mins)

(streaming weekly): Lady in the Lake (apple+, limited series premiere, first 2 eps), Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture (hulu), Betty la Fea (APrime, telenovela "The Story Continues", first 2 eps), RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Para+, penultimate), Drag Race: Untucked (Para+), Too Hot to Handle (netflix, competition season 6 opener, first 4 eps)

(also new): "Inspiring America: Team USA" (NBC news Olympics special), The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs (Shudder), 2024 WNBA 3-Point and Skills Challenge (ESPN)

(earlier - hour 0): Bunk'd: Learning the Ropes (disney, 60mins)

(hour 1): The Big Bakeover (theCW), The Serpent Queen (Starz)

(hour 2): Totally Funny Animals (theCW) / . / Totally Funny Kids (theCW), "Down in the Valley" (Starz), Ancient Aliens (HIST, "The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence")

(hour 3): Lingo (CBS, special timeslot), Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO), Deb's House (WEtv|AllBlk, season 1 finale)

[laresearchette]

Thursday, July 11, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES: THE RESPONDER (BritBox) TEEN TORTURE INC. (CraveTV) MASTERMIND: TO THINK LIKE A KILLER (Disney + Star) 2024 ESPY AWARDS (TSN3) 8:00pm MONSTER OF OZ (Discovery Channel Canada) 8:00pm THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY (Slice) 9:00pm CAUGHT! WHEN SHARKS ATTACK (Discovery Channel Canada) 9:00pm CHRISTINA ON THE COAST (HGTV Canada) 9:00pm GREAT WHITE DANGER ZONE (Discovery Channel Canada) 10:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT: IMPRACTICAL JOKERS (Premiering on July 16 on OLN at 10:00pm) BEACH BARGAINS (Premiering on July 18 on HGTV Canada at 10:00pm)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA TYLER PERRY’S DIVORCE IN THE BLACK ROLE MODELS SAUSAGE PARTY: FOODTOPIA STHLM BLACKOUT WNBA: CHICAGO SKY AT NEW YORK LIBERTY

CRAVE TV TEEN TOUTURE INC. (Episodes 1-3)

DISNEY + STAR MASTERMIND: TO THINK LIKE A KILLER (all episodes)

NETFLIX CANADA ANOTHER SELF (Season 2) (TR) VANISHED INTO THE NIGHT (IT) VIKINGS: VALHALLA (Season 3)

WIMBLEDON TENNIS (TSN/TSN3/TSN5) 8:00am: Ladies’ Semifinals (TSN2) 8:00pm: Primetime

MLB BASEBALL (SN) 3:00pm: Jays vs. Giants (SN) 6:30pm: Yankees vs. Rays (SN Now) 9:30pm: Mariners vs. Angels

CALGARY STAMPEDE (SN1) 3:30pm: Rodeo (SN/SN1) 10:30pm: Rangeland Derby

CFL FOOTBALL (TSN/TSN4/TSN5) 7:30pm: Argos vs. Alouettes

DRAGONS' DEN (CBC) 8:00pm: Two friends strip away the stigma of a certain mens' swimwear fashion; two entrepreneurs approach their pitch gingerly; one duo puts a new spin on an old skill.

THE GREAT POTTERY THROW DOWN (Makeful) 8:00pm: During Garden Week, the eight remaining potters create cascading water features that soothe the soul, Keith and Rich set a surprise second challenge: constructing adorable hedgehog houses.

CAMP WANNAKIKI (Out TV) 8:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): It's the first day at camp, and there's a new crop of campers eager to amp up their campy looks and earn their first badge.

SHARK BEACH WITH ANTHONY MACKIE: GULF COAST (Nat Geo Canada) 9:00pm: Anthony Mackie uncovers a shark mystery with fishermen in Louisiana.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE GREAT ESCAPE (The Family Channel) 9:00pm: Mack, a Robin Hood-like outlaw, is caught and sent to prison by Sherlock Holmes. But after he escapes, his daughter gets kidnapped, so he needs the great dog detective's help.

WHEN SHARKS ATTACK… AND WHY (Nat Geo Canada) 10:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Surfing towns in both Australia and Bali are stunned by shark attacks.

[prettyhennytea]

✨🌟 Rising Stars: A Decade Retrospective and Rookie Revelations at WNBA All-Star ✨🌟

A decade ago in Phoenix, the WNBA All-Star Game set the stage for a legendary showdown between two remarkable rookies, one a top draft pick and the other a rising star. As history prepares to repeat itself in the upcoming All-Star Game in Phoenix, the echoes of past glory and new beginnings reverberate through the league with a sense of excitement and anticipation.

Back in 2014, the spotlight shone brightly on Atlanta Dream’s Shoni Schimmel, who dazzled the crowd with her record-breaking performance, earning the title of Most Valuable Player with 29 points and 8 assists in an overtime victory. Alongside her, Chiney Ogwumike made her mark as the top pick by the Connecticut Sun, showcasing the beginnings of a promising career that would pave the way for her and her sister, Nneka, to make history as the first siblings in the WNBA All-Star Game.

Fast forward to this year’s All-Star Game, where fresh faces and rising talents take center stage once again. The stage is set for rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, the No 1 and No. 7 selections of the year, to make their mark among the league’s elite. Their presence marks a return to the spotlight for rookie sensations in the All-Star Game, a moment of celebration for their remarkable achievements in their debut season.

As the league gears up for the All-Star break, let’s take a closer look at the standout rookies who have been making headlines on the court:

Angel Reese, Chicago Sky: With a commanding presence on the court Reese has established herself s a force to be reckoned with, leading the league in rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game. Her dominant performances have drawn comparisons to WNBA greats, setting the stage for a promising career ahead.

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever: A record-breaking rookie, Clark continues to impress with her scoring prowess and playmaking abilities, setting milestones and earning accolades with each game. Her selection to the All-Star Game underscores her impact and potential in the league.

Leonie Fiebich, New York Liberty: Despite modest per-game numbers, Fiebich’s contributions to her team’s success have not gone unnoticed. Her versatility on both ends of the court and clutch performance in crucial moments highlight her importance to the Liberty’s championship aspirations.

Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky: As a rising star in the Sky’s lineup, Cardoso has showcased her skills as a reliable center, delivering double-double performances and making her presence felt on the defensive end. Withroom for growth and improvement, she holds promise for a bright future in the league.

Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks: Stepping up in the face of adversity, Jackson has been a standout performer for the Sparks, delivering consistent scoring and versatile play on both ends of the court. Her resilience and adaptability have been instrumental in keeping her team competitive amidst challenges.

As the WNBA All-Star Game approaches, the spotlight shines on these exceptional rookies, whose talents and potential signal a new era of excellence in women’s basketball. With anticipation building for the upcoming showcase of talent and skill, fans can expect a thrilling display of athleticism and passion on  the court. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the All-Star festivities unfold in Phoenix!! The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game will be played Saturday, July 20 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN App) 🏀✨ #WNBAAllStar #RisingStars #NewBeginning

[opiatemasses]

The Hidden Battle: Confronting Gender Inequality in Sports

Sports are societally significant because they have the potential to unite people of different backgrounds. It is also widely accepted that sports can promote physical and mental well-being (Evans et al., 2020). For example, running and swimming have been associated with stress reduction and improved mental health (Malm et al., 2019).

And yet, sports and physical activities - often pursued for the pleasure and satisfaction they bring - also serve as a platform where gender inequalities can become apparent. As a consequence, the potential benefits may not derived by all cohorts across society. Furthermore, in professional sports, while it can significantly enhance an athlete's socioeconomic status, the rewards and recognition are also often reflective of stark gender disparities that exist. As we explore the world of sports, it's critical to examine these differences and in doing so, strive towards greater equality of opportunity and benefits for all athletes, regardless of gender.

Illustration by Robert Littal

More women than ever are playing sports and working in sports organisations, but gender inequalities continue to exist in participation opportunities, and support for athletes. It is widely recognised that gender discrimination exists in sports based on payment, power, media representation and funding. In most sports, it is fair to state that women tend to be paid less than men. As an illustrative example, the highest contract that can be offered to women competing in the WNBA is approximately $221,450 which is 0.44% in comparison to their male NBA counterparts. In stark contrast, NBA teams can offer their players around $50 million. Furthermore, there are evident differences in power that exist, with men typically holding more senior positions than their female counterparts. For instance, most team managers and coaches tend to be men, highlighting the inequalities that exist.

Research on sports media coverage tends to highlight the evident differences in the amount of coverage given to male sport in comparison to sports played by women. It could be argued that gender discrimination in sports representation affects women negatively because it lowers their self-esteem. For example, a study conducted by Cooky et al. (2020) suggests that the number of men in sport is 7% higher than that of the women.

The most prominent strand of feminism in sports is liberal feminism which advocates for equal opportunities for women in sports, promoting equal access to resources, training, and funding, and dismantling barriers based on merit and skill. This perspective forwards that women have capabilities similar to men to participate in sports. And yet as late as the 1940s, it was assumed that childbirth effectively meant the end of a female athlete career. For example, Fanny Blankers-Koen was written off for being 30 years old by British Athletics team manager Jack Crump, deriding her “too old to make the grade”.

Over the years there has been a push for greater gender equality. As recently as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, there was a requirement of at least one man and one woman per team. This extends to the Opening Ceremony where each participating country is represented by two flag bearers – one from each gender. Later this year, Paris 2024 will mark a landmark moment in Olympic history as it will be the first event to accomplish numerical gender equality, with an equal number of male and female athletes competing.

Illustration by Sebastien Thibault

The purpose of this blog post has been to emphasise the stark inequalities which exist between men and women in the sporting world. By highlighting key statistics and showing what positive changes there have been, I have attempted to shine a line on this important issue.

Now that we've explored the challenges and potential solutions surrounding gender inequality in sports, it's time to ask ourselves: what role can each of us play in driving change? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below and let's continue the conversation towards a future where everyone has equal opportunities to excel and thrive in sports.

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