By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
THE unique Champion Spirit Country Club is expanding its wings, not just with the inclusion of its cadre of professional coaches, but their interaction with the local sporting community, including the government and private schools, to their vast program being offered.
Bahamian Olympian Andretti Bain, who serves as head of the Sports and Performance for Champion Spirit, introduced New Zealand’s Olympian Ella Greenslade, the VIP Olympic Ambassador for Champion Spirit, to the media.
The day before, the duo had a motivational meet and greet with a rowing demonstration and competition at the Lyford Cay International School on Lake Killarney and they also visited the Willie Mae Pratt School for Girls with a rowing demonstration as well.
Next week, Bain said they will be at King’s College School, Windsor School and the Simpson Penn and eventually they hope to branch out to reach out to the various schools and private organisations to introduce them to the benefits they can achieve by becoming a part of the club.
Bain, a member of the Bahamas men’s 4 x 400 metre relay team that clinched the silver at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China,
RODGERS IMPRESSED WITH HIELD PROGRESS
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
MENTOR and coach
Ronn Rodgers said he’s pleased with the progress he’s seen from Bahamian professional super welterweight boxer Carl ‘242 Flashy’ Hield.
The 39-year-old journeyman is in town wrapping up his training sessions at Major’s Striker’s Boxing Club before he heads off to Columbia for his next fight on Friday, October 17, against Saider Vizcaino.
The fight is scheduled for the Coliseo de Monumental de Cienaga, Clenaga, Colombia when Vizcaino, the 33-year-old Colombian native, puts his 12-6-1 winloss-draw record against Hield’s 12-0 mark.
Rodgers, who played a pivotal role in securing the deal for Hield, who will be defending his WBA’s FedeCaribe title, said Hield is looking good as usual.
“He’s in the gym every day ear;y and leaving late, getting that good sweat and staying on weight” Rodgers said.
“He should be ready. No problem.
“I’m looking for a successful defence. Right now he has his eye on the WBC Intercontinental.
That will be his next challenge and that is what we’re trying to get sorted out.
Hopefully we can push it to November.”
With a very long amateur career, Rodgers said Hield has developed a “fighter’s instinct and ring generalship”, but more importantly, he’s comfortable in the ring as a fighter. “No matter how good you are, if you are not comfortable, you are burning energy,” Rodgers said.
“He’s quite comfortable in the ring. It’s like his second home.
“So, for him to do what he wants to do and stay relaxed and be as fast or as strong as he wants and also
to have the clarity of mind, it’s a good upgrade from the amateur ranks.” Rodgers, who also acts as an agent for Hield, said there’s always something that Hield can work on, but he won’t let it out of the bag. He said Hield is just that type of fighter that can make the necessary adjustment against his opponent. In giving God thanks for giving him the strength and energy to get up every morning to keep his dream alive of becoming a world boxing champion, Hield said training at home with Rodgers.
“I came here and I’m learning how to strategize, which is different from what I had as an amatuer, but has helped me as a professional,” Hield said.
“Everyone in the gym here comes together whenever I need sparring and they make sure that I get in the rings to prepare for the fight.”
Each morning he got up since he’s been home for the past few weeks, Held said he would go to Better Body Gym to lift weights and then he hit the boxing bag and his sparring partners in the afternoon.
“I’ve been working on some little tricks with Mr Rodgers so I could be ready for whatever the fighter brings,” Hield said. “I have to have something to add to it.”
Thanks to Rodgers and Strikers Boxing Club for the training sessions, Hield will be leaving on Sunday for Colombia and by Friday, he’s confident that he will have his hand raised for his 13th straight victory as a pro.
“I am motivated because they always say a setback is always for a major comeback,” saaid Hield, whose previous fight on August 30 when he was to fight for the WBC Intercontinental belt, but it was called off due to the political unrest between Venezuela and the United States of America.
“I was just staying focused, keep grinding and keep my mind set on trying to get a world title shot by the beginning of next year.”
Although there are some people who feel he’s “too old” to continue fighting and he should hang up his gloves, Hield said he made a promise to his deceased mother, Norma Hield, his number one fan, who encouraged him to never give up and to go for his dream.
“My dream was always to turn professional and be a world champion,” Hield said. “But I turned professional late because
back in the days when you were young, you were only focused on representing your country.
“But at one point, I realised that I wasn’t getting the support from my country as an amateur, so I had to roll over and become pro. It showed me that if I had gone pro a long time ago, UI would have been a world champion by now.”
After losing to some and beating others as an amateur, Hield said he watched as some of those opponents turned pro and got to fight for a world title or are world champions.
“I’m more motivated to go after my dream,” Hield said. “I’m not getting the full support from my country, but I am still motivated to go for that big world title fight.
“I am just going to keep winning and winning and wait for my name to be called. They will call my name sooner than quicker.” And when his name is called, Hield said he will “definitely be ready. I will be a new champion in The Bahamas”. He encouraged the naysayers to just wait and see.
In addition to the Strikers Boxing Club, Hield also thanked Beer Pressure, Production Gurus, Rigger242, R&R
and
for their sponsorship.
ANDRETTI Bain and Ella Greenslade.
CHAMPION - SEE PAGE THREE
RONN Rodgers and Carl Hield.
Mingoes lose battle with Warhawks
CAPTAIN Anjeniker
Joseph and outside hitter
Hannah McBride had four kills each, but it was not enough as the University of The Bahamas Mingoes women’s volleyball team opened the season in the New Providence Volleyball Association (NPVA) with a loss to the Lady Warhawks on Monday.
Playing at the DW Davis Gymnasium, UB fell in four sets; 26-24, 23-25, 25-15 and 25-17. UB’s head coach, Raymond Wilson said that his team played a good first game.
“We have some new parts
to the puzzle,” Wilson said. “Most of the parts for the two sets served and passed very well. After the third set, we got back into the match and allowed our emotions to drop. We found ourselves in a position where we were down six or seven points.”
UB played a strong first set going up by almost ten points. The Lady Warhawks clawed their way back into the game before tying it at 22 points. UB went up 24-23 and looked to seal the deal but the Lady Warhawks deuced the game up. The Warhawks won the next
two points and set 26-24. It was a close battle in the second set, but UB was able to hold on after taking the 23-22 lead to win 25-22. The third set saw UB struggling early on as they went down 7-1. They never recovered and fell 25-15. The fourth set was like the third set as UB went down 9-1. They made the score 15-12 but the Lady Warhawks went on a 5-1 run and eventually won 25-17.
UB’s next opponent will be known at a later date as the full NPVA schedule has not been released as yet.
UNIVERSITY of the Bahamas women’s volleyball players Patrice Ferguson (#13) and Davanna Douglas go up to block the ball against the Lady Warhawks.
Photos: UB Athletics THE UNIVERSITY of the Bahamas women’s volleyball libero Alyzza Arbatin digs the ball.
THE UNIVERSITY of the Bahamas women’s volleyball setter Zarria Rose sets the ball.
UNIVERSITY of the Bahamas right side hitter Hannah McBride.
UNIVERSITY of the Bahamas women’s volleyball setter Zarria Rose.
UNIVERSITY of the Bahamas women’s volleyball middle attacker Patrice Ferguson.
‘Dream big’ urges Olympian
said he’s honoured to welcome Greenslade to The Bahamas and to Champion Spirit.
“She fits the mode of what we look for in athletes in being very humble firstly and then being superly and overly accomplished,” Bain said. “Ella competed at the highest level and won at the highest level.
“It fits our mandate here at Champion Spirit where we are growing sports tourism in The Bahamas by bringing someone of Ella’s calbre to The Bahamas, not just to interact, but to provide high performance training for our members, but also to be able to get out into the community and into our high school system.”
Greenslade, who was a member of New Zealand Women’s eight rowing team that won a silver at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, said she’s delighted to be in The Bahamas and a part of the club’s coaching staff.
“I’m loving it being in The Bahamas so far,” she said. “It was amazing going to the schools and actually getting on the water with them. I’m looking forward to being a part of this club and helping to grow the sport of rowing in The Bahamas.”
The 28-year-old Greenslade brings a wealth of experience to the club, having competed professionally for the past five years, but she spent the past 12 years competing in the sport from high school to college at Washington State where she graduated in 2024.
Looking back at her achievement as an Olympic medalist, Greenslade said it was something that she will cherish for the rest of her life.
“It was an amazing experience. I think it’s something that you don’t always get to do, so it was unique,” she insisted. “We were lucky that it came during the Covid-Olympics, but we were grateful that Tokyo, Japan hosted the competition for us a year later. We were really lucky to have been able to compete in the Olympics.”
And coming here to the Bahamas, Greenslade said she’s very lucky to have
‘Our goal is to promote health and fitness, not just in The Bahamas, but internationally, so Champion Spirit through our sports medicine, our hospital, which we are now about to open, through our high performance facilities and just through our club ourselves, we want to be seen as the leading club around the world for health and wellness.’
been afforded the opportunity to work with Bain and the rest of the coaching staff at Champion Spirit.
“I think it’s good to be in an environment like this where we can create results and be able to be ourselves,” she stressed. “So I think it’s going to be a very good experience and I’m just glad to be here.”
Greenslade joins a coaching staff that’s already in place that includes Bain, Krystel Rolle-Brown for volleyball, 2012 Olympic
sprinter Warren Fraser for track and field, pro bodybuilder Romel Kelly and Donovan McKenzie.
Additionally, Bain said there are a number of expat athletes and coaches who come in from time to time to lend their expertise to the program, which caters to everyone who is into wellness and fitness.
“We do a lot of corporate things. We also work with a lot of CEOs and executives, persons who perform in a high level environment,”
he stated. “So for us, it’ not just about the physical work, but that Champion Spirit mentality that spreads across the board for athletes, those who want to achieve their health and fitness goals and those who want to be in a super sports environment, as well as a high performance environment for children.”
Champion Spirit Club, according to Bain, offers a 360°wellness, sports and performance facility. on a 10-acre property of the western end of Nassau with a little bit of something to satisfy the appetite of just about any sports fanatic.
He further noted that so far, founder and owner Abdoulaye Fadiga, a world champion Muay Thai fighter and athlete, has spent more than $30m in creating the holistic, authentic, and scientific approach to Health & Wellness.
By the time the entire facility is completed, Bain said Fadiya, now residing
here in The Bahamas with his family, would have invested more than $50m in making it the resort for people from all around the world to live, work and play as the training hub for high performance athletes.
“We also cater to providing retreats and certification courses for coaches and for athletes, mentorship through our VIP Ambassador program whereby we bring in athletes such as Ella to expose the club, its members and the community to that high performance environment,” he stressed.
“And we also focus on the wellness and longevity aspect of it. Our goal is to promote health and fitness, not just in The Bahamas, but internationally, so Champion Spirit through our sports medicine, our hospital, which we are now about to open, through our high performance facilities and just through our club ourselves, we want to be seen as the leading club
around the world for health and wellness.”
Persons interested in becoming a part of Champion Spirit Country Club can take advantage of their full-time membership, summer membership and non member access by sending in their resume, which will be reviewed before they are invited to participate.
“To the public, dream big,” said Ella in encouraging people to come out and join the club. “Be true to yourself and be proud about it.”
With the two Olympians on site, Bain said their goal is to be able to assist a number of local and international athletes as they gear up for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
“Before heading over to LA for the Olympic Games, at least be able to spend a few days over here training at Champion Spirit Country Club in Nassau,” said the now retired Olympic quarter-miler.
Spirit boxing arena.
THE CLIMBING wall at Champion Spirit.
Indonesia to block Israeli team from competing at gymnastics worlds
By NINIEK KARMINI Associated Press
INDONESIA will block Israeli athletes from competing at the upcoming gymnastics world championships in Jakarta, a government official said on Thursday.
The decision to deny visas to the Israeli athletes comes after their planned participation had sparked intense opposition in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, which has long been a staunch supporter of Palestinians.
Israel is among 86 countries registered to compete at the worlds that start in Jakarta on Oct. 19, with a team highlighted by 2020 Olympic gold medalist and defending world champion Artem Dolgopyat in the men’s floor exercise.
Now its participation is in doubt, even though the Israeli Gymnastics Federation said in July that it had been assured by Indonesian officials that it would be welcome at the worlds. That would have gone against Indonesia’s longstanding policy of refusing to host Israeli sports delegations for major events.
On Thursday, Indonesia’s senior minister of law, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, made it clear the Israeli team will not be allowed into the country, despite Israel and Hamas having agreed to a ceasefire.
“The government will not grant visas to Israeli gymnasts who intend to attend the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta,” Mahendra said.
He added in a video statement that the decision was in line with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s previous directives on various occasions, and most recently in his speech at the UN General Assembly, which strongly condemned Israel for its continued attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Mahendra acknowledged that the Indonesian
Gymnastics Federation had previously submitted a sponsorship letter for six Israeli athletes to obtain visas, but that “the federation has withdrawn the sponsorship letter.” In recent days, Indonesian politicians and moderate Muslim groups had increased calls for the Israeli team to be barred from the worlds. They have been joined by a flood of outraged comments on social media by users objecting to the arrival of athletes from a country they say is committing genocide. Jakarta Gov Pramono Anung said the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the Israel-Hamas war
in Gaza is unbearable and that the Israeli athletes’ arrival would cause deep emotional distress to the majority of Indonesians.
“Their presence would obviously spark public outrage in such a situation,” Anung told reporters on Wednesday.
The MUI, Indonesia’s highest Islamic body, had urged all communities who support Palestinian independence to call for the Israeli team to be excluded.
“By refusing to allow Israeli athletes to compete in the sporting arena, we want to state that all forms of colonialism must be abolished because they
are contrary to humanity and justice,” said Amirsyah Tambunan, the MUI Secretary General.
The Israeli Gymnastic Federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The gymnastics spat is the latest example of how the global backlash against Israel over the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza has spread into the arenas of sports and culture. Israel’s critics say it should be sidelined from international events just like Russia has been since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The cycling team Israel Premier Tech announced
Monday it was changing its name and moving away from its national identity after it was excluded from a race in Italy over concerns about pro-Palestinian protests, and less than a month after the Spanish Vuelta was repeatedly disrupted by protests against the team. In soccer, Israel’s World Cup qualifying match at Italy next week is expected to attract more pro-Palestinian protesters outside the stadium in Udine than ticket-holding spectators inside the arena. Indonesia was stripped of hosting rights for soccer’s Under-20 World Cup in 2023 only two months
before the start of the tournament amid political turmoil regarding Israel’s participation.
Indonesia has drawn a clear line for decades. Since the 1962 Asian Games when Israel and Taiwan were excluded from Jakarta, the country have maintained a consistent refusal to host Israeli delegations.
“That stance was never about pettiness or isolationism, it was a reflection of Indonesia’s conviction that no sporting event should legitimize an apartheid state,” said Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies or CELIOS.
FIFA PRESIDENT INFANTINO CALLS ON PROTESTERS TO KEEP CALM AT ISRAEL’S SOCCER GAMES AMID PEACE TALKS
By ANDREW DAMPF
AP Sports Writer
an appeal for protesters to keep calm ahead of Israel’s upcoming soccer World Cup qualifying matches in Norway and Italy after an
agreement was reached with Hamas to a pause in their devastating two-year war. Pro-Palestinian protesters
approached the gates of the Italy squad’s training centre in Florence last week to demand that next Tuesday’s Italy-Israel match in Udine
isn’t played — part of a national strike that saw millions of activists take to the streets.
Infantino, who is SwissItalian, was asked on the sidelines of a European Football Clubs (EFC) assembly in the Italian capital on Thursday what his message would be ahead of Israel’s games and projected protests.
“Now everyone should be happy about (the peace plan) and everyone should support the process,” Infantino told reporters. “Of course this goes beyond football — but includes football as well.” Israel visits Norway on Saturday before traveling to Italy, where an estimated 10,000 people were planning to protest the match in Udine before the peace talks began.
On Wednesday, though, US President Donald Trump said Israel and Hamas agreed to the “first phase” of his plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners.
UEFA had been considering suspending Israel over the war and Udine Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni had called for the game to be postponed. But with Italy desperately attempting to avoid failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, the four-time champion doesn’t plan to risk not playing.
As of Monday, only 4,000 tickets were sold for the match at the 25,000-seat Stadio Friuli. Italy midfielder Bryan Cristante, who grew up less than an hour’s drive from Udine, also welcomed the peace efforts.
“We’re all pleased. That’s what we wanted,” Cristante said. “Let’s hope the stadium in Udine is full. Because we need our fans. They can give us an extra push.”
The US State Department announced last week that it will increase staffing at certain embassies and consulates to accommodate an expected major jump in visa applications from fans wanting to attend World Cup matches in the United States next year. The move came amid concerns over the Trump administration’s crackdown on migration and temporary visas that offer permission to enter the US.
A friendly match between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city.
The visa issue could take on greater significance as soon as the World Cup draw in Washington on December 5, when fans around the globe will learn where their teams will play.
Ticket sales are underway for the tournament, in which Canada and Mexico will also host matches.
“We have excellent discussions with the US government. There is a White House task force chaired by President Trump and all these topics are discussed there,” said Infantino, who has close relations with Trump.
“With all the relevant secretaries of state there will be no issues with regard to visas, obviously for the participating teams and delegations and so on, and we are working on something as well for fans, hopefully some good news will come out very soon,” Infantino added.
UEFA this week announced that it would reluctantly not oppose the tradition-busting plans for Barcelona to play a league game in Miami and for AC Milan to play in Australia.
FIFA PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino issued
ARTEM DOLGOPYAT, of Israel, celebrates after winning the silver medal during the men’s artistic gymnastics individual floor finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics on Saturday in Paris, France.
Photo: Francisco Seco/AP
PRO PICKS: CHIEFS WILL BEAT THE LIONS IN MARQUEE MATCH-UP THAT STILL COULD BE A SUPER BOWL PREVIEW
By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer
A LIONS-CHIEFS
matchup was considered a potential Super Bowl preview when the schedule came out.
It still could be considering the state of the AFC.
Jared Goff leads a dynamic Lions offense against Patrick Mahomes and the inconsistent Chiefs on Sunday night in Kansas City in one of the biggest games in Week 6.
Detroit (4-1) rebounded from a lopsided loss to Green Bay in Week 1 to win four in a row. The Chiefs (2-3) were on the right track with two straight wins after opening 0-2 but gave up a final-minute score to lose to Jacksonville on Monday night.
Still, Kansas City is only one game behind in the AFC West and two behind the Bills (4-1), Jaguars (4-1) and Colts (4-1). The Chiefs visit Buffalo in Week 9 so they just need to go on a run. The Lions are 12-2 in prime-time games with Goff and coach Dan Campbell but both of those losses came as underdogs.
Despite owning a losing record, the Chiefs are 2 1/2point favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
Pro Picks leans toward the home team.
CHIEFS: 30-27
NEW ENGLAND (3-2) at NEW ORLEANS (1-4)
Line: Patriots minus 3 1/2
Drake Maye and the Patriots made a statement with a comeback win at Buffalo. They’re not letting the Bills cruise to another AFC East title. Now, Mike Vrabel’s team has to avoid a letdown against the rebuilding Saints. Since 2018, teams in the middle of three-game road trip are 29-12 straight up and 28-13
ATS.
BEST BET: PATRIOTS: 26-17
SEATTLE (3-2) at JACKSONVILLE (4-1)
Line: Jaguars minus 1
The Seahawks nearly overcame an injurydepleted defense before a late pick by Sam Darnold led to a loss. Despite the turnover, Darnold is thriving in Seattle’s offense and the defense will benefit from getting at least a few starters back. Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars to an impressive comeback win that may have been easier if not for his own mistakes along the way. An opportunistic defense has helped Jacksonville already match last season’s win total. Since 2018, the Seahawks are 15-8 ATS in the Eastern time zone. The Jaguars are 3-3 straight-up and 4-2 ATS on short rest with Lawrence.
UPSET SPECIAL: SEAHAWKS: 27-23
PHILADELPHIA (4-1) at NEW YORK GIANTS
(1-4)
Line: Eagles minus 7 1/2
The Eagles just lost for only the second time in 22 games but the feeling around Philadelphia surrounding the reigning Super Bowl champions is quite negative because the offense has been stagnant. Five turnovers, including three by Jaxson Dart, cost the Giants in New Orleans. Jalen Hurts is only 6-6 straight up against NFC East opponents on the road but the Eagles are 11-0 against the Giants in prime-time games since 2009, including 8-2 against the spread.
EAGLES: 23-18
DENVER (3-2) at NEW YORK JETS (0-5), in London
Line: Broncos minus 7 1/2
Bo Nix and the Broncos overcame a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit in Philadelphia to hand the Eagles their first loss. They’re going abroad and can’t overlook a woeful Jets
team. Aaron Glenn’s squad sure looks like the same old Jets. Favorites are 37-14-1 straight-up and 33-19 ATS in international games.
BRONCOS: 24-13
LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-2) at BALTIMORE (1-4) Line: Rams minus 7 1/2 The Rams let an injuryriddled 49ers team missing Brock Purdy and several more key starters beat them at home. They’ll have to be ready for another team decimated by injuries. With Lamar Jackson, the Ravens can beat any team. Without him, they’re in trouble.
RAMS: 26-20
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-2) at MIAMI (1-4)
Line: Chargers minus 4 1/2
A depleted offensive line has impacted Justin Herbert and now he won’t have running back Omarion Hampton for four games and Najee Harris is already out for the season. The Chargers are facing the worst run defence in the NFL so Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal could have a big day anyway. Tua Tagovailoa and Miami’s offense have struggled to
get going this season, ranking fifth-lowest in total yards. Still, they’ve scored 24.8 points per game over the last four weeks and only managed one win. The Chargers are 13-6 ATS with Herbert in games played in the Eastern time zone.
CHARGERS: 23-20
CLEVELAND (1-4) at PITTSBURGH (3-1)
Line: Steelers minus 5 Rookie Dillon Gabriel played well in his first career start despite a loss to Minnesota in London. The Browns have a stingy defense that will keep them close in games. Aaron
Carolina’s impressive comeback win. He could surpass that total against Dallas. With Prescott, the Cowboys are 40-13 straight up and 33-18-2 ATS against teams with a losing record.
COWBOYS: 27-20
ARIZONA (2-3) at INDIANAPOLIS (4-1)
Line: Colts minus 6 1/2
The Cardinals have lost three straight on the final play, including an embarrassing loss to Tennessee last week in which they made sloppy mistakes. Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor and rookie tight end Tyler Warren have the Colts off to an excellent start. The Colts are 3-0 ATS as favorites this season.
COLTS: 27-20
TENNESSEE (1-4) at LAS VEGAS (1-4)
Line: Raiders minus 4 1/2 Cam Ward called out his team and then led the Titans to their first win. The Raiders have lost four in a row. Geno Smith needs to stop throwing picks. He should just hand the ball to Ashton Jeanty. The Titans are 0-9 ATS following their last nine wins.
RAIDERS: 26-19
CINCINNATI (2-3) at GREEN BAY (2-1-1)
Line: Packers minus 14 Joe Flacco beat the Packers last month with the Browns. Now, he gets a shot to do it again just five days after joining the Bengals. The Packers followed up a loss to the Browns with a disappointing tie against Dallas. Micah Parsons could have a career day chasing the 40-year-old Flacco.
PACKERS: 31-13
SAN FRANCISCO (4-1) at TAMPA BAY (4-1)
Line: Buccaneers minus 3 Mac Jones led the depleted 49ers to an improbable Thursday night win against the Rams and is 3-0 as a starter. Is he the next Baker Mayfield? His resurgence may have to wait. Once Purdy is ready to go, Jones will resume backup duties in San Francisco. The Buccaneers have won four games with a final-minute score. They’re banged-up, too. The 49ers are 18-19 ATS under coach Kyle Shanahan when they have extended rest. The Bucs are 9-9 ATS as a favourite with Mayfield.
BUCCANEERS: 27-23
BUFFALO (4-1) at ATLANTA (2-2)
Line: Bills minus 4 1/2 Josh Allen and the Bills try to rebound after their first loss of the season. They play in prime time for the fourth time in six games. The Falcons had an extra week to prepare for the Bills following a bye. They’ll have had 15 days in between games by kickoff on Monday night.
BILLS: 24-20
CHICAGO (2-2) at WASHINGTON (3-2) Line: Commanders minus 4 1/2
Rodgers and the Steelers are coming off a bye. The Steelers are 8-0 straight up and 6-2 ATS after a week off in the regular season since 2017. The Browns have lost 21 consecutive regular-season games in Pittsburgh.
STEELERS: 20-17
DALLAS (2-2-1) at CAROLINA (2-3)
Line: Cowboys minus 3 1/2
Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP level, helping the Cowboys stay competitive despite a dismal defense. Rico Dowdle had 206 yards rushing last week in
The Bears’ 10-game losing streak last season began when Jayden Daniels and the Commanders beat them on a Hail Mary pass. Chicago has a better team this time around. Daniels returned after missing two games and led Washington to a convincing win on the road against the Chargers. Daniels is 4-2 in prime-time games. Williams is 0-4.
COMMANDERS: 27-20
Last week: Straight up: 8-6. Against spread: 8-6. Overall: Straight up: 55-22-1. Against spread: 40-38. Prime-time: Straight up: 10-7-1. Against spread: 6-12.
Best Bet: Straight up: 4-1. Against spread: 3-2. Upset Special: Straight up: 4-1. Against spread: 4-1.
DETROIT Lions linebacker Grant Stuard, top, pictured on Sunday, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, bottom, pictured on Monday. Photos: AP
TAKE
LEBRON JAMES WILL MISS OPENING NIGHT OF HIS RECORD 23RD NBA SEASON DUE TO SCIATICA
By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer
LEBRON James will miss opening night of his record 23rd NBA season due to sciatica that will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers announced Thursday. The 40-year-old superstar will be sidelined at least until the end of October with sciatica — pain in the nerves running from the buttocks and down the back of the legs — on his right side.
James has yet to participate in a full practice since the Lakers opened training camp last week, and coach JJ Redick said James was “on his own timeline” Thursday after practice.
An hour later, the Lakers announced an injury timeline that means James is likely to miss at least their first five or six games, and possibly several more.
The Lakers open the regular season at home on October 21 against Golden State. They have eight games in a 13-day span beginning October 24.
James began camp for his unprecedented 23rd NBA season last week with the lower-body nerve injury keeping him off the court. The Lakers held their sixth full practice of camp Thursday without the top scorer in NBA history, who also missed both of their first two preseason games while he worked to get back into competitive condition.
“You’ve got to play the cards you’re dealt,” Redick said. “That’s a shame, but that’s just the reality. ... No one has got any time with LeBron. That’s not just (new center Deandre Ayton), but everybody. (James) hasn’t been on the court with the team, but that’s just the reality.” Redick and the rest of the Lakers expressed excitement last week about the chance to have their first full training camp together with James and Luka
Doncic, who scarcely ever got to practice with his new team after joining Los Angeles in the middle of last season. Instead, the Lakers are installing their offence and building court chemistry during this camp largely without James on the court. They’re also getting limited time so far with Doncic, who is making a deliberate return to full speed after his participation in EuroBasket during a busy summer.
The Lakers return to the court on Sunday at home against Golden State.
Doncic participated in some full practices last week, including scrimmages, but Ayton said Wednesday that he would love to get more practice time with the Lakers’ two biggest stars.
“It’s something I’ve just been waiting on,” Ayton said. “Just got to prepare. JJ and the coaching staff probably have something where they can put stuff together for all of us to really grow chemistry.”
James travelled with the Lakers on their preseason trips to Palm Desert, California, and San Francisco, but he has been performing individual drills and doing his own workouts.
James made news and scared his fans earlier this week when he teased “The Second Decision” on social media — for what turned out to be an advertisement for a cognac brand.
James has repeatedly said he doesn’t know whether he will retire after this season, only saying that the end to the longest career in NBA history will be “sooner than later”.
Redick had said he was hopeful that James and Doncic would participate in at least one preseason game that could be used as a “dress rehearsal” for the regular season, but that won’t happen.
Redick still expects Doncic to play in the preseason at least
have four
LOS Angeles Lakers’ Lebron James on the court before an NBA basketball preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Photo: Godofredo A Vásquez/AP
Kart ace Lenox meets minister
BEFORE he left town on Wednesday, Bahamian race car prodigy Lenox Lockhart enjoyed his experience as well as some fun with family and friends.
The ten-year-old, accompanied by his father Migueal Lockhart and Susan Schauff, the vice president of the Bahamas Motorsports Federation, also met with Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin, who congratulated him on his achievements.
Lockhart, in his last stop before heading to the Lynden Pindling International Airport to return to their home in Florida, got
a chance to ride in a special custom VW Beetle at the Shell Gas Station. However, he had to produce his FIA racing licence in order to get behind the wheel of the red car, which he indicated that he love a lot. The car is owned by Schauff’s son.
Lockhart, coming of his recent success in the FIA, will be back in action at the ROK Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 29-November 2. If he is successful, Schauff said Lockhart will book his ticket to the SKUSA SuperNats in Las Vegas from November 12-16, the biggest race on the calendar for the year.
OFFICIALS ARRIVE TO OVERSEE INAUGURAL LEG OF FEI JUMPING WORLD CHALLENGE
THIS weekend will mark a historic milestone for Bahamas equestrian sport as the equestrian community welcomes a star-studded slate of FEI officials to oversee the inaugural leg of the FEI Jumping World Challenge, the first FEI-recognised event ever held in The Bahamas.
The aim of the FEI World Challenge series is to offer athletes who, under normal circumstances, cannot take part in international competitions due to various factors such as travel costs and distances. The Challenge series gives local riders the opportunity to compete internationally without having to leave their own country. The Challenge takes place at three levels – Categories A, B and C - over
the course of three Competitions, with riders from ten different geographical zones competing over the same jumping courses. This year’s courses are designed by FEI Course Designers Marina Azevedo of Brazil, Cristina Larangeiro of Portugal, and Erica Sportiello of Brazil. At the end of the year results from competitors all over the world are tallied and ranked.
In this first staging of the FEI Jumping World Challenge, local riders will compete in Category C, at fence heights ranging from 1.0m -1.10m. Competitions 1 and 2 will take place at Moonstone Stables in New Providence, on Saturday 11 October and Monday 13 October, while Competition 3 will take place in December. National jumping classes will be held
after the FEI rounds on Saturday. Equestrian Federation President Cathy Ramsingh-Pierre emphasised the importance of the event, stating, “Not only is the event itself significant as the first official FEI competition to take place in The Bahamas, but it is also an important statement of Equestrian Bahamas’ commitment to
achieving our sport development goals. Holding a Jumping Challenge at the Category C Level in 2025 marks the attainment of a key benchmark set in our strategic development plan. We are grateful to all who have helped to make this possible and honoured to be welcoming FEI officials to The Bahamas.”
Overcoming performance anxiety: Techniques for staying calm under pressure
AS we begin a new year, it’s a tradition for many embark on a journey of self-improvement through the ritual of New Year’s resolutions. We enthusiastically declare our intentions to shed those extra pounds, hit the gym religiously, or nally conquer our fitness goals. We herald the arrival of January 1st as if it possesses magical powers to transform us into the best versions of ourselves.
reducing anxiety.
IN SPORTS, the difference between progress and plateau often lies in what you measure. While many athletes are still training based on feel or generic programs, the field of performance science has made it clear: objective data leads to smarter training, better movement, and fewer injuries. Performance testing — once seen as a tool only for elite athletes — is now a cornerstone of modern sports development at all levels.
IN THE world of sports, the pressure to perform at one’s best can be intense.
Whether it’s the final moments of a crucial game, a career-defining match, or even just the daily grind of practice, athletes are constantly battling the mental and emotional strains that come with the territory. Performance anxiety, the fear or apprehension that can accompany high-stakes situations, is a formidable opponent in itself. But, like any challenge in sports, it can be managed and overcome with the right strategies.
Understanding performance anxiety
Athletes today are not just competing harder; they’re competing smarter. And that starts with understanding how the body moves, produces force, and responds to stress. Without that information, it’s like training in the dark.
Hold the breath for four seconds.
Exhale slowly through the mouth for four seconds.
Hold the breath again for four seconds.
Repeat the cycle four to five times.
more single-leg posterior chain work, hamstring-specific loading, and re-testing at 8-week intervals to monitor adaptation. The result isn’t just fewer injuries — it’s a stronger, more confident sprint under maximal effort.
stability tests allow us to spot risk factors before they become problems.
This method not only helps to calm the mind but also keeps the athlete focused on the present moment, preventing intrusive thoughts from disrupting their concentration.
Yet, as we know all too well, the enthusiasm that ignites our resolutions fizzles out as quickly as a rework on New Year’s Eve. Studies have shown that a mere eight percent of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions. It’s a sobering statistic that highlights the futility of relying on annual resolutions to drive lasting change.
THE RESOLUTION
What is performance testing?
Performance anxiety manifests in various forms: a racing heart, sweaty palms, a feeling of dread, or an overwhelming sense of self-doubt. It’s the body’s natural response to perceived pressure, rooted in the fight-or-flight mechanism. While this response can be useful in certain situations, in the context of sports, it can be debilitating, leading to poor performance, mistakes, or even injury.
Breathing exercises: The foundation of calm
My journey through life has taught me that meaningful transformation doesn’t occur because we declare it on January 1st. It happens through daily resolve and unwavering commitment to self-improvement.
Let’s explore this concept together, drawing insights from the world of sports, where daily discipline reigns supreme.
THE ILLUSION OF
Performance testing is the process of assessing an athlete’s physical capabilities in measurable ways. This can include strength, speed, power, balance, joint asymmetry, range of motion, and muscle activation patterns. These aren’t abstract numbers. Each metric ties directly to how an athlete performs — and how likely they are to get injured. For example, an athlete may be able to squat heavy weight, but if their hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio is off, they’re at higher risk for a non-contact ACL injury. Another may run a fast 40-yard dash, but show poor deceleration mechanics on a force plate,
meaning they’re prone to hamstring pulls when cutting or stopping. By identifying these gaps early, we’re able to design training that doesn’t just build capacity — it restores balance, enhances movement efficiency, and prepares the athlete for real-world performance.
One of the most effective tools in combating performance anxiety is controlled breathing. Deep, diaphragmatic breathing helps to regulate the nervous system, lowering the heart rate and promoting a sense of calm.
The allure of New Year’s resolutions lies in the promise of a fresh start, a clean slate to leave behind our old habits and embrace new ones. It’s akin to starting a marathon at the sound of the starting gun, only to realise that true endurance is built not in a sprint but in the daily, consistent strides we take.
Box Breathing is a popular technique that athletes can use before, during, and after competition. To practice box breathing, follow these steps: Inhale deeply through the nose for four seconds.
THE SCIENCE OF CONSISTENCY
Practical applications in training Let’s take a few real examples. A high school sprinter comes in after repeated hamstring strains. Standard treatment might focus on massage and stretching. But after running a NordBord hamstring test, we find a 20% strength imbalance between limbs during eccentric contraction. That data immediately shifts the focus of their program:
‘Whether it’s nutrition, training, or recovery, it’s the daily routines and choices that shape an athlete’s journey. In the same vein, replacing a bad habit with a good one requires a daily commitment. Just as an athlete doesn’t train solely on January 1st, we shouldn’t expect our resolutions to materialise without daily effort.’
In the realm of sports and fitness, champions aren’t forged in the crucible of annual resolutions but in the daily grind of training and discipline. Research in the Journal of Applied Psychology underscores the importance of consistent, small actions in achieving long-term goals. Athletes understand that success isn’t the result of one monumental effort but the cumulative effect of countless small victories.
THE POWER OF DAILY HABITS
Another case: a youth basketball player wants to improve vertical jump. We run a countermovement jump test using a digital force plate. It shows a high rate of force development but low impulse — meaning the athlete produces force quickly but doesn’t sustain it long enough to achieve maximum takeoff. With this knowledge, we adjust their programme to emphasise loaded jump squats, isometric midthigh pulls, and ankle stiffness drills. Over 12 weeks, their vertical improves by 4 inches — not because they jumped more, but because they trained the right way. These examples are the norm, not the exception. Performance data allows us to tailor training to the individual athlete’s mechanics, strengths, and deficits — which is what personalized performance training should be.
Visualisation: Rehearsing success Visualisation, or mental imagery, is another powerful tool for managing performance anxiety. By mentally rehearsing successful outcomes, athletes can build confidence and reduce the uncertainty that often fuels anxiety.
Mental Rehearsal involves vividly imagining the execution of skills, movements, or plays. For instance, a sprinter might visualize each phase of their race, from the starting block to crossing the finish line, focusing on the feeling of power and speed. This mental practice primes the brain and body for the actual event, making the athlete feel more prepared and
Injury prevention through movement intelligence
As a sports medicine professional, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of daily habits on an athlete’s performance. Whether it’s nutrition, training, or recovery, it’s the daily routines and choices that shape an athlete’s journey. In the same vein, replacing a bad habit with a good one requires a daily commitment. Just as an athlete
Another critical benefit of testing is injury prevention. Poor movement patterns often go unnoticed until they lead to pain.
Functional movement screens, jump asymmetry assessments, and core
We’ve seen it with young athletes coming off growth spurts — their neuromuscular coordination lags behind their new limb lengths. Testing helps us correct gait abnormalities, trunk control, and landing mechanics during this vulnerable window.
doesn’t train solely on January 1st, we shouldn’t expect our resolutions to materialise without daily effort.
Mindfulness techniques: Staying present Mindfulness, the practice of staying fully present in the moment, is essential for athletes who want to keep anxiety at bay. Mindfulness teaches athletes to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing them to stay focused on the task at hand rather than getting lost in worries about the outcome.
Rather than reacting to injury, we’re shifting toward proactive, data-informed decision-making — a concept that’s long been
EMBRACING DAILY RESOLVE
Mindful Meditation can be incorporated into an athlete’s routine to
standard in professional sports, but is now accessible to youth and recreational athletes as well.
various cognitive-behavioral techniques designed to strengthen an athlete’s mental resilience.
Positive Self-Talk is one such technique. It involves replacing negative, anxiety-inducing thoughts with positive, empowering statements. Instead of thinking, “I can’t mess this up,” an athlete might say, “I’ve trained for this; I’m ready.” Over time, this shift in internal dialogue can help reduce anxiety and boost confidence.
challenges. It’s about getting knocked down and summoning the strength to rise again, day after day.
The journey is not always glamorous, but it’s in the daily struggle that we and our true resolve.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is
The takeaway Performance testing isn’t about chasing numbers — it’s about using science to understand the athlete better. From there, we build a program that’s not only safer, but more effective. When athletes understand how their body moves, how force is produced and absorbed, and how to optimise those
By meticulously preparing both mentally and physically, athletes can enter competitions with a sense of assurance that reduces the likelihood of anxiety taking hold.
mechanics over time, they’re not just training harder — they’re training with purpose.
The gap between intention and execution is where most injuries occur. Performance testing closes that gap.
So, as the reworks light up the sky, heralding the arrival of a new year, let them serve as a reminder the resolve that burns within you. Embrace the daily journey of selfimprovement, for that, my friends, is the true path to lasting change and the suit of your best self.
This preparation goes beyond physical training; it includes developing a precompetition routine that incorporates the strategies discussed above, ensuring that the athlete is mentally primed for success.
At Empire Sports Medicine, we believe every athlete deserves that level of precision, whether they’re preparing for a scholarship, coming back from injury, or simply striving to be better than they were yesterday.
Conclusion: The calm amidst the storm Performance anxiety is a common challenge in the world of sports, but itdrance. With the right exercises, visualization, mindfulness, and mental conditioning—athletes can learn to stay calm under pressure and perform at their best when it counts
Dr Kent Bazard is a Bahamian Sports Medicine Physician, Sports Performance Coach, Sports Nutrition Specialist, and Founder of Empire Sports Medicine. Our mission is to empower athletes to reachguarding their health and well-being. We understand the unique demands of sports activities, and we are dedicated to helping athletes prevent injuries, overcometion and performance.
As with any aspect offormance anxiety requires practice and persistence. But by building these skills into their routine, athletesety but also harness it as a tool for peak performance, transforming pressure into
KATERINA Coello (riding Gadget du Peley in this picture) is expected to compete at the Category C Level in the inaugural FEI Jumping World Challenge.
