sportnow, Author at sport now

Venturing into the soccer world is a new trend in town. In the world of Ryan Reynolds and JJ Watt, who stepped into the men’s realm, Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, took the road not taken and chose to invest in the women’s side of the beautiful game, becoming part-owners of Angel City FC. But who would have thought that the brainchild behind their $100 million investment in the NWSL side was none other than their current rival, Alex Morgan?

It all dates back to 2019, when Ohanian, underscoring the role of women in sports, expressed his wish to own an NWSL team. Surprisingly came Morgan in his tweets, insisting on extending her support to guide him. Fast forwarding to the present, the Reddit owner didn’t forget the favor of the USWNT star. “It was Alex Morgan who reached out and said I can help,” he said while speaking at the Sportico LA conference and sharing this glimpse via a small clip on Instagram.

“I cannot stress enough it is because of Alex that I got to spend the day with her learning, ask a ton of dumb questions about professional women’s soccer, and get the confidence to say, ‘Yes, this is a huge investible opportunity,’” he said. Of course, investing in a part of the game that wasn’t fancied by tons, especially the haters who criticized women’s soccer, was not helping to buy an NWSL team.

However, it was the ‘energy‘ that somehow motivated Ohanian to show interest in Angel City. Today, the astute entrepreneur proudly says, “Those women’s sports haters are having a tough time these days. They’re down bad.” Even though it shows things look quite well for Ohanian and his club, the question looms as to why they are seeking new ownership.

Is the help from Alex Morgan regarding Angel City ownership working well for Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian?

There’s no doubt that Angel City has come a very long way since its inception. However, the NWSL’s most valuable franchise according to Sportico is apparently looking for new ownership. The board of the club has reportedly even hired Moelis & Company to explore the potential sale of controlling interest in the franchise. This comes after alleged tensions among board members regarding team governance.

Notably, despite having the largest shareholding of the $180m valued club, Alexis Ohanian does not have control over the board. Hence, it remains to be seen exactly what percentage of equity is available for sale. The matters may be complicated even more, considering that there are over 100 investors in Angel City which includes many Hollywood A-listers, athletes, and other small investors.

Hence, the situation appears to be different from initial perceptions. However, there is no doubt that it was remarkable of Alex Morgan to assist Alexis Ohanian in taking his first steps as an investor in the soccer world.

GOLF

Gone Viral for Smoking Habits, Charley Hull Neglected Tiger Woods Over LPGA Legend in a 2022 Confession

Although she was 9th in the Rolex Rankings, Charley Hull apparently got much more public coverage after she was seen singing autographs while smoking a cigarette. This happened at Lancaster during this year’s US Women’s Open, where Hull finished at T19. Hull was recognized and teased as the ‘female John Daly’ for pulling the whole thing so casually. But this is not the only time Hull did something so bold. The English golfer had once ruled out Tiger Woods from her preference list.

In 2022, Charley Hull was featured in an interview with Golf Holidays Direct. During the Quick Question session, Hull was landed with a very crucial pair of golfers to choose from. The interviewer, Conor Pettit, asked, “Tiger Woods or Laura Davis?” And well, Charley Hull did not choose Tiger Woods. Within a few seconds, she chose one of the most eminent female golfers of all time, Laura Davies. She replied, “I’m gonna go Laura I love Laura.”

Laura Davies is one of England’s most revered female golfers with 87 professional wins, including four major titles she earned between 1987 and 1996. Additionally, Davies still holds the title of the most number of wins with 45 titles on the Ladies European Tour. Tiger Woods, on the other hand, is one of the greatest and most popular living legends in the golf industry with 82 professional wins on the Tour including 15 major titles.

However, it was not the statistics and achievement comparisons that made Charley Hull choose Laura Davies over Tiger Woods. She had revealed to The Telegraph her true opinions about Davies. She stated, “She [Laura Davies] is such an exciting golfer. No messing around and throws herself into each shot.”

Moreover, Hull always believed in Laura Davies and wished to become like her. She confessed to pretending to be Davies as a kid. Hull stated, “When I was a kid and I’d go out with the two boys I’d play with, James would want to be Seve [Ballesteros], Daniel would want to be Phil Mickelson and I’d pretend to be Laura Davies.”

But the young Charley Hull might have been extremely thrilled if she knew that, in the future, Davies would have great compliments for her.

Laura Davies thought Charley Hull was the one that the British Games needed

Laura Davies had talked about Charley Hull on more than one occasion. She even complimented the young golfer a decade ago. She said, “The British game needs someone and now I think Charley is the one.” Davies also added, “She’s a daft youngster and she just mucks about but that’s the way she plays her golf.”

Davies also praised an 18-year-old Charley after playing with her in Morocco, where the latter ranked second. She had commented on Hull’s strength, “You don’t get many of the girls to take on these high-risk trouble shots because some of them aren’t strong enough. Charley’s very strong; I’m obviously very strong, and I just thought this girl’s probably going to be very good.” Davies had also commented that Hull played just like her and showed confidence without being cocky. She identified that Hull did not have any weak points.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois: Talks begins for British heavyweight fight

Heavyweight Anthony Joshua has begun talks to fight fellow Briton Daniel Dubois in September.

Joshua, 34, is expected to fight at Wembley Stadium on 21 September and was ringside to watch Dubois beat Filip Hrgovic last Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren confirmed talks were under way.

Dubois, 26, stopped Hrgovic in their IBF ‘interim’ title fight, putting himself in prime position to be called as the next mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk.

Ukrainian Usyk has requested his IBF belt not be stripped so the undisputed title can remain on the line when he fights Tyson Fury in their rematch on 21 December.

If the IBF decides to strip Usyk, Dubois could be elevated to world champion and that could then make a fight with Joshua a title bout.

Joshua is on a four-fight winning streak and is already a two-time unified world champion.

After losing those world titles in successive defeats by Usyk, Joshua has rebuilt himself in fine fashion, producing three stoppages in his four wins.

Dubois too has been on the comeback trail with two victories since failing in his own bid to dethrone Usyk in August 2023.

The Londoner stopped Jarrell Miller and Hrgovic, the latter being a fight Dubois was an underdog in.

GYMNASTICS

Not Simone Biles, Gymnastics Data and Fans Show Shilese Jones Outperforming the GOAT: “Nothing to Prove”

As the dust settles after the Core Hydration Classic and Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships, the gymnastic pomp is set to move to Minneapolis this month. The trials there will choose five from the pool of sixteen gymnasts for the US women’s national gymnastics team, bound for the Paris Olympics. However, after both the classic contests, Simone Biles seems to enter the squad without hassle.

The 7-time Olympic medalist has not only scored big numbers in both Hartford and Fort Worth but also her dominance has roused so much attraction. However, Suni Lee’s rise is not something to be missed. Despite such factors, one of the Reddit posts has recently displayed that Shilese Jones has a higher chance over Simone Biles and others to make it big in the upcoming days.

Such a statement has been backed by the recent hit rates of Shilese Jones who stand tall compared to Simone Biles. The principal logic that has helped to calculate the hit rates is the absence of a “very large deduction” (-1 point in E score) in a single skill. The consistency in the performance has also had its own tale to define the hit rate. In the Reddit post, the duration to calculate the hit rates has been taken from September 2023-June 2024 and in this timeline, Shilese Jones has a hit rate of 92% compared to Simone Biles’ 88.235%. Noteworthy, in this duration, Shilese Jones has had staggering numbers in the world championships and national championships. Noticing that part, one Reddit user has commented, “I understand that rationale for Shi – who has been the closest thing to a lock after Simone for the past 2 years. Shi had nothing to prove or gain.”

GOLF

Tiger Woods Fans Frustrated With ‘Joke List’ as Jack Nicklaus Gets the Final Laugh Over 48YO Icon

One of the most debated topics in the golf world! and still no concrete answer: Who will win the battle of the goats? Tiger Woods or the Golden Bear? ChatGPT has a clear winner and the answer might not impress Woods admirers, as the AI site crowned Nicklaus as the No. 1 ranked golfer of all time.

Golf Digest prompted Chat GPT for a list containing the top 10 greatest golfers of all time. Jack Nicklaus. took the first position, whereas Woods followed the legend at number two. The number of major wins must have played a crucial role in deciding the rankings. The Golden Bear holds the record for the most major wins in the history of golf, with a total of 18 victories. Tiger Woods is again second on the list, with just three wins behind the 84-year-old golfer with 15 wins.

There were many other legendary pros named too, like Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer, who took the 3rd and 5th ranks, respectively. While LIV Golf’s Phil Mickelson was slated to be the 10th greatest golfer.

Circling back to the Woods vs. Nicklaus debate, many in the golf world did not seem to agree with Woods being second to Nicklaus. Woods fans wasted no time in coming to the 82-time PGA Tour winner’s defense and shared why, according to them, Mr. T is the world’s number one golfer, given his career trajectory and the accolades he has garnered over the years.

The golf world shows utter disagreement over ChatGPT’s rankings

After debuting in 1996, Tiger Woods became a beast of a golfer. In the year following his debut, the 48-year-old became the first player to win a major by 10 or more strokes. He did it first at the 1997 Masters and again at the 2000 US Open. As the records go, this fan recalled the peak years of Woods to say, “No. Tiger in his prime takes Jack to the cleaners…” Another golf enthusiast cited seeing both golfers play in their prime to declare, “Joke list: Tiger is the best. And I’m old enough to have seen Nicklaus in his prime.”

A golf fan took a dig at Jack Nicklaus and his over-par aggregate score in the initial 22 major championships he played. They presented the stats, saying, “Does ChatGPT know that in his first 22 majors, Jack was +81 to par and Tiger in his first 22 was -121 to par? For a difference of 202 strokes?? Tiger wouldn’t even know Jacks name if they played in the same era.” Notably, Woods had 126 under par in majors from 1997 to 2013 and the second-best score was by Steve Flesch, trailing 251 strokes behind at 125 over par.

Another Woods fan drew a comparison from basketball and then proposed the argument that major championship counts don’t matter as much when stating which player is the greatest. So though Woods has 3 fewer major wins than Nicklaus, he leads in many other lists. Jack Nicklaus has bagged 73 PGA Tour wins during his time on the PGA Tour circuit, whereas Woods has left the veteran far behind in that regard with a total of 82 PGA Tour wins up until now. The fan said, “If we want to just look at “championships” or “majors” then MJ ain’t number 1 in basketball. Shit Robert horry has 7. Tiger is the goat, win percentage, wins in a season, tiger slam, best scoring avg ever…he is the whole top 5, the list goes on. Jack played against easier competition, on conditions that weren’t as penal as they were during tigers era.”

In 2014, Tom Watson revealed a time when Jack Nicklaus agreed that Woods was indeed the best while they were watching play on the TV. This fan recalled shutting down the ChatGPT GOAT list and said, “Jack said that Tiger is the best ever.”

GYMNASTICS

“I’m Going To Die”: Simone Biles’ Gymnastics Journey From Imperfection to Podium Is Unreal

I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.“ And with that, the seven-time Olympian has punched her tickets to Minneapolis for the 2024 Gymnastics Olympic Trials. Her journey to the Paris Olympics is the most talked-about comeback in the sport, especially after her exit from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to the ‘Twisties’ and mental health struggles. Soon after the Olympics, Simone Biles, along with McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, and Maggie Nichols, testified against former USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

She linked her setbacks at the Tokyo Olympics to her struggle to recover mentally after being abused by Nassar, saying, “As a recent competitor in the Tokyo Games who was a survivor of this horror, I can assure you the impacts of this man’s abuse are not over or ever forgotten.” Now, as she inches closer to her third Olympics, let’s explore how she has transformed these horrifying experiences into the driving force behind her athletic success.

At the post-2024 U.S. National Championship Press Conference, Simone Biles answered blazing questions seated amid her coaches, Laurent and Cécile Landi. A standout moment came when a reporter asked about the biggest change in her training and her mindset for this Olympic cycle.

Simone Biles responded, “Well, first, I do a lot of therapy. Every time I’m in therapy, if I’m like, “Oh, I’m going to die,” she’s like, “Don’t say that, that’s not good to rehearse. It’s not good to say that.” Or whatever negative thoughts I have, she’s like, “This is therapy, it’s an open space, but please don’t say that, you can’t remind yourself that.”

Reflecting on her experience leading up to the 2016 Olympics, Simone mentioned there was an advantage to competing blindly. She didn’t know much, and the expectations were lower. This made the experience less stressful. However, after participating in two Olympics, the stress increased because she now knew exactly what to expect and had higher expectations for herself. Now, with a clear understanding of the qualifications and expectations, she acknowledged the beauty in the ignorance she had before.

She focused on controlling what she could. Reflecting on these words, seeing the incredible growth achieved over the past three years through self-care and therapy is inspiring. Let’s revisit how she bravely opened up about her trauma and how the abuse she endured contributed to her darkest days.

In January 2018, Simone Biles courageously revealed in a Twitter post, “I am not afraid to tell my story anymore. I too am one of the many survivors that was sexually abused by Larry Nassar.“ Following Nassar’s conviction, in 2021, Biles bravely opened up about her mental trauma in the fourth episode of her Facebook Watch docu-series, Simone vs. Herself.

She painfully recounted experiencing thoughts of suicide during this dark period. With tears in her eyes, she shared, “I remember telling my mom and my agent that I slept all the time, and it’s basically because sleeping was basically better than offing myself.” Simone Biles described feeling deeply depressed and isolating herself, not wanting to leave her room or interact with others.

Her mother, Nellie, noted that Simone was initially in denial and would become very upset when attempts were made to discuss the issue. Understanding the need for patience, Nellie gave her daughter space until she felt ready to talk. When Simone eventually opened up, Nellie recalled that she was very emotional, and they shared a moment of tears, understanding, and support.

Over time, Simone Biles developed coping strategies to manage her feelings with the help of therapy. Today, she stands as a powerful advocate for those who have faced similar challenges and continues to dominate the gymnastics mat, breaking barriers as the oldest woman at 27 to win the all-around national title. Despite the criticism and trauma she faced after the Tokyo Olympics, her words following the 2024 U.S. National Championship show the incredible growth she has found in turning her vulnerabilities into strengths.

TENNIS

Serena Williams’ Ex-Coach Minces No Words as She Slams American Broadcaster for Getting Wrong Stats on Fellow Aussie Alex De Minaur

Alex De Minaur‘s latest win at Roland Garros has left Australian fans dancing with joy. His victory at Roland Garros over fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev came in terrible weather and admittedly not de Minaur’s best surface. But a misrepresentation by Tennis Channel after his win was not received well by Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs. She publicly criticized the channel for a significant error in their reporting and requested them to correct it.

de Minaur’s triumph over Daniil Medvedev marked him as the first Australian male player to reach the French Open quarterfinals since 2004. Despite losing the first set, the 25-year-old made an impressive comeback, winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 and marching to the Quarter Finals. However, the Tennis Channel mistakenly omitted the word ‘male’ in their coverage, inaccurately claiming he was the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt to achieve this feat.

This oversight did not sit well with Stubbs, a former Australian tennis star herself, who quickly pointed out the error. Taking to Twitter, Rennae congratulated De Minaur on his victory but also called out the Tennis Channel for their mistake. She highlighted that Samantha Stosur, an Australian female player, had reached the Roland Garros quarterfinals multiple times since 2004.

“HUGE congrats to @alexdeminaur so happy for you mate!!! LFG! BUT @TennisChannel Demon is the first Aussie MALE since Hewitt. If you recall @bambamsam30 did this a whole lot of times after 2004. Like finals, semis, etc. So can we please get those graphics right. Thanks!,” she tweeted.

Samantha Stosur represented Australia at Roland Garros from 2004 to 2019, advancing to and beyond the quarterfinals four times. She reached the semifinals of the tournament in 2009, 2012, and 2016. She was also the runner-up in 2010, which she considers her best performance at the tournament. “Obviously being in the final, even though I didn’t win, was a highlight of my career. It’s fantastic to be in a Grand Slam final,” Samantha shared in an interview once.

This isn’t the first time Rennae Stubbs has addressed such issues. She has consistently called out disparities in men’s and women’s tennis, highlighting instances of discrimination.

Rennae Stubbs has been vocal about alleged disparities

In early 2023, Rennae Stubbs had once before called out Tennis Channel over issues related to commentators. During the simultaneously played Qatar Open and ABN AMRO Open in 2023, Stubbs pointed out double standards in reporting. Taking to her social media, she noted that while the finals of the Women’s Qatar Open had only one commentator, the men’s semifinal at ABN AMRO had two. A similar scenario was observed at the Men’s Argentina Open, which also featured two commentators.

Stubbs also criticized the mispronunciation of women’s players’ names by umpires. She pointed out that Barbora Krejcikova’s name was pronounced incorrectly during the Qatar Open in Doha by the umpire during her match against Veronika Kudermetova.

Rennae Stubbs’ persistent advocacy highlights ongoing issues of gender disparity in tennis coverage. As for the ongoing French Open, it will be interesting to see if Alex De Minaur can continue his momentum and win his first Grand Slam.

BOXING

Reflecting on Ryan Garcia Fight, Gervonta Davis Reveals Secret Weapon He Uses to Beat All His Opponents

Gervonta Davis is one of the greatest boxers in the lightweight division, and some would even say the best. The Baltimore puncher is about to enter the ring against undefeated Frank Martin on June 15 at MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. However, as the fight night creeps closer, Davis reflects on his fight against Ryan Garcia.

The duo squared off against each other at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, following a long drawn rivalry, producing one of the biggest money makers in 2023. Despite Garcia leading the scorecards in the early rounds, Davis expertly dropped Garcia in the second round by dodging his left hook and countering with a straight left. This was followed by a perfectly placed body shot in the seventh that forced Garcia to quit. So, in the wake of the Martin fight, Davis reveals his winning strategy while appearing in an interview with PBC.

Yesterday, Premier Boxing Champions shared a clip of the interview with Davis on X, with the caption reading, “[Gervonta Davis] has such a good ring IQ that he turns his opponents’ biggest weapons into his own winning strategy”. Meanwhile, in the clip, the interviewer probed the Baltimore native about his headlining fight against Garcia.

In response, the 29-year-old highlighted Garcia kept going back to his left hook, so Davis used it against Garcia. ‘Tank’ said, “He just kept on throwing the same punch. Kept on the same punch and he was right there for everything.” However, it’s worth mentioning that Davis had forced Garcia to adhere to a rehydration clause, which left the 25-year-old drained.

Not to mention, the fight happened at a catchweight of 136 pounds! While Garcia was used to fighting at a similar weight, the rehydration clause played a key role in giving Davis the advantage. In contrast, when Garcia took on Devin Haney at a much higher weight, Garcia seemed much more effective and powerful. Nevertheless, Ryan Garcia has accused Davis of playing with him before the fight.

Ryan Garcia highlights boxing mind games

While appearing in a podcast with Patrick Bet David on January 31 this year, the Victorville native reflected on the days leading up to the Gervonta Davis fight. He said, “They played with me”, alleging Davis kept moving the date for the fight. Initially, he wanted to do the fight in October, but then, it was moved to December.

Then, “They can’t do December cuz his birthday he likes to celebrate his birthday”, said Garcia. When a January fight was decided, Garcia claims Davis argued for a tune-up fight first. What’s more, Garcia even roped in Floyd Mayweather, claiming Mayweather pushed Davis to play psychological games. “Floyd was telling them all these things”, Garcia said. “The rehydration clauses… putting all these stipulations on me… You can’t do this, you can’t do that. The ring needs to be this size. It’s Davis-Garcia it’s not… all these things were all by Floyd”, Garcia added.

With a mere 12 days left in the fight against Frank Martin, Gervonta Davis looked back at the Ryan Garcia fight and how he won it. However, as far as Garcia is concerned, he could win against Davis, so a potential fight between them could be on the horizon.

GOLF

‘Charlie Woods in Shambles’: 15YO Prodigy’s Rare PGA Tour Feat Sends Golf World Into Frenzy

Charlie Woods’s dreams of a PGA Tour debut were shattered, but someone else’s is getting accomplished! Fifteen-year-old golfer Miles Russell received a sponsor exemption to play in the Rocket Mortgage Classic. This will mark the young golfer’s PGA Tour debut. Notably, Russell is the youngest player in Korn Ferry Tour history to make a cut, achieving a 5-under 66 in April at the Lecom Suncoast Classic in Longwood, Florida, to qualify on the PGA Tour’s developmental circuit.

Russell will join the likes of Rickie Fowler, who is preparing to defend his Rocket Mortgage Classic title at the Detroit Golf Club, and other prominent golfers. With Russell’s status as the 2023 American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year, all eyes will undoubtedly be on him. It will be intriguing to see how this young talent performs alongside seasoned veterans, but meanwhile, he has garnered a lot of admiration from the golf community.

After the PGA Tour welcomed this 15-year-old prodigy, he expressed his excitement, stating, “Ever since I first started playing golf, my dream has been to compete on the PGA Tour and test my game against the best players.” His desire to play on Jay Monahan’s circuit has come true, and he shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament, saying, “I’m looking forward to making the most of the experience later this month.”

The tournament is scheduled from June 27 to June 30. NUCLRGOLF shared the good news on X, “JUST IN: 15-year-old high schooler Miles Russell is making his PGA TOUR debut at the Rocket Mortgage Classic after receiving a sponsor’s exemption.” Additionally, Russell’s passion for professional golf is further evident as he is also attempting to qualify for the US Open in Durham, NC. He opened the first round with 2 under 68. Let us see some of the things fans have to say about the young prodigy.

“Congratulations” were in order for the young star as people started appreciating him. The golf world also noted how “amazing” it is to achieve this feat at such an early age. Russell is currently ranked at number 1 in the Rolex AJGA rankings. He has played in 8 events on the AJGA circuit so far and has won two: the Junior PLAYERS Championship presented by Rolex and the Boy’s Junior PGA Championship, both in 2023.

Although his journey is just beginning, many also wished him good luck, with comments like “Let’s go! Good luck, Miles!” His best finish so far this year has been T6 at the 2024 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. With such a good score, he will definitely be able to go head-to-head with seasoned pros.

While many appreciated Russell’s accomplishment, some fans had different thoughts, particularly about Charlie Woods, with one commenting, “Charlie Woods in shambles seeing this.” Woods Jr. hoped to make his PGA Tour debut at the Cognizant Classic this year but failed to do so. He was unable to advance from the pre-qualifying event. He carded 16 over 86. Woods Jr. fell short not once but twice. He also aimed for the US Open in April, but unfortunately, he did not succeed.

Additionally, some believe that “it’s go time,” emphasizing that this might be the moment for the young prodigy to begin his journey. Earlier in 2024, Russell was the only amateur to advance to the final Monday Qualifier for the Puerto Rico Open but he unfortunately fell short in a playoff. He carded an incredible 5 under 67, but this time, he will finally be playing on the greens with Tour pros. Things certainly look promising, as he is already securing sponsorships from brands like TaylorMade.

TaylorMade signs Miles Russell to NIL agreement

Following his impressive performance at the Korn Ferry in April, TaylorMade announced an NIL agreement with reigning AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year Miles Russell, adding him to its esteemed roster of junior, collegiate, and professional golfers. As a result, the 15-year-old golfer now exclusively uses a full set of TaylorMade equipment, comprising the Qi10 LS driver, TP5x golf ball, and P·Series irons.

Talking about the deal, the 15-year-old said, “I have had a great relationship with the team at TaylorMade for years now and couldn’t be more excited to continue to work with them in the future. TaylorMade has a history of developing the top junior talent in the world to help reach their goals of becoming PGA TOUR and major championship winners. I am looking forward to working with the team to reach those and other goals I have laid out for my career.”

Renowned for its forgiveness and distance-enhancing features, the Qi10 LS driver could be the ideal choice for Russell, especially when paired with the precision and performance of the P·Series irons. With the attention of the world and the best gear in tow, Miles Russell looks poised to take the gold world by storm in the coming days.

GYMNASTICS

Flying 10,000 Miles, Simone Biles Performance Remains Worth Every Penny For This Gymnastics Couple As They Clap For 2024 Xfinity Championship Victory

In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Simone Biles triumphed at the 2024 Xfinity Championship, cementing her status as a gymnastics legend. On Day 1 of the Xfinity Games, the reigning world champion dominated with a total score of 60.450, securing a significant lead over the second-place gymnast. Her top-notch Olympic preparation is evident in the precise execution of her routines.

Biles’ performance demonstrated unrivaled talent and highlighted why investing in her skills is incredibly rewarding. It’s no wonder then that fans from around the world come to get a glimpse of her. A dedicated gymnastics couple traveled 10,000 miles to witness the brilliance of the championship and support their icon, Simone Biles, amidst an ecstatic crowd.

Recently, Scott Bregman shared a picture of a couple posing during the US National Championships on his X handle. The two women wore matching shirts that read, “We Flew 10500 Miles for Biles”. Bregman introduced them in his caption, “Courtney Wright and Zara Stanes traveled more than 10,000 miles and for nearly two days to watch @Simone_Biles at the U.S. Championships. They made it, slept three hours, and now they’re front and center as she goes for title No. 9.” Starting their journey from Perth on Wednesday afternoon, the couple embarked on a more than 10,000-mile trip.

They first flew to Singapore, which took about five-and-a-half hours, before continuing to Los Angeles, adding another 15 hours of travel time. Unfortunately, their plans were disrupted by weather delays the following morning, extending what was supposed to be a two-and-a-half-hour trip to Ft. Worth into “an eight hour ordeal”. However, this hiccup did little to dampen their spirits. Wright later told Olympics.com that they saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and decided to grab it.

Despite the long journey and minimal sleep, Courtney and Zara were thrilled to be at the championships, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness Simone Biles compete for her ninth title. Wright stated, “The journey really began when Simone came back last year, and I went, ‘This is it. We’ve got I feel like one more opportunity to see her compete in person’”. She further added, “I messaged Zara because she’s always willing to go along with my crazy ideas, and I said, ‘Let’s go to nationals next year.’”

Biles finished the first day of competition with an astounding 3-point lead from first runner-up Skye Bakely. She even bested her own Core Hydration Classics score of 59.500 with a new 60.450 points. This is the highest score put up by any female athlete in the Olympic Cycle. It also broke the 60.00 score mark that was set since the 2021 US Olympic trials. Fulfilling Wright and Stanes’ wishes, she performed a Yurchenko double pike on the vault that gained her the highest score of the night at 15.800.

Simone Biles kept getting better as she secured 14.650 on uneven bars, 14.800 on balance beams, and finally 15.200 on the floor. Biles is just 4 routines away from making history as she gears up for her 9th US Crown title. Her routines were a breathtaking affair, and surely, her fans are more than happy to have witnessed such a long ordeal and witnessed it.

The timeless affection for Simone Biles over the years

Biles’ fans have always shown their admiration for her through sweet gestures. During an NFL Packers game last year, one fan dressed in a frozen cheese costume made a gift for Simone. It was a goat hat wearing a purple shirt with Olympics rings on the arm. The fan said, “You’re the greatest of all time (GOAT). I had to make you something, okay? You are the GOAT. This is for you.” It was a very wholesome interaction as Biles put the hat on her head. Even off-court, the adoration is evident. One creative director from LA Thomas R Wood shared a post of his 5-year-old daughter.

The child had written SMB on an envelope, the first time she had written anything else besides her name. The little girl also called Biles “the best.” Simone was visibly touched by this as she reposted the tweet with the caption, “this is the cutest omg my heart!!!” The little girl really touched Biles’ heartstrings. Biles, in the past, has also lent her support to the queer community. During one of her Asks on Instagram, one fan came out to her saying, “I still haven’t told my dad I’m gay even though everyone else in my family knows.” Biles replied to him with kindness, saying, “Tell him, be free, be yourself. I support you.”

She further added, “For anyone else struggling with telling family or friends, just know I will always welcome you with open arms on my page and platforms.” The man’s trust in Biles just speaks volumes of her exemplary character. Simone Biles also went to surprise an 11-year-old gymnast named Taylor. Taylor described Simone Biles as her inspiration, and just as she was doing a cartwheel, she was beyond overjoyed to see Biles right there holding a sign that read “Perfect 10”. The two embraced sweetly, and Taylor gushed about her role model. Biles fans have always been her biggest source of support and these interactions just prove their love for her. Her performances inspire fans and aspiring gymnasts globally, showcasing the transformative impact athletes like her have on the gymnastics world.