Patrick Skene

Magnificent! Barcelona's Alex Roca Campillo made history as the first person with a Level 5 severe disability to complete a marathon, when he finished the Barcelona Marathon on the weekend in a time of 5 hours and 54 minutes.

The 32 year old has cerebral palsy due to contracting encephalitis when he was six months old which rendered 76% of the left side of his body immobile and he communicates in sign language.

In the Spanish disability grading system the 5th level being over 75% - meaning a very severe disability with the individual unable to perform most daily tasks by themselves.

The doctors were not confident that Alex would survive, but his hard work, determination and perseverance has allowed him to take on life and not be defined by his disability.

After the race he posted on social media: “I HAVE NO WORDS!“

Alex's mantra is “You set your own limits, they are set by us individually.“

A wonderful perspective reset and a reminder to do what you can with what you have.

#Roca
#Inspiration
#MarathonMan

Credit: @AlexRoca91 Thx Jose Bello

No limits! Nothing will stop Kyle Landi, Canada's first down syndrome bodybuilder after he made history by appearing at the Arnold Classic 2023 after a personal invitation from the bodybuilding legend. To get in this shape takes a lot of practice and sacrifice but the rewards are clear to see.

Kyle was born prematurely in Ontario with down syndrome and 13 holes in his heart, with his Doctors not confident of his survival.

Today he is a bodybuilder, aspiring actor and model, has a red belt in karate and works three jobs.

After his performance at the Arnold Classic, 23 year old Kyle posted on Instagram: “Working to be my best!“

Kyle's father Dominie is thrilled with the impact of bodybuilding on his son's life:

“Training has improved Kyle’s self-confidence, vitality, quality of life, and it’s improved his communication skills,“

“Prior to bodybuilding, Kyle walked with a slouch with his head down.“

“Today, he carries himself differently. He is humble but very confident in himself, and his mindset is that of a champion.“

“Today, he walks chest up, shoulders back and with a chin high. This would not be possible without bodybuilding.”

Kyle has received thousands of messages on social media with his father noting his role model status: “Because of Kyle, people in their lives with disabilities are training and want to be like him too and his work ethic inspires them to work harder and be a better version of themselves.”

Much respect to Kyle's coach Cody Amey for shouting the positive affirmations and helping him through the challenges of first competition.

A salute to King Kyle Landi for a stirring reminder to not let anything or anyone hold you back from your dreams.

#NoExcuses
#KingKyle

Credit: @Simson_Wilson

The ripple of kindness! Love this wonderful moment of compassion & awareness from New York Red Bulls players who selflessly give their jackets to their young mascots getting soaked in the rain.

A simple moment of compassionate leadership that will never be forgotten by the young kids.

And a reminder that in a world where you can be anything, be kind.

Credit: New York Red Bulls

Emotionally charged scenes overnight as the Maori All Blacks & Irish teams paid tribute to former Maori All Black Sean Wainui who died tragically in a car accident. Samoan-Kiwi-Irish player Bundee Aki offered an Irish jersey featuring Sean's #11 to his wife Paige and family, who were then given a tribute Haka of grief and respect.

Rugby is more than the activity on the field. It brings disparate communities together across the world that mesh to create a broader family that takes care of its fallen ones, and in this case deliver a cultural tribute, farewell and outpouring of grief and respect that is a beautiful thing.

Me tangi, kāpā ko te mate i te marama!

#RIPSeany
#Aroha
#Respect

Credit: SkyTV

The Scottish Tartan Army took the early lead in fan energy but the Dutch fans have stamped their authority all over Euro 24. The Oranje Army lit up the streets of Hamburg and at every major tournament they set the bar for fun and passion.

Always in party mode and generating positive vibes, they are the best international fans in the world.

The beautiful game strikes again.

#OranjeArmy 🍊
#Geweldig

One of the great rugby rituals is Crusaders coach Scott Robertson breakdancing for his team after a Super Rugby title win. Behind the moves & fun is an extraordinary culture of excellence. After trouncing Auckland in the final last week, Robertson's Crusaders have won the last 6 titles in a row and since their inception have been one of the most successful teams in the world.

In 27 seasons the Canterbury Crusaders have:
- Won 13 Titles
- Made 16 Finals
- Made the playoffs 22 times

Robertson is a former All Black who as a coach is brilliant tactician, strategist and man manager.

His key cultural principles are:

- Leaders set the direction and pace, must trust teammates and play a key role in growing them

- Fanatical discipline - not just on field but in use of data and predictive stats

- The importance of the core purpose including inducting new team members in team history and culture

- The team is its people. His teams have scheduled time to connect as people including bringing families and partners in to build trust and understand the plan/expectations.

- Take risks and learn

And the most important - Celebrate the wins!

Great leaders celebrate wins along the journey and in this case Robertson has created a unique winning ritual that involves the return of his breakdancing alter ego 'Razor Ray'.

His moves are getting creaky but what a great example of the importance of fun and giving back to your players who have sacrificed for you and committed to a system.

South African World Cup winning coach Rassie Erasmus was quoted saying that with rituals like these, Robertson: “would never lose the changeroom.“

The science (and the results) are in - Happy players win games and titles!

Ooh ah Razor Ray!

#TheHappinessAdvantage
#6TimeChamp
#Dynasty

Source: StanSport

It's been eight years since the great All Black Jonah Lomu passed way too early at 40. What a man whose fearsome ball running skills, speed and size revolutionised the game and whose humble personality endeared him to millions.

Gone but not forgotten.

#Legend
#RestInPeace

Credit: Rugby.com.au

Kinda dusty in here! Owen & Ange first met at the Tottenham Fan Forum in September & they met again this week when Owen came to Tottenham training training. The Spurs superfan's shout of pure excitement at seeing Ange said it all and I think many would do exactly the same.

What Ange Postecoglou has done at Tottenham is amazing and he has won the hearts of his fans and players with a beautiful playing style that has them in the race for European honours.

He has become a cult hero with his compassionate leadership, warmth and humanity and embrace of the fans and community

I loved the look on Owen's face when he saw that his picture with Ange was on his desk.

And true to form Ange never forgets anyone in his journey - he was spending his Wednesday morning watching his old Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos play in the Asian Champions League.

A great manager, a great human being and a great Australian Ambassador!

#OwenAndAnge
#TheGaffer
#HeGetsIt

Credit: SpursTV

Be still my beating heart! Simply extraordinary end to the first Ashes test as Usman Khawaja defies England & Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon counter attack to pull off an extraordinary victory by two wickets. Inspired by England bowler Ollie Robinson's sledge that Australia has 'three number 11's', Cummins and Lyon put on a 55 partnership to win the game.

Test cricket remains one of the ultimate tests in professional sport and the 5th day tension morphed the Edgbaston crowd into a Tuesday daytime dance party.

A salute to Player of the Match Usman Khawaja who faced 471 deliveries and batted on every day of the test for his combined 206 runs and skipper Pat Cummins for leading from the front with an innings for the ages. The man has ice in his veins.

And credit to England for playing an aggressive brand of test cricket that has drawn fans back to the game, a refreshing update of the format.

“We’re absolutely devastated that we’ve lost, the lads are up there in pieces,“ said Captain Ben Stokes.

“But if that game’s not attracting people to our sport then I’m not sure what will.”

My favourite moment is the two captains sharing a quiet word after the emotion and tension of the run chase. With Cummins and Stokes at the helm we couldn't ask for two better guardians of the game.

In a world of increasingly short attention spans and instant gratification, long live test cricket!

#OhCaptainMyCaptain
#Uzzy
#CurseBroken
#TestCricket

At some stage we've all been left hanging on a handshake but no one has recovered better than Emoni Narawa in this comical moment where he is brushed by former Wallaby, now commentator Sam Shepherd after the Waikato v Waratahs Super Rugby match.

Shepherd did come round to his mistake and shook his hand a few seconds later but not before a gold medal performance by Narawa, shaking his own hand and then striking a pose and delivering a lingering gaze down the lens in style.

Perfect pause, execution, eye contact and exit - a masterclass in improv and well played Emoni!

#WhatASave
#SelfHandshake
#KingEmoni

Credit: Stan Sport

New US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau is a true man of the people. In the midst of a final day nerve wracking and intense contest with Rory McIlroy, DeChambeau broke out of his focus zone to high five super fan Kyler, and whip out a sharpie to sign his hat.

Kyler's smile said it all.

DeChambeau took the US Open trophy out for the people to touch after his victory at Pinehurst and spent two hours signing autographs after the presentation.

He was one of the least liked golfers a few years ago, perceived as arrogant, engaging in feuds with other players then signing with the LIV rebel tour.

His redemption story is amazing - he is now one of the most popular golfers in the game and a great ambassador for a sport crying out for new personalities.

A salute to Bryson DeChambeau for realising that even in a high pressure situation it's all about the fans and how we treat others, and for providing a reminder that one small gesture can mean so much.

P.S. Rory Mcilroy stopped to talk with Kyler as well earlier. Love the movement amongst golfers to appreciate the crowd around them.

#BrysonAndKyler
#PeoplesChamp
#Class

Credit: US Open

What dreams are made of! Beautiful scenes that go beyond words as Trey Nyoni becomes Liverpool's youngest ever FA Cup player at 16 years, 243 days. His face shows the full range of emotions as his dream of playing for his boyhood club becomes a reality when he steps onto the field against Southampton.

The young midfielder was poached from Leicester's Academy 7 months ago and made such an impact that he was fast tracked to the top when injuries created an opportunity.

I love how the baby faced assassin keeps his cool and contains his nerves, soaking the moment up until his face lights up when he receives a reassuring hug & joyful smile from coach Jurgen Klopp.

Sport is at its best when it serves as a rite of passage and elders nurture the young players until they are ready to join the adults, in this case - Liverpool's fabled first team family.

What a joy to be a fly on the wall when Trey described his debut experience to his school mates, his parents or to his extended family in Zimbabwe, his ancestral homeland.

The happiness in his eyes is the beautiful game at its best.

Go well young man!

#Trey
#Jurgen
#Famba

Credit: Emirates FA Cup

Smooth! Leeds new manager Daniel Farke shows he's still got the magic first touch, earning a standing ovation from fans. The 46 year old German's sublime control provides a wonderful reminder that just because it looks easy, doesn't mean it is easy.

#silky

Credit: Leeds United

Incredible what humans are capable of with trust & the right teacher. Check out gymnastics teacher Bob Reese teach this young, hungry student how to backflip in an hour with incremental tips that increase confidence & accelerate skill acquisition.

He fills his student with self belief, building a flowing movement in small, digestible pieces and the results are stunning.

#TrustTheProcess
#Teacher
#BreakItDown

Credit: @Bob.Reese

Justice for The Natural! A salute to Native American Jim Thorpe, arguably the greatest athlete ever, who has been reinstated as the sole winner of the 1912 Olympic pentathlon and decathlon in Stockholm — nearly 110 years after being stripped of those gold medals for violations of strict amateurism rules of the time.

Nedra Darling of Bright Path Strong, a group created to lobby for Native American historical redress, was thrilled with the outcome after organising a petition.

“Jim Thorpe is a hero across Indian Country, and he is an American hero,“ said Darling.

“He represented this country before it even recognized Native Americans as citizens, and he did so with humility and grace. Even after he was wronged by his coach, the American Athletic Union, and many others, he never gave in to bitterness and led with a spirit of generosity and kindness.“

Thorpe won gold in the Pentathlon & Decathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, his feats etched into sporting folklore as he competed in mismatched track shoes after his running gear was stolen.

On the morning of competition and realising his shoes had been stolen, Thorpe found a mismatched pair in a trash can that were of different sizes, colours and make and were too large, forcing him to wear extra socks.

After his gold winning efforts, Thorpe met Swedish King Gustav V who exclaimed the words that are now engraved on Jim's headstone:

“Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world,“

To which Jim replied, “Thanks, King.“

Sadly, the Olympic Committee stripped him of his medals when they heard he was paid a small amount of money to play semi-pro summer baseball (thus, not an amateur).

In addition to being a dual Olympic Gold medalist he was a Hall of Fame American Football (Gridiron) legend including being the NFL's first President and was also a Major League Baseball star for the New York Giants, playing both sports at the same time as well as winning the 1912 Intercollegiate Ballroom Dancing Championships.

Thorpe was born in 1887 on a Sac & Fox Indian reservation in modern day Oklahoma. He had a tragic upbringing, losing his twin brother and parents at an early age and constantly ran away from his reservation before athletics saved him.

The proud Sac and Fox and Potawatomi man said: “I am no more proud of my career as an athlete than I am of the fact that I am a direct descendant of that noble warrior Chief Black Hawk.”

Thorpe was a pioneer who broke many barriers and achieved international fame as the first Native American beyond the Chief/Warrior stereotype.

Looking back on his career Thorpe recalled: “I never was content unless I was trying my skill...or testing my endurance.“

Jim Thorpe's Fox and Sox name was Wa-Tho-Huk or Bright Path which he certainly achieved for his people.

A nation is not complete unless it is the sum of all its stories and congrats to the IOC for finally returning Jim to his rightful place in American and Olympic history.

#respect
#justice
#BrightPath

Love this attitude from Michael Jordan explaining how much he valued Dennis Rodman's contribution as a teammate and didn't care about his alternative off-court lifestyle if he gave 110% on-court.

In this interview, Jordan was asked if he wanted the enigmatic Rodman back at the Chicago Bulls after the 1997 title.

Jordan replied:

“Sure…his hair doesn’t bother me, his dresses doesn’t bother me…he’s gonna go wacko now and then, but you can’t find another player who works as hard…we’re champions back to back.”

Jordan knew that having the grunt of Rodman, one of the greatest rebounders of all time, on his Bulls team was a cheat code - the Bull's secret sauce.

A grinding, selfless, hyper-competitive hustling defender who wanted to win as much as Jordan did, but wanted none of the glory.

Dennis Rodman had the heart of a champion, took his craft seriously and let his game speak for itself.

And kudos to Michael Jordan for real leadership, an inclusive attitude and acceptance of difference, in a time when those attitudes were less common.

Sport is at its best when very different characters are bound together towards a glorious common destiny.

#Rodman🐐
#Jordan🐐
#BullsDynasty

Credit: NBA/ JordanMuse

A true national living treasure! When iconic Aboriginal sprinter Cathy Freeman won gold in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, it triggered scenes of unity and joy unmatched until the Matildas last year. She won the hearts of the nation with her tough run and what a pleasure to hear her casually take us through her virtuoso performance 24 years later.

It's hard to imagine the pressure she was under at the time but her humility and joy is infectious and even today her run still generates goosebumps.

“And I just feel carried by everyone.“ she says of her final burst to win gold.

Beautiful athlete. Beautiful person.

#TheDeadliest
#Legend

Credit: The Front Bar

30 years ago it was impossible to conceive two elite rugby league teams kneeling arm-in-arm after battle & singing together. Amazing post match scenes at the Pacific Test between Fiji & PNG show the impact of Rugby League's Pacific Revolution on the culture of the game.

It was a game originally built on sometimes vicious tribal feuds & hatreds that is being replaced by a fraternal brother/sisterhood who play hard but have a greater level of off-field respect for each other and the risks they take playing the game.

And with Pasifika/Maori players comprising 46% of the NRL and 55% of the NRLW, it's a cultural change that has an air of permanence.

Rugby league is becoming an Oceanic regional powerhouse that is changing the economic lives of Pacific families and whose sons and daughters playing at elite level are becoming revered role models and agents of positive change.

It is also binding Pacific nations together and in this case it's hard to imagine the Melanesian bonds between PNG & Fiji ever being closer.

Rugby league continues to deliver!

#WeHaveOvercome
#RiseMelanesia
#Veilomani
#PacificAusSports