Arisa Trew, a 14-year-old skateboarding sensation from Australia, has become the sole Australian to be honored at the Laureus Awards, the world’s biggest sports awards gala. She received the award for action sportsperson of the year, becoming the first female skater to land a 720 in competition last year at the tender age of 13. Trew is on track to represent Australia at the Olympics in Paris later this year.
Helen Maroulis, the first American woman to win a wrestling gold medal, has become the first U.S. female wrestler to qualify for three Summer Games. Competing at 57 kilograms, Maroulis dominated former Olympian Jacarra Winchester in a best-of-three series, sweeping the series with a pin and a 6-0 decision. Maroulis, now 32, captured her gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and became the first woman wrestler to win two Olympic medals for the United States when she earned bronze at 57 kg in Tokyo.
Portland Sea Dogs outfielder Matthew Lugo was named the Eastern League Player of the Week, while NFL veteran Matt Ryan announced his retirement. The New York Jets traded quarterback Zach Wilson to the Denver Broncos, and the Washington Commanders released defensive end Shaka Toney. The Brooklyn Nets hired Jordi Fernandez as their new coach, and the World Anti-Doping Agency stood by its decision to clear 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned heart medication.
Breaking, an improvisational dance style born in the Bronx in the 1970s, is set to make its debut at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The event will feature 32 athletes from around the world competing for gold, silver, and bronze medals. Breaking combines elements of gymnastics, martial arts, and other dance forms, with dancers showcasing intricate footwork, twists, spins, and freezes while a DJ spins tracks. Judges evaluate dancers on creativity, personality, technique, variety, performativity, and musicality.
