Rafa's stretch Rafa Nadal, after a marathon of about 6 hours, wins his 21 Slam by beating Medveded in the final at the Australian Open 2020.  Be the first to do it, momentarily detaching Roger and Nole.  The feat is incredible, a few months ago the Majorcan champion was struggling with an operation on his foot and the possibility of retiring. For the umpteenth time talent, physical and mental strength prevail, leading the 35-year-old to win a Grand Slam title in comeback that has the scent of enterprise.  The question arises spontaneously, as every time one of the big-three imposes itself: is he the GOAT of tennis?  One thing is certain, it is a phenomenon!

Lunar javelin Apollo 14 took off on a nine-day mission to the moon on January 31st, 1971. This was the eighth mission of the Apollo program and the last of the H-missions in the program after Apollo 13'S failed mission on the Fra Mauro formation. The previous mission was to survey and collect samples from the Imbrium Basin, set up and activate Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP), and identify potential exploration sites. Apollo 14 made several changes that would enable them to collect more lunar material and scientific data. The team would use a modular equipment transporter (MET) - a two-wheel cart that could carry and transport different tools and samples collected from the moon's surface. The First Lunar Olympics Shepard and Mitchell (Apollo14 team) carried out extravehicular activities in 9hours during their stay on the lunar surface. Besides their mission, the two astronauts tried out new things on the moon. It was during this time that Shepard played golf on

Amazing feeling on field: Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke The couple of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke during their time together at Manchester was absolute magic. Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, the pair gave Manchester United what many would argue is its most iconic season, 1998-1999. They gave football highs to both Manchester United fans and to neutral football lovers. The mutual symbiosis with which they played is now stuff of legend in football. The duo of Cole and Yorke has been called the ‘Calypso Boys’ and ‘Soul Brothers’ because of the similarities in their origins and also because of the bond which they shared on and off the pitch. Both of them were born in 1971 with about 18 days between them, Cole on October 15 and Yorke on November 3. Yorke was born in Canaan, on the island of Tobago, while Cole was born in Nottingham to parents who had emigrated from Jamaica.   The meeting of these two players was not something that was carefully planned or thought about by  Ferguson. It

Over the Supreme Court Popularly known by citizens as “The Highest Court in the Land,” the U.S Supreme Court has another court that is higher than the court itself- a basketball court. The little-known full basketball court is on the fifth floor of the United States Supreme Court Building. Initially, the court was an empty storage room- then converted into an in-house gym for courthouse employees. The installation of Basketball teams and wooden backboards completed its conversion into a full basketball court. However, no one can play while the court is in session to avoid any noise distractions. There is also a clear sign at the court’s entrance instructing players not to play during court hours. I am sure no one would want to get a booking for disrupting court functions. Although not all employees are basketball lovers, many of them utilize the services provided in the gym instead. Some of the current justices regularly spotted lift weights during the day, as well. Unfortunately, the

Who is the G.O.A.T in Formula 1? Lewis Hamilton set a new record at the 2020 Formula 1 season after breaking some of Michael Schumacher’s long-standing records. The Briton has won every F1 championship since 2013, and he might be on the path to greatness. But the big question is ; who is the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) between MICHAEL SCHUMACHER and LEWIS HAMILTON? Lewis Hamilton vs. Michael Schumacher: head to head stats Both drivers are skill full and have dominated the F1 tracks during their respective periods. So, picking Hamilton over Schumacher and vice versa would be mendacious. However, to try and determine who the most dominant driver was, consider the margin each driver achieved in various poles and compare their teammate performance. That way, you can decide if it is their driving capability or the car they are driving that is most dominant. Can you compare Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher? Inevitably, it is hard to decide between the two who the best driver is. Bot

Martin Palermo 3 Penalties Miss In One Game It is hard to avoid Argentinian striker- Martin Palermo’s when looking into the history of Copa America. Palermo was a vicious and talented striker who played his game in Spain and Argentina, scoring 249 goals in 592 games throughout his career. Yet, the striker is not famous for his achievements but infamous for the unwanted history during the Copa America tournament. Our dig in football history dates us back to 1999’s Copa America match - Argentina vs. Colombia. Some may say it is the pressure that comes with representing one's country. But how does a player miss not one or two but three penalties in one match?  It was in the 55th minute when Palermo would find his first opportunity in the match. Instead, the striker hit the crossbar. The forward got another redemption opportunity in the match when the ball was handheld in the box. This time Palermo sent his hit even further over the goal. Things could not become worse for him. Argentin

The story behind Lewandowski's five goals in nine minutes Polish forward Robert Lewandowski set a new record in his football career on September 22, 2015, in a match against Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena. The striker came in as a substitute and helped Bayern seal a 5-1 win. Here is what transpired in one of the best moments of Lewandowski's career. Match Insight Robert Lewandowski came in the match at half-time after Guardiola's side had struggled to find a breakthrough during the first half of the game. His arrival turned the game into the best comebacks ever witnessed in the German league. Lewandowski became the first substitute in football history to score five goals in a Bundesliga match. The Poland striker scored his first goal a minute after his entry into the match. He lashed the ball into the bottom corner, leaving the goalkeeper stranded. He went on to net in a stunning four-minute hat-trick- the fastest in Bundesliga history after hitting the post in a counter-at

Focus on winning: Kerri Strug ‘It’s up to her… she is the last to go… she’s the only one who can do it.’ Kerri Strug, an American born protégé, started training in gymnastics from the age of 3. Having worked with multiple coaches, she soon got the first taste of featuring in the Olympics at Barcelona in 1992. At just 14 years of age, she was the youngest Olympian to qualify on team USA. At the Olympic preliminaries, Strug fell during the floor practice schedule, yet despite the fact that she had persuaded herself that she had demolished her odds of qualifying, the Arizona-born gymnastic specialist was named the fourth member from the six-man group. Even though the youngster ended up scoring a bronze for the team, she missed out on a place in the all-around as her performance was overshadowed by Kim Zmeskal, who took the last spot. Kerri had lost all expectations at this point. Having worked her whole life and at the end being unable to earn a spot in the team deflated her morale. Howev

Norway is the only team that is undefeated against the Brazil. Brazil national team is the GOAT when we talk about the world cup, and there is no doubt about it. However, there is a country that has never lost a match against Brazil. Norway's national team is undefeated in the four games it has played against Brazil- two wins and two draws. Norway exit the 1994 U.S World Cup during the group stages of the tournament. They won against Mexico, drew against the Republic of Ireland, and lost against Italy. In France 1998, Norway surprised everyone after exiting in the first round of the knock-out stage. The team lost their first match against Italy, drew against Morocco and Scotland, and won against Brazil. Here is a complete head-to-head record between Norway vs. Brazil: Norway  1-1  Brazil (1988, friendly) Norway  4-2  Brazil (1997, friendly) Brazil  1-2  Norway (1998, World Cup; Brazil made it to the finals of the tournament) Norway  1-1  Brazil (2006, friendly) Norway also has a go

Around the world that you’ve never had 1. Wife Carrying In this sport, male competitors race through an obstacle course while lifting their female partners. Winners get cash prizes, traditional beer, and an entry into the World Championship in Finland.  2. Speak Takraw The sport originated from Southeast Asia and is similar to what we call volleyball. In this game, players pass around the ball (made of dried palm leaves) using anything but their arms. 3. Shin Kicking In this game, two opponents kick each other on the shin until one falls to the ground. The battle sport Championship is held annually on Dover’s Hill, north of the English town Chippen Campden .  4. Cheese Rolling In this sport, competitors’ race after a large cheese wheel rolled down a steep hill. The winner takes home the cheese. Annual cheese rolling championships take place at Cooper’s Hill in   Gloucestershire, U.K. 5. Extreme Ironing Participants or “ironists” travel to a remote location to iron their clothes. Some o

The Only Footballers to scored Goals in Every Minute of the Game Many goals in a football match are scored in the late stages of two halves of 45 minutes each. It is only in rare cases that a player scores a goal in the first few seconds of the match. Any footballer or fan can attest to this theory. There are only two football players worldwide who have scored goals in every minute of the game-Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Cristiano Ronaldo The Manchester Utd. and Portugal star set the record back in 2014 in the Copa Del Rey clash against Atletico Madrid after scoring two goals – both from the penalty spot. Real Madrid won 5-0 on aggregate. CR7 scored in the seventh and 16th-minute of the match... with the two goals giving him the 90-minute record. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Meanwhile, Zlatan set the record in 2014 after scoring two goals for Sweden in a match against Estonia. He became the second player in football history to score in all 90 minutes of the game. The Swede forward

Impossible to beat them: USA '92 Olympic Basketball Team The USA’s 1992 Olympic Basketball squad remains one of the supergroups that we think about, and the term star-studded comes to mind. They were like a force of nature, a phenomenon, and this was not just when they played but also in their collective profiles off the court. Then they were called the Dream Team, now in addition to that, they are still regarded as the most incredible basketball squad ever put together, of all time, of any country or group. In 1988, the Soviets won the Olympic Basketball title and in the process dethroned the United States. The US team made up of amateurs had to settle for bronze in Seoul even though they had terrific players back home. It was their worst finish since Basketball was included in the Olympic programme. This loss at the Olympics was what the US guys needed to fire themselves up to challenge the rule which prevented professional NBA players from playing on the Olympic team. After the

First player in history to score an own goal in a world cup final. Croatia striker, Mario Mandzukic, made history in the 2018 world Cup final against France in an unexpected fashion. The forward became the first footballer to score an own goal in a World Cup final after he deflected Antoine Griezmann's free-kick past his goalkeeper. 2018 world cup, hosted in Russia, was a record-breaking event in terms of own goal scored. Mandzukic's deflection took the number of own goals to 12. That figure doubles the previous record of six own goals set 20 years ago at the 1998 World Cup in France. The striker had sustained a knock before making his comeback in Croatia's win over England to secure his place in Zlatko Dalic's starting eleven for the final. Mario Mandzukic scored the decisive goal against Gareth Southgate's side in the last four knockouts, finding the net in extra time to cruise Croatia in their first-ever World Cup final. The winning goal against The Three Lions w

The barefoot runner: Abebe Bikila 7th of August 1932, an African child opened his eyes for the first time in Shewa in the poorest of villages of Ethiopia. Growing up as an adolescent child looking deep into the darkness of the blackest skies, this kid contemplated over his place in this world. A staff in the grips of his hand, he would stand on the highest of dunes of the magnificent desert, pondering if he could ever outrun this vast expanse of nothingness. Belonging to a poverty-stricken family, he was deprived of a basic formal education, adding to this, he was also robbed of his right to any homeschooling due to his illiterate parents. Soon he followed in the footsteps of his father and became a Shepard. Rearing and tending to the sheep became his life’s work. He would run barefooted with his staff guarding the flocks. Little did he know that being able to bear the scorching heat and the twigs under his bare feet would one day help him conquer the Olympic world. In his teenage year

Who is the GOAT? There is a debate ongoing over who is the GOAT (greatest of all time) in the NBA. Fans who watched Michael Jordan's prime days will argue he is the greatest player to step the court. But, the younger generation of NBA fans will pick LeBron James over Jordan. To avoid complicating issues here is a more detailed observation of where the GOAT discussion stands... Regular season stats: LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan  Jordan wins in terms of points scored in field goals, but James rules the rebound and assists department. Both players have great defensive attributes; however, Jordan has the highest number of steals in his NBA career. We are yet to see if LeBron will claim a season steal title despite his promising stats on the court. Jordan vs. LeBron: Playoff stats Both players have shown better efficiency during their regular season. They share the same stats in terms of shooting percentage from 3-point range matches. Although Jordan has the highest Player Efficiency

The spectacular start of the Belgian grand prix August 30, 1998, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps circuit. This track is known as perhaps the most beautiful and exciting of all circuits, boasting a by now historical tradition. In addition to the "most beautiful curve in the world", the Eau Rouge, perhaps someone remembers the spectacular but equally disastrous start of 1998. It is still the race with the biggest accidents at the start. The riders in the lead, including Hakkinen and Schumacher, avoided the disaster, but in the rear what happened was truly incredible: it rains and the weather is not favorable, Coulthard loses control ending up against the wall, the disaster begins. From the television images the show is unique, among the new waters you can see mechanical parts, tires and debris flying. The chain reaction involves Irvine, Salo, Trulli, Herbert, Diniz, Panis, Barrichello, Wurz, Takagi, Rosset and Nakano and more. 13 drivers will be involved, 4 will not be ab

The game with the most spectators in the history of football When it comes to spectator records, we think of prestigious stadiums such as the "Giuseppe Meazza" (80,000 seats), "Wembley" (90,000 seats), or the "Camp Nou" (about 100,000 seats) and finally the "Santiago Bernabeu" (81,000 seats). The game, however, that signs the record of spectators was played in South America: July 16 1950, Rio de Janeiro, "Maracanã" stadium. With 199,854 spectators, it is still the all-time record. Perhaps you also know that that match went down in history as the "Maracanãzo", where Uruguay defeated Brazil at home 2-1 at the World Cup, seeing the death of several spectators from heart attacks or suicides, causing a real national tragedy, not only sporty. 

Broke a 2000-year record Michael Phelps holds the record for individual titles: 12 gold medals. This record was broken after 2000 years, beating Leonidas of Rhodes. This ancient Greek athlete won 3 consecutive races at every Olympiad since 164 BC. to 152 BC, totaling 12 successes. The three disciplines in which he excelled were: the "stadion", a 200m sprint, the "diaulos", similar to the 400m long "stadion" and the "hoplitodromos", the armor race.

Playing under threat: Mwepu Ilunga Perhaps, one of the most iconic moments happened in the 1974 World Cup. Named as “A Bizarre Moment Of African Ignorance” by pundit John Motson, Mwepu Ilunga’s name was scratched into the set of experiences books, for every one of some unacceptable reasons. Even more offensive talks were being made around the world, though that might be something not pardonable. The football world was hard to be considered racist, yet it was scarcely reprimanded as it would be today. This was around this time that Brian Clough alluded to African sides as ’a heap of lance chuckers who actually eat one another.’ The incident happened when Brazil set themselves in position to take a Free kick with star men Rivelino and Jairzinho over the ball, and the defender, Mwepu Ilunga, set himself loose from the Zaire wall and shoots the ball the farthest he could, getting a Yellow Card for this strange act of his. Ilunga was not foolish; neither was it true that he did not know the

Seven Golds & Seven WR: Mark Spitz There is a special kind of shark that is regarded as one of the greatest of all time. No, no, I do not mean something like a great white whale or a bull shark. I am referring to Mark the pool shark, who won nine Olympic golds and set 33 world records during his career as a swimmer. Mark Spitz was undoubtedly considered the greatest American swimmer in history before the awesomeness of Michael Phelps rang through many years later. At the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, Spitz set a standard for all swimmers who followed down the years, and it wasn’t an easy one to reach. This takes nothing away from any Olympic swimmers, who must have been quite extraordinary to even be Olympians in the first place. Mark Spitz was a bit of a star from his early swimming days. He broke the US age 9-10 record, and by the age of 14, he was already training alongside Olympic champions in 1964. Please don’t ask me what I was doing at that age. Moving on, three years later, in