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Injuries are like a cruel twist of fate that almost every athlete faces at some point in their career. Just ask Michelle Wie West. She was at the top of her game when a hand injury struck, just as she was being compared to the legendary Tiger Woods. And the surprising part is that no one knew how it happened until now!

In a recent interview with YouTuber Pablo Sison Torre on his channel, Pablo Torre Finds Out, West revealed the information behind the biggest slump in her life. “I was actually on a visit to Stanford, ended up working with the golf team, and did some workouts that I do with my trainer,” West said. The golfer never would’ve anticipated that juggling college and golfing would cost her this much pain. According to the golfer, the injury happened while she was working out and doing a backward run.

“I remember doing something like a backward run, and I fell on my hand and then broke three bones in my hand when I was 17,” she continued. The sorrow was still on her face from the time that she lost her hand due to the injury. And the unbelievable part is that her trainer wasn’t present with her when the injury took place. West further said, “I should not be working out unsupervised.” And well, it is true. Everyone knows how dangerous it can be for an athlete to work out without the supervision of their trainer or coach, and Michelle Wie West is a living example.

BOXING

Claressa Shields thanks Shaquille O’Neal contribution after becoming four-weight champion

Claressa Shields has achieved another milestone in her illustrious career, becoming a four-weight champion by knocking out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse.

After moving up two weight classes, Shields claimed the WBC heavyweight title, further cementing her status as the Greatest Woman of All Time (GWOAT) in boxing.

She celebrated her victory on social media, thanking her supporters and sponsors, including NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who has been one of her most vocal supporters.

“YEAHHHH GWOAT 15-0, 3KOS Thank you to all my sponsors @SNACsystem, @SHAQ, @area56ent & @ivhydrationandaesthetics,” she wrote on X.

O’Neal, known for his enthusiasm for combat sports, has been a significant backer of Shields, not only promoting her on social media but also sponsoring her through his brand, Shaq.com. His support highlights his belief in Shields‘ prowess and his investment in her career.

The victory was marked by a first-round TKO, with Shields‘ opening combination becoming a viral sensation. Despite being on his Summer of Bass tour in Europe, O’Neal likely celebrated Shields‘ historic achievement, as she joins the elite company of boxers such as Roy Jones Jr., who have won titles in both the middleweight and heavyweight divisions.

Shields‘ latest accomplishment adds to her already impressive legacy in boxing, and her partnership with O’Neal underscores the strong support she has from prominent figures in sports. Her continued success serves as an inspiration, showcasing her skill and determination in breaking new ground within the sport.

GYMNASTICS

What to watch for the Paris Olympics: Simone Biles leads US in gymnastics final Tuesday, July 30

Simone Biles leads the U.S. women into the gymnastics team final as part of an action-packed slate Tuesday at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Here is a guide of what to look out for:

Biles in gymnastics team final despite injury

The 27-year-old Biles is in the lineup to compete in all four events of the team final despite a calf injury. Biles tweaked her left calf while warming up for floor exercise during qualifying on Sunday. She still topped the all-around with the highest scores on floor and vault.

Competition begins at 6:15 p.m. CEST (12:15 p.m. EST) at Bercy Arena. The Americans are favored to win gold after finishing runner-up to Russia in 2021.

Biles’ teammate Jordan Chiles also will compete in all four events. Chiles finished fourth in the all-around during qualifying behind Biles, Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade and 2020 Olympic champion Sunisa Lee.

U.S. women start defense of 3×3 basketball title

The U.S. women begin defense of their 2021 Olympic title in 3×3 basketball when the competition begins Tuesday. Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard of the WNBA join Hailey Van Lith, a college basketball player at Texas Christian University, and former WNBA player Cierra Burdick on the team. They will face Germany at 5:30 p.m. CEST (11 a.m. EST) at La Concorde.

Katie Ledecky back in pool, swimming finals continue

Ledecky is back in the pool to compete in the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle, one of her signature events. The qualifying heats start at 11:44 a.m. CEST (5:44 a.m. EST) at Paris La Defense Arena. Ledecky is the world and Olympic record holder in the event and is a favorite to defend her 2021 title

The women’s 100 backstroke final will take place at 8:56 p.m. CEST (2:56 p.m. EST). That’ll be followed by the men’s 800 free final. Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen qualified in first place in the heats at 7:41.53.

The last swimming final Tuesday is the men’s 4×200 free relay at 10:01 p.m. CEST (4 p.m. EST).

The gold and bronze medal matches for women’s rugby sevens add to the excitement of Tuesday’s slate. The bronze match at Stade de France will start at 7 p.m. CEST (1 p.m. EST), followed by the gold medal match at 7:45 p.m.

New Zealand, the defending champion, will face the U.S. for a spot in the final. New Zealand beat China 55-5 in the quarterfinals, and the U.S. defeated Britain 17-7. Canada beat Tokyo runner-up France 19-14 and will play Australia in the second semifinal match.

BOXING

Delicious Orie exclusive: The ABBA-loving boxing star following in Anthony Joshua’s footsteps

ABBA isn’t the typical choice of pre-fight music for a super heavyweight boxer, but then again, Delicious Orie is anything but ordinary.

Born in Moscow to a Russian mother, he moved to Britain aged seven where his Nigerian father had better work opportunities.

Orie only started boxing aged 18, but his natural size and ability meant that he quickly rose through the ranks. After winning the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 European super heavyweight title, the Wolverhampton-based fighter is now considered a medal favourite for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

But why does the 27-year-old opt for the upbeat disco tunes of four famous Swedes from the 70s?

“My music taste is different and the reason I love ABBA is because my dad is a big fan and he was always listening to them growing up,” Orie told Olympics.com with a smile.

“So as a child, I listened to it in the background in the car or in the house on the speaker and stuff. So when I listen to that music nowadays, it just reminds me of the hardship we had growing up at that moment. Then when I’m about to box, it’s a reminder of why I’m doing it.

“That music is a little bit more sentimental than just, music that just gets you riled up and it gets me in the right frame of mind. My favourite song is, of course, Dancing Queen, because that’s what my dad used to play the most!”

TENNIS

Gold medal-worthy collaboration: Bloomingdale’s teams up with tennis icon Venus Williams

Bloomingdale’s and tennis legend Venus Williams have joined forces to create a gold medal-worthy fashion collaboration that blends athleticism with elegance.

With the Summer Games opening ceremony this week, the new limited-edition AQUA x Venus Williams 36-piece collection is inspired by Venus’s infamous style both on and off the tennis court.

From sleek activewear to chic casual pieces, each item reflects Venus’ iconic style and Bloomingdale’s commitment to high-quality fashion.

Whether you’re hitting the gym or enjoying a day out, this collaboration promises to elevate your wardrobe with a touch of championship flair.

By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave Goodmorningamerica.com. These e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies than Goodmorningamerica.com. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Influencers may receive a commission or have business relationships with a recommended brand. SOME PRICES ARE DYNAMIC AND MAY CHANGE FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Have questions about ordering or a purchase?

TENNIS

Watson admits she can’t understand why Raducanu would skip Olympics

Heather Watson admitted she “can’t relate” to Emma Raducanu’s decision to skip the Olympics as she prepares to set a record by becoming the first female British tennis player to compete in four Olympics.

Raducanu could have featured in Paris as one of the wildcard picks. The 21-year-old refused the offer, stating she was “prioritising my body and my health”. The impact of the switch from the grass season to Roland Garros, which has clay courts, was apparently uppermost in her thoughts. Raducanu also missed the French Open before returning to form at Wimbledon.

Asked if she understood Raducanu’s position, Watson replied: “I can’t really comprehend it, personally, because the Olympics is the greatest sporting event in history. So why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? Anyone in general who chooses not to [participate], I can’t relate.”

Watson added that she had “not read” any detail relating to her compatriot’s decision. The 32-year-old competed for Team GB in the Olympics of 2012, 2016 and 2020, with a return clearly a longtime aspiration.

“It was the biggest goal of mine these last 12 months to make the Olympics,” she said. “I have so much pride to be here. Within tennis, the Olympics isn’t looked at the same by all players but I just can’t understand. Katie Boulter and I were having this conversation in our room, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Boulter, the British No 1, was more circumspect on Raducanu’s stance. “Each to their own,” Boulter said. “We are all unique in terms of where we hold the Olympics. For me, it is the top of the top. I understand her decision completely with her surgeries and the change of surface. She has represented our country many times with great pride and I’m sure she is going to do that many more.”

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BOXING

Gervonta Davis Camp Ready To Send Contract To Shakur Stevenson

Gervonta Davis’ trainer, Calvin Ford, says they’ll send a contract to Shakur Stevenson for a fight. If WBC lightweight champion Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) agrees, they’ll fight next.

The ‘Big Four’ and Shakur’s Worth Ford wants that fight for WBA lightweight champion Tank Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) because he views the New Jersey native Shakur as one of the “Big Four” that he wants for his fighter. Some believe that Shakur will price himself out like he did against Devin Haney and wind up losing the Tank Davis fight because he doesn’t recognize that he’s not a star.

Gervonta "Tank" Davis Is Ready To Execute The Blueprint - Boxing News 24
He’s just a belt-holder with fans who enjoy his retro Mayweather-esque outdated fighting style, which doesn’t fit in this era of boxing. The sport is changed due to the heavy competition from MMA, and now it’s about entertaining the fans, and the old style of hit-and-not-get-hit doesn’t work with fans or the networks. “We going to send you a contract with the money. If they take it, they take it. We just seen what happened just now when Loma didn’t take the fight,” said coach Calvin Ford to Fannon Boxing about Team Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis planning to send a contract to Shakur Stevenson for a fight in November. “Shakur is one of the last of the big 4, to tell you the truth.

It’s unlikely that Shakur will accept the deal from Tank Davis because he believes that his WBC title and the world titles he captured at 126 and 130 count for parity. They don’t, and those are meaningless when negotiating with a PPV attraction like Tank Davis.

Gervonta Davis - Next Fight, Fighter Bio, Stats & News

Shakur will likely reject the deal and be where he is now, left to fight the obscure fighters like he’s been doing. If Stevenson, 27, signs with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, he’ll be stuck fighting 140-pounders, and he won’t last long against them. “People are divided down the middle. They don’t know who is going to win fight. Boxing rarely does this. Will these guys give us this fight?” said Paulie Malignaggi to Probox TV about the Tank Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson clash. Hardcore boxing fans believe Tank Davis will easily beat Shakur. What Malignaggi is talking about is unclear because people on social media believe Shakur stands no chance against Tank Davis. All you need to do is look at the close call Shakur had against Edwin De Los Santos last November to know that he would lose badly to Tank.

Gervonta Davis scores KO in 100th night of title fights at MGM Grand Garden | Boxing | Sports

You can see that Shakur is talking about wanting the fight. He’s been wanting this fight. Shakur is the only one that has been calling all these guys out and the fight never happens. He’s a free agent. He can do it,” said Malignaggi. The truth is, Vasily Lomachenko had been calling out Tank Davis for years but with no luck. It’s not Shakur who wanted the fight against Tank. Loma wanted it but was ignored by Tank’s previous promoters at Mayweather Promotions. “Coming off the last fight [against Artem Harutyunyan], he actually needs it more than Tank,” said Teddy Atlas. Public Perception Shakur definitely needs the Tank Davis fight after turning in his second poor performance against Artem Harutyunyan on July 6th, following his dreadful effort against De Los Santos last November. If Shakur doesn’t get the Tank fight now, his value will continue to plummet. Stevenson was booed loudly by fans in both of those fights, but the unkindest cut was when his fans began streaming out of the Prudential Center beginning in the eighth round of his fight against Harutyunyan.

Shakur needs all the big names because it comes down to what he can do against all of these guys,” said boxing expert Chris Algieri. “He’s so otherworldly good. He makes the fights look so easy. So when you put a guy in that’s not that well known, he doesn’t get the recognition for it.”

Shakur isn’t “otherworldly good.” He’s boring to watch, and he’s failing to gain a following with the boxing public, who hates his non-engaging, play-it-safe style of fighting, which is frustrating to watch. It was embarrassing how lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason upstaged Shakur on his undercard, turning in another sparking performance and getting the most fan applause in Stevenson’s home city in Newark. “I’m going to bring up the Oscar Valdez fight [against Shakur in 2022]. People thought it was going to be a fight. It wasn’t. It was a wash,” said Algieri. Algieri fails to mention that Oscar Valdez was coming off a controversial twelve-round decision win over Robson Conceicao in September 2021 when he fought Shakur in April 2022.

GOLF

Tiger Woods causes a stir watching Charlie play at US Junior Amateur

Charlie Woods had his father watching him through a tough round at the US Junior Amateur earlier this week.

The younger Woods shot a 12-over 82 on Monday in the tournament he played his way into.

Woods won his qualification last month in Coral Springs, Florida, with a one-under 71, earning him a berth in the field of elite juniors from across the globe.

He would go on to miss the cut on the Oakland Hills South Course, dubbed “The Monster” by Ben Hogan.

But Charlie is the only person in the world who has experienced what it’s like to be Tiger Woods’ kid, and he now knows exactly what it’s like to compete under intense scrutiny.

Charlie’s father was among arout 100 onlookers who waited on the first tee to watch his son play, at an event that typically draws a few hundred people for the championship match. At least that many more watched them for hours.

He still qualified,” Tiger said to his son’s caddie after the round.

“That’s what I keep telling him,” caddie Luke Wise said.

Six Oakland Hills members were tasked with crowd management support. Ten extra men were sent to hold ropes to give the players and Tiger some room.

A fan removed Charlie’s tee, embellished with a palm tree, from the ground to preserve it as a keepsake after he made a tee shot on the seventh hole.

“I feel like he’s feeling pressure,” said 35-year-old John Pinch of Warren, Michigan. “If his dad could talk to him, he would probably try to get him to settle down.

“You can tell he’s really down on himself.”

BOXING

WHY Francis Ngannou Said There Was ‘Something Wrong’ Hours Before Anthony Joshua Fight

Francis Ngannou said he told his coach Eric Nicksick that “something’s wrong” just hours before he was due to fight Anthony Joshua in a boxing-rules contest at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, in March.

The fight was Ngannou’s second foray into boxing, after rapidly rising to the very top of the UFC’s heavyweight division as a champion with proven punching power at the highest echelons of MMA. That power appeared like it transferred to the boxing ring as he floored Tyson Fury with a punch in his boxing debut, last year. But, against Joshua, Ngannou suffered a second-round knockout loss to the dominant British boxer.

On The Joe Rogan Experience, Ngannou had more to say about the defeat — specifically what he said went on in the build-up to the bout on the night of the fight.

Ngannou told Joe Rogan that media obligations, an ever-changing schedule, and delays once he was already at the venue and ready to fight, seemingly exhausted him before the opening bell had even been rung.

“We get into fight week, and every time we’re going to do media, they’re going to pick me up and then I get there and have to wait an hour and a half before [any of the media] arrives. On the third day of fight week, [coach] Dewey Cooper started to get very mad, ‘This is what they do to get fighters tired’!”

There was also confusion regarding schedules, Ngannou said.

Anthony Joshua puts Francis Ngannou to sleep for minutes with brutal knockout | Marca

“Fight day, we receive an email. Pickup time: 10:30 from the hotel. And when they say 10:30, by 10:20 there’s a car at your door waiting. The supposed fight time is between midnight to 1:00. We get to the arena at 10:45. A producer comes into the locker room, says, ‘Oh, guy, we are running late on the broadcast. Now we’re gonna go around 1:45.’ I’m like okay, 1:45. It’s 10:45. Three hours.”

There was also confusion regarding schedules, Ngannou said.

“Fight day, we receive an email. Pickup time: 10:30 from the hotel. And when they say 10:30, by 10:20 there’s a car at your door waiting. The supposed fight time is between midnight to 1:00. We get to the arena at 10:45. A producer comes into the locker room, says, ‘Oh, guy, we are running late on the broadcast. Now we’re gonna go around 1:45.’ I’m like okay, 1:45. It’s 10:45. Three hours.”

“I got to the point that I was so tired, I was in the locker room hitting mitts, then sitting down, falling asleep. Then I tell [coach] Eric Nicksick there’s something wrong. I’m asleep. I feel like I wanna sleep. Like, I’m sweating. But we just keep going.”

Ngannou doesn’t blame Joshua specificially but instead appears to point the finger at event organizers.

Though it is unclear if there is a large appetite to see Ngannou fight for a third time in boxing, after Joshua beat him so resoundingly earlier this year, he said to Rogan in a separate part of the podcast that he will return to MMA — specifically PFL MMA — for a fist-fight with 6-foot-8 brute Renan Ferreira. The fight, he said, would take place in October.

BOXING

Claressa shields puts Baumgardner ,serrano,and Taylor on notice challenging them to a showdown to determine the ultimate GWOAT’

Claressa Shields may be competing for heavyweight hardware this weekend when she takes on Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, but it’s clear that some of the top female fighters in the sport have caught her attention as she offered words for everyone during today’s final press conference. Here’s some of what she had to say when taking to the podium.

“Vanessa did not train hard enough for this fight,” Sheilds said. “I saw here hitting the pads yesterday, she was like trying to impress me. I was not impressed. Then she was sparring against girls that I done smoked already…you could’ve got some better sparring than that. I sparred against bears for this camp.

“I don’t get it but I’m happy that she’s here and, you know what, I hope she’s hitting like a heavyweight because she’s going to need to. She going to need to hit like a heavyweight come Saturday night because if she not punching like a heavyweight she going to sleep.

“I’m going to be the heavyweight world champion come July 27 and ain’t nobody going to stand in my way. Nobody…I’ll be a four-division, 15-time world champion come Saturday night and I can’t wait to see what Vanessa gonna do.

“I didn’t come here to be nice, everybody talking about ‘who’s the GWOAT.’ Who’s undefeated?! Who got the most belts?! Who make the million dollars the last couple times she fought without a promoter giving her a handout?! That’s who the GWOAT is. Who fights the best?! Who don’t struggle in fights no matter what style?! Exactly. So all that comparison about who the GWOAT is, I can go to any weight class and win. That’s who the GWOAT is.

“I’ll be winning Saturday night and any of those girls who want to be the GWOAT, all you got to do is make a fight with me: Alycia Baumgardner, Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor. All you got to do is make a fight with me and then I can show you you’re not the GWOAT for many reasons.”