Sports

Behind the Visor with Nikola Tsolov

Nikola Tsolov’s 2025 campaign has been a historic one as his Feature Race victory in Monte Carlo means he has now won five times in Formula 3 – the most by any driver in the Championship’s history. But the Campos Racing driver has a life outside of the records and recently he sat down to […]

Published

4 weeks ago

June 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

But the Campos Racing driver has a life outside of the records and recently he sat down to talk about what he does to keep himself busy away from the track.

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“I’m very different on track and off track. I find myself to be a relaxed guy, who doesn’t put too much pressure on himself off track and I tend to like to go outside a lot.

“I spend a lot of time with friends, doing a lot of activities. I love music, I love other sports as well, so anything that is activity and music is what I am in too. Of course I do a lot of sim as well, because sometimes I miss racing, so I get in the sim and drive.

“It’s more normal stuff, padel, tennis, ping pong, and then obviously games as well, mainly board games. You get a group of friends, like 15 people to play board games, that’s quite fun in the evenings. To be honest I am pretty much down for everything, I love going to the beach as well.

Tsolov is a big fan of going to the beach and hanging out with friends

“I could play monopoly, but I haven’t played in a while. I don’t know if you know Dixit. It’s like cards, with drawings, it’s long to explain, but it’s a nice game.

“I think it’s good to feel like more of a normal person, to live a normal lifestyle when I go back to Bulgaria, especially with my friends. It’s quite difficult because I get recognised, especially in Bulgaria, so I can’t really just have my peace and do the things normal people would do.

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“But it’s still quite good to take some time off. Go to the beach, play beach volleyball, swim, jet ski. I still get to live a normal life.

“In terms of music, I can listen to anything, depending on the week to be honest. I like to DJ a little bit, I’ve been doing it for three years, not very often, but my best friend is starting to get involved with music as well.

“I love listening to music, it brings me a good mood and energy, and it’s easier to get it, especially on a racing weekend, to get in the right mood.

Tsolov is big fan of DJing and learned from ex F3 driver Alex Peroni

“I like to be on the aux wherever I have to say, considering I listen to everything, I know all the good songs in every genre, so whenever someone asks me for a genre, I normally play a good one.

“I was actually DJ’ing a little bit at my own birthday last year, but I actually had some good DJs, some professionals came and performed, and it was great.

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“It’s something I learned actually from an ex F3 driver, Alex Peroni. He is one of my closest friends, and we used to do it at home a lot. It was quite interesting for us, and we spent some good times doing it. He got me into it, because he had a deck and only recently did I buy one myself.

“All in all, to be honest, I literally like most things, but for me the most enjoyable is when I get with a good group of friends and we just talk. We have dinner or lunch, play bowling, pool, or anything, just getting a group of people is what I enjoy the most.”

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Area athletes advance to National Junior Olympics

By Bob Sutton Special to The Alamance News Several Burlington-area track and field athletes qualified for the National Junior Olympics later this month in Savannah, Georgia. Athletes placing eighth or better in the Region 3 championships last month at Reid Ross Classical School in Fayetteville move on to nationals. – Advertisement – D’Anna Cotton was […]

Published

28 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By Bob Sutton

Special to The Alamance News

Several Burlington-area track and field athletes qualified for the National Junior Olympics later this month in Savannah, Georgia.

Athletes placing eighth or better in the Region 3 championships last month at Reid Ross Classical School in Fayetteville move on to nationals.

– Advertisement –

D’Anna Cotton was first in the girls’ triple jump in the 17-18-year-old division and advanced in two other events.

Cotton’s triple jump was 38 feet, 5½ inches. She was fifth in the long jump at 17-9¾ and captured sixth in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.08 seconds.

Also in the 17-18 division, long jumper Diamond Moore was fourth at 17-10¼ and Ge’Kayla Goins was sixth at 17-8. Goins was fourth in the 400 hurdles in 1:06.02, while Kari Parker was seventh in the high jump at 4-5½.

Kailie Payne (15-16) was the champion in the 100 hurdles in 14.58 and placed third in the 400 hurdles in 1:04.11.

Janay Pegram (15-16) was third in the 200 in 24.34 and in the 400 in 57.21 and fourth in the 100 in 12.07.

Dallas Brooks (13-14) won the 100 hurdles in 16.48 and the long jump at 16-11½ and was the runner-up in the 200 hurdles in 30.02 and the high jump at 4-9.

Also in the 13-14 division for the 200 hurdles, Cyria McKoy was fifth in 32.17 and Kennedy Fuller was eighth at 32.70.

Payton Mcgahee (11-12) was sixth in the long jump at 14-1.

In boys’ divisions, Lacy Flintall III (8-and-under) was first in the long jump at 11-11½. Antonio Trollinger (9-10) was second in the javelin at 65-2, while Josiah McGinnis (11-12) was seventh in the javelin at 72-11.

The National Junior Olympics are set for July 18-30.

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Young Maui volleyball team brings home first national title

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui club volleyball team took home a national title. The Hawaiian Style boys 15 and under team came out on top of 2025 USA Volleyball Open Division National Championship, hosted at the Minneapolis Convention Center. They downed the Diablo volleyball club in two sets to take it all. In the tournament, […]

Published

42 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui club volleyball team took home a national title.

The Hawaiian Style boys 15 and under team came out on top of 2025 USA Volleyball Open Division National Championship, hosted at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

They downed the Diablo volleyball club in two sets to take it all.

In the tournament, the team from Kahului, was dominant going undefeated at 7-0.

And they only dropped a single set in their entire run.

It’s also believed to be the first club team from Maui Island to take home a National title.

The Hawaiian Style 15 and under boys head coach, Kalae Tanaka said, “Every island prides themselves, but to be from an outer island and bring home such a big, tournament trophy, like such a big accomplishment means a lot to the island for sure.”

From the other islands, the Big Island volleyball club won the 18 under American and Oahu team 808 Athletic Club won the 16 under American Division.

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Two Austin Athletes to Represent USA at Deaflympics in Tokyo

Leila Sicoli and CJ Upchurch, two Austin natives and graduates of the Texas School for the Deaf, are headed to Tokyo this November to compete at the Deaflympics as members of the USA Deaf Women’s and Men’s Volleyball National Teams. The pair is chasing gold—while also building up the next generation of Deaf volleyball players. […]

Published

59 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

At the Texas School for the Deaf, both were introduced to a range of sports, but volleyball quickly became their shared passion.

“I have a passion for volleyball it just feels good to me. Playing gives me a special kind of feeling,” said Sicoli.

“It started when I was a kid. I had a lot of concussions, so football wasn’t an option—and my mom was a volleyball coach,” said Upchurch.

Through hard work and dedication, both earned spots on the national teams.

“It’s meant a lot—I’ve always wanted to be part of the team. I’ve met so many deaf people it’s been really, really nice,” Upchurch said.

Last summer, the athletes competed for Team USA at the World Deaf Championships, gaining experience on the global stage.

“Getting to meet the players we had a lot of competitive games. It was bittersweet, but intense,” Sicoli said.

As they prepare to return to international competition, they’re also giving back. Leila and CJ are hosting youth camps in partnership with USA Deaf Volleyball to mentor the next wave of athletes.

“Being a role model for the youth means a lot. I remember idolizing players—now being one of them really hits home,” Sicoli shared.

“My coach was someone I always admired. Seeing how he moved, how he led—I wanted to be like that. That’s what motivates me to give back,” said Upchurch.

Unlike most Olympic-bound athletes, Deaflympics competitors must self-fund their journeys—covering travel, lodging, and training expenses out of pocket.

“Going to Japan and competing for a medal—it means so much. But yeah, we’re paying out of pocket, so we have to give it everything,” said Sicoli.

For Leila and CJ, this trip is about more than competition. It’s a celebration of community, culture, and connection through sport.

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Offaly athletes selected for European U23 Track and Field Championships

TWO Offaly athletes have been selected for the forthcoming European U23 Track and Field Championships. Heather Murphy will race in the 10,000 metres in the championships which take place in Bergen, Norway from July 17 to 20. Murphy is from Offaly side of Portarlington, in the Gracefield area in GAA terms. A member of St […]

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

TWO Offaly athletes have been selected for the forthcoming European U23 Track and Field Championships.

Heather Murphy will race in the 10,000 metres in the championships which take place in Bergen, Norway from July 17 to 20. Murphy is from Offaly side of Portarlington, in the Gracefield area in GAA terms. A member of St Michael’s Athletics Club in Portarlington, she is is the daughter of PJ and Patricia Murphy and is on an athletics scholarship at Montreat College in North Carolina.

Murphy has competed very successfully on the Offaly road racing circuit in recent years, winning the Jack Cox 10k in Kilcormac recently and is a very talented emerging athlete.

Tullamore Harriers’ member Ava O’Connor will compete in both the 3,000 metres steeplechase and the 1,500 metres. From Emo in Laois, O’Connor is a graduate of the phenomenally successful juvenile section in Offaly’s biggest club. On scholarship in Adams State University in Colorado, she has been in sensational form on the colleges circuit in the USA recently and her dual selection is no surprise.

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O’Connor (pictured below) recently won her first national title in the USA when she raced to a very impressive victory in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the NCAA Division 2 Outdoor Track and Field Championships – she also lowered her own Irish U23 3,000 metre steeplechase record recently to 9.45.

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Exciting Digital Transformation Coming to Extra Inning Softball

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Extra Inning Softball is drastically transforming its content delivery, shifting focus to a digital-first approach that resonates with today’s fast-paced audience. Moving away from traditional written articles, the platform will introduce engaging formats such as video interviews and podcasts to better connect with athletes and their families. Upcoming segments like Madness Mondays, Wisdom Wednesdays, and Faith Fridays will emphasize timely discussions, growth-oriented insights, and character-building narratives relevant to the sport. This evolution represents a commitment to both modern engagement and supporting female athletes across the nation.

By the Numbers

Madness Mondays to launch July 14, focusing on current hot topics in softball.
Wisdom Wednesdays launch on July 16, offering practical advice and insights from top figures in the sport.
Faith Fridays to begin July 18, emphasizing the role of belief in character development.

State of Play

Leader Bonnie Holland emphasizes content modernization to fit audience consumption patterns.
Digital offerings will include a revamped YouTube channel featuring athlete interviews and behind-the-scenes content.
Voices From the Field podcast already available for engaging discussions in the softball community.

What’s Next

The digital transformation will roll out additional convenience-focused content over the coming months, ensuring accessibility and engagement for athletes and families. As the shift progresses, expect even more audio and video formats coupled with real-time content that reflects the evolving nature of the sport.

Bottom Line

This shift to a digital-first model not only addresses the reality of athletes’ busy schedules but also enhances the engagement of fans and families through multimedia content that informs, inspires, and connects, ensuring that Extra Inning Softball stays at the forefront of the fastpitch landscape.

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Texas athlete Osawese Agbonkonkon excels in high jump and novel writing

University of Texas athlete Osawese Agbonkonkon pursues high jumping and has published a science fiction novel, using his precision skills in both fields. HOUSTON — In track and field, the high jump is all about speed, timing, and technique — something University of Texas rising junior Osawese Agbonkonkon knows well. “You run the curve properly and […]

Published

3 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

University of Texas athlete Osawese Agbonkonkon pursues high jumping and has published a science fiction novel, using his precision skills in both fields.

HOUSTON — In track and field, the high jump is all about speed, timing, and technique — something University of Texas rising junior Osawese Agbonkonkon knows well.

“You run the curve properly and hit a very stiff takeoff,” Agbonkonkon said. “Finding whatever time I can to write. I love to do it.

The Texas native was always an athlete, participating in swimming, ice skating and soccer. But it wasn’t until a 5th-grade writing prompt piqued his interest and opened the door to a new passion.

“I like the idea of just, you know, opening up a page and starting to create something that’s completely my own,” he said.

He didn’t begin high jumping until his junior year of high school. But once he did, the same focus he brought to writing helped him excel.

“You have to bring a lot of speed into the jump, and then hit the takeoff very stiff,” he said. “The idea is you want to use rotational speed to propel yourself over the bar.”

That precision and attention to detail carried into his creative life as well.

“Just the idea of wanting to have things planned out, wanted to make sure that I know all the steps I need to take,” Agbonkonkon said.

Around 2015, Agbonkonkon began developing the concept for his novel, Psychic Suit, a science fiction story that explores the narrative of power and mental health.

“One of my childhood best friends, who lived in my neighborhood, we’d routinely go out to the trampoline in my backyard and, you know, we’d kind of just act out our own versions of like stories and, and it hit me one day, maybe I could write down some of these,” he recalled.

Not only did Agbonkonkon write Psychic Suit, he published it himself — a major feat for a full-time student and athlete. Putting his story out into the world, he said, wasn’t unlike stepping onto the track.

“It’s kind of like blocking out the outside noise and understanding that if you believe in what you’re doing, that’s good enough,” he said.

Agbonkonkon already has sequels in mind and hopes to expand the Psychic Suit universe and break into film and television.

At the same time, he’s focused on taking his jumping career to the next level.

“Going pro is definitely one of my big goals,” he said.

But if his journey proves anything, it’s that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of choosing just one path.

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