In a significant step toward supporting women athletes in their personal and professional journeys, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced a new rule to protect the rankings of players who take time off for fertility-related treatments. This includes procedures like egg or embryo freezing, which are increasingly being considered by female athletes seeking to balance the demands of sport and family planning.

Under the new policy, players ranked within the top 750 in either singles or doubles will be eligible to preserve a special entry ranking if they are absent from competition for at least 10 consecutive weeks due to a `fertility protection procedure`. While this protected ranking can be used to gain entry into up to three tournaments, it notably excludes the premier-level WTA 1000 events. The special ranking will be calculated based on the player’s 12-week average WTA ranking, taken from eight weeks before their time away from the sport.

The move has been applauded by several current and former players, including 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who shared her personal experience with fertility preservation. Stephens revealed that she has twice opted to freeze her eggs during the tennis off-season and welcomed the WTA’s progressive stance on the issue. “For any woman, the conversation of family life versus a career is nuanced and complex,” said Stephens. “I’m incredibly proud of our sport in recognising the importance of fertility treatments for female athletes. The WTA has now created a safe space for players to explore options and to make the best decisions for themselves.”

The WTA, in its official statement, said the new `Fertility Protection Special Entry Ranking Rule` is designed to complement existing maternity and family-focused benefits. The initiative marks another stride toward creating a more supportive ecosystem for female players navigating the intersection of career and personal life.

Portia Archer, CEO of the WTA, emphasized the association’s ongoing commitment to empowering players. “We understand that professional athletes can face a dilemma between focusing on their career and starting a family, and we are committed to supporting WTA players as they navigate and balance the choices associated with career and family,” she said.

In March the WTA and Saudi Arabia`s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced the introduction of a maternity fund programme, giving players paid maternity leave for up to 12 months and access to grants for fertility treatments. The PIF is a global partner of the WTA Tour.

(With AFP inputs)

On June 1, 2025, endurance athletes from RadStrong Coaching, mostly Pune-based, demonstrated their grit by successfully completing the IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship and IRONMAN Brazil. Led by coach Dr. Kaustubh Radkar, a total of 16 athletes conquered these gruelling races, pushing themselves through a 226 km challenge: a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycling, and a full 42.2 km marathon in vastly different conditions.

While IRONMAN Hamburg tested competitors with its strict 15-hour 30-minute cutoff, IRONMAN Brazil offered its own challenge through a demanding bike course with an elevation of 940 meters.

At IRONMAN Hamburg, 12 athletes represented RadStrong Coaching among 44 Indian participants, showcasing incredible perseverance and teamwork. The group initially came together to support Amit Thete, a former Indian Army Major attempting his first full distance IRONMAN. Their collective preparation translated into impressive results, with Amit Thete completing his maiden IRONMAN in 14 hours, 8 minutes.

“As an ex-Army Major and sports enthusiast, completing my first full Ironman was a very special experience,” Thete told Pune Pulse. “It was a journey where intense training, diet, and mind control were the pillars, but it was the camaraderie with experienced buddies that truly made the dream come true. The race itself exceeded my expectations with its vibrant atmosphere, keeping all of us going strong until the end.”

IMG-20250324-WA0012

Mihir Barve emerged as the third-fastest Indian finisher, completing the race in 11 hours, 41 minutes.

“The beauty of endurance sports is that you compete against yourself; the urge to keep improving motivates me to get faster with every race,” Barve shared with Pune Pulse. “This simple life lesson is the North star that guides my journey.”

The group’s senior-most participant, Ashish Sandu (55-59 age group), finished in 14 hours, 39 minutes. Dr. Kaustubh Radkar himself crossed the finish line in 13 hours, 44 minutes, securing his 41st IRONMAN finish. The rest of the contingent crossed the finish line within the cutoff time.

Success in South America

Meanwhile, over in Florianópolis, Brazil, four RadStrong athletes from Pune conquered South America’s signature IRONMAN race. Dashrath Jadhav, at 68 years old, was the senior-most athlete among the Indian participants, bringing experience and determination to the challenging course. He finished in 14 hours, 56 minutes, and 18 seconds, securing the title of fastest Indian at IRONMAN Brazil. Venkatesh Kashelikar (16:17:34) and Jadhav now share a rare distinction—having completed an IRONMAN on all six continents, joining a select global club of endurance athletes.

“My triathlon journey, which began with Olympic distances in 2016 and evolved into IRONMAN races, culminated on June 1st, 2025, with the incredible achievement of completing an Ironman on every continent,” Venkatesh Kashelikar told Pune Pulse. “This unique feat, years in the making, has been a testament to consistent training and the unwavering support of my loved ones.”

Nikhilesh Pant (14:56:19) and Hemant Parmar (16:20:36) rounded out Pune’s representation with strong finishes.

This collective success, a source of immense pride for Pune, is a testament to the athletes’ physical grit and serves as a powerful inspiration for aspiring individuals to dream big and push beyond their perceived limits.

“Witnessing the finish line smiles of 15 of my athletes at IRONMAN Hamburg and Brazil fills me with immense pride,” added Radkar while speaking to Pune Pulse. “Their journey involved rigorous training through the harsh Indian summer conditions and navigating their busy professional and personal schedules. My role is to work with each athlete to get the best out of their potential, and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing them on the course, brilliantly executing the race strategy, and benefiting from the powerful company that encourages each other for a stronger finish.”

RadStrong Athletes at IRONMAN Hamburg 2025

Aalok Thakurdesai, Amit Thete, Ashish Sandu, Chinmay Diwan, Kaustubh Radkar, Mihir Barve, Nikhil Dixit, Preyas Annachhatre, Sameer Inamdar, Tanmay Nahar, Vikrant Ghotge and Vinay Wekhande

RadStrong Athletes at IRONMAN Brazil 2025

Dashrath Jadhav, Hemant Parmar, Nikhilesh Pant, Venkatesh Kashelikar

A Memorable Misstep on the Mound

In the realm of sports, where precision and performance are paramount, even the most seasoned athletes can find themselves out of their element. Such was the case for former NFL standout Taylor Lewan, whose attempt at a ceremonial first pitch during a Major League Baseball game quickly spiraled into an unforgettable spectacle. While Lewan’s prowess on the football field is undisputed, his moment on the pitcher’s mound offered a stark reminder of the challenges that come with crossing into unfamiliar territory.

From Gridiron to Diamond

Taylor Lewan, known for his formidable presence and skill as an offensive tackle, has long been a figure of admiration in the NFL. His transition from the gridiron to the baseball diamond, however, proved to be less than seamless. As he stepped up to deliver the ceremonial pitch, anticipation hung in the air. Yet, what followed was not the seamless execution fans might expect from a professional athlete, but rather a pitch that veered wildly off course, drawing gasps and laughter from the crowd.

The Anatomy of a Viral Moment

In today’s digital age, moments like these are ripe for viral fame. Lewan’s pitch, which missed its mark by a wide margin, was quickly captured, shared, and dissected across social media platforms. The incident not only entertained but also served as a reminder of the unpredictability inherent in live sports events. “I thought it would be easy,” Lewan later admitted with a chuckle, capturing the lighthearted spirit with which he approached the mishap.

A Humbling Experience

For Lewan, the experience was a humbling one. Despite the initial embarrassment, he embraced the moment with good humor, acknowledging the difficulty of a skill that many might underestimate. His candidness about the experience resonated with fans, who appreciated his ability to laugh at himself and move on. This incident underscores the universal truth that even the most gifted athletes are human, capable of missteps and learning from them.

Reflections and Future Endeavors

As the dust settles on this viral moment, Taylor Lewan’s journey continues. This experience, while humbling, adds another layer to his multifaceted career. It serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability that define great athletes. As Lewan reflects on this unexpected chapter, he remains a figure of intrigue and inspiration, reminding us all that the path to success is often paved with unexpected detours.

In the end, Taylor Lewan’s first pitch may not have been a strike, but it certainly hit home in the hearts of those who witnessed it. The incident, while humorous, highlights the broader narrative of sportsmanship and the ability to find joy in the journey, regardless of the outcome.

Get IPL 2025 match schedules, squads, points table, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.

The attorney who negotiated the $2.8 billion legal settlement for the NCAA said Friday that thousands of former athletes due to receive damages could have to wait months or maybe more than a year to get paid while appeals play out.

Rakesh Kilaru, who served as the NCAA’s lead counsel for the House settlement that was approved last week, told The Associated Press an appeal on Title IX grounds filed this week will hold up payments due to around 390,000 athletes who signed on to the class-action settlement.

He said he has seen appeals take up to 18 months in the California-based federal court where this case is playing out, though that isn’t necessarily what he expects.

“I will say that we, and I’m sure the plaintiffs, are going to push,” Kilaru said.

A schedule filed this week calls for briefs related to the appeal to be filed by Oct. 3. Kilaru doesn’t expect anyone on the defendant or plaintiff side to file for extensions in the case “because every day the appeal goes on is a day damages don’t go to the student-athletes.”

He said while the appeal is ongoing, the NCAA will pay the money into a fund that will be ready to go when needed.

The other critical parts of the settlement — the part that allows each school to share up to $20.5 million in revenue with current players and set up an enforcement arm to regulate it — are in effect regardless of appeals.

“I think everyone thought it was important and good for this new structure to start working because it does have a lot of benefits for students,” Kilaru said. “But it’s very common for damages to be delayed in this way for the simple reason that you don’t want to make payments to people that you can’t recover” if the appeal is successful.

A group of eight female athletes filed the appeal. Their attorney, Ashlyn Hare, said they supported settlement of the case “but not an inaccurate one that violates federal law.”

“The calculation of past damages is based on an error that ignores Title IX and deprives female athletes of $1.1 billion,” Hare said.

Kilaru agreed with plaintiff attorneys who have argued that Title IX violations are outside the scope of the lawsuit.

Other objections to the settlement came from athletes who said they were damaged by roster limits set by the terms. One attorney representing a group of those objectors, Steven Molo, said they were reviewing Wilken’s decision and exploring options.

AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports