Continuing their reign as India’s volleyball powerhouse, Tamil Nadu clinched gold in both men’s and women’s categories at the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025 held in Diu. While the state’s dominance in volleyball is long-established, it was the inspiring story of two young men from Palavakkam fishing community that captured the nation’s attention.

Feat Without Formal Coaching

Robin Ravi (23) and Bharat Somu (22), silver medallists at KIBG and bronze winners at the CAVA Continental Cup finals in Bangladesh (2023), have emerged from the sandy shores of their coastal village with nothing but determination, self-taught skills, and the dream of representing India on the Olympic stage.

“We live on the beach. It’s our life. Walking, working, and playing on the sand is second nature to us,” Robin and Bharat said in unison.

Their journey began amid the nets and boats of Palavakkam, inspired by local seniors playing volleyball on makeshift courts. Robin started playing at age 10, Bharat at 15 — both without formal coaching. They learned through keen observation and relentless practice on a community ground that has now become a training cradle for beach volleyball aspirants.

Their story is symbolic of a larger movement brewing in Tamil Nadu’s coastal villages. According to A J Martin Sudhakar, veteran volleyball coach and administrator, and competition manager at KIBG 2025, the fishing communities possess a natural edge for beach volleyball thanks to their familiarity with the terrain and physical resilience shaped by seaside life.

“They have been practising on a ground within their own hamlet in Palavakkam. Their dream is to represent India at the Olympics,” said Sudhakar, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu State Volleyball Association.

Sudhakar, a 12-year executive member of the Asian Volleyball Confederation’s Beach Council, sees immense potential in the sport’s future in India. “Beach volleyball is one of the best spectator sports. It can be developed quickly. It’s time we support it fully,” he said, urging coastal states to follow Tamil Nadu’s lead.

Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s infrastructure advantage, he added, “We have courts even in schools. Districts like Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai have consistently produced top-tier players.”

Bronx, N.Y. – The Fordham University water polo program has experienced unparalleled success over the past five years and part of that success can be linked to Nicholas “Kola” Romano, GABELLI ’89, a Fordham trustee fellow and water polo alum, and his wife Kim Castellano-Romano, FCLC ’90, who have been generous supporters of the program. Fordham Athletics will honor the Romanos on Friday, October 17, by presenting them the Victory Bell Award at the Hall of Fame Ceremony in the McShane Campus Center as part of Homecoming Weekend.
 
The Victory Bell Award honors individuals who have brought distinction and honor to Fordham University Athletics through achievements not related to competition, coaching and/or administration. The honoree, selected by the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame Committee, embodies a sense of leadership and passion for Fordham Athletics and serves as an inspiration to the Fordham Athletics Family.
 
The Romanos have previously been honored by the university with induction into the Archbishop Hughes Society, an organization that honors those who have given generously over their lifetimes to the University.

NativeWaves has launched NativeWaves EXP into the Polsat Box Go streaming service from Polsat Plus Group, a leading provider of digital entertainment and telecommunications services in Poland.

NativeWaves EXP is designed to enhance the viewer experience by providing synchronised, multi-view, and interactive features. This technology has been launched into Polsat Box Go, offering sports fans an unparalleled viewing experience since the end of last year. To date, dozens of matches have been broadcast live with additional features to all Sport package subscribers without additional cost.

“We are glad to bring NativeWaves EXP to our own Polsat Sport channels on Polsat Box Go mobile apps, providing our users with an immersive and interactive way to enjoy their favorite sports,” said Grzegorz Janczura, internet projects department director at Polsat Plus Group, responsible for Polsat Box Go. “This launch aligns with our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver superior entertainment experiences.”

Christof Haslauer, CEO of NativeWaves, said: “We are excited to partner with Polsat Plus Group to bring NativeWaves EXP to sports content offered by Polsat Box Go. Our technology is designed to revolutionise how viewers engage with live sports, and we believe this integration will set a new standard for sports entertainment.”

Key features of NativeWaves EXP include the ability for viewers to choose from multiple camera angles, allowing them to choose their preferred perspective for various sports events. In addition, live statistics, player tracking, and data overlays are all integrated into the viewing experience, delivering instant access to key metrics without leaving the Polsat Box Go app, while instant replays from any camera angle, give viewers complete control over how they experience key match moments.

These features are powered by the coordination of NativeWaves technology and the operational expertise of DTS,which is responsible for managing the multicamera operations that make the multi-view experience possible.

“It’s exciting to help bring this next generation viewing experience to life. Our role in handling multicamera operations ensures that fans enjoy dynamic, high-quality streams with precision and reliability,” said Krzysztof Lubiński, CEO of DTS.

Sports fans will be able to access these new features through the updated Polsat Box Go mobile apps, available on both iOS and Android platforms. The introduction of NativeWaves EXP on website browsers and Connected TV platforms is scheduled for a later date.

The former World No. 1 was an emotional wreck during her post-match presser.

PublishedMay 27, 2025 9:11 AM EDT•UpdatedMay 27, 2025 9:11 AM EDT

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Naomi Osaka fell in the first round of the French Open, and given that she’s built the reputation of being perhaps the most emotional elite athlete of all time, she cried very real tears during her post-match interview.

The former No. 1 player in the world won the first set in her opening round match against Paula Badosa on Monday, but dropped the next two sets while being treated for blisters later in the contest. Osaka committed five double faults and a whopping 54 unforced errors during the loss.

While visibly frustrated throughout the match, the 27-year-old let out her emotions while speaking with the media after the loss. Osaka has exhaustively complained about having to speak with reporters during tournaments in the past and withdrew from the 2021 French Open while refusing to speak with the press at Roland-Garros.

“As time goes on I feel like I should be doing better,” Osaka said after her loss to Badosa, with tears filling her eyes. “I hate disappointing people.”

Naomi Osaka Gets Triggered By Random Troll Calling Her A ‘Fluke,’ Calls Them Out On Social Media

Osaka’s emotions took on another level when she referenced her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, who previously worked with Serena Williams.

“He goes from working with, like, the greatest player ever to, like, ‘What the fu-k is this?’ You know what I mean?” Osaka said. “Sorry for cursing. I hope I don’t get fined.”

Seconds later, she began crying while sitting back in her chair before leaving the press center altogether.

Osaka feeling overwhelmed and frustrated after a first-round exit is entirely understandable, but the intense crying with her track record with the media is a very tired look at this point. A 27-year-old, four-time Grand Slam winner who happens to be among the highest-paid female athletes on the planet, crying at the podium on a routine basis doesn’t exactly result in her receiving the benefit of the doubt.

Naomi Osaka Couldn’t Talk To Tennis Media, But Can Do The Cover of Vogue

Osaka became a mother in August 2023, and returning to the highest level of tennis after birthing a child is something very few people in history have taken on. With that being said, constantly playing the victim character is tiresome. 

Someone has to take the lead in being the most stereotypical, emotional Gen Z athlete out there, and Osaka has long held that crown.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy men’s and women’s track & field teams will send 14 student-athletes to compete in the NCAA East Region First Round, held Wednesday through Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla. North Florida will play host to the meet at the Jax Track at Hodges Stadium. The men’s events will begin Wednesday at 10 a.m. and continue Friday at 1 p.m., while the women’s competition is set for Thursday at 10 a.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
Streaming Info
All four days of the competition will be broadcast on ESPN+. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
 
Live Results
Free live results can be found HERE.
 
East Region First Round and NCAA Championship Qualifying Criteria
Individuals ranked among the top 48 in their respective events, along with the top 24 relay teams qualified to compete in the NCAA East Region First Round.
 
Results from the NCAA East and West Region First Round will determine qualifiers for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The top 12 individuals and the top 12 relay teams from each regional site will advance. The national meet is scheduled for June 11–13 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
 
Mids in the Regionals
Pete deJonge, Jacques Guillaume and Nathan Kent will make their third-consecutive appearance at the NCAA East Region First Round. deJonge returns as a member of the 4x400m relay team, which placed 14th (3:04.59) in last year’s championship. Guillaume will compete in the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay after finishing 16th in the hurdles last year with a time of 50.79. Kent, Navy’s only returner from last season’s NCAA Championship, will race in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. He qualified for the 2024 NCAA Championship with a time of 45.69 in the 400m.
 
Murphy Smith is set to compete in his second-straight regional qualifier in the 10,000m. He placed 29th last year with a time of 30:10.21.
 
Ten Midshipmen will make their first appearance at the NCAA East Region First Round – Simon Alexander (4x400m relay), Malachi Cummings (javelin), Olivia Lutkevich (3,000m steeplechase), Conor McFadden (4x400m relay), Layne Rivera (javelin), Brian Schloeder (pole vault), Zoie Tesi (high jump), Sheldon Ulmer (high jump), Cooper Wakley (4x400m relay) and David Walker (4x400m relay).
 
Schedule of Events for Navy
Time – Event (Name / Region Ranking / Time/Mark)

Wednesday, May 28 (Men)

2:30 p.m. – Javelin First Round (Malachi Cummings / #33 / 64.84m / 212′ 9″)

5:30 p.m. – Pole Vault (Brian Schloeder / #37 / 5.21m / 17′ 1″)

7:25 p.m. – 400m First Round (Nathan Kent / #43 / 46.19)

8:20 p.m. – 400m Hurdles First Round (Jacques Guillaume / #29 / 50.76)

9:10 p.m. – 10,000m (Murphy Smith / #21 / 28:23.81)

 

Thursday, May 29 (Women)

2:30 p.m. – Javelin (Layne Rivera / #46 / 46.11m / 151′ 3″)

Friday, May 30 (Men)

2:30 p.m. – High Jump (Sheldon Ulmer / #41 / 2.11m / 6′ 11″)

 

6:50 p.m. – 400m Quarterfinal (Nathan Kent – Based on Wednesday qualifying)

 

7:25 p.m. – 400m Hurdles Quarterfinals (Jacques Guillaume – Based on Wednesday qualifying)

8:45 p.m. – 4x400m Relay (Nathan Kent, Jacques Guillaume, Pete deJonge, David Walker / #34 / 3:05.43 / alternates – Simon Alexander, Cooper Wakley, Conor McFadden)

 

Saturday, May 31 (Women)

2:30 p.m. – High Jump (Zoie Tesi / #48 / 1.74m / 5′ 8.5″)

5:40 p.m. – 3,000m Steeplechase (Olivia Lutkevich / #46 / 10:18.95)

 

They want another shot. Three MetroWest boys volleyball teams qualified for state semifinals last season between Natick and Milford in Division 1 and Wayland, who played for the state championship, in Division 2.