A new sports documentary titled Zlatá cesta (The Path to Gold), directed by Petr Větrovský, opened in Czech cinemas on Thursday, offering fans an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the Czech national hockey team’s surprise gold medal victory at the 2024 IIHF World Championships.

The film traces the team’s journey from a shaky pre-tournament buildup to its dramatic win on home ice in Prague. Despite low expectations from fans and commentators, head coach Radim Rulík’s squad defied the odds to capture gold—Czechia’s first world title since 2010, and the first won at home since 1985.

“The things that didn’t come together for the golden generation in 2004, or again in 2015, somehow clicked for this underestimated group,” a voiceover in the film notes.

Structured around exclusive interviews and raw footage, Zlatá cesta features insights from key figures including Rulík, veteran captain Roman Červenka, and top goalie Lukáš Dostál. The film shows the emotional and physical toll of the tournament, highlighting not just athletic performance, but also the behind-the-scenes strain—jetlag, injuries, public pressure, and internal doubts.

Rulík’s unconventional strategy of testing a wide roster of players in the run-up to the championship, despite repeated pre-tournament losses, is framed as a methodical process aimed at clarity and fairness. “I wanted to be sure why each player deserved their spot,” he reflects in the film.

Yet the coach also admits he underestimated the emotional toll. “I thought I’d announce the lineup and that would be it. I wasn’t ready for the backlash,” he says, referencing the media scrutiny he faced.

Červenka adds a voice of calm in the storm, emphasizing the team’s need to shut out external noise and focus internally. Together, he and Rulík guide viewers through what Větrovský presents as both a sports triumph and a cultural moment. “Hockey in this country is something unique. For a brief moment, it unites the nation,” the director said in a statement.

The documentary also covers the physical limits pushed by players, including NHL stars like David Pastrňák, who arrived to the tournament visibly fatigued days after playing in the NHL playoffs. Rulík notes how even minor time differences affect “already exhausted bodies.”

Větrovský, known for documentaries on athletes Jan Koller and Gabriela Soukalová, once again blends action with emotion in the 101-minute film. Zlatá cesta is now screening in Czech cinemas courtesy distributor Bontonfilm ahead of this year’s IIHF World Championship, which begins May 9 in Sweden and Denmark. An English-subtitled version is not currently available.

The UFC is back in action with a fun main event that features Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates in the welterweight division. Our MMA team covers all 14 matchups on the slate with The Beatdown.

Kamaru Usman scored one of his greatest wins in a bitter rematch against the ever-game Jorge Masvidal.

Unfortunately, Kamaru Usman‘s career is heading in a downward trajectory, as ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is currently riding a three-fight losing streak, with his last loss coming to Khamzat Chimaev in 2023.

Prior to that, Usman suffered back-to-back losses to Leon Edwards, one of which being the infamous headkick knockout, which was Usman’s first KO loss ever.

Having not fought since 2023, fans have been left wondering what is next for the former welterweight champion, with him seemingly eyeing up a fight against Sean Brady next.

The 37-year-old will be hopeful that he can have a career resurgence and put on another performance like he did against Jorge Masvidal on April 24, 2021.

Kamaru Usman folded Jorge Masvidal with crushing knockout blow

Usman and ‘Gamebred’ first met in July 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their meeting at UFC 251 was the first to take place on Fight Island.

UFC 251 turned out to be the ninth-highest earning PPV event in UFC history, ranking above Conor McGregor vs Jose Aldo, despite the main event fight being relatively dull due to Masvidal stepping in on short notice.

As Masvidal stepped in on just over a week’s notice, the UFC afforded him a rematch just under a year later, this time in front of a packed arena at UFC 261.

Both fighters started out the rematch relatively hesitant as they both attempted to avoid each other’s big shots. Midway through the round, though, Usman landed a big takedown and controlled most of the rest of the round on the ground, landing some big shots.

A minute into round two, Usman landed one of the biggest right hands ever seen, landing flush on the chin of the challenger, resulting in one of the craziest knockouts of all time.

Jorge Masvidal is looking for a UFC comeback

Following back-to-back losses to Usman, Masvidal went on to lose two more fights in a row, subsequently leaving the UFC on a four-fight losing streak.

Since then, the 40-year-old has teased a potential comeback to the promotion, stating that he would like to make his return.

Following UFC London last month, Masvidal highlighted a fight against Leon Edwards as a perfect comeback fight, as they have a rivalry dating back to 2019 when Masvidal punched Edwards backstage at UFC London.

The Lindbergh High School girls soccer team notched a statement win on April 14, shutting out Union 2-0 behind a dominant performance from sophomore standout Kasey Patten. Patten netted both goals—one in each half—leading the Flyers to victory. She now has three goals on the season for Lindbergh. 

The Flyers’ defense also shone against Union, with Mackenzie Bieg and Josie Watz combining efforts in goal to secure the clean sheet. It was the third win of the season for Lindbergh, who had previously defeated Seckman and Jackson on March 25 and April 7, respectively.

With the win against Union, Lindbergh improved to 3-5-1 on the year. As of April 24, Lindbergh sits at 4-8-1.

Despite a losing record, the Flyers have been competitive in a challenging early-season schedule, suffering narrow losses to strong programs like Cor Jesu, losing 1-2, and Rockwood Summit, losing 0-1. Though the opposition has been stiff, Lindbergh head coach Jake Pittroff emphasized the importance of testing his squad against elite competition.

“We’ve been competitive and played in some really tough games. I think we are starting to put things together and play better.” Pittroff said. “I’m a big believer that a team has to be built by playing the best. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best.”

With the postseason looming, Pittroff hopes the rigorous schedule will pay dividends.

“I think the tough schedule helps us,” Pittroff said. “We are getting better technically and tactically. I also think our decision-making has improved, especially defensively.”

The team is led by captain Lauren Smith, who will continue her soccer career at Spring Hill College, a Division II school. Senior Kate Warren also provides leadership and experience, while Danni Cotter, who has tallied four points this season, is set to play at UMSL. Patten, as well as Gabby Moran, who has six points on the season, have emerged as key offensive catalysts.

With a daunting Class 4 district on the horizon, Pittroff remains realistic about the challenges ahead.

“It’s just a powerhouse,” Pittroff said. “It’s one tough district.”

As the Flyers continue to build both their tactical foundation and mental grit, Pittroff is optimistic about where this journey could lead.

“It’s a journey of learning,” he said. “The girls are building aptitude and mind skills, which are life skills they will need to be successful.”

The Flyers faced Notre Dame on April 16, winning 1-0. They next played Webster Groves on April 18, St. Joseph’s on April 21 and Layayette on April 22, losing the three games 0-3, 1-4 and 0-5, respectively.

Lindbergh will face Ursuline Academy on April 25 at 5:30 p.m.

Tai Tuivasa is facing backlash after revealing his plan to return to the UFC in 2026.

The former heavyweight contender is usually a fan favorite due to a combination of his exciting fight style and his love of drinking beer from a shoe, which Joe Rogan called ‘nasty’ when he performed the disgusting party trick cageside at UFC 314

Tai Tuivasa hasn’t fought since suffering a split decision defeat against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 305 in August 2024.

The loss made it five in a row for ‘Bam Bam’, who has ballooned up in weight during his spell on the sidelines.

Fans react as Tai Tuivasa reveals his current weight

On Wednesday, Tuivasa shocked fans by revealing that he currently weights 308lbs.

“I’m aiming [to return] for the start of next year,” he told Ariel Helwani.

“I need to get back in the gym, I need to get fit.”

Some people can’t believe Tuivasa needs to cut 43lbs to make the UFC heavyweight limit of 265lbs.

“Cut him,” one fan said. While another added: “No discipline and his recent bouts show.”

“Just retire,” a third fan wrote.

“Cut this loser,” someone else tweeted.

“Nah, my boy easy 350lbs,” one skeptical fan commented.

“That’s unacceptable,” a sixth X used insisted.

Tai Tuivasa slams the UFC heavyweight division

The UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is arguably the biggest fight of all time.

However, it’s unclear if that fight will come off to save what is otherwise a pretty bleak division.

Tuivasa is unimpressed by everyone else in his weight class, so he thinks his 2026 comeback will be easy.

He added: “It’s definitely been something I’ve been thinking about a lot since I’ve been having this time off. The heavyweights are s—.

“They’re all s—, except for Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Other than that, f—— everyone’s pretty standard.”