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Robot athletes go for gold at the first ever World Humanoid Robot Games

Published

5 months ago

August 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Robot athletes go for gold at the first ever World Humanoid Robot Games

Well, this scaled up.

on August 15, 2025

A robot wears a Labubu at the World Humanoid Robot Games.

With Labubu lucky charms and everything…

Credit: VCG / VCG via Getty Images)

Robot athletes are going for the gold in Beijing, China, as the first ever World Humanoid Robot Games kicked off on Thursday.

As reported by Reuters, the event, held within Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, involves over 500 humanoid robots across 280 teams from 16 countries including China, the U.S., Brazil, and Germany. The teams come from both global universities and private robotics companies including China’s Unitree Robotics, Noetix Robotics, and Fourier Intelligence.

Remotely operated by their human teams, the robots will be tested for agility and skill competing in 26 events like football, martial arts, gymnastics, and track and field events like running and a 100-metre obstacle race. The robots must fit a long list of criteria including that they “must be self-developed, purchased or leased by the participating teams,” they “must have a trunk, upper limbs, and two feet,” and “should have their own energy sources.” There are also event-specific restrictions, like robots competing in long jump or high jump events can’t use elastic or take-off devices.

The games expands on multiple robot sporting events held in China this year, including the world’s first humanoid half-marathon in April and a robot kickboxing match in May.

Robots run at the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games.

Running…
Credit: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Robots box at the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games.

…boxing…
Credit: Han Haidan / China News Service/VCG via Getty Images

Robots play football at the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games.

…football.
Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Unitree won the first gold of the event on Friday, with one of its speedy Unitree H1 humanoid robots finishing the 1,500-metre race at 6:34.

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Various media sites are running livestreamed coverage of the World Humanoid Robot Games including Reuters and the South China Morning Post, if you want to catch up on the action. The games run until Sunday and there are tickets being sold to the public.

It’s quite something, seeing human teams running alongside their robotic representatives on the track, and watching robot football players shuffle across the small field, raising their arms in victory as their stressed out human controllers buzz around laptops on the sideline. There are various falls and not a drop of sweat in sight (on the athletes, at least).

A robot lies on the track at the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games.

Ooft.
Credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Thursday’s opening ceremony is also worth a watch, robots wearing Labubu lucky charms, a full robot band, tiny robots dancing alongside human children, a robot fashion parade, and panda robots demonstrating martial arts.

The organisers of the World Humanoid Robot Games — the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, China Central Radio and Television, the World Robotics Cooperation Organization, and the Robocup Asia-Pacific International Council — said in an online statement that the point of the event was to “build an international platform integrating technological competition, economic promotion, and international exchange.”

“By establishing a competitive and showcase platform, the tournament aims to accelerate and enhance the integration of robots into human life, contribute to economic and social progress, and foster the deep integration of science, technology, sports, and culture,” the statement reads.

Competitive robotics events aren’t new, but it’s the scale of the World Humanoid Robot Games that marks a global PR opportunity for China amid its rapid expansion of robot production to compete with the U.S.. China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced plans in March to invest ¥1 trillion ($138 billion) into robotics over the next two decades. Plus, the country increased industrial robot installation by five percent in 2024, and now owns the world’s largest robot market.

Topics
Robotics

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Shannon Connellan

Shannon Connellan is Mashable’s UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable’s Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about everything (but not anything) across entertainment, tech, social good, science, and culture. Especially Australian horror.

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Top China athlete praised for looks and talent concedes that she embodies strength, beauty

Published

4 months ago

September 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Top China athlete praised for looks and talent concedes that she embodies strength, beauty

Rising Chinese high jump star, Shao Yuqi, has gone viral for her athletic performance and striking appearance.

The athlete has also attracted attention and praise for challenging traditional beauty stereotypes in sport.

On August 1, Shao, 23, from the Hubei provincial track and field team based in central China, claimed the women’s high jump title at the 2025 Chinese National Athletics Championships with a leap of 1.90 metres.

Up and coming star, Shao Yuqi, soars above the high-jump bar at an athletics meet. Photo: Baidu

Following her victory, Shao went viral on mainland social media for both her performance and her striking looks.

One of her videos on social media showcasing the competition got more than 3 million likes.

Shao was introduced to the high jump at primary school, where her athletic potential was quickly recognised after she effortlessly cleared a one-metre bar during a tryout.

“There were so many stereotypes in primary school. People assumed that if I went into sports, I would waste my life, maybe end up at a sports school at best,” Shao told Jiupai News.

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Players Pass with Abby Jasmine

Published

4 months ago

September 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

From virality to duality, Abby can do it all, from singing to rapping and laying everything on the line.

Photo courtesy of Abby Jasmine.

Additional reporting by Michael Mais Jr.

Staten Island doesn’t always get the spotlight in New York-based hip-hop but when it does it tends to produce something legendary, like a certain nine-member rap group. And in a time where attention spans are short and trends move even faster, one artist is making sure her name sticks: Abby Jasmine.

Long before viral buzz and algorithm-charged exposure, Abby was sharpening her skills in one of the most organic places imaginable: the church. With a father rooted deeply in gospel and musical tradition, she grew up surrounded by melody and message. It was there, among choirs and sermons, that Abby found both her first stage and first audience.

As a youth, that foundation became fuel, and with a few friends and a lot of ambition, she formed a church rap group. Mixing harmonies and hard-hitting bars, what started as a simple creative outlet quickly gained momentum. By the late 2010s, Abby would tap into viral moments that introduced her style and sound to audiences beyond Shaolin.

However, Abby’s rise is not rooted in luck, but in pure skill that has been sharpened by life, faith, and a relentless drive to be heard. Her lyrics carry clarity, confidence, and depth, standing out in a digital era flooded with noise. Rather than chase co-signs or shortcuts, Abby is building a legacy on her own terms while doing it with grace, grit, and bars that hit.

In her Players Pass interview with Okayplayer, we step into Abby’s world as she opens up about her creative process, inspiration, and what it really takes to make timeless music in her favorite spot, the Cash Only Deli. “I grew up very community-based,” Abby shares. “But that also goes into how I like to make my music. I like to make a community with the producers, the songwriters, and just work with the same people.” Her approach to collaboration is rooted in trust and synergy, a sharp contrast to an internet-rooted culture of disunity that is prevalent in the music industry today.

When asked about her musical inspirations, Abby reflects on growth and perspective, pointing at SZA’s 2017 debut album as a blueprint of her own artistry. “I didn’t really understand Ctrl when it first came out,” she admits. “But now that I am older, I can really appreciate it.” finding new meaning in music once overlooked is a sign of evolution, not just as an artist, but as a woman navigating the world in real-time. That is evident in her song “Caught Up.”

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Her creative process is one that is intentional. “When I get my own ideas, I have my own setup and crib when I go home,” Abby says. That sense of independence has become central to her artistry and allows her to carve out space to create on her own terms, without noise or pressure.

“My studio essentials are vibes, silence, and I don’t like so many people in the session,” she continues. For Abby, music is as much about space, energy, and staying tapped into something that is real as it is the sound.

Abby Jasmine is part of a new generation of artists who no longer need to wait for permission. She’s blending her past with her present, building a future where authenticity is louder than hype. And whether she’s going viral or staying lowkey, one thing’s for certain: she is here to stay.

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Medical Clinic Workers Fired After TikTok Video Mocking Patients Goes Viral

Published

4 months ago

September 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Medical Clinic Workers Fired After TikTok Video Mocking Patients Goes Viral

Several healthcare workers at Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, California, were fired after a TikTok video surfaced showing them mocking patients in an exam room. The video, originally posted by a former employee, depicted staff posing with patients’ bodily fluids on exam tables, with captions like “Are patients allowed to leave you guys gifts?” and “Make sure you leave your healthcare workers sweet gifts like these.” The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage online and prompting Sutter Health, which operates the clinic, to take swift action.

Sutter Health confirmed that all employees involved in the video were terminated, emphasizing that the behavior violated their policies and disrespected patients. The health system stated, “Protecting the trust of those we serve is our highest priority, and when that trust is violated, we take swift action.”

The incident drew widespread condemnation on social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram, where users criticized the workers for their unprofessional conduct. One commenter on Reddit remarked, “No place for shaming the patient in medicine,” while another questioned the clinic’s culture that allowed such behavior.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Sansum Clinic was notified of the video by concerned patients and conducted a review, placing the employees on administrative leave within 24 hours and terminating them shortly after. Sutter Health reiterated their commitment to patient privacy and dignity, using the incident to reinforce their policies with all team members.

The Santa Barbara Independent noted that the video gained traction over Labor Day weekend, leading to a wave of negative reviews on the clinic’s Yelp page. Sutter Health stated that they are conducting a full investigation and that any staff associated with the content are on administrative leave pending the outcome.

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How SaunaBox Went Viral

Published

4 months ago

September 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

USC grads Nolan Kahal and Sean Morrissey reveal how they built SaunaBox, the Huntington Beach wellness startup endorsed by pro athletes.

Nolan Kahal and Sean Morrissey are the co-founders of SaunaBox, the Huntington Beach-based viral wellness startup that’s bringing the luxury of a steam room into your home. The young entrepreneurs are USC graduates and former NCAA athletes who started their company at just 25 years old and have created a brand that’s endorsed by professional athletes. In today’s episode, Kahal and Morrissey discuss how they came up with the brand, their biggest hurdles and highlights, and more.
Listen and watch every Thursday here.

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Aryna Sabalenka's Coach Makes Stance On Transgender Athletes Clear During US Open

Published

4 months ago

September 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Aryna Sabalenka's Coach Makes Stance On Transgender Athletes Clear During US Open

Aryna Sabalenka put on a clinic during Tuesday night’s match against Qinwen Zheng, winning in straight sets to advance to the semifinals of the US Open.

One of Sabalenka’s coaches, Jason Stacy, went viral during Tuesday night’s match because he was wearing an “XX-XY” hat at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

This hat was made by the XX-XY Athletics brand. Their goal is to protect women’s sports.

“It is simply undeniable that sex matters, especially in sport. It is the single biggest determinant of athletic performance,” the brand’s mission statement reads. “Men and women are different. It’s just a fact. Men have XY chromosomes and more testosterone which makes them stronger and faster.”

While some people support XX-XY Athletics, others believe Sabalenka’s coach is sending a bad message at the US Open, particularly towards the transgender community.

“So what’s up with sabalenka’s coach’s transphobic hat,” one person said.

Another person tweeted, “Is nobody really going to ask @SabalenkaA about her loser physio wearing that disgusting hat?”

“I love that Sabalenka’s coach is wearing that hat,” a third person wrote.

It’s unlikely Sabalenka’s coach addresses all this backlash in the middle of the US Open. Perhaps he’ll field some questions after the tournament comes to an end.

Sabalenka will be back in action at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night against Emma Navarro.

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Christian Football Players in the NFL

Published

4 months ago

September 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Fans of pro football—and fans of Jesus—likely know about big-name players who profess faith in Christ. But not all Christians in the NFL are household names…yet.

So in addition to high-profile Christian athletes who get lots of press? Let’s look at other football players who glorify God, both on and off the field.

Note: Last week, NFL teams had to cut their rosters to 53 players. So the careers of some of these athletes are now in flux.

9 More NFL Players Who Are Christians

1. Tyson Bagent (Chicago Bears)

Tyson Bagent, an undrafted quarterback from a Division II college, started four games his rookie year, after Justin Fields was injured. Bagent is known for his hard work, preparation, and strong faith in Jesus. Tyler Haines, who coached Bagent at Shepherd University, told CBS Sports the QB is “a faithful Christian churchgoer,” which “helps make him who he is.”

Bagent had limited playing time in 2024 as a backup. But the Bears recently rewarded him with a two-year, $10 million contract extension. That deal, which could stretch to $16 million with incentives, is life-changing, according to Bagent, 25.

Video went viral of the athlete telling reporters, “My dad is my right-hand man. He didn’t have running water until high school, so there’s definitely a lot of people I can certainly help with this gift I’ve been blessed with.” The West Virginia native added, “It’s certainly a weight off my shoulders and my family’s shoulders.”