By Roz Edward, New Pittsburgh Courier In another devastating decision concerning Britney Griner’s future and freedom, Russian courts have denied the basketball star’s appeal of her nine year-sentence for drug possession and smuggling charges. The beleaguered Griner continues to hold out hope – although some reports buy a thin thread – that she will ultimately […]
Category: National Sports
Posted inSports
Debutant Amos Kipruto of Kenya wins London Marathon
By The Associated Press Debutant Amos Kipruto won the men’s race at the London Marathon on Oct. 2, with Yalemzerf Yehualaw triumphing in the women’s. Kipruto, a world bronze medallist in Doha in 2019, finished in a time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, 39 seconds. The 30-year-old Kenyan beat Leul Gebresilase of Ethiopia into second […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Rihanna to headline 2023 Super Bowl halftime show
By Jake Coyle, The Associated Press Rihanna will take center stage at February’s Super Bowl halftime show. The singer, who declined to perform in the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show out of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, will headline the 2023 Super Bowl, the NFL announced Sunday along with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and Apple Music. Rihanna […]
Posted inSports
The Moore Report: Althea Gibson was a role model for the GOAT, Serena Williams
By Ralph E. Moore Jr., Special to the AFRO, rmoore@afro.com Sports history buffs will recall, as we bask in this era of Serena Williams magic, that once upon a time a star broke the color line in tennis just as Jackie Robinson broke it for Ken Griffey Jr. in baseball and Lee Elder broke it […]
Posted inNational Sports
Serena Williams’ legacy of challenging racism and sexism in sports and journalism
By Erin Whiteside, The Spokesman-Recorder Of the many outstanding components of her game, Serena Williams may best be known for her commanding serve. Those serves, unleashed throughout a 27-year professional career, arguably heightened the power and intensity of the women’s game, forcing her opponents to game plan for each wicked volley. To those chronicling her […]
Posted inSports
‘Soul Cap’ for Black hair gets race approval after Olympic ban
By The Associated Press A cap designed for Black swimmers’ natural hair that was banned from the Tokyo Olympics has been approved for competitive races. Swimming governing body FINA said on Sept. 2 the Soul Cap was on its list of approved equipment. “Promoting diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of FINA’s work,” executive […]
Posted inBUSINESS
NBA icon Isiah Thomas quickly becoming an entrepreneurial legend
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent (NNPA NEWSWIRE) – Isiah Thomas played basketball with the tenacity not often seen in today’s game. Whenever a team outscored his Detroit Pistons, it only meant a negative mark in the loss column but never total defeat for Thomas. An NCAA champion at Indiana and a […]
Posted inHBCU
Howard meets Alabama State in MEAC/SWAC HBCU kickoff
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO For the second time this calendar year Howard University’s national television appearance was impacted by the weather. In February, the Bison basketball team was delayed by snow which pulled them off the flight to Cleveland for their victory over Morgan State during NBA All-Star weekend. Last Saturday, […]
Posted inSports
Analysis: Let Serena define her legacy as she leaves tennis
By Howard Fendrich, Tennis Writer After all of the many tributes to Serena Williams were done, the celebratory words and the video montages, the standing ovations and the shouts of her name, it seemed appropriate that she herself would provide the defining look at her legacy. So the last question at the news conference on […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland Cycling Classic bring athletes from around the world to Charm City
By Fatiha BelfakirSpecial to the AFRO Cyclists from 20 countries are preparing to ride out for the Maryland Cycling Classic, which will return for the first time in two years after a break due to the coronavirus pandemic. The race day will take place on Sept. 4. and will start in Sparks, Md., at the […]
Posted inSports
Serena Williams delivers riveting performance as she advances in 2022 U.S. Open
By The Associated Press Tennis legend Serena Williams will now advance to the third round of the U.S. Open after defeating Anett Kontaveit in round two on Aug. 31. The win comes just weeks before the cultural icon turns 41. “I love a challenge. I love rising to the challenge. I haven’t played alot of […]
Posted inSports
EleVen by Venus Williams launches eyewear line
By AFRO Staff Venus Williams continues to clock “aces” off-court, recently announcing the launching of her company’s first eyewear collection. EleVen, the tennis star’s activewear brand, has partnered with Look Optic to create a limited-edition collection of unisex metal frames, according to Tennis World USA. “Partnering with LOOK OPTIC and working with their team was […]