The Last of the Mohicans

(Author's note: this article was originally written in September 2016. I thought I would repost it given that the sport of squash is being voted on soon by the LA 2028 Organizing Committee)

Six years ago I got terrible news.  The squash club just down the street from my home on 8th Avenue, where I played or coached almost every day, was finally scheduled to close permanently.  It was the last squash club that existed in downtown New York City and it closed its doors a short while later.  Hundreds of members of the squash club were shocked.  Playing squash was a ritual for many people, something which was abruptly taken away from them.

King Khan

(Author's note: Originally published in 2010; I am reposting this now because squash is about to get voted on by the LA 2028 Organizing Committee)

In my youth the best squash players I heard about were the two consecutive World Champions from Pakistan, Jahangir Khan and then Jansher Khan.  Given how long they remained at the top of the game, I naturally assumed they were the two best squash players up to that point in history.  But recently I discovered that there was another Khan, named Hashim, who preceded the other two by about two decades. And Hashim Khan may just have been better, given what he achieved and how he did it.  Either way, these Khans are three of the best players to have ever played the game.  I am sure anyone in Pakistan would tell you they are the three best ever.

Another global sport that Ryan Reynolds invests in

In November 2020, Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made headlines when they announced that they had purchased Wrexham AFC, a semi-professional football club in North Wales. The duo, who are known for their work on films and television shows such as Deadpool, Free Guy, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, had no prior experience in football management, but they were determined to turn Wrexham into a success. 

Ryan Reynolds invests in Formula One

 

Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Michael B. Jordan are the latest celebrities to invest in Formula One, joining Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners in a 24% equity stake in Alpine Racing. The deal struck this summer (2023) is reportedly worth €200 million, which values Alpine Racing at approximately £706 million. 

France Stuns All Blacks in Rugby World Cup Opener

And...we are back from a summer break with a bang! Last night, September 8th 2023, the Rugby World Cup kicked off as hosts France stunned the sport's most dominant team historically, the All Blacks, by 27 points to 13. The match, played at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, was a pulsating affair that saw both teams trade blows in front of a passionate crowd. The French started brightly and took an early lead through a try from Damian Penaud. The All Blacks responded with a try of their own from Mark Telea, but France continued to press forward and were rewarded with a second try from Penaud, this time in the corner. The All Blacks fought back in the second half and reduced the deficit to just three points, but France were not to be denied. Two late tries from Melvyn Jaminet and Antoine Dupont sealed a memorable victory for the hosts.