Boing Boing » sport

Wife-carrying champion defends title

Rob Beschizza — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:45:32 +0000

Taisto Miettinen and Kristina Haapanen are once again wife-carrying world champions, writes Scott Thistle at the Oxford Hills Sun-Journal: "The prize, besides a check for $530 ... is the winning woman's weight in beer." [The complete leaderboard]

Pro-wrestler boycotts WWE over SOPA support

Cory Doctorow — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:30:49 +0000

@DTEFLON #WWE asked me to appear but I just cannot do anything with them for as long as they continue their support of #SOAP/#CISPA
— Sean Morley (@ValVenisEnt) July 18, 2012

Sean Morley, AKA Val Venis, a professional wrestler, has informed a fan via Twitter that "#WWE‬ asked me to appear but I just cannot do anything with them for as long as they continue their support of ‪#SOAP‬/#CISPA"

Kick ass, dude. From Techdirt:

While the WWE was never listed on the official Judiciary Committee list of supporters, the organization made many community sourced lists as a supporter of SOPA. Regardless of when and how the WWE came to be supportive of the unpopular bills, this shows that there is a long lasting bitter aftertaste left in the mouths of those who feel betrayed by organizations that supported SOPA and CISPA.

WWE Raw SuperShow One Wrestler Short Due To SOPA Support

Basebrawl

Rob Beschizza — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 03:32:43 +0000

Angry dads flail uselessly at one another for a while at a little league game in Georgia, earning themselves citations for disorderly conduct.

The food of champions

Rob Beschizza — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 05:10:07 +0000

England's Football Association embodies the nation's most popular sport. To promote fitness and good health, it provides these splendid awards to schools that offer adequate soccer programs. I'd ask if you could spot the mistake, but I think this may be one of those "honor the error as a hidden intention" dealies—a tragic fact echoed by star player Rio Ferdinand's endorsement deal with a tobacco company. [via Ben Goldacre and Huw G]

UPDATE: Its website is slathered with the secret sauce:

Become a McDonald's Coach today! In other news, the UK tops the European Union's obesity and illness league table.

Borat anthem played for Kazakh medalists

Rob Beschizza — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 20:41:16 +0000

From the BBC: "Kazakhstan's shooting team demanded an apology after a spoof national anthem from the comedy film Borat was played instead of the real one at a medal ceremony in Kuwait." Best potassium in the world.

Parkour-style urban skiing

Cory Doctorow — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:48:08 +0000

Here's a "street skiing" video that crosses street-skating with parkour, driving a long-suffering pair of skis over a series of urban obstacles from stone stairs to snowy hills. Just watching this daredevil makes my heart pound in sympathy.

JP Auclair street.avi (via Kottke)

MagicJack owner follows up his dumb lawsuit against Boing Boing with a dumb lawsuit against Women's Professional Soccer

Cory Doctorow — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:16:31 +0000

Ever wonder what became of Dan Borislow, owner of MagicJack, who sued us unsuccessfully when we pointed out the insane terms of service accompanying his flagship product? Me neither. Turns out that he's still being, um, flamboyant. Saul sez, "Borislow is now bringing his special kind of havoc to Women's Professional Soccer. Last season was hard for WPS, teams folded, and they seemed desperate for owners who had financial stability. Borislow bought the majority interest in the Washington Freedom, moved them to Florida, and then started to flout league rules. He's been fined, his team has had a point deducted from the standing, he made himself coach, and had his players (including Women's World Cup heroes Abby Wambach and Hope Solo) file a grievance against him. He's now apparently filed suit to keep the league, which is feeling stronger because of the popularity of the World Cup, from terminating his franchise. The press release from the league, which is what the link points to, has to be one of the most extraordinary documents produced by a professional sports league against one of its owners."

Mr. Borislow has failed to honor his commitments to the detriment of the League, our players and our partners. From unprofessional and disparaging treatment of his players to failure to pay his bills, Mr. Borislow's actions have been calculated to tarnish the reputation of the League and damage the League's business relationships. Now, Mr. Borislow has filed a baseless legal action against WPS. The League is not intimidated by Mr. Borislow's unfounded claims and will not tolerate his mistreatment of players and flouting of the rules...
"It is disappointing that rather than run a professional organization and partner with his fellow owners, Mr. Borislow has chosen to threaten the League by filing this action," said WPS Board Chairman and Atlanta Beat Owner, T. Fitz Johnson. "All of us at WPS are involved in this business because we love the sport, we are committed to our incredible athletes and fans, and we know that there is a permanent place in sports for the women's professional game."

WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER STATEMENT REGARDING MAGICJACK DISPUTE (Thanks, Saul!)

NASCAR prayer (video)

Xeni Jardin — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:43:27 +0000

[Video Link] A pre-race prayer at the NASCAR Nationwide series race in Nashville Tennessee, on July 23, 2011. "We want to thank you, Lord, for these mighty machines.... Lord I want to thank you for my smokin' hot wife.... Boogity Boogity Boogity. Amen." (via Tabitha Hale on Google+)