Friday, March 29Royal Holloway's offical student publication, est. 1986

Tag: Sports

The Rise of Formula 1
Sports & Socs

The Rise of Formula 1

Photo by Formula 1 By Beth McCowen Formula 1 has been a popular mainstream sport since long before many of our readers were born. The internationally renowned competition is ever-changing, and remains at the heart of multi-faceted discussions of its core elements, along with their wider implications. Here is a brief overview of how the top flight of motorsport has dominated the world of sports media, and some of the problems that have arisen along the way. The 2022/23 season came to an end on Sunday 26th November, with Dutch superstar Max Verstappen and Christian Horner’s Red Bull continuing to dominate both the driver and constructor’s championships.  Over the last few years, there has been a drastic increase in the number of young people who follow the sport. This i...
Sexuality, Movember, and Spiking in Sports
Features, Sports & Socs

Sexuality, Movember, and Spiking in Sports

Photo by Jeffrey F Lin via Unsplash I interviewed three anonymous members of sports societies to determine their stances on sexuality in sport, Movember and spiking in a bid to see how sports can tie these topics together. Sports have a huge voice to be heard, especially when the topics at hand require vocal stances. Speaking openly on such is the first step to provide an increased awareness, with the conclusive aim to positively affect these subject matters.   Sexuality in sport On the 27th of October, Josh Cavallo marked a significant breakthrough for gay footballers, powerfully coming out as gay. He became the first footballer in a top flight division to do so. This raised awareness of the LGBT+ side of football; for many years light has not shone amongst this side o...
The Premier League Checkpoint
Sports & Socs

The Premier League Checkpoint

The 2021/22 English Premier League season has well and truly kicked off, but how is it shaping up?  Leading the way is Chelsea, who are proving to be a well organised team. With the best defence and second most goals scored so far, it’s going to take a lot to slow this team down, their eyes set on a sixth premier league title.  Liverpool remain the only unbeaten team. In close second, Liverpool’s squad are almost fully fit, desperate not to lose out due to injury as they did in previous seasons. Mo Salah, a forward for Liverpool, has been unplayable for the most part but if he makes a solid comeback that could be pivotal, allowing him to haunt his former team, Chelsea, come May 2022.  Manchester City won't be happy with their start, having lost twice already. Pep Guardi...
Reviewed: Joshua vs Usyk
Sports & Socs

Reviewed: Joshua vs Usyk

It was a clean sweep from Oleksandr Usyk as the Ukrainian remained undefeated, securing a unanimous final result of 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113. Anthony Joshua's second reign as heavyweight champion came crashing down after a timid and lethargic performance. The first 3 rounds of the fight saw Usyk assert himself more so than Joshua, who was using the opening as a chance to feel out Usyk and gain some reads. Joshua’s process appeared to be paying off, as the pendulum swung during rounds 4-6. The reigning champion upped the pace and took back control of the fight, watched on by 65,000 fans. However, Usyk quickly adjusted and during round 9 Joshua suffered an eye injury that only got worse as the fight went on. The eye kept swelling and consequently Joshua was unable to see, losing t...
Cristiano Ronaldo Takes Manchester United
Sports & Socs

Cristiano Ronaldo Takes Manchester United

In an eye-catching turn of events, the 36-year-old legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, returned to Manchester United in a deal worth £19.8 million. Ronaldo’s incredible career so far first ignited when, at 17, he joined United from Sporting Lisbon. Being managed by the remarkable Sir Alex Ferguson, who Ronaldo still says is a “father figure” to him, helped him to develop into the superstar footballer he was destined to be. When he left united in 2009 at 23, he was an £80 million player with a Ballon dO’r, Uefa Champions League and three premier leagues to his name.  Cristiano Ronaldo is known worldwide; he’s transcended ‘football star’ and entered the realm of celebrity. His return to United, and the worldwide reaction, is evidence of this. Football is still revelling in a summer transfer ...
NBA Superteams: Basketball Analysed
Sports & Socs

NBA Superteams: Basketball Analysed

“I’ll never leave the team.. till we build to a championship level. It needs a lot of work but me and the guys we are ready for a challenge”. A young Giannis Antetokounmpo tweeted in 2014, a year following his 15th pick by the Bucks in the 2013 NBA draft. At the time, the road ahead to the playoffs looked bleak. Their 2013-14 season ended with a record of 15W and 67L.  Steadily, both the Bucks and Antetokounmpo improved - the Bucks have shown consistency in the playoffs since 2016-17, and Antetokounmpo picked up his first MVP in 2019. Turning his words into reality, Antetokounmpo dropped a cool 50 points in arguably one of the greatest performances of a Finals game. It’s this tenacity that is at the heart of the sport. Bucks elation was at the expense of the Phoenix Suns, who w...
Guide to the UCL Favourites 2021/22
Sports & Socs

Guide to the UCL Favourites 2021/22

The greatest club competition in football returns this September with several teams eyeing the prize. A manic transfer window could provide the tightest competition in years, with many teams bolstering their squads in the knick of time. Below, we take a look at the predicted odds of success come May 2022.  PSG: The bookies' favourites have undoubtedly had the best transfer window in history, acquiring sensational names on free deals like Donnarumma, Ramos, and Messi. The project with PSG has been simple - win a champions league. The rejection of Real Madrid’s £190 million offer for Mbappe throws all eggs into the UCL basket knowing he will walk as a free agent next year. Appearances in the final and semi final over the last 2 years are a testament to their progress, but being c...
Hanging up the Racket: saying goodbye to Andy Murray
News, Sports & Socs

Hanging up the Racket: saying goodbye to Andy Murray

Reigning Olympic Singles Champion, and 2-time winner of Wimbledon- Andy Murray is no normal sportsman. That’s why his news of retirement has come as a shock for both the tennis world and the public eye. The 11th of January 2019 saw the tennis player announce his plans to hang up his racket after a lifetime of playing; Murray announced that he had a difficult decision to make. Hoping that he could finish his golden career at the birthplace of British tennis, Wimbledon, it seems that his dream could be snatched away from him if the pain from his debilitating hip injury prevails, making the Australian Open his last tournament. Andy Murray looked to be a promising tennis star from a very early age- he won his first tournament at the Dunblane Sports Club as an under 10’s junior. Then in 2005...
‘This Girl Can’, and she will!
Sports & Socs

‘This Girl Can’, and she will!

Take your mind back to 2015, before university was even a thought for you freshers, and think whether you can remember the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign. It was a national campaign set up by Sport England, that encouraged both girls and women to celebrate being active. At some point in their lives, I feel like every girl can relate in that they’ve felt the fear of judgement and lacked confidence in taking part in sport. Research has shown that there is a mix of practical and emotional pressures that stop many women from being as active as they would like, with over 40% aged 16 and over, not getting enough exercise to healthily benefit them. This is something the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign aimed to tackle. However, we’re now nearing the end of 2018 and the newest movement to launch is the ‘Fit G...
Get the scoop on RHUL Pole Fitness Society.
Sports & Socs

Get the scoop on RHUL Pole Fitness Society.

How long has your society been running? We’ve been going for two and a half years now! What are you most excited for in your society this year? For sure it’s introducing new people to the sport! We’ll also be having a lot more performance opportunities, we’re in ANATT for the first time and will be having two showcases! Is your society suitable for beginners? Of course! Anyone can try pole or hoop! There’s a misconception that it’s too hard or too much arm work, but that couldn’t be more wrong. You’ll get stronger from doing it, but you’ll be fine no matter your size or strength. There's a bit of controversy around this topic: do you consider pole fitness a feminist activity? Yes, in the way that it involves completely changing other people’s opinions about what pole i...