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If you are a huge boxing fan and love to watch the sport in action, you might wonder what the difference is between amateur boxing and professional boxing. While both sports have something in common and share many of the same links, they also have distinctions that set them apart. This article will explore those differences so you can decide which sport is for you. Amateur boxers train hard to become champions in their weight class, but amateur boxers will not offer purses or contracts. These boxers are often supported by their families, friends, and teammates in addition to financial assistance from the local club that they belong to. Amateur boxing focuses more on the training of boxers and the sport itself and less on fighting for money. Professional boxers fight for purses and contracts and can be employed by several places, such as promoters, managers, or other team members. These boxers are often supported by sponsors and money earned during each match. While many professional boxers receive some training before entering the ring, they must focus all efforts on winning matches, which means that they might not become well-rounded boxers in terms of technique compared to amateur boxers. Professional boxers focus on winning by any means necessary.                               Amateur boxing usually focuses on the rules and strict regulations, whereas professional boxing is less concerned with rules and regulations. For example, amateur boxing has regulations involving scoring, rounds, ring dimensions, and equipment, while professional fights do not have as many rules. However, both sports have referees who ensure that all of the competitors abide by the existing rules of each match. The referee's job is to ensure that no boxer receives an unfair advantage over their opponent and that each competitor follows the rules for their match. As mentioned previously, professional boxers fight for purses and contracts, but amateur boxers fight for experience and competition. Amateur boxers do not have to worry about making weight, their age is not a factor, and they do not have to compete against experienced boxers. Therefore, amateur boxing is great for getting started in the sport and those who want to keep practicing their skills regularly. Amateur boxing involves a limited number of championships for each weight class, whereas professional boxing has more heavyweight champions. Amateur boxing usually has more weight divisions than professional boxing, though the weight divisions in both sports are similar. While amateur boxing can occur in different locations and on various surfaces, such as grass or cement, professional boxers are restricted to making their matches in arenas. Professional boxers will often have to travel long distances between their hometown and their matches, while amateur boxers can make these trips while competing in other areas of their training. Amateur boxers usually have to fight in restricted weight classes, such as 105 pounds and below, whereas professional fighters are free to fight in any weight class they want. Amateur boxers are also limited to fighting on fewer days each year. A boxer must win two out of three fights within 12 days to win the national championship or belt. A professional boxer can make up the difference in weight by fighting three or more times within fourteen days to keep his title. Professional boxers often have many trainers and coaches guiding them through their matches, but amateur boxers are supported solely or partially by their teammates, advisers, and trainers.   Written by: Lomia_K PREVIOUS PAGE |  NEXT PAGE

10 Essential Boxing Equipment For Boxing Boxing has been around for ages, and to this day, it remains one of the most effective ways to get a full-body workout. There are countless places where people can find information about boxing, but within this guide, here are the 10 essential boxing equipments that a boxer needs.                                 1. Boxing gloves Boxing gloves is very important for a boxer. The primary purpose of these gloves is protection, which is why they tend to look bulky and bulky compared to other types of gloves. Boxing gloves and hand wraps provide protection for the knuckles.   2. Boxing shoes Boxing shoes are explicitly designed to simulate the impact of a punch. The foot is often the most vulnerable part of the body during boxing fight or sparring, so boxers need to protect it while they train to avoid getting hurt.     3. Running or Training Shoes While wearing boxing shoes is recommended during training or sparring session, some people still prefers to wear running or training shoes since that is what they are comfortable wearing during training or running. Also, your boxing shoes will wear quickly if you use it during training session. Many people only wear boxing shoes during sparring or fight to make sure it has good traction and minimise slipping that can lead to injury.   4. Boxing Pads Using a boxing pads is part of the boxing training that's why most boxing gym provides pads that people can borrow when they just started or when they forgot to bring their own. It's recommended to buy your own pads since hands get really sweaty during training. Boxing pads is used to practice boxing combinations alternately with a partner.   5. Speed bag Many professional boxers use various types of unique punching bags to practice their punches, including speed bags and heavy bags. Both of these punching bags come in different shapes and weights. While speed bags are generally used for practicing punches at a fast pace to improve timing, heavy bags are usually used for practicing heavy punches to improve punches strengths and techniques.   6. Light/heavy bag Aside from the speed bag and the heavy bag, many boxers also use a light/heavy bag to practice their punching power and accuracy. Many professional boxers have both types of bags, so they can alternate between using the two depending on what kind of punch they need to practice.   7. Skipping Rope It's recommended to have a skipping rope in your training bag so that you are not sharing with other people. Skipping rope is always part of an endurance training that's why most boxing gym provides people a skipping rope that they can use during training.      8. Boxing Hand Wraps Wearing a boxing hand wraps under gloves is very important especially when you are at the beginner level. It's a protection for your hand when you throw high impact punches since it acts as a cushion for your fist. It also provides additional support and stability to your wrists reducing the risk of having an injury.   9. Mouth Guard Wearing a mouth guard is a must during sparring session to avoid the risk of cracking or breaking your teeth. Mouth guard protects your teeth, tounge and gums.     10. Boxing Headgear Wearing a boxing headgear or head protection is a must especially when you are at a beginner level. It's good to wear a head protection while you are still improving your boxing head movements and boxing techniques. Headgear protects your head since it reduces the impact of a punch.     Conclusion. There are many different types of boxing equipment for both amateur and professional boxers, but more than this gear may be needed when you begin to face more advanced opponents. To ensure your success as a boxer, speak with a fitness and good boxing trainer to get information regarding boxing training that will help to improve your boxing skills.   Written by: Lomia_K PREVIOUS PAGE |  NEXT PAGE

Boxing is a combative sport between two athletes. It requires each player to throw and hit punches at their opponent. This battle of the fists requires speed, precision, and stamina. Each hit has an equivalent point that is decisive in the outcome of a match. A boxer must not throw punches mindlessly. It requires quick-wit and strategizing. A deep understanding of this increases the odds of winning. Check out the 10 boxing punches below that every boxer should know.                                 The 10 Boxing Punches   1. Jab A jab is a sudden move used in various combinations. It is one of the first techniques taught to beginners and diligently mastered by experienced boxers. The non-dominant hand is usually the one that performs the jabs.   2. Cross The cross is a straight punch that outputs a lot of power. The release is from the rear hand and crosses the body position to hit the opponent. It is an efficient knock-out weapon when mastered. The dominant hand executes this high-impact move.   3. Lead Hook A lead hook is a short-side upper punch from the non-dominant hand. The arm must be at a ninety-degree angle and parallel to the ground.   4. Rear Hook A rear hook is a short-side upper punch from the dominant hand. It is a punch that requires a lot of body coordination. Like the lead hook, positioning the foot, shoulder, back, and elbow is fundamental.   5. Lead Uppercut A lead uppercut is a short swing upward punch. It is a close-range move that packs a wallop. It is the left hand for an orthodox and the right hand for a southpaw.   6. Rear Uppercut A right uppercut is like aiming to hit the chin of the opponent to ensure victory. It is like the lead uppercut. It is the left hand for a southpaw and the right for an orthodox.   7. Lead Hook to the Body A lead hook to the body is similar to the lead hook. It has the intent of striking the body for points. This move has a risk of leaving the chin defenseless.   8. Rear Hook to the Body The rear hook to the body punch is the same as the rear hook. It has the intent to hit the body of the opponent. Bending the knees low with this move is advisable to lower the risks of the chin being open for attacks.   9. Jab to the Body The move jab to the body is a sudden punch. It aims to hit the opposite player's body. When doing this technique, it is wise to allow your head to slip while punching. It is a secure way that the head does not become vulnerable.   10. Cross to the Body The cross to the body is a straight punch from the rear hand. This move requires some back hip rotation and flexibility. Like all punches aiming for the body, keeping the knees low is key to lessen the risks of a backlash. An orthodox throws it from the right hand, and a southpaw uses the left hand.   Knowing and learning different combinations of these ten boxing punches gives a boxer the advantage of strategizing. Therefore, winning a boxing match is not far from reach.   Written by: TVLH210622 PREVIOUS PAGE |  NEXT PAGE

Boxing is a combat sport in which two people engage in unarmed, competitive fighting using only their fists. It is one of the oldest sports in history and has been around for centuries. Different countries have developed their boxing styles, each with unique characteristics and techniques. There are five major styles of boxing: the out-fighter, slugger/brawler, boxer-puncher, pressure fighter, and counterpuncher.                                   Out-Fighter Style The out-fighter or boxer is a fighter who maintains a distance between himself and his opponent. This boxing style focuses on tactics such as speed, agility, and footwork to keep the opponent at bay. Out-fighters use their jab to probe for an opening while staying out of range before unleashing straight punches or power shots like hooks and uppercuts. Out-fighters typically have a good defense but lack significant power in their offense. The out-fighter must be wary of their opponents' power and offensive pressure while maintaining distance and waiting for an opportunity to attack.   Slugger/Brawler Style The slugger/brawler style of boxing is a very aggressive approach. Fighters who use this style rely on their power to intimidate opponents, using powerful punches and combinations to wear down the target. Sluggers will often take a few hard hits to land their own, as they prefer an up-close and personal fight instead of keeping their distance and relying on speed or technique. The slugger/brawler style requires incredible stamina, strength, and toughness, so it isn't for everyone. If a fighter can pull off this style successfully, however, it can be a devastatingly effective way to dominate an opponent.   Boxer-Puncher Style The boxer-puncher style is a combination of two different styles. It combines an out-fighter's speed, agility, and footwork with the power and aggression of a slugger/brawler. Boxer-punchers are usually well-rounded fighters who can transition between offensive and defensive strategies to outwit their opponents.   Counter Puncher Style Counterpunching is regarded as one of the most challenging boxing styles to master. It involves waiting for an opponent to make a move and then quickly reacting with a combination of punches or other defensive moves. Counterpunchers rely on timing, hand speed, reflexes, and footwork to outmaneuver their opponents. They use their opponents' power against them by allowing them to commit and then land powerful shots simultaneously. Because counterpunchers are so patient in waiting for openings, they often shape and create the fight instead of just reacting to it.   Pressure Fighter The pressure fighter is an aggressive boxing style involving constant forward movement and attacking the opponent. This fighter typically overwhelms their opponents with a flurry of punches to score points or knock them out. Pressure fighters tend to be relentless and focus on wearing down their opponents with a barrage of punches.   Conclusion Boxing is an ancient sport with a wide variety of styles. Each style has unique techniques and strategies, allowing boxers to find the one that best fits their skillset and preferences. Whether you prefer the speed and agility of an out-fighter, the power of a slugger/brawler, the versatility of a boxer-puncher, or the defensive prowess of a counterpuncher, there is a style of boxing that is perfect for you.   Written by: Iamyourwriterana PREVIOUS PAGE |  NEXT PAGE

Sports are an essential part of student life and have countless benefits for both their mental and physical well-being. Most schools often offer a wide range of sports to students so they can choose the one they love and have fun with while also benefiting from the advantages. With that said, it can be helpful to look at some of the best options that schools typically offer and how they can be more fun than others! So, let's get into it:   Football This is a childhood favorite of mine and a sport that I've played all my life! Football involves teams of 11 or 5 (depending on the size of the pitch), and the objective is to put the ball in the opposing team's net. Players can use any part of their body to score beside their hands and forearms. Each goal equals one point, and the team with the most goals wins at the end. In case of a tie, the teams go to extra time. If the game remains goalless even after that, the match is decided by a penalty shoot-out! Football is one of the most accessible and widely offered sports at school and is a great option, especially for students.   Cricket More popular in Asia and Europe, cricket is a sport similar to baseball, where two teams compete to get the most runs. Runs are scored by whichever team is batting at that time, with no more than two batsmen on the pitch at a time. The bowling team can have all eleven players out on the pitch, with one bowler and ten fielders. The team with the most runs in each of their batting performances (known as innings). To play cricket, you'll need at least one bat, a cricket ball, wickets, and a pitch to play on.   Table Tennis Some of my best memories were formed around a table tennis game. All you need is a pair of rackets, a table tennis ball, and a table to play on, which most schools often have. The game requires very little setup and effort to play and packs hours of fun and exercise! The objective is to hit the ball past the other player's half without letting it bounce in your half. At the same time, the ball must bounce in the other player's half at least once, or it will count as a point against you!   Basketball Basketball is another game where you can get full body exercise while having lots of fun and building your teamwork skills simultaneously. The game involves five players on each side who must coordinate to throw the ball into the other team's hoop. If the points are scored from outside the 3-point arc, the team is rewarded with 3 points, while points inside the arc are counted as 2 points. The team with the most points at the end wins! All you need to get started is a basketball court and a basketball.

Boxing is a combat sport practiced worldwide by amateur and professional athletes. So, who was the first boxer ever? The first recognized public fight occurred in 1743 in London, England, where Jack Broughton won a four-round bout against William Brayley. Broughton's victory is widely regarded as the first recorded bout of boxing ever by most historians and sporting officials. The characteristics of boxing have evolved over U.S. and Canadian participation rules, governing the rounds of a match that can be won by either fighter with a knockout or decision within these rounds regardless of number of rounds fought or scorecards rendered; only one round per match has to go the distance for an official bout to be called "a decision.                                The late 18th century saw the codification of the ring as it is understood today, with boxing rules first appearing in 1743. Broughton's London Boxing Rules from 1744 were compiled as a standardized set, and were standardized throughout the British Empire by three boxing academies: Broughton's own Wandsworth School of Arts, the Royal Naval School at Portsmouth, and the London Prize Ring Club. The rules continue to be used today in amateur boxing events in most major world cities and countries. The U.S. adopted similar rules, thus boxing is universally regarded internationally as a discipline administered by the laws of one modern nation-state that has been codified with universal sanctioning procedures. In 1889, the Marquess of Queensberry rules were first used in the United Kingdom. They have been used ever since. Queensberry rules mandate that fighters be male and that two eight-counts must elapse before a decision is made. The duel in which James J. Corbett won to become the first World Heavyweight Champion was fought under the Marquess' rule set. Corbett's victory made him the only man to be both a British and American heavyweight champion. Boxing is a competitive sport in which two people, one attempting to inflict punishment on the other while avoiding being pricked, are penned in an enclosed area and physically confronted. Both boxers fight under controlled conditions; they are not allowed to use their hands or fists in the process. Boxing is controlled by a referee who enforces the rules of boxing management that govern ring and bout conduct. The referee may halt the bout if one boxer does not defend himself or deliberately leaves himself at risk of being seriously injured with no effective defense. The referee is also charged with stopping the fight if he thinks a boxer is too injured to continue being punched. The referee may stop the bout because it is no longer safe for either fighter to continue. Referees will stop the contest if it has been at least four rounds and one of the boxers has shown dominance in the contest. Once a boxer has been knocked down, his opponent must cease fighting for one minute before continuing or else their opponent may be declared the winner by knockout (KO). To help protect the fighters, there are three ringside physicians who watch especially for signs that a fighter is in danger and may enter the ring to assess such damages as swelling and cuts. In conclusion, people would watch the fights and wager their money on which boxer would win. In earlier bouts, it was considered a brutal sport but over time it has evolved into a sport that is seen as the best of all sports because it uses your fists, along with your speed, strength, skills and agility to dominate your opponent. It also requires mental skills to outwit and out maneuver your opponent in order to take home the trophy/gold medal.   Written by: Jared_Wax PREVIOUS PAGE |  NEXT PAGE

Getting into sports is one of the best decisions you can make for your physical and mental well-being. However, starting is often simpler than deciding which specific sport you should get into, as there are so many of them to choose from! Well, there's no need to worry, as we have the answer right here in this article; let's get started!   Define Your Goals Before deciding on a sport, think about why you’re starting sports. There can be a plethora of reasons, but the two broad categories are starting for fun or starting to get physically fit (in a fun way, of course!). If you’re starting just for fun, you can choose more or less anything that appeals to you! However, if physical fitness is the primary goal, some options will be better for you than others. Luckily, it just so happens that they are all as fun as the other, so you're not missing out on anything! With that said, let's move on to the list of sports:   Table Tennis Compared to some other sports, table tennis is not as physically intense; however, it still packs a workout! This is an ideal sport if physical fitness is a secondary goal and you mostly just want to have fun. The sport relies mostly on your upper body and requires hand-eye coordination more than it requires strength. So, if you're looking for a fun time without putting too much effort in, ping pong is the way to go!   Football Football is a sport where you must constantly be moving around, whether walking or jogging or running, or else you'll be out of position! Moreover, when you have the ball or contest an opponent for it, you will need upper body strength to shield against them. Accordingly, football is ideal for when you want to prioritize physical fitness along with the fun! The constant running paired with jostling with opponents makes for a full-body workout and builds both upper and lower body strength.   Basketball Similar to football, you're going to be moving around a lot here, so a lower-body workout is provided here. Another benefit of this is cardio; your heart rate remains elevated throughout, leading to excess fat and calorie burning. Along with moving around, you'll need upper body strength here as well! Basketball is also a contact sport; you'll be shielding from opponents while also throwing the ball with your arms; more strength means faster passes and longer-distance throws.   Esports This is another pick for people who are looking for fun and not necessarily physical exercise but mental exercise! Competitive video games are one of the best ways to improve your hand-eye coordination, teamwork, coordination decision-making, and critical thinking skills, among other things. While esports is still an unorthodox concept for a lot of people today, we assure you that you will not be disappointed if you give it a shot! We hope this has been a helpful guide and until next time, take care and good luck with whichever sport you choose!

Maria Yuryevna Sharapova is a professional tennis player from Russia who is ranked third in the world by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Sharapova became world No. 1 for the first time on August 22, 2005, when she was 18 years old, and she held the position for four weeks, from June 11, 2012, to July 8, 2012. Sharapova’s Personal Life Maria Sharapova was an athlete born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russia, to Yuri and Yelena. She and her father moved from Russia to the United States of America in 1994 to attend the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. Her mother was forced to return to Russia because she did not obtain a visa and only joined them after two years. Maria Sharapova was not admitted to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy immediately because she was too young. She began her tennis training at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy before signing a contract with the International Management Group (IMG), a global sports and talent management organization based in New York.                                 Her Career Maria Sharapova, then seventeen, became the first Russian player to win Wimbledon, the prestigious tennis tournament held each summer in London, England. Wimbledon is one of tennis' four Grand Slam tournaments, along with the US Open, French Open, and Australian Open, and winners of these competitions have defeated the best players in the world. Sharapova, who had spent much of her life in Florida at a renowned tennis academy, was the third youngest Wimbledon champion in history, with a $1 million prize purse for her women's singles title. She was then signed to several product endorsement deals. By the summer of 2005, she had been named the highest-paid female athlete in the world by Forbes magazine's Celebrity 100 list. Maria Sharapova broke into the top ten for the first time in 2004. Maria Sharapova won her first-ever grand slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2004. Maria Sharapova defeated Serena Williams in the 2004 WTA Tour Championships finals. Maria Sharapova became the first Russian woman to hold the world's No. 1 ranking on August 22, 2005. With her French Open victory in 2012, Maria Sharapova became only the tenth woman to complete a Career Grand Slam. At the 2012 French Open, Maria Sharapova won her first grand slam singles title since 2008 and her fourth overall, becoming the sixth woman in open history to complete a Career Grand Slam in singles. She has five Grand Slam titles and 35 singles titles to her name. Maria Sharapova was the first torchbearer in Russia's 2014 Winter Olympics lighting ceremony. Because of her popularity and good looks, she has endorsed various brands aside from sports. Maria Sharapova has also expressed her support for the United Nations Development Programme. She received the ESPY award for being the best tennis player.   Maria Sharapova was named WTA Humanitarian of the Year in 2010, as well as WTA Most Fashionable Player (on and off the court) and WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player. She has been a brand ambassador for several well-known companies, including Motorola, Tiffany, Land Rover, Canon, Tropicana, Gatorade, Nike, Porsche, and Tag Heuer.

The son of Delores and James Jordan, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, is from Brooklyn, New York. As a young child, his family decided to relocate to Wilmington, North Carolina. The fourth of five kids, Jordan. While his mother worked at a bank, his father was employed at an electric plant.  Initially, baseball was his sport of choice, but after spending a lot of time on the basketball court, he developed a new perspective. When they played one-on-one, Larry, his elder and taller brother, consistently defeated him. Jordan’s Personal Life Brooklyn, New York, was the place of Michael Jeffrey Jordan's birth on February 17, 1963. Jordan, raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, acquired a competitive edge from a young age. In every game he played, he wanted to prevail. Jordan had a secure home environment as a child. Delores, his mother, was a bank teller before becoming a published author. James, his father, was a General Electric maintenance worker who later became a manager. James Jr., Larry, Deloris, Roslyn, and Jordan were Jordan's four siblings. James, Jordan's father, created a basketball court in their backyard and introduced his son to baseball. James was killed in the summer of 1993 while traveling from Charlotte to Wilmington, North Carolina when two teens shot him in his car during what appeared to be a heist. Before his remains were discovered in a swamp in McColl, South Carolina, he was reported missing for 11 days. After being tried for the crime, the teenagers were found guilty and given life terms for first-degree murder.                                His Career   Jordan joined Dean Smith's team-centered system, and his potential began to move in the right direction. He earned 13.4 points per game on average while shooting 53.4% from the field, earning him the title of ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Freshman of the Year. The 1982 NCAA Championship, which the North Carolina Tar Heels won with his help, marked a significant turning point in Jordan's career. He was then chosen by the Chicago Bulls in the third round of the NBA Draft to play for them in the 1984 campaign. Jordan displayed moments of brilliance and rose to the status of the pin-up boy during the NBA's 1984 season. This incredibly gifted shooter and passer displayed his ball-handling prowess by slamming down free throws with respectable averages. Because of his large fan base, some of his teammates began to feel a twinge of envy, which resulted in a so-called "freeze-out" on Jordan when players refused to give him a pass during the game. But what set Jordan apart from others was his considerate and impartial stance toward all the problems at the time. Jordan suffered a major leg injury after his season victory, which kept him out of 64 games. On January 13, 1999, Jordan said goodbye to the basketball court for the second time during his incredible playing career. However, in 2000, Jordan made a triumphant comeback to the NBA as the owner and president of the basketball operations of the Washington Wizards.  Jordan was a member of the all-star team that included Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and David Robinson. With enthusiasm and swagger, he helped the national team win a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 1984 and 1992. Jordan retired from playing basketball but kept up his athletic pursuits.  He started riding motorcycles, marketing his clothing company, and participating in celebrity charity golf events. He owns the Michael Jordan Motorsports professional motorcycle road racing team.

Serena Williams, who is regarded as the greatest female tennis player of all time and possibly the greatest athlete of all time, has transformed women's tennis since the 1990s. Williams, who holds 23 Grand Slam titles, developed on the open courts in Compton, California, breaking records and dominating the sport. Williams’s Personal Life Richard Williams and Oracene Price welcomed Serena Williams into the world on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan. The youngest of five sisters, she was also the youngest. She had one full sister, Venus Williams, and three half-sisters, Yetunde, Lynda, and Isha Price, on her mother's side. Williams, a gifted youngster, and her sister Venus Williams began playing tennis at four. They soon enrolled in Rick Macci's tennis academy, where he helped them hone their natural talent and skills. She had a 46-3 record on the United States Tennis Association Junior Tour by 1991 and was ranked number one in the 10-and-under age group. The household shifted to Florida. Her father dissuaded the girls from playing tennis, fearing that the rigorous schedule would cause them to tire too rapidly.                                 Her Career Serena quickly moved up to the top 100 after beginning the Women's Tennis Association rating below 300th place. Serena began creating her legacy in 1998 by taking home the mixed doubles crowns at Wimbledon and the US Open. She had already risen to No. 20 in the WTA Ranking at the year's conclusion. Serena defied expectations by winning her first Grand Slam in the 1999 US Open, defying expectations that Venus would be the first sister to claim a Grand Slam singles victory. Serena rose to the fourth position in the global rankings as a result of becoming the second African-American woman to win a Grand Slam. A few months after winning Wimbledon, Venus and Serena Williams joined again to capture the women's doubles gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. By winning the Australian Open at the beginning of 2001, Serena and Venus became the fifth double pair to win every Grand Slam trophy. Later that year, the sisters squared off in the US Open final, with Venus coming out on top. The French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open were all victories for Serena in 2002, and she defeated Venus in each of those finals to reclaim the top spot in the global rankings. Serena had a year hampered by injuries in 2006 after winning her second Australian Open in 2005. She then fell out of the top 10 in the WTA rankings. But in 2007, the tennis pro stunned everyone by defeating Maria Sharapova and capturing her third Australian Open women's singles title. Serena finished the year in seventh place after returning to the top 10. Serena had another great return in 2012 and wasn't on the tennis court for long before she was back to full power. Williams won a gold medal in the singles competition at the 2012 London Olympics to become the second woman, after Steffi Graf, to complete a career Golden Slam. She had just won both the singles and doubles match at Wimbledon. Serena later won her 15th Grand Slam singles championship at the US Open, but she needed to be more content.

The following are some of the sparring rules in taekwondo: 1. All contestants are required to wear protective gear during sparring. They must also wear the traditional taekwondo gi. For protection, they need to have pads to protect their shin, forearms, hands, chest and head. For men, they must wear groin protection. They must also wear mouth guard.                                 2. Kicks and punches can be very powerful and can therefore cause permanent if not fatal injury. This is why taekwondo only includes certain strikes which are mentioned before the competition. When it comes to using your hands, only a closed fist is allowed. All other moves such as using your elbow, open hand or hammer strikes are not allowed. Kicks, on the other hand, are allowed on the head but you cannot strike the unprotected area of the face.   3. For every penalty you receive, your opponent gains a point. Intentional and repeated fouling will get you kicked out of the competition or even expelled from the tournament. Some of the moves that can attract a foul include: running away from your opponent, grappling of any kind, striking with your elbow or your knee, punches to areas below the waist and to the face, etc.                                 4. A certain number of points are awarded to certain moves. For instance, a kick to the head will earn an opponent three points, a spinning kick to the chest will earn them two points, etc. The strikes have to be of significant force, a glancing or a grazing blow is not enough to earn any points. PREVIOUS PAGE  |  NEXT PAGE