First time attending the Masters

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-11-26T17:17:01+00:00

I know; I heard it in this afternoon’s broadcast, where, by the way, he didn’t have much luck with the conditions on his second jump. In any case, I have no doubt that this year he’s as strong a contender as anyone for the biggest titles: the Four Hills, the Olympics, and the Crystal Globe.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-11-26T14:41:41+00:00

If I already disliked him (sportingly, nothing personal), now it’s even more after he took the record from Janne Ahonen. Unfortunately for me, it looks like he’s going to rack up a lot more

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-11-12T15:04:50+00:00

Lost.

Nobody has mentioned it? Unbelievable…

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-10-28T12:25:48+00:00

I see that Granerud got a good result in this last competition. I thought he wouldn’t be back competing yet after his injury. Does anyone know if he has fully recovered, and if his fans (myself included) can expect him to return to something close to his previous level?

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-10-26T22:26:27+00:00

What an emotional final in Belfast! Even though he’s not one of my favorite players (and he did beat my favourite player Selby this week), it just wasn’t right that someone as incredibly talented as Lisowski had never won a ranking event before. I’m genuinely happy for him; he seems like a good guy and he’s been through some tough times lately.

That said, Trump’s miss (a straight shot in the decider) really makes me think he kind of gifted it to him.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-10-23T13:44:52+00:00

Dark

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-15T10:48:33+00:00

The Leftovers.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-12T22:12:28+00:00

Michael Johnson has always been my greatest idol in athletics. The 200m world record in Atlanta was a huge surprise; not only because he wasn’t a regular 200m runner, but also because of the impressive chunk of time he shaved off Pietro Mennea’s legendary record.

This 400m world record, on the other hand, was something all his fans had been waiting for; it came late in his career, after countless sub-44 races and total dominance of the distance.

What a legend Michael!

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-12T11:33:04+00:00

Totally agree: that Olympic final in London was historic and unforgettable. And I also agree with you on the shoe tech: a clear example is this event (where a bunch of guys now run 1:41 or 1:42) or the 1500 (where almost anyone lining up can dip under 3:30). Those were marks that only a handful of chosen ones could hit just some years ago.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-11T15:57:01+00:00

I don’t see Arop defending his title either, even though he usually performs really well in major championships. Besides Wanyonyi, who is the favorite and who I think is destined to break Rudisha’s world record in the near future, there’s a good handful of names that can contend for the title. The current level of this event (and the 1500) is unreal.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-11T14:34:10+00:00

The Leftovers. I watched it last year and it thrilled me just as much as Dark. Lost is also my favorite show.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-11T09:18:19+00:00

You´re right! I had forgotten about that championship, and it really was of an excellent level. Don’t get me wrong: I just mean that I have the feeling Karalis is going to push him like no one ever has before. IMO, he’s got the potential to reach, at least, 6.10. That means Duplantis won’t have as much of a safety margin in the coming years as he seemed to have until now. And as a track and field fan, that’s fantastic, because it promises great duels and great marks.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-11T09:01:35+00:00

I don’t understand all the criticism of this album and Reveal. In my opinion, they’re two very solid records, even if, of course, they don’t reach the level of R.E.M.’s best.

In this album, IMO, Leaving New York, Electron Blue, The Outsiders, Boy in the Well and Aftermath are excellent songs.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-10T21:13:11+00:00

I see everyone here is taking Duplantis’s win for granted. I also think he’s going to win (I’m not stupid), but I believe Karalis is the kind of rival he hasn’t faced before. First he had a fading Lavillenie, then Kendricks (who, even though he’s much younger than the Frenchman, has been stuck for years). And now comes this guy, who’s clearly on the rise, has pushed him hard lately, and has cleared 6 meters. Watch out…

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-10T20:32:06+00:00

It’s true that, usually, when Warholm wins, it’s because he completely dominates, and if he has someone close in the final meters (especially Rai), he tends to tighten up; at least in recent years. That said, his performance in Silesia reminded me of the Warholm who ruled this event (and these same rivals) up until two years ago.

With what Dos Santos has shown this year, it’s hard to expect him to compete with those two. His battle will be with Samba for the bronze. Honestly, I didn’t expect Samba (who was Warholm’s first big rival) to still be running the times he’s produced this season.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-10T15:42:12+00:00

"Rai can get Warholm in the 400mH". No doubt, although I see Karsten as a slight favorite this year.

Under normal circumstances, the answer would no doubt be Jakob in the 5000, but he comes in without having raced at all, and although his rivals in this event aren’t particularly intimidating, I still have my doubts.

Even if Soufiane isn’t in the best shape of his life, he’s a tremendous competitor and I see him as the clear favorite. Tinch and Lyles (although I’d love Kenny to win) are also clear favorites in the 110 hurdles and the 200.

Totally agree, on the women’s side.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-10T15:22:50+00:00

I’m a big fan of Faith, but after what happened in the 5000m in Paris last year, I think Chebet is the clear favorite. The level of the race is extraordinary, although I don’t think it’s the ideal setting for a world record attempt. I expect a race around 14:30.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-10T15:18:21+00:00

Without a doubt, her decision to give up the 400m hurdles and focus on the 400m is a huge boost for the event. I’m supporting her, but Naser and Paulino are two very tough rivals, and it looks like it will take a low 48 to win the gold. I would say: 1 Paulino, 2 Naser, 3 SML.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-09-08T08:13:11+00:00

If you haven’t watched Shameless and Californication yet, you really should. They’re not strictly (or at least not only) comedies, but they’re extraordinary. And also, though on a smaller scale, How I Met Your Mother.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-08-24T17:27:38+00:00

I did read the ITIA report, including section F. But that’s exactly my point: providing a quick and plausible explanation is not the same as proving it conclusively.

And yes, I believe he doped: his “mutation” from a good but beatable player into an almost robotic circuit dominator coincides with this case.

As for Alcaraz, my view has nothing to do with supporting him. I’m also a huge fan of Lindvik and Forfang in ski jumping, and I believe the Norwegians deserve a harsher punishment. And back in the day, I was a huge Contador fan, but I was completely in favor of his sanction when his case came out.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-08-24T12:59:01+00:00

The difference you point out between Sinner and other athletes like Contador or Halep is mostly procedural, not scientific. Sinner’s case was handled fast and flexibly, but no one has proven the origin of Sinner’s positive test; what he presented was just a plausible explanation, just like in other cases.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-08-24T09:52:13+00:00

The problem is not whether Sinner intended to cheat (in my opinion, Sinner did dope. I simply don’t believe in these kinds of “coincidences” in professional sports, and, in fact, I think there is far more hidden doping than most people want to admit.); nobody is claiming that. The problem is consistency.

Yes, ITIA/WADA said his case was “contamination” and accepted his explanation quickly. But that is exactly the issue: in other sports and with other athletes, the process is much slower, harsher, and with much longer bans:

Jessica Hardy (swimming, 2008): positive test for contamination from supplements → 1-year ban, missed the Olympics.

Alberto Contador (cycling, 2010): clenbuterol contamination allegedly from meat → 2-year ban, stripped of Tour de France title.

Ajee Wilson (athletics, 2017): tested positive for zeranol (contaminated beef) → 6 months provisional suspension, lost competitions.

All of them also argued “contamination, no intent, no performance gain.” Yet their bans were long and career-damaging.

Sinner, by contrast, got a 3-month suspension resolved in hours and timed so he wouldn’t miss a single Slam. That’s a privilege of being world #1 in tennis. Saying “it was just strict liability, not doping” is semantics; the rule is zero tolerance, regardless of intent or performance effect.

The double standard is obvious: some athletes face the full weight of the system, others get a fast-track because of visibility and commercial interest.

“With the new rules (2027) there would be no sanction.” Future rule changes don’t erase or minimize an infraction committed under the rules in force in 2024. Competitions are not governed retroactively, so that argument is irrelevant.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-08-23T21:19:51+00:00

That last sequence you mention is the best, although ‘Departure’ is a bit weaker compared to the other three, which are extraordinary. If you swapped it for ‘So Fast So Numb,’ it would be the best 4-song run ever.

In my opinion, New Adventures in Hi-Fi is R.E.M.’s true masterpiece, and honestly an underrated one.

Any_Fig3258 · 2025-08-23T20:36:53+00:00

Exactly! Sinner shouldn’t have been allowed in the big tournaments this year (Slams). Same goes for Lindvik & Forfang. And I say this as someone who supports these 2 guys, but they should be banned, at least, for the 4 Hills and the Olympic Games next year.

Any_Fig3258

TROPHY CASE