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Little Big Bear impresses in Keeneland Phoenix Stakes

Little Big Bear won the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh today for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore. Credit: David Betts.

Little Big Bear gave Aidan O’Brien another winner of the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh this afternoon.

The Group 1 contest over six furlongs, Ireland’s first Group 1 of the season for juveniles, was impressively claimed by the son of No Nay Never as the Camas Park Stud and Summerhill-bred colt ran out a stylish seven-length winner of the race.

O’Brien admitted post-race that Little Big Bear gave them a scare prior to the race when he kicked a wall and the clip of the shoe went into his foot. Vets checked the Coolmore partners-owned colt and allowed the horse to run.

“He has a lot of speed, he’s powerful and he’s strong. Ryan (Moore) said that when he let him go, it was over. He has been progressing lovely from every run. We came here the last day with a view to coming back for this race. Everything had gone very smooth. He loves the ground. It was a very good race.”

The Richard Hannon-trained Persian Force was second while Johnny Murtagh’s Shartash took third. The race favourite, the previously unbeaten Bradsell from Archie Watson’s stable, finished fourth, having lost early ground on leaving the stalls.

Al Riffa (1/2f) took the opening John Ormonde Wexford Sand Irish EBF Maiden for jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle and trainer Joseph O’Brien. Incredibly it was a 1000th winner in his short training career for the Carriganóg-based handler.

Al Riffa, a juvenile son of Wootton Bassett, was runner-up on debut over course and distance on 16 July, behind the well-touted Coolmore partners-owned Hans Andersen.

In Ecstasy brought up a double for Joseph O’Brien when taking the Sheehy Motors Volkswagen Handicap in the hands of Declan McDonagh.

Billy Lee and Paddy Twomey teamed up to win the Loder Irish EBF Fillies race with Shelton (4/1). The daughter of Mehmas only managed a midfield position on her first outing behind Vernet a fortnight ago. This afternoon, the two-year-old chestnut filly was a one and a half length victor over Basil Martini (7/2), from the Joseph O’Brien stable, with 10/1 shot Sweetest Heard third home for Ger Lyons.

The England-based Irish trainer David Loughnane made a successful raid on The Curragh as Go Bears Go (11/4f) got back to winning ways, taking the Group 3 Rathasker Stud Phoenix Sprint Stakes.

Ridden by Rossa Ryan, the son of Kodi Bear was runner-up to Minzaal in a Group 3 at Newbury on his previous start. The three-year-old had a length and a quarter in hand on John Feane’s Ano Syra (12/1), with Sacred Bridge (7/1) from the Ger Lyons yard next best in third.

Cairo (16/5) was an eye-catching runner-up to Wave Machine (5/2f) in the John Ormonde Gallop & Arena Construction Irish EBF Maiden over six furlongs. The winning Wave Machine, handled by Johnny Murtagh, got the better of the debuting son of Quality Road, Cairo, by a head. The pair put a length and a half between themselves and third-placed Mount Ruapehu (28/1).

Gordon Bennett (7/4f) won the Donoghue Marquees Handicap over seven furlongs, while the final race, the AK Bets “Higher Limits, Better Prices” Handicap, went to Big Gossey (15/8f).

Also down at the Dingle Pony racing Kian Tubs McNally rode one of the nicest winners you will ever see.

 

Republic of Ireland Women achieve highest ever FIFA ranking

The Republic of Ireland team huddle. Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile. Photo provided by FAI.

The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team has moved up to their highest ever position in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings.

Vera Pauw’s side climbed one place up to 26th, which means they are now in the top 16 European teams.

Since Pauw took charge in 2019 the team has moved up six places overall. The Irish manager feels that they can go even higher as the team seeks qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“It is fantastic to see the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team rise up to their highest ever position in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings because this is a reflection of the tremendous work that the players and staff have put in over the years.

“We have been growing together and improving with each game, so while this achievement is brilliant it is only one part of our journey that continues with two hugely important FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers at home to Finland and away to Slovakia in September.

“Everything that we achieve is as a team and that includes our amazing fans, our sponsors and everyone at the FAI. We will continue to work hard to keep climbing those rankings as we aim to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.”

Ireland will take on Finland on Thursday, September 1st in Tallaght Stadium before Travelling to face Slovakia in Senec on Thursday, September 6th.

James Sugrue leads The Vierumäki Finnish Challenge

James Sugrue, pictured above at the recent Irish Challenge, leads after the opening round in Finland, Credit: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images.

Mallow golfer James Sugrue carded a fine seven under par opening round 65 to set the pace at The Vierumäki Finnish Challenge.

The 25-year-old carded six birdies and eagled his final hole to take the outright lead after day one at Vierumäki Resort.

“I drove the ball very well and putted well” the Corkman said. “I think I had eight putts through nine so I one-putted every green and holed out from a bunker, so I didn’t have to use the putter too much on the front nine!”

Sugrue used borrowed clubs

Like a number of his fellow professionals across the men’s and women’s game, Sugrue’s golf clubs were lost in transit but the Irishman managed to secure a loan set from a former DP World Tour player.

“The clubs aren’t mine, I lost my clubs coming here, so I got a set off Mikko Illonen and they are very nice, I might have to hold on to them!

“Just more of the same tomorrow, I’m really comfortable with that driver, every time I tee it up I think it is going to be a good one. We’ll just see where it takes us.”

Three-way tie for second spot

Finland’s Antii Ahokas and Italian’s Fillipo Bergamaschi and Michele Ortolini are in a three way-way tie for second place after the first round after the trio carded six under par rounds of 66.

Ahokas who won twice on the Challenge Tour in 2008 before struggling to maintain consistent form for much of the follow decade gave the leader board a home flavour.

”I haven’t played in front of a crowd for a while, so I was just trying to stay in my own bubble’ he admitted.  It was something I enjoyed but at the same time I focused on my own thing, but obviously it gives you energy.

“Quite a few people here now, this tournament is a couple of weeks earlier than normal, people are still on holidays, it is a warm week.  I think we’ll get some more crowds here, which is fantastic.”

Martin Simonsen of Denmark, ranked tenth in the Road to Mallorca standings, is the pick of a bunch of players one stroke back on five under, with Spaniard, Alejandro Del Rey, the highest ranked player in the field, also well placed after an opening three under par 69.

Irish Showjumping Squad Named for Aga Khan Trophy

The Longines Nations Cup of Ireland for the award of the Aga Khan Perpetual Trophy starts at 3pm.

Irish Show Jumping team manager Michael Blake has announced his Aga Khan squad for the Longines FEI Nations Cup of Ireland at the Dublin Horse Show this month.

The Aga Khan, which takes place on Friday, 9 August 2022, will be Ireland’s fourth and final points-scoring round of the 2022 season in Europe Division 1.

The competition will be broadcast live as part of RTÉ Sport’s coverage of the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS, which runs from August 17th to 21st.

The Irish squad members are as follows:

Wexford’s Bertram Allen
Meath’s Cian O’Connor
Down’s Conor Swail
Cork’s Shane Sweetnam
Tipperary’s Max Wachman

Irish showjumping team manager Michael Blake said:

“We are very much looking forward to the Aga Khan, it is always a very important and special Nations Cup for us, even more so this year as we have missed Dublin Horse Show due to Covid for the last two years. It is always a huge privilege to compete on home soil and I’m very optimistic of a good result with what I believe is a very strong squad.”

Following the Longines FEI Nations Cup of Ireland at the Dublin Horse Show, the top seven teams on the league table will qualify for the Nations Cup final in Barcelona.

The teams who finish in eighth, ninth and tenth places on the table will be relegated to the EEF Series for 2023.

Five teams, (France, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland) will compete for Nations Cup points in Dublin. The USA and Brazil will also compete in Dublin but will not be eligible for points.

Three Former Syracuse Stars to Watch This Coming Season

Since the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics to capture the team’s sixth NBA Championship, bringing the curtain down on another thrilling season. Players from all the NBA rosters are now enjoying a well-deserved break, but head coaches are already making preparations for the upcoming season, with some of those coaches planning to use some former Syracuse athletes as they mount a charge to become the NBA’s number one team.

 

Most people instantly think of Carmelo Anthony when they consider former Syracuse stars in the NBA. Anthony is now 38 years old and entering the final throws of a long and illustrious career that has seen him named as an NBA All-Star on ten occasions. Amazingly, Anthony still does not have a championship ring, and he probably won’t get one this season if you look at the latest NBA odds from the sites offering online betting in Florida. Anthony could make one final move in his hunt for an NBA title, but which title-chasing team would take him?

 

While Syracuse fans will keep an eye on Anthony, their most famous brother, the following three stars are worth looking out for during the 2022-23 season, as they should see plenty more game time than in previous campaigns.

 

Oshae Brissett

 

Oshae Brissett played two seasons for Syracuse before heading for the 2019 NBA Draft, where he went undrafted. Brissett averaged 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game during his first season before averaging 12.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

 

The Toronto Raptors took Brissett under their wing on a two-way contract, but he only featured in 19 games, averaging a mere 7.1 minutes per game. A brief spell with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants ultimately led to Brissett signing a deal with the Indiana Pacers.

 

Brissett’s first season with the Pacers saw him play 21 games, starting 16. He averaged 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds. Last season saw Brissett feature in a career-high 67 games, starting 25 at year’s end. Thanks, in part, to the Pacers’ many trades, Brissett led the team in every single major category, so we fully expect Brissett to shine for the Pacers this coming season.

 

Elijah Hughes

 

Big things are expected of Elijah Hughes, who now finds himself wearing the Portland Trail Blazers uniform. Hughes transferred to Syracuse from East Carolina and had to redshirt a year due to the NCAA transfer rules. Hughes put in a lot of work during his enforced downtime, improving his strength and diet. The hard work paid off, with Hughes finishing his redshirt sophomore season with 13.7 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals.

 

Hughes entered the 2020 NBA Draft, and the New Orleans Pelicans selected him as the 39th overall pick. His draft rights were traded to the Utah Jazz, and he played 18 games during his rookie season.

 

Last season saw Hughes play 36 games (starting four) between the Jazz and the Trailblazers. He averaged 14.6 minutes per game for the latter, hinting that he will get more time on the court this coming campaign.

 

Jerami Grant

Jerami Grant is entering his tenth season as a professional basketball player, doing so with the Detroit Pistons, although Grant has been the subject of much trade speculation. The Pistons have been terrible for the past three seasons and are in full rebuild mode as a result.

 

Grant has been one of the few beacons of light for the struggling Pistons. He averaged 19.2 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, a career-best 2.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks last year. Those figures would likely have been even better had Grant not suffered a thumb injury that required surgery and kept him out of action for six weeks. Would Grant be open to a trade where he could play for a team more likely to challenge for honors? You can bet your bottom dollar he would.

 

Luke Donald named European Ryder Cup Captain

2023 European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald poses for a portrait in West Palm Beach, Florida. Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images.

Luke Donald has been named as the European Captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy from September 25 – October 1, 2023.Englishman Donald represented Europe in the Ryder Cup four times as a player, being part of a winning team on all four occasions, including in 2012 when he led Team Europe out in the Singles, securing the first blue point on the board in the ‘Miracle at Medinah’. He also has served as a Vice Captain in the last two editions of the biennial contest, under Thomas Bjørn in 2018 and Pádraig Harrington last year.The 44 year old impressive individual playing career includes holding the position of Number One on the Official World Golf Rankings for a total of 56 weeks. In 2011 he became the first player in history to top the money lists on the European Tour (now the DP World Tour) and the PGA TOUR in the same year. Donald said: “I am incredibly proud to be named European Ryder Cup Captain for 2023. It is truly one of the greatest honours that can be bestowed upon a golfer, to lead a team of your peers and be an ambassador for an entire continent. “I feel extremely privileged to have been given that responsibility and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly. “Some of my best experiences in golf have been in the Ryder Cup and I would not swap those for anything. It is an event like no other and I cannot wait to create more special memories in Italy next year. “I love everything the Ryder Cup embodies, from the camaraderie and companionship of being part of a team, to the history of the contest, but most of all playing for something bigger than yourself. “Rome will be a fantastic host city, and I have always enjoyed spending time there. It is a city rich in history and hopefully we can create some of our own in 14 months’ time.”

Vice Captains

Donald has wasted little time in ensuring continuity in the key backroom area of Team Europe, confirming that both existing Vice Captains – Thomas Bjørn and Edoardo Molinari – will continue in their respective positions.“In my opinion, it was essential that Thomas and Edoardo remained part of the team. They were the first two calls I made once I got the nod to be Captain and I’m delighted that they are fully on-board.“Nobody needs any explanation of how important Thomas is to the Ryder Cup – one glance at the history books will show you that. He has lived and breathed European golf for the past 30 years and having his know-how behind me, not least as a winning Captain, will be vital.“Furthermore, Edoardo has blazed an impressive trail for himself in the world of stats and his knowledge in this area with the players who will be on the team, in addition to extra-special Italian element he will bring to the entire occasion, is an extra bonus for Team Europe.”

Donald’s Ryder Cup Record

Donald boasts a formidable playing record in the Ryder Cup, contributing 10½ points from his 15 matches. He made his debut as part of Bernhard Langer’s record-breaking team at Oakland Hills Country Club in 2004, halving his opening match with Paul McGinley against Chris Riley and Stewart Cink, before teaming up with Sergio Garcia in the foursomes to defeat Cink and Kenny Perry 2&1 on the Friday, followed by a 1 up Foursomes victory with Garcia against Jim Furyk and Fred Funk on the Saturday.  Donald claimed a maximum three points from his three matches at The K Club in 2006 under the captaincy of Ian Woosnam as Europe retained the Ryder Cup with a second consecutive 18½-9½ victory. He once again teamed up with Garcia in the Foursomes, defeating Tiger Woods and Furyk 2 up on the Friday, then Phil Mickelson and David Toms 2&1 on the Saturday, before exacting revenge on Chad Campbell for his loss in the Singles two years earlier with a 2&1 victory. His next appearance came at The Celtic Manor Resort in 2010 when he contributed a further three points from his four matches, partnering Ian Poulter to defeat Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton 2&1 in Foursomes, before teaming up with Lee Westwood to beat Steve Stricker and Woods 6&5 in the same format. Donald then defeated Furyk on the final hole of their Singles match as Europe claimed a memorable 14½-13½ win in Wales. Donald was also an integral part of another dramatic European victory two years later in Illinois, the State where he studied at Northwestern University. Partnering Garcia in the Saturday afternoon Fourballs against Woods and Stricker, his stunning tee shot inside Woods’ on the elevated par three 17th hole was a pivotal moment in the Miracle at Medinah, as the pair went on to win their match on the final hole, shortly before Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy reduced the deficit to four points with their victory against Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner. Captain José María Olazábal then handed Donald the responsibility of leading Europe out in the Sunday Singles against Bubba Watson, and Donald duly set the tone for one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the Ryder Cup, winning his match 2&1. Donald had entered the record books of his own accord a year previously when in 2011 he became the first player to top the season-long money lists on both sides of the Atlantic, winning the Player of the Year award on the PGA TOUR and Golfer of the Year in Europe in the process. His four victories that season included the WGC-Accenture Match Play, defeating Ryder Cup teammate Martin Kaymer in the final to reach World Number One for the first time. He also won the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a title he successfully defended in 2012 to take his total of victories on the DP World Tour to seven. Donald returned to the Ryder Cup arena in 2018 when he was selected as a Vice Captain by Thomas Bjørn at Le Golf National in Paris, a role he also performed last year at Whistling Straits under Pádraig Harrington.

Does Ireland Rugby’s Summer Series Win Affect Your Bets In The Autumn

Ireland’s rugby team made history in July by taking the summer series in New Zealand. Irish won two consecutive games against the All Blacks, which no one has done since 1998.

Heading into the summer series test, Ireland had won 12 of the last 13 matches and had great success against New Zealand recently. However, two wins in New Zealand were not expected for Andy Farrell’s men.

Two out of three matches for the top of the rankings

After New Zealand dominated the first match in Auckland, Ireland stunned the host in the second game in Dunedin. On a historic night, guests won 32-12, the first ever Ireland win in New Zealand. Andrew Porter had two crucial tries that created a surprise.

The last test of the series was in Wellington. Despite New Zealand players’ proclamations before the match, Ireland utterly dominated the first half, winning 23-3 with tries from van der Flier, Keenan and Henshaw. All Blacks responded in the second half, but a match-winning try came in the 64th minute by Rob Herring.

Not only did Ireland win the first ever match in New Zealand, it had done it twice a week, sending All Blacks to new lows ahead of Rugby World Cup next year in France.

Meanwhile, Ireland is now at the top of the world rankings with unbelievable wins. They partially avenged the quarter-final loss from the last World Cup when New Zealand crushed them.

Waiting for Autumn series with iGaming

Irish fans can savour the huge summer win and look at their team at the top of the rankings. How will these wins affect your bet in the autumn? It’s hard to run away from the prohibitive favourite status in games to come. You can already place a bet for the three matches in Autumn Nations Series. However, perhaps it’s better to wait until November for those bets and try some casino games in the meanwhile. You can find these replacements in the definite guide to new live dealer casinos. Let your autumn matches pick mature a little.

Australia, Fiji and South Africa

The autumn campaign starts against current world champions, South Africa. However, the last match between the two sides could be deceiving. In 2017 Ireland crushed the Boks 38-3. However, South Africans won their third World Cup in 2019 and won a series against England and Northern Ireland.

Ireland is also not the same team from the World Cup in 2019. However, the recent matches and rankings show they are at the top of the global ranking, and it will be a clash of two highly competitive sides on November 5th at Aviva stadium. To make things more interesting, South Africa will be in the same group as Ireland at the upcoming World Cup next year.

The second opponent coming to Ireland in autumn is Fiji. Two sides also played the last game in 2017, when the Irish won 23-20. Finally, the Nation series will end with a clash against Australia on November 18th in Dublin. The last time these two played, Ireland won the series in Australia 2-1 in 2018.

Still no World Cup favourites

Ireland still doesn’t have a World Cup trophy, and three autumn games are a great test before the following year. While you can be optimistic for the autumn series after the incredible win at New Zealand, sportsbooks still don’t have Ireland among the favourites to win the World Cup.

Although Ireland leads world rankings, bookmakers see hosts France as a clear-cut favourite to win the most prestigious competition in rugby. Despite turmoil inside of a team culminating in substituting team captain Sam Cane at 65 minutes against Ireland, New Zealand is still the second favourite to win the World Cup, according to bookmakers. All Blacks have all sorts of issues, including coaching woes.

Meanwhile, summer series winners in Ireland and England have 5-1 odds to win the World Cup and are tied on the sportsbooks list. Ireland had a Grand Slam in Six Nations six years ago and has had one Triple Crown since. However, under the new coach Andy Farrell, Ireland won historical series in New Zealand, continuing the recent win total. England also won the summer series but was not in such a flashy fashion.

Ireland will now focus on the autumn matches, and you should try not to get too high after a sensational night in Wellington. Irish rugby is in a good spot, and if there is any chance of winning a World Cup, this is the best chance so far. So many talented generations of Irish rugby players missed out on the biggest stage, and after the historic win against the All Blacks in New Zealand, maybe the tide will turn for the World Cup.

Ireland 5th in British Nations Cup

Michael Blake’s Irish Show Jumping team of Alexander Butler, Andrew Bourns, Shane Breen and Jack Ryan finished in fifth place overall in the five-star Longines FEI Nations Cup of Britain at Hickstead.

In a class where just one fence separated the top six teams at the finish, Meath’s Alexander Butler was Ireland’s pathfinder. Butler and Chilli B finished with four faults picked up at the second last fence.

Galway’s Andrew Bourns with Sea Topblue (ISH) also came home with four faults, with the the last part of the combination their only fence to fall.

Tipperary’s Shane Breen  gave Ireland a huge boost with a perfect clear round with the 9-year-old stallion Vistogrand.

Twenty-year-old Jack Ryan from Kilkenny was last to go for Ireland in the first round and came home with eight faults with the Irish Sport Horse BBS McGregor. That left Ireland in a share of third place with Belgium and Brazil on eight faults at the halfway stage. France and Germany shared the lead on four faults while hosts Britain were on 12 faults in sixth with Sweden in seventh on 20 faults.

Second Round

In the second round, Butler and Chilli B repeated their first round score of four faults.

Bourns and The Irish Sport Horse Sea Topblue produced a brilliant clear round to keep Ireland still within one fence of the leaders.

Shane Breen and Vistogrand had one fence down for four faults. With one rider remaining for each team, Germany had taken the outright lead, while France and Brazil were close behind in second.Jack Ryan and the 10-year-old gelding BBS McGregor (ISH) produced an outstanding clear as last to go for Ireland and that left Michael Blake’s team on a final score of 12 faults.

Belgium also finished on 12 but a faster time saw them take fourth while Ireland finished fifth. Three second round clears for Britain saw them stay on their first round score of 12 faults to finish sixth, while Sweden finished seventh on a 36 fault total.Germany had a chance to win if their last rider jumped clear but when Philipp Weishaupt had a fence down with Asathir, Germany would go into a three-way jump-off with France and Brazil who all finished on eight faults.

France eventually took the winners trophy with the fastest clear of the jump-off while Germany finished second and Brazil took third.

Ireland’s fifth place finish in Hickstead means they collect 70 league points, moving them up to 220 points and are now in equal seventh place on the Europe Division 1 league table with one round remaining.Ireland’s last opportunity to gain points in Europe Division 1 will be in their home Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show for the Aga Khan Trophy on August 19th, after which the top seven teams in Europe Division 1 will qualify for the Barcelona finale.

Running Problems, And How To Treat Them?

Do you run regularly but find yourself in pain often? Here are some of the most common issues and some tips on how to treat them. 

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fasciitis condition usually feels like an ice pick going through the heel. You will feel tenderness on the bottom of the foot – which will worsen in the morning.

Causes – Plantar fascia is a band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of the foot. It connects the heel of the foot to the ball. This area comes under stress every time you take a step. People with ankles that pronate, very high arches or flat feet are predisposed to this condition. If you don’t stretch enough before walking, you can bring on this condition.

 

Prevention – Stretch at least three times a day – including the first thing in the morning as well as after walking. Target the calf muscles, tendon, Achilles, and plantar fascia during these stretches. Stand on your toes on a step and drop your heels and hold for a slow count of ten. 

 

Treatment – Take a break from regular walking. Roll your foot on a frozen bottle of water and stretch it to relieve pain associated with the condition. Your doctor may suggest wearing a night splint or stretching the foot while you sleep if the pain doesn’t go away. If you want to continue to run then plantar fasciitis shoes could be a good investment. 

 

Muscle Cramps

 

Muscle cramps will feel like a tight squeezing pain in the calf muscles. The condition isn’t serious, and you need to see a doctor if the cramp doesn’t go away. 

 

Causes – Cramps usually occur when you do some strenuous exercises such as walking uphill. Even though there are many causes of muscle cramps, the most common cause is the muscles are not used to exercising. It can also happen when you are dehydrated or low in potassium. In fact, potassium is an electrolyte that comes out when you sweat.

 

Prevention – Start your exercise routine slowly and build it up to walking longer distances or tougher routes. Don’t overwork yourself in the process. Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water when exercising. Get some potassium in your system by eating a banana or drinking a sports drink that has electrolytes.

 

Treatment – Stop, hydrate, and stretch. Don’t forget to try calf stretches.Many find that bathing in salts or rubbing in cbd cream after exercise can help soothe the pain significantly

 

Sprained Ankle

 

You may feel a sharp pain in the ankle that fades away into a dull pain over time. A sprain isn’t serious most of the time, and it means you have stretched the ligament. But you should check out the sprain to rule out a fracture if you have difficulty putting weight on your foot. 

 

Causes – A sudden twisting in the ankle can cause a sprain. It often happens when you take an awkward step.

 

Prevention – Sprains occur when you walk on uneven surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. You need to watch where you walk. Walk on flat pavements and be cautious when walking on rough surfaces. Perform this exercise to strengthen your ankles. Hold a resistance band with your hand. Now step one foot into the band. Kick the leg to the side against the force of the resistance band. 

 

Treatment – Most sprains will get better with time. You need to avoid using the foot too often. Elevating the foot above the heart or ice can help reduce the swelling – you can do this on your by putting your foot over your head while lying on some indoor or outdoor furniture. Your doctor may recommend wearing a brace of pain that doesn’t recede. Physical therapy is the most effective treatment for most of the sprains.

 

Achilles Tendinitis

 

This is a condition where you will feel a dull or slightly burning pain in the back of the ankle or heel. It’s not that serious. A bad injury to the Achilles tendon can require prolonged therapy or surgery at times. That’s why you shouldn’t ignore such an injury. If the condition has to lead to a rupture of the tendon – which is very rare – you will need immediate surgery to correct the situation. 

 

Causes – Tight calf muscles are the cause of Achilles Tendinitis. Our tendons and ligaments are not as elastic as they used to be as we age. Strenuous exercises without preparing your body for it can place you at a higher risk for this condition. 

 

Prevention – Stretch the calves once they become warm such as when you finish having a shower. Don’t forget to warm up with a five-minute stroll before you walk or run. Stop and stretch before and after the walk. This is a good exercise for you – Stand with your hands against a wall and place both feet on the ground. Now take a big step back with one foot and hold the position for 10 seconds. Then repeat with the other foot. Make sure you build up your walking routine gradually. 

 

Treatment – Rest is the best treatment for this condition. Your doctor may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication or icing the foot if there is continuous swelling. A night splint can help keep the tendon in a lengthened position. Gel heel inserts in the show will help take the pressure off the tendons when you start walking again.

 

Lower Back Pain

 

This condition feels like a dull or sharp pain in the lower back, back of the leg, or buttocks. The condition isn’t serious but will mostly occur in people who have a history of back pain. You need to get the condition checked out -especially if there is radiating pain, tingling down the legs, or numbness. This may signal a pinched nerve. Your doctor will find the root of the condition to prevent it from worsening.

 

Causes – This is a muscle strain. It can also mean one disk in the back is bulging and pinching a nerve. The pounding movement of walking will aggravate the condition. 

 

Prevention – Use the correct posture when walking. Lower back pain is very common in smokers. Obesity is another condition that can aggravate the situation. 

 

Treatment – Stop exercising until you speak with a doctor. But research reveals that moderate activity will alleviate chronic back pain. If you have a history of lower back pain, the best thing is to get a little exercise each day.

Betting on Skating at Online Bookmakers

Ice skating is one of the most popular sports in the world. After all, it is performed everywhere, but there are always certain countries that are better than others. It is therefore not surprising to consider that bookmakers pay attention to the sport and the different competitions that are played every year. You can already look for this in your own country. Several top skaters can be found within the national borders, who regularly reach the top of the rankings. The national competitions can therefore already be an interesting opportunity to earn some extra money. Best bookmaker sites you find on GamblingPro.

Do you also regularly follow international skaters? Then you can also look beyond your own national borders. Several competitions can also be found here. You will undoubtedly know the names that you will find here from the Olympic Games, for example. If you are a fanatic skating enthusiast, you also have the opportunity to look at the smaller competitions and use your knowledge on them. Betting on skating therefore offers a large number of bets and competitions, which can make every weekend exciting.

You may then be inclined to bet exclusively on skaters who regularly win medals. After all, these are also the skaters you will hear the most about in the news and there is a lot of information about them. You just know more about it because of this. However, it is then smart to broaden your horizons. For example, the smaller clubs can also earn you more money if you place your bet on this. You will also discover new players, so you will find a new passion. This can only make every weekend more interesting.

The Major Skating Tournaments

Betting on skating is never only on the biggest competitions. You also have a large number of tournaments that are organized annually. You can think of the European Championships and World Cups, but also the Olympic Games. These tournaments offer a variety of options and will keep you spellbound for several weeks. By betting on skating in one of these tournaments you can go in many directions and have an even more exciting time than if you were only glued to the TV.

Every year you have new tournaments at your disposal. You can bet on the matches individually, but you can also designate the champion of the tournament. With different odds and bets you ensure that lucrative amounts are won. The amounts can be high if you place the right bets. By taking a good look at everything and seeing what you can get the most out of, you will eventually make the right choice.

Bet on the Winner

The most important question in any sport is who wins. This is no different with skating. After all, there has to be a winner in every game. If someone wins a match within a tournament, that skater can advance one round. The winners of the overall tournament often qualify for the bigger tournaments, such as the Olympics.

Betting on skating always happens from the moment you land on a non GamStop bookmaker’s website. Here you can see the upcoming bets clearly arranged. The odds are also behind it. Please note that these odds may change as the tournament progresses. For example, you can designate a winner for each match separately and place your bet.

However, you don’t just have to bet on the winner in skating. If you look at individual bets, you also see that you can go for certain handicaps. These handicaps give a different twist to the match and can give higher odds. The amounts you win will in many cases also become much higher.

Other Interesting Skating Bets

You always have a long list of bets to choose from in the leagues and tournaments. You can go in all directions with this. Don’t want to go for the winner? Then bet your money on the skater who first achieves a certain goal. You can also bet on the times when skating. After all, skaters always set a certain time and try to set a personal record. This makes every match very different and the tension is palpable when you’re sitting in front of the TV.

If there is no certainty in skating, then you have many other bets. You will look at the odds for this. If it doesn’t matter that you take a risk, then you always have the handicaps at your disposal. The bigger the lead or behind, the higher the amounts you can win. You almost always benefit from the course of a match. So in the end, when the right skater achieves a victory, you can get the highest amounts.

Live Betting at Non GamStop Bookmakers for More Excitement

Most bets are placed before the game starts, but you can also bet on skating during the match. You still have to look at the statistics, but at the same time you have a little more time to think about a bet. You can look at your bet when the match is already underway. The earlier in the match you place a bet, the higher the odds will be. The non GamStop bookmaker can adjust the odds as the course of the match changes. This allows you to react faster, but also settle for a lower amount as profit.

More Tips for Betting on Skating

So betting on skating involves many different bets. Before you can place these, it is wise to first look at the statistics. Which skater has already won several victories? What did the previous duels between the various opponents look like? The interests of the skaters can also play a major role. For example, a skater may have to make up for a loss from a previous tournament or win a title again. Based on this you can determine the bets and see what will fit within your budget.