The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has become the latest major sports body to update its policy on transgender athlete participation, joining several other organizations that have clarified or altered their rules this year. Here’s a summary of the most prominent changes:US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)The USOPC now effectively bars transgender women from competing in women’s sports, citing an obligation to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order. The USOPC oversees around 50 national governing bodies, potentially prompting rule changes at local club levels to maintain membership.International Cycling UnionEarlier this month, cycling’s global governing body banned transgender women who transitioned after male puberty from women’s races. This came after American rider Austin Killips became the first openly transgender woman to win an official cycling event in May.University of PennsylvaniaThe university modified three women’s swimming records previously held by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, settling a federal civil rights investigation and restoring records to female athletes. Thomas, who won an NCAA title in 2022, was at the center of the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict transgender participation in women’s sports.World AquaticsSwimming’s governing body announced a policy in June allowing only transgender athletes who transitioned before age 12 to compete in women’s events. They are also exploring an “open competition” category for the future.World Boxing OrganizationIn May, World Boxing mandated sex testing for all athletes in sanctioned events, referencing scrutiny around Olympic champion Imane Khelif and other elite boxers whose eligibility had been questioned.British SportsFollowing a UK Supreme Court ruling in April, the governing bodies for soccer in England and Scotland banned transgender women from women’s teams, while the England and Wales Cricket Board imposed a similar ban.World Athletics CouncilIn March, track and field’s governing body barred transgender women who underwent male puberty from international competition. New regulations on athletes with differences in sex development, such as Caster Semenya, now require six months of hormone suppression before eligibility.US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)The NCAA announced in February that women’s sports would be limited to athletes assigned female at birth, enforcing the rule immediately after Trump’s executive order. The NCAA governs over 1,100 schools and 500,000 athletes.High School SportsNebraska became the latest state in June to ban transgender girls from girls’ sports, joining at least 24 other states with similar policies. The federal government and several states have clashed over such participation rules.These policy changes reflect a global trend toward more restrictive eligibility standards for transgender athletes, often citing fairness and safety in women’s sports.

Defying age and expectations, the 105-year-old Sawang Janpram of Thailand made headlines last Sunday by winning two gold medals at the 2025 World Masters Games. Competing in the 100+ age group, he claimed first place in both the men’s javelin and 100-meter dash.Sawang was the sole competitor in both events, recording a javelin throw of 10.55 meters and finishing the 100-meter sprint in 38.55 seconds.Sawang began his regular exercise at age 80, inspired by a close friend who became bedridden and by his daughter, whose health dramatically improved through physical activity.He is a retired schoolteacher and former elementary school principal, Sawang is determined not to follow the same path as his immobile friend. Instead, he embraced an active lifestyle that would later take him to global sporting events.He started competing internationally at age 97 and credits the experience not only with enhancing his health but also with helping him build friendships across the world.“Next, I hope to compete in more countries and eventually become a world champion. Staying active keeps me alive and connected,” Sawang said.Sawang’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and the lifelong value of movement—no matter your age.

Norman Black is set to coach the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s team in the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, scheduled from December 9 to 20.Current Gilas head coach Tim Cone earlier announced that he would not be able to call the shots for the SEA Games due to a scheduling conflict with the 2025–26 PBA Philippine Cup, which will be in full swing during the tournament. Cone will instead focus on steering the national team in the opening window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers from November 24 to December 2.With Cone stepping aside, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) tapped Black to take over. The 66-year-old veteran coach currently serves as the federation’s head of player identification and development and also works as a consultant for the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA.

Italy cemented its volleyball dynasty after overpowering Bulgaria, 25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 25-10, to capture back-to-back FIVB Men’s World Championship titles before a record crowd of 16,429 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.Yuri Romano spearheaded the win, delivering a masterclass in the gold medal showdown with 22 points built on 16 powerful attacks, one block, and five consecutive service aces that broke the game wide open late in the second set. Mattia Bottolo and Alessandro Michieletto complimented Romano's brilliance, providing steady power with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

The Philippine women's national football team will play an intersquad exhibition game at the Mall of Asia Football Field on February 25 as part of their nine-day training camp in Manila.The Filipinas' home training camp kicks off a busy 2025 as they get ready for three important competitions.The exhibition game featuring the national team will take place at the recently finished MOA Football Field, giving Filipino supporters a unique chance to watch the team at home.

The Perpetual Altas asserted their dominance with a 75-65 victory over the Mapua Cardinals in NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball action.Perpetual displayed poise and defensive discipline throughout the game, limiting Mapua’s key scorers and converting crucial baskets in the final stretch to secure the win.Patrick Sleat led the charge for Perpetual, delivering an all-around performance with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks—earning Best Player of the Game honors. His steady play on both ends anchored the Altas as they maintained control from start to finish.The Altas established a slim 38-34 halftime lead and continued their strong play in the second half, capitalizing on Mapua’s turnovers and tightening perimeter defense to keep the Cardinals at bay.With balanced scoring and relentless hustle, Perpetual maintained composure as Mapua attempted several comeback runs late in the game. The Altas’ collective effort proved too much for the Cardinals, who struggled to find rhythm offensively.This victory improves Perpetual’s standing in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament as they fight for a spot in the upper half of the standings. Meanwhile, Mapua looks to regroup and regain momentum in their next outing.

Strong Group Athletics-Philippines capped off a flawless 8-0 run at the William Jones Cup, clinching an emphatic 87-62 victory over the United Arab Emirates on Sunday at Xinzhuang Gymnasium.With the title already secured ahead of the final game, the Filipinos left no doubt, sealing back-to-back championships and the country’s eighth overall Jones Cup crown.“We’re happy to win another championship. We never take anything for granted, now a two-time Jones Cup champion with Strong Group. “Our bosses go all out to support us every time we represent the country.” said coach Charles Tiu.UAE kept things close in the first half, trailing by just one at the break, 37-36. But Strong Group broke the game open in the third quarter behind a surge from Tajuan Agee and Allen Liwag. Kiefer Ravena and Dave Ildefonso delivered big shots in the fourth to put the game away.Agee paced the team with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Ravena contributed 13 points and 9 assists, while DJ Fenner and Ian Miller scored 12 each. Ildefonso added 10 points. Andre Roberson, who starred throughout the tournament, sat out the finale.The Filipinos dominated the second half, outscoring UAE 50-26, and extended their unbeaten streak to 16 games over the last two Jones Cup editions. Their run included wins over top teams like Chinese-Taipei Blue, Japan Developmental, Qatar, Australia’s NBL1 Rising Stars, Malaysia, and Bahrain.Coach Tiu praised his squad’s chemistry and commitment: “It’s special because I don’t know if we’ll have this group again. But these guys were willing to sacrifice—something that’s very rare.”

Gilas Pilipinas character will be tested tonight, February 20, when they face a Chinese Taipei team that's fighting for survival in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers at 7:00 PM at the Taipei Heping basketball gymnasium.The Philippine team will put their unbeaten record on the line against the home team that is seeking to finish third place in Group B and make it to the Qualifying Tournament among third placed teams and a possible last-minute shot of making it to Jeddah.Gilas are on top of Group B with a 4-0 win-loss record, followed by the New Zealand Tall Blacks with a 3-1 slate, then the Taipei team sitting in third with a 1-3 record, while Hong Kong is still winless in four games.Though the Filipinos have already qualified for the Asian Cup tournament set in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from August 5-17, Gilas head coach Tim Cone emphasized that they will use this third and final window as preparation for the said tourney.After their game tonight, Gilas will have another battle on February 23 against New Zealand in Auckland.Like Gilas, the Tall Blacks have already qualified for the Asian Cup and will also use the final window to prepare for the next battle.

Filipino cue artist Johann Chua was crowned king of the Hanoi Open Pool Championship 2024 after defeating Chinese Taipei's Ko Pin Yi, 13-7, in the race-to-13 finals last Sunday. It was Chua's first 9-ball world title at the Hanoi Indoor Game Gymnasium in Vietnam.Before entering the finals, Chua first defeated his compatriot Carlo Biado, 11-5 in the semifinals. At the beginning of the match between Chua and Ko, the two players were still going toe-to-toe because their easy shots in the 3-ball and 7-ball were still missing.Yi was the first to win the first rack but Chua didn't give in despite of nervy start, who didn't get a chance so he immediately took four wins in a row until he claimed the crown.His Chinese Taipei bet committed a foul on the 2-ball on rack 16 which gave the opening for Chua to once again regain the table to restore his lead.This is where Chua gained momentum and was careful with his turns and also took advantage of the opportunity to get the 19th rack, until the 20th rack, and his turns became more smooth and here he claimed the expected title after falling short in the World Pool Championship semifinals and in the Europe Open finals.Chua, a 32-year-old cue master, emotionally receives the prize of his labor amounting to $30,000 cash prize and he wants to show the Vietnamese and Filipino fans the skill and the talent of Pinoys in the field of billiards. “Sa Vietnam last night, ang dami ng tao but iba pa rin yung mag-perform ka sa sarili mong bansa and my family and friends talaga. Yun yung mga bagay na sobrang excited ako ngayon and hindi ko maantay na makapag-perform ako bukas (Reyes Cup),” said Chua.

Meralco’s bid to make the East Asia Super League (EASL) playoffs is hanging in the balance after two consecutive road losses — but there’s renewed hope as the Bolts return home for their final four elimination games, starting with Saturday’s rematch against Chinese-Taipei’s Taoyuan Pauian Pilots at the Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.Head coach Luigi Trillo admitted it’s been a challenging stretch for Meralco, which is also juggling its campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup. Since bowing to Ryukyu on Oct. 22, the Bolts have dropped back-to-back PBA games to NLEX and TNT, followed by a setback against Taoyuan last Sunday, where active coaching consultant Nenad Vucinic was ejected after two technical fouls.“We’re representing not just Meralco but also the PBA and our country, and we’re doing our best under the circumstances,” said Trillo. “CJ (Cansino) couldn’t play in our second EASL game because of a bad sprain and we’re still waiting for JB (Justin Brownlee).”Under EASL rules, teams may enlist two world imports, a naturalized player, and an Asian heritage import. If Brownlee remains unavailable, Ange Kouame will take his place on Saturday. Kouame, however, is coming off a six-week layoff and only returned to practice this week. The good news: Asian heritage import Sina Vahedi is now in town and set to play in the Bolts’ next four EASL outings.Trillo confirmed that Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ismael Romero will continue to anchor Meralco’s import lineup. For the Taoyuan Pilots, key players to watch include 7’1” former Phoenix Suns draftee Alec Brown, 6’11” naturalized player Will Artino, 6’7” forward Setric Millner, and national standout Lu Chun Hsiang, who’s averaging 19 points per game.Following Saturday’s clash, Meralco will host Macau on Nov. 15, the Black Bears rematch on Dec. 6, and Ryukyu on Feb. 11—all at the Capital Arena. The top two teams in Meralco’s group of four will advance to the Round of Six playoffs in March.The Bolts will return to PBA action against Terrafirma on Dec. 10.

Farm Fresh stormed into the win column of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference after pulling off a major upset against Akari, 25-23, 25-21, 25-14, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Saturday, November 30.Louie Romero and Trisha Tubu spearheaded the Foxies’s offense, ending a two-game losing streak against heavily fancied Akari Chargers. 

The TNT Tropang 5G kept their Grand Slam bid alive after surviving the grit and grind of the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 89-88, on Wednesday, June 18, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.RR Pogoy came alive in the pivotal moments, finishing with 30 points to lead TNT to a crucial victory and force a knockout game on Saturday, June 21."Mindset ko lang eh ayaw ko magpatalo, ayaw ko mag-bakasyon," said Pogoy, who helped erase a 13-point Magnolia lead.Supporting Pogoy in the must-win game were Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading, who chipped in 21 and 10 points, respectively.Veteran Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser also came up big, scoring 12 and 10 points. They drained back-to-back triples in the dying minutes to help seal the win.

Lee Vann Corteza is a Filipino professional pool player. Nicknamed "The Slayer," he began playing pool in 1993. He is the oldest of five brothers, and his parents named him after American actor Lee Van Cleef.Corteza first took up pool at the age of thirteen, after a friend brought him to a pool parlor. He was subsequently blacklisted from the establishment after accidentally damaging a table.He has won four gold medals and one silver medal at the Southeast Asian Games and was the winner of the 2004 WPA Asian Nine-ball Tour tournament in the Philippines, defeating fellow countryman Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 13–11, in the final.On March 31, 2007, Corteza won the Philippine National Championship by defeating Marlon Manalo with a score of 13–11.In 2009, Corteza finished as runner-up in the WPA World Ten-ball Championship, losing to Mika Immonen of Finland, 11–6, in Quezon City, Philippines.In 2010, Corteza beat Taiwanese player Lo Li-Wen, 13–12, in the final to win the U.S. Open Ten-ball Championship in Las Vegas. He avenged an earlier loss to Lo, who had sent him to the one-loss side with a 9–6 victory. Corteza then defeated Shane Van Boening, 9–8, to earn another shot at Lo and ultimately captured the title along with $20,000 in prize money.

The NCAA is heading back to where it all began.In a landmark decision, the league is set to return to the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum for its Season 101, marking a symbolic homecoming to one of Philippine sports' most iconic venues.The move was made official after the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) gave the green light, clearing all logistical hurdles to host NCAA events at the restored coliseum.The Rizal Memorial Coliseum has been an enduring symbol of Filipino athletic history. First opened in 1934, it has hosted countless memorable moments—from collegiate rivalries to international competitions. Its return as the NCAA’s battleground underscores the league’s commitment to honoring its deep roots while pushing forward into a new era, serving as the league’s iconic home and witnessing countless memorable games until 2005.“This is truly where the NCAA’s identity was forged. Back in the day, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the NCAA were one and the same,” told by the acting Management Committee chairman Atty. Jonas Cabochan of San Beda University. The NCAA’s return has been warmly received by newly appointed PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio.“We welcome back the NCAA with open arms. This is their home,” Gregorio affirmed.The coliseum’s central location stands to benefit most member schools, many of which are based in Manila or the southern parts of Metro Manila—such as San Sebastian, San Beda, St. Benilde, Arellano, EAC, Letran, Mapúa, Lyceum, JRU, and Perpetual Help.“Having the NCAA back here will draw bigger crowds for every game and reinforce the vibrant spirit that has always defined the league,” Gregorio added.The NCAA is planning a soft launch at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in September, followed by a grand opening in October.Additionally, gymnastics, boxing, and weightlifting are being considered as demonstration sports for Season 101, highlighting disciplines that have brought honor to the Philippines in the Olympics, even though they will not yet be part of the official medal tally.

Another Filipino boxing star is set to shine on the global stage, as former world champion Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo returns to action on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight card next month at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.Magsayo will take on Mexican fighter Jorge Mata Cuellar in a 10-round bout for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Featherweight Title, under the banner of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).It was earlier announced that former Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial will also fight on the Pacquiao-Barrios undercard, squaring off against American Alexis Gaytan in an eight-round non-title middleweight bout. The inclusion of Magsayo was later confirmed by MP Promotions, further strengthening the Filipino presence at this high-profile event."It’s a great opportunity to fight for the second time as part of the undercard for my childhood hero, Manny Pacquiao—who is the main reason I started boxing. Just like the first time I fought on his card when I was in the featherweight division, this is another stepping stone toward my second-division world title bid at super featherweight. I'm grateful for the opportunity from big brother Manny," Magsayo said.This won’t be the first time Magsayo shares the stage with Pacquiao. He previously appeared as an undercard fighter during Pacquiao’s final U.S. bout against Yordenis Ugas in 2021, where he delivered a dramatic 10th-round knockout of Mexican Julio Ceja.That performance catapulted Magsayo into a world title opportunity, which he seized by defeating Gary Russell Jr. on January 22, 2022, in Atlantic City to become the WBC Featherweight World Champion.Now riding a three-fight win streak, Magsayo looks to continue his resurgence. His most recent victory came on December 14, 2024, when he scored a dominant second-round knockout over Ecuadorian Bryan Mercado in Long Beach, California. Magsayo currently holds an impressive record of 27 wins, 2 losses, with 18 knockouts.Standing in his way is the hungry and talented 24-year-old Cuellar, who brings a solid 21-2-2 record with 13 KOs. With both fighters eyeing a shot at greater glory, fans can expect fireworks when they step into the ring.Meanwhile, MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons thanked Manny Pacquiao for putting Magsayo on this historic card, where the boxing icon attempts to become the oldest welterweight champion in history. Gibbons expressed confidence in Magsayo's chances against Cuellar and hopes he will emerge as the next contender for a WBC world title."I want to thank Manny [Pacquiao] and Al Haymon for putting Mark on this historic night of boxing, when Pacquiao attempts to become the oldest welterweight champion. A win over Jorge Mata will put Mark next in line for a WBC world title shot," Gibbons said.

Rhianne Hailie Jade Alix is already turning heads as a forward for the Philippine National Women’s Ice Hockey Team at the age of 16. She is known for her speed, agility, and smart puck control, Alix brings youthful energy and a fresh edge to the team’s offensive lineup.She is also a product of the Philippines’ growing grassroots ice hockey movement, Alix exemplifies the sport’s expanding reach among the youth. Her journey began in mall skating rinks, where curiosity quickly turned into passion—and then into national-level performance. Despite her age, she has earned the respect of her teammates and coaches with her relentless work ethic, sharp instincts, and playmaking ability.

Filipino MMA star Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is set to chase history as he aims to become the Philippines’ first two-division world champion in ONE Championship.Widely recognized as the most accomplished strawweight in the promotion’s history, Pacio is moving up in weight to challenge newly crowned flyweight champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE 173 on November 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.Now 29, Pacio has exclusively competed at strawweight throughout his ONE career. Despite stepping into unfamiliar territory, he embraces the challenge. “This is a new chapter for me. I know the odds, but I’ve been through adversity before. I’m ready for this,” Pacio shared. Earlier this year, Pacio made a triumphant return after nearly a year sidelined by a partially torn ACL. At ONE 171 in Qatar last February, he completed his trilogy against Jarred Brooks for the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title. After surviving a dangerous guillotine attempt in the opening round, Pacio rallied in the second, unleashing ground-and-pound to unify the strawweight crown. The win improved his record to 23-4 and marked his seventh reign as ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.At ONE 173, Pacio faces a formidable opponent in Wakamatsu, who enters the bout on a four-fight win streak, including a victory over Pacio’s teammate Danny Kingad. Wakamatsu claimed the vacant ONE Flyweight title at ONE 172 in May with a knockout win over Adriano Moraes.Despite the challenge of fighting in front of a partisan Japanese crowd, Pacio remains undeterred. “I’ll be walking into his backyard, but I know the Filipino spirit travels well. I’m doing this not just for me, but for the entire Philippines,” he said.A victory would make Pacio the first Filipino to capture ONE world titles in two divisions, cementing his legacy as one of the country’s greatest combat sports icons.

Team Philippines celebrated a golden double in Muay at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, as young standouts Lyre Anie Ngina and Zeth Gabriel Bueno captured top honors in their respective Wai Kru divisions on Sunday, October 26.Ngina opened the country’s campaign with a commanding performance in the Girls’ Wai Kru 14–15 division, delivering a near-flawless routine that showcased grace, precision, and discipline. The 14-year-old Filipina impressed the judges with a 9.00 score, edging Malaysia’s Auryelle Xzandra Bobby (8.80) and Thailand’s Kittima Yotsombat (8.60) to secure the gold at the Exhibition World Grand Hall.Following her lead, Bueno extended the nation’s success by ruling the Boys’ Wai Kru 14–15 category, producing an outstanding performance that earned a remarkable 9.17 points—surpassing Thailand’s Daonuea Phuangmali (9.00) to clinch the top spot.Their victories highlighted the Philippines’ growing strength in Muay, a traditional martial art rooted in culture and discipline. Both Ngina and Bueno’s golden finishes not only brought pride to the nation but also underscored the promise of the country’s next generation of martial artists on the Asian stage.Their golden triumph further boosted the Philippines’ medal haul, bringing the nation’s tally to six golds, five silvers, and six bronze, solidifying its position among the top contenders in the overall standings.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is making its much-anticipated return to the University of Santo Tomas (UST), with an exciting doubleheader set at the Quadricentennial Pavilion (QPav) on Sunday, November 16.Action tips off at 5:15 p.m. as the NLEX Road Warriors battle the Titan Ultra High Risers, followed by a marquee matchup between the Phoenix Fuel Masters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings at 7:30 p.m.This marks the second time QPav will host PBA games, following its successful stint as a venue for the PBA On Tour pre-season tournament in July 2023, where proceeds benefited UST’s student-athlete programs.The game day also highlights the UST connection. Phoenix’s Dave Ando and Bryan Santos are both former Growling Tigers, while Titan Ultra is owned by UST College of Commerce alumnus Bryann Calantoc. Meanwhile, Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua, a former Glowing Goldie, currently serves as UST’s Special Assistant to the Rector for Sports.Following the UST leg, the PBA will go on a brief break to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup Qualifiers home game against Guam on December 1 at the Blue Eagle Gym. On the same day, the UAAP will continue its basketball games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.