Sports
Nobuko Oshiro: Okinawa’s only female karate grandmaster
Training in karate was not always easy for Nobuko Oshiro, who faced bullying and harsh treatment from her instructors as one of the few women in the sport. Now at 77, she is Okinawa’s only female grandmaster and runs a renowned dojo, inspiring students from around the world.
Tarahumara runners torn between tradition and comfort
The Ciudad Juárez Marathon, in northern Mexico, is known for having an Indigenous category, which attracts runners from the Tarahumara tribe. The group has a long tradition of running long distances while wearing sandals, and have even inspired a trend of barefoot running around the globe. But a new generation of Tarahumaras wants to run in different types of shoes.
After the gold: A look at how some Olympic champions are being welcomed home
Winning gold at the Olympic Games is a huge accomplishment. But athletes are received in various different ways upon returning to their home countries, with some even being showered with gifts and cash. But others question if financial rewards are appropriate.
In southern Turkey, a surf school helps earthquake survivors process trauma and loss
The beachside community of Samandağ was devastated by last year’s earthquakes in southern Turkey, which killed roughly 60,000 people. Today, a small surf center introduces local teenagers to the sport — and a way to process trauma while facing fear.
‘I’m not finished’: Badminton’s Beiwen Zhang wants gold in the final Olympics of her decadeslong career
Olympian Beiwen Zhang went pro in badminton at age 13, leaving her home country of China for Singapore to pursue the sport. She struggled with the pressure of competitive athletics, though. The World’s Bianca Hillier has the story of how she bounced back, not just from intense stress but also from what many believed could be a career-ending injury.