Ugh!
Vitalia Diatchenko, the professional tennis star from Russia, boasts of a career-high 61st rank in doubles and 71st in singles, which she achieved in 2011 and 2014, respectively. According to WTA, her current singles ranking stands at 179, while her doubles ranking stands at 427.
Diatchenko is popular for her stylish demeanor on the court as well as off it. When tennis stars are in the heat of matches, they sometimes produce a screaming sound when they are in full swing and punching in more power in their shots, just like she did while returning a shot against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko at Wimbledon in 2018.
I Did It!
A great player is identified by their effort to go to any length for a touchdown or to score a goal. This snap is from a game between two National Football League sides, Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets. This well-timed photograph gives us an optical illusion of the football being round-shaped.
A football is in the shape of a prolate spheroid. The bounce of a football comes from this strange shape. The randomness of this bouncing ball brings unpredictability that the players as well as the coaches try to bring down. This uncertain bounce can determine which team would reach the playoffs and which team wouldn't.
Time to Have Some Fun
Why should the players have all the fun? This girl is having a gala time, proving that cheerleaders can dunk as well. Cheerleaders are expected to support their team emotionally by cheering the players during practice sessions and games. You will often see them dancing and performing acrobatic movements to pep up the team. But they never used to get their due.
However, times have changed. "Cheers," the docu-series on Netflix tells us that cheerleaders are now admired, praised, and envied. They are the cynosure of all eyes and are not confined to cheerleading only, just like this girl who is busy displaying her potential as a basketball player.
Flexing Their Muscles
Anna Watson is not beyond physical activity freaks' ken. A wellness icon by profession, she used to be a cheerleader during her days at a learning center in Georgia. The Fayetteville native took part in gymnastics from the age of five and took up cheerleading at her secondary school.
She chose to lift weights and was signed by Elite Model Management for $75K later on. Cheerleaders can easily be tossed up to great heights during rallies and celebrations. That's because they are mostly seen with lean and supple builds. However, Watson is different. Her pounds of muscle and immense strength make her stand out among the crowd.
We Won the Game!
The Oregon Duck cheerleaders are known for their loyalty and dedication. They cheer for the UO in various athletic programs, such as football, volleyball, and basketball. You can see them entertaining crowds at the Matthew Knight Arena and the Autzen Stadium. The squad also supports the UO at several other events in the state of Oregon.
Almost everyone in the 41-member squad has a background in dancing. They even travel to inspire the Oregon Ducks college football team. A frenzy of smiling women greeting the players coming out from the dressing room is a sight to behold. Here, the girls can be seen celebrating a thumping victory!
Failed Experiment
Cheerleading today is not what it used to be some three decades back. It's not a sideline activity anymore, but a full-on sport in recent times. Intense acrobatics and tough dance routines are integral to cheerleading now.
Though performing new stunts can be fun sometimes, it can also prove to be fatal if things don't work according to plan. Reportedly, over 30,000 cheerleaders sustain grave injuries and end up at a hospital every year. This man in the photo was probably supposed to hold the girl when she landed. However, he seems to have missed his grip making the girl land in such an awkward position.
Oh No!
These girls are from the cheerleading squad of Plattsmouth High School. The school boasts two Spirit Squad teams, one for cheering and the other for dancing. The two groups work in sync with each other to build team spirit and motivate the students to take part in athletics and attain success.
While the cheerleaders perched on top of their teammates are pretty confident, the cringy expressions coming from the two beneath reveal their dearth of confidence. They simply don't know the trick to hold a human high up. This is quite natural if you don't turn up for the practice sessions.
Aquatic Confusion
Artistic swimming, previously known as synchronized swimming, became an event at The Olympic Games for the first time at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. While the solo events are no longer featured at the Games, athletes take part in team events and duet events as well.
Artistic swimming is a blend of swimming, dance, and gymnastics. The swimmers perform a coordinated routine of dynamic and complex movements underwater, while also moving their arms underwater with music. At first glance, you might wonder if she is a notably tall woman or a mermaid with legs. But it's just brilliantly-timed photography that has captured two different swimmers performing in sync.
The Cameraman Messed Up
A professional cheerleader's life is full of glitz and glamor. However, mishaps happen on the field. Some of them are avoidable, while some may ruin the entire career of a professional cheerleader. Colliding with a team player, being unaware of your facial expressions when you're busy dancing, not having ample preparation, and failing to memorize your dance steps are some of the mishaps that take place.
Photographers are usually on their toes, waiting to click the cheerleaders while dancing. Unfortunately, some of them are clicked at the wrong moments and what we see is a bunch of beautiful cheerleaders making hilarious faces. This one here is a bright example.
That's Not What She Wanted
Though tennis is not a contact sport, one can sustain injuries during a game, like tennis elbow, wrist strains, knee pain, shoulder injuries, etc. Avoiding such injuries requires complete focus. What if your hair blindfolds you and you can't even spot the ball before it hits you badly? This can be a common scenario in women's tennis.
That's why the likes of Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Iga Świątek tie their hair properly before stepping on the court. Some common styles are the ponytail braid, the bun, or simply a ponytail. Elastic headbands can also serve the purpose. Those with long hair can worry less and focus on their game.
Oops!
Male cheerleaders serving as bases provide the necessary strength to the stunt groups. Basing exerts strain on the body and therefore, the bases need to develop greater strength required to hold up the person on top almost an arm's length above the ahead and keep on holding for a substantial period.
Bases might also need to toss the person on top some 20 feet high in the air. Core strength and power in the upper and lower body play a key role. But things went the wrong way when this man lost his balance while holding the girl up. Though it looks funny at first, this could be risky.
Touching Toes Like a Boss
That's a girl from the Georgia Southern cheerleading team. The main focus of the squad is to make the name of Eagle Nation heard from miles away and keep the spirits high. The cheerleaders lead a crowd of more than 20,000 people in the picturesque Paulson Stadium.
This girl in the photograph seems to have ample experience in professional cheerleading. If you don't have an athletic body and proper fitness, touching your toes during an air split is next to impossible. Preparing yourself before you jump is important. It initiates the momentum you need to jump. Don't forget to keep your legs straight.
Perfectly Synchronized
The Dallas Cowboys are a highly successful football team playing in the NFL. NFL film's Bob Ryan christened the term "America's Team" after the 1978-79 season, and the moniker stuck with them. "America's Sweethearts," as the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are nicknamed, cheer the team in every game, all decked up in blue and white uniforms.
Their dance routines involve flexibility, stamina, as well as timing. Often, their impeccable performances leave the fans gasping for breath. Look at their picture-perfect synchronization. A lot of practice goes into that—they must have been practicing in front of the mirror for hours!
Pretty Women
This bunch of TCU cheerleaders, with their signature costumes and infectious smiles, make for a pretty picture. These girls bring the crowd to their feet at various athletic events within the TCU community and special events out of it. They are known to cheer for the Horned Frogs at football, basketball, and volleyball games. The squad also makes special appearances at different charitable events and participates in community service activities.
The TCU Horned Frogs are a group of athletic teams belonging to Texas Christian University. They take part in Football Bowl Subdivision or FBS approved by the NCAA in the United States. They compete primarily in the Big 12 Conference.
Move!
Football is one of the most popular sports in the United States. Known to be a masculine sport, it can often lead to serious injuries. NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown, for example, karate kicked and flattened his opponent punter Spencer Lanning during his team Pittsburgh Steelers' match with Cleveland Browns and was fined for doing so.
Unless a defender commits an unnecessary rough or forcible contact with a runner's face, head, or neck, it is not considered a foul in American football. But due to this drastic challenge on Lanning, the referees flagged Brown and issued a penalty against him. Surprisingly though, Lanning wasn't injured and was all sport.
I Don't Need a Racket
Stanislas Wawrinka, a professional tennis player from Switzerland, joined hands with Roger Federer and won a gold medal for Switzerland in doubles at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. His current world ranking is 150.
This moment will be etched in the Wawrinka's memory. He was facing the Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the French Open in the iconic Roland Garros stadium in Paris. He fell to the ground and his racket flew out of his hand. In an attempt to serve the ball back to his opponent, he took a 'simple' approach to using his hand instead. Needless to say, this didn't go down well with the umpire.
Can We Dance?
This photograph is from the 2017 NBA Finals game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. An altercation broke out between David West and Kyrie Irving over a rebound. In the heat of the moment, West snatched the ball from Irving and pushed him away. Tristan Thompson entered the scene and confronted West.
Aggression is a part of pro basketball. If you are not aggressive, you are not giving 100% to your team. Basketball is a physical sport and if you allow your opponents to dominate, you are letting your team down. On a funny note, it seems the two are close enough for a slow dance.
Not a Rock Concert
No, Clay Matthews is not headbanging at a rock concert. He is throwing his long mane back and forth while warming up before a game. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback grew his blond hair to follow in his father, Clay Matthews Jr's footsteps. The latter had long hair and Clay Jr. had always been keen to emulate his hairstyle.
He started growing his hair long while at college. Matthews spent almost his entire career at the Packers in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl in 2011. He had been a First-team All-Pro in 2010 and a three-time Rose Bowl champion from 2007 to 2009.
A Moment to Remember
The NFL game between New York Jets and New England Patriots on 2012 Thanksgiving Day will be permanently fixed in the memories of football fanatics due to many reasons. Mark Sanchez, the former quarterback, and the Jets laid out one of the most hilarious moments in the history of the league. 79,000 fans were present at the MetLife Stadium and an additional 20 million primetime TV viewers witnessed this unforgettable 'Butt Fumble.'
It occurred when Sanchez slipped and his head thumped into the posterior of Brandon Moore. While the former fumbled, the Patriots picked up the loose ball for a game-killing touchdown. It was a humiliating moment for the Jets.
Acrobatic Tennis
Competitive tennis is always exciting. Some players do give the fans an extra dose of excitement. Take Gael Monfils for example. The Frenchman can keep you hooked with his shots from between his legs or by sliding sideways in almost full splits. Monfils' free-spirited persona, coupled with his athleticism, make him one of the most fascinating players of the game in recent times.
Almost all his actions on the court represent acrobatic tennis. This style of tennis requires speed and agility and involves various physical activities like jumping, flipping, and other maneuvers. With acrobatic skills, it becomes easy for a player to overwhelm their opponent.
Blame the Air
Divers often display quite frightening to outright hilarious faces and the FINA World Championships in Shanghai was witness to many such eye-catching grimaces. Kudos to the photographers for clicking some amazingly well-timed photos. Qin Kai has been photographed here with a face that looks like he has been punched badly. His twists and turns were caught on camera before he hit the water's surface. We feel it's the air pressure that played spoilsport.
Kai represented China in diving and won glory for his country in 2008, 2012, and the 2016 Olympic Games held in Beijing, London, and Rio respectively. He is not active in international competitions anymore.
Eli Manning's Weird Faces
Eli Manning may have retired from the National Football League, but he will always be remembered for the hysterical faces he made during games. Being a member of the Manning dynasty, the football quarterback has been a Super Bowl champion and a two-time Super Bowl MVP in 2008 and 2011 with New York Giants.
Speaking about the many faces of Eli, the retired football player has displayed an array of expressions that made us laugh our hearts out. While sometimes he looks dazed and confused, his dejected looks had our attention. On some occasions, he is grossed out, and seemingly dispirited and sighing.
A Kick in the Face!
This rib-tickling photo is from a football game between two National Football League sides, Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers in 2014, held at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Matt Elam of the Ravens got a surprise kick in his face from Eddie Royal of the Chargers.
The photograph secured third place in the Sports Photographer of the Year category. Though it may seem to be amusing at first glance, the kick from Royal could have been fatal for the former All-American. Though we are not sure if he got injured or how fatal the injury was, dramatic injuries are a part of this contact sport.
Picking His Nose
Ladies and gentlemen, that's LeBron James for you. But the photographer here is the one who deserves the applause. James was attending an NBA game in 2010 between New York Knicks and Miami Heat when he was digging his nose, which didn't go unnoticed.
Interestingly, the basketball star was planning to join the Knicks that season but opted to join the Heat at the last moment. James currently plies his trade for the LA Lakers in the NBA. Aside from being a four-time NBA champion, he has also won the NBA Finals MVP and the NBA MVP title four times each.
Where's Waldo?
This photo is from an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers in 2013. Girls from the Vikings cheerleading squad are out there doing their bit to push their team to victory. This girl named Pam, at the center of the photograph is dressed up in a special costume.
The traditional red and white stripes suggest it's a 'Where's Waldo' collection. Though we haven't seen much of this attire in cheerleading these days, Pam's outfit did grab many eyeballs. However, did you notice that there isn't a single uniform for the rest of the squad? It's almost 'go as you like.'
That's Surreal!
The fans of Dennis Rodman consider him to be the best rebounding forward in the history of the NBA. During his heydays, he has represented several teams, including the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls. Rodman was always popular among the fans for his hustle.
Sam Forencich, a long-time photographer with the NBA, clicked this photo of Rodman when the latter was with the Bulls. In Forencich's words, it was surreal to watch the Hall of Famer sacrificing his body to snatch a point in the 1997 game against the Golden State Warriors. Capturing the five-time NBA champion flying was a high point in Forencich's career.
Shoulder Sit Gone Wrong
Shoulder sit is one of the most popular stunts in cheerleading. The flyer has to sit on the shoulders of the base and wrap her feet around the waist of the base. After the base lunges her body forward and pushes her legs to the side, the flyer will stand on the legs of the base, keeping her legs locked and her body tight.
After the flyer sits on her shoulders, she must wrap her feet and legs under the base's arms for safety. Proper mounting and dismounting are the keys. However, in this photograph, the stunt has gone appallingly wrong.
No High-Five in Return
We feel for Tom Brady. After all, he made the passes for touchdowns and all he wanted was a high-five from his teammates in return. But the poor guy got none. His expectant smile warmed our hearts. Finally, it was his teammate LeGarrette Blount who reciprocated and have him the high-five he deserved.
Considered by many the greatest quarterback of all time, Brady plies his trade in the National Football League with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before he joined the Buccaneers, he spent twenty seasons with another NFL side, the New England Patriots. He is a seven-time Super Bowl champion and has been a five-time Super Bowl MVP.
Victorious!
Those crazy expressions can make you guffaw. These girls are from NCP Varsity Poms, the Northside College Prep's Varsity Dance Team. From ballet to hip-hop, the squad performs different dance forms. The team came first in three regional competitions during the 2015-2016 season.
This photograph dates back to 2014. The girls are jubilant after the announcement of the winner's name. They are all screaming in unison with joy. Finally, the hard work paid off. The photographer has captured their natural expressions perfectly. However, the girl on our extreme right has all our attention. She is literally over the moon and can't hide her excitement.
Down We Go!
Melissa Kellerman, a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, can't just believe what happened. In the background, that's Jason Witten, then a tight end with the Cowboys. Witten spent a major part of his career with the Cowboys. He is a two-time First-team All-Pro and has made it to the Pro-Bowl eleven times.
Kellerman was standing with her back facing the field when Witten was carried out of bonds by a tackler from the Miami Dolphins just when the fourth quarter commenced. As the tight-end, all of 265 pounds, was about to hit the turf, he caught Kellerman's waist, and down she went like a soccer star. That was pleasantly surprising for the cheerleader.
All in Unison
Despite being active in the NFL scene since 1999, the Houston Texans are one of the four teams that have never taken part in a Super Bowl. However, there hasn't been a dearth of enthusiasm, be it in the fans or its cheerleaders.
The Houston Texans cheerleading squad is a dance group that has been consistent with its support since 2002. The cheerleaders make appearances at parties and charity events as well. The girls here make a pretty pose dancing in unison at a Texans game. The perfect synchronization grabs our eyeballs. Synchronized dance routines and gymnastic prowess make cheerleading a sport in its own right.
Fall of the Pyramid
By combining lifts, dismounts, and poses, the cheerleaders come up with a mega stunt that is impressive to the eyes. To ensure that, learning the basics become significant. While the flyer forms the pyramid's top, the base forms the bottom. A cheerleading pyramid can be one-and-a-half high, two-high, or two-and-a-half high.
Poor synchronization can lead to such mishaps. When you are holding arms, touch them to keep yourself connected. If you know you're going to fall, disconnect from anyone you are holding to prevent others from falling on you. The girls had a great fall while attempting to form a cheerleading pyramid, probably because they didn't stick to the basics.
Traveling as a Cheerleader
Cheerleaders have to accompany the team wherever it goes and that means a lot of traveling is involved. Often, the performance schedule is physically demanding. Plus, being a part of an NFL team can be quite expensive.
While traveling, plenty of things can happen on the road and no one has any idea what they can possibly face. The girls hardly have any time to work out or eat properly. Also, they might have to sleep in rather strange places. Aside from getting pushed into a super competitive environment can be difficult. Week in and week out, things get harder. We feel for you, Ms. We-Don't-Know-Who.
Extra Hands
This picture dates back to February 2013. Willian, a professional soccer star from Brazil, was playing for Makhachkala during the UEFA Europa League against Hannover 96 in Hanover, Germany when this was taken. Though it looks like the Brazilian has grown an extra set of arms initially, it was his teammate who raised his hands with Willian almost simultaneously. The timing was perfect.
Willian plied his trade with FC Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia for the 2013 season. Unfortunately, the Dagestani club doesn't exist anymore. Due to strict budget cuts, the club lost many players and got relegated after the 2013-2014 season. Post that, Willian joined the Premier League club, Chelsea.
A Raider is on the Way
The team is now Las Vegas Raiders, but back in that time, they were known as Oakland Raiders. This pregnant woman, attending a game between the Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs in 2004, is a Raiders fan and has the emblem of the team drawn perfectly on her protruded belly. A little Raider is on the way.
Raiders fans are officially known as the Raider Nation. Are known for their devotion to their team. The devotion of the fans is chronicled in Kelly Mayhew and Jim Miller's book, "Better to Reign in Hell." "The Autumn Wind," the flight song of the Nation is sung by the fans at every game.
Here, Take It!
It was a goal scored by Rooi Mahamutsa that took the South African soccer club Orlando Pirates to glory. The club won the CAF Champions League final for the second time in eighteen years. The defensive stalwart occupies a special place in the hearts of association football fans. He was highly popular for the crunchy tackles, due to which he often ended up on the wrong side of the law.
This is a throwback photo of the defender's challenge on Thabiso Nkoana during a match against SuperSport United, which left the fans laughing uncontrollably. He was shown the red card for this offensive tackle, although he pleaded not guilty.
A Shout of Joy
This throwback photo from May 30, 2012, shows France's Nicolas Devilder celebrating a match point against Germany's Michael Berrer in a second-round men's singles match in Paris, France. His face reflects an overwhelming feeling of happiness.
Humans are known to be genetically programmed to strive for victory and superiority in competitive situations. Winning becomes emotionally important at all costs. Losses are painful to bear. For a professional tennis player, the emotional stakes are quite high. With success, a competitor can't suppress the feeling of ecstasy just like Devilder here. He retired from professional tennis in 2013, having attained a career-high ranking of 60 in 2008.
That's Scary
Serving and volleying can't be seen much in professional tennis these days. However, we have seen the likes of Roger Federer using the tactic. When you are trying the serve and volley, your main objective should be to put your opponent in an uncomfortable position. The moment your opponent stretches out, the opposite court becomes wide open, giving you ample space to hit the winning volley.
Taylor Dent, the former American tennis professional and world No. 21, was probably focusing on his serve and volley when the photographer clicked him. Our first impression while seeing this photo was a bit scary. It looked like something had possessed him.
Knockout Punch
Let's take you back to a 1984 matchup between two National Football league teams, the Los Angeles Raiders, and the New England Patriots. An infamous incident between Matt Millen and Pat Sullivan on match day hit the headlines. Sullivan, the Patriots' general manager, was accused of trash-talking the Raiders' defensive end and Hall of Famer, Howie Long.
On top of that, the Raiders lost the game to the Patriots. These had a combined effect that brushed Millen the wrong way, and it resulted in the Raiders linebacker landing a deadly right hook on Sullivan, leaving him in a bad state. His face reveals the pain.
He Found His Soulmate
Abdoulay Konko gives teammate Albano Bizzarri a tight hug during a Serie A game between Lazio and Juventus held in Turin, Italy, in 2012. Hugging is pretty common in soccer. It's a gesture to express happiness over a goal or a victory. A team huddle before a game is quite common these days.
Everything is perfect about this photograph until your eyes fall on Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella on your left, hugging the goalpost. Quagliarella might have been inspired by the right-back from his opposite team hugging his goalie to save an inevitable goal. The pole gave him a sense of satisfaction.