THE TIMES OF CANADA APR 2022
THLETES ’ SUPERSTITIONS
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AFRICAN FOOTBALL CLUB, MIDLANDS PORTLAND CEMENT In 2008 their coach
thletes work hard on the field and outside of it. They put immense effort and consideration into their diets, exercises, lifestyle, and routines. They shift their entire mindset and way of living to preserve their spots on the team. But sometimes hard work and commitment aren’t enough and they find themselves relying on unknown forces and superstitious beliefs to help them secure their team’s win.
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Here are some of the strangest superstitions that our favorite athletes have indulged in.
LYOTO MACHIDA He is known professionally as The Dragon and is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and karateka, currently signed with Bellator MMA. He owes his success to him drinking his own urine. He believes in the success “urine therapy” brings with it, and how it is something he drinks every morning, like a natural medicine. This is knowledge and practice that he replicates from his father.
instructed the team to take a “cleansing dip” as the coach felt that there needed to be a change in their set of course. The team had unfortunately lost many games, and this seemed like an opportunity for them to change this and redeem themselves. Ironically, this incident brought with it further bad luck. The river was not the type of river to be acquainted with, as it was close to Victoria Falls, had strong currents, and was home to crocodiles and hippos. One of the players drowned in the incident, and then they lost their upcoming match as well.
JASON GIAMBI AND THEIR TEAMMATES He is an American
former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter. In 2008, he and the team had found themselves in a rather large slump, and that’s when he found himself wearing a gold thong under his uniform. Seeing the positive results correlated with Giambi’s actions, his teammates attempted the same ritual.
KEVIN RHOMBERG
He is a former left fielder in major League Baseball and made a major league debut on June 9th, 1982. He wasn’t considered to be an exceptional player, but rather an exceptionally weird person. He would never turn right while on the field, and if he did he would have to spin left. Additionally, he had a rather emphasis on the necessity of touching someone back, after being touched by them. If Rhomberg was touched while sliding into second, he’d chase the fielder down and touch him back every time. This would also go for coaches and teammates as well.
LES MILES Les Miles is an American Football coach, and in 2007 he left the LSU Tigers football team to a win in the BCS National Championship Game. Before every game, and especially in high-stress situations he will indulge in eating the grass from the turf. When interviewed about it he mentions how it humbles him, and reminds him of how he is one with the game. By–Sanjana Karthik
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