February is an exciting month for sports fans. The NBA and NHL seasons are in full swing, and we have the Super Bowl, the NBA All-Star Game, and college basketball tournaments heating up. Baseball fans look forward to spring training, while NASCAR kicks off with the Daytona 500. Formula E races and PGA Tour events also add to the action, not to mention the Winter Olympics.
February 23 has seen many memorable sports moments. Here are some highlights:
– 1895: Speed skater Jaap Eden set a world record in the 10km with a time of 17:56.
– 1906: Boxer Tommy Burns won the heavyweight title by defeating Marvin Hart in 20 rounds.
– 1938: Joe Louis knocked out Nathan Mann in the third round to defend his heavyweight title.
– 1952: Lydia Wideman became the first female Olympic cross-country skiing champion.
– 1960: Carol Heiss won the first gold medal for the U.S. at the Squaw Valley Games.
– 1964: Richard Petty led 184 laps to win the sixth Daytona 500.
– 1968: Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to score 25,000 points.
– 1980: Eric Heiden set a world record in the Olympic 10,000 meters and won all five speed skating events.
– 1985: Patrick Roy made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens.
– 2013: Ronda Rousey won the first women’s fight in UFC history against Liz Carmouche.
Three standout athletes from February 23 are Tommy Burns, Patrick Roy, and Ronda Rousey. Burns was a champion boxer known for his title defenses. Roy was a legendary goalie with four Stanley Cups and three Conn Smythe trophies. Rousey was the first female fighter signed by the UFC, making history in the sport.
