Thursday, August 14, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Duplantis breaks world record yet again

Published yesterday 9:10
– By Editorial Staff
It has now been over two years since Duplantis last lost a competition.
1 minute read

Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis has set a new world record in pole vault. It is the athletics star’s 13th world record.

During this week’s Continental Tour in Budapest, Hungary, the 25-year-old first jumped 6.11 meters and thereby secured victory ahead of Emmanouil Karalis, who cleared 6.02 meters. This marks Duplantis’ 32nd consecutive competition victory – it has now been over two years since he last lost.

On his second attempt, he raised the bar to 6.29 meters and cleared the height, which became his new world record.

I knew I had a good chance when I went over. But I hit it pretty hard too. Just tried to stay cool. I’m glad it stayed up, Duplantis tells Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

Earlier this year, he broke not just one, but two world records. In March, he jumped 6.27 meters at the All Star Perche in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and then broke that new record on home soil in June with 6.28 meters.

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Sweden launches leisure card subsidy for children’s activities

Published 11 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
All children between eight and 16 years old receive 500 kronor (approximately €45) per year to spend on a regular leisure activity.
1 minute read

Starting in September, the Leisure Card (Fritidskortet) can be used to partially fund children’s activities outside of school. The Swedish government hopes the initiative will encourage a more active lifestyle.

The Leisure Card is part of the Swedish government’s reform to promote children’s and young people’s participation in sports, culture, outdoor activities and community organizations. The card is used digitally by guardians, and all children between eight and 16 years old receive SEK 500 (€45) per year to spend on regular leisure activities. Families who received housing allowance last year instead get SEK 2,000 (€180) per child on the card.

As Minister for Social Affairs, I want to make life a little easier for people by creating good conditions for health and community. The Leisure Card is a reform that enables children and young people to have an active leisure time together with others. The family’s finances should not determine whether a child can participate in a leisure activity or not, said Swedish Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed last year.

The association or cultural school must be connected to the Leisure Card system for the subsidy to be valid. The money can also be used to rent equipment. By “regular” it means that the activity needs to take place at least six times during a six-month period.

Applications for the subsidy open on September 1.

65-year-old Lisa sets world record in ultrarunning

Published 6 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Lisa Amundsson ran 282 kilometers in 48 hours.
1 minute read

Retiree Lisa started running at age 50. Now she has set a world record in ultrarunning, running for 48 hours straight.

It was in 2010 that Lisa Amundsson began running training after reading a newspaper notice stating that anyone can run a marathon. She then ran the Stockholm Anniversary Marathon in 2012 and the New York Marathon in 2014. Since then, Lisa has continued running more, and even longer distances. Now Lisa, who retired this year, has broken the world record for women aged 65 to 69 in ultrarunning. She ran what’s called an ultramarathon, covering 282 kilometers in 48 hours.

Now I’ve managed the nights better, but a few years ago it was really tough, she tells Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

It was at Viadal Ultra, held in Skåne (southern Sweden), that Lisa broke the world record. This is an ultrarace where participants run as far as they can within a specified time – in Lisa’s case, 48 hours.

Couldn’t run a kilometer

Today, she runs between 70 and 100 kilometers a week. But training hasn’t always been fun or easy for Lisa. She used to think running was “pure torture”.

Fifteen years ago, I couldn’t even run a kilometer, she says.

Lisa’s best advice for starting to run is to begin slowly and join a running club. Once you get going, you can sign up for a smaller race to train for, but it’s important to have realistic goals, listen to your body, and not worry too much about times.

Let it take the time it takes.

Icelandic actor breaks world record in deadlift

Published 28 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
2 minute read

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson has set a new world record in deadlift. The Icelandic “Game of Thrones” actor lifted a total of 505 kilograms.

The 36-year-old, who is often called Thor because his first name is the Icelandic name for the thunder god, has now broken the previous record set by British strongman Eddie Hall in 2016, when he lifted 500 kilograms in deadlift.

During Saturday’s Eisenhart Black Competition, held in Germany, Björnsson lifted 505 kilograms. The lift was performed with a lifting suit, belt and straps, and after a brief struggle with the weight, Björnsson managed to rise to full height with the barbell.

To my fans: I love you. To my haters: You helped make this happen too“, the Icelandic strongman writes on X.

Previously, the Icelander, who is also known as “The Mountain” in the TV series Game of Thrones, lifted 501 kilograms, but that was outside of competition and therefore did not count as an official record.

Björnsson and Hall have been in conflict with each other for several years. This came after a strongman competition that Hall won by one point ahead of Björnsson, who in turn claimed he had been robbed of victory. But now Hall congratulates the Icelander for his achievement.

Massive respect to Thor for making history & setting the official WR at 505kg. That’s one hell of a pull. Records are made to be broken“, Hall writes on Instagram.

Florida defends their Stanley Cup title

Published 18 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Florida Panthers – Stanley Cup champions 2024–2025.
2 minute read

The Florida Panthers defended their Stanley Cup title on Wednesday night after a convincing victory over the Edmonton Oilers, who were their opponents in the final for the second year in a row.

On Wednesday night, the team secured its second consecutive Stanley Cup title in front of a raucous crowd in Sunrise, Florida. The Edmonton Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, put up a fight but were ultimately defeated by the Panthers’ superior physicality and discipline.

With a 5–1 win in the game and a 4–2 victory in the final series, the Panthers made history as the NHL’s first back-to-back champions since 2021, becoming the first team since Florida neighbors Tampa Bay to win the Stanley Cup two years in a row.

Home advantage proved decisive, with the Panthers winning three of the last four games, two of them at home, and scoring a total of 14–5 in their victories. Looking at the final four games of the series, Florida won the goal tally by a clear 16–8.

Sam Reinhart was the big hero of the game, putting in a historic performance with four goals in the final – a feat that only five players have ever achieved in NHL history. His third goal, which completed his hat trick, saw hats and the classic plastic rats rain down on the ice in a tribute to Panthers tradition and the fans’ joy.

In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky put in a solid performance, saving 28 of 29 shots, which contributed greatly to the team’s triumph.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presented the trophy to team captain Aleksander Barkov and praised the Panthers for their performance.

Power factor

Florida has long been considered an underdog but has quickly established itself as a power factor in the league. The final series also confirms a long-term trend reversal: there has been no Canadian Stanley Cup winner for 32 years, and teams from the southern United States – not least Florida – dominate the league.

Facts: Florida Panthers

  • Founded: 1993
  • Home arena: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida
  • Stanley Cup titles: 2 (2024, 2025)
  • Team captain: Aleksander Barkov
  • Head coach: Paul Maurice
  • Club colors: Red, blue, gold, and white
  • Nicknames: “The Cats,” “Panthers”
  • Nordic players on the team in 2024/25: Gustav Forsling (defense, SWE), Jesper Boqvist (center/forward, SWE), Aleksander Barkov (center/captain, FIN), Anton Lundell (center, FIN), Eetu Luostarinen (center, FIN), Niko Mikkola (defense, FIN)

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