Apparently they have championship season in all sports! And it is here now.

The Track & Field World Championships kick off Saturday in Tokyo with the women’s marathon. We've got a mini-preview, an update on the challenges with the sex testing deadline (yep, still), and what the heck happened with Grand Slam Track?!

Also championship season:

• Aryna Sabalenka made history as the first woman since Serena Williams (2014) to win back-to-back singles titles. Plus, there's talk of a modern-day “Battle of the Sexes” match between Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios. Do we really need to do this again?
• The U.S. is officially out of the Rugby World Cup — and yeah, it's always a little unfortunate when a sport’s main character (looking at you, Ilona Maher) exits early.
• The WNBA playoff picture is nearly set, so we look back at the Valkyries inaugural game and hear from the head coach
• Kate Courtney takes the XCM World Championship
• A listener voicemail sparks a breakdown of gravel vs. mountain biking — what’s the difference, and where should beginners start?
• Plus: our Feisty Picks of the Week

Have thoughts about today's show or your own Feisty Pick of the Week? Send a voice memo to [email protected]

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Episode resources:

Sabalenka's full range of emotions in one play: https://x.com/luxurytrash_/status/1961600809386295419

The POV video from the winning downhill world championship run: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOVQPddDLwg/?hl=en

WNBA Standings: https://www.wnba.com/standings

2025 World Track and Field Championships watch schedule: https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/how-to-watch-world-track-and-field-championships-2025-schedule

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• 00:24 - U.S. Open highlights and mental health comebacks
• 03:27 - Do we need a Battle of the Sexes 2?!
• 09:10 - Who's in and who's out of the Rugby World Cup
• 14:50 - The WNBA and first expansion team to make playoffs
• 25:15 - Listener voicemail: What's the difference between gravel biking & mountain biking?
• 32:59 - A Track and Field World Championships Preview
• 38:28 - What happened to Grand Slam Track?
• 51:30 - An update on sex testing in track: Ugghhhhhhh
• 1:01:36 - Feisty Picks of the Week