Join us on this week’s episode of Sideline Story, where we breakdown the major talking points of the beginning of the NBA season. We also discuss rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, our top picks for the NBA Championship, as well as promising Chinese prospects from the CBA that could make the move to the U.S. in the future.

The Asian Para Games are about more than just sporting excellence and competition. The 2023 Hangzhou edition is no difference. Listen to this week's episode of Sideline Story, where we chat about the athletes, the best moments and the significance of the event.

The Formula One season is nearing its end, but there still seems to be a lot for drivers to fight for. Despite Red Bull's mighty Max Verstappen's third consecutive driver's championship, the battle for second is still very much on. Meantime, Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez is in danger of losing his Red Bull seat after some mixed results. Will he stay with the championship team? Also, we chat about Zhou Guanyu's continuing journey in the sport, as well as the return of the Chinese Grand...

The Rugby World Cup is well underway in France. There have already been some world-class match-ups and classic moments on the pitch which we discuss in detail in this episode. Aside from the on-field action, we also examine topics such as what we like about rugby and how the sport is developing in China.

The 19th Hangzhou Asian Games created many memorable moments and exciting sports action during the 16-day competition, as well as human interest stories on and off the sports arenas. What will the Games be remembered for? What legacy has Hangzhou left for the continental event? In this episode we review the Asian Games from the reporters’ perspective.

The Hangzhou Asian Games is staging top-notch continental sporting action of the continent. Meantime, a lot of the focus has been on the introduction of new sports and bringing back former sports to the spectators. What are the main highlights across different sports so far in Hangzhou? How are the games received locally and nationwide? In this episode, we invite a reporter from the Hangzhou Games news service to share his insights of the showpiece event.

The Hangzhou Asian Games will be a unique experience for all involved partially because of the non-Olympic sports that feature Asian characteristics. In this week’s episode of Sideline Story, we look at those unique Asian sports that will be competed at the Hangzhou Asian Games. We also talk about what hosting the Games means to China as well as new technology and other elements of the Games to look forward to.

There have been a few surprises in the English Premier League, even at this early stage of the season. Join us on the latest episode of Sideline Story to hear our thoughts about the performances of certain teams. We'll also talk about the strategic cooperation between the Premier League and China's village football, the impacts of past and present Asian players in the league, and up and coming Chinese footballers to keep an eye on.

The US Open has been fantastic to watch for a few reasons. We've seen some brilliant performances as well as the return of one of the game's GOATs, Novak Djokovic. We have also seen several Chinese players shock the world with their outstanding performances and a few upset victories over top-ranked players. At this week's episode of Sideline Story, we unpack what has led to this emergence of Chinese tennis talent. We also look at the the emerging rivalry between Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.

The 2023 European summer transfer window has seen some huge deals in the football world. In this episode of Sideline Story, we'll take a closer look at some of the big moves. Which transfers dominated the headlines? Which teams did the best and worst business? What impact has the Saudi Pro League had on the market?

The Asian Games in Hangzhou will bring together the best nations, teams and athletes from across the continent to compete in and enjoy everything the Chinese city has to offer. Join us in this episode as we talk through the unique elements of the Hangzhou event, the new sports that will feature at the Games, and athletes that will be the ones to keep your eyes on when the Games begin.

We have seen some incredible action at this year's Women's FIFA World Cup. There were dominating performances, disappointing results and teams exceeding the world's expectations. Which teams and players have stood out so far? How did the semi-finalists reach this point? Do Spain have any hope of upsetting England in the final? In this episode, we'll touch on these subjects and many more as we build up the conclusion of a spectacular tournament.

Something special is happening in Miami. The GOAT, Lionel Messi, has been scoring goals in bunches since joining MLS side Inter Miami, and is attracting a huge local and international audience. Meanwhile, owner David Beckham and his celebrity friends have also added to the intrigue. What impact are celebrity culture and the "Messi effect" having on this league and team? Do European leagues need to be taking notes from their playbook? Also, we discuss whether MLS can make the football interest...

What have the athletes, coaches and journalists attending the World University Games in Chengdu been experiencing during their time at this awesome event? In this pod, we chat to our very own Tianyu, who is in Chengdu, as well as German Pole Vaulter Luke Zenker and a Team USA track and field coach, Steve Paternostro, to hear about their experiences at the Games, as well as their insights on topics such as future plans, training techniques and what the overall vibe is like at the Games both on...

Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas and one of the most vibrant cities in China, is hosting the 31st FISU Summer World University Games. Chengdu is the third city on the mainland to host the biennial event, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011. Why are the Games significant? What does hosting the Games again mean to China? Also in this episode, we discuss which athletes or events deserve our attention during the 12-day competition.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is seeing 32 teams competing for the first time in tournament history with record ticket sales. What makes women’s game grow rapidly? What has been the course of women’s football development? Also in this episode, we look into the prospects of the participating teams, including powerhouses from America and Europe, as well as the stars that deserve our attention at the showpiece event.

A Grand Slam never lacking unexpected winners, Wimbledon has seen some classic upsets so far this year. Who are the biggest surprises? Also in this episode, we look into Novak Djokovic's title defense path and the improvements Carlos Alcaraz has shown on his less-favored grass court. Finally, we touch on the impacts of rain breaks and night curfew in the early rounds at the All England Club.

NBA teams are spending big on free agents and trades in attempts to upgrade their squads. Which deals are the most successful and most disappointing so far this offseason? What more significant transfers can we expect? Also in episode, we discuss whether forming the "Big Threes" is now an indispensable formula for winning the championships.

Carlos Alcaraz has proved that he is the next big thing in men's tennis, but is he good enough to stop Novak Djokovic at the upcoming Wimbledon Championships -- the Serbian star's second most successful Grand Slam? What could go wrong for Djokovic in his title defense? Also, we explore how far the Chinese players could go at the grass-court major event, and discuss what makes Wimbledon unique among all four Grand Slams.

While celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, we touch on the sport of dragon boat racing both from the athletic and cultural perspectives. Why is dragon boat racing suitable for starters? What differences and similarities it has compared with British originated rowing? Also, what’s the status of the sport's bid to be included in the Olympic program?

While Lionel Messi and world champions Argentina received warm welcome in Beijing attending an international friendly against Team Australia, thousands of kilometers away, a county in China’s Guizhou Province is hosting a phenomenal “Village Super League” organized and played by the local residents. The league has gone viral online with its electric atmosphere and massive football enthusiasm. In this episode, we invite a game insider to the chat to have a peek into this popular grassroots...

The Denver Nuggets dominated Game 3 of the NBA Finals in a similar manner as when they beat the Miami Heat in Game 1. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each notched triple doubles in the blowout win. Are the Heat out of strategies to cope with the pair and other Denver shooters? Why is Jimmy Butler suddenly popular among Chinese fans? Also in this episode, we touch on why the Nuggets-Heat match-up is one of the NBA Finals series with the lowest ratings.

Chinese players made history at the French Open as Zhang Zhizhen became the first player from the Chinese mainland to break into the men's singles last 32 at Roland Garros, while Wang Xinyu also created a personal best in Paris. Is it the start of Grand Slam successes for Chinese players? Also in this episode, we discuss how title contenders including Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are doing at the clay-court major.

The French Open is set to have probably the most open men's singles competition since 2005 when king of clay Rafael Nadal first played at Roland Garros. Nadal will be absent from the tournament for the first time in his career due to a hip injury. In this episode, we look at who are the favorites to stand out from the wild competition in Paris and whether Nadal can win another Grand Slam in the remainder of his playing career. Also, we list the Chinese players that fans should keep an eye on...

Badminton's biggest mixed team event, the Sudirman Cup, is underway in Suzhou, China. As the most successful country in the event with a record 12 trophies, China aims to defend the title in front of the home crowd but there are some setbacks. In this episode we look at what is going on with the Chinese team's title bid, and discuss whether Team China's dominance in major badminton tournaments is declining.