A series of sports pictures that depicts a story line or single theme. 12 photos maximum per story. A picture story depicting the President of the United States, other U.S. politicians, or U.S. politics is NOT eligible in this category.
First Place
Brendan Smialowski, Agence France-Presse
Call it Freedom: Free for a day select prisoners of the Louisiana State Penitentiary gather to work or compete during the Angola Prison Rodeo. “The Farm” is one of the United States’s largest maximum-security prison and the area takes its name, Angola, from a slave plantation that once occupied the same lands. Participation at the Rodeo is not mandatory, however it is used by prison officials as a reward for good behavior. Despite the dangers involved the chance to compete, sell crafts to the public, and for many the chance to interact with the public makes participation coveted. The tradition began in 1965. In 1967 the rodeo was opened for public viewing. It has since evolved into a routinely sold out spectacle held in a purpose built arena with seating for over 10,000 people.
Todd Plaisance, serving a life sentence for murder in the second degree, gallops into the arena carries an American flag starting the Angola Prison Rodeo at the Louisiana State Penitentiary on April 23, 2023, in Louisiana. The rodeo, which is in its 57th year, features inmates competing in rodeo events and selling crafts they make at the prison.
Second Place
Patrick Smith, Getty Images
Wimbledon: The Championships Wimbledon is one of the most iconic sporting events on the globe. These are the light, color and moments at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for the 2023 edition of the tournament.
Christopher O'Connell of Australia plays a forehand against Jiri Vesely of Czech Republic in the Men's Singles second round match at The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2023, in London.
Third Place
Jim Watson, Agence France-Presse
Revving Up Excitement: Revving up excitement, Formula 1 gains momentum with a rapidly growing fan base in America as three races now stretch across the United States from Austin, Texas, and Miami, to the newest edition in Las Vegas. The sport has rocketed in popularity with U.S.-based fans over the last five years, with not only the American races, but also an American driver and an American team.
Award of Excellence
Jahi Chikwendiu, The Washington Post
A Kung Fu Master Passes the Baton: Dennis Brown was too short for basketball, too small for football and too slow for track. So he tried martial arts, and thought, “I could be good at this.” He was. Now a kung fu grandmaster, he has won awards, was the first African American to train in mainland China, and started his own martial arts tournament. One magazine called him one of the “25 most influential martial artists of the 20th century.” Now 75, with a benevolent smile and an earring in his left ear, he runs the Dennis Brown Shaolin Wu-Shu Center in Silver Spring, Md.,. The center teaches martial arts to children, teenagers and adults. Students also learn self discipline. “Parents used to have to have to drag (their kids) in the door,” Brown said. “Now they have to drag them out. It teaches them to take pride in themselves.”
Award of Excellence
Patrick Smith, Getty Images
World Championships: Budapest: Athletes pushed the physical limits as they tried to prove themselves as a hero all while competing for a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.