2025 Sports Picture Story
First Place: Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Final Shift For the past four decades, 80-year-old Bart Elmer of Orinda, has been a fixture for his Senior Hockey league team at the Tri Valley Ice in Dublin, California. However, on April 30th, 2025, Elmer hung up his skates skated after his final shift during his final game on the ice. Honestly, Im tired after these, Elmer said, sitting in a folding chair outside the rink. My dad skied on his 80th birthday. That was his last time. Maybe Ive lasted this long because Ive avoided injuries. The worst Ive had is running into teammates. 80-year-old Bart Elmer arrives in the locker room before playing in his final senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
80-year-old Bart Elmer (right) and John Lee tighten their skate laces before playing in senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
80-year-old Bart Elmer takes to the ice for his final senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
80-year-old Bart Elmer sits on the bench during his final senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
80-year-old Bart Elmer (center) vies for the puck with Tom Judge plays in his final senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
80-year-old Bart Elmer hops over the boards for a shift during his final senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
80-year-old Bart Elmer joins fellow players for a group photo before Elmer plays in his final senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
80-year-old Bart Elmer applies a bandage on the elbow of Kenton Gee after Elmers final senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
80-year-old Bart Elmer leaves the rink after his final senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
80-year-old Bart Elmer enjoys a laugh during a celebration in the parking lot after his final senior hockey league game at Tri Valley Ice Dublin in Dublin, Calif., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
Second Place: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Second Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This is the first time since the 1991 event at the Royal Albert Hall that an official Five Day Basho tournament will take place outside of Japan. The tournament hosted the most accomplished and elite sumos, including those who have reached the top rank of Yokozuna, and showcase Japan's rich cultural history and traditions.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Third Place: Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
THE SILENT GAME - A series of photographs taken during the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South on March 30, 2025, at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany. Underwater rugby is a rare and dynamic team sport played entirely below the surface. Two teams compete to place a sinking ball into the opponents basket fixed to the bottom of the pool. The game is fast, physical, and fair requiring strength, endurance, teamwork, and diving skills. Originating in Germany, the first official match was played in Cologne in 1964. in this Picture: Players of UWR Bodensee watch their game against TCO Weinheim during the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Players of TCO Weinheim (dark caps) and UWR Bodensee (white caps) battle for the ball during the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Players of TC Freiburg gather for a team talk before their game against TSG Wuerzburg during the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Players of TSV Malsch II (dark caps) and UWR Bodensee (white caps) battle for the ball during the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Players of SSC Karlsruhe huddle before the match against TSV Malsch 2 on the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
A player of TC Freiburg (dark cap) gets tangled in a referees signal cable during the match against TCO Weinheim (white caps) on the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
A player of TC submarin Poessneck waits for the start signal during the match against SSC Karlsruhe on the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
A player watches the game between TSV Malsch II and UWR Bodensee from the diving platform during the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Players of TSG Wuerzburg talk to each other shortly before the match against SSC Karlsruhe on the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Players of TC submarin Poessneck (blue caps) and TCO Weinheim (white caps) dive for the ball during the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
A team official checks a bleeding wound of a player from SSC Karlsruhe during the match against TC submarin Poessneck on the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Third Place - 2025 Sports Picture Story
A player of UWR Bodensee lies exhausted at the poolside during the match against TSV Malsch II on the second matchday of the 2nd Underwater Rugby Bundesliga South at the Hofwiesenbad in Gera, Germany, on March 30, 2025.
Sascha Fromm / Thüringer Allgemeine
Honorable Mention: Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Chad James of Society Hill, West Palm Beach, Fla. shows off his grills at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. Black Rodeo USA came back for the 3rd annual show, putting on two performances that showcased calf roping, bronc riding, steer wrestling, ladies steer undecorating, barrel racing, relays, and bull riding. Two shows were held at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., promoting an appreciation for African American culture and how a rich heritage helped shape the West.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Jamar Perkins of Statesboro, Ga., left, uses bands to prepare for bronc riding as Justin Brown, 17, of Atlanta looks on at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Jason Mitchell of Atlanta touches the braids of 9-year-old Percheron horse, John Henry, at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Tykee Johnson of Shelby, N.C., right, prays with Bernard Patterson of Charlotte before competition at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Harrel Williams Jr., 13, of Prairie View, Texas, shows off his buckle he earned for tie-down roping at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Jamar Perkins of Statesboro, Ga. competes in bronc riding at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Daniel Brown of Florence, S.C. shows his injury after being bucked off his bronco at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
TK Acosta of Lake City, Fla., gets bucked off his bronco at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Darius Padmore of Jacksonville enjoys the rodeo at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Jeremiah Rhem of Ocala, Fla., changes clothes after competing at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
A group of cowgirls record a social media video at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Reko Flores of Atlanta reacts to his eight-second bronc ride at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine / Naples Daily News
Honorable Mention: Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
The players were chosen from among the thousands of Ukrainians wounded in the war. With limbs lost to Russian attacks, they gathered at a stadium in Kyiv over the weekend, ready to embark on a new contest: a soccer tournament. Organized by Ukraines Association of Football, the League of the Mighty is Ukraines first soccer championship for amputees. Over the past year, the association has invested in local communities to establish teams, recognizing the growing number of war-wounded citizens as a result of the nearly three-year war. Soccer players of Shakhtar Stalevi rest during Ukraine's first soccer tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 11, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Andriy Shevchenko, head of Ukrainian Football federation speaks to soccer players during the first football tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 11, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Soccer players of AMP FC Kyiv and MSK Dnipro play during the first football tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 12, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Soccer players of Shakhtar Stalevi and Pokrova FC-2 play during the first football tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 12, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Soccer players of AMP FC Kyiv and Pokrova FC-2 greets each other during the first football tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 12, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Soccer players of Shakhtar Stalevi and Pokrova FC-2 play during Ukraine's first soccer tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 11, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Soccer players of Pokrova FC and Pokrova FC-2 stretch their hands towards each other during the first Ukrainian football tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 11, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Soccer players of AMP FC Kyiv and MSK Dnipro play during the first football tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 12, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Soccer players of Pokrova FC and Pokrova FC-2 play during the first Ukrainian football tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 11, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
A soccer player of Pokrova FC-2 play during the A soccer player of Pokrova FC-2 play during Ukraine's first soccer tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 11, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Soccer players Pokrova FC-2 celebrate a victory of the first football tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 12, 2025.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Sports Picture Story
Soccer players of AMP FC Kyiv and Pokrova FC-2 rest during the first football tournament for war-wounded amputees in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 12, 2024.
Evgeniy Maloletka / Associated Press