At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Stephen Curry went viral with his now-famous “Night Night” celebration. Fast forward to 2026 at Milan-Cortina, and Italian speed skaters are following suit.

On Tuesday, the trio of Davide Ghiotto, Michele Malfatti and Andrea Giovannini scored an upset victory over Americans Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman and Ethan Sepura, according to NBC Sports. They won the men’s team pursuit in 3 minutes, 39.20 seconds. This was 4.5 seconds better than the Americans.

After crossing the finish line, they joined in a “Night of the Night” celebration to troll the American team.

Steph Curry celebrates ‘Night Night’ after Italy upsets Team USA for the gold medal in the men’s team pursuit in speed skating at the Winter Olympics 🥇😴
(via @NBCSports)pic.twitter.com/fi0wY9jxVl
– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 17 February 2026

The Italian trio not only won the gold medal, but did so in front of their hometown crowd. Furthermore, they defeated the American team that had previously set the world record time.

“Night Night” festival started in 2022. At the time, Curry and the Warriors were playing against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA playoffs. In Game 3 of the first round, the Warriors took the lead in the fourth quarter as Curry came off the bench after suffering an injury.

After scoring a layup over Nikola Jokic, Curry celebrated “Night of the Night”.

From there, it took on a life of its own, especially after the Paris Olympics. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the moment was one of the greatest moments in basketball history. Additionally, Kerr ended her speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago with the sentiment “night’s the night.”

Additionally, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook celebrated in the same fashion during the first half of the Bills’ game against the Cleveland Browns on December 21.

#Team #USA #Speed #Skating #trolled #Italy #Stephen #Curry #Night #Night #celebration

Why Ice Hockey is the World’s Toughest Sport: Not for the Weak ☠️

When Indians think of “Hockey,” our minds immediately go to the legendary Dhyan Chand and the wizardry of Field Hockey. However, there is another version of this game played on frozen water that takes physical endurance to a whole new level. Ice Hockey is widely considered the toughest sport in the world, and it isn’t just about goals—it’s about survival.

While cricket is a game of skill and patience, Ice Hockey is a high-speed collision course. If you’ve ever wondered why this sport is labeled “Not for the Weak,” here is a deep dive into the intensity of the game.

1. The Skating Paradox: Running on Blades

Imagine sprinting at 40-50 km/h while balancing on steel blades just 3mm thick. In Ice Hockey, players don’t just run; they glide at lethal speeds. Maintaining balance while being shoved by a 100kg defender requires core strength that most professional athletes can only dream of. The level of cardiovascular fitness required to “skate out” a 45-second shift is equivalent to sprinting a 400-meter race at full tilt.

2. Physicality and the “Glass” Factor

In most sports, hitting an opponent is a foul. In Ice Hockey, “body checking” is a strategic necessity. Players are routinely slammed into the perimeter boards (the glass). These collisions are high-impact and can happen at any moment. Unlike football (soccer), where a slight trip results in a dramatic fall, Ice Hockey players are expected to take a hit, get back up, and keep chasing the puck immediately.

3. The Fastest Object in Sports: The Puck

A cricket ball is hard, but an Ice Hockey puck is a disc of vulcanised rubber that is literally frozen before the game to prevent it from bouncing. These pucks can travel at speeds exceeding 160 km/h. Goalies have less than half a second to react to a shot. For a player, blocking a shot with their body is considered a badge of honour, often resulting in broken bones or severe bruising.

4. Mental Fortitude and Multitasking

Ice Hockey requires a unique type of “hockey sense.” You must control a tiny puck with a long stick (without looking down), keep track of five teammates and five opponents, and avoid being hit—all while skating on ice. The mental exhaustion of making split-second tactical decisions at high speeds makes it one of the most mentally taxing sports on the planet.

The Indian Connection: Hockey in the Himalayas

Many Indians are surprised to learn that we have a National Ice Hockey team! In the regions of Ladakh, Shimla, and Kashmir, Ice Hockey is a way of life during the winter. Played on natural frozen ponds, Indian athletes face extreme altitudes and sub-zero temperatures, proving that the “toughness” of this sport resonates even in the Himalayas.

Conclusion

Ice Hockey is not just a sport; it is a test of human limits. It combines the grace of figure skating, the toughness of rugby, and the hand-eye coordination of cricket into one explosive package. It is a game defined by grit, scars, and relentless speed. While it may not yet have the massive following of IPL in India, its sheer intensity makes it the undisputed king of tough sports. Truly, it is not for the weak.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Ice Hockey more dangerous than Field Hockey?

Yes, Ice Hockey is generally considered more dangerous due to the higher speeds of the players, the use of the boards for checking, and the speed of the puck. However, both sports require immense skill.

2. Does India have a national Ice Hockey team?

Yes! India has both Men’s and Women’s National Ice Hockey teams. They primarily train in Ladakh and represent India in the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia.

3. Why do Ice Hockey players fight?

While fighting is technically against the rules and results in penalties, it has historically been used as a way for teams to “police” themselves and protect their star players from dirty hits.

4. How long is an Ice Hockey match?

A standard professional game consists of three 20-minute periods, totalling 60 minutes of “on-clock” play. However, with breaks and penalties, a game usually lasts about 2.5 hours.

5. Can I play Ice Hockey in India?

Absolutely. The best places to play are in Leh (Ladakh) during the winter months or at indoor rinks like the iSKATE rink in Gurugram.

Ice hockey is only for real men☠️ | BOYS vs MEN😍

Ice hockey
Crazy
Ice skating
Skating
Sport

#shorts #viralshorts #crazy #hockey #sport #skating

標籤: Skating

Team USA Speed Skating trolled by Italy with Stephen Curry ‘Night Night’ celebration