#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 84: Merits of closed UFC 249 fight; Michael Jordan Netflix documentary storming success

14:09 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz. 

They discuss the following topics:

1. Mixed martial arts is back in the form of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which held its UFC 249 event over the weekend in Florida. Was the event considered a success and will it pave the way for the return of other major sports?

2. The sports documentary that has taken the world, and Singapore, by storm: The Last Dance. The miniseries, centered around Michael Jordan and his last season with the Chicago Bulls in 1998, is among the top 10 most-watched Netflix shows in Singapore. Why is it so compelling?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRR

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 84: Merits of closed UFC 249 fight; Michael Jordan Netflix documentary storming success
14:09 mins
Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.
Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz.&nbsp;
They discuss the following topics: 1. Mixed martial arts is back in the form of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which held its UFC 249 event over the weekend in Florida. Was the event considered a success and will it pave the way for the return of other major sports? 2. The sports documentary that has taken the world, and Singapore, by storm: The Last Dance. The miniseries, centered around Michael Jordan and his last season with the Chicago Bulls in 1998, is among the top 10 most-watched Netflix shows in Singapore. Why is it so compelling?
Produced by: ST Sports Desk
Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh &amp; Penelope Lee
Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts and rate us on:
Channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/JWRE" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/JWRE&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1592987315409000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEbxJxKGU3GlrJ8HS4NIXI2z-VEVQ">https://str.sg/JWRE</a>
Apple Podcasts:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/JWRa" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/JWRa&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1592987315409000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGZ7jLFekqny8NwwV5K8ML5kxpEjQ">https://str.sg/JWRa</a>
Spotify:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/JW6N" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/JW6N&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1592987315410000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHFsadzpfejBnMsLdDtOZRwj3rVWw">https://str.sg/JW6N</a>
Google Podcasts:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/JWRR" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://str.sg/JWRR&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1592987315410000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGos5z4wdnqLgcXwviynbVBsIayFw">https://str.sg/JWRR</a>
Website:&nbsp;<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://str.sg/stpodcasts&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1589887216961000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGBEbFqBb-KqgX3P0EZDGg2IlpqDA">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
Feedback to:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 

Podcaster: Deepanraj Ganesan

Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis & The Straits Times, SPH Media Trust.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 
Podcaster: Deepanraj Ganesan
Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis &amp; The Straits Times, SPH Media Trust.

Hard Tackle

The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 
Podcaster: Deepanraj Ganesan
Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis &amp; The Straits Times, SPH Media Trust.

Merits of closed UFC 249 fight; Michael Jordan Netflix documentary storming success: #GameOfTwoHalves Ep 84

Winning the Red Bull Racing internship

What Yi-Hsin and Chua did during their stints

Why F1 is more than just fast cars and drivers

Standout moments from the internship with RB

Looking ahead to 2024 Singapore Grand Prix

Two Singaporeans share their experiences working for Red Bull racing.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 

The 2024 Singapore Grand Prix returns on Sept 22 when fans here witness exhilarating action over 62 laps of the 4.94-kilometre Marina Bay Street Circuit. And while the title race between Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris heats up on track, The Straits Times’ Hard Tackle revs up for the race weekend by learning more about what happens behind the scenes at a F1 team. 

In this episode, sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by Singaporeans Charis Chua and Heng Yi-Hsin, students from Nanyang Technological University who look back on their 2½-month stint with Red Bull Racing and look ahead to the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.  

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:30 Finding out about winning the internship challenge to work for Red Bull Racing  

7:45 What Yi-Hsin and Chua did during their stints with RB 

11:25 Why Formula 1 is more than just about fast cars and the famous drivers 

13:30 The standout moments from the internship with RB 

18:30 Looking ahead to 2024 Singapore Grand Prix

Read: https://str.sg/LtoJ

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) and Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim 

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#hardtackle

Two Singaporeans share their experiences working for Red Bull racing.
Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 
The 2024 Singapore Grand Prix returns on Sept 22 when fans here witness exhilarating action over 62 laps of the 4.94-kilometre Marina Bay Street Circuit. And while the title race between Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris heats up on track, The Straits Times’ Hard Tackle revs up for the race weekend by learning more about what happens behind the scenes at a F1 team. 
In this episode, sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by Singaporeans Charis Chua and Heng Yi-Hsin, students from Nanyang Technological University who look back on their 2½-month stint with Red Bull Racing and look ahead to the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.  
Highlights (click/tap above):
5:30 Finding out about winning the internship challenge to work for Red Bull Racing  
7:45 What Yi-Hsin and Chua did during their stints with RB 
11:25 Why Formula 1 is more than just about fast cars and the famous drivers 
13:30 The standout moments from the internship with RB 
18:30 Looking ahead to 2024 Singapore Grand Prix
Read: <a href="https://str.sg/LtoJ">https://str.sg/LtoJ</a>
Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X:<a href="https://str.sg/wtra"> https://str.sg/wtra</a>
Read his articles:<a href="https://str.sg/ip4G"> https://str.sg/ip4G</a>
Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page:<a href="https://str.sg/vn2F"> https://str.sg/vn2F</a>
Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (<a href="mailto:gdeepan@sph.com.sg">gdeepan@sph.com.sg</a>) and Amirul Karim
Edited by: Amirul Karim 
Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/JWRE"> https://str.sg/JWRE</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/JWRa"> https://str.sg/JWRa</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/JW6N"> https://str.sg/JW6N</a>
Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
#hardtackle

What is working in F1’s Red Bull Racing team like?

The mood after Maximilian's bronze win

What is next for Maximilian?

Max on the positive messages he received

Why “connection” is the main takeaway for Max

ST sports reporters and the SG bronze medalist look back at memorable moments in the Paris Olympics.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 

History was made on Aug 9, 2024, when kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder became Singapore’s youngest Olympic medallist after he clinched a bronze in the Formula Kite event.

In this episode, ST's sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Kimberly Kwek for a look back on that historic moment while also assessing the Paris Games as a whole and Team Singapore’s overall performance. 

We also bring you the full audio from ST’s conversation with Maximilian a day after his final race.  

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:25 ST reporters talk about the mood on the ground at the Marseille Marina after Max won bronze 

7:10 ST reporters discuss what is next for Max

15:25 Max surprised he has yet to receive negative messages

23:55 Max on why “connection” is the main takeaway from his debut Olympics

Read: https://str.sg/AsCE

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Read Rohit Brijnath's articles: https://str.sg/wFu2

Read Kimberly Kwek's articles: https://str.sg/bWY9

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Produced by: Rohit Brijnath (rohitb@sph.com.sg), Kimberly Kwek (kimkwek@sph.com.sg) and Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Amirul Karim 

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#hardtackle #hardtackletr

ST sports reporters and the SG bronze medalist look back at memorable moments in the Paris Olympics.
Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 
History was made on Aug 9, 2024, when kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder became Singapore’s youngest Olympic medallist after he clinched a bronze in the Formula Kite event.
In this episode, ST's sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Kimberly Kwek for a look back on that historic moment while also assessing the Paris Games as a whole and Team Singapore’s overall performance. 
We also bring you the full audio from ST’s conversation with Maximilian a day after his final race.  
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:25 ST reporters talk about the mood on the ground at the Marseille Marina after Max won bronze 
7:10 ST reporters discuss what is next for Max
15:25 Max surprised he has yet to receive negative messages
23:55 Max on why “connection” is the main takeaway from his debut Olympics
Read: <a href="https://str.sg/AsCE">https://str.sg/AsCE</a>
Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X:<a href="https://str.sg/wtra"> https://str.sg/wtra</a>
Read his articles:<a href="https://str.sg/ip4G"> https://str.sg/ip4G</a>
Read Rohit Brijnath's articles: <a href="https://str.sg/wFu2">https://str.sg/wFu2</a>
Read Kimberly Kwek's articles: <a href="https://str.sg/bWY9">https://str.sg/bWY9</a>
Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page:<a href="https://str.sg/vn2F"> https://str.sg/vn2F</a>
Produced by: Rohit Brijnath (<a href="mailto:rohitb@sph.com.sg">rohitb@sph.com.sg</a>), Kimberly Kwek (<a href="mailto:kimkwek@sph.com.sg">kimkwek@sph.com.sg</a>) and Deepanraj Ganesan (<a href="mailto:gdeepan@sph.com.sg">gdeepan@sph.com.sg</a>)
Edited by: Amirul Karim 
Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/JWRE"> https://str.sg/JWRE</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/JWRa"> https://str.sg/JWRa</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/JW6N"> https://str.sg/JW6N</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
#hardtackle #hardtackletr

A look back at Paris Olympics 2024 with Max Maeder

What did the Olympics mean growing up?

C. Kunalan’s memory of his first Olympics

Ting Wen on her first Olympics

Why the Olympics is so inspiring for athletes

Pressure of the Games only every four years

Expectations of Singaporeans for Olympics

Guests’ favourite Olympics moment

Singaporeans who have been to Olympics tell us why it is so important.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 

Whether you are an athlete or a sports enthusiast, it is clear that the Olympics hold a special place in hearts worldwide. 

From historic achievements to record breaking feats, the Olympics serve up some unforgettable moments every four years. As Paris 2024 approaches, we enlisted the help of people who have been to the Olympics to tell us why the event captures the imagination the way it does. 

In this special episode centred around the Olympics, sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath, former national sprinter C. Kunalan, former national shooter Lee Wung Yew, and current national swimmer Quah Ting Wen as they discuss the significance of the Games.

(This episode was recorded before it was confirmed on July 8 that Ting Wen will not compete in the Paris Olympics) 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:15 What did the Olympics mean growing up?  

11:25 C. Kunalan’s memory of his first Olympics representing Singapore  

17:33 Ting Wen on her realisation of being at her first Olympics 

19:40 Why the Olympics is so inspiring for athletes 

23:20 How do athletes wear the pressure of the Games given it comes around only every four years? Why parents should be a safe space for their children who pursue sports

29:30 On the mismatch of expectations of Singaporeans when it comes to the Olympics  

37:26 Guests’ favourite Olympics moment

Read: https://str.sg/5Wn3

Listen to other Hard Tackle episodes:

Ep 17: Raising an Olympian in Singapore - https://str.sg/fUPc

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg), Amirul Karim, Hadyu Rahim and Hana Chen

Filmed by: Marc de Souza, Haziq Baharudin, Vikneshwaran Rao, ST Video

Edited by: Amirul Karim 

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

---

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#hardtackle

Singaporeans who have been to Olympics tell us why it is so important.
Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. 
Whether you are an athlete or a sports enthusiast, it is clear that the Olympics hold a special place in hearts worldwide. 
From historic achievements to record breaking feats, the Olympics serve up some unforgettable moments every four years. As Paris 2024 approaches, we enlisted the help of people who have been to the Olympics to tell us why the event captures the imagination the way it does. 
In this special episode centred around the Olympics, sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath, former national sprinter C. Kunalan, former national shooter Lee Wung Yew, and current national swimmer Quah Ting Wen as they discuss the significance of the Games.
(<a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/singaporean-swimmer-quah-ting-wen-fails-in-appeal-for-paris-olympics">This episode was recorded before it was confirmed on July 8 that Ting Wen will not compete in the Paris Olympics</a>) 
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:15 What did the Olympics mean growing up?  
11:25 C. Kunalan’s memory of his first Olympics representing Singapore  
17:33 Ting Wen on her realisation of being at her first Olympics 
19:40 Why the Olympics is so inspiring for athletes 
23:20 How do athletes wear the pressure of the Games given it comes around only every four years? Why parents should be a safe space for their children who pursue sports
29:30 On the mismatch of expectations of Singaporeans when it comes to the Olympics  
37:26 Guests’ favourite Olympics moment
Read: <a href="https://str.sg/5Wn3">https://str.sg/5Wn3</a>
Listen to other Hard Tackle episodes:
Ep 17: Raising an Olympian in Singapore - <a href="https://str.sg/fUPc">https://str.sg/fUPc</a>
Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (<a href="mailto:gdeepan@sph.com.sg">gdeepan@sph.com.sg</a>), Amirul Karim, Hadyu Rahim and Hana Chen
Filmed by: Marc de Souza, Haziq Baharudin, Vikneshwaran Rao, ST Video
Edited by: Amirul Karim 
Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/JWRE"> https://str.sg/JWRE</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/JWRa"> https://str.sg/JWRa</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/JW6N"> https://str.sg/JW6N</a>
SPH Awedio app:<a href="https://www.awedio.sg/"> https://www.awedio.sg/</a>
Website:<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts"> http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X:<a href="https://str.sg/wtra"> https://str.sg/wtra</a>
Read his articles:<a href="https://str.sg/ip4G"> https://str.sg/ip4G</a>
Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page:<a href="https://str.sg/vn2F"> https://str.sg/vn2F</a>
---
Discover more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7"> https://str.sg/wvz7</a> 
The Usual Place:<a href="https://str.sg/wEr7u"> https://str.sg/wEr7u</a>
COE Watch:<a href="https://str.sg/iTtE"> https://str.sg/iTtE</a>
Asian Insider:<a href="https://str.sg/JWa7"> https://str.sg/JWa7</a>
Health Check:<a href="https://str.sg/JWaN"> https://str.sg/JWaN</a>
Green Pulse:<a href="https://str.sg/JWaf"> https://str.sg/JWaf</a>
Your Money &amp; Career:<a href="https://str.sg/wB2m"> https://str.sg/wB2m</a>
Hard Tackle:<a href="https://str.sg/JWRE"> https://str.sg/JWRE</a>
#PopVultures:<a href="https://str.sg/JWad"> https://str.sg/JWad</a>
Music Lab:<a href="https://str.sg/w9TX"> https://str.sg/w9TX</a>
---
ST Podcast website:<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts"> http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube:<a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa"> https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Special edition series:
True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps):<a href="https://str.sg/i44T"> https://str.sg/i44T</a>
The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps):<a href="https://str.sg/wuZ2"> https://str.sg/wuZ2</a>
Invisible Asia (9 eps):<a href="https://str.sg/wuZn"> https://str.sg/wuZn</a>
Stop Scams (10 eps):<a href="https://str.sg/wuZB"> https://str.sg/wuZB</a>
Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps):<a href="https://str.sg/wuJa"> https://str.sg/wuJa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB"> https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:<a href="https://str.sg/icyX"> https://str.sg/icyX</a>
#hardtackle

Merits of closed UFC 249 fight; Michael Jordan Netflix documentary storming success: #GameOfTwoHalves Ep 84

Hard Tackle

In 1 playlist(s)

Hard Tackle

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips