with hard work and talent. These athletes prove that every black body is beautiful, even the ones that dont look like theirs.The bodies of people with disabilities, the tall, thick and tired bodies t

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York will require $1 million coverage for life-threatening brain injuries and other new health insurance for both professional boxers and its first group of licensed mixed martial artists under regulations slated to take effect in September.The State Athletic Commission, which already regulates pro boxing, is carrying out the decision by the Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to legalize professional mixed martial arts and revamp oversight of combat sports generally. Regulation varies among states. New Yorks $1 million coverage appears to be the highest insurance minimum in the U.S.The detailed plan, still subject to public comments, will formally end New Yorks opposition to the combination of wrestling, kickboxing and jiu-jitsu inside an enclosure. The amateur sport has grown in the state unregulated, though the commission is authorized to establish its oversight as well.The New York State Athletic Commission has taken another step toward ensuring the health, safety and integrity of its athletes and events, the commission said, while declining to discuss specifics. The commission looks forward to receiving feedback from all stakeholders before finalizing rules and its implementation.Higher insurance was one concession to critics, however, some still wanted the violent sport banned. Others wanted better protection for fighters, several of whom came to Albany to lobby for legalization.The insurance minimums were specified in the law. In addition to the $1 million in brain injury coverage, provisions require $50,000 coverage for other injuries, up from the longstanding minimum of $7,500 for boxers, and a $50,000 death benefit, down from $100,000 for boxers. The commission acknowledged some small promoters may find the overall insurance cost problematic -- estimating it will cost $7,500 to $9,000 for a 10-bout card -- but said it would be against the fighters best interests and the intent of lawmakers to lower the minimums.Officials at the California State Athletic Commission said their requirement is for $50,000 medical coverage and were unaware of any other state requiring $1 million for possible brain injuries.Michael Mazzulli, president of the Association of Boxing Commissions, agreed, adding I believe in fighter safety. If thats what New York thinks it needs, Im all for it.Supporters say mixed martial arts has evolved from early unregulated days with a set of unified rules widely used. Prohibited acts include strikes to the spine, back of the head or throat; head butts; and stomping a grounded opponent.Fighters also can be disqualified for downward strikes with the point of the elbow, kneeing or kicking a downed opponent in the head, spiking an opponent to the floor on his or her head or neck and heel kicks to the kidney.The UFC, the sports largest promotion and lead lobbyist in Albany, has announced plans to hold a Nov. 12 show at Madison Square Garden. UFC officials declined to discuss the regulations.The commission also proposed prohibiting promoters from acting as managers, limiting management contracts to three years, requiring fighters get paid at least $150 after all expenses are deducted from purses, and that they get at least 50 percent of all ring earnings after those deductions.The governors office has estimated the sport will yield almost $140 million in annual economic activity in New York from gym expansions and about 70 yearly mixed martial arts events.---Online:http://on.ny.gov/29S0O30 Jerseys NFL Authentic China . PETERSBURG, Fla. Jerseys NFL Wholesale .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. http://www.jerseysnflwholesalenike.com/ . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Jerseys Cheap . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. Jerseys NFL Cheap . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. In July and August, espnWs weekly essay series will focus on body image.When I was younger, I used to have the same recurring daydream in gym class.If we were playing softball, I would dream I hit the ball and sprinted to home plate because I deserve to be there, not because my classmates let me slide -- like the puck that glided past the goalie and into the net. I won the game, and everything faded away as a single tear rolled down my cheek -- the way athletes cry after a championship win in the movies.Me, midrun, a smile on my face, because I couldnt believe I was quickly moving.I have a milder form of cerebral palsy. I walk with a limp. I had given up on the idea of running after surgeries on the right side of my body left me too afraid to relearn how to run.These reveries left me waiting for a special talent, which I assumed all disabled kids had, to make up for their disability.Im a terrible singer, so I figured Id find a hidden gift in a sport we played in physical education class.I never did, and I yearn for representation of people of color with disabilities in sports. So until the work that disabled black women do is recognized, I will continue to champion and celebrate the able-bodied black women.I cried when I learned that Misty Copeland would be American Ballets first black female principal dancer. My weeping was not because I had dreams of being a ballet dancer -- although I would twirl from the kitchen table to the fridge in my socks, convinced I could pirouette with the best of ballerinas.I was emotional because ballet, at its core, is both raw and feminine, two things that black women are often not allowed to be.Then come gymnasts Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez. Not only did they help secure a team gold medal, but Biles is the new Olympic all-around champion and is leaving Rio with five medals.At 24, Im older than they are, but I feel a sense of pride when I see them swinging on uneven bars or sticking dismounts on vaults.I hold my breath with them as they await their scores and cheer when I feel they received the ones they deserved.The Olympics are the ultimate dream.Our bodies are in no way identical, and we are on opposite ends of the spectrum.Though Ive been told that the way my smile spreads across my face during moments of triumph is similar to Gabbys and Simones happy grins.ddddddddddddThey all have dealt with?criticism, from some people saying Gabby isnt patriotic, to a dance instructor telling a 13-year-old Copeland she was too old to be a ballerina.I havent had the same amount of vitriol thrown at me, but I was told by a teacher in high school that I would never make it as a successful journalist. Ive had my writing abilities questioned and racist comments sent to me frequently online. Like them, I feel I have persevered.?For Lena Dunham and Jenni Konners Lenny Letter, I wrote about one of my biggest triumphs so far, putting my hair up into a ponytail, unassisted. This might not be a medaling event at the Olympics, but it made me feel as proud and as wonderful as I imagine Misty, Laurie, Gabby and Simone feel with each of their completed goals.There is an expectation for black women in sports to be better than the best, show no emotion and maintain a level of superhuman strength.When Copeland steps out on the stage next month at the Opera de Paris to star in The Sleeping Beauty, I hope she reminds herself of all the work shes put in to get there.Simply?seeing all of these women succeed in their fields is something akin to witnessing a miracle that isnt really a miracle but rather a result of fate putting the world in the right order.Representation matters, and even as I live in a disabled body that was never lucky enough to be good at any sport, when I see these women in commercials and on TV screens, I am reminded of all of the things I can achieve with hard work and talent. These athletes prove that every black body is beautiful, even the ones that dont look like theirs.The bodies of people with disabilities, the tall, thick and tired bodies thwith hard work and talent. These athletes prove that every black body is beautiful, even the ones that dont look like theirs.The bodies of people with disabilities, the tall, thick and tired bodies tat could only ever dream of doing what they do, the short and chubby bodies. These black women make every black body feel special and worthy.Even mine.Keah Brown work has appeared in Lenny Letter, Catapult, The Establishment and Femsplain among other publications. She loves TV, good music and cheesecake. Follow her @Keah_Maria Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jersyes Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '