At just 19 months old, shortly after learning to walk, Brittnee Habbib exhibited notable upper body strength and control. This led her to the gym, where she learned gymnastics, and she has been excelling in the sport ever since. A recent high school graduate from Scarborough, Ont., Habbib is a high performance member of Canada’s national gymnastics team and a recipient of Gymnastics Canada’s Outstanding International Achievement Award. At 17 years of age at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, she led the Canadian team to a bronze medal victory. Reporter Eric Emin Wood spoke with Habbib about her achievements and her future goals.

Have you ever desired to be the lead guitarist for The Police or Guns N’ Roses?  “Technically” you can with the Xbox 360 or Playstation 2 game Guitar Hero II. Released in November 2006, Guitar Hero II combines 64 classic rock songs from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and even some modern hits with video game bliss.

While some high school students across Canada are playing basketball or hockey, others are going to class, writing tests, and handing in assignments. Just because many school athletes are missing class, it doesn’t mean they get to skip out on all the homework. Still, these athletes do enjoy some perks when it comes to making the grade at school.

Watching singers like Shakira shake those hips has really helped popularize belly dancing worldwide. But what does this form of dancing really involve? Belly dance is believed to have originated in Egypt. It was also practiced in Greece, Turkey, and India. Belly dance isn’t only for recreational purposes. Many train for years to become professional belly dancers.

Rhythm games such as Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution and Beatmania debuted in the late ’90s in an attempt to compete with the home consoles that were then taking over the market. But arcades lost. Years ago, Toronto was known among players for its huge number of arcades. Today, the arcades industry is slowly dying.

In the world of competitive sports such as hockey, soccer, football, and basketball, some sports get lost in the undertow. A new Disney Channel original movie is bringing one of those sports back into the spotlight. Jump in!, starring High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu as Isadore "Izzy" Daniels and Keke Palmer as Mary Thomas, brings to life the exhilarating sport of Double Dutch Jump Roping.

Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Karen Cockburn lives in “wonderful world of a tramp,” an MSN phrase coined by Derek Thorsell. Today, many teens are oblivious to the athletic aspect of trampoline. Soaring 20 feet above the ground may seem effortless and unauthentic, but Cockburn says that great trampolinists need to be “flexible, graceful, fearless, strong, and powerful.”

Nintendo is back, with wireless controllers and innovative games with nonstop action – not just in the game, but for its players as well. With handheld motion-sensitive controllers, players can virtually slash a sword, swing a baseball bat, or reel in a fishing line. Avid gamer Katia Caporiccio got to check out the new console and discover why gamers all over are bonding through a new level of electronic thrill.

Enjoyable isn’t necessarily the way most people describe their jobs. In discovering what the future holds, people strive to do what they love. But taking the steps to achieve this is not always easy, yet when it does happen you feel like you can take on the world. At just 23 years old, Mark Giordano is one of the exceptions, living his dream playing defenceman for the Calgary Flames. 

The potential winnings of betting on an innocent game of poker or a hockey match can seem rather appealing, especially if the odds are in your favour - it's effortless, fast cash. But once Lady Luck gives another gambler a chance, will you have the willpower and sensibility to stop yourself? Or will you risk losing everything? 'Just one more round' can become highly addictive. If you don't play your cards right, it can cost you more than you bargained for, and leave you in debt. Reporter Rosemina Nazarali investigated this growing teen issue.

Called “the most technologically advanced piece of hardware ever created”, Sony’s PlayStation 3 gaming system will soon be available at stores across North America. Regardless of the costs, gaming fanatics are already contending for the new catch.

Yoga and pilates have managed to steal the hearts and breaths of everyone, including teens. The strengthening exercises and balance these fitness methods work to restore have spread from local practices to fitness classes and lately to school activities over the last few years. They have become so popular that the fashion scene has exploded with active wear – often beyond a reasonable price range. But what makes yoga and pilates more special than a regular gym membership or playing sports? Find out why they’re just so hard to resist.

The enthusiasm and participation in House League sports has been disappearing over the last few years as there has been a rise in interest for Rep and Select Teams. The transition toward more competitive athleticism has not only affected sponsored teams, but the interest in physical education in schools as well – declining to a low that raises health concerns. Why is there only a scarce amount of house league teams left?

Parkour - You probably haven’t heard that word, but if you’ve watched television over the past few weeks or months there is a good chance that you’ve seen a glimpse of those groups jumping around the city in the Rogers commercial or taking chances in the documentary Jump London.