Sapna Bansil

Washington, D.C.

Intern covering sports

Education: Tufts University, BA in child development and MS in occupational therapy; University of Maryland, MJ in journalism

Sapna Bansil is a sports intern at The Washington Post and a recent graduate of the University of Maryland. Her work has also appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Baltimore Banner and the Associated Press. Before becoming a journalist, she worked for 10 years as a pediatric occupational therapist.
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Latest from Sapna Bansil

The Spirit’s ad campaign is pushing women’s soccer into the mainstream

Washington’s NWSL team has raised its profile with an aggressive marketing push modeled after franchises from other professional leagues.

August 24, 2024
Photos of the Washington Spirit decorated Metro stations, bus shelters and the main hall at Union Station as part of a major brand campaign. (Courtesy of Washington Spirit)

She was a junior tennis star. Could she prove herself as a pro in D.C.?

The standout athlete was about to play her first main-draw match at the DC Open in Rock Creek Park. It marked her debut as an adult in a big-league tennis tournament.

August 15, 2024
Clervie Ngounoue plays at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington last month. (Craig Hudson for The Washington Post)

100 years ago, a Black long jumper made history at another Paris Olympics

DeHart Hubbard became the first Black athlete to win an individual gold medal in 1924. His family is making sure his story isn’t forgotten.

August 6, 2024
DeHart Hubbard won gold in the long jump at the 1924 Paris Games. (Popperfoto/Getty Images)

A champion, just like his father: Sebastian Korda roars to DC Open title

Petr Korda won the Washington event 32 years ago. On Sunday, his son rallied past Flavio Cobolli, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.

August 4, 2024
Sebastian Korda dominated the third set to win the DC Open on Sunday. (Craig Hudson for The Washington Post)

Frances Tiafoe’s DC Open run comes to an end one step short of the final

After advancing to the semifinals for the first time, the Hyattsville native suffered a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Sebastian Korda in his eighth appearance at his hometown tournament.

August 4, 2024
“It was a great week,” said Hyattsville native Francis Tiafoe, who competed at his hometown tournament for the eighth time but once against fell short of advancing to the final." ... It’s the first time I’ve won three matches in a row since Houston [in April.] That’s obviously a really long time.” (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Error-prone Aryna Sabalenka stumbles out of DC Open in the semifinals

Marie Bouzkova knocked off the top-seeded Belarusian and will face Paula Badosa in Sunday’s final in a matchup of unseeded players.

August 3, 2024

Frances Tiafoe, with a chance to revive his season, moves on at DC Open

Tiafoe survives a tough three-setter to return to the quarterfinals, where he will join fellow Americans Ben Shelton and Seb Korda.

August 1, 2024
Frances Tiafoe gestures to the crowd after converting a late break opportunity during his win Thursday night at the DC Open.

Top seeds Aryna Sabalenka, Andrey Rublev survive, advance at DC Open

Sabalenka turns back Russian Kamilla Rakhimova in three sets to move on while Rublev also wins a tough three-setter to move on.

July 31, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka survived a nearly three-hour match against Kamilla Rakhimova to advance at the DC Open.

DC Open becomes an Olympics alternative for many top tennis players

Washington’s annual professional tennis event begins Monday at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park.

July 29, 2024
Emma Raducanu, shown during Wimbledon, will compete at the DC Open this week rather than for Britain in the Olympics. (Alberto Pezzali/AP)

‘Call Me Baseball’: Carly Rae Jepsen threw postgame party at Nationals Park

The latest edition of the Nationals’ summer concert series saw the pop star and thousands of her fans blend with a baseball crowd for a buoyant summer night at the ballpark.

July 21, 2024
Carly Rae Jepsen performed at Nationals Park on Friday night following Washington's win over Cincinnati. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for The Washington Post)