Sports

Another week, and another world tour of great sports photography. Soccer was big this week, with the American MLS Cup championship, final qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, the Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai, and leagues across Europe in full swing. But there was plenty of action from other corners of the planet, including the Luge World Cup in Alberta, cycling's UCI Track World Cup in Melbourne, and the World Weightlifting Championships in South Korea. ( 28 photos total)

Big Shots' cup runs over this week as we travel to Germany for the Swimming World Cup, head to Dubai for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, and check out the playoffs for American soccer's MLS Cup in Bridgeview, Ill. There's more, of course, like the World Masters Games in Sydney, and the start of the hunting season in England. Snow sports are not far away.... ( 34 photos total)

These men don't just stare at goats. Buzkashi, which translates as 'goat grabbing', is the national sport of Afghanistan. The object of the game is for horsemen to try to snatch a beheaded goat or calf carcass in the field and carry it to a scoring area. This fiercely contested sport can sometimes last several days. ( 15 photos total)

It's great to come back from a long vacation and be greeted by such a terrific collection of pictures. I'm happy to be back to share this week's Big Shots with you as we surf the waves off Hainan, China, crunch through the snow during the Olympic torch relay in Inuvik, Canada, and ply the waters off France's Atlantic coast during the "Transat Jacques Vabre" sailing race. Later this week I'll try to share pictures from a buzhkashi game in Afghanistan and the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, north Brazil. ( 33 photos total)

The Yankees took their 27th World Series title by ousting the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. Here's a look back at some of the action over the course of the series. ( 29 photos total)

Some of what Big Shots takes a look at this week includes the World Series, the start of the NBA season, continued action from the NHL and NBA, as well the New York City Marathon. ( 21 photos total)

Much has happened in the world of sport since my last post. The NHL has started playing hockey again (that would be the skating thing that happens in between the fights), Major League Baseball began playoff action (I'll hopefully devote a separate post to that later this week), and sled dogs have begun their training even though there's no snow yet. Yet. I'd also like to tell you that for the next three weeks this blog will be left in the very capable hands of my fellow Globe picture editor Lloyd Young while I'm on vacation. See you November 10. ( 37 photos total)

This week Big Shots runs through London in a gorilla suit, cries over spilled blood at the WBC heavyweight boxing championship in Los Angeles, and drives through the night at the Petit Le Mans in Georgia. There's more, of course, as I wait for the start of the Major League Baseball playoffs. ( 31 photos total)

This week Big Shots rolls through a marathon on inline skates, joins the Tour of Britain cyclists as they roll through Westminster, and ducks elbows at a women's roller derby tournament. And we take in the Table Tennis European Championships in Stuttgart and the BMX Supercross in Chula Vista, Calif. among many other events. ( 29 photos total)

Though it doesn't get the attention afforded the Tour de France or the Giro d'Italia, cycling's other "grand tour" is every bit as brutal, and covers scenery every bit as stunning. And this year's Vuelta a Espana didn't lack for drama, with the three-week race still not totally decided until the final few stages. Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde of the Caisse d'Epargne team finally won a grand tour to live up to the promise he's shown for years. Australian rider Cadel Evans failed again to win a grand tour, finishing third to go with his two second-place finishes in the Tour. . ( 25 photos total)

This week Big Shots travels to Peru for the South American Bodybuilding Championships in Lima, kitesurfs from Tasmania to the Australian mainland, and yells "skate!" at octogenarian hockey players. I'll show you the Peace Marathon in Moscow, World Cup soccer qualifying in Riyadh, and cricket in Colombo, Sri Lanka. There's more, of course, as I look forward to bringing you the third of cycling's grand tours, La Vuelta a Espana early next week. ( 30 photos total)

A rain-soaked US Open 2009 held a few big surprises for tennis fans. Serena Williams' bizarre, expletive-laden ejection after a terrible call gave the semifinal to Kim Clijsters, although Clijsters appeared headed for victory anyway. Clijsters became the first unseeded woman to win the US Open, coming out of a two-year retirement. She's also the first mom to win since 1980. Juan Martin Del Potro needed no help from officials to upset Roger Federer in the men's final, ending Federer's streak of five US Open championships. Del Potro was appearing in his first majors final, while Federer has played in 16 of the last 17 Grand Slam finals. ( 26 photos total)