Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
NRL’s Willie Mason Challenges Jaime Chapman to Sprint Race
- Jaime Chapman, 23, stands out as a very quick player in the NRLW.
- She played a vital role in NSW’s State of Origin victory this week.
Former NRL player Willie Mason, despite retiring in 2016, has playfully challenged NRLW star Jaime Chapman to a 40-meter sprint. This light-hearted challenge has sparked interest among fans and highlights the growing popularity of women’s rugby league. Known for his confidence throughout his career, Mason, now a sports podcaster, continues to entertain audiences with his spirited banter.
The Challenge
During the recent Magic Round in Brisbane, Mason confidently asserted his speed against Chapman, eliciting amusement from the NSW Blues winger.
“I’d smash you in the 40 (metre sprint),” Mason declared.
A surprised Chapman, set to represent the Gold Coast Titans in the upcoming NRLW season in July, retorted, “No, you wouldn’t,” leading to further playful exchanges between the two.
“I told her I’m sub five (seconds) across 40 minutes,” Mason shared with Justin Horo on their thriving Levels Network podcast.
Willie Mason, retired since 2016, recently challenged NRLW’s Jaime Chapman to a 40-meter sprint.
Jaime Chapman responded she ‘will take part for content’ which will appear on social media
Horo recounted that Mason “started throwing out stats” to unnerve Chapman, but she remained unfazed.
“Credit to Chappo, she held her own,” Horo remarked to listeners.
In his characteristic style, Mason, a Clive Churchill Medal recipient, insisted Chapman organize a winner-takes-all race.
Chapman responded she ‘will take part for content’ which will appear on social media.
Deepfake Incident
This challenge comes in the wake of Chapman, who is in a relationship with Dolphins NRL speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, being a recent target of a deepfake photo posted online.
She revealed that this wasn’t the first occasion someone manipulated her image using artificial intelligence (AI) to create a doctored photograph of her.
Impact on Mental Health
The 23-year-old addressed the issue on Instagram, condemning the ‘scary’ and ‘damaging’ impact of deepfake images on her mental well-being.
“Have a good day to everyone except those who make fake AI photos of other people,” she posted.
“AI is scary these days. Next time think of how damaging this can be to someone and their loved ones.”
“This has happened a few times now and it needs to stop.”
Chapman accompanied her statement with what appeared to be the initial, unaltered photograph.
Before being subjected to the deepfake, the image depicted Chapman taking a selfie while seated on a bed in a gold bikini.