The future generation of female athletes in New York has already brought forth a collection of sports illustrations.
Honor Smoke, a 10-year-old wrestler hailing from Erie County, is fierce and prepared to compete on the sports platform ReIllustrated – a special edition of Sports Mag launched in February, focused on uplifting young female sportswomen. She made history by being the youngest individual featured on the cover.
“I stepped onto the mat for the first time three years back, and now I have achieved victories with sports illustrations. [a state championship title]. In a recent video interview from her family home in Akron, a small village located around 25 miles east of Buffalo, Smoke shared with the Post.
This fifth grader dedicates herself to wrestling practice up to six days a week, mastering techniques like the “three-quarter Nelson,” and was the first girl to join the Akron Youth Wrestling Club when she decided to give the sport a shot at the age of seven.
“Initially, I would lose every match, which fueled my determination to win. As I started winning more matches, I thought, ‘Oh, I really enjoy this.’
“I prefer wrestling against boys, and it feels more rewarding to defeat them,” she remarked.
The tween secured first place in her age and weight division in the Girls category at the New York Wrestling Association’s Youth National Championship last year, came in third at the US Wrestling Kids Folk Style National Championship in Indiana in January, and most recently attained third place in the qualifying round while representing the Empire State at the US Wrestling 2025 Western Region Championship.
Smoke was among 10 young female athletes nationwide who shone a light on the sport in ReIllustrated, collaborating with Dove to tackle a formidable challenge.
New York City has now showcased three cover girls, including Pepper Perthley, a 14-year-old harem basketball player; Julia Dinar, a 13-year-old fencer from Flatbush in Brooklyn; and Liana Chan, a 12-year-old ice hockey player from Pelham Gardens in the Bronx.
“Basketball fills me with passion. It has taught me vital lessons about confidence, leadership, and teamwork—qualities I carry throughout my life.”
“I’m inspired by everything that the campaign represents, so being a part of it is amazing,” she conveyed to the Post. “Having my page means connecting with these other girls who matter profoundly to me.”
Dinar, who started fencing simply “to stay active” during the pandemic, now practices “Parry Defense” for up to 16 hours each week to prepare for competitions in Ohio, Oregon, New Jersey, and Washington, DC.
“I was astonished to see myself in the magazine, but I feel strong and joyful,” Dinar expressed, as she aims to continue fencing in college unless sports impede her aspiration of becoming a pediatrician.
Chan, the smallest member of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club ice hockey team, is “really excited” to be featured in the magazine she loves.
Three years ago, “I was uncertain about how I felt when I first skated on ice, but over time, my appreciation for ice hockey has grown,” Chan shared.
“I’m always eager to play…it would be fantastic to compete at the college level,” the young athlete remarked.
