The world of sport is full of stories that can inspire even the most pessimist human being. It has the power to bring out the best in anybody. At the heart of all this are the athletes who broke the barriers of human limits and left an indelible mark on sports. From Pele to Sachin Tendulkar and LeBron James, here are some sports legends who became global icons and went on to shape the world of sports.
Cricket Legends Who Redefined the Game
India’s favorite pastime, Cricket has seen many legends who are considered as generational players. But only a few could shine as brightly as Sir Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar.
1. Sir Don Bradman
Sir Don Bradman is widely considered as the best batsman to grace the sport of cricket. There are stories that people used to flock in large numbers just to see him batting. He was a true master and a magician who brought cricket into the limelight. One of the most talked about topic around Bradman was his batting average of 99.94 which remains unparalleled.
Also Read: Mithali Raj: Breaking Barriers in Cricket
In every aspect of life, people are held to some standards that they have to match in order to succeed. In cricket, that standard is Don Bradman. He is the one sitting at the top of throne and so far, there has been none who could dethrone him.
2. Sachin Tendulkar
India has always been blessed with cricketers who became cultural icons. Kapil Dev won the first world cup for India and remains hugely revered, while stories of Sunil Gavaskar overpowering West Indies’ famous bowling attack consisting of Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Andy Roberts are still discussed with passion.
But the way Sachin Tendulkar influenced the whole generation is unparalleled. What made him special was that he started his career when Indian cricket was on a freefall, and was marred with controversies such as match fixing scandals. The Little Master carried the hopes of a billion Indians every time he stepped onto the field. He is the only player to hit 100 hundreds in the game of cricket. He is true role model for young cricketers around the world.
Football Icons: The Greatest Players of All Time
World’s most popular sport, football, might lack a true culture in India, but its global appeal and following is second to none. Football clubs such as Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have huge fan following around the world.
1. Pele
Pelé was truly the first global football superstar in the world. Being a black player, he inspired people of all races and ethnic backgrounds. He had the flair, and charisma that transcended football, making him a global ambassador of the sport.
2. Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona Franco is often considered as the best player the football has witnessed. He had everything that a footballer can dream of – dribbling, speed and ability to score goals in big moments. He won two world cups with Argentina, including the 1986 event where he scored the Goal Of the Century against England.
While at the peak of his powers, Maradona stunned the world by moving to Napoli in 1984. There, he led the Naples side to two Serie A titles and transformed the club forever.
3. Lionel Messi
We should stop using the term “Greatest footballer of his generation” for Lionel Messi. For the Argentine, is surely the very best the game of football has witnessed. The former Barcelona superstar has achieved everything the game of football could offer, both at the personal level and with the teams he has played for.
Messi changed the way football is played, with his mesmerizing dribbles, clinical finishing, and vision often regarded as unique. Some players have vision, some are poachers, while some are good at dribbling, but with no end product, but Messi has everything.
Related: Cricket Legends from 21st Century: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root
Unsung Sports Heroes: Stories You May Not Know
1. Milkha Singh
Milkha Singh, also known as the “Flying Sikh,” put Indian athletics on the world map. His struggles during his childhood and younger years made him an athlete who refused to give up. His near victory in the 1960 Olympics 400m final remains one of India’s most inspiring stories.
2. Major Dhyan Chand
Much of field hockey’s legacy can be traced back to Dhyan Chand, India’s greatest hockey player. He was rightly given the nickname the “Wizard of Hockey”. Chand led India to three Olympic gold medals, in 1928, 1932, and 1936, and in all three Olympics, he was the unequivocal star.
Major Dhyan Chand inspired not only India but also the rest of the world to grow hockey as a competitive sport. He remains the benchmark for skills and humility among all the players around the world.
Greatest Athletes Of All Time
1. Michael Jordan
The history of basketball cannot be written without mentioning Michael Jordan.
Michael Jordan revolutionized basketball in a way that few athletes have influenced their sport. In fact, his influence goes far away from the game of basketball.
In 1984, Nike took a huge gamble by signing a young basketball player who was none other than Michael Jordan. Back then, this deal might have been considered a huge risk, but now, this remains the biggest collaboration between an athlete and a big company. Jordan went on to dominate the court winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Nike, on the other hand, grew its business manifold by selling Air Jordan, a sneaker line which was launched in 1985.
The deal between Nike and Michael Jordan changed the way sports marketing was done. It gave rise to the concept of athlete endorsement and the marketing by sports stars.
2. Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods revolutionized the game of Golf due to his talent and charisma. His off-field activities such as affairs with Hollywood actresses only brought Golf into limelight.
Tiger Woods won 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories. He changed the game of golf from being a less accessible, serious game to an mainstream sport, which attracted young fans from all around the world. His career is full of dominant performances when he came back from seemingly impossible scenarios. He is certainly one of the greatest athletes in sports history.
3. Muhammad Ali
Regarded as the best boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali a true global icon. He is the only boxer to win the world heavyweight title on three different occasions. He fought against the discrimination, and forced USA government’s rule around war.
Olympic Heroes Who Made History
1. Usain Bolt
The 100M dash at the Olympics is hailed as the Mother of all Sports. This is because the athletics require nothing but plain human movements like walking, running and jumping.
The “Lightning Bolt”, Usain Bolt from Jamaica, is the fastest man in history of humanity. He holds the record for the 100M dash which is covered in just 9.58 seconds, and won eight Olympic gold medals, owning the world records in the 100m and 200m sprints. Bolt brought unprecedented excitement to athletics and became a global icon.
2. Indian Wrestling: Sushil Kumar
Though India won its first medal in wrestling in 1952 Helsinki Games when KD Jadhav won Bronze for India, the true watershed moment came 56 years later. At Beijing 2008 Olympics games, Sushil Kumar not only won a bronze medal but also changed the wrestling landscape in India. Since 2008, India have won at least one wrestling medal in each of the last five Olympics.
Sushil Kumar inspired a new generation of wrestlers in India. His achievements have elevated Indian wrestling to international prominence.
Conclusion
The impact of the above-mentioned athletes extend far beyond their records and accolades. They have inspired millions, broken barriers, and defined what it means to push their limits and be a champion. They continue to inspire young kids to take up sport.
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