Clik here to view.
Colt and Goldie
Only seven men have played both rugby union and cricket for New Zealand. The last two – Brian McKechnie and Jeff Wilson – are both from my home province of Southland and likely to be the last dual...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Curl Power
Twenty three year old Scottish curler Anna Sloan’s expressive face became one of the vivid images of last year’s Winter Olympics. She was an integral part of Eve Muirhead‘s bronze medal winning ‘rink’...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sultans of Swing
The Pakistan cricket team possessed the most feared bowling attack in the world during the 1990s with the demon duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis – nicknamed the ‘Sultans of Swing’. Regarded as two...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Caught Marsh, bowled Lillee
‘Caught Marsh, bowled Lillee’ became a very familiar scoreboard entry during the 1970s and early 1980s. It appeared 95 times in Test matches, which is a partnership record between wicket-keeper and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Rawalpindi Express
Pakistani former quick Shoaib Akhtar is regarded as the fastest bowler in the history of cricket. He is officially recorded as bowling the fastest delivery at 161.3kph against New Zealand in 2002 and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sunny Gavaskar
The diminutive Indian batsman Sunil ‘Sunny’ Gavaskar is regarded as one of, if not the greatest, opening batsmen in cricket history. He was certainly the most successful in the 1970s and 80s. During...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pink Panther Paula
American golfer Paula Creamer has won 12 tournaments, including 10 LPGA Tour events since her rookie year in 2005. That included the 2010 US Women’s Open. Nicknamed ‘The Pink Panther’ due to her...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Maria
Maria Sharapova won her fifth Grand Slam title this year, beating Simona Halep in three sets in the French Open final at Roland Garros. In a match lasting three hours, it was the first time since 2001...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lightning Bolt
Sprint sensation Usain St Leo Bolt is considered to be the fastest person ever. The Jamaican sporting phenomenon nicknamed ‘Lightning Bolt’ for obvious reasons, including his famed victory stance, is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Thorpedo
Ian Thorpe is one of the greatest swimmers of all time. Predominantly a freestyler, he won five Olympic gold medals, the most won by any Australian. He was the highest achieving athlete at the 2000...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Roger Federer
Regarded by most as ‘the greatest tennis player of all time’, Swiss maestro Roger Federer entered the ATP World Tour Finals this week ranked 2nd, chasing Novak Djokovic for the year the year end top...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Andy
Described as the best counter puncher in men’s tennis today, Andy Murray returned to London’s O2 this week for the ATP World Tour Finals after an arduous six weeks and three titles to gain the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Amélie M
Men’s tennis star Andy Murray did something almost unheard in in the sport: he hired a female coach. Amélie Mauresmo, the former world number one, replaced Ivan Lendl who had led Andy to two Grand...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Bryan Brothers
There is little to prove for Mike and Bob Bryan. The 36 year old identical twins from California are the most dominant ‘doubles act’ in the history of tennis, winning every significant doubles record....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Kei Nishikori
In a breakout season, Japan’s Kei Nishikori became the first Asian-born man to reach a Grand Slam final, losing to Marin Cilic of Croatia in the US Open this year. He has won a career high four titles...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Stan the man
World number 4 Stan Wawrinka narrowly lost a tense semi final against compatriot Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals in London on Saturday evening. Given the latter’s withdrawal from the final,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chila
Seeded 14th tennis player Marin Cilic, nicknamed ‘Chila’ defeated Roger Federer in the semi finals and Kei Nishikori in the final to win the US Open this year. Currently ranked number 9 in the world,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Richie’s 100th
The outstanding Richie McCaw, considered the greatest New Zealand rugby player of all time, will become the first player to lead the famous All Blacks in 100 matches when he captains the legendary...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Boom Boom Becker
Germany’s Boris Becker the former number one men’s tennis player is the coach of the current top ranked player Novak Djokovic. He won Wimbledon in 1985 and 1986 at the age of 17 and 18, the first non...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Guga
Popular Brazilian tennis player, and former world number one Gustavo Kuerten is among clay court royalty, winning the French Open three times. His first title at Roland Garros was won in 1997 when he...
View Article
