Greatest sportsperson in each sport

[Twodogs]

I had a conversation with my son and we got onto the topic of the GOAT in each sport.

I'd like to make a list with everyone's help.

A few to get us started.

Distance Running - Haile Gebrselassie

Sprinting - Usain Bolt

Golf. Tiger Woods

Surfing. Kelly Slater./Mark Occolupo

Squash jahanger Khan or Heather McKay TBD

Boxing Mohammed Ali

F1. Aryton Senna/Michael Schumacher

Swimming Michael Phelps

Cricket Don Bradman

Ice Hockey Wayne Gretzky

Darts Phil Taylor

Billiards Walter Lindrum

Basketball Michael Jordan

Footy Ted Whitten

Tennis Roger Federer

Chess Garry Kasparov

Rugby Union Jona Lomu/John Eales or Dally Messenger TBD

Rugby League Jonathan Thurstans.

Baseball Babe Ruth


All sports and greatest players happily accepted. All discussion entered into. All suggestions to amend above list encouraged.

[GVGjr]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sportk

Just on Squash, surely Heather McKay has to be regarded as the best female squash player perhaps the best ever even when compared to the men? She only lost twice and won 16 British Open titles during her career. She also represented Australia in Hockey.

The Khans were long regarded as the best mens players but Geoff Hunt was a great player as well.

Walter Lindrum needs a mention for Billiards

[westdog54]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

Tennis: Roger Federer

I'm not old enough to have seen the likes of Laver, Borg, or McEnroe in their prime.

I can only go on what I see. I grew up watching Pete Sampras conquer all before him and thought I was watching something special.

And then along came Roger.

He's dominated a highly competitive sport for over a decade. As good as Nadal and Djokovic have been, the last 12 months have cemented Roger's place in history.

To find another gear in his mid 30s and get back to winning majors in highly competitive fields is simply astounding.

We won't see another like him in our lifetime.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

Darts. Phil Taylor.

[Twodogs]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

Just on Squash, surely Heather McKay has to be regarded as the best female squash player perhaps the best ever even when compared to the men? She only lost twice and won 16 British Open titles during her career. She also represented Australia in Hockey.

The Khans were long regarded as the best mens players but Geoff Hunt was a great player as well.

Walter Lindrum needs a mention for Billiards

I'm happy to go with McKay. 16 British open Titles is just a ridiculous level of domination. 2 losses makes her sound like a boxer.

Geoff Hunt is a bulldog supporter.

[Twodogs]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

Tennis: Roger Federer

I'm not old enough to have seen the likes of Laver, Borg, or McEnroe in their prime.

I can only go on what I see. I grew up watching Pete Sampras conquer all before him and thought I was watching something special.

And then along came Roger.

He's dominated a highly competitive sport for over a decade. As good as Nadal and Djokovic have been, the last 12 months have cemented Roger's place in history.

To find another gear in his mid 30s and get back to winning majors in highly competitive fields is simply astounding.

We won't see another like him in our lifetime.

I saw all those players. Federer easily. We won't see another him.

[The Doctor]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

Rugby Union Jona Lomu

The best rugby player I have seen is John Eales. Not as exciting as the great Jonah Lomu, as he played the less glamorous position of 2nd row, but for me the better all round player and I would pick him first. Eales won 2 world cup titles, including one as captain, and starred in both finals. Lomu never won a world cup with the All Blacks.

Australian rugby has never been the same since he retired.

[Twodogs]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

The best rugby player I have seen is John Eales. Not as exciting as the great Jonah Lomu, as he played the less glamorous position of 2nd row, but for me the better all round player and I would pick him first. Eales won 2 world cup titles, including one as captain, and starred in both finals. Lomu never won a world cup with the All Blacks.

Australian rugby has never been the same since he retired.

What about Ritchie McCaw. He's pushing toward greatness I reckon. I'm nominating David Campese as well.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

Senna Formula 1

[Twodogs]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

Senna Formula 1

I had him in my original list

[Throughandthrough]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

I’m a massive formula 1 fan and a massive Senna fan but Schumacher was a much better package as a driver (so where Prost and Fangio)

Jamie Whincup is arguably the best ever touring car driver in the world

Sebastian Loeb best ever rally driver

[boydogs]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

Magnus Carlsen is still young but could be #1 in Chess for another 20 years. So dominant at such a young age. Like Tiger Woods who is missing from your list

[Twodogs]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

Magnus Carlsen is still young but could be #1 in Chess for another 20 years. So dominant at such a young age. Like Tiger Woods who is missing from your list

Well spotted. I was wondering who would be the first to pick that up.

[Twodogs]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

I’m a massive formula 1 fan and a massive Senna fan but Schumacher was a much better package as a driver (so where Prost and Fangio)

Jamie Whincup is arguably the best ever touring car driver in the world

Sebastian Loeb best ever rally driver

Any news on Schumacher's condition?

[SlimPickens]

Re: Greatest sportsperson in each sport

After Monday Tom Brady will be the greatest NFL player of all time. Probably already is