There is no more inspiration sportsperson on the planet than
Discussion
... my vote is Alexander Volkanovski. 38 years old, on his second reign as champion. Open and honest about his mental health struggles and motivational issues, yet taking on and destroying fighters 10+ years younger than him after a pair of devastating knockouts.
Likeable, an open book, humble, yet one of the greatest fighters in history with a resurrection story that looks like a movie.
Who is yours?
Likeable, an open book, humble, yet one of the greatest fighters in history with a resurrection story that looks like a movie.
Who is yours?
Mine might link to yours a bit.
My all time fave is Scottish racing cyclist Graeme Obree who was a big rival to Chris Boardman, won world track championships and set records in the 1990s.
Not really because he was superfast cyclist but because he has done that whilst affected by bipolar and I think that's probably why he (possibly uniquely) combined the talent of top level athletic achievement with a genuine talent for innovation in bicycle design. He came up with two genuinely innovative cycle designs which changed the face of time trial cycling and led to changes to the rules to literally stop people like him coming up with such radical new ideas. He has also been very vocal about being anti-drugs in sport and is someone I would trust 100% to have always been "clean". He has also dealt with the challenge of accepting the truth of his of his sexual orientation (he is gay but was married with children). He is now a motivational speaker.
My all time fave is Scottish racing cyclist Graeme Obree who was a big rival to Chris Boardman, won world track championships and set records in the 1990s.
Not really because he was superfast cyclist but because he has done that whilst affected by bipolar and I think that's probably why he (possibly uniquely) combined the talent of top level athletic achievement with a genuine talent for innovation in bicycle design. He came up with two genuinely innovative cycle designs which changed the face of time trial cycling and led to changes to the rules to literally stop people like him coming up with such radical new ideas. He has also been very vocal about being anti-drugs in sport and is someone I would trust 100% to have always been "clean". He has also dealt with the challenge of accepting the truth of his of his sexual orientation (he is gay but was married with children). He is now a motivational speaker.
PauloHendo said:
... my vote is Alexander Volkanovski. 38 years old, on his second reign as champion. Open and honest about his mental health struggles and motivational issues, yet taking on and destroying fighters 10+ years younger than him after a pair of devastating knockouts.
Likeable, an open book, humble, yet one of the greatest fighters in history with a resurrection story that looks like a movie.
Who is yours?
He lives nearby and is a regular on local TV and radio and does a lot of good work with the local community and youth in particular.Likeable, an open book, humble, yet one of the greatest fighters in history with a resurrection story that looks like a movie.
Who is yours?
Always inspiring to hear him speak even though I have zero interest in his sport
louiebaby said:
For me it's Sir Jason Kenny, but I understand why others would choose other people.
My favourite fact is that along with his wife Laura, their household would have been 19th in the 2016 Rio medal table, with 5 golds between them. Just above New Zealand.
I just love the fact that UK has a track cycling breeding programme My favourite fact is that along with his wife Laura, their household would have been 19th in the 2016 Rio medal table, with 5 golds between them. Just above New Zealand.
markh1973 said:
Others might have a claim but surely Sir Kevin Sinfield is at the top of the pile.
Well said. There was a good BBC documentary on about him the other day. It showed that even as a boy/teenager he was a great leader and motivator of other people and a natural team captain. I spend a lot of time around para-athletes, and have quite a list, but of those I’ve met or been in contact with, and keeping it with someone UK based, Jaco van Gass is up there. Soldier-turned-world para cycling champion….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaco_van_Gass
What’s missing from that is how he and his mate, Stuart Croxford, became the first disabled team to complete the Cape Epic mtb race back in 2018/19’ish.
There are many other Invictus athletes, who struggle both physically and mentally, and also those in other para sports that are there because of accident or illness. I’m not belittling the achievements of any others that might be suggested as these are genuinely impressive, but life is definitely easier if you have all your limbs and/or faculties to start with.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaco_van_Gass
What’s missing from that is how he and his mate, Stuart Croxford, became the first disabled team to complete the Cape Epic mtb race back in 2018/19’ish.
There are many other Invictus athletes, who struggle both physically and mentally, and also those in other para sports that are there because of accident or illness. I’m not belittling the achievements of any others that might be suggested as these are genuinely impressive, but life is definitely easier if you have all your limbs and/or faculties to start with.
Alex Zanardi for me. To come through what he did, as successfully as he did, with no long term bitterness, and seeing the positive in it - that takes strength.
Fantastic racing career in F1, Touring Car, CART championships pre accident. Then four Paralympic gold medals and 12 world championship titles in para-cycling.
The very definition of never giving up. He'll always stand out as an inspirational person to me.
Fantastic racing career in F1, Touring Car, CART championships pre accident. Then four Paralympic gold medals and 12 world championship titles in para-cycling.
The very definition of never giving up. He'll always stand out as an inspirational person to me.
Randy Winkman said:
Mine might link to yours a bit.
My all time fave is Scottish racing cyclist Graeme Obree who was a big rival to Chris Boardman, won world track championships and set records in the 1990s.
Not really because he was superfast cyclist but because he has done that whilst affected by bipolar and I think that's probably why he (possibly uniquely) combined the talent of top level athletic achievement with a genuine talent for innovation in bicycle design. He came up with two genuinely innovative cycle designs which changed the face of time trial cycling and led to changes to the rules to literally stop people like him coming up with such radical new ideas. He has also been very vocal about being anti-drugs in sport and is someone I would trust 100% to have always been "clean". He has also dealt with the challenge of accepting the truth of his of his sexual orientation (he is gay but was married with children). He is now a motivational speaker.
When I read his autobiography (in my early 20s) the message that struck me especially was that Obree *needed* his success to feel any self worth. So rather than being driven, or aspiring, “towards a positive success” he was constantly trying to justify that he wasn’t a “negative failure”, which I thought must be a terrible way to live. It certainly wasn’t how I thought elite sports, or otherwise highly successful, people would think.My all time fave is Scottish racing cyclist Graeme Obree who was a big rival to Chris Boardman, won world track championships and set records in the 1990s.
Not really because he was superfast cyclist but because he has done that whilst affected by bipolar and I think that's probably why he (possibly uniquely) combined the talent of top level athletic achievement with a genuine talent for innovation in bicycle design. He came up with two genuinely innovative cycle designs which changed the face of time trial cycling and led to changes to the rules to literally stop people like him coming up with such radical new ideas. He has also been very vocal about being anti-drugs in sport and is someone I would trust 100% to have always been "clean". He has also dealt with the challenge of accepting the truth of his of his sexual orientation (he is gay but was married with children). He is now a motivational speaker.
johnpsanderson said:
Randy Winkman said:
Mine might link to yours a bit.
My all time fave is Scottish racing cyclist Graeme Obree who was a big rival to Chris Boardman, won world track championships and set records in the 1990s.
Not really because he was superfast cyclist but because he has done that whilst affected by bipolar and I think that's probably why he (possibly uniquely) combined the talent of top level athletic achievement with a genuine talent for innovation in bicycle design. He came up with two genuinely innovative cycle designs which changed the face of time trial cycling and led to changes to the rules to literally stop people like him coming up with such radical new ideas. He has also been very vocal about being anti-drugs in sport and is someone I would trust 100% to have always been "clean". He has also dealt with the challenge of accepting the truth of his of his sexual orientation (he is gay but was married with children). He is now a motivational speaker.
When I read his autobiography (in my early 20s) the message that struck me especially was that Obree *needed* his success to feel any self worth. So rather than being driven, or aspiring, towards a positive success he was constantly trying to justify that he wasn t a negative failure , which I thought must be a terrible way to live. It certainly wasn t how I thought elite sports, or otherwise highly successful, people would think.My all time fave is Scottish racing cyclist Graeme Obree who was a big rival to Chris Boardman, won world track championships and set records in the 1990s.
Not really because he was superfast cyclist but because he has done that whilst affected by bipolar and I think that's probably why he (possibly uniquely) combined the talent of top level athletic achievement with a genuine talent for innovation in bicycle design. He came up with two genuinely innovative cycle designs which changed the face of time trial cycling and led to changes to the rules to literally stop people like him coming up with such radical new ideas. He has also been very vocal about being anti-drugs in sport and is someone I would trust 100% to have always been "clean". He has also dealt with the challenge of accepting the truth of his of his sexual orientation (he is gay but was married with children). He is now a motivational speaker.
Ironically the bit I remember is far less meaningful. It's where he describes what it feels like to do a record breaking or gold medal winning 4/5k track time trial. He basically says that for the first thirty seconds from the gun it feels like your legs are going to explode, from then it feels like your lungs are going to explode and it stays like that until the finish line. Something like that anyway.
Brad Thorn for me. NZ born, played 200 games for the Brisbane Broncos, represented Australia in Rugby League, won State of Origin titles with Queensland, made 100 Super Rugby appearances for New Zealand teams, became an All Black and won the RWC in 2011. He won a Heineken Cup with Leinster as well. 22 years as a pro player, then swapped to coaching in 2012 at 41 years old and has been doing that ever since
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Thorn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Thorn
Ascari_1 said:
Alex Zanardi for me. To come through what he did, as successfully as he did, with no long term bitterness, and seeing the positive in it - that takes strength.
Fantastic racing career in F1, Touring Car, CART championships pre accident. Then four Paralympic gold medals and 12 world championship titles in para-cycling.
The very definition of never giving up. He'll always stand out as an inspirational person to me.
100%Fantastic racing career in F1, Touring Car, CART championships pre accident. Then four Paralympic gold medals and 12 world championship titles in para-cycling.
The very definition of never giving up. He'll always stand out as an inspirational person to me.
Also don’t forget he got back into racing cars in DTM and WTC after his accident using hand controls.
PomBstard said:
I spend a lot of time around para-athletes, and have quite a list, but of those I ve met or been in contact with, and keeping it with someone UK based, Jaco van Gass is up there. Soldier-turned-world para cycling champion .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaco_van_Gass
What s missing from that is how he and his mate, Stuart Croxford, became the first disabled team to complete the Cape Epic mtb race back in 2018/19 ish.
There are many other Invictus athletes, who struggle both physically and mentally, and also those in other para sports that are there because of accident or illness. I m not belittling the achievements of any others that might be suggested as these are genuinely impressive, but life is definitely easier if you have all your limbs and/or faculties to start with.
I went to the Invictus Games in The Hague some years back. Can't remember his name but there was an American guy with one leg who ran I think the 200m, 400m, 4x100 relay and was a guide runner for a blind guy in the 200m, all on the same afternoon. Must have been knackered. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaco_van_Gass
What s missing from that is how he and his mate, Stuart Croxford, became the first disabled team to complete the Cape Epic mtb race back in 2018/19 ish.
There are many other Invictus athletes, who struggle both physically and mentally, and also those in other para sports that are there because of accident or illness. I m not belittling the achievements of any others that might be suggested as these are genuinely impressive, but life is definitely easier if you have all your limbs and/or faculties to start with.
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