World's Most Dominant Sportsman

[ilw]

What about this dude, don't forget he's the only olympian ever to have won 5 gold medals for the same event in an endurance sport. That means he's been pretty much the best in the world for over 20 years. Credit as well to Matthew Pinsent his partner who is undoubtebly another of the worlds great rowers.

Steve Redgrave

Sir Steve Redgrave, quintuple Olympic gold medallist rower from Marlow Bottom, has proved to be the greatest Olympian Britain has ever produced.

After striking gold in Sydney he became our only athlete ever to have won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games. His first Olympic gold came in the coxed fours in Los Angeles in 1984, followed by gold
with Andy Holmes in the coxless pairs at Seoul in 1988, gold with Matthew Pinsent in the coxless pairs at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Following four unbeaten seasons from 1993 to 1996, Redgrave won his ninth World Championship gold in August 1999 in St Catherines, Canada. His previous World Championship golds were in 1986, 1987, 1991,
1993,1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998.

His other sporting interests include golf and winter sports, and during the 1989/90 season, he was a member of the British Bobsleigh Team. Redgrave was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours List of
1997. Following his success in Sydney, he was awarded a knighthood in the 2001 New Years Honours List.

Edit: I'm sure he's got lots of other medals but I couldn't be arsed searching and I figured he had enough golds to not bother with the rest.

[crazy_billy_bats]

Doesnt he rely on other men also tho to win his medals ?

no offence to him, great-sportsmen.

but he aint done it on his own.

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by ian_l_williams@2 June 2003 - 15:25
What about this dude, don't forget he's the only olympian ever to have won 5 gold medals for the same event in an endurance sport. That means he's been pretty much the best in the world for over 20 years. Credit as well to Matthew Pinsent his partner who is undoubtebly another of the worlds great rowers.

Steve Redgrave

Sir Steve Redgrave, quintuple Olympic gold medallist rower from Marlow Bottom, has proved to be the greatest Olympian Britain has ever produced.

After striking gold in Sydney he became our only athlete ever to have won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games. His first Olympic gold came in the coxed fours in Los Angeles in 1984, followed by gold
with Andy Holmes in the coxless pairs at Seoul in 1988, gold with Matthew Pinsent in the coxless pairs at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Following four unbeaten seasons from 1993 to 1996, Redgrave won his ninth World Championship gold in August 1999 in St Catherines, Canada. His previous World Championship golds were in 1986, 1987, 1991,
1993,1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998.

His other sporting interests include golf and winter sports, and during the 1989/90 season, he was a member of the British Bobsleigh Team. Redgrave was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours List of
1997. Following his success in Sydney, he was awarded a knighthood in the 2001 New Years Honours List.

Edit: I'm sure he's got lots of other medals but I couldn't be arsed searching and I figured he had enough golds to not bother with the rest.

Another excellent nomination. Not bad for a diabetic either.

[jetje]

Gary Kasparov - Chess.... The best brains in sport...

Ons Eibernest 50 times champions of the netherlands that is also 75 years world champion (korfbal)
Ard Schenk - Speedskating 10 world titles 4 olympic gold medals...

[clocker]

How about...Giacomo Agostini

YEAR 350cc 500cc WORLD TITLES TT WINS
1965 3 wins 1 win
1966 3 wins 3 wins 500 MV 350 MV
1967 1 win 5 wins 500 MV 350&500 MV
1968 7 wins 10 wins 350&500 MV 350&500 MV
1969 8 wins 10 wins 350&500 MV 350&500 MV
1970 9 wins 10 wins 350&500 MV 350&500 MV
1971 6 wins 8 wins 350&500 MV 500 MV
1972 6 wins 11 wins 350&500 MV 350&500 MV
1973 4 wins 3 wins 350 MV
1974 5 wins 2 wins 350 YAMAHA
1975 1 win 4 wins 500 YAMAHA
1976 1 win 1 win
TOTALS ....... 54 wins 68 wins 15 Championships 12 TT Wins

In a sport where the average career is usually 3-5 years, he dominated for 11. A feat unlikely ever to be repeated.
No disrespect intended, but if Tiger Woods mishits a tee shot he probably won't end up in the hospital.
If Gary Kasparoff misplays his end game he probably won't die.
Agostini ruled a sport for over a decade where his death was the very real outcome should he falter.
I don't want to imply that physical danger is a necessary element to determine the Greatest Sportsman, but it certainly adds an extra dimention, I think.


Sorry about the crappy statistics, the chart just didn't "copy" well. The real one is at the website.

[2nd gen noob]

Originally posted by clocker@2 June 2003 - 18:59
I don't want to imply that physical danger is a necessary element to determine the Greatest Sportsman, but it certainly adds an extra dimention, I think.

a good point, which is probably a reason in why i think ayrton senna was the most dominant qualifier ever in formula one. he has the highest number of pole positions of any f1 driver, however michael schumacher is a more dominant race winner (in my opinion).
to tell the truth, i had never heard of Giacomo Agostini before you posted.

[soopaman]

Miguel "Big Mig" Indurain - The best cyclist of his and any era. He was a bit of a freak though with extremely large lungs and a massive heart. Won the Tour De France many times.

Another contender would be Bernhard Hinault. He was synonymous with the Tour for years.

[2nd gen noob]

what about lance armstrong for the tour de france crown?
he battled back from cancer to win it numerous times

[DarthInsinuate]

what about sportswomen?

the Venus sisters are built like men, but by biological definition are women
they can hit a tennis ball twice as hard as any other woman

[2nd gen noob]

Originally posted by DarthInsinuate@2 June 2003 - 20:26
what about sportswomen?

the Venus sisters are built like men, but by biological definition are women
they can hit a tennis ball twice as hard as any other woman

the east german olympic team were the best "women" sportspersons ever.