Top 3 Sportsmen you have seen

[Jeba]

Who would be your 3? (male or female, Aussie or non-Aussie, only from when you have started watching sport, so Don Bradman shouldn't be on anyone's list except Russo's). Might leave Broncos players out to make it a bit more extensive list.

I am going to go from when I was old enough to really understand the sports I watched.

1. Sachin Tendulkar
His ton today inspired me to make this thread. Just outstanding in what he does. No real other explanation needed really.

2. Ian Thorpe
Had he stayed in swimming I'm sure he would've taken a few gold of Phelps in Beijing. Perfect technique and the way he used to finish off his races, particularly the relays where he would pull big margins off the sprinters. Incredible.

3. Michael Jordan
A childhood hero when I was growing up and the reason most Aussie NBA fans loved the Bulls.

 

[Aeetee]

In no particular order.

Peter Brock

Tiger Woods

And more recently Geoff Huegill

Now outside sport they all have/had there flaws, but as Sportsmen; Inspirational and just awesome.

 

[Flutterby]

Wow this is a tough one to nail down just three. I feel lucky to have seen some truly truly great sportspeople in my life. Right now I would say the following three (but could easily name others that I would consider on par).

Haile Gebrselassie

What he has achieved in distance running over every distance from 1500m - Marathon is truly awe-inspiring

Louise Sauvage

Greatest ever wheelchair athlete. Has won in major championships (and at various points held the world record) for every distance from 100m - Marathon

Roger Federer

Tennis record speaks for itself

 

[Kris]

Can't think of anyone other than Michael Jordan ATM. I loved him to death when I was little.

 

[Fozz]

Cathy Freeman

What do I need to say? I was so sad when she retired in 2003, would've been nice to see her try to win in Athens.

Allan Border

Not the most exciting batsman to watch but he laid the foundation for Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh's teams. Part of the first Queensland Sheffield Shield finals victory.

Shane Warne

A better bowler than Murali given that he was part of an attack containing Glenn McGrath (563 wickets), Brett Lee (310) and Jason Gillespie (259). Murali had Vaas (355) and that's it. There were a few times when he was a poor sportsman but over a long career he did allright.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Steven Bradbury

The last man standing

Matt Shirvington

Get a load of the meat and two veg

Ben Cousins

The story tells it all.

 

[mrslong]

Are you talking about seen live? If so then I would have to say:

Dean Jones & Ricky Ponting tied
Michael Johnson
David Nilsson

If you are talking about just been alive to see then I would have to say:
Michael Jordan
Ken Griffey Jr
Usain Bolt

(obviously Darren Lockyer & Allan Langer would be on both of these lists if I could include Broncos)

 

[Coxy]

My top 3 is pretty boring:

Sachin Tendulkar
Without doubt the most talented, gifted and strong minded batsman in my lifetime, and I doubt I'll see anyone like him again. All forms of cricket, and for 20 years. Absolutely unbelievable.

Roger Federer
Poetry in motion. Mentally tough. He took tennis to a new level of skill and only now are the players catching up to him, and I doubt any of them will have the longevity of success he did.

Allan Border
Not pretty to watch, but to have achieved what he did when Australian cricket was in its absolute darkest hour, and to lead the revival to the golden age we have enjoyed the last 15 years, Captain Cranky was a legend of Australian sport.

 

[Bannermania]

In terms of Australian sports?

Grant Hackett

Steve Waugh

Chris Judd

Internationally:

Ken Griffey Jr.

Michael Jordan

Peyton Manning

 

[pennywisealfie]

Lionel Messi
Anderson Silva
Peyton Manning

 

[Bannermania]

Lionel Messi
Anderson Silva
Peyton Manning

Manning is gun.

 

[pennywisealfie]

hell yeah, the best

 

[Russo]

Michael Johnson
Carl Lewis
Roger Federer

and Bradman of course (smart arse Jeb), actually Pele would qualify for me but I only remember seeing him at the end of his career not the prime

 

[The Brizz]

Hicham el Guerrouj - I love middle distance running and as good as Haile was/is I think this guy is the best I have ever seen. Winning the 1500m/5000m double in Athens is mind blowing considering just how vastly different the race tempos are for those two races especially beating Bekele in the 5000m final. Had a few unlucky set backs early in his career at major events but put them to bed at Athens.

Lionel Messi - The guy is only 22 or something and is already clearly the worlds best footballer and could very well become the greatest the game has ever seen by the time he is done. A modest and quietly spoken guy who has the attitude and temperament to continue improving.

Michael Jordan - The guy was clutch. Won 6 Finals MVP's from 6 Finals Series for 6 Championships. No matter how many people they put on him he would find a way to get it done at the big moments.

Would have put Federer in there but I genuinely feel Nadal will surpass him in Grand Slam titles and also the fact Nadal has got the better of him so often now means he misses out.

 

[pennywisealfie]

i already think Messi is a better player than Maradona was. However will he have a better career?

 

[Je$ter]

MJ
Tiger
Federer
Ali is up there, never technically 'saw' him but his record speaks for itself. Talked the talk and walked the walk.

 

[dukey]

Lance Armstrong, Michael Schumacher, Peyton Manning. Three guys who absolutely dominated their sports, not due only to natural talent, but also an unprecedented level of dedication and work. Although I do hate Schumacher.

 

[The Brizz]

As good as Peyton Manning is the fact he has only led his team to 1 championship means he could not possibly be considered in the same league as some other all time greats. Personal success is all well and good but in a team game you have to have more titles on your CV.