By Adrian John Back, Sport.co.uk
As the year draws to a close Sport.co.uk decided that it was time to take a look at the sports men and women that have shone above any other in 2009. From the charismatic sprinter Usain Bolt who won 3 gold medals at the World Championships to Roger Federer who claimed his 15th Grand Slam title, it has been an exceptional year for a number of stars. Closer to home we watched Jessica Ennis become Britain’s first world heptathlete champion and Jenson Button drive superbly all season to win the Formula 1 world championship. These are the individuals that have captivated us with their performances and amazed us with their passion and dedication.
1. Usain Bolt
Quite simply the fastest man on the planet. Bolt has all the talent in the world and has managed to perform at his best on the biggest of stages in front of thousands of expectant fans. Jovial and always willing to entertain the crowds the Jamaican sprinter this year went into the world championships expecting to win multiple gold medals. What he delivered was sensational. Smashing his own world records in both the 100m and the 200m, he also claimed gold in the 4x100m completing an amazing treble.
2. Roger Federer
There can be little argument that Federer is the greatest tennis player ever to have lived. After a season in which he struggled with Glandular fever and lost his world number one ranking, the Swiss star returned in 2009 with a bang. Reaching all four Grand Slam finals he finally won the elusive French Open and overtook Pete Sampras' record of 14 slams. With so many young, talented players coming through each year Federer proved his dedication by reclaiming the number one spot and proving that he still has many years ahead of him.
3. Manny Pacquiao
The Pacman broke British boxing fans hearts this year when he stopped Ricky Hatton in just the second round of their world title fight. He then followed up this success by becoming the only man in history to win 7 world titles at 7 different weights. Universally recognised as the best pound for pound boxer in the world, Pacquiao has not only perfected his boxing skills but is a global ambassador outside the ring helping thousands of people in his native Philippines.
4. Lionel Messi
It has been some year for the extremely talented Argentine winger. With Barcelona, Messi won the Champions League, the Primera Liga and the Copa Del Ray. He helped Argentina qualify for the World Cup and is a shoe in to win the Balon D'or. It would seem nearly impossible to top this performance but next year the left footed wing wizard will be hoping to shine on the grandest stage of all and help Argentina win the World Cup.
5. Jessica Ennis
2008 was meant to be a crowing year for the young Sheffield heptathlete but unfortunately injury forced her to withdraw from the Olympic team. Many would not be able to bounce back from this disappointment and the injury, Ennis though responded in style. At the World Championships, she returned from a one-year lay off and promptly accomplished a new personal best and won the gold medal with a truly stunning display.
6. Jenson Button
This time last year it seemed as though Button was going to be unemployed. With the announcement that Honda would no longer be competing in F1 it appeared as though the British driver's career was over. But with the emergence of Brawn, the charismatic driver had the best year of his career and promptly became the second British World Champion in succession. After winning 5 of the first 6 races the car began to struggle and he championship went down to the last race in Brazil. Button kept his composure and drove superbly in tough conditions, claiming the biggest prize of them all.
7. John Smit
The current Springbok captain has had a fantastic year leading his side to a series victory against the British and Irish Lions and winning the Tri Nations in which they won 5 of their 6 matches and all 3 against New Zealand. Having led out the South Africans in over 60 matches as captain he has achieved an amazing win percentage of 72% making him the most successful captain in Springbok history. In 2009 Smit has also become the most capped captain in International Rugby history, a truly remarkable achievement.
8. Lee Westwood
This year has seen Westwood named the European Golfer of the Year; he also won the inaugural Race to Dubai competition and twice finished in 3rd place in the Open Championship and the PGA Championship. This year has crowned a remarkable comeback from a player who was ranked 250th in the world back in 2002, his rededication to the sport shows what can be achieved with hard work and a lot of natural talent.
9. Andrew Strauss
Since England won the Ashes in 2005 they had slid down the Test rankings and had been promptly humiliated by the Aussies in 2007. After the fall out between Kevin Pieterson and Peter Moores, Andrew Strauss was finally named captain. Since this moment the Middlesex batsman has led England to Ashes glory and has scored more than 1,100 runs in the calendar year. His form with the bat has been superb and the pressure of captaincy has never fazed him in the slightest. He will be hoping to cap the year in style by beating South Africa in their own back yard.
10. Kim Clijsters
The Belgian tennis star may only have entered one tournament of note this year but her participation and the eventual result shocked everybody. Having retired in 2007 to raise her daughter the former US open championed returned to Flushing Meadows with no seeding and little hope of progressing. However she capped a fairytale comeback by beating Caroline Wozniacki in the final and in the process became the first ever wildcard to win the US Open and the first mother to win a Grand Slam.
Source: sport.co.uk
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