Several Australian athletes have achieved great things in their sporting careers. The best athletes from around the country have shown their dedication to the sport of their choice. From the well-known sports such as cricket, rugby and tennis to the lesser-recognised sports like rock climbing, athletes train hard to achieve their best.
Major events like the Grand National help athletes gain recognition in their sports. Jockeys aren’t left behind either with the Grand National Aintree, an annual horse racing event held in England. It’s an actual test of an athlete’s stamina, agility, and skill like the renowned jockey Hugh Bowman.
Some of the most popular sports in Australia are football, tennis and cricket. It may also be exciting to see who wins the medal in other sports such as swimming and surfing.
Here are some of Australia’s best athletes in different sports.
Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe is an Australian former professional swimmer who specialises in freestyle and competes in backstroke and the individual medley. He’s won five Olympic gold medals, and he is currently tied with American swimmer Mark Spitz as the most decorated Olympian from Australia.
Tim Cahill
Timothy Filiga “Tim” Cahill (born 6 December 1979) is an Australian former professional footballer who last played for the Indian Super League club Jamshedpur FC and the Australia national team. Cahill scored his first international goal against South Africa in March 2004.
Cahill was named one of three finalists for the Fair Play Award alongside surfer Sally Fitzgibbons and Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
Michael Eugene Fanning
Born on 13 June 1981 and nicknamed White Lightning, Michael is an Australian professional surfer. Fanning won the 2007, 2009 and 2013 ASP World Tour Championship.
In June 2013, He won his fourth Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title at Bells Beach, Australia. In July 2013, Fanning defeated American Kelly Slater in the final of the J-Bay Open to claim his third straight event win.
Ashleigh Barty
In 2017 she signed with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and was ranked No. 1 in singles by the WTA on 8 September 2019. Barty was a major contributor to Australia’s winning Fed Cup team in November 2019, winning all eight of her rubbers played – five in singles and three in doubles, including the final match over France.
Steve Smith
He is an Australian international cricketer and former captain of the Australian national team. He made his Test debut for Australia in July 2010 and has taken over 100 wickets in Tests alone. Smith played for New South Wales at a domestic level. He was appointed as Australia’s vice-captain across all formats in August 2015, following the resignation of Brad Haddin.
To Sum it Up
It can be quite difficult to determine the best athletes since you have to remember that not all sports are equal. All athletes deserve their achievements. That said, this list contains only a few of the many talented Australian athletes who work hard in their respective sports.