Unsung Heroes

As the end of the year nears, we feel it’s only fair to represent those in sport who achieved greatness this year but haven’t had as nearly as much press as they deserved. These are the unsung heroes of 2010:

John Isner

Rafael Nadal may have won Wimbledon but the match everyone will remember is the mammoth tussle between American 23rd seed, John Isner against French qualifier Nicolas Mahut in the first round.

Normally qualifiers buckle under the pressure of a match at SW19, but Mahut showed tremendous resolve after losing the first set to win the next two.

Isner tied it up and what followed was the longest set since records began. An astonishing 8 hours long, with the final set finishing 70-68 to Isner. To be able to demonstrate physical and mental strength after 11 hours out on the court is an endurance feat like no other.

The match spanned 3 days over the tournament fortnight as every record was smashed. You could quite rightly suggest that Mahut is a hero as well, a very unfortunate loser. But it was Isner who marched/crawled to the next round. With the first round taking a huge toll on the American he then lost to Thiemo De Bakker in the next round.

New Zealand World Cup Football Team

One of the few teams of this year’s World Cup to escape with its reputation intact, New Zealand were rank outsiders in Group F. They had to contend with 2006 winners Italy and also dark horses Slovakia and Paraguay.

Manager Ricki Herbert came into it talking up his nation’s chances, much to the bemusement of everyone else. But New Zealand opened the group with a injury time equaliser against Slovakia to snatch a point.

The next game was then World Champions Italy, a spent unit. The All Whites took the lead through Shane Smeltz and drew with the Azzurri, a very respectable result. The final game was another draw against Paraguay.

So, New Zealand may not have won a game at the tournament but they did miles better than anyone expected, and frightened the life out of Italy. Plus they were the only undefeated team in the tournament too, that surely has to count for something.

Kelly Slater

Surfer, Robert Kelly Slater may be an unknown name to most of the UK, but he’s pretty much a household name in the States. This year saw him crowned ASP World Champion for the 10th time, an unprecedented feat in the sport.

He was the youngest World Champion at 20 and then the oldest at 38 this year and has earned over £2million in his career, showing how consistently great he’s been.

He’s been the best surfer for nigh on 15 years now and yet he’s not very well known. Maybe with global warming, a Brit could well emulate Slater. It could be a while yet though.

Mo Farah

How Mo Farah didn’t make it onto the BBC Sports Personality of the Year I’ll never know. The long-distance runner had an unbelievable year on the track, with the crowning moment being in Barcelona, where he won both the 5,000m and 10,000m European Championship gold.

Farah made his move with 6 laps to go, breaking with the pack along with Spaniard Ayad Lamdassam. But Farah caught his competitor off guard, sprinting early through back-markers and coasted through the last 200m to gold.

It was the first time Great Britain had won a medal in the event, and Farah had obliterated all challengers.

A few days later, Farah added the 5,000m to his tally, adding his name to a very elite list and showing his pedigree in both events. Superb.

Chris Thompson

Farah’s long-time friend and training partner, Chris Thompson was also in that 10,000m race. He stormed through the pack, mirroring Farah and pipped Italian Daniele Meucci to silver.

A British 1-2, and while Farah got most of the plaudits, it is unfair to forget Thompson as he held off the pack superbly for Farah.

The event is as much about the mind as it actually running, and Thompson and Farah worked well together to make it a British 1-2 in the event.

Dai Greene

Another athlete within that Great Britain contingent in Barcelona, Dai Greene’s performance in the 400m hurdle final was a joy to behold. He led most of the way in Lane 3 and cleared each hurdle with consummate ease.

Another British 1-2 (or Welsh if you prefer) as well. Rhys Williams came home with the silver. British athletes performing superbly in the run up to the London Olympics on the track and elsewhere.

FemaleFirst Chris Mayer