I realise that during the Summer there has been a hell of a lot of sport happening all around the world and if you're reading this, then you have probably kept up to date with most of that sport and I am not going to bore you with going through it all again. I will, although, create a list of my top five sporting moments of 2012 so far. There is so much to choose from but I *think* most people will agree with me on my top moments but if you do not agree, don't hesitate to tell me what you think I have missed in the comments section below. (You may or may not know, I tend not to write about football (soccer) here, so don't be upset when I don't include anything from Euro 2012)
Five:
Chipolopolo Reign Supreme
A glorious victory
I know in the introduction I said I wasn't going to include anything from Euro 2012 but I find it impossible to leave the success of a relatively unknown nation in terms of sport. The Bi-Annual African Cup of Nations is always an interesting competition to watch. It takes place during the European Football season so the cream of the African Crop are always in attendance but this was not the case for Zambia. As a footballing nation, Zambia have never qualified for a World Cup Finals, and their previous best in the AFCoN was two second placed finishes. Favourites for the title were the Ivory Coast led by talisman Didier Drogba and they were to reach the final but not to be successful in their quest for glory. Zambia won their group in fine fashion with two wins and a hard-fought draw against Libya. They brushed aside Sudan 3-0 in the quarter-final stage and upset the odds in the semi-final's with a 1-0 defeat of Ghana. The final was a tentative affair and finished 0-0 after 120 minutes of intense football. The dreaded penalty kicks came next and it was one of the best shoot-outs I have ever seen. Zambia won the spot-kick 8-7 and dedicated their win to the Zambian team who perished in the 1993 air disaster and was simply amazing to watch as they celebrated the victory. One of the true underdog stories in sport and I imagine nobody begrudges them of their victory, or their place on my list.
Four:
Phelps Makes Olympic History
One of the very best
Phelps Makes Olympic History
To be able to talk about the most decorated Olympian of all-time on a list like this is an absolute honour. Phelps is only 27 years-old but has already called time on his career as a swimmer. Competing at his third Olympic Games, he aimed to be the most successful ever and boy did he deliver. Many believed that he would not be able to cope with the pressure of a third games and the chance to become untouchable but he stepped up to the mark and showed what a gentleman he is in the process of defeat. He managed four gold medals and two silvers, having never previously won a silver before at the Olympics to bring is total medal haul to 22 medals. He was, for the third consecutive Olympics, the swimmer with the most medal wins and although many argue that there have been greater Olympians but there is no denying Phelps' undeniable talent and ability in the swimming pool. Personally, being able to watch such a great man in action is something I will always remember.
Three:
The Big Easy
Ernie Els holding the famous Claret Jug
Mr Els came back to the forefront (pardon the pun) of world golf with an unexpected win at Royal Lytham and St. Annes back in July. It probably wasn't the way he wanted to win his fourth major title but he showed at the age of 42, he can still mix it with the young guns and be a major contender in future competitions. Australia's Adam Scott practically handed the Claret Jug to Els for the second time after holing four consecutive bogeys at the final four holes. For me, Els has always been a favourite amongst golfers and entirely deserved his win. Just a shame we'll never see a player of his standing feature in a Ryder Cup.
Two:
"Golden Hour"
Greg Rutherford, Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah
It was dubbed 'Super Saturday' and it really was. Six gold medals on one day doesn't happen very often and three of them came within one hour. The packed Olympic Stadium witnessed history when Mo Farah, Greg Rutherford ans Jessica Ennis came top in their respective events. Rutherford got the ball rolling when he won the Long Jump with and effort of 8.31m, just 4 centimetres off his Personal Best and it was enough for a British athlete to win a Long Jump gold since Lynn Davies back in Tokyo '64. The medal in this event was really there for the taking and Greg proved what a World Class athlete he is and his scenes of celebration were just great. Next came Farah. He was the home favourite for both the 10,000m and 5,000m golds and he did not disappoint. He took to the front of the race on the bell and he always looked strong, even when resistance came from the athletes around him. A strange fact that I have uncovered is that the time for the 15th placed athlete, Craig Mottram of Australia, in Heat two of the qualifying would have been fast enough to win the gold medal. It just goes to show how many tactics come into a sport such as athletics. Finally, Golden Girl of Team GB, Jess Ennis showed why she is the best Heptathlete in the World right now and did falter under the immense pressure. She could have competed in more events as she is so diverse, for example, her time in the 100m Hurdles, set on Day One of the event, was one of the fastest in the World this year at the time and would have seen her finishing fourth in the final. Finishing with the 800m, she cemented the gold with a solid run and the fastest time on the night. Consistency is the key in the Heptathlon, and by winning three of the seven events is exactly what wins you the medal.
Murray Mania
As a fan of sport, there is always somebody who has been at the top of their game yet never quite managed to get to the very top. In tennis, winning a Grand Slam is pretty much the best you can do and Andy Murray had featured, and lost, in four Grand Slam finals. Number five was far and away the best he had but boy did he put us through the motions before finally defeating Novak Djokovic in five sets. Murray, being Scottish, always seems to win the hard way. After taking the first set in a tie-break (12-10) in one of the most intense sets I have ever seen, you felt the momentum was with the Scot and it shone through as he raced into a 4-0 lead in the second set. Djokovic did manage to pin Murray back but the Scot held on to take it 7-5 and put himself in the best position he had ever been in in a Grand Slam Final having only ever won one set in his previous four finals. Djokovic rallied back (another terrible pun) and took the next two sets to set up an enthralling final set. Andy managed to gain superhuman strength from somewhere and took the set 6-2 and claimed which will hopefully be the first of many Grand Slams. Already he is one of Scotland's most successful sports stars of all time, and at 25, he has a few years in him yet. Well done Andy Murray!
There you have it, MY top five sporting moments of 2012 so far, there are others who could have made the list but I didn't watch much of the Tour de France and this is the sole reason for the absence of Bradley Wiggins who is undoubtedly another British superstar and deserves all the recognition he gets. Bolt and Blake could have also merited a place on the list but nothing has topped Berlin in 2009 for terms of sheer excitement in a 100m race but the 4x100m relay was pretty special, and could have been more so if Asafa Powell hadn't been injured. Also, the 100m final could have been the best ever if Powell hadn't got injured and each athlete ran sub ten seconds, alas it hasn't happened. As always, thoughts are appreciated.
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