Morning, all. I’ve written a profile piece on Olympic and world Champion pole vaulter Steve Hooker in today’s Weekend Australian Magazine.
As I was writing the piece, I pretty much came to the conclusion that Hooker is Australia’s best current athlete in any sport. If not him, then who?
I’m going to run through a few candidates, then throw it over to you. But my vote goes to the 27 year old Victorian who, apart from being an absolute genius with a five metre pole in his hands, is one of the most natural, chatty, intelligent individuals on the sporting scene.
CANDIDATES FOR AUSTRALIA’S BEST CURRENT ATHLETE IN ANY SPORT
Steve Hooker, athletics
PLUSES: The word icon is overused in sport, but with his golden locks and utter dominance in his sport, he’s a cult figure in Europe and to a lesser extent, the USA. Without doubt the most famous track and field athlete on the planet after Usain Bolt
MINUSES: Pole vault is not exactly football in terms of its global popularity.
Ricky Ponting, cricket
PLUSES: Australia’s best batsman since Bradman has had a reasonable year.
MINUSES: Lost The Ashes in England, for the second time. Heck of an albatross, that.
Gary Ablett, AFL
PLUSES: Can do anything with a Sherrin. Such as juggling it in the air with his Brownlow and Premiership Medals
MINUSES: It’s hard to name any athlete from an indigenous sport as our best, since we can’t test them against international opposition.
Tim Cahill, football (soccer)
PLUSES: Brilliant, obsessive puncher of corner flags who has knack of scoring clutch goals for Socceroos and Everton.
MINUSES: Is unquestionably our best, but would struggle to crack a top 100 list of the world’s best footballers.
Darren Lockyer, rugby league
PLUSES: Has just become Australia’s most capped international overnight, a fact which emphasises both his class and longevity
MINUSES: Is arguably no longer in his prime. And this page is all about who’s number one, right now.
Lauren Jackson, basketball
PLUSES: Two-time Most Valuable Player in America’s WNBA is still a top performer in said competition.
MINUSES: was ineffectual in last two Olympic finals, which is the only match anyone really cares about (though she did help Oz win the ’06 world championship)
Matt Giteau, rugby union
PLUSES: The little genius is still the only member of the Wallabies most people can name.
MINUSES: The Wallabies haven’t won anything in about a decade, and Giteau’s coach keeps messing with his position.
Various Female swimmers (Rice, Lenton, Jones etc)
PLUSES: All are multiple Olympic gold medallists who are world-beaters on their day.
MINUSES: They’re all either unfit, injured or considering retirement at the moment. Or too busy selling their stories to women’s mags. Oooh, did I really just say that?
Lleyton Hewitt, tennis
PLUSES: The former World #1, Wimbledon and US Open champ is getting mellower and more likeable with age, and is still reaching the second week of big tournaments.
MINUSES: But unlike Andre Agassi late in his career, he’s not actually winning anything of note.
Geoff Ogilvy, golf
PLUSES: The only Aussie golfer ranked in the top 10 in 2009 won twice on the US PGA Tour this year and is strong contender for the title of best bloke in Aussie sport.
MINUSES: Hasn’t figured in a Major since his 2006 US Open win.
Casey Stoner, MotoGP
PLUSES: Former world champ who has won three times this year, including last week at Phillip Island.
MINUSES: He wastes petrol for a living. Oooh, did I really just say that too?
So there you have it. If I’ve missed anyone, or if you wildly agree or disagree, let me know. For me though, if there’s one person who epitomises Australian sporting excellence at the moment, it’s Hooker.
You?
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