Where does Michael Phelps' haul of 23 gold medals rank among the greatest sporting achievements of all time?
The nature of sport gives athletes the power to become winners, achievers or in some cases, legends. Number of competitors, required hard work, the ability to handle pressure and the responsibility of representing your nation are just some of the factors that make becoming successful in sport really tough. Thus, the greater someone’s degree of achievement in a sport, the higher they are placed in the annals of history.
While many are successful in sport, there are some who move beyond the usual definitions and create a space that exclusively belongs to them. United States swimmer Michael Phelps, who started competing at the Olympics against others, has now gone on to win a staggering 23 gold medals in total, over the course of four editions of the greatest show on earth.
You might think that there is no other sporting achievment biggeer than this, right? Maybe, maybe not. Let’s take a look at some of the greatest individual achievments in history of sport and where Michael Phelps ranks among them.
#6 Yelena Isinbayeva’s 28 Pole Vault World Records
Most athletes, particularly in individual sports, compete with others in events and competitions but not Russian Pole Vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, whose only rival is herself from the previous time she stepped on to the field. Undoubtedly the greatest pole vaulter of all time and among the best sportspersons ever, Isinbayeva has truly defined her own medium in her sport. Ever since bursting on to the scene in the late 1990s, Isinbayeva has set an unbelievable 28 world records in her sport.
At present, she holds the records at Olympics (5.05m), World Indoor Championships (4.86m), European Indoor Championships (4.90m) and Outdoor (5.06m) among many others. She has won two Olympic gold medals, multiple World Championships and multiple European titles. The best part about Isinbayeva’s dominance is that she has done it unrivalled and competed with only hereself.