Which person do you think mastered his/her sport better than anyone else?

[wtfbbq]

michael johnson

 

[Epic Fail]

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
Bobby Fisher

Garry Kasparov

Deep Blue's programmer

 

[Dean]

Ray Robinson - Boxing (disputed as the there were many greats)
Steffi Graf - Female Tennis

 

[Farang]

Lance Armstrong. The competition around him doped up, he still dominated 7 straight years. By the 4th time it wasn't even much of a surprise anymore. He was automatic. I've never much followed the sport but know it is as about athletic as it gets, so he earns my vote.

 

[ranmaniac]

Muhammad Ali

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
But with racing, the driver isn't doing anything athletic. In golf, the golfer is doing something athletic.

This response is uninformed. 1-4g's for 2+ hours in 120+ heat. NASCAR is close to 2g for up to 4 hrs. F1 is up to 4g for up to 2 hrs. If you have never tried fighting that, you would not understand. That is why F1 drivers almost all have resting heart rates in the 40-50s. Shuie's doc told him to cut back on the training in the 90's because he was causing too much wear on his joints. 8hrs/day.

 

[Kev]

Originally posted by: oboeguy

Originally posted by: her209
Kobayashi!

Umm, Joey Chestnut pwns him.

As for my vote: Lance Armstrong. Seven Tours de France in a row? Nut. In short, the guy knew how to win.

Fixed

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Michael Jordan. Greatest bball player ever.

I can't say Tiger Woods until he surpasses Jack.

Agreed. Though I think Tigers natural talents are all ready superior to Jacks.

 

[wwswimming]

Kelly Slater on the ASP (association of Surfing Professionals) world tour.

8 world championships & shows no signs of slowing down. won it in 2006,
an Australian named Mick Fanning won it in 2007.

plus he's bald. just wish he would let his hair grow out & be proud of his
baldness instead of shaving his head. he gets a little behind on the head-
shaving, some paparazzi takes his pic, yeah look, Kelly Slater is bald.

 

[dandruff]

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: Midnight Rambler

I give props to Formula One, b/c unlike Nascar, it is racing. But I wouldn't put drivers in the same categories as athletes--same with golfers.

What a silly statement - about racers, agree on golf though.

With the exception of NASCAR and similar series, most drivers have to be in fantastic physical condition to withstand the cornering AND braking G-forces, extremely hostile conditions (heat, etc.), intense pressure, etc. Many drivers are becoming excellent tri-athletes, cyclists, etc., just in the process of their racing conditioning.

Michael Andretti, in the latter part of his career as a racer, became a major fitness buff (helps when you marry a 20 yr. old fitness instructor !). Anyways, one of the major fitness mags did an extensive article on his regimen, backed up with their own testing of him. Some pretty impressive stuff/figures, esp. for a guy in his early 40's. And during the Indy 500 he AVERAGED over 160 heartbeats/min. That's for several hours mind you. Average person = dead.

And try an F1 car under braking if you're not in shape. They'll be looking for your head somewhere in the infield ... after it snapped off during the braking.

As for the person who is dead certain Lance doped, do you work for L' Equipe ? Just food for thought ... in 1999, 2 yrs. before EPO testing was approved, let alone implemented, the Tour and WADA tested Lance 24 TIMES FOR EPO leading up to, and during the race. No user could ever pass the hundreds of tests Lance has, not every single one every single time. Of course, those who think otherwise also believe Floyd Landis doped. I'd just like to know how, after 14 days' worth of negative tests, you just suddenly have a massive testosterone spike on Day 17, and that day only. No "accuser" can explain that. And no "experienced steroid user" is stupid enough to think that a single day's administation could provide even an inkling of benefit.

But with racing, the driver isn't doing anything athletic. In golf, the golfer is doing something athletic.

haha ha ... wait ... hahaha ... :laugh:

 

[BrokenVisage]

Oh yeah.. is Tony Hawk still the God of skateboarding?

 

[BrokenVisage]

Originally posted by: Regs

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Michael Jordan. Greatest bball player ever.

I can't say Tiger Woods until he surpasses Jack.

Agreed. Though I think Tigers natural talents are all ready superior to Jacks.

This is the only natural talent Tiger has on Jack

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: Midnight Rambler

I give props to Formula One, b/c unlike Nascar, it is racing. But I wouldn't put drivers in the same categories as athletes--same with golfers.

What a silly statement - about racers, agree on golf though.

With the exception of NASCAR and similar series, most drivers have to be in fantastic physical condition to withstand the cornering AND braking G-forces, extremely hostile conditions (heat, etc.), intense pressure, etc. Many drivers are becoming excellent tri-athletes, cyclists, etc., just in the process of their racing conditioning.

Michael Andretti, in the latter part of his career as a racer, became a major fitness buff (helps when you marry a 20 yr. old fitness instructor !). Anyways, one of the major fitness mags did an extensive article on his regimen, backed up with their own testing of him. Some pretty impressive stuff/figures, esp. for a guy in his early 40's. And during the Indy 500 he AVERAGED over 160 heartbeats/min. That's for several hours mind you. Average person = dead.

And try an F1 car under braking if you're not in shape. They'll be looking for your head somewhere in the infield ... after it snapped off during the braking.

As for the person who is dead certain Lance doped, do you work for L' Equipe ? Just food for thought ... in 1999, 2 yrs. before EPO testing was approved, let alone implemented, the Tour and WADA tested Lance 24 TIMES FOR EPO leading up to, and during the race. No user could ever pass the hundreds of tests Lance has, not every single one every single time. Of course, those who think otherwise also believe Floyd Landis doped. I'd just like to know how, after 14 days' worth of negative tests, you just suddenly have a massive testosterone spike on Day 17, and that day only. No "accuser" can explain that. And no "experienced steroid user" is stupid enough to think that a single day's administation could provide even an inkling of benefit.

But with racing, the driver isn't doing anything athletic. In golf, the golfer is doing something athletic.

:roll: They aren't just sitting there mashing the gas pedal, it takes some hard work to drive a car fast! Handling the g-forces alone means you have to be in good shape, but to handle those for long periods of time means it's quite a workout!

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: wwswimming
Kelly Slater on the ASP (association of Surfing Professionals) world tour.

8 world championships & shows no signs of slowing down. won it in 2006,
an Australian named Mick Fanning won it in 2007.

plus he's bald. just wish he would let his hair grow out & be proud of his
baldness instead of shaving his head. he gets a little behind on the head-
shaving, some paparazzi takes his pic, yeah look, Kelly Slater is bald.

:thumbsup:

In the same vein, I would also suggest that Laird Hamilton is perhaps the greatest Big Wave Surfer of all time. He has his peers without a doubt, but I do think he alone rises above all others...all things considered Proof

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: chuckywang
But with racing, the driver isn't doing anything athletic. In golf, the golfer is doing something athletic.

This response is uninformed. 1-4g's for 2+ hours in 120+ heat. NASCAR is close to 2g for up to 4 hrs. F1 is up to 4g for up to 2 hrs. If you have never tried fighting that, you would not understand. That is why F1 drivers almost all have resting heart rates in the 40-50s. Shuie's doc told him to cut back on the training in the 90's because he was causing too much wear on his joints. 8hrs/day.

I have no doubt that racecar drivers are placed in extremely strenuous situations, and you have to be in top physical condition to handle those situations. However, they still are not doing anything athletic. They are not performing anything that's physically exerting. They are simply placed into a situation where they have exertions placed upon them; they are not exerting themselves.

I understand their job requires split-second reactions, and tremendous driving skill, however, the real definition of sport requires you to exert yourself and that doesn't occur in racing.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: Midnight Rambler

I give props to Formula One, b/c unlike Nascar, it is racing. But I wouldn't put drivers in the same categories as athletes--same with golfers.

What a silly statement - about racers, agree on golf though.

With the exception of NASCAR and similar series, most drivers have to be in fantastic physical condition to withstand the cornering AND braking G-forces, extremely hostile conditions (heat, etc.), intense pressure, etc. Many drivers are becoming excellent tri-athletes, cyclists, etc., just in the process of their racing conditioning.

Michael Andretti, in the latter part of his career as a racer, became a major fitness buff (helps when you marry a 20 yr. old fitness instructor !). Anyways, one of the major fitness mags did an extensive article on his regimen, backed up with their own testing of him. Some pretty impressive stuff/figures, esp. for a guy in his early 40's. And during the Indy 500 he AVERAGED over 160 heartbeats/min. That's for several hours mind you. Average person = dead.

And try an F1 car under braking if you're not in shape. They'll be looking for your head somewhere in the infield ... after it snapped off during the braking.

As for the person who is dead certain Lance doped, do you work for L' Equipe ? Just food for thought ... in 1999, 2 yrs. before EPO testing was approved, let alone implemented, the Tour and WADA tested Lance 24 TIMES FOR EPO leading up to, and during the race. No user could ever pass the hundreds of tests Lance has, not every single one every single time. Of course, those who think otherwise also believe Floyd Landis doped. I'd just like to know how, after 14 days' worth of negative tests, you just suddenly have a massive testosterone spike on Day 17, and that day only. No "accuser" can explain that. And no "experienced steroid user" is stupid enough to think that a single day's administation could provide even an inkling of benefit.

But with racing, the driver isn't doing anything athletic. In golf, the golfer is doing something athletic.

did you miss the part about the fantastic physical condition that is required of (F1)racers?

cause you need to be in great shape for golf, right? after all, you're just hitting a ball :disgust:

not carrying your own clubs and strolling along green fields is not athlestic.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Michael Jordan. Greatest bball player ever.

I can't say Tiger Woods until he surpasses Jack.

QFT

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Farang
Lance Armstrong. The competition around him doped up, he still dominated 7 straight years. By the 4th time it wasn't even much of a surprise anymore. He was automatic. I've never much followed the sport but know it is as about athletic as it gets, so he earns my vote.

this is what I've always wondered: How did Armstrong's testicular cancer develop?

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: chuckywang
But with racing, the driver isn't doing anything athletic. In golf, the golfer is doing something athletic.

This response is uninformed. 1-4g's for 2+ hours in 120+ heat. NASCAR is close to 2g for up to 4 hrs. F1 is up to 4g for up to 2 hrs. If you have never tried fighting that, you would not understand. That is why F1 drivers almost all have resting heart rates in the 40-50s. Shuie's doc told him to cut back on the training in the 90's because he was causing too much wear on his joints. 8hrs/day.

I have no doubt that racecar drivers are placed in extremely strenuous situations, and you have to be in top physical condition to handle those situations. However, they still are not doing anything athletic. They are not performing anything that's physically exerting. They are simply placed into a situation where they have exertions placed upon them; they are not exerting themselves.

I understand their job requires split-second reactions, and tremendous driving skill, however, the real definition of sport requires you to exert yourself and that doesn't occur in racing.

so then explain what is so physically exerting about golf? They don't even compete against one another. They compete against the course, and pay someone to do the physical work for them.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: chuckywang
But with racing, the driver isn't doing anything athletic. In golf, the golfer is doing something athletic.

This response is uninformed. 1-4g's for 2+ hours in 120+ heat. NASCAR is close to 2g for up to 4 hrs. F1 is up to 4g for up to 2 hrs. If you have never tried fighting that, you would not understand. That is why F1 drivers almost all have resting heart rates in the 40-50s. Shuie's doc told him to cut back on the training in the 90's because he was causing too much wear on his joints. 8hrs/day.

I have no doubt that racecar drivers are placed in extremely strenuous situations, and you have to be in top physical condition to handle those situations. However, they still are not doing anything athletic. They are not performing anything that's physically exerting. They are simply placed into a situation where they have exertions placed upon them; they are not exerting themselves.

I understand their job requires split-second reactions, and tremendous driving skill, however, the real definition of sport requires you to exert yourself and that doesn't occur in racing.

You need to go to a race. Watch the guy who is winning on a road course some time. Hits the same freaking marks within an inch lap after lap under load. You do exert yourself, but you aren't getting this whole changing direction thing under heavy g loads, do you? Chasing a little ball is not much.

BTW, racing is a sport. The things you are thinking about are games.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: rbV5

Originally posted by: wwswimming
Kelly Slater on the ASP (association of Surfing Professionals) world tour.

8 world championships & shows no signs of slowing down. won it in 2006,
an Australian named Mick Fanning won it in 2007.

plus he's bald. just wish he would let his hair grow out & be proud of his
baldness instead of shaving his head. he gets a little behind on the head-
shaving, some paparazzi takes his pic, yeah look, Kelly Slater is bald.

:thumbsup:

In the same vein, I would also suggest that Laird Hamilton is perhaps the greatest Big Wave Surfer of all time. He has his peers without a doubt, but I do think he alone rises above all others...all things considered Proof

OK, I modify my original, Kelly, Mike, and Laird.

 

[torpid]

People come up with some tennis notions in this thread. Billie Jean King over Navratilova and Graff? No freakin' way. Borg is a decent choice, but to say that Sampras or Federer didn't have any competition is ludicrous. Nadal took Federer to 5 sets and has yet to lose to him in the French Open. Sampras vs Agassi? Forget about it.

 

[amdhunter]

Eli Manning.

 

[videogames101]

Federer

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Michael Schumacher.

\thread

him too