We’re ankle deep into 2013 but I thought before we go any further this year, I’d like to share some of my favourite athletes from 2012. Here goes:
1. Jeremy Lin
Linsanity was a crazy fad that gripped every basketball loving fan in February and March of last year, fuelled by the individual brilliance of one Jeremy Lin who triumphed over many odds to reach the top. His is a heart warming story which the world of sport needs to keep its sentimental or human side against the threats of impersonal behaviour in the professional era. Lin bounced from team to team before getting his chance with the New York Knicks and had to sleep on a friend's couch for a while when he wasn't sure whether a franchise would sign to a long term deal or not. Injury cut short the rest of his season but Lin left a huge impression in the two months he was on his hot streak.
2. Michael Clarke
In 2012 I really bought into Michael Clarke. I had always seen him as the young and great hope of Australia not realising how many years had crept past and that he reached his thirties. He assumed the Australia captaincy in 2011 and seemed to grow as player with that added responsibility. I have really enjoyed watching him bat over the last 14 or so months since he scored that 150 against South Africa in Cape Town and his innings of 329 at SCG against India in January 2012. That was a magnificent innings, one that although he wasn't dying for it, earned him my respect and approval.
3. Hashim Amla
I've got 311 reasons why Hashim Amla is on this list. That innings at The Oval chief among them. Other than that, Hash finally earned the respect of many in the cricketing world. He has been a great performer for the longest time but I reckon since he goes about his business quietly, he doesn't often get noticed. I reckon he made the world stand up and take notice on that tour of England. Most remarkable in that innings is that Amla did not consume any liquids since the Test took place in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and he did not change his gloves. Hash punished any and all before him. SA's best cricketer last year in my book.
4. Chad Le Clos
The epic moment when Chad Le Clos snuck into first place ahead of Michael Phelps was THE great moment of the Olympics for me. I think the quiet superstar and underdog stories do it for me and Chad is a bit of both if that's possible. Listening to the commentators speaking before the race, all they spoke about was Phelps and mentioned one of the swimmers in the outside lanes in passing but there was no mention of the young South African in the lane next to Phelps. He shook the world after that race.
5. Siya Kolisi
I remember watching Siya Kolisi playing as a school boy in 2009. He was a terror. I thought right then that he'd end up playing pro. I watched him play in the Currie Cup and was suitably impressed but his performances in Super Rugby this year were outstanding! He bossed opposition much like he did in his school days. I enjoyed seeing that. I thought he was unlucky not to earn a Springbok cap last year but you can bet on he will be a top performer again this year and he will be phenomenal in the years to come.
6. Cobus Reinach
No flash. Quietly impressive. Does the business, gets the job done. That's really all that needs to be said of the Sharks scrumhalf who had a breakthrough season in the Currie Cup last year. Reinach wrestled the Sharks no.9 jersey out of the hands of Charl McLeod, an adequate half back who earned his first call up to the national squad in 2010 and played in his Springbok debut against the All Blacks in 2011. I reckon Reinach's role in the Sharks side throughout their charge to the Currie Cup final was largely underrated maybe owing to the number of stars playing for the Durban outfit but certainly he was one of the most efficient and industrious players. Watch out for him in 2013, I think he will do big things and achieve higher honours.
7. Serena Williams
She was knocked in the 1st Round at the French Open for the 1st time in her career and they, whoever that is, said she was nearing the end. But the champion that is Serena Williams bounced back and in a matter of weeks and was at her clinical best winning at Wimbledon and winning 2 gold medals at the Olympics.
8. Anaso Jobodwana
When has South Africa ever had a sprint sensation? Well, if everything goes according to plan, we may just have one in Anaso Jobodwana. The 20 year old Eastern Cape native made it to the final of 200m event at the Olympics. Definitely keep an eye on him. He'll do well at the next Olympics.
9. Saeed Ajmal
In 2011, a brand new crop of menacing fast bowlers emerged. The Aussies unleashed Pattinson, Cummins and Starc almost simultaneously whilst de Lange and Philander burst out from South Africa. At this time, another shining light came out of Pakistan. Spinner Saeed Ajmal. Ajmal was terrific in the series against England and pretty much announced himself as the world's foremost spinner.
10. Benni McCarthy
I've never really thought much of Benni McCarthy. I've never disliked him as a player or a character but I've never liked him either. He has been a divisive personality amongst the SA sporting public but this past year changed my opinion of him. When he joined Orlando Pirates in 2011, I had my reservations, thinking he was in it for the money. But since then he has endeared himself to SA, producing quality performances, scoring scintillating goals and to date hasn't shown that bigger-than-the-game attitude he has always been painted as having. For my mind, he has been a positive force for the PSL and hopefully will do for the PSL what Beckham did for MLS.
11. James Pattinson
Who doesn't like a young, tearaway fast bowler? James Pattinson has been one athlete who I've enjoyed watching this year, especially when he is in full flight. His bowling spell against Graeme Smith in the 1st Test at Brisbane on the final day was a joy to watch. The modern day fast bowler has become a calmer, thinking man, so it is refreshing and enthralling to see one who is always fired up. Unfortunately, we didn't see as much of him as possible this summer because of injury but I look forward to him having a great 2013 and destroying the England batsmen during the Ashes.
12. Hayden Smith
So what do you do after playing in a Rugby World Cup? How about try your hand in the NFL. The 27 year old former Saracens lock has quite the fascinating back story. He was born in Penrith, Australia and stands at a mighty 2 metres tall and weighs 116 kilograms. Rugby was not his first sport. Whilst training with a professional basketball team in Australia, the Sydney Kings, he won a scholarship to play basketball and study in the USA. It was at Metro State College in Denver that Smith started playing rugby. He furthered his rugby career in England where he signed for Saracens and played in 43 Premiership and Heineken Cup matches and turned out for the USA national rugby team 18 times and started all 4 of their group games in the 2011 RWC. In 2012, Smith took the bold leap and switched to the NFL. Despite having never played American football before, he earned himself trials with a number of teams before being signed by the New York Jets as a tight end playing in their practice squad. He was later included in their active squad and played in 5 of the Jets' regular season games in the NFL. Such an unlikely but similarly fascinating story.
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