Who is redefining their sport today?

August 4, 2024 11:32 AM

In Biles' and Ledecky's performances at the Olympics, we're seeing people who are not 'merely' once-in-a-generation talents but genuinely off the charts; both of these women aren't just winning but outpacing the history of their sports, and both by a significant margin. Who else, if anyone - at the Olympics, or in any sport today - is in this class right now, but going un- or under-recognized? Is history's greatest handball player or shot putter out there right now, flying under the radar?
posted by mhoye to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (22 answers total)

Not exactly under the radar - but Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard are working through one of all time great rivalries in pro cycling over the past few seasons.
posted by rd45 at 11:39 AM on August 4 [3 favorites]

Korean women have been dominant in archery for a long time.
posted by phunniemee at 11:47 AM on August 4 [3 favorites]

Is history's greatest handball player or shot putter

Did you see the guy get gold for the 3rd straight Olympics?
posted by LionIndex at 11:50 AM on August 4 [7 favorites]

Michael Jung (Germany) is arguably the top equestrian eventing champion in history. He’s been at the top of the sport for over a decade, just won another gold, and at 42, is likely to continue to dominate top level international competitions for years to come. Very much admired and celebrated within the eventing world, though not sure how much the world beyond equestrian sport recognizes his amazing, off-the-charts achievements.
posted by sk932 at 12:00 PM on August 4 [4 favorites]

Slovenian rock climber Janja Ganbret keeps pushing route setters to set bouldering problems that she doesn't just flash on her first try. Unless something goes very unexpectedly sideways, it's her gold to lose this coming Saturday.
posted by deludingmyself at 12:00 PM on August 4 [1 favorite]

French 100kg+ judoka Teddy Riner is the most decorated judoka ever, and in the 2010s had a 154 match undefeated streak.
posted by Maecenas at 12:27 PM on August 4

I think Snoop Dogg (and Martha) are absolutely slaying the fashion-forward spectator event.
posted by supermedusa at 12:28 PM on August 4 [7 favorites]

With his gold medal today, Novak Djokovic became the first tennis player in history to win every possible major title: Grand Slam (x4), Masters (x9), World Tour, Davis Cup, and, today, an Olympic Gold.
posted by dorothy hawk at 12:49 PM on August 4 [7 favorites]

Hakuho is retired now, but he set records in sumo that won't soon be broken.

Sports success is such a strange mixture of skill, luck and fortitude. Takerufuji blazed into the top level of sumo in March 2024 and won that month's championship, but in so doing, injured himself so badly that he couldn't appear in May and was only able to complete the two bouts necessary to keep his lower standing in July. So sometimes any amount of talent won't compensate when your body lets you down.
posted by zadcat at 1:31 PM on August 4

Did you see the guy get gold for the 3rd straight Olympics?

Yeah, Ryan Crouser became the first ever 3x gold medalist shot putter, and he did it using the "Crouser Slide" technique he developed a couple years ago; instead of beginning at the back of the circle like most shot putters, he begins on the right side and starts his throw with a slide step to the left: How a ‘light bulb moment’ in an Oregon barn made Ryan Crouser a shot put juggernaut
posted by bassooner at 2:03 PM on August 4 [5 favorites]

I'd like to point out that while some people would claim Novak is the greatest tennis player of all time, I'm not sure he fits the question, considering he can't be discussed without mentioning the other two members of "The Big Three", standing alone like Ledecky or Biles and certainly isn't under-recognized
posted by bitdamaged at 3:19 PM on August 4 [2 favorites]

Figure skater Ilia Malinin. I don't think there's another skater anywhere close to a quadruple axel.
posted by humbug at 3:32 PM on August 4 [1 favorite]

Props to Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, but also note that Remco Evevepohl has, in just the last 2 years, won—
The world road cycling championship (2022)
The world time-trail championship (2023)
2022 Vuelta Espana
3rd in this years Tour de France -and- Best Young rider
Both the Olympic time trail and road championships.

and he is only 24!
posted by TDIpod at 4:11 PM on August 4

Seconding Janja.
posted by hepta at 4:20 PM on August 4

Ethan Katzburg hammer throw.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:14 PM on August 4

American Courtney Dauwalter in ultra running is not only the best female runner in the world, she also is near the top overall. Her course records are often hours faster than the previous women’s record she is breaking.
posted by Back At It Again At Krispy Kreme at 10:41 PM on August 4 [1 favorite]

Aaron Judge is leading the major leagues in all offense categories. He is being compared statistically favorably to George Herman (Babe) Ruth. Today for example, he is so feared by opponents that he was intentionally walked 3 times, twice in unconventional situations. When he hits his next two homers, he will be the fastest, in terms of games played to 300 homers.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:06 PM on August 4 [1 favorite]

Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis has broken the world record 8 times in the past 4 years (including today!).
posted by catoclock at 6:49 PM on August 5 [1 favorite]

Not exactly currently, but over the past decade or so Kílian Jornet has redefined what is possible in trail running.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:39 PM on August 5

Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis has broken the world record 8 times in the past 4 years (including today!).

Yeah, he's been getting a lot of coverage today! There's even a front-page post about him.
posted by trig at 7:06 AM on August 6

I'm late to the game but when I learned about Sarah Storey, my jaw dropped! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Storey
posted by foxjacket at 12:20 PM on September 8

Dame Sarah Storey!
posted by ellieBOA at 5:50 AM on September 9