Discover the Top 10 Greatest Athletes in Sports History, featuring iconic champions who redefined excellence in their respective sports.
Throughout the annals of sports history, certain athletes have transcended their respective disciplines to become icons of excellence, inspiring generations with their unparalleled talent, dedication, and sheer will to win.
From record-shattering Olympians to championship-winning professionals, the Top 10 Greatest Athletes in Sports History have left an indelible mark on the world of sports.
In this article, we’ll count down the crème de la crème of athletic achievers, exploring their remarkable careers, achievements, and lasting legacies that continue to captivate fans worldwide.
10. Babe Ruth – Baseball’s Legendary Sultan of Swat
Key Achievements:
- 714 career home runs (a record that stood for nearly 40 years)
- 7-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees
- 12-time American League home run leader
- 2-time All-Star (although All-Star games only started in the latter part of his career)
- Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1936, inaugural class)
- Revolutionized baseball with his power-hitting style, transitioning from a star pitcher to an iconic outfielder
- Hit 60 home runs in a single season (1927, stood as the record until 1961)
- Known as the “Sultan of Swat,” he transformed the popularity of baseball in the 1920s
Babe Ruth is arguably the most famous baseball player in history, known for his exceptional power hitting and larger-than-life personality.
Ruth revolutionized baseball in the 1920s with his home run-hitting prowess, setting the single-season home run record (60) in 1927 and finishing his career with 714 home runs, a record that stood for decades.
Ruth’s impact on the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball cannot be overstated, as he helped the Yankees become one of the most successful franchises in sports history.
His contributions to the game, his ability to captivate audiences, and his incredible talent make Babe Ruth an enduring symbol of baseball’s golden age.
9. Michael Phelps – The Most Decorated Olympian
Key Achievements:
- 23 Olympic Gold Medals (most by any athlete in history)
- 28 Olympic medals total (most of any athlete)
- 26 World Championship gold medals
- World record holder in multiple events, including 100m butterfly and 400m individual medley
- Won 8 gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, breaking Mark Spitz’s record
- Dominated swimming over four Olympic Games (2000-2016)
- Known for his versatility across multiple strokes and distances
- Became a global ambassador for swimming and mental health awareness after his retirement
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history, with an astounding 23 Olympic gold medals across four Olympic Games. Phelps’ dominance in the pool spanned multiple disciplines, including the butterfly, freestyle, and individual medley, showcasing his versatility as a swimmer.
His work ethic, mental toughness, and technical precision allowed him to not only win but often break world records in the process.
Phelps’ achievements have earned him a place as one of the greatest athletes of all time, and his influence on swimming has inspired a new generation of swimmers to push the limits of human potential in the sport.
8. Tom Brady – The NFL’s G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time)
Key Achievements:
- 7-time Super Bowl champion (most by any player)
- 5-time Super Bowl MVP
- NFL all-time leader in passing yards (89,214) and touchdowns (649)
- 3-time NFL MVP
- 14-time Pro Bowl selection
- Oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl (age 43)
- Led the New England Patriots to an unprecedented 17 AFC East titles
- Holds the record for most playoff wins (35) and appearances (48)
- Known for his leadership, work ethic, and longevity in a physically demanding sport
Tom Brady’s career in the NFL is the stuff of legend. The seven-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Super Bowl MVP is widely regarded as the best quarterback in football history.
Brady’s unmatched success over more than two decades, including 10 Super Bowl appearances, is a testament to his leadership, preparation, and unrelenting drive.
His ability to remain at the top of his game well into his 40s is unprecedented in the NFL, a league known for its physicality and short career spans.
Brady holds numerous NFL records, including the most career passing touchdowns and passing yards, and his impact on the sport has been transformative, cementing his place as the ultimate winner in football.
7. Jackie Joyner-Kersee – The Greatest Female Track and Field Athlete
Key Achievements:
- 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1988, 1992)
- World record holder in the heptathlon (set in 1988, still stands today)
- 4-time World Champion in heptathlon and long jump
- 6 Olympic medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)
- Named Sports Illustrated’s Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century
- First woman to score over 7,000 points in the heptathlon
- Won the Sullivan Award for best amateur athlete in the U.S. (1986)
- Dominated heptathlon and long jump over two decades
Jackie Joyner-Kersee is often hailed as the greatest female track and field athlete in history, excelling in the heptathlon and long jump. She won three Olympic gold medals and set a world record in the heptathlon in 1988, a record that still stands today.
Joyner-Kersee’s athleticism, endurance, and mental toughness allowed her to dominate the heptathlon, a demanding event that requires excellence in seven different disciplines. She also won four World Championship gold medals.
Beyond her athletic success, Joyner-Kersee has been a champion for education and youth empowerment, founding charitable organizations to help underserved communities.
6. Pelé – Football’s Eternal King
Key Achievements:
- 3-time FIFA World Cup champion (1958, 1962, 1970)
- Scored over 1,280 career goals (one of the highest tallies ever)
- FIFA Player of the Century (shared with Diego Maradona)
- Only player to win three World Cups
- Scored 77 international goals for Brazil in 92 appearances
- Known for his incredible dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring abilities
- Helped popularize football globally, becoming the sport’s first true international superstar
- Played a key role in Brazil’s 1970 team, often considered the greatest football team of all time
Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time. The Brazilian forward revolutionized the sport with his incredible vision, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability.
Pelé’s contributions led Brazil to three FIFA World Cup victories (1958, 1962, and 1970), an achievement no other player has matched. He scored over 1,280 career goals, many of them in breathtaking fashion, and was known for his creativity, flair, and incredible football IQ.
Pelé’s influence goes beyond his playing days; he became a global ambassador for football and has been a symbol of sportsmanship, joy, and excellence both on and off the field.
5. Roger Federer – Tennis Maestro of Elegance and Excellence
Key Achievements:
- 20 Grand Slam singles titles, third most in men’s tennis history
- 8 Wimbledon titles (most in history)
- Held World No. 1 ranking for a record 310 weeks (237 consecutive)
- 103 ATP singles titles, including 6 ATP Finals victories
- Olympic Gold Medalist (doubles, 2008) and Silver Medalist (singles, 2012)
- Known for his rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, which defined an era of tennis
- First male player to reach 30 Grand Slam finals
- Praised for his elegant playing style and sportsmanship
Roger Federer is regarded as one of the most complete tennis players in history, known for his grace, fluid technique, and mental strength. Federer has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, the third most for a male player in the Open Era, including a record eight Wimbledon titles.
His rivalry with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic has defined tennis over the past two decades, and his longevity at the top of the sport has been remarkable.
Federer has spent 310 weeks as the World No. 1, with 237 of those weeks being consecutive, demonstrating his consistent excellence.
Off the court, his sportsmanship and philanthropy have earned him widespread respect and admiration, and he is often seen as the embodiment of tennis perfection.
4. Usain Bolt – The Fastest Man in History
Key Achievements:
- 8 Olympic Gold Medals (Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016)
- World record holder in 100m (9.58 seconds) and 200m (19.19 seconds)
- 11-time World Championship gold medalist
- First athlete to win the 100m and 200m events in three consecutive Olympics
- Triple Olympic Champion in the 4x100m relay with Team Jamaica
- Dominated sprinting for over a decade with unmatched speed and charisma
- Known for his signature “Lightning Bolt” celebration
- Inspired a new generation of athletes in track and field
Usain Bolt is a track and field legend known for his astonishing speed. Bolt holds the world records for both the 100 meters (9.58 seconds) and 200 meters (19.19 seconds), which he set during his reign of dominance in international athletics.
Bolt won eight Olympic gold medals and became the first athlete to win both the 100m and 200m in three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016).
His electrifying performances and charismatic personality, paired with his signature “lightning bolt” pose, made him a global superstar.
Bolt’s achievements have left an indelible mark on track and field, and his speed and showmanship redefined sprinting for a new generation of athletes.
3. Muhammad Ali – The Greatest Boxer and Cultural Icon
Key Achievements:
- 3-time World Heavyweight Champion (1964, 1974, 1978)
- Olympic Gold Medalist (1960)
- Known for the “Fight of the Century” vs. Joe Frazier and the “Rumble in the Jungle” vs. George Foreman
- First boxer to win the heavyweight title three times
- Famous for his quick footwork, dubbed “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”
- Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (1990)
- Key figure in the civil rights movement and anti-war activism
- Named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Century (1999)
- 56 wins (37 by KO) and only 5 losses in his professional career
Muhammad Ali was not only an unparalleled boxer but also a symbol of resistance and courage. Ali won the heavyweight title three times during his career and became known for his unique boxing style, which combined speed, agility, and power in a way the sport had never seen.
His fights, especially against Joe Frazier and George Foreman, are legendary. Ali’s trash-talking and bold personality earned him both fans and critics, but his refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War and his subsequent activism made him a hero in the fight for racial and social justice.
Ali’s impact stretched far beyond boxing, and his legacy as both a fighter and a humanitarian continues to inspire generations.
2. Serena Williams – Tennis Powerhouse and Trailblazer
Key Achievements:
- 23 Grand Slam singles titles (most in the Open Era)
- 4 Olympic Gold Medals (singles and doubles)
- Held World No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks, 186 consecutively
- Won a total of 73 WTA singles titles and 23 doubles titles
- Completed the “Serena Slam” (holding all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously) twice
- Youngest winner of the US Open (age 17 in 1999)
- 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister Venus
- Only player, male or female, to win a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles
- Advocate for racial and gender equality in sports
Serena Williams is one of the most dominant athletes in tennis history, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles—the most in the Open Era. Her fierce style of play, characterized by incredible power, speed, and tactical intelligence, has allowed her to excel on all surfaces for over two decades.
Williams’ success is not limited to singles; she has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, many alongside her sister, Venus. Her influence extends beyond tennis, as she has used her platform to advocate for racial and gender equality, and she has broken barriers for women in sports and society.
Her resilience in overcoming injuries and personal struggles, combined with her commitment to her craft, has made her a role model for athletes everywhere.
1. Michael Jordan – The Greatest Basketball Player of All Time
Key Achievements:
- 6-time NBA Champion with the Chicago Bulls
- 5-time NBA MVP
- 14-time NBA All-Star
- 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1984, 1992)
- 10-time NBA scoring champion
- Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
- Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (2009)
- Led the Bulls to two three-peats (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
- Revolutionized athlete endorsements with Nike’s Air Jordan brand
- Named to NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team
Michael Jordan is considered the greatest basketball player in history, a global icon whose influence transcended the sport. His career with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA defined the 1990s, as he led his team to six NBA championships, earning Finals MVP honors in each one.
Jordan’s combination of athleticism, skill, and competitive drive was unmatched, making him a relentless scorer and an elite defender. He earned five NBA MVP awards and was a 14-time NBA All-Star.
Beyond his basketball career, Jordan changed the landscape of athlete marketing and endorsements, partnering with brands like Nike to create the famous Air Jordan brand, solidifying his legacy as not only a sports legend but also a cultural figure.
His return to basketball after his first retirement to win three more championships only enhanced his mythical status.
Conclusion – Top 10 Greatest Athletes in Sports History
The title of the greatest athlete of all time is highly subjective and varies depending on the criteria – dominance, achievements, influence, or versatility.
Legends like Michael Phelps and Simone Biles have redefined what is possible in their respective sports, while icons such as LeBron James and Wayne Gretzky have left indelible marks through their records and impact.
Michael Jordan remains a global figure of athletic greatness, but athletes from diverse disciplines like Cristiano Ronaldo and Usain Bolt have set benchmarks for success and longevity.
Whether it’s statistical dominance, global influence, or inspiring generations, these athletes have transcended their sports and become cultural icons.
Their legacies will continue to inspire future athletes, each pushing the boundaries of what it means to be the greatest. In the end, the debate will continue, but the athletes discussed here are undoubtedly among the finest in history.
List of Top 10 Greatest Athletes in Sports History
Here’s a table for the Top 10 Greatest Athletes in Sports History with their key achievements:
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jordan | Basketball | – 6-time NBA Champion – 5-time NBA MVP – 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist |
| 2 | Serena Williams | Tennis | – 23 Grand Slam Singles Titles – 4 Olympic Gold Medals – Held World No. 1 for 319 Weeks |
| 3 | Muhammad Ali | Boxing | – 3-time World Heavyweight Champion – Olympic Gold Medalist (1960) – Civil Rights Activist |
| 4 | Usain Bolt | Track & Field | – 8 Olympic Gold Medals – World Record Holder in 100m (9.58s) and 200m (19.19s) – 11 World Championship Gold Medals |
| 5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | – 20 Grand Slam Singles Titles – 310 Weeks as World No. 1 – 8 Wimbledon Titles |
| 6 | Pelé | Football (Soccer) | – 3-time FIFA World Cup Winner – Scored over 1,280 Career Goals – FIFA Player of the Century |
| 7 | Jackie Joyner-Kersee | Track & Field | – 3 Olympic Gold Medals – World Record Holder in Heptathlon – Sports Illustrated’s Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century |
| 8 | Tom Brady | American Football | – 7 Super Bowl Championships – 5 Super Bowl MVPs – NFL All-Time Leader in Passing Yards & Touchdowns |
| 9 | Michael Phelps | Swimming | – 23 Olympic Gold Medals – 28 Olympic Medals Total – 26 World Championship Gold Medals |
| 10 | Babe Ruth | Baseball | – 714 Career Home Runs – 7-time World Series Champion – Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee (1936) |
This table summarizes the greatest athletes across various sports along with their most notable accomplishments.
FAQs on Top 10 Greatest Athletes in Sports History
Who is the greatest sportsman of all time?
Many consider Michael Jordan the greatest sportsman of all time, due to his dominance in basketball, six NBA championships, and global influence. However, others argue for Muhammad Ali (boxing) or Pelé (football), depending on the sport. Jordan’s impact goes beyond basketball, making him a top contender for this title.
Who is the best sportsman of all time statistically?
Statistically, Michael Phelps is often regarded as the best sportsman of all time. With 28 Olympic medals (23 gold), Phelps holds the record for the most Olympic medals in history, setting a benchmark for greatness in swimming and the Olympics.
Who is the greatest being of all time?
This question is highly subjective and open to interpretation. In terms of historical impact, figures like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, or religious figures such as Jesus Christ and Buddha could be considered among the greatest beings due to their influence on human history and culture.
Is Simone Biles the best athlete ever?
Simone Biles is considered the greatest gymnast of all time, with 30 Olympic and World Championship medals. Her combination of athleticism, difficulty in routines, and consistency makes her one of the best athletes in history, though opinions differ on whether she is the best overall athlete.
Who is the most dominant sportsman of all time?
Wayne Gretzky is often referred to as the most dominant sportsman in hockey, holding countless records, including the most points in NHL history. Similarly, Michael Jordan in basketball and Michael Phelps in swimming are also considered dominant within their sports.
Who is the number one sports person in the world?
The title of “number one sports person” varies depending on current form and sport. Lionel Messi (football) and Novak Djokovic (tennis) are often considered top sportsmen due to their dominance in their respective sports in recent years.
Who was more dominant, Gretzky or Jordan?
Both athletes dominated their sports in unique ways. Wayne Gretzky holds the most unbreakable records in hockey, while Michael Jordan revolutionized basketball with six championships and five MVPs. Statistically, Gretzky might edge out Jordan in terms of individual dominance.
Who is the best Olympian ever?
Michael Phelps is widely considered the best Olympian of all time with his 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds, making him the most decorated athlete in Olympic history.
Is Simone Biles the best gymnast ever?
Yes, Simone Biles is often regarded as the best gymnast ever due to her record-breaking achievements, including 4 Olympic gold medals and 19 World Championship golds. Her skill level and ability to perform difficult routines consistently set her apart from other gymnasts.
Who is the best Olympic athlete of all time?
Michael Phelps is considered the best Olympic athlete of all time, given his record of 23 gold medals and unparalleled dominance in swimming over four Olympic Games.
Who is the most successful Olympian in history?
Michael Phelps holds the title for the most successful Olympian in history, with 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds.
How rich is Michael Phelps?
As of 2024, Michael Phelps’ net worth is estimated to be around $100 million, primarily from endorsements, sponsorships, and career earnings.
Is Michael Phelps the greatest athlete of all time?
Many consider Michael Phelps the greatest athlete of all time, especially given his unprecedented achievements in the Olympics, where he won more medals than any other athlete in history.
What world records does Michael Phelps hold?
Michael Phelps holds several world records, including:
– 400-meter individual medley (4:03.84)
– Most Olympic medals (28 total)
– Most Olympic gold medals (23 total)
– His versatility and endurance in multiple swimming events set him apart as a world record holder.
Who is the world’s number one fitness sportsman?
While there’s no definitive ranking for the world’s number one fitness sportsman, athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo (football) and LeBron James (basketball) are known for their peak physical fitness and work ethic.
Who is the most versatile athlete in the world?
Historically, Jim Thorpe is often regarded as one of the most versatile athletes, excelling in multiple sports including football, baseball, and track and field. Modern contenders include Bo Jackson, who played both professional football and baseball at elite levels.
Which sportsman has the most fans?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed sportsman on social media, with over 600 million followers across various platforms, making him the athlete with the largest fanbase globally.
How long has Simone Biles been undefeated?
Simone Biles remained undefeated in the all-around competition from 2013 to 2021, winning four consecutive World Championship titles and two Olympic all-around golds during that period.
Has anyone won more gold medals than Michael Phelps?
No, Michael Phelps holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals, with 23. No other athlete has come close to matching his total.
Who is the greatest athlete of the 21st century ESPN?
According to ESPN, LeBron James is often regarded as the greatest athlete of the 21st century.
Quick Recap of the Top 10 Greatest Athletes in Sports History
- Michael Jordan – Basketball
- Serena Williams – Tennis
- Muhammad Ali – Boxing
- Usain Bolt – Track & Field
- Roger Federer – Tennis
- Pelé – Football (Soccer)
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee – Track & Field
- Tom Brady – American Football
- Michael Phelps – Swimming
- Babe Ruth – Baseball
The Top 10 Greatest Athletes in Sports History showcases legendary figures from diverse sports who have left an indelible mark on the world with their talent, dedication, and groundbreaking achievements.
These icons continue to inspire future generations, embodying the pinnacle of athletic excellence and perseverance.
