15 Sport Moments to remember in 2016
Riccardo Tafà
MD of ?rtrsports.com Motorsport marketing and sponsorship to improve your business
This article was originally published on our blog at www.rtrsports.co.uk
There can be little doubt 2016 has been a heck of a year, one that will go down in history as one of the most reckless, unpredictable and wacky of the last decades. Truth be told there have been a lot of “oh no” moments in the past 12 months, and we are pretty sure lots of you will not mind turning pages and looking forward to a more, erm, steady 2017.
Nonetheless, cheer up, because if you’re a sport fan we’re here with some of the most important sport moments in 2016. Of course, it’s not an all-embracing list, but then again how could it? With the Olympics, Euro 2016 and some major upsets in basketball, F1 and Baseball, this 2016 proved to be a year to remember for most sports and disciplines.
So, let’s kick it off, 2016 most amazing sport moments in video
Chicago Cubs win World Series
A final out by Mike Montgomery against the Indians in Game 7 gave the Chicago Cubs their first MLB title in 108 years. It was total pandemonium for days in the Windy City.
Leicester win the English Premier League
In one of the most unpredictable seasons of football of the last 20 years, Ranieri's squad took an early lead on the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Man City during the winter and never let go, eventually winning the title with a 10 point lead. The Cinderella of English football quickly became a global sensation and, needless to say, everyone went completely insane in the Midlands.
James, Cavs complete 1-3 comeback to win NBA title
As every sport fan around the world will tell you, there are no better words than "Game 7". LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers sealed what seemed the most unlikely recovery at the Oracle Arena in California against the Golden State Warriors to take the title to Ohio. The redemption of King James was now complete and we were all witnesses.
Lionel Messi misses penalty, gives Chile Copa America
Possibly the world's greatest football player alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi missed the crucial penalty in the 2016 Copa America final tiebreaker. The Barcelona striker kicked it high off the bar and opened way for a historical Chile win.
Rosberg wins F1 world title, retires a few days later
Best sports moments in 2016: it took 10 year for German driver Nico Rosberg to win the most glorious title in Motorsport. When he did this year, eventually defeating team mate and former World Champion Lewis Hamilton, he decided it was time to call it quits and retire as a winner. You only live once.
Muhammad Ali dies at 74
Possibly the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) left us this year at the age of 74. Not only Ali redefined boxing, but revolutionized the whole idea of athlete/celebrity, with his strong political and social presence. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest athletes of our era, as well as one of the most meaningful characters of the last century.
Jenkins sinks 3, Villanova take NCAA title
Kris Jenkins's buzzerbeater was worth a NCAA title for Villanova. In a superb display of college basketball the Wildcats defeated North Carolina under the teary eye of Michael Jordan. Credit where credit is due, although Marcus Paige's off-balance jumpshot with 7 to go will probably make the books as the greatest shot in college history.
Marquez takes 5th, enters MotoGP Elite
Marc Marquez has won his 5th World Title, his 3rd in the MotoGP class this year, proving he's still the man to beat on a Motorcycle. Beating world-class opponents such as Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo took not only speed but only loads of mental strength. Give me five.
Portugal win Euro 2016 and it's the stuff dreams are made of
In what looked like a "it's France or Germany" Euro 2016 competition, Portugal came out as the winning lot, defeating France in a stunning final after extra time at Stade de France in Paris. Once again in this 2016 it was the Underdog that made it to the top.
Bolt repeats the Three-peat, makes history of Athletics
The fastest man on the planet did it again, winning the 100mt, the 200 mt and the 4x100 relay at the Olympics for the third time. Not only that, the photo of Usain blinking at the camera when he's meters ahead of his competitors is the true image of supremacy.
Fury VS Klitschko and the ever postponed rematch
Few sporting events caused more turmoil at the end of 2015 than the match for the Heavyweight crown between british boxer Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko, with the brit eventually taking home the gig. In 2016 the Russian exercised a rematch clause hidden in the contract and a rematch, billed as "Repeat or Revenge" was scheduled. A marketing bonanza ignited, with the fight quickly becoming a super-hyped media happening. As per today, the fight has been postponed and rescheduled 4 times, with Fury being declared unfit to boxe by medical operators. And he thrill still lives on...
Phelps wins 23rd Gold Medal, then retires
The best swimmer ever and the most decorated Olympian of all time called it a day this summer, after winning his 23rd gold at the Rio Olympics. The "Baltimore Bullet", who was the flag bearer for the US Team in Brazil, broke all kind of records and will now focus on his Foundation, aiming to teach healthier, better lifestyles to children all over the world. Not bad for someone who said "Eat, sleep and swim. That's all I can do".
Kobe calls it a Day, scores 60 in his last game
20 years at the top of global sport are quite a burden to carry, both for your body and your mind. Kobe Bryant, the most influential basketball player in the post-Jordan era, knows well and decided to leave pro sports at the beginning of the 2016 season. The whole 2015-2016 Lakers season basically turned in a bizarre, world-tour-style, Kobe celebration. But the ever-obsessed Bryant decided it was not enough, and scored 60 in his last outing to remind the world what we will be missing. It's Mamba Out.
Broncos take Super Bowl, show legends matter
It was Broncos vs Panthers but most of all Peyton Manning vs Cam Newton for this year's issue of the Most Watched Game on the planet. Turned out sometimes the old guns are still better than the new ones, as the Denver outfit and their "no fly zone" took home their third World Championship.
Andy Murray reaches tennis heaven, becomes World's #1
It's a long way to the top, but it's definitely worth the wait when you finally wear the crown. This year's tennis was all about Andy Murray, as the 29-year-old Scotsman won Wimbledon and the hearts of the Nation. Oh, and by the way, he also defeated Novak Djokovic, just for the record.