100 Greatest Sports Stars - Number 98 - Annika Sörenstam

Annika Sörenstam giving an interview on the Today Show (aired 24th April 2007), on the opening of her new academy

From the fjords of Sweden, Annika Sörenstam comes in to our list at number 98.  She is often referred to as The Female Tiger as her achievements in womens' golf rank her as one of the most successful golfers (of either gender) in the sport's history.  She won 90 international tournaments before she retired at the end of the 2008 season.  This made her quite comforably the female golfer with the most winds to her name.

The list of her wins is staggering.  She has 72 official tournament wins to her name and that includes ten majors and 18 non-LGPA tournaments.  She also has earned a pretty penny from the sport - her fortune is estimated at well over $US20 million.  She now holds joint American and Swedish citizenship.

She also made history in 2003 when she went head to head against the chaps as the first woman to play in a men's PGA tour event since 1945.  Marketed usually as simply Annika her off course interests include a golf academy along with the usual branded products.  However, she also designs golf courses themselves and, a nobler pursuit perhaps, runs a charitable foundation in her name.

A BBC Tribute to Annika Sörenstam

CRICKET: Strauss warns England

England captain Andrew Strauss has warned his team not to underestimate Pakistan in the 1st test at Trent Bridge on Thursday, Strauss has vowed for his team to keep their eyes on the ball. Pakistan are coming off a great victory over Australia in a recent test match at Headingley and Salman Butt's men will be hoping for the same against England.

"It's a big challenge," Strauss told Sky Sports News.

"We saw against Australia that the Pakistan side is dangerous one full of talent. They are used to conditions so was don't have that to surprise them.

"We are going to have to be at our best to win it and that's a good thing for us, not only ahead of the Ashes, but generally because we want to play at our best and hopefully beat the best.

"In some ways it's a precursor because there's a lot of attention towards the Ashes and we can understand that.

"It's wrong to look at any series and look beyond it. All we can do is play well in the series, win the series and go from this series to Australia with a lot of confidence.

"To start looking at Australia at this stage is not helpful."

FOOTBALL: WENGER: Fabregas will stay

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has fiercely denied that Cesc Fabregas is going to Barcelona, Cesc has been surrounded by much speculation that he will return back to home at Barcelona this summer, but Wenger has all along denied that he will sell his captain.

Arsene Wenger told the clubs official website, (www.arsenal.com) "It is only noise. In our job we have to deal with what we can master. What we cannot influence is not to worry about," Wenger told Arsenal's website (www.arsenal.com).

"He is a very important player for us, he is our captain and we have worked very hard (for him) to be the future of our team and that is why we are always adamant about not letting him go."

FOOTBALL: Lions land duo

Newly promoted Championship side Millwall have pulled off a double coup in the past two days with signing James Henry, previously on loan to the Lions twice has signed up on a three year contract. Also former Charlton and Colchester striker Kevin Lisbie joins the South Londoners on a season long loan.

James Henry previous spells at The Den were in the 2008/9 campaign and again last season scoring a number of vital goals helping Millwall's promotion push which saw the Lions win the play-off final at Wembley, including a hat-trick against Tranmere Rovers

Following Henry's signing yesterday, Millwall manager has moved quickly to secure the season loan of Kevin Libie to bolster Millwall's offensive options when they embark on the season ahead.

100 Greatest Sports Stars - Number 99 - Ian Thorpe

Ian Thorpe breaks the 400m World Record in 2002.

Nicknamed the Thorpedo or Thorpey, Ian Thorpe, the Australian freestyle swimmer, comes in at number 99 on our list of the top 100 greatest sports stars ever.  All told he won five Olympic gold medals which is a record for an Australian and he was also the first person ever to win six gold medal in a single World Championship.  His results are staggering, 11 World Championship golds (the second highest ever by a swimmer).  The pool was his natural home and as well as being made Australian Swimmer of the Year for four years in a row he was also given the title of Young Australian of the Year in 2000.


He started young, too, first representing his country at the tender age of 14.  Plus he was the youngest individual World Chamion when he won the 400 meter freestyle in 1998 (when he was 16).  From that point there was no stopping the boy wonder and he dominated the 400 meters until his break after the Olympics of 2004.

He had 13 individual long course world records to his name and with teammates five relay world records,  When he won the bronze in Athens for the 100m freestyle it made him the only man to have ever won medals in the 1-2-4 hundred meter combination.  It is unlikely that this track record will be beaten any time soon.

In this video, Thorpe shows the five major strokes important to success in the freestyle event.

FOOTBALL: Campbell hopes to join Newcastle today

Arsenal defender Sol Campbell is having a medical and is set to sign for Newcastle today, swapping London for the North East according to Sky Sports News. The former England man has impressed a host of clubs with his defensive qualities towards the end of last season.

Sol Campbell has failed to agree deal with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and has decided to look elsewhere, after much specualtion about Campbell's future and strong interest that Sol was going to join Celtic. Campbell has decided that he would prefer to play in the Premier League football with the Magpies.

Alex Higgins dies

Former Snooker champion Alex Higgins has died today, Higgins had been battling throat cancer and had recently been looking frail. The 61 year old body was found in a block of flats.

Alex Higgins would be remembered as the original people's champion and the man who transformed the popularity of the sport. Snooker promoter Barry Hearn said, "I have known him for nearly 40 years,"

"He was the major reason for snooker's popularity in the early days. He was controversial at times, but he always played the game in the right spirit. We will miss him – he was the original people's champion."

FOOTBALL: Millwall manager extends contract

Recenlty promoted Championship side Millwall have been boosted by the news that manager Kenny Jackett has signed a deal which will keep him at Millwall for another three years, building on last seasons success of winning the league one play-off final against Swindon Town at Wembley, Kenny is keen to building on that success and establish the Lions in the Championship division, maybe promotion to the top tier of English football in the Premier League.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett said, "I've been very happy at Millwall and I really want to build on what we've achieved going into the Championship."

Manager Kenny Jackett has a superb relationship with American chairman John Berylson and he added,

"I am delighted that Kenny has signed a new contract which signifies his long term commitment to the club and our vision for the future. When we recruited Kenny in November 2007, the first priority was to retain our League One status. Having achieved that, our goal was promotion to the Championship, and on that memorable day at Wembley in May that target was also realised. Kenny Jackett has proved, as we believed he would, to be the best man to lead Millwall forward. As we prepare for an even greater challenge in the Championship next season, I know we are in very good hands. I thank him for a job well done so far, and look forward with confidence and excitement to the future."

FOOTBALL: Martin O'Neill: James Milner wants to leave Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager has today confirmed that England international James Milner wants to leave the Midlanders, speculation has been gathering that Manchester City are interested in signing the winger and now Milner has confirmed to Martin O'Neill that he wants to leave Aston Villa.

Manchester City are a step closer to signing Milner, but Villa say they will only sell at the right price. Should City come up with a reasonable offer for the England midfielder, Milner has turned down a offer of a new contract, which would of made him Villa's best paid player, but he heart is now set on a move away from the Midlands.

CRICKET: Muttiah Muralitharan reaches milestone

Sri Lankan spin-king cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan bowed of internation test cricket today, breaking the World Record of wickets taken. Muralitharan reached the milestone of 800 wickets. the 38 year old went into final day of his last test facing India, needing two wickets to reach the milestone.

Harbhajan Singh was first of the day of Muralitharan leaving the Sri Lankan on 799 wicked, but later Mahela Jayawardene had edged to slip sparking wild celebrations around the ground, with fireworks going off as Murali reached the 800 milestone of wicket-taking.

Take a look at Muralitharan 800th wicket.