From Bolt’s farewell to Federer’s comeback, top 10 sporting moments of 2017
Updated On Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
Floyd Mayweather Jr’s bout with Conor McGregor in Las Vegas four months later was widely criticised by the boxing purists, but the contest still attracted global attention as the American defeated his inexperienced opponent to extend his perfect record to 50-0. (AP)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
Serena Williams and Roger Federer have become accustomed to success, but even by their standards the 2017 Australian Open was remarkable. Federer rolled back the years, edging a final for the ages with Rafael Nadal that felt like stepping into a tennis time warp. As for Williams, her seventh title in Melbourne – and 23rd grand slam overall – came while she was in the early stages of pregnancy. (REUTERS)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
The fightback to end all fightbacks. The New England Patriots looked dead and buried in Super Bowl LI, trailing 28-3 to the Atlanta Falcons late in the third quarter. But Tom Brady masterminded a stunning recovery to force overtime, where James White barrelled into the end zone to seal the Patriots’ fifth championship since 2002. (AFP)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
Russell Westbrook’s sensational 2016-17 season for the Oklahoma City Thunder saw him break a 55-year record. Against the Denver Nuggets in April, Westbrook chalked up his 42nd triple-double of the campaign, surpassing the mark set by Oscar Robertson in 1961-62. (GETTY IMAGES)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
Finally, at the 74th attempt, Sergio Garcia ended his wait for a maiden success in a major championship with victory at the Masters. The popular Spaniard – with 22 previous top-10 finishes in golf’s four flagship events – held his nerve in a play-off with Justin Rose and the relief on his face told the story as he finally donned the coveted green jacket. (Getty Images)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
Paris Saint-Germain shocked the footballing world in August by prising Neymar away from Barcelona, smashing the world transfer record in the process. The Ligue 1 giants parted with a mammoth €222million, activating the Brazilian’s release clause and breaking up Barca’s fearsome ‘MSN’ attacking trident. (AFP)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
After the first two Tests between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions had produced a victory apiece, the decider ended in a 15-15 stalemate and a drawn series. Opposing captains Kieran Read and Sam Warburton were all smiles as they lifted the trophy together. (REUTERS)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
Not the finale he, or his adoring fans, wanted, but Usain Bolt still sported a trademark beaming smile upon his retirement from athletics at the World Championships in August. The legendary Jamaican – an eight-time Olympic gold medallist – could only manage bronze in the 100 metres final and he pulled up injured running the last leg of the 4x100m relay. (AP)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
Anthony Joshua prevailed in a brutal battle with the great Wladimir Klitschko in April, climbing off the canvas to knock out the Ukrainian in front of 90,000 thrilled spectators at Wembley. (AP)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST
Chris Froome took his place among exalted company by becoming just the third man to win the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana in the same year. The Team Sky rider clinched his fourth yellow jersey in five years in July and followed that up by adding a red one two months later – the first man to complete the double in that order. (Getty Images)
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Updated on Dec 09, 2017 04:10 PM IST