We are about to wave goodbye to 2022 and in terms of incredible sporting moments, it has been a historic year. There have been far too many to count and we at The Sportsman have tried our best to narrow it down to pick out the best of the best from sport over the past 12 months.
Chloe Kelly Seals England's Euro 2022 Glory
It was the second half of extra time inside a packed out Wembley Stadium and the Lionesses were minutes away from what would’ve been a nervy penalty shoot-out against Germany in the Euros final. A corner in from Lauren Hemp wasn’t cleared and Chloe Kelly, in the right place at the right time, pounced to put England 2-1 up to send the stadium into pandemonium. Her goal sealed the Lionesses’ first major title and finally brought football home.
Roger Federer And Serena Williams Retire
It is never easy watching sporting icons call it a day so when we were hit with two tennis superstars deciding to hang up their racquets in 2022, we were left devastated. Both Roger Federer and Serena Williams have done extraordinary things on the court and their legacies will stand the rest of time. They shared a combined 43 Grand Slam titles between them and, in their own way, revolutionised the sport, attracting a new generation of fans with their sublime talent. Tennis truly isn’t going to be the same without them.
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England Win T20 World Cup
In what was a pulsating final in Melbourne against Pakistan, England’s stars further wrote themselves into folklore by adding their second white-ball world title in three years. Ben Stokes was the hero of the hour by finishing on 52 not out as his side won by five wickets to crown themselves as the double world champions. It was yet another iconic moment from this current team who keep on showing that they know how to bounce back from setbacks.
Tom Halliwell's Late Try Seals Rugby League World Cup
England’s wheelchair rugby league side were crowned the world champions in November after they completed an extraordinary comeback in the final against France. Tom Halliwell scored the late try that snatched England the victory in Manchester as they won 28-24. Halliwell’s try was sensational, not just for powering through, but with his slick movement to send French players the wrong way.
Grand National Glory For Waley-Cohens
One of the most iconic jump racing events in the world, the Grand National always appears to bring the country to a standstill when the famous race starts at Aintree. This year we were rewarded with a longshot winner in Noble Yeats at 50/1, ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen and owned by his father Robert. In the build-up to the Grand National, the jockey announced that Noble Yeats would be his final ride as a professional and it was one hell of a way to bow out.
Ronnie O’Sullivan Equals Stephen Hendry’s Seven World Titles
Ronnie O’Sullivan further etched himself into snooker legend as he claimed his seventh title at the World Snooker Championship in 2022 by defeating Judd Trump 18-13 at the Crucible. Fans of the ‘Rocket’, already one of the sport’s all-time greats, will be hoping he can take the record for himself outright in 2023 in what would likely cement his legacy as snooker's greatest ever player.
Dmitry Bivol Claims Boxing's Upset Of The Year Over Canelo
When it was announced that light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Biol would be taking on pound-for-pound superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in May, many expected the Russian to be light work for the Mexican. However, the fight went the distance with Bivol emerging victorious in boxing's Upset of the Year, utilising a disciplined defensive guard and a phenomenal jab to outclass his opponent on the scorecards. All three judges scored the fight 115-113 in his favour and Alvarez was handed only the second defeat of his career.
Lionel Messi Wins The World Cup
It took Lionel Messi a fifth attempt to finally get his hands on football’s greatest prize as Argentina defeated the previous holders via penalties in a gripping World Cup final. For much of Messi’s astonishing career, many, including Argentine supporters, have failed to recognise him as the sport’s greatest player because he didn’t have a World Cup win in comparison to the late Diego Maradona. This iconic moment in his career looks to have settled the debate once and for all.
Carlos Alcaraz Wins Maiden Grand Slam At US Open
Carlos Alcaraz has been making history ever since his early teens and his breakthrough this year, in which he won his first Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, beating Nadal and Djokovic back to back in the latter – the first player to do so on clay, was no different. Those wins earned him a lot of attention as people were starting to see tennis’ next big superstar emerge in front of their eyes. He followed up his earlier breakthrough by pulling off an unforgettable maiden Grand Slam win, clinching the US Open after a series of thrilling five-set matches, reaching No 1 for the first time in the process. You just know that there is a lot more to come from him in 2023 and beyond.
Matt Fitzpatrick Wins The US Open
Matt Fitzpatrick, holding a one-stroke lead, tugs his tee shot into a bunker on the final hole at Brookline’s Country Club. Will Zalatoris lurks with intent during this high-pressure final hole. What followed was one of the finest recoveries in major championship history. From the sand and 160 yards to the pin, Fitzpatrick’s iron shot finished within 20ft of the hole. The Sheffield golfer had broken his major duck and you feel that this newfound confidence will enhance his chances for another successful year in 2023.
