With every passing decade, elite athletes appear to turn into sooner, stronger and, dare we are saying it, higher. Efficiency improves and, consequently, data tumble.
However some milestones nonetheless appear otherworldly. It doesn’t matter what future technological or scientific developments could also be made, they really feel out of attain and unbreakable.
Though that’s what many considered Wayne Gretzky’s NHL objectives file, after which got here alongside Alexander Ovechkin.
For 31 years, Gretzky reigned because the all-time goalscorer within the NHL with 894 objectives. That was earlier than 39-year-old Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals overtook that landmark on April 7. Gretzky does nonetheless maintain just a few data in ice hockey which are broadly considered untouchable — his ridiculous 1,963 profession assists, for example.
All of this has led us to contemplate another statistical marks in sport which are considered unlikely to ever be overwhelmed. May they, too, sooner or later be eclipsed, or are there some that can eternally stay within the historical past books?
Soccer/soccer
Furthest purpose: 96.01 meters (104.9 yards)
Whether or not intentional or not, in January 2021, Newport County goalkeeper Tom King — with the advantage of a bounce and wind help — scored direct from a goal kick.
It set the world file after topping then Stoke Metropolis goalkeeper Asmir Begovic’s 91.9-meter purpose (100.5 yards) in November 2013. It might take lots of chutzpah (and assist from the weather) to beat King’s long-distance strike.
Shortest time between two objectives: 9 seconds
One, two, three, 4, 5, six, seven, eight, 9. It takes no time in any respect to rattle off these numbers. Unimaginable, then, that it took simply 9 seconds for Wycombe Wanderers to score twice in opposition to Peterborough United in September 2000.
The primary got here from a free kick simply earlier than half-time, and the second, instantly following the interval, was an excellent solo effort by Jermaine McSporran, who scored from kick-off. Peterborough didn’t contact the ball from one purpose to the opposite, which have been 9 seconds aside in recreation time — setting a brand new world file.
Highest scoreline: 149-0
Reigning champions of the Madagascan first-tier Stade Olympique de l’Emyrne (SOE) got here to their recreation in opposition to bitter rivals AS Adema salty in November 2002.
Of their earlier match, SOE felt a penalty determination had gone in opposition to them, denying them the chance to retain their title as the mandatory win was not secured. To compound issues, Adema have been topped champions as an alternative.
In retaliation, SOE threw the next recreation in opposition to Adema as a deliberate protest in opposition to the refereeing they felt had denied them the title. After profitable the ball, they proceeded to attain 149 personal objectives, at a fee of 1 each 36 seconds — the form of drama actuality tv could be happy with.
Olympics
Gold medals: 23
Michael Phelps would possibly injure his neck if he tries to put on all of his Olympic gold medals directly. Six athletes have 9 Olympic golds, together with energetic American swimmers Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel, however they nonetheless don’t come near Phelps, who received eight on the 2008 Beijing Video games alone.
It helps that swimmers can compete throughout totally different stroke disciplines and in races of various distances, however no swimmer in historical past been close to to having the breadth of Phelps within the pool, each when it comes to the occasions during which he excelled and the time frame he was at his peak — dominating at 4 Olympics in a number of disciplines.
As good a swimmer as Ledecky is, she excels solely in long-distance freestyle. Equally, Dressel is a dash specialist. Frenchman Leon Marchand, who received 4 golds on the Video games in Paris final yr, is 22 so has time in addition to expertise on his facet. However even with 50m dash swimming occasions added to the schedule for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, any athlete even approaching Phelps’ file could be an exceptional achievement.
Ladies’s 100-metre file: 10.49 seconds
Florence Griffith Joyner, often called ‘Flo-Jo, ’ had skilled a level of glory within the 200m, profitable Olympic silver in 1984 and ending second once more on the World Championships three years later. Nevertheless it was in 1988 that she grew to become a worldwide star, breaking the 100m world file and smashing her private greatest on the U.S. Olympic trials.
Griffith-Joyner celebrates profitable 100m Olympic gold on the 1988 Seoul Olympics (Russell Cheyne/Allsport/Getty Photos)
There was controversy over the wind velocity, which on the observe learn 0.0 however on close by triple-jump tools was recorded at 4.3 miles per second, however the file stood and no person has come near the Californian’s time, her world data within the 100m and 200m (21.34) nonetheless stand to this present day.
Elaine Thompson-Herah is the athlete to have come closest to the 100m world file, the Jamaican clocking 10.54 in 2021.
Tennis
Steffi Graf, proper, together with her gold medal on the 1988 Olympics, which she received by beating Argentina’s Gabriela Sabatini, left, within the closing (Chris Wilkins/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
The Calendar Golden Grand Slam
In 1988, Steffi Graf, then aged 19, had the perfect yr attainable in tennis. The German achieved the Calendar Golden Grand Slam, profitable all 4 main tournaments — the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open — plus Olympic gold in the identical yr.
She is the one singles participant to have achieved this feat, and her file is made even harder to beat provided that the Olympics are solely held each 4 years.
NBA & NFL
Most factors in a recreation: 100 factors
One of the vital iconic images in NBA historical past is a black-and-white shot of Wilt Chamberlain holding a chunk of paper with ‘100’ scribbled on it after his historic night time in March 1962.
There isn’t any TV footage of Chamberlain’s 100-point recreation for the Philadelphia Warriors in opposition to the New York Knicks, as many video games NBA video games weren’t televised then. In recent times, some have questioned whether or not it occurred in any respect, which The Athletic examined in this 2024 article.
Chamberlain set the file with out the presence of a three-point line, one thing the NBA didn’t introduce till the 1979-80 season. He shot 36-for-63 from the sector and 28-for-32 from the foul line. That yr, he averaged 50.4 factors per recreation, serving to to massively improve the recognition of the NBA.
All-time scorer: 42,170+ factors
LeBron James is in his twenty second NBA season. The now 40-year-old has spent greater than half of his life within the league — and his longevity means he has even performed in it alongside his son, Bronny, for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Over these 22 seasons, James has been one of many league’s greatest gamers — a 21-time All-Star choice and NBA scoring chief within the 2007-08 marketing campaign.
LeBron James is the NBA’s all-time main scorer (Harry How/Getty Photos)
His unimaginable sturdiness and skill led him to turn into the NBA’s all-time scorer on February 7, 2023, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who held the file for 39 years. Together with playoffs, James is the primary NBA participant to attain over 50,000 factors.
His longevity is similar to that of NFL large receiver Jerry Rice. Rice, who performed for 20 seasons, profitable three Tremendous Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, holds the league data for receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and landing catches (197).
Method One
Most races with out a podium end: 231+
Having raced in 231 grands prix to this point, Nico Hülkenberg is without doubt one of the most skilled drivers in Method One historical past. But, he has by no means had a top-three end, not to mention received a race.
Since making his F1 debut in 2010, the now 37-year-old has picked up factors in the course of the pack for Williams, Pressure India, Renault, Racing Level, Aston Martin, Haas and his present group, Sauber. Over his lengthy profession, this capability to gather factors has made him a useful driver for mid-table groups, however the closest he has come to a podium is three fourth-place finishes.
Youngest driver to attain factors: 17 years, 180 days
Somebody who is aware of a factor or two about podium finishes is Max Verstappen. On the time of publication, the four-time world champion had received 64 F1 grand prix races and is the youngest driver, youngest factors scorer and youngest race winner in F1 historical past.
Max Verstappen made his F1 debut at 17 (Mark Thompson/Getty Photos)
The Dutchman earned his first factors on the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix, ending in seventh for Toro Rosso on his debut aged 17 years, 180 days.
Will probably be a tricky file to beat. In 2016, motorsport’s governing physique, the Federation Internationale de l’Car (FIA), launched a minimal age of 18 in F1, although the principles have since been adjusted, permitting 17-year-olds to use for an FIA Tremendous Licence, which the FIA can subject at its discretion.
(High picture: Adam Fairly/Getty Photos)
