Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is a Spanish tennis player. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the world, having been No. 1 for weeks 102 weeks. He is regarded as the greatest clay court player of all time. He won 10 Grand Slam titles and a total of 46 singles titles (as of Feb 2012).

Nadal is one of the only two players to achieve a career golden Slam: an Olympic gold medal in singles tennis event, and winning the four major tennis tournaments, namely the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open. 

Born: June 3, 1986 in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 188 lbs

Nadal is coached by his uncle, Tony Nadal.

 Achievements/Career Highlights:

• won his first Gland Slam singles title in Roland Garros in 2005; he won a total of 6 French Open titles 
• won his first Wimbledon title in 2008; won it again in 2010
• won his first Australian Open in 2009
• won his first US Open title in 2010
• won 19 Masters events, a record
• career prize money: $46.3 million (as of Feb 2012)
• career Win-Loss record: 550-118 (as of Feb 2012)

Ryan Braun

Ryan Braun is an left fielder for the Major League Baseball team Milwaukee Brewers. He was the fifth pick in the first round of draft. He played for the University of Miami in college.

Born: November 17, 1983 in Mission Hills, California
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 202 lbs

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• 2-time All American Baseball player at University of Miami
• Named by Baseball America as National Freshman of the Year in 2003
• National League MVP
• No. 16 in the Top 50 Greatest current (2011) baseball players list, as ranked by Sporting News
• Minor League Player of the Year, 2006

Cam Newton

Cam Newton is an American football player. He plays as a quarterback for the  Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, which drafted him as the first overall pick in 2011. Newton played for the Auburn University Tigers in his college days.

Born: May 11, 1989 in Savanna, Georgia

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 112 kg

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• third player to win the Heisman Trophy, a national championship and draft pick no.1 in a year (2010)
• 2011 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
• AP Player of the Year
• most passing yards in a year by a rookie (4051, in 2011)

Steve Woitalla

Steve Woitalla is a German gymnast. He specializes in floor exercises, vault and bars.


Born: May 4, 1988
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 139 lbs

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portugese striker. He currently plays for Spanish La Liga team Real Madrid. Ronaldo previously played for Sporting CP and Manchester United. He also plays for the Portugal national team.

As a Portugal international he lead the national team to the UEFA Euro 2004 finals. 

Born: February 5, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 84.5 kg

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• the most expensive player in the world, his contract with Real Madrid is worth € 12 million a year; his transfer from Manchester United cost Real Madrid € 94 million; and his buyout clause is worth €1 billion
• FIFA Player of the Year, 2008
• Ballon d'Or winner, 2008
• highest goal scorer in a season for Real Madrid, with 53 goals in 2009
• highest scorer in La Liga, with 40 goals in 2009
• World Soccer Player of the Year, 2008

Tebowing

Tim Tebow kneeling in a prayer during the game, an act now known as Tebowing. 

Linsanity Continues

The result against Miami Heats notwithstanding, the saga of Jeremy Lin continues: two more magazine covers featuring the Asian-American basketeer, this tim with Sports Illustrated and Time Magazine.

Neil Etheridge

Neil Leonard Etheridge is a Filipino-English soccer player. He is a substitute goalkeeper for the English Premier League team Fulham. He is also plays for the Philippines national soccer team, Azkals. 

Etheridge attended the Chelsea Academy during his formative years, then signed up to Fulham in 2006 as a reserve. He made his senior debut in the Europa League match versus Odense on December 14, 2011.

He made his international debut as goalkeeper for the Philippine Azkals in 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualifying, against Tajikistan. He led the team to a semi-final appearance at the 2010 Suzuki Cup, conceding only one goal.  

Born: Feburary 9, 1990 in Enfield, London, England

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 90 kg
Website: Twitter

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• Represented England in Under-16; played in 2005 Victory Shield
• Led the Philippines to a semi-finals appearance at the 2010 Suzuki Cup

Colt McCoy

Colt McCoy is a professional American football player. He plays as quarterback for the National Football League's Cleveland Browns since 2010. He was drafted in the third round as an 85th overall pick during the 2010 NFL Draft. 

McCoy previously was a starting quarterback of the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns.

Born: September 5, 1986 in Hobbs, New Mexico
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 215 lbs

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• Won 2006 Walter Camp Award
• Runner-up for the 2008 Heisman Trophy
• in 2008 set the school records for most touchdown passes
• named one of the AP Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2008

Sonny Bill Williams, Boxer

Rugby league player Sonny Bill Williams, training as a boxer (top), and during the first round of his boxing match versus Clarence Tillman III. 

Janko Tipsarevic

Janko Tipsarevic is a Serbian professional tennis player. He is currently ranked no. 9 in the world, achieved in November 2001, and a career-high. He plays right-handed. 

Tipsarevic won his first singles title at the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur in October 2, 2011. He then won his second title after 3 weeks, in the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. The highest round he reach for a Grand Slam tournament is quarterfinals at the 2011 US Open.

Born: June 22, 1984 in Belgrade, Serbia
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 83 kg


Career Hightlights:

• ATP Tour singles titles: 2
• ATP Tour singles finalist: 4
• ATP Tour doubles titles: 1
• career W-L record 195-166
• career prize money: $4.5 million
• won the Australian Open Boys singles title in 2001

Daniel Conn

Daniel Conn is an Australian rugby league player. He played for the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby Leage as a second-row forward. He retired at age 25, after a neck injury sustained in a game. 

Conn also played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, the New Zealand Maoris, and the Gold Coast Titans teams. He is also a model.

Born: February 14, 1986, in Goolma, NSW, Australia
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 109 kg

Gatorade Inside The Edge: Ryan Lochte

Ryan Lochte trains with Gatorade for the Olympics.

Men's Tennis Update

Here's a recap of what's in men's professional tennis last week:

• Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Juan Martin del Potro (ARG, pictured) 6-1, 6-4 at the ABN Amro World Tennis in Rotterdam. It is Federer's first title in 2012.
• Nicolas Almagro (ESP) defeated Filippo Volandri (ITA) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4  at the Brazil Open. The title is 11th overall for Almagro, all which are on clay.
• Milos Raonic (CAN) defeated Denis Estomin (UZB) 7-6, 6-2 at the SAP Open, in San Jose 

Rankings as of 2/20/2012:

1. Djokovic, Novak 
2. Nadal, Rafael 
3. Federer, Roger 
4. Murray, Andy 
5. Ferrer, David 
6. Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried 
7. Berdych, Tomas 
8. Fish, Mardy 
9. Tipsarevic, Janko 
10. Del Potro, Martin 
...
11. Almagro, Nicolas 
35. Raonic, Milos 
49. Estomin, Denis  
56. Voladri, Filippo  

J.J. Redick

Jonathan "J.J." Redick is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association.

In college Redick played for Duke University, where he is the all-time leading scorer, with career-best 2,769 points. After the stint in college, he was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2006, chosen at 11th overall.

Born: June 24, 1984

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 190 lbs

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• Won the Atlantic Coast Conference  Player of the Year Award in 2004-05 season
• All-time leading scorer of Duke University
• Set record of most consecutive free throws at ACC (54)
• Achieved a career high with Orlando Magic with 29 points on Dec 14, 2010

David Beckham Inspires Filipino Children

On a recent trip to the Philippines, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham highlighted the importance of a caring and supportive family, as he toured the 'Village for Youth', a Government-run centre for young people who have been abused or abandoned.

Fabian Hambuechen

Fabian Hambuechen is a German gymnast. 


Born: October 25, 1987 in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
Height: 5.38"
Weight: 139 lbs

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• youngest German athletes at the 2004 Athens Olympics
• won bronze in high bar competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
• won five medals at the World Championships
• won six medals at the European Championships
• 2007 German sportsperson of the year

Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps

Both rivals and teammates, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps compete against each other in individual events and together in team relays.

In 2004 Athens Olympics Phelps and Lochte (together with Peter Vanderkaay and Klete Keller) swam in 4x200-meter relay to win the gold, upsetting the favorite Australian team. In the same Olympics Lochte finished second behind Phelps in the 200-m individual medley. Lochte also finished behind Phelps in 2008 Beijing Games individual events.

Lochte finally defeated Phelps in the 2010 National Championships 200-m individual medley. He defeated Phelps again in the 2011 World Aquatics Championships 200 medley.

Sonny Bill Williams

Sonny Bill Williams is a New Zealand rugby union player. He currently plays for the Crusaders team.

Williams is also a heavyweight boxer, and has played for the Canterbury Bulldogs in the rugby league. He is the second person in NZ to have represented the country in both rugby league and rugby union in international competitions.

Born: August 3, 1985
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 108 kg


Achievements/Career Highlights

• debuted as a professional heavyweight boxer in May 2009
• his boxing record is 5 wins out of 5, 3 by knockout
• played his first world cup match for NZ in the 2011 Rugby World Cup; NZ went on to win the Cup
• youngest player to sign with the Bulldogs
• debuted at the National Rugby League at 18 years of age

Linsanity

Jeremy Lin just got himself on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

With exploits like this: shooting the game-winning three-pointer with half a second before buzzer to help his team win against the Dallas Mavericks, the Linsanity is well deserved. 

Alexandre Despatie

Alexandre Despatie is a Canadian diver, specializing in springboard and synchronized diving events. He is the only diver to become world champion in 3 springboard categories.

Despatie partners with Arturo Miranda and Reuben Ross for the synchronized events.

Born: June 8, 1985 in Montreal, Quebec
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 76 kg
Website: www.alexandredespatie.ca

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• World Champion at 1 and 3-meter springboard from 2005 to 2007
• scored perfect 10's at the 1998 Commonwealth Games 10-meter springboard event, winning the event at age 13
• the only diver to become world champion in 3 springboard categories (1, 3 and 10-meter)
• won silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics for the 3-meter springboard event
• won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics for the 3-meter springboard event
• won 3 golds at the 2010 Commonwealth Games 

Michael Witt

Michael Witt is an Australian professional rugby league footballer, presently playing for the London Broncos of the Super League. He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition, from 2007 to 2009. 

He spent a year in rugby union in 2009, playing at the New Zealand Rugby Union, then went back to the Super League, joining the Wales-based Crusaders team in 2010.  

Born: January 1, 1984 in Toowoomba, Queensland
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 89 kg

Eric Decker

Eric Decker is an American football player. He plays as wide receiver for the Denver Broncos since he was drafted in 2010. He previously played in college, for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Decker also played baseball in college, playing outfield. He was also selected in the 39th round by the Major League Baseball team Milwaukee Brewers in the 2008 draft.

Born: March 15, 1987 in Cold Spring, Minnesota
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 99 kg


Notable Achievements:

• Finished rookie season with 6 catches
• Career: 50 rec, 718 yds, 9 TD

Jenson Button

Jenson Button is a British race car driver for the Formula One circuit. He started his F1 career with the  Williams team in 2000, then to Benetton team in 2001. He drives for  McLaren-Mercedes in the 2012 season.

He won his first Grand Prix n Hungary in 2006, driving for the Honda team.

Born: January 19, 1980, in Frome, Somerset, England
Height: 1.82 meters
Weight: 72 kg
Website: www.jensonbutton.com, Twitter

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• 2009 Formula One World Champion 
• 12 wins in 208 F1 starts
• won six of the first seven races in 2009 season
• runner-up to world champion Sebastian Vettel in 2011 season

Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin is an Asian-American professional basketball player with the New York Knicks. He first signed up with the Golden State Warriors, undrafted, for the 2010-2011 season. 


In his most recent game (Feb 11, 2012), Lin scored a career-high 38 points as Knicks defeated the Lakers. It was the Knick's first victory vs the Lakers since 2007.

Lin is a graduate of Harvard University.

Born: August 23, 1988, in Palo Alto, CA
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200 lbs


Notable Achievements:

• first NBA player of Chinese/Taiwanese descent
• first player in Ivy League history to record 1483 points, 487 rebounds and 225 steals

Camille Lacourt

Camille Lacourt is a French swimmer. He competes in backstroke and medley relay events.


Born: April 22, 1985, in Narbonne, France
Height: 6' 51/2"
Weight: 92 kg

Notable Achievements:

• won 3 gold medals at 2010 European Championships
• set a European record for 100-meter backstroke
• in January 2012 became second in world rankings for 100-meter backstroke 

Colt Brennan

Colt Brennan is an American football player. Previously playing for University of Hawaii as a quarterback. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2008, and is now playing for Hartford Colonials.

Born: August 16, 1983, in Laguna Beach, CA
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 212 lbs




Notable Achievements:

• finalist for Heisman Trophy, behind Tim Tebow, in 2007
• awarded the Sammy Baugh Trophy, 2006
• NCAA record for most 400-yard games, 2007
• NCAA single season record for most touchdown passes, 2006