She won eight more golds at worlds in 2014-15 before leading the USA to team gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Point totals are in parentheses. A prolific goal-scorer, Messi has won a record six Ballon d’Or awards (five this decade) as the world’s top player. He also won 11 gold medals at the track and field world championships from 2009 to 2015. He led the NBA in 3-point field goals for five consecutive seasons, including a record 402 in 2015-16.
3. But it's his impact off the court that elevates James beyond other athletes of the 2010s, adding to his philanthropic efforts and becoming a leading voice on social and political issues.Narrowly beat out by James, Williams is arguably the the greatest tennis player in history with 23 Grand Slam tournament singles titles, more than any man or woman in the Open Era. He has spent his entire pro career with Barcelona, where he holds the record of six Golden Boot awards as the leading scorer in the top division of the five major European leagues. The following year, Curry repeated as MVP as the Warriors finished with an unprecedented 73-9 record but lost the NBA Finals in seven games to the Cavaliers.
Ten years. Roger Federer. After taking 2017 off, she returned by winning seven more individual golds at the 2018 and 2019 world championships.Bolt was already an international star and Olympic champion when the decade started. The only blemish on his career is a lack of postseason success, but he's only 28.The seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Curry quickly established himself as one of the game’s best shooters. The Yankees, Saints and Lakers have yet to return to the pinnacle of their sports, and Woods went 11 years before winning his 15th major.Then again, some stars who ruled the sports world in 2010 have managed to stay on top. Kobe Bryant. He delivered, playing in eight NBA Finals and winning three titles, being voted MVP twice and winning a gold medal in 2012. The native of Argentina is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 70 goals in 138 international appearances. Tiger Woods. But he added to his legacy by becoming the only sprinter to win gold medals in both the 100 and 200 meters in three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016). Rookie of the Year award and finished second in A.L. He also led Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final.Although many of his accomplishments came in the 2000s, Phelps arguably did enough alone in this decade to be considered the greatest swimmer in history. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. © 2020 ABG-SI LLC.
1. The sex scandal that rocked Tiger Woods late in 2009 doesn't diminish what he was able to accomplish on the golf course in the ... 2. Entering the 2019-20 season, Curry and the Warriors have represented the Western Conference in each of the past five NBA Finals, winning three.In the decade’s greatest soccer rivalry, Messi comes out slightly ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. The first Athlete of the Year award in the United States was initiated by the Associated Press (AP) in 1931. James is The Associated Press male athlete of the decade, adding his name to a list that includes Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky and Arnold Palmer.
In the world of sports, it can seem like an eternity.As this decade began, the Yankees were reigning World Series champions, the Saints were about to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl title, Kobe Bryant was on his way to leading the Lakers to back-to-back NBA titles and Tiger Woods — with 14 major victories by the age of 34 — was seemingly a lock to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.How things have changed. For the full list, click here.The start of the decade coincided with James entering his prime, having just turned 25. Lance Armstrong. He was chosen as the U.S. flag bearer for the 2016 Rio Games, then added another five golds and one silver. MVP voting. (tie) Tom Brady. Two years later she claimed her first world championship gold medals, winning the floor exercise and all-around competitions. Digital access or digital and print delivery.Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He … Individually, Biles won gold in the floor exercise, vault and all-around competitions with a bronze in the balance beam. He … An All-Star in each of the last six seasons, Curry was named the league’s MVP in 2015 as he led the Warriors to their first NBA title in 40 years. 1 received 25 points, followed by No. James is The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Decade, adding his name to a list that includes Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky and Arnold Palmer.