Famous Horse Racing Courses Around the World

Horse racing is one of the fanciest, wealthiest and most popular sports in the world. The venue of the sport is just about as popular as its contestants are! Here is an account of the world's most famous horse racing courses.


There is something about riding down the street on a prancing horse that makes you feel like something, even when you ain't a thing.
~ Will Rogers

That should explain why anyone who likes animals, loves horses! The sheer strength, beauty and grace that a horse exhibits is unparalleled. The sound of the hoofs when the horse trots, the hypnotic sight of a horse grazing in the field, the adrenaline rush you experience at the sound and sight of a galloping horse, are feelings that will leave a lifelong impression on your mind's eye. You will never forget the first time you rode a horse; you will always remember, in great detail, the time when you saw a herd of horses galloping along the countryside; and unless you have the means, you will always hope and wish to have a horse!

Given the emotions we associate with horses, it isn't difficult to understand the popularity of Equestrian sports - right from show jumping, to dressage, to perhaps the most popular form of Equestrian sport, horse racing. Horse racing has a history of over a couple thousand years, with the earliest record of horse domestication dating back to ca. 4000 B.C.

Historically, horse racing was a part of the ancient Greek Olympics, with chariot racing being the most popular Equestrian sport. However, several forms of horse racing such as flat race, steeplechase (in which hurdles and fences are placed in the horse's track), endurance riding, etc., have now been established and have gained immense popularity over the years.

WORLD FAMOUS HORSE RACING COURSES

Horse racing events are held at horse racecourses, alternatively known as horse racetracks. Horse racetracks require special care and maintenance, as much as - or even more than - the fields that host football, cricket, tennis and other sports. There is a lot that goes into building a state-of-the-art racecourse. To give you a rough idea, the Meydan Racecourse of Dubai, UAE took an estimated $2 billion to be built! No doubt, derby is an expensive affair.

There are many top-class racecourses around the world, some as old as modern-day horse racing itself, and some only as young as the minimum age of a racing horse! Here is an account of famous horse racing courses from around the world.

*Mouse-over to reveal Name of Location. Click to jump to the Location.

South America
Europe
Africa
Asia
Australia

DISCLAIMER: The world map depicted above may not be true-to-scale; it has been incorporated for artistic appeal only.


North America

Contrary to popular belief, horse racing as a sport was established in North America almost two centuries before it was in the UK. The first ever racing meet of North America took place in the year 1665, under the supervision of the then New York's colonial governor, Richard Nicolls, with the first racetrack being built in the same year. However, it wasn't until the later half of the 18th century that the sport of horse racing gained a proper organized form. Here are some of the most famous horse racing courses in America.

USA

♞ Churchill Downs
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Notable for: Kentucky Derby, Stephen Foster Handicap
The biggest racecourse (in terms of seating capacity), Churchill Downs is home to one of the races of the United States Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby. (The second race of the Triple Crown is the Preakness Derby held at Pimlico Race Course, and the third is the Belmont Stakes held at Belmont Park.) Built in 1875, it was designated a National Historic Landmark a 111 years later, in 1986. The dirt track on which the derby is held, measures 1 mile in circumference and runs around the inner turf course. The racecourse also houses a clubhouse and a museum, and is undoubtedly one of the best horse racing courses around the world.

♞ Belmont Park
Location: Elmont, New York
Notable for: Belmont Stakes
Hosting the third leg of the United States Triple Crown "Belmont Stakes", Belmont Park is also known as "The Champion Track", owing to the fact that every champion in horse racing has competed at least once on the track. The legendary horse Secretariat set one of the two world records on this very racetrack - his Belmont Stakes victory of 2 minutes 24 seconds remains undefeated to date. He set his Kentucky Derby world record (1 minute 592⁄5 seconds) on the Churchill Downs racetrack. A statue of Secretariat was placed in the paddock of Belmont Park to honor him.

♞ Del Mar Racetrack
Location: Del Mar, California
Notable for: Del Mar Oaks (G1), Pacific Classic (G1)
With a 1 mile inner dirt track and a seven furlong outer turf course, the Del Mar Racetrack runs by the slogan "Where The Turf Meets The Surf". In its second year (i.e., in the year 1938) Del Mar hosted the historic race between racehorses Seabiscuit and Ligaroti, which went on to become the first race to be broadcast on NBC radio. With a grandstand located right on top of the Pacific Ocean, it hosts races from July to September every year.

♞ Santa Anita Park
Location: Arcadia, California
Notable for: Santa Anita Handicap (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1)
Santa Anita Park is unanimously called the most beautiful horse racing course in the world, with the simultaneous massive and magnificent backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains. It has a natural dirt track of 1 mile, and a shorter inner turf course. Santa Anita Park honors a chosen jockey with the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award every year. It has been listed in the United States National Register of Historic Places.

♞ Keeneland
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Notable for: Blue Grass Stakes (G1)
Ranked #1 by the Horseplayers Association of North America in 2009, and included both in the National Register of Historic Places and list of National Historic Landmarks in the US, Keeneland is one of the best horse racing courses around the world. It has a 1710 m dirt track and a 1509 m turf. Apart from horse racing, Keeneland is also popular for its horse auctions - held four times a year - and its exhaustive reference library on horse racing.

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Canada

♞ Woodbine Racetrack
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Notable for: Canadian International Stakes (G1), Queen's Plate (G1)
The track to host the first ever Summer Paralympics in 1976, Woodbine Racetrack has a total of three racecourses, since 1994 - the 1.5 mile E. P. Taylor thoroughbred turf course (named after famous business tycoon and breeder Edward "Eddie" Plunket Taylor); the inner 1 mile thoroughbred Polytrack; and the innermost 0.875 miles crushed limestone racecourse for Standardbred horses. It is the only track in North America that holds thoroughbred and standardbred races on the same day.

♞ Hastings Racecourse
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Notable for: British Columbia Breeders' Cup Derby (G3)
Hastings Racecourse was opened in the year 1889 and is home to British Columbia Breeders' Cup Derby. It is a 1⅛ miles race held on a dirt track, one of the most important races for 3-year old horses held at Hastings annually. It is also one of the richest races held at Hastings, with a purse of $250,000.

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South America

Although many world-class racecourses do exist in South America, horse racing as a sport is not so famous in South America, as it is in some other parts of the world. Nevertheless, horse races such as the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini in Argentina are quite popular and famous and draw audiences from all over the continent. Here is an account of few of the racecourses in South America.

♞ Hipódromo de San Isidro
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Notable for: Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini
The biggest racetrack in both North America and South America, Hipódromo de San Isidro was opened in 1935. It has a 2,783 meter long turf, on which 1000-meter long races are held. It is home to the single most important horse race in Argentina, the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini. It is held every December.

♞ Hipodromo Nacional de Maroñas
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay
Notable for: Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez
This racing track was opened in 1874. It has a 1.28 mile main dirt track on which races are held and a 1.24 mile training track. The most important of the races held on the track is the Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez. It is a 1.49 miles race, held on Three Kings' Day every year. Apart from that, local horse races are held every weekend. The facility also includes a casino and café.

♞ Hipodromo La Rinconada
Location: Caracas, Venezuela
Notable for: Gran Premio Clásico Simón Bolívar (G1)
Claimed to be one of the most modern racetracks in the continent, Hipodromo La Rinconada was opened in 1959. Along with Gran Premio Clásico Simón Bolívar (G1), the Hipica Gala event hosted by this racetrack is also of prominence. The racecourse also houses a Museum of Arts, and the famous Alejandro Otero El Polyhedron.

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Europe

Europe - particularly UK, France and Ireland - has a glorious and long history of horse racing, dating back to the early 18th century. The most popular form of horse racing in Europe is steeplechase (wherein horses have to jump over hurdles or fences). Competitive horse racing in UK is collectively called the National Hunt, or simply 'The National'. It is the single most prominent and prestigious horse racing event in Europe.

1] England

♞ Aintree Racecourse, England
Location: Aintree, Merseyside
Notable for: Grand National
There probably isn't a single derby fan who hasn't heard of the Aintree Racecourse; it is after all the most famous horse racing course in England. Aintree is home to the most definitive National Hunt steeplechase, the Grand National (which is also considered the most difficult steeplechase in the world, with 30 fences spread over a distance of 7,242 meters). If you are a great derby fan, you must, at least once in your lifetime, witness the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse. It is held every April.

♞ Cheltenham Racecourse
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Notable for: Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle
With a natural amphitheater along the escarpment of the Cotswolds hills, the Cheltenham Racecourse is as much popular for its scenic beauty as it is for hosting one of the most important and élite horse racing events, the Cheltenham Festival. The festival comprises four renowned races - Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Stayers Hurdle. The Steeplechasing Hall of Fame is also housed at Cheltenham Racecourse. This is another place you absolutely should visit!

♞ Ascot Racecourse
Location: Ascot, Berkshire
Notable for: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot Gold Cup
The Ascot Racecourse hosts a whopping 9 of the 32 annual G1 races in UK and is one of the élite horse racing courses in England. The best time to visit Ascot would be in the months of June and July when two of its most prestigious races, viz., Ascot Gold Cup and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, are held. Members of the Royal British Family attend the Royal Ascot (established in 1711 by Queen Anne) every year at the Ascot Racecourse.

2] Ireland

♞ Curragh Racecourse, Ireland
Location: Newbridge, Co. Kildare
Notable for: Irish Derby (G1)
The name Curragh is a derivative of the Irish word Cuirreach, which means "racecourse". The racecourse hosts all the five classic Irish horse racing events, viz., Irish 1,000 Guineas (G1), Irish 2,000 Guineas (G1), Irish Derby (G1), Irish Oaks (G1) and finally the Irish St. Leger (G1). These are also the races with the highest purses in Ireland. Though the first derby took place only in 1866, horse racing has been witnessed by this racecourse since as early as 1727.

3] France

♞ Chantilly Racecourse
Location: Chantilly, Oise
Notable for: Prix du Jockey Club, Prix de Diane
Chantilly Racecourse hosts 2 of the 4 French Classics, viz., the Prix du Jockey Club, and the Prix de Diane. The main course of Chantilly is 2400 meters long. The grandstand of this racecourse has never witnessed a renovation and/or reconstruction. It is as it was, when built in 1879. The racecourse also homes a 186-meter long stable, considered to be the finest and most beautiful in the world.

♞ Longchamp Racecourse (Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe)
Location: Route des Tribunes Bois de Boulogne, Paris
Notable for: Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Most famous for hosting the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (one of the four French Classics, held every October), the specialty of the Longchamp Racecourse is that it has several interlocked racetracks, thus providing for great variety in the racing distances. More than half of the G1 category races of France are held at Longchamp.

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Australia

Not many people know that the Australian thoroughbred horse racing industry ranks #3 in the world. Yes, you read that right! The single most important horse race in Australia is the Melbourne Cup, which has been dubbed the "race that stops a nation". Competitive endurance riding is also quite popular in Australia, with the Tom Quilty Gold Cup being the most coveted award. Given below is a brief account of world famous horse racing courses in Australia.

♞ Flemington Racecourse
Location: Flemington, Victoria
Notable for: The Melbourne Cup, Victoria Derby
Home to the Australian horse race with the highest purse, viz., The Melbourne Cup, the Flemington Racecourse boasts a 2312-meter long racetrack along which races are run anticlockwise, rather than clockwise. The racecourse sports a bronze statue of Phar Lap, a magnificent racehorse trained in Australia. Included in the Australian National Heritage List in 2006, Flemington hosts most of the important Australian horse racing events.

♞ Randwick Racecourse
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Sydney
Notable for: Australian Derby
Another illustrious racecourse in Australia, the Randwick Racecourse hosts many races like the Australian Derby, the AJC Oaks, AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (historically known as the Queen's Plate). Apart from being a venue for these and other famous races, Randwick Racecourse has also been used as a location for shooting parts of the film Mission Impossible II, and is also used as a venue for the University of New South Wales exams! Fancy appearing for an exam in a racecourse ... cool, isn't it?

♞ Caulfield Racecourse
Location: Caulfield, Victoria
Notable for: Caulfield Cup, Caulfield Guineas, Blue Diamond Stakes
One of the most popular horse racing courses in Australia, the Caulfield Racecourse is 2080 meters long, and shaped like a triangle, with 4% to 6% banking along the turns. Also known as "The Heath" locally, races are held on the track for about 20 days in a year.

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Africa

On the African continent, horse racing is primarily centered at Mauritius and South Africa. Most of the racehorses that contest in the different racing events are bred in South Africa, though sometimes they may be imported from other countries too, especially from UK and France. Each year, South Africa and Mauritius both attract enthusiasts from all over the world for the different racing events they host. Here are some of the famous racecourses of Africa.

♞ Turffontein Racecourse
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Notable for: South African Derby
Such is the racing course of this famous racetrack from Australia, that it is unanimously considered as the true test of a horse's stamina. With an inner as well as an outer turf, Turffontein hosts the G1 South African Derby and the Summer Cup every November. It was founded in 1887.

♞ Champ de Mars Racecourse
Location: Port Louis, Mauritius
Notable for: Maiden Cup
Champ de Mars Racecourse is home to the third-oldest active horse-racing clubs in the world, viz., Mauritius Turf Club. In itself, Champ de Mars Racecourse is the oldest racetrack in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth. The year that it was founded, Champ de Mars Racecourse hosted the first organized race meeting in the history of Mauritius! With a total circumference of 1298 meters, it is a small racetrack, albeit a very popular one. In fact, horse racing as such is a very popular sport in Mauritius.

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Asia

Though there may be fewer "world famous" horse racing courses in Asia than in other parts of the world per se, horse racing is still quite an established sport in Asia. Horse racing events are conducted in many countries across Asia, including India, Japan, Singapore, UAE, South Korea, etc.

♞ Tokyo Racecourse
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Notable for: Japan Cup, Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)
With seating provision to hold over 200,000 people at a time, the Tokyo Racecourse is undoubtedly the biggest in the world, in terms of seating capacity. There are in all three racetracks - the turf track measures 2083 meters, the dirt track measures 1899 meters, while the jump track measures 1675 meters. The Tokyo Racecourse also houses one of the largest video screens in the world.

♞ Meydan Racecourse
Location: Dubai, UAE
Notable for: Dubai World Cup
One of the most élite and the youngest racetracks in the world in its class, the Meydan Racecourse hosts a 1750-meter long, all-weather Tapeta track and a 2400-meter long Turf track. It is also claimed to be the world's only racecourse to host a luxury 5-star trackside hotel, The Meydan. The track also boasts training and breeding facilities.

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Horse racing began as a personal form of transport. Horses were used by our forefathers as beasts of burden too. From something that began at an individual (or personal) level, horse racing has gone on to become one of the most popular and expensive sports ever. The kind of money that flows through the hands of people involved in the horse racing industry will make you dizzy! To give you a very rough idea: as of 2010, there were well over 8000 people in Great Britain who collectively had over 14,000 race horses in training, and the total prize money involved in horse racing that year was a whopping £99 million! By the way, this is just Great Britain we are talking about. When the figures skyrocket like that, it is only natural that everything about the event will be top-class; the training that the horses are put through, the diets they have to follow, and the ground they walk on. Indeed, the horse racing courses around the world mentioned above are no less than the very best. It would be worth every penny to save up and go visit at least some of these racecourses once in your lifetime!

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Famous Female Golfers of All Time

When you're a female athlete, you need to work twice as hard to prove your worth as a player; make that ten times if you are a female golfer. Here are some women who've left an indelible mark on a predominantly 'gentlemanly' sport.
"Golf is a game of coordination, rhythm and grace; women have these to a high degree." ~ Babe Didrikson Zaharias

They were given limited access to courses, completely barred from entering a few. They were even kept out of the club bars, and they couldn't even dream of being the club captain. Like every other fundamental right, women had to fight their way to yield a golf club as well; and this to have happened with a game whose first exclusive course was commissioned by a woman.

That woman was Mary, Queen of Scots, and the course? St. Andrews, of course; aptly considered to be the home of golf. Women have certainly come a long way since Her Royal Highness committed the alleged debauchery of playing (celebrating?) golf just after the death of her husband.

Cut to the present day with playing conditions for women golfers having improved by leaps and bounds, completely disregarding golfing upmanship. Having broken through the proverbial golfing glass ceiling, women no longer have a point to prove, and the following ladies will tell you why.

Greatest Female Golfers Ever

Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Let's just keep golf aside for a while, and spare a moment to take in the magnanimity of this woman's achievements. An Olympic medalist for track and field events, an All-American basketball player, an excellent skater, diver and bowler ... Mildred Ella 'Babe' Didrikson Zaharias was one extraordinary 'babe', if there ever was one. Being denied amateur status, she went on to participate in the Los Angeles Open, a men's PGA tournament in 1938, setting a standard of sorts. After obtaining amateur status in 1942, she went on to win the U.S. Women's Amateur in 1946 and became the first American to win the British Ladies Amateur, a year later. She gained professional status in the same year and became a founding member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
» Babe Didrikson Zaharias had won a total of 82 golf tournaments before she succumbed to cancer in 1956.

Edith Cummings
One of the best amateur golfers of the early twentieth century, Edith Cummings was born into a wealthy Chicago family in 1899. Her biggest achievement remains winning the U.S. Women's Amateur in 1923. In August 1924, Edith appeared on the cover of Time magazine, the first sportswoman to have achieved that feat. In 1924, Edith won the Women's Western Amateur. She started playing golf after graduating from school, an achievement in itself, considering the fact that golf was an elitist, male-dominated sport.
» The Edith Cummings Munson Golf Award is instituted in her honor, and is given to a deserving college-level female golfer with a good academic record.

Kathy Whitworth
Kathy Whitworth tops the list of most tournament wins with 88. For 17 years, beginning in 1962, she won at least one tournament each year, a one-of-its-kind feat in the world of women's golf. Another outstanding achievement of hers happened in 1981 when Kathy became the first woman to touch the one million dollars worth of career earnings on the LPGA Tour. The statistics don't end here - Kathy was LPGA Player of the Year seven times between 1966 and 1973. Kathy's putting skills were legendary. The only grouse about an otherwise stellar career was that she didn't win a U.S. Women's Open.
» Kathy Whitworth is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Mickey Wright
Golf Digest and Golf Magazine heralded Mary Kathryn Wright as the best woman golfer of all time, and rightfully so. When golfing legend, Ben Hogan declared her swing to be the best he'd ever seen, you wouldn't dare question her technique. Mickey stands just behind Kathy Whitworth with 82 tournament wins in her illustrious career. She won 5 tour events in 1960, and had a tournament named after her the following year; no prizes for guessing who won the Mickey Wright Invitational!
» Leg injuries cut short Mickey's career prematurely in 1969; however, she still remains a recreational golfer.

Patty Berg
Nicknamed 'Dynamite', Patricia Berg was a founding member and the first president of the LPGA. In 1946, she became the winner of the first U.S. Women's Open Championship. She went on to win 15 major championships in her career, a record number for women's golf. This win, however, came after Patty spent time serving in the Second World War as a Marine. Patty began playing golf at the age of 13 and won her first city championship three years later, under the guidance of her coach, Bud Wilkinson.
» The LPGA instituted the Patty Berg Award for the most prolific female golfer of the year.

Famous Female Golfers

Annika Sörenstam
Long hits, razor-sharp accuracy and a shy demeanor characterize Annika Sörenstam, arguably the best female golfer ever, with only Mickey Wright to dispute her claim to that position. Annika has to her credit 90 international tournament wins, 72 LPGA titles, which include 10 major tournaments, and her career earnings crossed a whopping 22 million dollars - outstanding as per women's golfing standards. Every milestone in Annika's career turned a record setter, each better than the last. She was invited to play in the Bank of America Colonial golf tournament in 2003, and became the first woman to do so after Babe Zaharias, disgruntling the other participants of the men-only PGA tournament.
» Annika retired from mainstream golf in 2008, and is now an entrepreneur and a mother.

Michelle Wie
A certified child prodigy, Michelle Wie is golf's glamor girl. Michelle was born in Hawaii to immigrants from South Korea, and started playing golf since she was four. She soon began to demolish records. Aged 11, she won the Hawaii State Women's Stroke-Play Championship and the Jennie K. Wilson Women's Invitational, considered to be the most prestigious women's tournament in Hawaii. She also became the youngest player of her time to qualify for an LPGA tournament. Her 2 professional wins include the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in 2009 and the Canadian Women's Open in 2010. It was just before her 16th birthday that she turned professional, which was followed by a string of lucrative endorsement deals that made her a cool 20 million dollars.
» With her reported run-ins with the authorities and her alleged arrogance, Michelle is still the darling of the endorsement world.

Se Ri Pak
Se Ri Pak was the first South Korean golfer to have left a lasting impression on the world of golf. She was just 20 when she won the U.S. Women's Open, making her the youngest player to do so. It didn't end there. Se Ri Pak went on to win 3 LPGA Championships and the Women's British Open as well. Her exemplary performances led to her being almost inducted in the Golf Hall of Fame in 2005, but wasn't, as she was yet to complete the minimum career duration prior to being inducted in the Hall of Fame.
» Se Ri Pak entered the Hall of Fame in 2007, and became the youngest living entrant to have done so.

Karrie Webb
Karrie Webb was a force to reckon with, in the late nineties. An Australian, Karrie is the winner of 38 LPGA tournaments and 7 majors. In 1999, she managed to bag a spot in the top 10 sixteen times, which remains an LPGA record. Often considered to be the only player to rival the formidable Annika Sörenstam, she frequently proved herself to be the better of the two. Karrie won the U.S. Women's Open in 2000 and 2001 and the British Women's Open in 2002. The 2003-2004 season saw a dip in Karrie's form, but she bounced back in 2006 with 5 tournament wins.
» She became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010 not only for her golfing exploits, but for her contributions to community welfare as well.

Yani Tseng
This cheerful, young Taiwanese golfer won her first major when she was just 19, and her fans were not surprised when she became the number one women's player at age 22. Yani was a child prodigy as well, and came to live in the United States to hone her golfing skills at the David Leadbetter academy. Yani stormed into the spotlight when she won the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship by defeating strong contender Michelle Wie.
» The year 2011 belonged to Yani as she became the first golfer to win five majors.

Playing golf was a way of life for these women. For the women golfers belonging to the previous century, it was, perhaps, a deliberate show of defiance to the uptight, all-man image that the game of golf had. It is still not dramatically different from what it was, with its archetypical golf etiquette intact. But what even the toughest of golf cynics and famous golfers will admit is that as with all sports, the presence of women makes it interesting, if not better.

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Biography of Hulk Hogan

Love him, hate him, but you just can't ignore him. Terry Gene Bollea, or Hulk Hogan is the original bad boy of professional wrestling. Let's take a look at the life and times of the phenomenal person behind Hulkamania.
There can't possibly be a more colorful persona who can match up to the antics of the very incredible Hulk Hogan. This is the man who perhaps, could singlehandedly be credited for bringing wrestling into mainstream entertainment. Having dabbled in the bizarre world of reality television in recent years, one can safely say that Hulkamania has indeed come full circle.

Completely over-the-top and totally larger than life to his fans, Hulk Hogan represented the all-American muscle machine - tall, tanned and blonde, with arms like "24-inch pythons". At the height of his popularity in the eighties and early nineties, Hulkamania had taken the world by storm. Besides a flourishing career as a professional wrestler, he also garnered fame through acting, music and brand endorsements.

Currently, he seems to have fulfilled every single requirement needed to attain celebrity nirvana these days with his reality shows and the very recently leaked sex tape. Fans of the erstwhile Hulkamania will, however, always remember the characteristic red and gold outfits, and his incredible feats inside the ring.

Hulk Hogan: Way Back Then

Terry Gene Bollea (Hulk Hogan) was born to Ruth Bollea and Peter Bollea in Augusta, Georgia on August 11, 1953. He had an early start in sports, beginning as a pitcher in Little League Baseball before moving on to becoming interested in wrestling. During those times, he idolized Billy Graham, and yearned to attain that "look", which he eventually did. Bollea's varied interests included playing the base guitar, and it is safe to say that he was good at it, with his band 'Ruckus' being a sensation of sorts in Florida way back in the late seventies.

It was in 1979 that Bollea was discovered by Vincent McMahon, Sr., owner of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), as it was known then. McMahon, Sr. can also be credited with Bollea's christening as 'Hulk' Hogan, thanks to his resemblance with the famed comic book figure, and the last name was due to the Irish villain role-play that his character had to perform. In 1980, Bollea made his first appearance in the wrestling big league. His adversary was none other than the humongous André the Giant who got beaten fair and square.

The fight visibly impressed Sylvester Stallone, who cast Hulk Hogan in the role of Thunderlips in his movie Rocky III which released in 1982. This move led to a fallout between Hogan and McMahon, Sr., and Hogan became a part of American Wrestling Association. This alliance didn't last long as McMahon Sr.'s son, Vincent K. McMahon, who took over the reins of WWF, managed to lure Hogan back into their fold.

Hulkamania Begins ...

... And how! Wasting no time after his reentry in WWF, Hogan defeated Iron Sheik and became the champion in 1984. Hulkamania took the world by storm, with every kid wanting to imitate his signature actions like cupping their ear while nodding towards all the directions, and addressing everyone as 'brother'. All of a sudden, every little thing associated with Hogan became an overnight sensation as he went on making appearances in advertisements, on television, even lunch boxes. His red-and-yellow ring gear, trademark bandana, handlebar mustache, and his shirt ripping caused frenzy among the Hulkamaniacs, who adhered to his Demandments of training, praying, and eating vitamins. His trademark moves included Ax Bomber, Bear Hug and Big Foot, and his finishing move used to be the Leg Drop.

With time, he began to concentrate on his acting, and his flourishing wrestling career was reduced to minor appearances. His fan base gradually started to decline, and he finally made his exit from WWF amidst a well-publicized steroid scandal. He ruled as the WWF champion for four years, before, ironically, losing to André the Giant.

Hogan moved on to the New World Order as a baddie, and was now Hollywood Hogan. His departure from New World Order was eventful as well. It came after Hogan's feud with head bookie, Vince Russo.

WWE Comeback and Reality Television

The year 2002 saw the return of Hulk Hogan as a bad guy to WWE, as it was now known as. The fans, on the other hand, wanted him to relive his earlier days, and Hogan obliged. This return was followed by several exits and reentries; the more notable ones included a stint with TNA wrestling.

The reality show, Hogan Knows Best premiered on TV, which gave the viewers a peek into his personal life, along with his wife Linda, daughter Brooke, and son Nick. The theme of the show was based on the closeness of their family, and revolved mainly around the way the couple brought up their children.

Hogan: Up, Close and Personal

Terry Bollea married Linda Claridge in 1983. Their daughter Brooke was born in 1988, and son, Nick was born in 1990. In November 2007, Nick Hogan was involved in a car accident which resulted in serious injuries to his mate, John Graziano. He was indicted on four criminal charges.

Very soon after this incident, Linda Hogan filed for divorce, and blamed her decision on her husband's infidelity. Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in December 2010.

Hulk Hogan's life has been nothing short of colorful so far, not too different from his ring image. For all the Hulkamaniacs in the world, he remains the most charismatic personality, who always put up an entertaining show; for which he will be remembered and revered for many years to come.

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Biography of Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane is, beyond a doubt, a biographer's delight. A classic rags-to-riches story interspersed with a lot of determination, raw talent, controversy that came in the form of racism and an illustrious soccer career that culminated in a flash of madness. Here's all you need to know about the legendary footballer, who the world hails as one of the best to have ever played the game.Describing Zinedine Zidane can be done easily; all one needs is superlatives. But the man himself is the image of reticence, and shoulders his fame with a dignity that is not often associated with soccer players.In a country deep-rooted in its traditional glory, Zidane stood out owing to his Algerian origins, emerging successfully to become France's most loved icon.A soccer player remains in the limelight as long as he is a part of the playing eleven. But every once in a while, we get players like Zizou (as he is lovingly called in France), who are revered not only for their contribution to the game, but also for being the perfect role models and inspiring people for generations to come.Being no stranger to controversy, Zizou's life has been full of just that, right from his childhood spent in an impoverished neighborhood of Marseille to the infamous headbutting incident in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final that marked the end of his professional career.
I am first of all from La Castellane and Marseille.Zidane was born in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille to Algerian immigrants, Smaïl and Malika on June 23, 1972. The family lived in La Castellane, a suburb home to several immigrants, thoroughly infamous for its dangerous living conditions. Zidane was the youngest of five siblings, and describes his childhood as "sheltered", which he still considers to be a privilege, knowing the kind of environment the family lived in.He began playing soccer along with his mates at a young age, and obtained his very first player's license for a La Castellane local club. Unlike his friends, however, Zidane simply focused on the game with complete determination and refused to fall for other distractions.Being a beur (as French children of Arab immigrants are called) usually involves a lifelong struggle to prove your affinity to the country you're born in as well as the country your parents came from, and playing soccer is perhaps the only means to do so. As the son of immigrants, Zidane was taught to work twice as hard to prove himself, as is the accepted way for them.Zidane credits most of his success to his family and his immigrant roots. His life in the harshness of La Castellane prepared him to deal with the implications of living as a French person of Algerian origin in France.Zidane is married to Véronique Fernandez, and the couple have four sons; Enzo, Luca, Theo and Elyaz.I have a need to play intensely every day, to fight every match hard.As a young boy of 14, Zidane got the opportunity to play for a youth club in Cannes, where initial signs of his infamous temper began to appear. His early days here were spent completing punishments received for retaliating with anyone who derided his ethnicity. His debut with Cannes happened in 1989, but it took some time before he scored his first goal on February 8, 1991.In the next season, he went on to play for Bordeaux under Rolland Courbis, a Marseillais like Zidane who recognized his genius. This is where he shifted the focus entirely on to his game, and began to play the trademark midfield combination with Bixente Lizarazu and Christophe Dugarry.His move to Italian giants Juventus came in 1996 at a fee of 3.2 million pounds. His Serie A venture put him in the spotlight and he began to be recognized as the best midfielder in the world. He earned the title of Serie A Footballer of the Year twice.By 2001, Zidane had established his reputation as a formidable footballer. His 75 million Euro transfer to Real Madrid created a splash in the media and among soccer lovers alike. Fans are still able to recall his famous goal scored with his weak foot that won Real Madrid the UEFA Champions League in 2002. The maiden hat-trick of his career came for Real Madrid in January 2006.Zidane played his last match for Real Madrid on May 7, 2006, and his teammates wore shirts bearing the script ZIDANE 2001-2006 below the team logo in his honor.
To be recognized by a whole country is incredible. This is massive.Zidane's first match for France was a friendly one against Czech Republic on August 17, 1994 in which he scored two goals.The FIFA World Cup in 1998 was Zidane's first. The final was played at the Stade de France against Brazil, who put up a poor show right from the start, despite being favorites. Zidane, on the other hand, was brilliant, scoring 2 goals before halftime, leading France to a 3-0 victory. France now had a new icon.The Euro 2000 was won by France, with two memorable goals by Zidane; the first, a free kick in the quarterfinals against Spain and the golden goal in the semifinals against Portugal.France's 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign began on an unlucky note with Zidane suffering from a thigh injury that prevented him from playing in the first two matches. The French team struggled in his absence and he was brought in to play the third game while still being unfit. They were out of the World Cup at the league matches stage, earning them the infamous distinction of being the only champions to exit at the league stage, without scoring a single goal.Zidane announced his retirement from international soccer after France's quarterfinal defeat against Greece at the Euro Championship in 2004.Soon after, Zidane was coaxed out of his retirement after France started finding it tough to even qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2006. Zidane bowed to the request and was made captain of the team. His presence helped them qualify. Not only that, his penalty kick against Portugal in the semifinal helped France reach the final; this time against Italy.It is always the one who reacts who is punished, never the one who provokes.The 2006 FIFA World Cup final is remembered by many around the world, including those who do not follow soccer avidly. His fans looked forward to their hero playing in what was expected to be his last outing as an international player. And Zidane did not disappoint. His penalty kick in the seventh minute earned his team a 1-0 lead.In the 110th minute, Italian defender Marco Materazzi was seen running a few paces behind Zidane, tugging at his shirt. A few moments later, Zidane turned and headbutted Materazzi in the chest, causing him to fall on the field. Zidane was red-carded following this incident, and could not participate in the penalty shootout which Italy nailed by 5 goals to France's 3.The repercussions of this incident hit Zidane severely. The only justification he offered was that Materazzi's comments were extremely offensive, which pushed him to react in such an extreme manner. He also refused to apologize for his actions so as to avoid giving the impression of having pardoned Materazzi's actions.The people's reactions to this incident were widespread and varied. While some, like French President Jacques Chirac understood that Zidane reacted to provocation, TIME magazine viewed it as a symbol of Europe's age-old struggle to embrace cultural diversity.FIFA suspended him for three matches thereafter, but Zidane had already announced his retirement from the game and participated in a three-day community program with children as part of his penalty.Zizou became a part of the Real Madrid veterans' team after his retirement. He also participated in several matches for charitable causes. During his active days as an international soccer player, he used to be one of the highest paid.He has been the face of several high-profile brands like Adidas, France Telecom, Lego, Orange, Audi and Volvic. He's also the first man to have modeled for Christian Dior.Zidane appeared in an advertisement for Louis Vuitton along with fellow soccer greats, Pelé and Diego Maradona, which was nothing short of a coup even for the high fashion brand.Today, Zinedine Zidane is living the life of a retired footballer, and is enjoying watching his sons take to the game he loves above anything else. He modestly acknowledges his achievements, as he always has; however, to the soccer-crazy French people, he may no longer be their God, but he still is their true hero.

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Top Special Gymnasts of All Time

Call them modern-day acrobats or gymnasts, they are worthy of admiration and marvel for their lithe body movements. Excelling in a sport that requires immense body strength, agility, flexibility and control, gymnasts stand out due to the poise and grace that they possess. Gymnastics, which was believed to be a perfect symmetry between the mind and the body by the Greeks, is one of the oldest forms of physical exercise.

Governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), Artistic Gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics. It was introduced specifically to differentiate between the free-flowing styles of exercise and the techniques used for military training. Artistic Gymnastics or Competitive Artistic Gymnastics is a relatively well-known branch of gymnastics. It encompasses events like flips, vaults, bars, rings, beams, and other incredible feats.

Each of these gymnasts mentioned in this list have made a significant contribution to the sport of gymnastics. These gymnasts have with their consistent performances secured the title of being the best. Let's take a look at what makes each of these gymnasts great...

Greatest Male Gymnasts

Sawao Kato

Nationality: Japanese
Olympic Medals: 12
Year Inducted into IGHF: 2001Making a mark in history is former Japanese gymnast Sawao Kato who is considered to be among the greatest and the most successful athletes of all time. Kato won the Individual title in 1968 and in 1972. Kato has to his credit eight gold medals and a total of twelve Olympic medals over a span of three Olympic Games.

Nikolai Andrianov

Nationality: Russian
Olympic Medals: 15
Year Inducted into IGHF: 2001An Olympic record holder during his lifetime, Nikolai Andrianov was the most decorated athlete at the 1976 Olympics. A natural gymnast, Nikolai won seven gold, five silver and three bronze medals in his three year Olympic career. The master of precision, Andrianov's performance were always laced with supreme artistic expression and mastery.

Boris Anfiyanovich Shakhlin

Nationality: Russian
Olympic Medals: 13
Year Inducted into IGHF: 2002Boris Shakhlin, also known as 'the Man of Iron', was one of the most successful gymnasts, having won 13 medals in three successive Olympics. He was well-known for his steely determination and calm consistency. He was placed among the most-decorated at the 1960 Games thanks to his record of four gold, two silver and a bronze medal. His overall medals include seven gold, four silver and two bronze.

Dmitry Vladimirovich Bilozerchev

Nationality: Russian
Olympic Medals: 4 Medals
Year Inducted into IGHF: 2003A model of style, form and technique, Dmitry is one among the accomplished gymnasts. Post a devastating accident, Dmitry shined at the 1988 Olympics where he won three gold and a bronze medal. He was known for exhibiting exemplary form and technique.

Alexander Dityatin

Nationality: Russian
Olympic Medals: 10
Year Inducted into IGHF: 2004Alexander Dityatin was the first male gymnast to have been awarded a perfect score for his fine performance in the horse vault. He won a medal in each of the gymnastics events at the 1980 Olympics making him the most decorated athlete at the event. His overall Olympic record includes three gold, six silver medals and a bronze medal spanning two Olympic games.

Greatest Female Gymnasts

Larisa Latynina

Nationality: Russian
Olympic Medals: 18
Year Inducted into IGHF: 1998Call her 'supremo' or 'touch stone', Larissa Latynina is a common name in the history of Gymnastics. She has set an untouched Olympic Record of the most medals of which 9 are gold and five are silver. A ballet dancer, Larissa Latynina was known for her graceful performance on the floor. She was also honored with the Olympic Order in 1989 for her contributions to gymnastics.

Olga Korbut

Nationality: Russian
Olympic Medals: 6
Year Inducted into IGHF: 1988Olga Korbut was the young girl with a radiant smile and personality who changed the perception of gymnastics. Well-known as the 'Sparrow of Minsk' Olga Korbut won four gold and two silver medals. Korbut is credited as the first to do a backward somersault both on the balance beam and the bars. She was also the first to be inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame (IGHF).

Nadia Comăneci

Nationality: Romanian
Olympic Medals: 9
Year Inducted into IGHF: 1993Nadia Comăneci is considered to be the most celebrated gymnast thanks to her achieving a perfect 10 seven times. She was presented the Olympic Order in 1983 and then again in 2004 thus making her the only gymnast to be presented the order twice. Her clean and innovative technique, and cool demeanor earned her a perfect 10 score and five medals in 1976. Comaneci's Olympic career has garnered five gold, three silver and a bronze medal over a span of two Olympics.

Mary Lou Retton

Nationality: American
Olympic Medals: 5
Year Inducted into IGHF: 1997Mary Lou Retton was the first American woman to have bagged a gold at the Olympics. Her career highlights include a gold in the All-Around category and 2 each of silver and bronze medals. She was named as the Sportswoman of the Year and the Amateur Athlete of the Year in 1984. She was eventually the most decorated athlete at the 1984 Olympics winning all of her five medals the same year.

Věra Čáslavská

Nationality: Czechoslovakian
Olympic Medals: 11
Year Inducted into IGHF: 1998Věra Čáslavská was well-known for her extraordinary stage presence. Determined to the core, Čáslavská dominated at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. She is also the only gymnast to have won every individual event at the Olympics and the second female gymnast to have won the all-around title twice. Her overall record includes seven gold medals and four silver medals over a span of three Olympic games.

These gymnasts have reached the top rung of the ladder all because of their perseverance, determination, and passion and consistency. Ultimately, in order to be the best you got to live the best; to surmise it in a few words "To be a champion, train like a champion."

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