100 Best Champions of the Century
1924-2024
100 AIPS CHAMPIONS OF THE CENTURY
The winners of the AIPS Champions of the Century (1924-2024) poll were announced in Paris on August 7, 2024, marking the most symbolic moment of the AIPS Centennial Celebration held at the UNESCO headquarters, commemorating the 100th anniversary of AIPS.
Tennis legend Serena Williams won in the women's category and boxing icon Muhammad Ali in the men's category.
Welcome to 100 Best Male Sports Champions of the Century
Explore the pinnacle of athletic achievement with our guide to the 100 Best Male Sports Champions of the Century, curated in collaboration with the Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive (AIPS). This prestigious list celebrates the exceptional talent and dedication of the world’s leading sports stars, spanning diverse disciplines from football and boxing to golf and Formula One. Each athlete has been selected through votes from 900 international sports journalists across 130 countries, covering the period from 1924 to 2024
World's Best Male Sports
Champion of the Century
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, was an iconic American boxer celebrated as one of the greatest athletes in history. Known for his lightning-fast footwork and powerful punches, Ali became the first to win the heavyweight title three times. Beyond his 56 wins and 37 knockouts, Ali was a passionate advocate for civil rights, boldly refusing military induction to protest the Vietnam War, which momentarily paused his illustrious career. His charismatic personality, sharp wit, and fearless stance against injustice made him a global icon. Ali’s legacy as a champion, activist, and humanitarian continues to inspire the world.
As selected by
Discover the World's
100 Best Male Sports Stars
Lewis Hamilton
LeBron James
Bjorn Borg
Alessandro Del Piero
Novak Djokovic
Ian Botham
Didier Drogba
Edwin Moses
Teddy Pierre-Marie Riner
Eddy Merckx
Jim Thorpe
Michael Schumacher
Samuel Eto’o
Jimmy Connors
Gholamreza Takhti
Zinedine Zidane
Valentino Rossi
Michael Johnson
Diego Maradona
Luka Modric
Eric Heiden
Roberto Baggio
Edson Arantes do Nascimento “Pelé”
Kjetil Andre Aamodt
Jean-Claude Killy
Ayrton Senna
Rod Laver
Max Verstappen
Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Roger Federer
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Michael Jordan
Kapil Dev
Javier Sotomayor
Usain Bolt
Conor McGregor
Andre Agassi
Emil Zatopek
Franz Beckenbauer
Wayne Gretzky
Larry Bird
Ferenc Puskás
Tom Brady
Miguel Indurain
Sebastian Coe
Fausto Coppi
Leon Stukelj
Marco Van Basten
Lin Dan
Mark Spitz
Johnny Weissmuller
Arnold Palmer
Jesse Owens
Ingemar Stenmark
Ronaldo Nazario
Carl Lewis
Wilt Chamberlain
Miroslav Cerar
Muhammad Ali
Sergey Bubka
Giacomo Agostini
Björn Daehlie
Mike Tyson
Michael Phelps
Pavel Nedvěd
Kenenisa Bekele
Jack Nicklaus
Mick Doohan
Romario De Souza Faria
Marc Marquez
Cristiano Ronaldo
Eliud Kipchoge
Paavo Nurmi
Gordie Howe
Boris Becker
Roger Milla
Tadahiro Nomura
Hicham El Guerrouj
Janne Ahonen
Alfredo Di Stefano
Naim Süleymanoğlu
John McEnroe
Kipchoge Keino
Rafael Nadal
Marcel Hirscher
Tiger Woods
Shohei Ono
Hermann Maier
Anton Geesink
Juan Manuel Fangio
Johnny Cecotto
Johan Cruyff
Severiano Ballesteros Sota
George Weah
Ivan Lendl
Yuzuru Hanyu
Haile Gebrselassie
Manny Pacquiao
Lionel Messi
Alberto Tomba
What Top 10s would you like to see?
Get in touch with your suggestions for more Top Tens, both worldwide and country by country.
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Discovering the best in sport
At 100 Best, we champion the spirit of excellence and competition that defines the world of sports. Whether you’re a dedicated fan eager to deepen your knowledge or an athlete looking for inspiration, we’ve tailored our content to fuel your passion. Our team of sports experts dives into the heart of the action, exploring diverse athletic disciplines, uncovering the stories behind the legends, and celebrating the triumphs that shape this dynamic arena.
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