With every passing decade, elite athletes appear to turn into quicker, stronger and, dare we are saying it, higher. Efficiency improves and, consequently, information tumble.
However some information 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’s objectives report, 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 nonetheless holds a couple of information extensively thought to be untouchable — his ridiculous 1,963 profession assists, as an example.
All of this has led us to think about another information in sport which can be regarded as unlikely to be damaged. Might they, too, at some point be overwhelmed, or are there some information that can endlessly stay within the historical past books?
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 good thing about a bounce and wind help — scored from a purpose kick.
It set the world report after topping former Stoke Metropolis goalkeeper Asmir Begovic’s 91.9-meter purpose (100.5 yards) in November 2013. It could take loads 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 attain twice in opposition to Peterborough United in September 2000.
The primary got here from a free kick, and the second, following the half-time interval, was an excellent solo effort by Jermaine McSporran, who scored from kick-off. Peterborough United didn’t contact the ball from one purpose to the opposite, which have been 9 seconds aside in sport time – setting a brand new world report.
Highest scoreline: 149-0
Reigning champions of the Madagascan first-tier Stade Olympique de l’Emyrne (SOE) got here to their sport in opposition to bitter rivals AS Adema salty in November 2002.
Of their earlier sport, SOE felt a penalty determination had gone in opposition to them, denying them the chance to retain their title as the required win was not secured. To compound issues, AS Adema have been topped champions.
In retaliation, SOE threw the following sport 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 may injure his neck if he wore all 23 of his Olympic gold medals. Six athletes have 9 gold medals, together with lively American swimmers Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel, however they nonetheless don’t come near Phelps, who gained eight gold medals on the 2008 Beijing Olympics alone.
It helps that swimmers can compete throughout totally different disciplines and at various distances, however no swimmer in historical past has come near having the breadth of Phelps within the pool, each by way of the occasions during which he excelled and the time period he was at his peak — dominating at 4 Video games in a number of disciplines.
As sensible a swimmer Ledecky is, she excels solely in long-distance freestyle. Equally, Dressel is a dash specialist. Frenchman Leon Marchand, 22, who gained 4 golds in Paris final 12 months, has time on his aspect and the expertise. However even with 50m dash swimming occasions added to the Olympics schedule in Los Angeles, for any athlete to get near Phelps’ report could be an outstanding achievement.
Girls’s 100 metre report: 10.49 seconds
Florence Griffith Joyner, generally known as ‘Flo-Jo, ’ had skilled glory within the 200m, profitable Olympic silver in 1984 and silver once more on the 1987 World Championships. But it surely was in 1988 that she turned a world star, breaking the 100m world report 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 Photographs)
There was controversy over the wind velocity, which on the monitor learn 0.0 however on close by triple bounce gear was recorded at 4.3 miles per second, however the report stood and nobody has come near the Californian’s time, her world information within the 100m and 200m (21.34) nonetheless standing to today.
Elaine Thompson-Herah is the athlete to have come closest to the 100m world report, the Jamaican clocking 10.54 in 2021.
Tennis
Steffi Graff, proper, together with her gold medal on the 1988 Olympics, which she gained beating Argentina’s Gabriela Sabatini within the remaining (Chris Wilkins/AFP through Getty Photographs)
The Calendar Golden Grand Slam
In 1988, Steffi Graf, then aged 19, had the very best 12 months potential 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 — and Olympic gold in the identical 12 months.
She is the one singles participant to have achieved this feat, and her report is made even more durable to beat provided that the Olympics are held each 4 years.
NBA & NFL
Most factors in a sport: 100 factors
Probably the most iconic pictures in NBA historical past is a black-and-white shot of Wilt Chamberlain posing with a chunk of paper with 100 scribbled on it after his historic night time in March 1962.
There is no such thing as a TV footage of Chamberlain’s 100-point sport for the Philadelphia Warriors in opposition to the New York Knicks as many video games NBA video games weren’t televised then. Lately, some have questioned whether or not it occurred in any respect, which The Athletic examined on this 2024 article.
Chamberlain set the report with no three-point line, one thing the NBA later launched within the 1979-1980 season. He shot 36-for-63 from the sphere and 28-for-32 from the foul line. That 12 months, he additionally averaged 50.4 factors per sport, serving to to vastly enhance the recognition of the NBA.
All-time scorer: 42,170+ factors
LeBron James is in his twenty second NBA season. The 40-year-old has spent greater than half of his life within the league — and his longevity means he has even performed alongside his son, Bronny James.
Over these 22 seasons, he has been one of many league’s greatest gamers — a 21-time All-Star and scoring chief in 2008.
LeBron James is the NBA’s all-time main scorer (Harry How/Getty Photographs)
His unimaginable sturdiness and talent led him to turn into the NBA’s all-time scorer on February 7, 2023, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who held the report 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 extensive receiver Jerry Rice. Rice, who performed 20 seasons within the NFL, profitable three Tremendous Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, holds the information for receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), and landing receptions (197).
Formulation 1
Most races with no podium end: 231+
Having raced in 231 grands prix up to now, Nico Hülkenberg is without doubt one of the most skilled drivers in Formulation One historical past. But, he has by no means had a top-three end.
Since making his F1 debut in 2010, the 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, the ‘Hulk’s’ means to gather factors has made him a beneficial 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 has gained 64 F1 grands 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 Photographs)
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.
It is going to be a troublesome report 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 will situation at its discretion.
(Prime picture: Adam Fairly/Getty Photographs)