With each passing year, we see dominant performances from athletes across multiple sporting disciplines. But then the question is whether they have it in them to go again or if there will be new faces on the scene to take their place. And, with plenty of time left in 2022, here are the athletes who should prove their worth.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas, 23, is a tennis player with the world at his feet. While you could suggest that tennis is dominated by players such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, there is a wealth of talent coming through, which is reflected in the odds bookmakers offer for top tennis tournaments such as Wimbledon, and the upcoming US Open where the Greek star is heavily fancied. After making the semi-finals at the Australian Open earlier this year, the aim will be to land a Grand Slam in America.
Devin Haney
Devin Haney is a twenty-three-year-old boxing star who many believe will go on to be the next great of the sport. He’s already had twenty-eight professional bouts, winning them all and scoring fifteen knockouts. Oh, and did we forget to mention he’s the undisputed lightweight king after heading to Australia and beating George Kambosos Jnr with ease? It’s likely there will be a rematch between the pair, which, after Haney took Kambosos Jnr to school last time, means he will be one of the dominant forces in the sport this year.
Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz, 25, arrived at Liverpool in the January transfer window and made an immediate impact with his dazzling skills and mazy runs. However, it’s fair to say after being the star of the show at former club FC Porto, it wasn’t the case at Anfield in 2021/22. But, Sadio Mane has recently departed for FC Bayern, which means that Diaz will undoubtedly become a regular under Premier League manager Jurgen Klopp. And, from what he has shown so far in the English top flight, he should go on to become one of world football’s top players before the year is out.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly one of the best players in the NBA right now. And, for many, he is number one. The twenty-seven-year-old never seems to have a bad game for the Milwaukee Bucks, and this consistency has got him to where he is now. He’s won many personal accolades in his career so far, and you expect him to be right up there again in 2022 and beyond. Antetokounmpo being a nice guy has also made him relatable to fans of the sport.
If there are four athletes who have not only shown in the first half of 2022 that they have what it takes, but for the rest of the year, it’s those mentioned above. They are undoubtedly there or thereabouts already but will go on to become dominant forces in their own fields, be it a division or a league.