Even in the peak of summer, with soccer and basketball dominating attention, other sports struggle for the spotlight. Scottie Scheffler’s historic win at the British Open, drawing comparisons to Tiger Woods, barely broke through beyond golf circles.
Yet, athletes in less celebrated sports are pushing their fields to new heights, deserving far more recognition. Here are five stars who rival the dominance of Messi or Ronaldo in their domains.
5. Rugby’s Messi
Antoine Dupont, at 1.74 meters (5 feet 8 inches), transforms rugby with his game-changing pace, impossible passes and total control, reminiscent of a certain Argentine soccer player.
The 28-year-old led France to a historic rugby sevens gold at the Paris Olympics, showcasing brilliance despite recovering from a torn ACL just four months ago. His rapid return has French fans urging caution to preserve their sport’s biggest star.
4. Greatest in history
Faith Kipyegon, Kenya’s 31-year-old 1,500-meter world record holder, nearly became the first woman to run a mile under four minutes in a Nike-orchestrated event in Paris. Though she fell short, her 4:06.42 broke her own record.
A three-time Olympic champion, a feat matched by only two other women in athletics history, Kipyegon’s mega-event underscored her greatness, with eyes now on Los Angeles to cement her legend.
3. Iron Man
Ryan Crouser, the 32-year-old American shot put “emperor,” has redefined his sport with three consecutive Olympic golds and a world record of 23.56 meters (77 feet 4 inches).
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His innovative “Crouser Slide” technique and recovery from life-threatening blood clots make him a model of resilience and skill. His dominance elevates an often-overlooked event, marking him as one of the greatest athletes ever.
2. Ruling the ring
Claressa Shields, a 30-year-old American boxer, boasts an undefeated 17-0 professional record in the heavyweight division, outshining even the hyped Taylor-Serrano rivalry.
With two Olympic golds from 2012 and 2016, Shields draws crowds and sponsors, but lacks a true challenger. Her potential for a Netflix-featured bout hinges on finding someone to test her unmatched prowess.
1. Closing on Tiger Woods
At 29, Scottie Scheffler rules golf with rare consistency and composure, leading the world rankings by a wide margin. His British Open victory, one of four majors he’s claimed, including two this year, draws parallels to Tiger Woods’ prime.
Winning a major in golf—outlasting over 150 competitors—is tougher than tennis’s Grand Slams, yet Scheffler dominates with massive margins. With an Olympic gold from Paris, his trajectory toward Woods’ 15 or Nicklaus’ 18 major wins is the talk of the sport.