The Ultimate Inspiration: For All Reasons

The blood is pumping, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up on end, you know whats coming...the ultimate buzz. Sport is a timeless industry that moves at the speed of... well sport. So many competitors, a lot of greats.

But what does the word inspiration mean to you? For me this list you are about to is as near to perfect as sport gets...

Haile Gebrselassie

Now I'm not going to pretend I know a hell of a lot about athletics, or know how to scout the future Usain Bolt; however, as a child watching grandstand with my grandad, I would sometimes come across the man that is Haile Gebrselassie.

The Forrest Gump of the real world just blew me away with his running...and running...and running .

Thierry Henry

Poise, Pace, Pernash and pure football. As a young Arsenal fan, I saw Thierry Henry as the superhero in my super team. The crown that coronated the kings of football, circa 2002 and 2004.

He made me fall in love with the art of striking, and football in general. Words do not do my appreciation of this man justice.

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson is a fat, bald, 42-year-old convicted rapist. The Child King of Boxing. From cut up towels to eight-second knockouts, his boxing status is perhaps the most disputed in history.

He describes himself as only being fit to live ' at the top of the world or the bottom of the ocean'.

Don King might have seen Mike fall to a watery, bankrupt,living grave but as James Toback's "TYSON" shows, Mike is inspiration personified when arms are lifted and opponents are downed.

Tiger Woods

32 years old and by many considered to be on a 100 mph freeway to becoming the greatest of all time in one of mankind's most gentlemanly sports. Beat that, world.

Zinedine Zidane

Feel the passion and you'll feel the pain, just ask Materazzi. Maverick of Madrid, Master of the Matrix. His team mates describe him as having infinite time.

His performances at the 2006 World Cup, driving an average France team to a shootout from glory, makes me wish he had an infinite career. No bling, just the king.

Ronaldo

Henry and Ronaldo, oh how I loved my time on Total Club Manager 2004. Countless hours of Golden Boot Battles. Ronaldo is that one in a million that only comes every 50 years.

His knees let him down, but his character shone through his gappy smile. 2002 World Cup. Ronaldo was back. 2010 World Cup. Ronaldo will be gone.

Muhammad Ali

The Louisville Lip, The Greatest, oh how I wish id been there. I knew Ali before I knew boxing, he was that loud. Charisma personified, boxing electrified, the world was mesmerised.

The Ali shuffle still echoes in eternity, and will continue to echo in world sport, far past the passing of the greatest himself.

Roger Federer

The one and only. Rafa Nadal owes it all to this man, after all, Nadal is No. 1 because Federer isn't if you know what I mean.

Thirteen slams must surely increase, but even if it shouldn't, Federer will still go down as my gliding, sliding, air riding, ball blitzing, liquid whipping top of the world Tennis star.

Transcender of sport and the reason i continue to fall in love with the beautiful game they call Pong.

Who Inspires You

Who gets you up and clapping? None of this lot, then tell me! I'm more than happy to get an ear bashing so go ahead. Do Your Worst!