Top Athletes of 2002
From Barry Bonds' big batting average to Michael Vick's fancy footwork on the football field... Here's a look at Kidzworld's top ten slam-dunking, touchdown-tossing, homerun-hitting athletes of 2002.
1. Lance Armstrong - Lance, the supercyclist, took everyone to school on the world's most grueling bike race and won his fourth straight Tour de France.
2. Barry Bonds - Barry led the National League in hitting, got hit by more pitches than anyone else, and took the San Francisco Giants within two innings of a World Series title.
3. Tony Hawk - The world's greatest skateboarder gave us this year's greatest sports and music show with the Boom Boom HuckJam and 2002's best video game, with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4.
4. Sarah Hughes - No corrupt judges, no tire irons, no problem. Sarah Hughes out-spun and out-axeled Michelle Kwan to win the gold medal in figure skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
5. Jarome Iginla - Jarome had a breakout season in 2002 and led the National Hockey League in goals and points. The Calgary Flames' winger couldn't get his team into the Stanley Cup Playoffs but he did score two big goals in Canada's victory over the USA at the Winter Olympics.
6. Lisa Leslie - Lisa Leslie broke through the gender dunking barrier by becoming the first chick to slam a ball during a professional basketball game. Lisa also led the LA Sparks to a WNBA title and was named MVP of the WNBA's All-Star Game.
7. Shaquille O'Neal - From breaking backboards to breaking the hearts of the NBA's playoff wannabes, Shaq was in top form in 2002. He took the LA Lakers to another NBA title and showed Jason Kidd what MVP really means.
8. Ronaldo - He proved himself to be soccer's best striker by scoring eight goals at the World Cup including both goals in Brazil's 2-0 victory over Germany in the finals.
9. Michael Vick - With his fast feet and fancy passing, Michael Vick emerged as the NFL's most exciting player in 2002 and turned the Atlanta Falcons into playoff contenders.
10. Serena Williams - Serena Williams destroyed everyone on the tennis court in 2002, including her sister Venus, and won three of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Who do you think was the best athlete of 2002? Send your fave athlete picks to Kidzworld.
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