Herculean (Courageous) Sporting Performances.

Paul and Glenn are back for another entertaining episode. This week in the wake of Nathan Cleary’s heroics for the Penrith Panthers in the 2023 NRL Grand Final, we will discuss some courageous/herculean sporting performances from over the years. The main focus will be on sportspeople who put in a heroic and gutsy performance despite fighting through serious injury or illness. Some of who we will discuss include. - A well-known former Aussie Rules football player who played a key role in Hawthorn’s dominance of the VFL during the 1980’s and played through considerable pain with broken ribs and a bruised kidney. - A former American gymnast who displayed incredible courage and bravery at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, helping the USA with the team gold. - Dean Jones memorable 210 in the horrific heat and humidity of Madras in the Tied Test in 1986. - Brian Close taking blows to the body when facing up to Michael Holding. - John Sattler and Sam Burgess - Grant Hackett at the 2004 Olympics. - Eddie Paynter during the 1932/33 Bodyline series. - Ryan Harris - Cooper Cronk at the 2018 NRL Grand Final - Tiger Woods at the 2008 US Open - Qld State of Origin team game 2, 1989. - Malcolm Marshall vs England in 1984. - Bert Trautmann - Phillip Rivers, - Michael Jordan - Bobby Baun - Shun Fujimoto - Emmit Smith, Jack Youngblood, Joe Montanna - Kurk Gibson, Curt Schilling - Gillian Rolton We give our Claps and Slaps for the week. Miss Olivia drops by to do the Quiz and Who Am I? There is Where Are They Now? And Glenn finishes off with a joke. Courage in sport references 1. Nine.com.au wide world of sports ‘exclusive:the distressing cost of dean jones’ greatest innings’, by brett graham. 2020. 2. Bleacherreport.com ‘true grit: top 10 gutsiest performances in sports history’, by ryan neiman, 25/1/2011. 3. Thesportster.com ‘top 20 heroic performances in sports history, by TS staff. 26/2/2015. 4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermott_Brereton 5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_VFL_grand_final 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillian_Rolton 7. Great australian sporting moments by michael roberts, the miegunyah press, 2008. 8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Paynter 9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Youngblood 10. Indystar.com, notre dame ‘chicken soup, bitter cold and a notre dame miracle at the 1979 cotton bowl’, by mike berardino, 13/12/2018. 11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnificent_Seven_(gymnastics) 12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerri_Strug 13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artur_Akopyan 14. Gymnastics, gymnastics coaching by stksport, 2013-2022. 15. Understanding competitive gymnastics, a guide for parents, the sharp school.com. 16. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/kerri-strug 17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semester_at_Sea 18. USA Today ‘where is kerri strug now? A look at life and career of olympics gymnastics star since 1996 summer games’, by christian ortegal. 22/7/2021. 19. Gymnastics now.com ‘26 years later: would kerri strug’s famous vault have happened today?‘