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5 Global super-athletes who conquered the year 2018

By DAVID KWALIMWA December 27th, 2018 2 min read

The year 2018 was a memorable one for a few chosen athletes who dominated their respective disciplines, carting away tons and tons of accolades, trophies and the financial rewards that come with it.

So here are our pick for the top five athletes who conquered the year 2018.

1. Eliud Kipchoge

The year 2018 has arguably the pinnacle of the Kenyan marathoner’s illustrious career. On September 16, he put his name in the annals of history as the greatest all time marathoner by smashing the 42km race world record in Berlin, Germany with a jaw-dropping time of 2:01.39. For his achievement, Kipchoge, who is also the Olympics marathon champion, was duly awarded the IAAF Male Athlete of the Year Award on December 4, 2018 in Monaco. Amazingly, Kipchoge has to date won 10 of his last 11 marathon races. That notwithstanding, Kipchoge has set his sights on even bigger things in the coming year.

2. Luka Modric

The 32-year-old Croatian did just about enough to dethrone Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s as the world’s best footballer this year. Modric also managed to end Ronaldo and Messi’s domination over this award which stretches back 10 years. Formerly at Tottenham, Modric was the standout player for Real Madrid in a campaign which saw the Merengues claim a 13th Uefa Champions League crown and a third in a row. He also starred for Croatia at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia where his country lost in the final to France. He was voted the tournament’s best player for his stellar show.

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric poses with the 2018 FIFA Ballon d'Or award trophy during the presentation ceremony in Paris on December 3, 2018. AFP PHOTO
Real Madrid’s Croatian midfielder Luka Modric poses with the 2018 FIFA Ballon d’Or award trophy during the presentation ceremony in Paris on December 3, 2018. AFP PHOTO

3. Michael Olunga

The Kenyan striker helped Kenya qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in over one and a half decades. Tall, quick and deadly, Olunga has given Kenyans hope. He scored against Ethiopia in the qualification matches and caused so much trouble for the much fancied Black Stars of Ghana in Nairobi on September 8, 2018, when Harambee Stars came out 1-0 winners. In him, Kenyans believe the country has finally replaced the one and only Dennis ‘the Menace’ Oliech.

Kenyan striker Michael Olunga celebrates a goal against Ghana when the teams met in Nairobi in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifer. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO.
Kenyan striker Michael Olunga celebrates Harambee Stars’ goal against Ghana when the two teams met in Nairobi in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO.

4. Mohammed Salah

The Egyptian striker has blossomed, and Africa is proud. He has been so effective that Liverpool supporters have instantly forgotten about Phillipe Coutinho’s transfer to Barcelona. He scored 36 goals in total last season and also led the Reds to the Uefa Champions League final in May. He was also recently voted BBC African Player of the Year for the second time in a row.

Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah speaks after being presented with the trophy for the FIFA Puskas Award for 2018, the best goal scored between July 2017 and July 2018 during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on September 24, 2018 in London. AFP PHOTO
Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah speaks after being presented with the trophy for the FIFA Puskas Award for 2018, the best goal scored between July 2017 and July 2018 during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on September 24, 2018 in London. AFP PHOTO

5. Kylian Mbappé

The 20-year-old French youngster was voted the Best Young Player at the 2018 Fifa World Cup and was awarded the Kopa Trophy at the 2018 Ballon d’Or award. He has also been impressive for PSG and is tipped to be the heir apparent to living legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

French forward Kylian Mbappe kisses the World Cup trophy after winning the Russia 2018 World Cup final against France in Moscow on July 15, 2018. AFP PHOTO
French forward Kylian Mbappe kisses the World Cup trophy after he country won the 2018 World Cup final against France in Moscow, Russia on July 15, 2018. AFP PHOTO