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Saturday Sporting Icon - Jonah Lomu

Welcome to Saturday's Sporting Icon! 

Every Saturday, this page will showcase some of history's most unappreciated sports superstars. From the winding streets of Monaco to the NBA hardcourt, I think it's time to shed some light on the greatness of some of the world's least treasured icons.

Saturday 20th March 2021 - Jonah Lomu 

Growing up, I was told that everyone was equal, that no matter what shape or size we were, we were all capable of greatness. This does hold true on most accounts - but then I found Jonah Lomu, the man born to dominate world rugby. 

"How the f**k is that fair??"

I imagine these were the words of most opposing rugby players when lining up against Lomu, who at 18, had already grown to 6'5" and 275lbs. As a high school athlete, he had broken every possible school record and during one particular sports day in 1989, he won 10 out of the 13 track and field events, including the 100m which he ran in 10.8 seconds - he was 14 at the time. 

So not only did Lomu have the physical stature of a mountain but also had the speed and agility most comparable to quicksilver. More simply, he was the closest thing we've had to a walking superman that we've ever seen. 

Just with his physicality alone, Lomu could have dominated any sport he wanted to, but as a native Tongan, it was only right that he chose rugby. He broke history again when making his All-Black debut against France in 1994 before going to his first Rugby World Cup in 1995. Here, he put the world on notice and not only picked up 4 tries against England (an accomplishment that had not been replicated since 1905) but also won the player of the tournament award. 

From that moment on, Lomu became rugby's first and only global icon, and still holds numerous world cup records including career tries (15) and the most tries scored at a single world cup (8 in 1999). In fact, in his entire World Cup career as an All-Black, Lomu only failed to score a try on 2 occasions, both against South Africa, and has a total of 15 tries in 11 tests. 

The life-span of a ruby player is unfortunately short, and deteriating fitness due to an undiagnosed kidney disorder cut short the career of rugby's most dominant ever player. After his retirement from professional rugby in 2007, Lomu continued to be an advocate for global rugby and was a key figure in finally having the sport added to the Olympic lineup in 2015. 

Shorty after, Lomu suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 40. Like many legends of sport, his greatness was short but sweet and although he may be gone, he has left an ever lasting impression on the world of rugby and remains the finest physical embodiment of "Holy s**t" the world has ever seen. 



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