The most famous Russian athletes of 2014
Every sport, be it football, hockey,figure skating, athletics or any other, attracts the attention of millions of viewers from all over the world. And Russia in this global subculture is no exception. But who is the most famous and popular among Russian idols today?
Top 3 popular sportsmen in Russia
The leading group includes the hockey player,tennis player and figure skater. As shown by the global Internet survey, the most famous athletes of Russia, which even children learn, are Alexander Ovechkin and Maria Sharapova.
The 29-year-old hockey player at the moment isthe top scorer of the leading American team, the Washington Capitals, for which the striker has been playing since 2005. Also Alexander is rightfully considered the leader of the Russian team.
As for Maria Sharapova, she is in her 27thyears is a 5-time winner of the "Grand Slam" and the second racket of the world. In addition, she has 36 gold medals in the WTA tournaments and the silver of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Closes the top three of the rating "The mostknown athletes of Russia »outstanding figure skater Evgeni Plushenko. In his active 2 gold medals of the Olympic Games (2006, 2014), 3 World Cups and several dozen other serious awards.
The most famous Russian football players
In team sports, players stand outmore difficult than in solitary. The most popular of them in Russia, of course, is football. The most famous of his representatives are Alexander Kerzhakov and Igor Akinfeev.
The 32-year-old Zenit striker is recognized as the most popular and recognizable footballer of the country. In the current season Kerzhakov does not often get into the squad, but continues to score regularly goals.
The second in the rating "The most famous football players of Russia" is the guard of the gate of the Moscow "CSKA" and the national team Igor Akinfeev.
For 11 years, that is, his entire professional career, the goalkeeper remains faithful to his beloved club.
Closes the top three of the best Alexander Kokorin. In his 23 years he is one of the highest paid players of the country.
TOP-3 sportsmen of Russia: hockey
Alexander Ovechkin was recognized as the leader of the rating. The 29-year-old forward, the Washington Capitals, is also the most popular sportsman in Russia.
In addition to Alexander in our country among the audiencedemanded and such famous hockey players as Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk. The first is the main striker of the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of the best NHL players. It is noteworthy that Malkin is a pupil of Magnitogorsk Metallurg.
As for Ilya Kovalchuk, he is currently playing for the St. Petersburg "SKA". During his career, the 31-year-old flank forward played for such NHL clubs as Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils.
Most popular Russian tennis players
In addition to Maria Sharapova, Ekaterina Makarova and Mikhail Yuzhny were in the top three in this sport.
26-year-old native of Moscow (mother of two children) is a repeated finalist and winner of the open tournaments of the Grand Slam and WTA.
In 2014, Catherine remained literally a step from the first place on the "Australian Open", losing in the decisive confrontation with the Chinese Li Na.
Mikhail Youzhny took the honorable third place in therating of the most popular tennis players of the country, having bypassed Alla Kudryavtseva, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Maria Kirilenko. His main achievements are the victories in the Davis Cup.
Athletes of Russia: TOP-3
The first place is Kliszyn. In his 23 years, a native of Tver is one of the main hopes of the Russian national track and field team. At the European Championships in 2014, Daria entered the top three.
On the second and third lines of the ratinglocated such famous athletes as Maria Kuchina and Ivan Ukhov. Young jumper in height from Kabardino-Balkaria this year managed to conquer the mark at 2.00 m. In the summer of 2014, Maria defeated all her competitors in the Diamond League.
As for Ivan Ukhov, he is at the age of 28 the champion of the 2012 Olympics, as well as the repeated winner of the gold medals of the World and European Championships. The personal record of a high jumper is 2,42 m.
TOP-3 athletes of Russia: martial arts
Undisputed favorite here is Alexander Povetkin. After the battles with Marco Huck and Wladimir Klitschko, the whole world began talking about the Russian boxer.
Over the years, Povetkin was a regular heavyweight champion in the WBA version. In 2014, he confidently won the title of "Silver" from the WBC.
Next are such famous sportsmenRussia in the martial arts, like Denis Lebedev and Fedor Emelianenko. The first in his 35 years is one of the leading domestic boxers. The second in numerous versions is considered the best fighter of MMA.
Rating of famous sportsmen of Russia: other types
The most popular biathlonist of the country is Olga Zaitseva, and Anton Shipulin became her neighbor in the men's category.
The most famous athletes of Russia in figure skating are Lipnitskaya Julia and Sotnikova Adelina (16 and 18 respectively). In the men's category, the most recognizable is Plushenko.
In such winter sports as short track and skeleton, the leaders in popularity are Viktor An and Alexander Tretyakov respectively.
One of the last in the rating of the most famous domestic athletes for 2014 included Daniil Kvyat. In his 20 years he became the first Russian driver of the Formula-1.
