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Year in review: We reveal the most searched for sports people of 2016

  • <p>The greatest Boxer of all time and one of the most iconic sports people in history died on the 3rd of June 2016, aged 74. He will be remembered as a boxer, activist and civil rights leader whose legend will live on in memory.</p>
    1/10

    Tenth place: Muhammed Ali

    The greatest Boxer of all time and one of the most iconic sports people in history died on the 3rd of June 2016, aged 74. He will be remembered as a boxer, activist and civil rights leader whose legend will live on in memory.

  • <p>2016 was a great year for Serena. She reached the final of the Australian Open in January, losing to shock first-time winner Angelique Kerber.</p><p><span>The week of February 15 marked Serena’s 157th consecutive week ranked world No. 1, passing</span>Martina Navratilova<span>’s mark of 156 to have the second-longest run in WTA history behind Steffi Graf’s 186. In May, she reached the final of the French open, only losing one set in the process. However, despite being the overwhelming favourite, she lost to Garbiñe Muguruza of Spain in straight sets. <br><br>At Wimbledon, she won her first grandslam of the season, avenging her loss to Kerber in the Australian open by beating the German in <span>straight sets to finally equal Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slams in the Open Era.<br><br>The Olympics came round in August but she was unable to defend her doubles title, losing in a shock first-round result to <span>the Czech duo of</span>Lucie Šafářová<span>and</span>Barbora Strýcová. She also lost in the singles to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the third round to end a miserable time in Rio.</span></span></p><p><span><span><br><span>The week of September 5 marked Serena’s 186th consecutive week ranked world No. 1, equalling Steffi Graf’s record for longest run in WTA history. However, in the semifinals of the U.S. Open, Serena lost to</span><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol%C3%ADna_Pl%C3%AD%C5%A1kov%C3%A1" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Karolina Pliskova;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Karolina Pliskova</a><span>.</span></span></span></p>
    2/10

    Ninth place: Serena Williams

    2016 was a great year for Serena. She reached the final of the Australian Open in January, losing to shock first-time winner Angelique Kerber.

    The week of February 15 marked Serena’s 157th consecutive week ranked world No. 1, passingMartina Navratilova’s mark of 156 to have the second-longest run in WTA history behind Steffi Graf’s 186. In May, she reached the final of the French open, only losing one set in the process. However, despite being the overwhelming favourite, she lost to Garbiñe Muguruza of Spain in straight sets.

    At Wimbledon, she won her first grandslam of the season, avenging her loss to Kerber in the Australian open by beating the German in straight sets to finally equal Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slams in the Open Era.

    The Olympics came round in August but she was unable to defend her doubles title, losing in a shock first-round result to the Czech duo ofLucie ŠafářováandBarbora Strýcová. She also lost in the singles to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the third round to end a miserable time in Rio.


    The week of September 5 marked Serena’s 186th consecutive week ranked world No. 1, equalling Steffi Graf’s record for longest run in WTA history. However, in the semifinals of the U.S. Open, Serena lost toKarolina Pliskova.

  • <p>It would be fair to say that it’s been a decent year for CR7. In May he won the Champions League with Real Madrid, beating local rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 on penalties after they played out a 1-1 draw with Ronaldo scoring the trophy-clinching spot-kick. The Portuguese certainly played his part, scoring a remarkable <span>16 goals in 12<span> games. He also scored 51 goals in 48 games during the season. <br><br>He then went on to win Euro 2016 with Portugal, the first time the nation has won a major trophy, beating France 1-0 in Paris. This was despite Ronaldo having to come off injured in the first half. Quite a year!</span></span></p>
    3/10

    Eighth place: Cristiano Ronaldo

    It would be fair to say that it’s been a decent year for CR7. In May he won the Champions League with Real Madrid, beating local rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 on penalties after they played out a 1-1 draw with Ronaldo scoring the trophy-clinching spot-kick. The Portuguese certainly played his part, scoring a remarkable 16 goals in 12 games. He also scored 51 goals in 48 games during the season.

    He then went on to win Euro 2016 with Portugal, the first time the nation has won a major trophy, beating France 1-0 in Paris. This was despite Ronaldo having to come off injured in the first half. Quite a year!

  • <p>Former Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton had a change of career in 2016, taking up horse racing. She rode Pacha Du Polder in the St. James’s Place Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup during Gold Cup Day of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.</p>
    4/10

    Seventh place: Victoria Pendleton

    Former Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton had a change of career in 2016, taking up horse racing. She rode Pacha Du Polder in the St. James’s Place Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup during Gold Cup Day of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.

  • <p><span>On March 7, 2016, Sharapova revealed that she had failed a </span>drug test<span>at the </span>2016 Australian Open<span>, which she described as the result of an oversight. </span><span>Sharapova admitted to testing positive for </span>meldonium<span>, an</span> anti-ischemic <span>drug usually prescribed for heart conditions</span><span>. <br><br><span>On June 8, the ITF announced that Sharapova would be suspended for two years.</span> <span>On October 4, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the sanction imposed on Sharapova by an Independent Tribunal from 24 months to 15 months</span><br></span></p>
    5/10

    Sixth place: Maria Sharapova

    On March 7, 2016, Sharapova revealed that she had failed a drug testat the 2016 Australian Open, which she described as the result of an oversight. Sharapova admitted to testing positive for meldonium, an anti-ischemic drug usually prescribed for heart conditions.

    On June 8, the ITF announced that Sharapova would be suspended for two years. On October 4, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the sanction imposed on Sharapova by an Independent Tribunal from 24 months to 15 months

  • <p><span>On 6 July 2016, Pistorius was sentenced to six years imprisonment for the murder of his partner <span>Reeva Steenkamp</span> by Judge Thokozile Masipa.</span></p>
    6/10

    Fifth place: Oscar Pistorius

    On 6 July 2016, Pistorius was sentenced to six years imprisonment for the murder of his partner Reeva Steenkamp by Judge Thokozile Masipa.

  • <p>Following his 2016 skiing crash, Schumacher’s well-being has been the subject of public interest. <span>In September 2016, Felix Damm, Schumacher’s lawyer, told a German court that his client “cannot walk”, in response to false reports from December 2015 in German publication </span><i>Die Bunte</i><span> that he could “walk a couple of steps</span>”.</p>
    7/10

    Fourth place: Michael Schumacher

    Following his 2016 skiing crash, Schumacher’s well-being has been the subject of public interest. In September 2016, Felix Damm, Schumacher’s lawyer, told a German court that his client “cannot walk”, in response to false reports from December 2015 in German publication Die Bunte that he could “walk a couple of steps”.

  • <p>Former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho returned to the Premier League, taking over Manchester United on 27th of May 2016 following the sacking of Louis van Gaal.</p>
    8/10

    Third place: Jose Mourinho

    Former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho returned to the Premier League, taking over Manchester United on 27th of May 2016 following the sacking of Louis van Gaal.

  • <p>British number one Johanna Konta was the first British woman to be seeded at Wimbledon for over 13 years, at number 16. She was knocked out in the second round by former finalist Eugenie Bouchard. <br><br>She competed in Rio 2016, losing to Angelique Kerber in the quarter finals. <br><br>Konta also became the first British women to reach the world top 10 since Jo Durie in 1984.</p>
    9/10

    Second: Johanna Konta

    British number one Johanna Konta was the first British woman to be seeded at Wimbledon for over 13 years, at number 16. She was knocked out in the second round by former finalist Eugenie Bouchard.

    She competed in Rio 2016, losing to Angelique Kerber in the quarter finals.

    Konta also became the first British women to reach the world top 10 since Jo Durie in 1984.

  • <p>This year Andy Murray has achieved the following:<br></p>
    10/10

    First: Andy Murray

    This year Andy Murray has achieved the following:

<p>The greatest Boxer of all time and one of the most iconic sports people in history died on the 3rd of June 2016, aged 74. He will be remembered as a boxer, activist and civil rights leader whose legend will live on in memory.</p>
<p>2016 was a great year for Serena. She reached the final of the Australian Open in January, losing to shock first-time winner Angelique Kerber.</p><p><span>The week of February 15 marked Serena’s 157th consecutive week ranked world No. 1, passing</span>Martina Navratilova<span>’s mark of 156 to have the second-longest run in WTA history behind Steffi Graf’s 186. In May, she reached the final of the French open, only losing one set in the process. However, despite being the overwhelming favourite, she lost to Garbiñe Muguruza of Spain in straight sets. <br><br>At Wimbledon, she won her first grandslam of the season, avenging her loss to Kerber in the Australian open by beating the German in <span>straight sets to finally equal Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slams in the Open Era.<br><br>The Olympics came round in August but she was unable to defend her doubles title, losing in a shock first-round result to <span>the Czech duo of</span>Lucie Šafářová<span>and</span>Barbora Strýcová. She also lost in the singles to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the third round to end a miserable time in Rio.</span></span></p><p><span><span><br><span>The week of September 5 marked Serena’s 186th consecutive week ranked world No. 1, equalling Steffi Graf’s record for longest run in WTA history. However, in the semifinals of the U.S. Open, Serena lost to</span><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol%C3%ADna_Pl%C3%AD%C5%A1kov%C3%A1" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Karolina Pliskova;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Karolina Pliskova</a><span>.</span></span></span></p>
<p>It would be fair to say that it’s been a decent year for CR7. In May he won the Champions League with Real Madrid, beating local rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 on penalties after they played out a 1-1 draw with Ronaldo scoring the trophy-clinching spot-kick. The Portuguese certainly played his part, scoring a remarkable <span>16 goals in 12<span> games. He also scored 51 goals in 48 games during the season. <br><br>He then went on to win Euro 2016 with Portugal, the first time the nation has won a major trophy, beating France 1-0 in Paris. This was despite Ronaldo having to come off injured in the first half. Quite a year!</span></span></p>
<p>Former Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton had a change of career in 2016, taking up horse racing. She rode Pacha Du Polder in the St. James’s Place Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup during Gold Cup Day of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.</p>
<p><span>On March 7, 2016, Sharapova revealed that she had failed a </span>drug test<span>at the </span>2016 Australian Open<span>, which she described as the result of an oversight. </span><span>Sharapova admitted to testing positive for </span>meldonium<span>, an</span> anti-ischemic <span>drug usually prescribed for heart conditions</span><span>. <br><br><span>On June 8, the ITF announced that Sharapova would be suspended for two years.</span> <span>On October 4, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the sanction imposed on Sharapova by an Independent Tribunal from 24 months to 15 months</span><br></span></p>
<p><span>On 6 July 2016, Pistorius was sentenced to six years imprisonment for the murder of his partner <span>Reeva Steenkamp</span> by Judge Thokozile Masipa.</span></p>
<p>Following his 2016 skiing crash, Schumacher’s well-being has been the subject of public interest. <span>In September 2016, Felix Damm, Schumacher’s lawyer, told a German court that his client “cannot walk”, in response to false reports from December 2015 in German publication </span><i>Die Bunte</i><span> that he could “walk a couple of steps</span>”.</p>
<p>Former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho returned to the Premier League, taking over Manchester United on 27th of May 2016 following the sacking of Louis van Gaal.</p>
<p>British number one Johanna Konta was the first British woman to be seeded at Wimbledon for over 13 years, at number 16. She was knocked out in the second round by former finalist Eugenie Bouchard. <br><br>She competed in Rio 2016, losing to Angelique Kerber in the quarter finals. <br><br>Konta also became the first British women to reach the world top 10 since Jo Durie in 1984.</p>
<p>This year Andy Murray has achieved the following:<br></p>
Yahoo Sport UK

It’s been a huge year in Sport: Euro 2016, Olympics in Rio and Andy Murray taking over the tennis world. We look back at the top ten sports people you searched for in 2016.