Identified athletes dominated the Forbes sports list under the age of 30.
Soaring Sports Stars: Breaking Boundaries and Shattering Records
Let's dive into the world of extraordinary talent and innovative breakthroughs in the realm of sports. This roundup showcases the crème de la crème of athletes under the age of 30, who have left an indelible mark on their respective industries.
Unveiling the Methodology
The ranking in question, coined the "30 Under 30," is a comprehensive list compiled by a well-respected financial-economic publication. The criteria for selection include candidates under 30 who are pioneers in their fields. The list features numerous categories, one of which is Sports & Games.
The list's compilers collaborate with representatives from previous versions and involve independent experts. Although they aim to establish a universal formula, it is evident that financial success plays a significant role in the proceedings.
Rising Stars in Sports
Identifying these trailblazers is no easy feat. Standing out from the crowd is Léon Marchand, a 22-year-old French swimmer, who tops the list. Marchand's swift rise to fame began during the 2021 Olympics, where he challenged the legend of Michael Phelps, breaking Phelps' world record in the 400m individual medley. Phelps retired from professional competition in 2016, making Marchand's achievement all the more impressive.
Chelsea's prolific 22-year-old footballer, Cole Palmer, earned the title of England's player of 2024. Despite England's loss to Spain in the previous year's Euro Championship final, Palmer's exceptional performance didn't go unnoticed, with one memorable goal etched in history.
In September 2023, Palmer moved to Chelsea from Manchester City for a whopping £40 million, inking a seven-year contract. A year later, the contract was renegotiated in his favor and was extended until June 2033. Palmer boasts a significant media presence, with over 6.3 million Instagram followers.
Leon Draisaitl, a 29-year-old German ice hockey star, is the decoration of the decade for his exceptional performance in the Edmonton Oilers' run to the Stanley Cup final last season, even though they fell short against the Florida Panthers.
Just a few months after winning Denmark's 'Newcomer of the Year' award, Mathias Gidsel impressed with his bestowal as 'Best Handball Player of the Olympic Tournament' during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Gidsel has since amassed a collection of major individual and team awards.
The unparalleled queens of less popular sports
The fame and recognition of an athlete are often influenced by the popularity of their sport. Sometimes, an individual's media presence dominates the discourse, regardless of the sport's overall fame. Interestingly, this category is dominated by women.
Cassandra Bragarn, a 27-year-old French triathlete, has made waves in the world of sports by winning the prestigious gold medal at the 2024 Games in Paris. As the first triathlete in history to accomplish this feat, Bragarn conquered the World Championships, European Championships, and the Olympics.
Demi Fellering, a 28-year-old cycling sensation from the Netherlands, carved her own unique path in the world of sports and became a Nike brand ambassador.
Naomi Girma, a 24-year-old football star for the US national team and London's "Chelsea," made history as the first female footballer for whom a transfer fee of over one million dollars was paid.
During the Paris Games, the refugee team garnered attention, with Cindy Ngamba winning a bronze medal in boxing in the 75kg category under the refugee flag.
Lastly, let's shine a light on some pivotal figures who work behind the scenes but are indispensable to the sports industry:
- Cherry Bigglz, the driving force behind "Club-400," champions women's fan culture.
- Lissy McIntosh, a 25-year-old Formula 1 journalist, shines as the youngest in her field.
- Keltum Badjate, 26, took the esports world by storm as the first Arab woman to promote the genre.
- Fabian Cumber, 29, made a splash in the sports world with his AI-driven gaming and social media apps, courtesy of SLAY.
- David Canovas, 27, rose to fame as an informal ambassador for the online game Fortnite, with his social media following reaching approximately 56 million.
Although these peripheral figures are often referred to as the "support staff," the compilers of the list advise against using this term. Instead, they suggest considering these unsung heroes as full-fledged participants in the industry.
Gambling Agencies in the Heart of Belarus
Extended Information:
In addition to the figures mentioned in the original article, the "30 Under 30" list for 2025 includes the following notable personalities:
- Cori Close: Head Coach, UCLA Women's Basketball
- Cat Osterman: 3x Olympian, General Manager, AUSL Volts and AUSL Advisor
- Sierra Romero: Professional Softball Player, Coach, and Entrepreneur
These women are distinguished figures in the world of women's sports, even though they were not specifically featured in the provided article.
- The '30 Under 30' list in Sports & Games category includes Léon Marchand, a 22-year-old French swimmer, and Cole Palmer, a 22-year-old English footballer, who have garnered recognition for their exceptional performances.
- Mathias Gidsel, a 29-year-old Danish handball player, was awarded 'Best Handball Player of the Olympic Tournament' during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Cassandra Bragarn, a 27-year-old French triathlete, made history by winning the gold medal at the 2024 Games in Paris, becoming the first triathlete to accomplish this feat.
