“When one is not driven by purpose rather by an euphoria enjoyed by another person, such a person’s act may not stand the test of time.”

At a time when the world is crazy about record breaking and our eyes are opened to the potentials in us, it is important that you think beyond mere human sentiment as you find strategic means to excel in ways that give you joy and a sense of fulfilment.

With this note, I will take you through a ride on the varying exceptionalities of some women in sport who have stamped their names on the rock of time.

Be inspired.

Sports have long been considered a male-dominated domain, but women around the world are challenging this perception and making significant strides in the world of athletics. Female athletes are not only excelling in their respective sports but also inspiring generations, breaking gender stereotypes, and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future. In this article, we will explore the incredible journeys of women in sports, highlighting their achievements, the challenges they face, and the impact they have on society.

Meet the record breaking women in sport:

1. Serena Williams: A force to be reckoned with in tennis, challenging stereotypes of femininity and athleticism.
2. Simone Biles: Redefining gymnastics and pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible.
3. Megan Rapinoe: An advocate for equality both on and off the soccer field, using her platform to drive social change.
4.  Caster Semenya: Navigating controversies and challenging traditional notions of gender in track and field.
5. Ronda Rousey: Pioneering women’s mixed martial arts and proving that strength knows no gender.
6. Blessing Okagbare (Nigeria) – Nigerian sprinter and long jumper; multiple Olympic and World Championship medalist.
7. Caster Semenya (South Africa) – South African middle-distance runner; Olympic gold medalist and multiple World Championship winner.
8.  Maria Mutola (Mozambique) – Retired Mozambican middle-distance runner; Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Champion.
9. Hellen Obiri (Kenya) – Kenyan long-distance runner; Olympic silver medalist and multiple World Championship winner.
10. Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya) – Kenyan long-distance runner; Olympic gold medalist and multiple World Championship winner.
11. Almaz Ayana (Ethiopia) – Ethiopian long-distance runner; Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 10,000 meters.
12. Dina Asher-Smith (Great Britain/Jamaica) – British sprinter of Jamaican descent; European and World Championship gold medalist.
13.  Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) – Kenyan long-distance runner; World Half Marathon Championship gold medalist and world record holder.
14. Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria) – Retired Nigerian footballer; Olympic gold medalist and two-time African Footballer of the Year.
15. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) – Nigerian footballer; multiple African Women’s Footballer of the Year and UEFA Women’s Champions League winner.
16. Fatma Samoura (Senegal) – Senegalese sports administrator; FIFA Secretary General, the first woman to hold the position.
17. Murielle Ahouré (Ivory Coast) – Ivorian sprinter; multiple World Championship silver medalist and Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
18.  Sally Pearson (Australia/South Africa) – Australian hurdler of South African descent; Olympic gold medalist and multiple World Championship winner.
19. Francine Niyonsaba (Burundi) – Burundian middle-distance runner; Olympic silver medalist and World Championship silver and bronze medalist.
20. Ta Lou Marie-Josée (Ivory Coast) – Ivorian sprinter; multiple World Championship silver medalist and Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
21. Wadi Degla (Egyptian Squash Team) – Egyptian women’s squash team; multiple World Team Championship winners.
22.  Sarah Essam (Egypt) – Egyptian footballer; first Egyptian woman to play professional football in Europe.
23. Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain) – Bahraini sprinter; Olympic silver medalist and World Championship gold medalist in the 400 meters.
24. Christine Mboma (Namibia) – Namibian sprinter; World U20 Championship gold medalist and African Junior record holder in the 200 meters.
25.  Beatrice Chepkoech (Kenya) – Kenyan long-distance runner; Olympic bronze medalist and world record holder in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
26. Tobi Amusan – A Nigerian who was the gold medallist in both the 100 m hurdles and the 200 m. She also claimed a silver in the long jump at the C-USA Championships. Amusan first broke the 13 s barrier in the hurdles with a time of 12.83 s at the El Paso UTEP Invitational.

What record are you set to crash?

In as much as the exploits of these women are inspiring, remember the opening sentence in this article, “When one is not driven by purpose rather by an euphoria enjoyed by another person, such a person’s act may not stand the test of time.”

Define what success really is to you before paying certain prices for the win.

Are you done defining?

Let’s go crash some records!