SI FILIPINO boxing pride champion Manny Pacquiao ang Asian best athlete ng 21st century, ayon sa listahan ng sports website ESPN.
Tinukoy ng ESPN ang key feats sa career ni Pacquiao tulad ng pagiging tanging eight-division world champion ng boxing at pagkakaroon ng pro record na 35-6-2 magmula noong 2000.
Sinabi pa sa sports article na si Pacquiao ay “arguably one of the greatest boxers of all time.”
Tinalo niya ang mga kilalang pangalan sa sports na sina Chinese basketball star Yao Ming at baseball superstar Ichiro Suzuki sa Top 3.
Nasa listahan din si Hidilyn Diaz, ang unang Olympic gold medalist ng bansa, sa no. 19.
Si Diaz ay gumawa ng kasaysayan matapos ang kanyang tagumpay sa Tokyo sa women’s 55kg category ng weightlifting, na tumapos sa 97-year dry spell ng bansa sa gold medals sa Olympics.
Pasok din sa listahan si June Mar Fajardo, na may pitong MVP trophies.
Ang “The Kraken” ay ranked 25th ng sports channel, na kinilala ang milestones ni Fajardo — 10-time PBA champion, 4-time PBA Finals MVP, 10-time Best Player of the Conference, 9-time PBA All-Star, 8-time Mythical Five Member, 2015 PBA Defensive Player of the Year, at gold medalist sa 2022 Asian Games sa national team Gilas Pilipinas.
“He has also suited up for the national team since the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships and has continued to be the best big man for Gilas Pilipinas – including the latest Olympic Qualifying Tournament,” ayon pa sa ESPN.
“Fajardo’s consistent excellence and influence on Philippine basketball underscore his significant impact on the sport that Filipinos love.”
