10 sporting achievements of 2012

1. Jamaica legendary sprinter, Usain Bolt proved that he is still ‘Lightning Bolt’ and ‘the fastest man on the planet’ as he bagged three gold medals at London Olympics in 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, matching the medal haul that he made in Beijing in 2008. He and the Jamaican 4x100m team (Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Yohan Blake) also created 36.84s, breaking the country’s previous world record of 37.04s set in 2011.

2. The Spanish football team became the first Europe team to win the European Championship back-to-back after defeating Italy 4-0 in the final of Euro 2012. The team won the tournament in 1964 and 2008 and were the winners of the World Cup in 2010.

3. World No 1 and Malaysia’s squash queen Nicol Ann David achieved another milestone of her career after being a champion for seventh time in World Open after edging Laura Massaro straight set 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 at Camana Bay in Cayman Island in December. The 29-year-old Penang-lass, dubbed as “Duracell Bunny”, previously won the title in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

4. Malaysian diver Pandelela Rinong became the first Malaysian female athlete to win an Olympic medal when she took the bronze in the 10m diving event at the 2012 Olympics in London. Her efforts made its way to the history books as Malaysia's first Olympic medal outside badminton.

5. After having illustrious success in his entire racing career, former Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher bid farewell for the second time. The German previously retired in 2006 before deciding to make a comeback in 2010. During his 21-year racing career, he drove for Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedez F1 team.

6. Chelsea became the first team from London to win UEFA Champions League after beating Germany's Bayern Munich 4-3 in penalties after both teams drew 1-1 after extra time. Didier Drogba who was red carded in Chelsea’s 2008 EUFA Champion League Final defeat to Manchester United became a hero after slotting the winning goal in the penalty shootout.

7. Barcelona star Lionel Messi broke German’s legend Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old record after scoring 90 goals, breaking Muller’s 85 goals set in 1972.

8. Malaysia's Moto3 rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin created history after finishing second in 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix - a feat never achieved by any Malaysian rider before. His success continued after he created another podium finished by occupying the third spot at the Valencia Grand Prix in November. He finished seventh overall in Moto 3’s riders standing.

9. Malaysia Super League outfit Darul Takzim FC (formerly known as Johor FC) are the latest big-spenders in Malaysian football after hiring several stars including national captain Safiq Rahim, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak, Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, Azmi Muslim and Muslim Ahmad. Also in the squad are former Lazio wing-back Simone Del Nero, former 2007-08 La Liga top scorer and striker Daniel Guiza and Malaysian top striker and former 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup top scorer Safee Sali.

10. Briton’s Brit Wiggins became the first man to win the Tour de France and Olympic gold medal in the same year. Wiggins who earlier became the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France won the gold medal in the time trial event during the London Olympics.