Published 12/30/2022, 5:00 PM EST
Sports thrive on making history. It has something new to be discovered; something exciting to wait for; something inspiring to impact lives. Besides championships, medals, and titles, sports constitute sensational and surreal moments. EssentiallySports, the digital fan house, has recorded 22 such moments that have touched billions of people. Star players, Serena Williams, Lionel Messi, Tom Brady, and many others have cemented their names with iconic titles you would love to know.
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The world of sports is established on the bedrock of fairness and ensuring a level-playing field for all the players. Lia Thomas, a transgender swimming champion, came under the spotlight for competing in the women’s category. Governed by objectivity and backed by scientific studies, several people debated the unfair advantage Thomas has due to her physicalities. The issue stirred a storm of controversy and arguments. Hence, the “Most Controversial Moment of the Year” goes to Lia Thomas. Keep reading for the entire list below!
Mike Tyson, Michael Phelps, and Caitlyn Jenner voiced their opinions in the trans-swimmer debate
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Lia Thomas found her passion for the sport at the very young age of 5. She exhibited excellence in state high school competitions. Towards the end of high school, she began to question her gender identity and revealed it to her family in 2018. The debate surrounding the 22-year-old transgender swimmer gained momentum after her victory in the Zippy Invitational 2021. Thomas became the first ever transgender to have won three events. Besides, she finished the lap in record times in two of them.
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 17: University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas on the deck at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 17th, 2022 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta Georgia. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Boxing legend, Mike Tyson, in a discussion about transgenders in sports, gave the example of Lia Thomas and stated, “you’ve got the p**is you can’t play baby.” The most decorated Olympian ever, Michael Phelps, too, had something to say. Phelps found it complicated to comment on this debate, as it was his sport, and has an emotional attachment to it. He said, “..one thing I would love is everybody being able to compete on an even playing field. That’s all I can say.”
Caitlyn Jenner, a media personality and a trans woman, didn’t extend her support to Thomas. She pointed out Thomas’ physical differences owing to her male puberty. Also, a bigger cardiovascular system plays a huge role in keeping up the energy levels while swimming. As the debate became intense and needed policy intervention, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) stepped in to settle it once and for all.
DIVE DEEPER
“We Need To Defend The Integrity”: Former US Vice President Mike Pence Takes A Stand In Lia Thomas’ NCAA Controversy
According to the comprehensive, inclusive, and science-based FINA’s policy, transgenders competing under the women’s category must have undergone transition before the age of 12. Furthermore, swimmers whose gender identities differ from their birth sex can compete in the ‘open’ category. That said, Thomas is indisputably a promising athlete with the potential to create records and be a pioneer for transgender individuals to take inspiration from.
Ending the year 2022 with 22 Awards
Looking back at the wonderful moments across a range of sports, one can’t help the gush of overwhelming emotions. Here’s a glimpse into the 22 titles and winners.
1. Heart-Breaking Announcement/Moment of the Year: Serena Williams retiring
Tennis: US OPEN, Sept 2, 2022 Flushing, NY, USA Serena Williams of the USA after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia on day five of the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports, 02.09.2022 22:26:11, 18972727, NPStrans, Australia, Ajla Tomljanovic, tennis, TopPic, US Open, Serena Williams PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRobertxDeutschx 18972727
2. Blooper of the Year: Tom Brady retiring for 40 days
3. WTF Moment of the Year: Antonio Brown exposing himself.
4. Most-Dominant Moment of the Year: C-Bum winning Mr. Olympia Classic Physique 4th time in a row
5. Shocking Moment of the Year: Bubba Wallace punching fellow NASCAR driver
6. Fairy-tale Moment of the Year: Lionel Messi lifting FIFA World Cup with Argentina
Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Final – Argentina v France – Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar – December 18, 2022 Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy after winning the World Cup REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
7. Picture-Perfect Moment of the Year: Miami GP pic with MJ, Beckham, Brady, and others
8. Cringe-Worthy Moment of the Year: Salt Bae’s FIFA World Cup cringe
9. Most-Controversial Moment of the Year: Lia Thomas
10. End of an Era Moment of the Year: Vince McMahon
11. Wildest Moment of the Year: (80-1) Underdog Rich Strike winning the famous Kentucky Derby after ranking 16th in the final turn
12. Most Viral Athlete Off-the-Court: Brittney Griner
13. Biggest Disruptive Sporting Moment of the Year: LIV Golf inaugural season
14. Impossible Moment of the Year: Ross Chastain
15. Breakout Star of the Year: Carlos Alcaraz
16. Unexpected Truth-Bomb of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo exposing Man Utd’s leadership
17. Saddest Moment of the year: Nadal & Federer holding hands and tearing up
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Federer of Team Europe shows his emotion as he embraces team mate Rafael Nadal following his final match of his career during Day One of the Laver Cup at The O2 Arena on September 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
18. Upset of the Year: Hadi Choopan winning Mr. Olympia over Big Ramy
19. Meme-Worthy Moment of the Year: LeBron James interview memes
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20. Entertainers of the Year: Paul Brothers
21. Comeback of the Year: Vikings completing the biggest comeback in NFL history
22. Underdog Story of the Year: Leon Edwards KO
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JULY 20: Leon Edwards of Jamaica reacts after defeating Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil by unanimous decision in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at AT&T Center on July 20, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
With loud cheers to the exhilarating and enticing year that 2022 was, EssentiallySports wishes sports fans far and wide a roaring new year, 2023.
2022 ES Award to End 2022: Trans Swimmer Lia Thomas Who Left Sports World Divided, Wins Most Controversial Moment of the Year
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