100 Best Champions of the Century
1924-2024
100 AIPS CHAMPIONS OF THE CENTURY
The winners of the AIPS Champions of the Century (1924-2024) poll were announced in Paris on August 7, 2024, marking the most symbolic moment of the AIPS Centennial Celebration held at the UNESCO headquarters, commemorating the 100th anniversary of AIPS.
Tennis legend Serena Williams won in the women's category and boxing icon Muhammad Ali in the men's category.
Welcome to 100 Best Female Sports Champions of the Century
Explore the pinnacle of athletic achievement with our guide to the 100 Best Female Sports Champions of the Century, curated in collaboration with the Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive (AIPS). This prestigious list celebrates the exceptional talent and dedication of the world’s leading sports stars, spanning diverse disciplines from football and boxing to golf and Formula One. Each athlete has been selected through votes from 900 international sports journalists across 130 countries, covering the period from 1924 to 2024
World's Best Female Sports Champion of the Century
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is a legendary American professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, Williams has dominated the world of tennis with her unparalleled power, skill, and mental toughness. Her career boasts an extraordinary 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era, making her a trailblazer in the sport. Beyond her on-court achievements, Serena has also made a profound impact off the court as an advocate for equality, women’s rights, and social justice. Her influence extends far beyond the tennis world, as she continues to inspire millions with her determination, resilience, and unwavering spirit.
As selected by
Discover the World's
100 Best Female Sports Stars
Mary Kom
Christine Evert Lloyd
Danica Patrick
Deng Yaping
Alice Coachman
Claudia Pechstein
Billie Jean King
Elisabeta Lipa
Oksana Baiul
Ágnes Keleti
Annemarie Moser-Pröll
Jessica Ennis-Hill
Deborah Compagnoni
Irena Szewińska
Krisztina Egerszegi
Martina Navratilova
Lisa Leslie
Shirley Babashoff
Sonja Henie
Katie Ledecky
Yuna Kim
Nancy Greene
Simone Biles
Naomi Osaka
Birgit Fischer
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Annika Sörenstam
Mary Lou Retton
Marlene Ottey
Luciana Aymar
Vreni Schneider
Peggy Fleming
Wilma Rudolph
Nastia Liukin
Katie Taylor
Margaret Abbott
Tirunesh Dibaba
Maria Riesch
Gail Devers
Yang Yang
Yelena Isinbayeva
Federica Pellegrini
Gabriela Sabatini
Tina Maze
Larisa Latynina
Ingrid Krämer
Charlotte Cooper
Janica Kostelić
Florence Griffith Joyner
Allyson Felix
Margaret Court
Natalia Ishchenko
Steffi Graf
Lia Manoliu
Inge De Bruijn
Kim Clijsters
Monica Seles
Kathrine Switzer
Marielle Goitschel
Venus Williams
Irina Rodnina
Nawal El Moutawakel
Derartu Tulu
Martina Hingis
Maria Mutola
Bonnie Blair
Lindsey Vonn
Marit Bjorgen
Nelli Kim
Mia Hamm
Ons Jabeur
Heather O’Reilly
Missy Franklin
Paula Radcliffe
Althea Gibson
Ronda Rousey
Dawn Fraser
Heike Drechsler
Serena Williams
Isabell Werth
Lorena Ochoa
Marta Vieira Da Silva
Candace Parker
Vera Čáslavská
Katarina Witt
Michaela Shiffrin
Fanny Blankers-Koen
Michelle Kwan
Jutta Kleinschmidt
Se Ri Pak
Nadia Comăneci
Ireen Wüst
Edurne Pasaban
Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Gretchen Bleiler
Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli
Tanni Grey-Thompson
Iolanda Balas
Tara Lipinski
Diana Taurasi
What Top 10s would you like to see?
Get in touch with your suggestions for more Top Tens, both worldwide and country by country.
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Discovering the best in sport
At 100 Best, we champion the spirit of excellence and competition that defines the world of sports. Whether you’re a dedicated fan eager to deepen your knowledge or an athlete looking for inspiration, we’ve tailored our content to fuel your passion. Our team of sports experts dives into the heart of the action, exploring diverse athletic disciplines, uncovering the stories behind the legends, and celebrating the triumphs that shape this dynamic arena.
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