Lionel Messi biography

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NAME: Lionel Messi OCCUPATION: Children's Activist, Soccer Player BIRTH DATE: June 24, 1987 (Age: 26) PLACE OF BIRTH: Rosario, Argentina Full Name: Luis Lionel Andres Messi AKA: Lionel Messi Nickname: "La Pulga" Nickname: "Leo" Nickname: "Messidona" ZODIAC SIGN: Cancer

Best Known For

Argentina native Lionel Messi has established records for goals scored and won individual awards en route to worldwide recognition as the best player in soccer.

Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, soccer player Lionel Messi moved to Spain at the age of 13, after the FC Barcelona club agreed to pay for hormone-deficiency treatments. Messi became a star in his new country, scoring at will while leading his club to championships. In 2012, he set a record for most goals in a calendar year, and afterward was named FIFA's "Player of the Year" a record fourth time.

Synopsis

Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, soccer player Lionel Messi moved to Spain at the age of 13, after the FC Barcelona club agreed to pay for hormone-deficiency treatments. Messi became a star in his new country, scoring at will while leading his club to championships. In 2012, he set a record for most goals in a calendar year, and afterward was named FIFA's "Player of the Year" a record fourth time.

Michael Jordan biography

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NAME: Michael Jordan OCCUPATION: Basketball Player BIRTH DATE: February 17, 1963 (Age: 50) EDUCATION: Emsley A. Laney High School, University of North Carolina at

Chapel Hill PLACE OF BIRTH: Brooklyn, New York Full Name: Michael Jeffrey Jordan AKA: Michael Jordan Nickname: "Air Jordan" Nickname: "Black Cat" Nickname: "MJ" Nickname: "His Airness" ZODIAC SIGN: Aquarius

Best Known For

Michael Jordan is a former American basketball player who led the Bulls to six national championships and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award five times.

Synopsis

American basketball star Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. Jordan left college after his junior year to join the NBA. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls, he helped the team make it to the playoffs. For his efforts there, Jordan received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. With five regular-season MVPs and three All-Star MVPs, Jordan became the most decorated player in the NBA.

Muhammad Ali biography

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NAME: Muhammad Ali OCCUPATION: Boxer, Philanthropist BIRTH DATE: January 17, 1942 (Age: 71) Did You Know?: Muhammad Ali's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is the only star

that is not located on the sidewalk—it was installed on a wall of the Kodak Theatre entertainment complex.

EDUCATION: Louisville Central High School PLACE OF BIRTH: Louisville, Kentucky Originally: Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. AKA: Muhammad Ali AKA: Cassius X AKA: Ali ZODIAC SIGN: Capricorn

Best Known For

Muhammad Ali is considered one of the greatest athletes in boxing history, winning both the coveted Golden Gloves title and an Olympic gold medal, among several other honors.

Synopsis

Boxer, philanthropist and social activist Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali became a Golden Gloves champion in 1959, and became an Olympic gold medalist the following year. Ali won all of his bouts in the 1960s, the majority of them by knockout. Since his retirement, Ali has devoted much of his time to philanthropy.

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Zinedine Zidane biography

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NAME: Zinedine Zidane OCCUPATION: Soccer Player BIRTH DATE: June 23, 1972 (Age: 41) PLACE OF BIRTH: Marseille, France Full Name: Zinedine Yazid Zidane AKA: Zinedine Zidane Nickname: Zizou ZODIAC SIGN: Cancer

Best Known For

One of soccer's all-time greats, Zinedine Zidane led France to victory at the 1998 World Cup, but was thrown out of the '06 Cup final for striking an opponent.

Synopsis

Zinedine Zidane was born on June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France. A three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Zidane led France to victory in the 1998 World Cup and starred for clubs in France, Italy and Spain. His career ended in shocking fashion when he was expelled from the 2006 World Cup final for headbutting an opponent, but he is nonetheless regarded as one of soccer's all-time greats.

Lance Armstrong biography

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NAME: Lance Armstrong OCCUPATION: Cyclist, Philanthropist BIRTH DATE: September 18, 1971 (Age: 41) PLACE OF BIRTH: Plano, Texas Full Name: Lance Edward Armstrong AKA: Lance Armstrong ZODIAC SIGN: Virgo

Best Known For

Lance Armstrong is a professional American cyclist and testicular cancer survivor who, in 2012, was stripped of the seven Tour de France titles he won from 1999 to 2005 due to evidence of performance-enhancing drug use.

Synopsis

Cyclist Lance Armstrong was born on September 18, 1971, in Plano, Texas. At age 16, Armstrong became a professional triathlete. In 1989, the U.S. Olympic development team invited him to train as cyclist. He placed 11th in the World Championship Road Race, with the best time of any American since 1976. From 1999 to 2005, Armstrong won seven consecutive Tour de France titles, inspiring others with his cancer survival. In 2012, the U.S Anti-Doping Agency stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour titles—as well as other honors he received from 1999 to 2005—and banned him from cycling for life, concluding that Armstrong had used banned performance-enhancing substances during those years. The cyclist vehemently denied the claims for several months thereafter, but in January 2013, admitted to doping throughout his cycling career.

David Beckham biography

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NAME: David Beckham OCCUPATION: Soccer Player BIRTH DATE: May 02, 1975 (Age: 38) PLACE OF BIRTH: Leytonstone, London, England, United Kingdom Full Name: David Robert Joseph Beckham AKA: David Beckham ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus

Best Known For

Soccer great David Beckham has played for Manchester United, England, Real Madrid and the L.A. Galaxy. He is married to Victoria Beckham, also known as Posh from the Spice Girls.

Synopsis

Soccer star David Beckham was born on May 2, 1975, in London, England. A phenom almost from the moment he could first kick a soccer ball, Beckham began playing for Manchester United, England's legendary soccer team, at age 18, and was a starter by age 20. In 2007, he signed a five-year, $250 million contract with the L.A. Galaxy. In May 2013, he announced plans to retire.

Usain Bolt biography

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NAME: Usain Bolt OCCUPATION: Track and Field Athlete BIRTH DATE: August 21, 1986 (Age: 27) PLACE OF BIRTH: Trelawny, Jamaica Full Name: Usain Bolt ZODIAC SIGN: Leo

Best Known For

Usain Bolt became the first man in Olympic history to win both the 100-meter and 200-meter races in world record times in 2008. Four years later, at the London Olympics, he became the first man to win gold medals in both the 100 and 200 at consecutive Olympic Games and the first man in history to set three world records in a single Olympic Games competition.

Synopsis

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is arguably the fastest man in the world, winning three gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, and becoming the first man in Olympic history to win both the 100-meter and 200-meter races in record times. Bolt won his fourth Olympic gold medal in the men's 100-meter race at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, beating rival Yohan Blake, who took silver. Bolt ran the race in 9.63 seconds, a new Olympic record, making him the first man in history to set three world records in a single Olympic Games competition. The win marked Bolt's second consecutive gold medal in the 100. Bolt went on to compete in the men's 200, claiming his second consecutive gold medal in that race. He is the first man to win both the 100 and 200 at consecutive Olympic Games, as well as the first man to ever win back-to-back gold medals in double sprints.

Kobe Bryant biography

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NAME: Kobe Bryant OCCUPATION: Basketball Player BIRTH DATE: August 23, 1978 (Age: 35) EDUCATION: Lower Merion High School PLACE OF BIRTH: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania AKA: Kobe Bryant Full Name: Kobe Bean Bryant ZODIAC SIGN: Leo

Best Known For

Kobe Bryant is an NBA athlete who's one of the leading players in career points, having earned multiple championship rings. He has also won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. basketball team.

Synopsis

Born on August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kobe Bryant played for the Charlotte Hornets right out of high school. He was soon traded to the L.A. Lakers, where he went on to win five championships and become one of the leading scorers of the NBA. He has had a famous rivalry with one-time teammate Shaquille O'Neal and was once accused of sexual assault, though charges were later dropped. Bryant played on both the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic teams, winning two consecutive gold medals with teammates Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, among several other top players.

Oscar De La Hoya biography

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NAME: Oscar De La Hoya OCCUPATION: Boxer BIRTH DATE: February 04, 1973 (Age: 40) PLACE OF BIRTH: Montebello, Los Angeles, California Full Name: Oscar De La Hoya AKA: "The Golden Boy" ZODIAC SIGN: Aquarius

Best Known For

Oscar De La Hoya is a retired American boxer who is best known for his winning bouts in six different weight classes, and for his popular televised fights.

Synopsis

Boxer Oscar De La Hoya, also known as "The Golden Boy," was born in Montebello, Los Angeles, California on February 4, 1973. De La Hoya won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics at the age of 17, and went on to win 10 world titles in six different weight classes. De La Hoya was one of the most popular boxers in the history of the sport, generating hundreds of millions of dollars from his pay-per-view fights before his retirement in 2009.

Ronaldo biography

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NAME: Ronaldo OCCUPATION: Soccer Player BIRTH DATE: September 22, 1976 (Age: 36) PLACE OF BIRTH: Itaguaí, Brazil Full Name: Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima Nickname: "Fenômeno" AKA: Ronaldo AKA: Ronaldo Nazário de Lima ZODIAC SIGN: Virgo

Best Known For

Soccer player Ronaldo starred for the Brazilian national team and several European clubs over the course of a career that spanned nearly two decades.

Synopsis

Born on September 22, 1976, in Itaguaí, Brazil, Ronaldo established himself as an unstoppable scorer for European soccer teams in the mid-1990s. He bounced back from a disappointing finish to the 1998 World Cup and a series of knee injuries to lead Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup, and retired in 2011 as one of the game's all-time greats.

Juan Martin del Potro biography

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NAME: Juan Martin del Potro OCCUPATION: Tennis Player BIRTH DATE: September 23, 1988 (Age: 24) PLACE OF BIRTH: Tandil, Argentina ZODIAC SIGN: Libra

Best Known For

Juan Martin del Potro became the youngest tennis player to finish in the Top 10. He was the first Argentine to achieve the Grand Slam singles final since 2005.

Synopsis

Juan Martin del Potro was born September 23, 1988, in Tandil, Argentina. By the age of 12, he had earned a spot as the representative for Argentina in the Nike Junior Tour. In 2004 he won his first professional match at the International Tennis Federation event. Since then he has become the youngest player to finish in the Top 100 in 2006, the Top 50 in 2007 and the Top 10 in 2008.

Didier Drogba biography

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NAME: Didier Drogba OCCUPATION: Soccer Player BIRTH DATE: c. March 11, 1978 PLACE OF BIRTH: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire Full Name: Didier Yves Drogba Tébily AKA: Didier Drogba Nickname: Tito

Best Known For

Didier Drogba has earned worldwide acclaim as a professional soccer player and champion for peace in his native Ivory Coast.

Didier Drogba was born on March 11, 1978, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. After emigrating to France at an early age, he became a star soccer player in his adopted country and later led the world-famous Chelsea club to multiple championships. An immensely popular figure in Africa, Drogba has captained the Ivory Coast national team and earned acclaim for his humanitarian efforts

Gabby Douglas biography

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NAME: Gabby Douglas OCCUPATION: Gymnast BIRTH DATE: December 31, 1995 (Age: 17) PLACE OF BIRTH: Virginia Beach, Virginia Nickname: Flying Squirrel AKA: Gabby Douglas Full Name: Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas ZODIAC SIGN: Capricorn

Best Known For

Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas is best known as the first African American to win the individual all-around event. She also won a team gold medal for the U.S. at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Synopsis

Gabrielle Douglas was born on December 31, 1995, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Gabby Douglas began formal gymnastics training at 6 years old and won a state championship by the time she was 8. She moved away from her hometown and family in 2010 to pursue training with a world-renowned Olympic trainer, and was selected to compete with the U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. There, Douglas became the first African American to win gold in the individual all-around event. She also won a team gold medal with teammates Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross, McKayla Maroney and Jordyn Wieber.

Roger Federer biography profile photos

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NAME: Roger Federer OCCUPATION: Tennis Player, Philanthropist BIRTH DATE: August 08, 1981 (Age: 32) PLACE OF BIRTH: Basel, Switzerland ZODIAC SIGN: Leo

Best Known For

Tennis pro Roger Federer was the first Swiss man to win a Grand Slam title. In 2012, he became a seven-time Wimbledon champion, tying with Pete Sampras for the world No. 1 ranking record of 286 weeks.

Born in Switzerland on August 8, 1981, Roger Federer was among the Top 3 junior tennis players in Switzerland by age 11. He turned pro in 1998, and knocked out reigning champion Pete Sampras in the fourth round at Wimbledon 2001. Federer became the first Swiss man to win a Grand Slam title, when he won the Wimbledon 2003 singles. In 2004, he won the Australian Open, the U.S. Open and the ATP Masters, and retained the Wimbledon singles title. He also moved from the No. 2. spot to No. 1. In 2006, he won the Australian Open, his fourth successive Wimbledon singles title and his third successive U.S. Open. Federer held the No. 1 ranking from 2004 to 2008, regaining it in 2009—and several times thereafter, after frequent pushes by such rivals as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. In 2012, Federer defeated Djokovic in the Wimbledon semifinals, and beat Andy Murray to become the Wimbledon 2012 champion—Federer's seventh Wimbledon win. The victory helped Federer regain the No. 1 spot, and tie the world No. 1 ranking record of 286 weeks (set by Pete Sampras).

Cesc Fàbregas biography

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NAME: Cesc Fàbregas OCCUPATION: Soccer Player BIRTH DATE: May 04, 1987 (Age: 26) PLACE OF BIRTH: Arenys de Mar, Spain Full Name: Francesc Fàbregas Soler AKA: Cesc Fàbregas ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus

Best Known For

Soccer player Cesc Fàbregas has starred for the Arsenal and FC Barcelona clubs and led Spain to multiple championships in international competition.

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Synopsis

Cesc Fàbregas was born on May 4, 1987, in Arenys de Mar, Spain. A talented midfielder, he became the youngest player to appear for the Arsenal soccer club as well as a Spanish World Cup team. Fàbregas spent nine seasons with Arsenal before transferring to FC Barcelona, and served as a key member of the Spanish teams that won Euro 2008 and 2012 and the 2010 World Cup.

Pau Gasol biography

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NAME: Pau Gasol OCCUPATION: Children's Activist, Basketball Player BIRTH DATE: July 06, 1980 (Age: 33) EDUCATION: University of Barcelona PLACE OF BIRTH: Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain AKA: Pau Gasol Full Name: Pau Gasol Sáez ZODIAC SIGN: Cancer

Best Known For

Spanish professional basketball player Pau Gasol is a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was Spain's flag bearer during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Synopsis

Pau Gasol Sáez, better known as Pau Gasol, was born on July 6, 1980 in Barcelona, Spain. After playing for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies for seven seasons, he was traded to the league's top-tier Los Angeles Lakers. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2002, and is a two-time NBA champion with the Lakers. Gasol carried the Spanish flag for his country's contingent during the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London.

Tony Hawk biography

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NAME: Tony Hawk OCCUPATION: Professional Skateboarder BIRTH DATE: May 12, 1968 (Age: 45) PLACE OF BIRTH: San Diego, California Full Name: Anthony Frank Hawk ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus

Best Known For

Tony Hawk is a professional skateboarder, probably the most famous to ever be involved in the sport.

Synopsis

Tony Hawk was one of the top skateboarders in the world by the time he was 16, and in his 17-year career, he won more than 70 skateboarding contests. Hawk started his own skateboarding company, BirdHouse and also has a successful line of video games and skateboarding videos. Through the Tony Hawk Foundation, he provides grants and technical assistance for new parks, especially in low-income areas.

Kaka biography

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NAME: Kaka OCCUPATION: Soccer Player, Philanthropist BIRTH DATE: April 22, 1982 (Age: 31) PLACE OF BIRTH: Brasilia, Brazil Originally: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus

Best Known For

Professional soccer player Kaká helped São Paulo take home the World Cup title in 2002. He later lead Milan to Champions League and Club World Cup titles.

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Synopsis

Kaká was born on April 22, 1982, in Brasilia, Brazil. He made his professional debut with São Paulo's senior team. He aided his team in taking home the Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo title in 2001. In 2002 his team also took home the World Cup title. In 2003, the midfielder left his home country for a new team and a new contract in Milan, Italy. In 2009, Milan handed Kaká over to the Real Madrid club.

Ryan Lochte biography profile photos news

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NAME: Ryan Lochte OCCUPATION: Professional Swimmer BIRTH DATE: August 03, 1984 (Age: 29) PLACE OF BIRTH: Rochester, New York AKA: Ryan Lochte Full Name: Ryan Steven Lochte ZODIAC SIGN: Leo

Best Known For

Ryan Lochte is an American swimmer who has won 11 Olympic medals in the sport, including five golds.

Synopsis

Born in Rochester, New York, on August 3, 1984, Ryan Lochte started swimming at the age of 5. Soon after, his family moved to Florida so that his father could coach swimming, and Lochte began taking classes under his father and competing in Junior Olympics tournaments. He has since won 11 Olympic medals, including five golds; seven NCAA championships; and 51 major international medals. Most recently, at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, Lochte won two gold medals, in the 400-meter individual medley and 4-by-200-meter freestyle team event; and two silver medals, in the 4-by-100-meter freestyle relay team event and 200-meter individual medley (losing to Michael Phelps).

Diego Maradona biography

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NAME: Diego Maradona OCCUPATION: Soccer Player BIRTH DATE: October 30, 1960 (Age: 52) PLACE OF BIRTH: Buenos Aires, Argentina Full Name: Diego Armando Maradona Nickname: "Hand of God" AKA: Diego Maradona Nickname: El Diego Nickname: El Pelusa Nickname: El Pibe de Oro Nickname: El Dios ZODIAC SIGN: Scorpio

Best Known For

Soccer great Diego Maradona led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, though his accomplishments were later overshadowed by his battles with drug abuse.

Synopsis

Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Maradona led club teams to championships in Argentina, Italy and Spain, and famously starred for the Argentinean team that won the 1986 World Cup. However, the soccer legend's career was marred by a pair of high-profile suspensions for drug use, and he has often battled health problems in retirement.

Andy Murray biography profile news

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NAME: Andy Murray OCCUPATION: Tennis Player BIRTH DATE: May 15, 1987 (Age: 26) PLACE OF BIRTH: Dunblane, Scotland AKA: Andrew Murray AKA: Andy Murray Full Name: Andrew Barron Murray ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus

Best Known For

Andy Murray is a two-time Grand Slam winner. His 2012 US Open win made him the first British player to win a Grand Slam title since 1977, and his 2013 Wimbledon victory made him the first British Wimbledon champ in 77 years.

Synopsis

Born in Dunblane, Scotland, on May 15, 1987, Andy Murray has been ranked one of the world's best tennis players since 2007, and is a two-time Grand Slam winner. He lost to Roger Federer at both the 2008 US Open and 2010 Australian Open, and lost the 2011 Australian Open to Novak Djokovic. Murray made it to the Wimbledon final for the first time in 2012, winning the semifinal against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on July 6, 2012, but lost to longtime rival Roger Federer in the final. Murray avenged this loss at the 2012 Summer Olympics, where he beat Federer to take his first Olympic gold medal, denying Federer his first singles gold medal. At the 2012 US Open, Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in five sets, becoming the first English player to win a Grand Slam singles tournament since 1977. The following year, in July 2013, Murray won his first Wimbledon men's singles championship, making history as the first English Wimbledon champ in 77 years.

Rafael Nadal biography

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NAME: Rafael Nadal OCCUPATION: Tennis Player BIRTH DATE: June 03, 1986 (Age: 27) PLACE OF BIRTH: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain Originally: Rafael Nadal Parera Nickname: Rafa Nickname: The King of Clay Full Name: Rafael Nadal ZODIAC SIGN: Gemini

Best Known For

Spanish-born Rafael Nadal is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional tennis players of all time, completing the career Grand Slam by age 24—becoming the youngest in history to achieve the feat.

Synopsis

Born in Spain on June 3, 1986, Rafael Nadal is a Spanish professional tennis player who has been ranked among the world's Top 5 since 2003. Nadal is only the second male player to achieve the Career Golden Slam and the first to win seven French Open titles. He won the Roland Garros for four consecutive years, from 2005 to 2008, and went on to win Wimbledon 2008 against tennis star Roger Federer. In 2009, Nadal won the Australian Open, and came back to win his second Wimbledon in 2010, as well as his first U.S. Open and fifth French Open title. The following year, a No. 1-ranked Nadal lost his top ranking as well as Wimbledon 2011 to Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic. Also in 2011, he won his sixth French Open, followed by a seventh French Open victory in 2012. In the 2012 Wimbledon semifinals, a No. 3-ranked Nadal lost to Czech player Lukas Rosol—a match that some commentators labeled one the biggest upsets in tennis history. In June 2013, Nadal won his eighth French Open title against David Ferrer.

Wayne Rooney biography

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NAME: Wayne Rooney OCCUPATION: Soccer Player BIRTH DATE: October 24, 1985 (Age: 27) EDUCATION: Our Lady & St. Swithin's RC, De La Salle PLACE OF BIRTH: Liverpool, England Full Name: Wayne Mark Rooney AKA: Wayne Rooney Nickname: Wazza ZODIAC SIGN: Scorpio

Best Known For

Wayne Rooney is one of the world's best-known soccer players and a top scorer for the Manchester United club.

Wayne Rooney was born on October 24, 1985, in Croxteth, Liverpool, England. The temperamental but prolific scorer made his professional debut with Everton in 2002 but has enjoyed his greatest success as a member of the Manchester United club. One of the world's best-known soccer players, Rooney is endorsed by Nike and EA Sports, and has written multiple books for HarperCollins Publishers.

Cristiano Ronaldo biography

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NAME: Cristiano Ronaldo OCCUPATION: Soccer Player BIRTH DATE: February 05, 1985 (Age: 28) PLACE OF BIRTH: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal Full Name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro ZODIAC SIGN: Aquarius

Best Known For

Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional soccer player who has set records while playing for both Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Manchester United paid £12 million to sign him in 2003—a record fee for a player of his age. In the 2004 FA Cup final, he scored Manchester's first three goals and helped them capture the championship. In 2008, he set a franchise record for goals scored. In 2009, Real Madrid paid a record $131 million for his services.

Maria Sharapova biography profile photos

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NAME: Maria Sharapova OCCUPATION: Tennis Player BIRTH DATE: April 19, 1987 (Age: 26) PLACE OF BIRTH: Nyagan, Russia ZODIAC SIGN: Aries

Best Known For

Maria Sharapova has won various honors throughout her career, including the 2012 French Open and a silver medal in women's singles at the 2012 Olympics.

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Maria Sharapova was born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russia. She started playing tennis at an early age and turned professional at the age of 14. Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004 against Serena Williams and has gone on to win the US Open and Australian Open. In 2012, she won the French Open, becoming the 10th woman to complete a career Grand Slam. At the 2012 Summer Olympic Games -- Sharapova's Olympic debut -- she won a silver medal in women's singles, losing the gold to American tennis star Serena Williams.

Serena Williams biography

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NAME: Serena Williams OCCUPATION: Tennis Player BIRTH DATE: September 26, 1981 (Age: 31) PLACE OF BIRTH: Saginaw, Michigan ZODIAC SIGN: Libra

Best Known For

American professional tennis player Serena Williams has won 29 Grand Slam titles and several Olympic gold medals.

Synopsis

Born on September 26, 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, Serena Williams began playing tennis at an early age, enduring daily two-hour practices with her father at age three. In 1995, Serena turned pro, and, along with her sister Venus, enjoyed a run of high-profile victories. In 2009, Serena was fined and placed on probation for allegedly threatening a lineswoman, but she quickly moved past the incident. After a series of health scares in 2011, Williams beat Agnieszka Radwanska at Wimbledon 2012, claiming her fifth Wimbledon singles title. At the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, she won two gold medals, in women's doubles and women's singles—her first singles gold medal. In June 2013, Williams won her second French Open title against defending champion Maria Sharapova. Throughout her career, Williams has captured 16 Grand Slam singles and 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, as well as four Olympic gold medals.