Every sport, be it soccer, hockey, figure skating, athletics or any other, attracts the attention of millions of spectators from around the world. And Russia in this global subculture is no exception. But which of the domestic idols is the most famous and popular today?
TOP 3 popular athletes of Russia
The leading rating group includes a hockey player, tennis player and figure skater. As the global Internet survey showed, the most famous athletes in Russia, which even children recognize, are Alexander Ovechkin and Maria Sharapova.
The 29-year-old hockey player is currently the top scorer of the leading US team, the Washington Capitals, for which the striker has been playing since 2005. Alexander is also rightfully considered the leader of the Russian national team.
As for Maria Sharapova, at the age of 27 she is the 5-time owner of the Grand Slam and the second racket of the world. In addition, she has 36 WTA gold medals and the 2012 Olympic silver medal.
Closes the three leaders of the rating “The most famous athletes of Russia” outstanding figure skater Evgeni Plushenko. He has 2 Olympic gold medals (2006, 2014), 3 World Cups and several dozens of other serious awards.
The most famous Russian football players
In team sports, players are much more difficult to stand out than in single. The most popular of them in Russia, of course, is soccer. His most famous representatives are Alexander Kerzhakov and Igor Akinfeev.
The 32-year-old striker of Zenit is recognized as the country's most popular and recognizable footballer. In the current season, Kerzhakov is not often included, but he continues to regularly score goals.
The second in the ranking “The Most Famous Football Players of Russia” is Igor Akinfeev, the gate guard of the Moscow “CSKA” and the national team .
For 11 years, that is, his entire professional career, the goalkeeper has remained faithful to his beloved club.
Closes the top three Alexander Kokorin. At 23, he is one of the highest paid football players in the country.
TOP 3 Russian athletes: hockey
Alexander Ovechkin unconditionally recognized as the leader in the rating . The 29-year-old striker, Washington Capitals, is also Russia's most popular athlete.
In addition to Alexander, such famous hockey players as Yevgeny Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk are in demand among spectators in our country. The first is the Pittsburgh Penguins main striker and one of the best NHL players. It is noteworthy that Malkin is a pupil of Magnitogorsk Metallurg.
As for Ilya Kovalchuk, he currently plays for St. Petersburg SKA. Over the course of his career, the 31-year-old striker has played for NHL clubs such as Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils.
The most popular tennis players of Russia
In addition to Maria Sharapova, Ekaterina Makarova and Mikhail Yuzhny were among the top three in this sport.
The 26-year-old native of Moscow (mother of two children) is a repeated finalist and winner of the Grand Slam and WTA open tournaments.
In 2014, Catherine remained literally one step away from first place at the Australian Open, losing in the decisive confrontation to Chinese woman Li Na.
Mikhail Yuzhny took an honorable third place in the ranking of the country's most popular tennis players, beating Alla Kudryavtseva, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Maria Kirilenko. His main achievements are victories in the Davis Cups.
Track and Field Athletes of Russia: TOP-3
First place - Klishina. At 23, a native of Tver, is one of the main hopes of the Russian national track and field athletics team. At the European Championship 2014, Daria entered the top three.
On the second and third lines of the ranking are such famous athletes as Maria Kuchina and Ivan Ukhov. This year, a young high jumper from Kabardino-Balkaria managed to conquer the 2.00 m mark. In the summer of 2014, Maria defeated all her competitors in the Diamond League.
As for Ivan Ukhov, at the age of 28 he is the champion of the 2012 Olympics, as well as the repeated winner of the gold medals of the World and European Championships. Personal high jumper record - 2.42 m.
TOP 3 Russian athletes: martial arts
The undisputed favorite here is Alexander Povetkin. After fights with Marco Huck and Wladimir Klitschko, the whole world spoke of a Russian boxer.
For many years, Povetkin was a regular heavyweight champion according to the WBA. In 2014, he confidently won the WBC Silver title.
Further, such famous Russian athletes in martial arts as Denis Lebedev and Fedor Emelianenko settled down. The first in his 35 years is one of the leading domestic boxers. The second in many versions is considered the best MMA fighter.
Rating of famous athletes of Russia: other types
Olga Zaitseva was named the most popular biathlete in the country, and Anton Shipulin became her neighbor in the men's rating category .
The most famous Russian athletes in figure skating: Lipnitskaya Julia and Sotnikova Adeline (16 and 18 years old, respectively). In the men's category, Plushenko is the most recognizable.
In winter sports such as short track and skeleton, the leaders in popularity are Viktor An and Alexander Tretyakov, respectively.
One of the last in the ranking of the most famous domestic athletes for 2014 was Daniil Kvyat. In his 20s, he became the first Russian Formula 1 driver.