We’re constantly amazed by an athlete’s strength, tenacity, and amazing endurance – to push one’s physical abilities is no easy accomplishment, and we applaud athletes for pushing themselves to be the best at what they do. Female athletes in particular have repeatedly shown that they are physically capable of completing seemingly impossible physical feats; from swimming with sharks to racing down the highest mountains.
At MDLR, we are continuously discovering figures that motivate us to get back on our feet and move, and we’ve compiled a list just for you! From Naomi Osaka to Misty Copeland, we present you five female athletes whose talents are unlike no other, and whose stories are inspiring.
Naomi Osaka
Ranked as the No.1 tennis player in the world by the Women’s Tennis Association is Naomi Osaka. Her story began in Japan, where she was born to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father; she then moved to the United States where she focused on honing her tennis skills with her father by day and homeschooling by night.
As a four-time Grand Slam Singles Champion, Osaka is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in the Singles category. Not only is she an athlete, but she’s also an entrepreneur, luminary, and role model for young women across the globe.
Lindsey Vonn
From the plains of Minnesota to the summit of the Olympics, alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn always leaves us in awe. Vonn started her skiing journey at 3 years old with her father on the gentle slopes of Minnesota – not long after, at the age of 7, she entered her first competition, and at age 9 she took part in international competitions.
With many years of training under her belt, Vonn is now one of six women who have won the World Cup races in all five disciples of alpine skiing – and to this day, she remains as USA’s greatest alpine skier.
Misty Copeland
As fans of ballet, we just had to include Misty Copeland in this list. While some of you might think ballet is not a sport, ballet requires an egregious amount of discipline and strength, just like any other sport.
A Kansas City native, Copeland began her ballet journey at the late age of 13; despite starting quite late, she managed to quickly progress and later joined the American Ballet Theater Studio Company. In 2007, she became a soloist and was later promoted to principal dancer in 2015, making her the first African-American woman to hold the position in the company’s 75-year history.
Copeland’s rise to the top of the ballet world has been an inspiration to many, including us. She’s broken-down barriers and shattered stereotypes, proving that anyone can achieve their dreams with hard work and dedication.
Bethany Hamilton
Overcoming a challenge is no easy feat, and Bethany Hamilton knows that too well.
As America’s most noted surfer, Bethany Hamilton encountered a shark attack in 2003, which resulted in the loss of her left arm. Despite this setback, she still continued her passion for surfing, making her a role model and a beacon of hope for shark attack survivors and young women alike.
Not only is she an athlete, but she is also an author and a motivational speaker. Through her story, she shares the importance of resilience and determination with a global audience. Hamilton’s story reminds us that even at our weakest, we can still rise up against the odds and continue doing what we were born to do.
Megan Rapinoe
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup Winnter with the US Women’s Team, Megan Rapinoe is known for her impressive skills on the field and activism off the field.
She began her soccer career playing for the University of Portland and made her professional debut in 2009 with Chicago Red Stars. Off the field, Rapinoe is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and has been a leader in the fight for equal pay for women soccer players. She’s also been involved in various social justice causes, and was named the “2019 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year”.
That's it from us! We hope that this list ignited a spark in you mentally and physically!