22. Ian Poulter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-89xmWCDEo Sport - Golf One of the most breathtaking sporting events of the year was, without a doubt, the biannual Ryder Cup golf competition, which sees a team of twelve European players take on a team of twelve Americans. The two nations take turns at hosting the competition, with 2012s responsibility falling to the Medinah Golf Club of Illinois. With seven players in the European team, including the likes of Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose and Luke Donald, the UK was well-represented at the event, which saw the American team take a 10-6 lead after two days, needing only 4 ½ points from a possible 12 to win the cup going into the final day of play. Known for his garish fashion sense as much as his playing ability, Ian Poulter was an inspiration throughout the three-day event, being the only player to win all of his matches. He contributed three of Europes initial six points, before adding an additional one as the European team, inspired by the memory of the late Seve Ballesteros, retained the trophy with a score of 14 ½-13 ½, in what has come to be known in the press as the Miracle Of Medinah. 21. Charlotte Dujardin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcvNDz9a_y8 Sport - Dressage There are many who wouldnt consider dressage, essentially horse dancing, to be a sport. The International Olympic Committee, however, disagrees, and dressage was one of three equestrian events to be included at the London games, alongside showjumping and eventing, the latter of which saw a team of Britons including Royal Family member Zara Phillips win medals. The most successful equestrian, however, was dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin, who took home gold medals in both the individual and team events, the latter of which was Great Britains first ever gold medal in the discipline, and saw Dujardin share glory with Carl Hester (who first employed her as one of the grooms at his stables, and is now her coach as well as teammate) and Laura Bechtolsheimer. Riding the horse Valegro, which she helped to develop for competition, Dujardin, aged 27, is sure to be a face that we see once again if the longevity of other equestrians is anything to go by.