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Archive – Sports Blacks have always had a love affair with sports but it’s only in the last 70 to 80 years that the love affair has born fruit. Black involvement in sport has redefined its limits and raised accomplishments virtually through every event where they have a presence. As a result they have become icons and pathfinders in events where only true grit, staying power and determination suffice. Wimbledon Althea Gibson became the first black women to win two back to back Wimbledon titles in 1957 and 1958. This was followed by Arthur Ash in his prohibitive role as an under dog beating Jimmy Connors to become the first black male to win the title on July 5th 1975. Baseball Hank Aaron became baseballs all time home run hitter when he broke Babe Ruth’s record on April 8th 1974. American Football Walter Payton (below) of the Chicago bears became the NFL’s all time rushing leader on October 7, 1984 when he broke the nineteen year old record set by Jim Brown. Boxing The fight of the century saw Joe Frazer winning a unanimous decision over Muhammad Ali on March 8th, 1971. Mohammad Ali who had lost his title to Leon Spinks won a unanimous decision over him on September 15th, 1978 to become the first boxer to gain the heavyweight title three times. Track and Field Jackie Joyner Kersey a two time gold medallist in the heptathlon is still considered to be the world’s greatest women athlete. At the 1988 Olympics Florence Griffith Joyner became the first women since 1948 to win four gold medals in a single Olympiad. Carl Lewis won four gold medals at the 1936 German Munich Olympics. Basket Ball Michael Jordan termed the most exciting player in NBA history showed that the game can be played in a way that no one before imagined. Skating Debbie Thomas became the first black to win the U.S. Figure skating and the World Figure skating Championship title.