New Zealand's Hamish Bond and Eric Murray win gold in the mens pairs. Olympic Rowing, Rio Olympics Games 2016, Rio de Janeiro. Thursday 11 August, 2016. Copyright photo: John Cowpland / www.photosp
New Zealand's Hamish Bond and Eric Murray win gold in the mens pairs. Olympic Rowing, Rio Olympics Games 2016, Rio de Janeiro. Thursday 11 August, 2016. Copyright photo: John Cowpland / www.photosp
We compare Hamish Bond and Eric Murray's incredible winning streak in the water, with the best of all time.
Eric Murray and Hamish Bond
The men's coxless pair triumphed on the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon today by 2.8s to remain unbeaten in eight seasons, a feat ranking among the finestexamples of New Zealand, let alone world, athletic supremacy.
They have gone 69 races at 24 international regattas without defeat in the class. No one has completed more in rowing's history. In a discipline of such technical nous, they have overcome every conceivable doubt in every heat, semifinal and final on every visit to a race course.
In case you were wondering, since their first win on June 19, 2009, they have gone 2610 days without defeat in tandem.
The American remained invincible in the 400m hurdles for 122 consecutive races, including 107 finals, from September 2, 1977 in Dusseldorf until June 4, 1987 in Madrid when he lost to compatriot Danny Harris. His stretch between losses was nine years, nine months and nine days... a quirk for the statistically-minded.
Moses cut an impressive figure bounding over the three-foot high obstacles, especially in his early days, when donning tinted spectacles. He won two Olympic gold medals (1976 and 1984 while missing 1980 due to boycott) and set four world records.
Jahangir Khan
Khan won 555 straight squash matches between 1981 and 1986. The Pakistani was 17 when the streak began. He was finally dispatched by Kiwi Ross Norman in the 1986 World Open final.
Cal Ripken Jnr
Ripken must hold the world record for the longest time spent going to work without requiring a sick note. The former shortstop and third baseman played 2,632 straight games for the Baltimore Orioles from 1982 to 1998.
Auckland's 1985-93 Ranfurly Shield reign set the standard for pro rugby before its time. Auckland defended the Log o' Wood 61 times before Waikato prised it away in September 1993.
Sir Steven Redgrave
Redgrave's streak, winning a rowing gold medal in five consecutive Olympics, takes some beating. Over 16 years from 1984-2000, Redgrave always crossed first in Olympic finals.
Valerie Adams
The shot putter established an undefeated record of 56 titles at internationally-ranked meets stretching from August 2010 until July 2015. It included two of her four world championships and one of her two Olympic gold medals.
