Kurt Fearnley, Nova Peris, Johnathan Thurston, Tim Cahill Inducted Into Sport Australia Hall Of Fame
Kurt Fearnley, who won the gold medal at the Paralympics, does not consider himself to be among the all-time greats, but that distinction is now officially his. In the latter part of this month, he will join a club that also includes Nova Peris, Johnathan Thurston, and Tim Cahill in being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Kurt Fearnley is the only person who appears to have a problem with his induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, despite the fact that he has won three gold medals at the Paralympics, four world titles, and two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.
The racer in a wheelchair has an amazing career that has spanned more than two decades and has earned a huge list of achievements that would be difficult to include here.
In addition to him, rower Kim Brennan, footballer Tim Cahill, aerial skiing champion Lydia Lassila, NRL great Johnathan Thurston, hockeyroo Nova Peris, and rowing coach Tim McLaren have all earned spots in the Hall of Fame. He is one of seven new members of the exclusive organization.
Fearnley, on the other hand, is not entirely certain that he should be included in the group.
"The one room that I've ever been overwhelmed in, that I've ever felt completely out of my depth in, is any function that I have been to with the Sport Australia Hall of Fame," Fearnley said. "I've never felt more out of my depth in any other room in my life."
"When you look around, you see some of the greatest names in Australian sporting history.
"You know, collectively, being a part of that space in that room is great, but at the same time, it's one of the most scary environments I've ever experienced.
"The absolute best, the people you looked up to when you were a child - you get to meet them, and they are so charming, so open, and so approachable as well.
"It's one of those 'is this real?' situations," moments of a certain kind.
"I don't think it's in me to ever feel that (like one of the greats)." / "I don't think it's in me to ever feel like one of the greats."
Fearnley has already been honored by the Australian Sports Hall of Fame, receiving "The Don" award in 2018 for his victory in the marathon competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which earned him the gold medal.
Fearnley said this about his most recent accomplishment, "I'm a sports fan, and I will always be a sports fan, and I think any Aussie who is into that space and sits across from the likes of Dawn Fraser and John Bertrand, the great Louise Sauvage and Robert de Castella," he added.
"The list is just incredible, and I don't know if I'll ever see myself that way, but at the same time, I'm grateful to be mentioned."
One and only Tim Cahill has represented Australia at four different FIFA World Cups.
During the course of his career, he wore the green and gold uniform 108 times and scored 50 goals, each of which he celebrated by performing his signature shadow boxing act with the corner flag.
Cahill broke a record by being the first Australian player to score a goal in both the World Cup and the Asian Cup.
In addition to that, he played professionally on four different continents, including more than 200 games for Millwall and Everton in the United Kingdom.
"When John called me to tell me the news, it was a mixture of shock and then gratitude," Cahill said. "When John called me to tell me the news,"
I was in my office at the time, and I can assure you that I did not anticipate receiving a call of that nature. It came as quite a surprise to me considering that I have been retired for close to five years now.
" It is a really humbling experience to look down the list of athletes who have been inducted into the hall of fame before me, take in everything that they have accomplished, and then realize that I will soon be a part of the same company.
"Just like so many of them, my sporting career was comprised of years upon years of training, dedication, and sacrifice, so to have this recognized by SAHOF is truly something special."
"It prompted me to think about all of the people, including my family, coaches, teammates, and friends, who had helped me along the journey. They are essential to the success of my professional endeavors.
On October 16, an event celebrating entrants into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame will take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. The event will honor the honorees.