The most famous athletes of Russia in 2014

Every sport, be it football, hockey, figure skating, athletics or any other, attracts the attention of millions of viewers from all over the world. And Russia in this global subculture is no exception. But who is the most famous and popular among Russian idols today?

Top 3 popular sportsmen in Russia

The leading group of the rating includes a hockey player, tennis player and figure skater. As shown by the global Internet survey, the most famous athletes of Russia, which even children learn, are Alexander Ovechkin and Maria Sharapova.

The 29-year-old hockey player at the moment is the top scorer of the leading American team, the Washington Capitals, for which the striker has been playing since 2005. Also Alexander is rightly considered the leader of the Russian team.

As for Maria Sharapova, at her 27th birthday she is a 5-time winner of the Grand Slam and the second racket of the world. In addition, she has 36 gold medals in the WTA tournaments and the silver of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Closes the top three leaders of the rating "The most famous athletes of Russia" the outstanding skater Evgeni Plushenko. In his active 2 gold medals of the Olympic Games (2006, 2014), 3 World Cups and several dozen other serious awards.

The most famous Russian football players

In team sports, players stand out much harder than in solitary ones. The most popular of them in Russia, of course, is football. The most famous of his representatives are Alexander Kerzhakov and Igor Akinfeev.

The 32-year-old Zenit striker is recognized as the most popular and recognizable footballer of the country. In the current season Kerzhakov does not often get into the squad, but continues to score regularly goals.

The second in the rating "The most famous football players of Russia" is the guard of the gate of the Moscow "CSKA" and the national team of Igor Akinfeev.

For 11 years, that is, his entire professional career, the goalkeeper remains true to his beloved club.

Closes the top three of the best Alexander Kokorin. In his 23 years he is one of the highest-paid football players of the country.

TOP-3 sportsmen of Russia: hockey

Alexander Ovechkin is unquestionably the leader of the rating. The 29-year-old forward, the Washington Capitals, is also the most popular sportsman in Russia.

In addition to Alexander in our country among the audience in demand and well-known hockey players, like Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk. The first is the main striker of the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of the best NHL players. It is noteworthy that Malkin is a pupil of Magnitogorsk Metallurg.

As for Ilya Kovalchuk, he is currently playing for St. Petersburg's SKA. During his career, the 31-year-old flank forward played for such NHL clubs as Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils.

Most popular Russian tennis players

In addition to Maria Sharapova, Ekaterina Makarova and Mikhail Yuzhny were in the top three in this sport.

26-year-old native of Moscow (mother of two children) is a repeated finalist and winner of the open tournaments of the Grand Slam and WTA.

In 2014, Catherine remained literally a step from the first place on the "Australian Open", losing in the decisive confrontation of the Chinese Li Na.

Mikhail Youzhny took the third place in the rating of the most popular tennis players of the country, having bypassed Alla Kudryavtsev, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Maria Kirilenko. His main achievements are the victories in the Davis Cup.

Athletes of Russia: TOP-3

The first place is Kliszyn. In his 23 years, a native of Tver is one of the main hopes of the Russian national track and field team. At the European Championships in 2014, Daria entered the top three.

On the second and third lines of the ranking there are such famous athletes as Maria Kuchina and Ivan Ukhov. Young jumper in height from Kabardino-Balkaria this year managed to conquer the mark of 2.00 m. In the summer of 2014, Maria defeated all her competitors in the Diamond League.

As for Ivan Ukhov, he is at the age of 28 the champion of the 2012 Olympics, as well as the repeated winner of the gold medals of the World and European Championships. Personal record high jumper - 2.42 m.

TOP-3 athletes of Russia: martial arts

Undisputed favorite here is Alexander Povetkin. After the battles with Marco Huck and Vladimir Klichko, the whole world began talking about the Russian boxer.

Over the years, Povetkin was a regular heavyweight champion in the WBA version. In 2014, confidently won the title of "Silver" from the WBC.

Then there are such famous sportsmen of Russia in martial arts as Denis Lebedev and Fedor Emelianenko. The first in his 35 years is one of the leading domestic boxers. The second in many versions is considered the best fighter of MMA.

Rating of famous sportsmen of Russia: other types

The most popular biathlonist of the country is Olga Zaitseva, and Anton Shipulin became her neighbor in the men's category .

The most famous athletes of Russia in figure skating: Lipnitskaya Julia and Sotnikova Adelina (16 and 18 years old respectively). In the men's category, the most recognizable is Plushenko.

In such winter sports as short track and skeleton, the leaders in popularity are Victor An and Alexander Tretyakov respectively.

One of the last in the rating of the most famous domestic athletes for 2014 included Daniil Kvyat. In his 20 years he became the first Russian racer of "Formula 1".