Athletes to Watch: Up-and-Coming Stars in Different Sports Worldwide
Sports have taken the world by storm, with fans from all corners of the globe following their favorite superstars as they compete for championships, records, and glory. Every four years, the United States plays host to the pinnacle of athletic competition, the Olympic Games. World-class athletes from over 200 countries work hard and compete in this international forum, where extraordinary human performances are celebrated.
But there are also rising stars on the horizon, athletes who have yet to compete at the highest levels of their sport, but who have shown promise of future greatness. This article looks at some of those up-and-coming stars from various disciplines, from the obscure to the iconic, who should be watched as they continue to progress in the world of sports.
Why is it Important to Track Up-and-Coming Athletes?
With so much talent in the world of sports, it can be difficult to keep tabs on up-and-coming athletes. Yet, it’s important to follow the progress of these emerging stars, as their trajectories can help inform our understanding of the sport and its evolution. By keeping track of these athletes, we can gain insight into the changes in training and techniques they are using, and the emerging trends in play. We may also be able to predict potential superstars ahead of their time, which can in turn generate excitement for the sport and anticipation for the player.
Top 10 Up-and-Coming Athletes to Watch in 2021
- Kai Akimoto – Table Tennis (Japan)
Kai Akimoto is a young Japanese table tennis prodigy who has already won the World Junior Championships. Although relatively unknown outside of the table tennis world, Akimoto has shown immense potential and is being touted as one of the best young players in the world. He has already set his sights on competing in next year’s Tokyo Olympics, where it is thought that he could be a gold-medalist.
- Karen Bloom – Rugby (Australia)
Rugby player Karen Bloom is a star on the rise in Australia. She was chosen to the Australian women’s team for the 2021 World Cup, where she put up an impressive performance. Her future seems incredibly bright, as she has shown tremendous talent and skill in her discipline.
- Nikita Erokhin – Cross Country Skiing (Russia)
Cross-country skiing has been a mainstay in the winter Olympics for many years, and Nikita Erokhin may be the next great athlete to emerge from the sport. He won the Junior World Championships in 2020, and he’s already been mentioned as a possible medal-contender in the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics.
- Javian Hawkins – American Football (USA)
American football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and Javian Hawkins is an up-and-coming star who already played at the college level. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 and is set to have a breakout year in 2021. His unique blend of speed, agility, and vision are sure to make him a standout in the NFL.
- Federer Irico – Golf (Indonesia)
Golf may not be a sport that many associate with Indonesia, but this could be about to change with the emergence of Federer Irico. Already a winner of the Indonesian Amateur Open, Irico has the potential to be one of the best golfers of his generation and could soon take the golf world by storm.
- Montana Paiuka – Swimming (New Zealand)
Swimming is one of the most competitive Olympic categories, and there are many up-and-coming stars who will compete in 2021. One such is Montana Paiuka from New Zealand, who won the National Age-Group Championships in 2020. She has already made a name for herself on the international stage and her best is yet to come.
- Yul Martinez – Boxing (Venezuela)
Boxing is one of the oldest, and most celebrated, forms of fighting in the world. Venezuelan fighter Yul Martinez is tipped to be one of the next big stars of the sport, having already won a Junior World Championship in 2020. He has recently moved up to the professional league, and could be a future world champion.
- Dru Baker – Track and Field (USA)
Track and field is always one of the most popular competitions at the Olympics, and American athlete Dru Baker is set to be an up-and-coming star in the discipline. After breaking the US record in the 200-meter dash in 2020, Baker has taken his place among the top sprinters in the world.
- Maxton May – Mixed Martial Arts (USA)
Mixed Martial Arts has taken the combat sports world by storm in recent years, and American fighter Maxton May is leading the charge. With a perfect record and impressive Jiu-Jitsu skills, May has already made a name for himself and is expected to become one of the greats in the sport.
- Johny Xu – Badminton (China)
Badminton is a fast-growing sport in many parts of the world, but in China it has been a mainstay for hundreds of years. Chinese player Johny Xu is the latest badminton star on the rise, having won the national-level championship this year. He has the potential to be a future world champion, and his talent is sure to take the court by storm.
Tips for Tracking Up-and-Coming Athletes
Keeping abreast of all the athletes who are on the rise can be a difficult task, but here are a few tips that can help you stay in the know:
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Follow social media: Social media is one of the best ways to track emerging athletes, as they often share their progress and plans on channels like Instagram and Twitter.
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Google News alerts: Setting up a news alert on Google can help you stay up to date with any news related to up-and-coming athletes, as well as their latest developments.
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Expert opinion: When it comes to the latest developments in any sport, it’s best to seek out expert opinion. Connect with bloggers, podcasts, and other media personalities who specialize in the field to get the scoop on the latest athletes to watch.
Athletes to watch in any sport offers fascinating insight into the evolution of the game. Tracking up-and-coming stars can help to fuel our enthusiasm for sports, and provide valuable insight into the future of the sport. With so much talent around the world, the future is sure to bring some spectacular performances. For those looking to follow the latest developments, this article has looked at 10 up-and-coming stars to watch in 2021, as well as offering a few tips on tracking the progression of these athletes.