Tiger Woods's 14th Major victory on Monday got us thinking here at iafrica.com. Who is the greatest ever sportsman or woman?

Of course, compiling a list of the greatest ever sportsmen — or women — will always be a matter of opinion and it is hard to separate players because of the eras they played in... not to mention the sport they played...

Nevertheless, iafrica.com's Barend Prins has decided to give it a go in our top 10 of the world's best sportspeople — in no particular order:

Pele:

Edison Arantes do Nascimento, better known by his nickname — Pele, is widely regarded as the best footballer of all time. The only player to have won three World Cups, Pele made his debut for the Brazilian national team three months before his 17th birthday, and was a fixture in the team for the next 14 years. Holder of numerous individual scoring and appearance records, Pele was the complete footballer — renowned for his excellent passing and dribbling abilities, his pace, powerful shot, and exceptional ability with his head.

Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay Junior):

Three-time World Heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, the self-proclaimed 'The Greatest' was named by Sports Illustrated in 1999 as the 'Sportsman of the Century'. A strong case could be made for a number of other boxers, but it is Ali's courage that sets him apart from the other candidates. Throughout his 21-year professional career, Ali continually defied the odds — beating Sonny Liston in 1964; defying the draft into the US Armed Forces (after which the heavyweight title was stripped from him); regaining the title against the seemingly undefeatable George Foreman in 1974; going toe to toe with Joe Frazier in Manila in 1975 to name but a few.

Sir Donald Bradman:

Widely regarded as the best batsman of all time, Bradman's Test batting average of 99.94 is considered by some as the single greatest statistical achievement in any sport. Known for his fast footwork and ability to hit the ball powerfully all around the wicket, 'The Don' was, without a doubt the premier cricketer in the world throughout his career. The dreaded 'Bodyline' strategy used by England in the 1932/33 Ashes — something that has since been labelled as completely unfair — was devised simply to negate Bradman's influence. It worked to an extent, as it was Bradman's least prolific series, averaging a mere 56.57!

Martina Navratilova:

Czech-born Martina Navratilova is the most prolific all-round tennis player to have ever lived. A winner of 59 Grand Slam titles (18 singles, 31 women's doubles and 10 mixed doubles), Navratilova holds the record for the longest winning streak (74 consecutive matches) in tennis history. A 'south-paw', with a strong serve-and-volley game, she has won more singles (167) and doubles (177) titles than anybody else in a professional career spanning across four decades.

Jack Nicklaus:

Golf's most prolific player, Nicklaus is largely credited with making golf the huge spectator sport it is today. 'The Golden Bear' had a unique style, combining a superb putting technique with the ability to hit the ball further than anyone at the time. Through his 25-year career, from 1962 to 1986, he won more Major titles (18) than anybody previous or since. Joining the Champions Tour, the PGA's senior tour, in 1990, Nicklaus won eight — another record — Majors there, before finally putting away his clubs in 1996.

Tiger Woods:

Perhaps the only person to realistically challenge Nicklaus's records, Tiger Woods has dominated the game since turning professional in 1996. 65 PGA Tour wins, including 14 Major championships, Woods boasts more titles than any other active player — and at the tender age of 32, there is sure to be a lot more added. Woods has been the top ranked golfer longer than anyone else, and has been named 'PGA Player of the Year' a record nine times.

Michael Jordan:

Michael Jordan did more to popularise basketball throughout the world in the 1980s and 90s than any other player. By his own acclaim, 'Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.' Holder of a number of scoring and defensive records, Jordan was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN in 1999.

Michael Schumacher:

Statistically the most successful Formula One driver ever, Michael Schumacher has more drivers' championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions, and points scored than anyone else. 'Schumi' became the first German to win a Formula One championship (with Benetton 1994), but after successfully defending his title in 1995, he moved to the struggling Ferrari team. It was with Ferrari that Schumacher became the legend that he is today, however, — winning the Italian outfit's first Drivers' Championship in 21 years in 2000. In his 11-year spell with Ferrari, Schumacher claimed five consecutive drivers' titles (2000-2004), as well as leading Scuderia Ferrari to six constructors' titles (1999-2004).

Lance Armstrong:

American cyclist Lance Armstrong has become the epitome of human spirit and endurance during the last decade. Diagnosed with testicular cancer in the early 1990s, which metastasized to his lungs and brain, Armstrong recovered from extensive surgery and chemotherapy to win the grueling Tour de France — cycling's premier event — a record seven consecutive times between 1999 and 2005! Cycling has been marred by doping scandals in the recent past, and Armstrong's name has flared up quite a bit as well, but only one test in 1999 showed any trace of a banned substance in his blood. 'Mellow Johnny', as he was nicknamed, produced a medical certificate showing he used an approved cream for saddle sores which contained the banned corticosteroid.

Wayne Gretzky:

Nicknamed 'The Great One' — Canadian ice-hockey player Wayne Gretzky is without a doubt the greatest player the game has ever seen. Not known for his physical attributes, many critics thought him to be too small and slow to be a force in the National Hockey League (NHL). His ability to read and anticipate the game is what set him apart from his peers, however. Gretzky played professional hockey for 21 years, and was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame upon retiring in 1999. At that time, he held 61 NHL records, including most goals; most points scored and most assists.

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