With so much debasing theatrics on all those “housewives and wifeys” reality dramas, it’s hard to remember that there are black women in the public eye who are great role models for their athletic prowess. Where’s the reality show featuring dynamic black female athletes? ‘Cause they’re definitely getting short shrift.
With the Summer Olympic games coming around again from London next year, we thought we’d take a look at some ladies who use their bodies for more than just looking good. Here are some of our favorite female athletes. Some you know, and others are little more obscure. But if you don’t know who they are, you should get familiar soon.
LAILA ALI
Even though she’s retired from the ring, you’ve got to give some honorable mention props to boxer Laila Ali. Now a wife and mother of two with her own beauty line, Ali proved herself worthy to succeed her famous father, Muhammad Ali, in the ring. Unfortunately, though, the time just wasn’t right for women’s boxing, and she KO’ed most of the worthy, if sparse, competition there was. Some critics say that Ali never fought the few top contenders there were, but she retired with a perfect 24-0 record and was only knocked down once in the ring. Sure, the world may never know just how good she really was, but we salute Laila Ali for getting in the ring and competing, given the huge shadow of her father’s legacy.
CANDACE PARKER
WNBA star Candace Parker has been plagued with injuries in her short career – and she had a baby – but she and her L.A. Sparks team should come back strong next year. Known as one of the few women to ever dunk in a NCAA tournament game, Parker is a strong contender for WNBA superstardom once she plays a full WNBA season healthy. She’s part of a championship team in Russia, where she plays in the WNBA off-season. You may not watch the WNBA, but it’s been around now for 15 years, and there are a few big stars, but former MVP and WNBA Rookie of the Year Parker remains one to watch. Her personal story is cool, too. She and NBA player husband Shelden Williams are the real “Love and Basketball” story.
SANYA RICHARDS ROSS
She’s American, but Jamaica can still claim bragging rights for Sanya Richards, as she’s originally from there. She moved to this country at 12 years old, but she must have learned something from the crew of world-class Jamaican sprinters before she left. She’s part of a fast fleet of Jamaican-born runners who are burning up the track, but fortunately for the U.S., Richards is running for Team USA. Her dominant come-from-behind performance in the 2008 Olympics sealed a relay gold for the U.S., and this year, she and teammate Alyson Felix asserted their relay dominance, winning gold again in the World Championships. The sprint star was featured on WEtv’s “Platinum Weddings” with her husband, NFL player Aaron Ross. The two-time Olympic medalist’s specialty is the 400 meters, so be sure to check her out in the 2012 Olympic games, where chances are she’ll once again be blazing past her opponents en route to a medal.
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