Three-time world champion surfer Mick Fanning has mentioned he was “fairly flabbergasted” after being named as one of many eight new inductees to the Sport Australia Corridor of Fame.
Six athletes and two common members had been named by Sport Australia on Thursday, with the official ceremony to be held subsequent month.
Fanning, who was world champion in 2007, 2009 and 2013, is joined by former Kookaburras’ captain Mark Knowles, garden bowls star Karen Murphy, Olympic gold medallist Sally Pearson, Supercars and Bathurst 1000 champion Mark Skaife and dual-sport Paralympics champion Liesl Tesch.
Inducted as common members to the corridor of fame might be Gerry Ryan and the late basketball administrator Betty Watson.
“Australia produces so many unbelievable sporting stars and to be honoured as a kind of, amongst the greats, I am fairly flabbergasted, to be sincere,” Fanning mentioned.
“It isn’t one thing that we ever search for once we’re doing our sport, however to be acknowledged later in life may be very particular and I am very honoured to have the ability to share it with individuals who have supported me.”
Pearson, who’s one in every of simply 9 Australian ladies to win an Olympic gold medal in monitor and discipline, described the honour as surreal.
“It feels prefer it simply occurs to folks you see on TV,” she mentioned.
“I nonetheless really feel like that little child watching these superb athletes on TV. I nonetheless really feel like I am watching the Sydney Olympics and watching Cathy Freeman run.”
The formal ceremony might be held in Melbourne on November 18, the place two present members might be elevated to the standing of Legends of Australian Sport.
