Paolo Maldini

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Name: Paolo Maldini
Date of Birth: 26-6-68
Place of Birth : Milan
Height: 1.87 m.
Weight : 85kg
Position : Defender/Leftback
Number : 3
Zodiac: Cancer
Marital Status : Married with 2 children
Club : Ac Milan
Official site : www.maldini.com
Previous club : None [never moved from milan]
Club debut : January 20, 1985 versus Udinese (drew 1-1)
International debut : March 31, 1988 versus Yugoslavia (drew 1-1).
Caps [Italy] : 126

Personal Information

Actor : Bruce Wills
Actress : Jodie Foster
Movie : "Silence of the Lambs"
Singer : Eros Ramazzotti and Will Smith
Soccer Idol : Roberto Bettega
Car : OPEL
Vacation Spot : New York
Sports Besides Soccer: Tennis

Honours

4 Italian Champion, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994
3 Uefa Cup, 1989, 1990, 1994.
3 UEFA Supercup, 1989, 1990, 1995.
2 World Club Cup: 1989, 1990.
World Soccer's World Player of the Year: 1994.
World Cup [2nd place and 3rd place]
European Cup [2nd place]

Description

Strictly chronologically speaking Paolo Maldini is in every respect the worthy follower of Franco Baresi: he has ever since played in A.C. Milan, just like his captain, both players are natural talents and endowed with excellent technical and physical qualities, both are defenders, share the same victories and both were even launched into the first division, though at different times, by the same trainer: Nils Liedholm. Maldini is the true prototype of Art's Son, being his father Cesare the trainer of the Italian National Team and very successful A.C. Milan captain in the sixties as well. The debut of "Junior", this is how he is called at Milanello sports centre, dates back to 1995, when, as he was only 16 years old, he was sent onto the field by Liedholm in Udine and, since then, he became an indispensable element of the red-and-black line-up. A left side defender, as well as a strong and skilful central defender, Paolo granted new dimension to his role thanks to his great ability to freely move and play all over the field: impassable bulwark as a defender, Maldini is extremely effective also as a forward and inexorable as he sneaks on the left side. Thanks to his purest class, Maldini soon debuts also in the National Team. Hardly 19 years old and he is called onto the field for his first match: 31th March 1988, Yugoslavia - Italy 1-1. As a player of the National Team, he ranks among the first in Italy '90 and ranks second at USA '94. Maldini, now the captain of the National Team, with his 81 caps ranks third in the special list of the best National Team players.
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Anna Kournikova

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Anna Kournikova Biography

Name : Anna Kournikova
Date of Birth : June 7, 1981
Place of Birth : Moscow, Russia
Sign : Sun in Gemini, Moon in Leo
Height : 5' 8''
Weight : 123 lbs.
Lives : Miami, Florida, USA
Profession : Tennis Player
Father : Sergei Kournikov
Mother : Alla Kournikov
Coach : Pavel Slozil
Fan Mail : Anna Kournikova
c/o Bollettieri Tennis
Academy 5500 34th St.
West Bradenton, FL 34210 USA
Real Name : Anya Kournikova

Anna Kournikova Trivia

# Is the only child to her parents.

# Ex-tennis player.

# Named one of "People" magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People of 1998.

# Graduated from a Russian high school in 1997, and has attended Russian University of Physical Culture since 1997.

# Dated Pavel Bure and childhood sweetheart Sergei Fedorov at the same time. Fedorov told The Hockey News that he and Kournikova had secretly married in July 2001, but were divorced shortly thereafter; Kournikova has never confirmed this.

# 2002: Appears in the new Enrique Iglesias video "Escape".

# Her fastest serve was clocked at 111.2 mph during the Paris Indoors of 1998.

# May 2002: has been voted "the sexiest woman in the world" in the magazine "FHM" (Australian version).

# Has never won a major tennis tournament, as of January 2004.

# It is announced that Kournikova was voted the Sexiest Woman in the World in FHM's 100 Sexiest Girls poll for 2002, American edition. [May 2002]

# Knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round. [June 2002]

# Ranked 299th in the world (as of October 2003).

# Has a tattoo of a sun design on her lower back, which made its "debut" at the 2003 Australian Open. Oddly, she denied having it, telling reporters that it was actually a heat patch to treat back pain.

# Sold her Miami Beach condo at Portofino Tower to Sergei Fedorov for $1.63 million (December 2003).

# In February 2001, the Anna Kournikova Virus was released. Within a few hours of its distribution anti-virus vendors received thousands of reports. However, investigators were only able to list 55 incidents of infection, causing just $166,827 worth of damage. On 27 September 2001, a Dutch court gave the virus's author, Jan De Wit, the choice of 150 hours community service or 75 days in jail.

# Her favorite food is Sushi.

# Voted as #9 on the Top 100 Sexiest Women 2004 in FHM [DK].

# Her best ranking in tennis was number 8 in the world (2000).

# Career best Grand Slam tournament singles results: Australian Open quarterfinals in 2001, French Open 4th round in 1998 and 1999, Wimbledon semifinals in 1997, U.S. Open 4th round in 1996 and 1998.

# Named #29 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list.

# Ranked as #62 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005)

# Measurements at 2004: 32B - 24 - 34.

Anna Kournikova Detailed Biography

Russian-born Anna Kournikova left Moscow at the age of 9 to come to Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy in Florida, USA - the same academywhich has also produced Monica Seles and Andre Agassi.She was the world's topped-ranked junior at the end of 1995, shortlyafter Martina Hingis joined the professional ranks. Kournikova herselfturned professional in 1996, and competed in her first grand slam at theUS Open that year. She performed exceptionally well, defeating seededplayers before finally falling to eventual champion Steffi Graf in the4th round.

In 1997, she affirmed her position amongst the world's top players,highlighted by a semi-final appearance at her first Wimbledon as aprofessional. In 1998 she further surged up the rankings, with the highlightbeing an appearance in the final of the prestigious Lipton Championships,defeating four top 10 players consecutively along the way. Soon after, shescored her first victory over world number 1 Hingis, and just prior toWimbledon she broke into the world Top 10 for the first time in her career.A thumb injury before Wimbledon (suffered in a match where she defeatedGraf) ruled her out of tournaments for the next few months, and she hassince had a tough time regaining her momentum. 1999 began with acontroversial Australian Open, her play marred by poor form with her service.However, she did manage to make the 4th round in singles (her best result)as well as winning the doubles championships with Hingis as her partner.

Anna says her game wasn't modelled after any one player, although listsGraf and Seles as players she has learnt from, watching television. Nowat 18 years of age, she is developing her power game and exhibitingsome fearful groundstrokes coupled with superb court mentality.Anna is indeed superstar material, with glamourous looks (she says ifnot for tennis, her passion would be acting) and an aggressive all-courtgame to match. In fact, she has had an agent since the age of 10.She is currently on the verge of the world Top 10, and others forseeher and Hingis (along with the Williams sisters) battling it out for worldnumber 1 in the not-too-distant future. Regardless, Anna Kournikovawill play a great role in the future of women's tennis.

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Tiger Woods

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Tiger Woods Biography

Name : Tiger Woods
Birth Date : Dec 30, 1975
Birth Place : Cypress, California
Height : 6' 2
Weight : 180 lbs.
Full name : Eldrick 'Tiger' Woods
Profession : Professional Golfer
Best Known As : Dominating pro golfer and Nike celebrity
Wife : Elin Nordegren, aformer Swedish nanny

Tiger Woods Trivia
* Woods collected his first strokeplay title of a difficult year when he stormed to an 8-shot victory at the Dunlop Phoenix tournament. His triumph signalled a welcome return to form, after his 5 years reign as world no. 1 was ended by Fiji's Vijai Singh.

Tiger Woods Detailed Biography

Record breaking pro golfer Eldrick 'Tiger' Woods was born on the 30th of December, 1975, the only child to parents Earl, retired lieutenant, and Kultida, of Thai descent. Earl Woods gave his son Eldrick the nickname 'Tiger', after a soldier and friend of his father who was also nicknamed Tiger in his days as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. Tiger grew up in Cypress, California, where his future passion and talent was foreshadowed while he was only a baby. Tiger would watch his father hit golf balls and would mimic his father's swing while still in his crib. Even before becoming a graduate from Western High School in Anaheim, California, Tiger was appearing on television and winning golf tournaments. At the mere age of 2, Tiger played with comedian and golfer Bob Hope on a national televisor, the Mike Douglas Show. He was featured in Golf Digest at age 5, after having already succeeded in shooting 48 for nine holes while the same children his age were still playing with building blocks.

A six-time winner at the Optimist International Junior Tournament, Tiger won at the ages of 8 and 9, and consecutively from ages 12 to 15. While a student at Stanford University, Tiger won 10 collegiate events and held the NCAA title. Before his years at Stanford, Tiger had already played in a professional tournament when he was 16 years old, the Nissan Los Angeles Open in 1992. One year later, he participated in three PGA Tour events and in 1994, Tiger placed 34th in the 1994 Johnnie Walker Asian Classic in Thailand and appeared in three more PGA Tours that same year. After having won the 1994 Western Amateur and representing the United States in the 1994 World Amateur Team Championships in France and the 1995 Walker Cup Match in Wales, Tiger was ready for his first major championships in 1995 -- the Masters and The British Open. Tiger couldn't play in the US Open that year because he injured his wrist.

Even as an amateur in 1995 and 1996, Tiger was making and breaking records and it was for this reason (among many others) that he was named Sports Illustrated's 1996 Sportsman of the Year. In 1997, Tiger won the first Mercedes Championships of the season, the Masters and four PGA events. Tiger became the leading money winner, winning $2,440,831. Among the records Tiger has broken are:

* In 1997, the youngest ever No.1 golfer at age 21, 24 weeks.
* In 1999 alone, Tiger won 81.7 percent more than the runner up during the PGA Tour.
* In 1999, he had as many as 8 victories in one year.
* In 1999, he achieved the highest point average (20.61) in the history of the World Ranking.
* In 1999, earned a record setting 750 points.
* In 1999, achieved the lowest ever adjusted scoring average of 68.43 strokes.
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Michael Schumacher

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Born: 3rd January 1969 in Hürth-Hermühlheim/Germany

Nationality: German

Residence: Vufflens/Switzerland

Married to Corinna (32)

Children: Daughter Gina-Maria (4), Son Mick (2)

Brother: Ralf (24), Grand Prix Driver for Williams BMW

Four Dogs: West Highland White Terrier: Jenny, Half-Breed: Floh from Interlagos/Brazil, two Belgian Shepherd Dogs

Educated profession: Car Mechanic

Manager: Wilhelm F. Weber (D)

Teams: Jordan (1991), Benetton (1991-1995), Ferrari (since 1996)

Pre-Grand Prix Career: Karts, Formula König, German Formula 3 for WTS (Champion 1990), Group C Sports Car Racing for Sauber Mercedes

First Grand Prix: Belgium 1992 in Spa with a 7up Jordan Ford, qualified 7th but retired in lap one (clutch)

First Worldchampionship Points: Italy 1991 with 5th place in his second Grand Prix

First Grand Prix Win: Belgium 1992 in Spa with a Camel Benetton Ford

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Michael Schumacher was born on 3 January 1969 in western Germany (in Hurth, near Cologne). As early as four years of age he was notching up his first circuits at the go-kart track nearby where his parents. In the go-kart he was runner-up in the Junior World Championships at the age of sixteen, and two years later he became the European Champion - and go-kart racing remains his great passion to this day. After fifteen years of go-kart racing he switched to racing cars and came out in front in numerous German championships. In 1990, Schumacher became the Mercedes-Benz team driver in the Sports Car World Championship and the German Formula 3 Champion.

In 1991, at the Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher made his debut as a replacement driver for the Formula 1 Jordan team. By the following year he had already won his first Grand Prix, at Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps, in a Benetton-Ford. After placing third in the World Championship of 1992 and fourth of 1993, he landed the World Title in 1994 and dedicated it to Ayrton Senna - "the man who deserved to get it". In 1995, Schumacher defended his World Championship title in a Benetton-Renault. With a record nine wins out of seventeen Grand Prix races, this was a triumphant season for the German driver.

After four and a half years with Benetton, Schumacher signed a contract with Ferrari, with the objective of bringing the World Championship once again back to Maranello. Under his influence, the Italian team restructured itself. The key positions were occupied by new expert personnel. In 1997 and 1998, he narrowly missed out on the World Title - in each case, in the final race of the season. As early as 1998, he renewed his contract with Ferrari until the year 2002.

The 1999 season was an emotional roller-coaster ride for Schumacher. At Silverstone he suffered the first serious accident of his career. After sustaining a double fracture of the right leg the German driver was forced to withdraw from the Championship for six Grand Prix races. Then in Malaysia he celebrated a glorious come-back and by the end of the season had exerted an appreciable influence on the destiny of the Constructors' World Championship.

In the year 2000 Schumacher done what he promised he would do and brought the driver's title home to Ferrari for the first time in 21 years. Nine race wins in a season dominated by the brilliance of Schumacher was more than enough to secure his 3rd world title. Michael finished the season with 108 points and was the clear winner.

As defending champion in the 2001 season Michael Schumacher simply ran away with the world title his fourth in total and second for Ferrari. Once again Michael won nine races along with eleven pole positions. On his way to a massive winning margin the German re-wrote a number of records along the way, including the highest number of Grand Prix wins, highest number of points scored and the highest number of fastest laps. Schumacher renewed his Ferrari contract until 2004 and looks set to continue winning races and titles for the Maranello team for some time yet.

2002 would see Schumacher further cement his name into the history of the sport. His third successive drivers world championship with Ferrari and his fifth in total was won with commanding performances. Schumacher took 7 pole positions and 11 wins as he cruised to the title, which was won earlier than ever before. Schumacher took the record books apart in a season that saw him finish every race of the season with a lowest position of third! Nothing could stand in the way of his title and he afforded himself the luxury of helping team mate Rubens Barrichello to at least 2 wins.

Schumacher would go on to claim his 6th world title in 2003 but it was not as easy as he had it in 2002. McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya in the Williams took the challenge to Michael and it was a challenge he enjoyed. The new points scoring system had taken the title battle down to the wire in Japan and with perhaps his worst race of the season Schumacher scored 1 point to take the title. Schumacher had once again a great season of reliability and never once retired from a race due to car problems, but other problems including puncture's, pit stop fires and a river in Brazil did cause him some challenging moments, but he emerged victorious once again.

2004 was yet another championship winning year for Schumacher as well as Ferrari as they simply dominated the season from start to finish, mirroring the domination shown back in 2002. Schumacher was never really threatened as he claimed his 7th world title, only team mate Barrichello kept him honest and a slight challenge from the BAR team and Jenson Button, but Schumacher cruised it.

The 2005 season would not be so great for Schumacher, a raft of changes enforced by the FIA ensured the Ferrari teams advantage was nullified, tyre changes at pitstops were outlawed taking away one of Schumacher's best ability's to pump in race winning laps in and around the pitstops. As it was Ferrari suffered with tyre problems for the whole season as Bridgestone found it tough to come to terms with making a race distance tyre. This handed the advantage to the Michelin shod Renault team and Fernando Alonso became the youngest ever world champion. Schumacher's only win came at the highly controversial USGP when only the Bridgestone teams entered the race. The only other real bright spot for Schumacher was a great drive to 2nd place at Imola.

In 2006 Michael Schumacher would say farewell to Formula One as he brought an end to his illustrious career, sadly he was unable to go out with a 8th title but he went out on a high as he took the title battle with Alonso to the last race of the season. Many questioned if he could go on for a few more years but at 37 Michael declared his batteries empty despite putting in some stunning drives throughout the season. He plans to take a well earned rest and have some quality time with his family before deciding what direction his new life without F1 will take.

Career Stats

World Championships : 7
Grand Prix Starts : 248
Wins : 91
Pole Positions : 68
Fastest Laps : 76
Podium Finishes : 154
Career Points : 1,369

Schumacher's Records

* Most world titles: 7
* Most consecutive titles: 5 (2000-2004)
* Most wins: 91
* Most wins in a single season: 13 (2004)
* Most consecutive wins in single season: 7 (2004)
* Most wins at the same race: 8 (French GP)
* Most wins with one team: 72
* Most wins from pole: 40
* Most pole positions: 68
* Most front-row starts: 115
* Most podium finishes: 154
* Most second place finishes: 43
* Most points scored: 1,369
* Most points finishes: 190
* Most points in a single season: 148
* Most fastest laps: 76
* Most fastest laps in a season: 10
* Most races led: 141
* Most laps led: 5,108
* Most consecutive podiums: 19 (USA 2001-Japan 2002)
* Most consecutive points finishes: 24
* Most consecutive seasons with a win: 15
* Most ‘clean sweeps’ (pole, win, fastest lap): 22
* Largest points gap between champion and runner-up: 67
* Earliest title winner: 2002 (in July, with 6 races remaining)
* Longest spell with one team: 11 seasons
* Only driver to have finished every race on the podium: 2002

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Valentino Rossi

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Valentino Rossi profile

Valentino Rossi
nationality · Italian
born · 16 February 1979
grand prix début · 1996

“The Doctor” is easily the most successful Grand Prix rider in the post-Mick Doohan era, with titles in each of the four classes he has taken on, moving all the way up in the space of just seven years, and then staying on top. At the time of writing, he has 79 race victories to his name. The son of former 250cc GP winner Graziano, Valentino Rossi is a charismatic and popular figure who has raised the profile of motorbike racing in recent seasons, not least by switching from dominant Honda to under-achieving Yamaha and taking the title first time out. In the manner of such as John Surtees, he reportedly has ambitions to move into four-wheeled competition - having test driven an F1 Ferrari - and who is to say that he won’t succeed there, too

1985
First go-kart

1989
Kart racing début

1990
Regional Kart Champion, with nine wins

1991
5th in Italian Junior Kart championship; made bike racing début on Minimotos

1992
Italian Minibike Endurance Champion

1993
12th in Italian 125cc Sport Production championship, with Cagiva

1994
Italian 125cc Sport Production Champion, with Cagiva

1995
Italian 125cc Champion; 3rd in European 125cc championship; 11th in Spanish Open 125cc championship - all with Aprilia

1996 Scuderia AGV, number 46 Aprilia
In his first Grand Prix season, aged seventeen, Valentino was ninth overall in the 125cc series, with 111 points and seven top six finishes. His first visit to the podium came in round ten, with third in Austria, and he won the race at Brno next time out
Also 10th in the European 125cc championship, with Aprilia

1997 Nastro Azzurro Aprilia, number 46 Aprilia
Rossi’s second year on 125s was dominant, with eleven wins from fifteen races. He also scored a second, a third and a sixth, to complete a 321-point record for the category, and his first World Championship title

1998 Nastro Azzurro Aprilia, number 46 Aprilia
The 1998 season was Rossi’s ‘learning’ year in the 250cc series, and he finished second as early as rounds three, four and five. His first win came at Assen in round seven, and four more at the end of the year took him to second overall, on 201 points, between rivals Loris Capirossi and Tetsuya Harada

1999 Aprilia Grand Prix Racing, number 46 Aprilia
As in the 125s, Valentino’s second 250 season saw him setting the pace, and his nine race wins meant he duly wrapped up a second GP championship. He was on the podium in twelve of sixteen races, and scored 309 points in total

2000 Nastro Azzurro Honda, number 46 Honda
For 2000, Rossi moved onto a works-supported 500cc Honda, engineered by the highly successful Jerry Burgess. Once again it was a learning process, but he was already finishing third in rounds four (where he qualified second), five and seven. A late season run, including wins in Britain and Brazil, saw him emerge as the nearest challenger to champion elect Kenny Roberts. A final tally of 209 points placed him second behind the American Suzuki rider
Also qualified sixth for the Suzuka 8 Hours, with Colin Edwards

2001 Nastro Azzurro Honda, number 46 Honda
By his second year, Valentino was ready to take the 500 title. Despite a strong challenge from compatriots Max Biaggi and Loris Capirossi, he racked up four pole positions and had thirteen podiums, including eleven wins. In the end he was over 100 points clear - 325 to Biaggi’s 219 - and went down in history as the last man to win a 500cc-only World Championship
Also won the Suzuka 8 Hours, with Colin Edwards and Manabu Kamada, and set fastest lap

2002 Repsol Honda Team, number 46 Honda
For 2002, Rossi and Burgess were brought into the full factory Honda team, which had produced the RC211V bike for the new 990cc four-stroke GP1 regulations. Despite four-stoke opposition from Max Biaggi, Tohru Ukawa and others, Valentino was once again the top rider. Pole positions at seven venues were converted into another eleven victories, including a run of seven straight that was only ended by a tyre failure. This time 355 points was 140 clear of his nearest rival!

2003 Repsol Honda, number 46 Honda
As ever, Rossi was the man to beat in Grands Prix, finishing first, second or third in each of the sixteen races during the year, and wrapping up another title. Although Sete Gibernau stayed in touch for some time, Valentino had plenty of experience in making the decisive break, and is still regarded as the talent by which the rest are jugded

2004 Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha, number 46 Yamaha
For 2004, Rossi’s challenge was to take Yamaha back to the top, and that is what he did, despite Honda’s apparent performance advantage. A winner first time out, he was first home nine times in total, with five pole positions, and was always in the top four bar two non-finishes.

2005 Yamaha Gauloises Team, number 46 Yamaha
Starting as the favourite for 2005, success for the fourth time means that Valentino remains the only man to take a 990cc MotoGP class title. The Yamaha M1 was improved, but not superior to the rest and, with a lack of consistency from his Honda rivals, Rossi returned to dominant form. To complete the journey, his performances in torrential rain also proved unbeatable.
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