May 26

Born in Cornwall in 1863, Bob Fitzsimmons emigrated to New Zealand where he worked as a blacksmith before turning professional. Nicknamed 'Ruby Robert' for his red hair and devastating punching power, he captured the Middleweight title in 1891 and went on to defeat James J. Corbett in 1897 to become Heavyweight champion. This achievement made him the first boxer to win world titles in three weight classes—Middleweight, Light-Heavyweight, and Heavyweight. Known for his southpaw stance and scientific approach to training, Fitzsimmons influenced the evolution of modern boxing. He retired with a record of 41 wins and was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He died in 1917, leaving a legacy of strength and innovation in the ring.

Born in Chelmsford in 1876, Percy Perrin excelled as a left-handed opening batsman for Essex, amassing 34,183 runs in a 30-year career. He made his England Test debut in 1905, playing four matches and earning praise for his solid defense and elegant strokeplay. Perrin captained Essex from 1908 to 1910 and later served as a national team selector. After retiring, he authored influential coaching manuals and contributed to cricket administration. His remarkable consistency and longevity remain benchmarks in county cricket. Perrin’s dedication to technique and sportsmanship left a lasting impact on the game. He died in 1945.

Born in 1898, Burmeister was among the earliest athletes to represent Estonia in speed skating. Competing in the interwar period, he took part in regional and European competitions. Though complete records of his placements are scarce, his participation helped raise the sport's profile in Estonia. Beyond competition, he contributed to local skating clubs, encouraging young athletes. He died in 1965, remembered as a pioneer of Estonian winter sports.

Born in 1909 in Glasgow, Matt Busby enjoyed a successful playing career with Manchester City and Liverpool. After World War II, he became manager of Manchester United, pioneering a youth development system that produced the famed 'Busby Babes.' Under his leadership, United won multiple First Division titles and reached their first European Cup final. Busby survived the 1958 Munich air disaster, rebuilding the team from tragedy. In 1968, he guided United to become the first English club to win the European Cup. Knighted for his services to football, Busby's influence shaped modern football management. He retired in 1971 and passed away in 1994, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.

Imi Lichtenfeld was born on May 26, 1910 in Bratislava, then part of Austria-Hungary. An accomplished boxer, wrestler, and gymnast, he defended Jewish neighborhoods against anti-Semitic attacks in the 1930s. After emigrating to Mandatory Palestine following World War II, he joined the Haganah and adapted his combat experience to create Krav Maga, focusing on real-world self-defense techniques. His system was adopted by the Israel Defense Forces and later spread internationally through his teaching and books. Lichtenfeld's legacy endures as Krav Maga remains one of the world's most practiced self-defense disciplines.

Josef Manger was born on May 26, 1913 in Bamberg, Germany. He emerged as one of the world's top weightlifters in the 1930s, setting multiple world records in the superheavyweight division. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Manger won the gold medal, cementing his status as a national hero. He continued competing internationally until World War II, earning numerous European and world championship titles. After retiring from competition, Manger coached future generations of athletes. His achievements had a lasting impact on the sport before his death in 1991.

Jack Cheetham was a distinguished South African cricketer who captained the national Test team from 1950 to 1957. A reliable right-handed batsman, he led South Africa on tours to England and Australia. Under his captaincy, the team achieved notable successes, including a historic win at Lord's in 1955. After retiring as a player, Cheetham served as an influential cricket administrator, advocating for the sport's development in South Africa. His leadership on and off the field helped shape the modern era of South African cricket.

Cliff Drysdale was born on May 26, 1941, in Nelspruit, South Africa. He rose through the amateur ranks to become one of the world’s top tennis players in the 1960s, achieving a career-high ranking of world No. 4. Drysdale reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments and won multiple international titles. After retiring from professional play, he co-founded the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) to support players’ interests. He built a second career as a respected sportscaster, providing commentary for ESPN for decades. Drysdale was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013. His contributions both on and off the court have left a lasting impact on the sport.

Erica Terpstra was born on May 26, 1943, in The Hague, Netherlands. As a freestyle swimmer, she won a silver medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics and a gold at the 1962 European Championships. After retiring from sports, she became a journalist and television presenter for NOS. Entering politics in 1982, Terpstra served as a Member of the House of Representatives for the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). She was State Secretary for Health, Welfare, and Sport from 1986 to 1989 and became Speaker of the House from 2002 to 2006. Known for her lively personality and advocacy for sports and culture, she has remained an influential public figure in the Netherlands.

Jan Kinder was born on May 26, 1944, in Oslo, Norway. He played as a forward for the Norwegian national ice hockey team during the 1960s, including appearances at the Winter Olympics. At the club level, he featured for Vålerenga Ishockey, one of Norway’s leading teams. Kinder was known for his speed and playmaking abilities on the ice. After retiring, he contributed to youth coaching and hockey development programs in Norway. He is remembered as part of a pioneering generation that raised the profile of Norwegian ice hockey.

Sam Posey was born on May 26, 1944, in New York City. He began his racing career in Formula Ford and quickly moved into Formula 5000 and sports car competition. Posey earned victories at prestigious events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and competed at Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500. Known for his analytical mind, he transitioned into journalism and broadcast commentary, working for NBC and ESPN. He authored articles for major automotive magazines, sharing insights into racing technology and history. Posey’s contributions as both driver and commentator have made him a respected figure in motorsport circles.

Born in Sofia in 1946, Neshka Robeva emerged as one of Bulgaria’s leading rhythmic gymnasts in the 1960s. After retiring from competition, she became head coach of the Bulgarian national team in the late 1970s. Under her leadership, Bulgaria dominated world championships, earning numerous all-around and apparatus titles. Robeva is credited with developing innovative choreography and training methods that influenced the sport globally. She has mentored generations of gymnasts and remains a respected figure in rhythmic gymnastics.