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SCMP Sport

There’s no denying 2021 was an incredible year for sport.
From Siobhan Haughey’s Olympic triumphs to the relentless battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, 2021 offered up sports fans some iconic moments.
As 2021 draws to a close, we turn back the clock to remember some of the most iconic and outstanding sports images that shaped an unforgettable, including a glimpse at AFP and Reuters top sports images of 2021.



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Best of 2021: 16 images that shaped the world of sport over the past 12 months

Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka-long (left) on his way to a gold medal against Italy’s Daniele Garozzo. Photo: AFP

Last man standing: how Mongolians came to dominate sumo, Japan’s national sport

Komusubi Terunofuji prepares for his bout against Shimanoumi on day fourteen of the Grand Sumo November Tournament in Tokyo in 2020. Photo: Getty Images

TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 21: Komusubi Terunofuji prepares for his bout against Shimanoumi on day fourteen of the Grand Sumo November Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan on November 21, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)&#xA;&#xA;CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Grand champion Hakuho (top) defeats ozeki Terunofuji on the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya, Japan, on July 18, 2021. Photo: Getty Images

Mongolian bokh champions are usually the sons of champions. Photo: Getty Images

Wrestling is a technical and skilful sport in Mongolia. Photo: Getty Images

Sumo “keiko” or practice at a sumo stable in Tokyo. Photo: Getty Images

Hawaiian-born sumo wrestler Ozeki Musashimaru (rear) pushes out yokozuna Akebono, also originally from Hawaii, in the final bout of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena in  May 1999. Musashimaru went on to reach the rank of yokozuna. Photo: AFP 

Grand champion Hakuho (top) reacts after defeating ozeki Terunofuji on the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya. Photo: Getty Images

Hawaiian-born grand champion sumo wrester Akebono, one of two Americans to reach the rank of yokozuna, demonstrates a ceremonial stumping as his guardian Chiyotaikai sits holding the champion’s sword during the New Year’s prayer by the Japan Sumo Association in 1998. Photo: AFP 

Siobhan Haughey adds bronze medal to World Championships haul as coach praises ‘unmatched positivity’ in overcoming obstacles on her path to glory

Siobhan Haughey becomes emotional during an interview after her 100m freestyle win at the World Championships. Photo: AP

Siobhan Haughey stands on the podium after winning gold in the women’s 100m freestyle at the short-course World Championships. Photo: AP

(From left) 100m freestyle silver medallist Sarah Sjostrom, of Sweden, Hong Kong gold medallist Siobhan Haughey and bronze winner Abbey Weitzeil, of the United States. Photo: AP

Siobhan Haughey being interviewed after her 100m freestyle victory. Photo: AP

Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong’s greatest Games ever brings joy unmatched to city and its athletes

Fireworks light up the night sky at the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Photo: Reuters

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Cycling - Track - Women's Sprint - Medal Ceremony - Izu Velodrome, Shizuoka, Japan - August 8, 2021. Bronze medallist Lee Wai Sze of Hong Kong poses with her medal. REUTERS/Matthew Childs

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Swimming - Women's 100m Freestyle - Medal Ceremony - Tokyo Aquatics Centre - Tokyo, Japan - July 30, 2021. Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong poses on the podium with the silver medal REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Swimming - Women's 200m Butterfly - Semifinal 2 - Tokyo Aquatics Centre - Tokyo, Japan - July 28, 2021. Yufei Zhang of China in action REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth/File photo SEARCH "BEST OF THE TOKYO OLYMPICS" FOR ALL PICTURES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY.

scmp

Ka Long Cheung of Hong Kong holds the gold medal during the awarding ceremony of the men's individual Foil competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

08 August 2021, Japan, Tokyo: The President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, waves the Olympic flag, during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Karate - Women's Individual Kata - Bronze medal match - Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan - August 5, 2021. Mo Sheung Grace Lau of Hong Kong competes. REUTERS/Carl Recine

(210808) -- TOKYO, Aug. 8, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Su Bingtian (R) of China competes during the men's 100m semifinal at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - The Tokyo 2020 Olympics Closing Ceremony - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - August 8, 2021. Flag bearers Mo Sheung Grace Lau of Hong Kong, Pedro Pablo Pichardo of Portugal and Angela Castro of Bolivia during the closing ceremony REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - The Tokyo 2020 Olympics Closing Ceremony - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - August 8, 2021. The Olympic torch and cauldron are seen as thank you messages are displayed during the closing ceremony REUTERS/Toby Melville

Sport

Hong Kong


From Siobhan Haughey’s Olympic triumphs to Naomi Osaka winning the Australian Open, 2021 was an unforgettable year in sport
As 2021 comes to a close, we look back on some of the more iconic sporting images of the past 12 months



From Siobhan Haughey’s Olympic triumphs to Naomi Osaka winning the Australian Open, 2021 was an unforgettable year in sport.
