15 Unusual Rituals of Sports Stars

Tiger Woods – Golf

Net worth: $700 million
Background: Turned professional at age 20 and has become one of the most successful golfers of all time
Notability: Won 14 major tournaments and spent longer at no. 1 in the world ranking than any other player in history
Traits: Renowned for his mental toughness and ability to stay calm under immense pressure
Unusual ritual: Always wears a red shirt when playing on Sundays
What they say: ‘I’ve worn red ever since my college days basically, or junior golf days – big events on the last day. I just stuck with it out of superstition, and it worked’

Bjorn Borg – Tennis

Net worth: $28.5 million
Background: Swedish Tennis star considered to be one of, if not, the greatest ever
Notability: Won 11 major tournaments between 1974 and 1981 before retiring at the age of 26
Traits: Nicknamed the Ice Man or Ice Borg because of his incredible ability to stay calm and not let his emotions get the better of him
Unusual ritual: Borg used to grow a beard before Wimbledon each year and not shave it off until afterwards
What they say: ‘The beard has begun’

Jade Jones – Taekwondo

Net worth: Unknown
Background: Welsh martial artist you really wouldn’t mess with
Notability: Gold medal winner at London Olympics in 2012 aged just 19
Traits: Powerhouse who bullies her opponents during fights
Unusual ritual: Wears her lucky Union Jack pants when she fights
What they say: ‘I always wear them in training, although obviously I washed them! I’ve got a few more pairs now. I’ve always been really superstitious’

Serena Williams – Tennis

Net worth: $75 million
Background: A professional tennis player ranked no. 1 in the world on six separate occasions
Notability: One of the most successful female tennis player of all time with 22 major tournament wins, plus doubles titles
Traits: Takes control of games from the baseline with a powerful and consistent style
Unusual ritual: She keeps wearing the same pair of socks when on a winning streak, without washing them
What they say: ‘I have too many superstitious rituals and it’s annoying. It’s like I have to do it and if I don’t then I’ll lose’

Michael Jordon – Basketball

Net worth: $1 billion
Background: Legendary basketball player famed for his stint with the Chicago Bulls and training shoe line
Notability: Won three NBA titles in a row and is regarded as one of the best ever players
Traits: A great defensive player with an iconic leap. Not afraid to learn from his mistakes
Unusual ritual: He used to wear a lucky pair of practice shorts under his game shorts
What they say: ‘I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed’

Mo Farah – Athletics

Net worth: $5 million
Background: British long distance runner famed for his Mobot celebration
Notability: Multiple Olympic and world champion in several events
Traits: Strong finisher and quiet family man
Unusual ritual: Shaving his head and blasting out gangsta rap
What they say: ‘Every athlete has a pre-race routine to get focused. Mine is to shave my head. I like feeling the smoothness of the scalp and splashing cold water on it once I’m done’

Sammy Fahra – Poker

Net worth: $100 million
Background: Lebanese player who was runner up in 2003 World Series of Poker
Notability: Three-time WSOP bracelet winner
Traits: Nicknamed Mister Cool, he’s known for his relaxed playing style
Unusual ritual: Always has an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth while playing, despite not being a smoker
What they say: ‘I’m so hot, my cigarette’s going to light!’

Lyoto Machida – MMA

Net worth: $4 million
Background: Japanese-Brazilian fighter known as the ‘Dragon’
Notability: Headlining UFC fighter considered to be one of the best in the world
Traits: Uses a unique and diverse style that combines different elements of his training
Unusual ritual: Drinks his own urine every day (as does every member of his family)
What they say: ‘People think it’s a joke. I never said it in the United States because I don’t know how the fans will react. I drink my urine every morning like a natural medicine’

Bruno Foster – Poker

Net worth: $1.25 million
Background: Brazilian poker player
Notability: Fourth in the all time Brazil earnings list
Traits: Practices positive mental health and energy to give him confidence in each tournament
Unusual ritual: Likes to watch emotional videos before he plays, including The Voice or …Got Talent to improve his state of mind.
What they say: ‘The good energy and good vibrations give me more patience and focus to play. In a psychological game like poker, your state of spirit and feelings really matter and make a difference in your results’

Rafael Nadal – Tennis

Net worth: $50 million
Background: Spanish tennis player, one of the most successful of all time
Notability: 14 major tournament wins and a rivalry with Roger Federer thought to be one of the best ever
Traits: Baseline powerhouse that likes to outmuscle opponents. Very athletic and never gives up on a point
Unusual ritual: Many superstitions but always has to have his drinks bottles lined up with the labels facing the baseline he is playing from
What they say: ‘I’m only superstitious on the tennis court’

Laura Trott – Cycling

Net worth: Unknown
Background: An English road and track specialist, she originally took up the sport to lose weight
Notability: Double Olympic Champion from the 2012 London games. Most successful rider in the history of the European Track Championships
Traits: Flexible rider who can win sprint and endurance races
Unusual ritual: After winning the Junior World Championships with one wet sock, she now steps on a wet towel before each race
What they say: ‘I am very superstitious. I trod on a wet towel before winning the Junior World Championships and now I have to do that every time’

Felipe Massa – F1

Net worth: $8 million
Background: Brazilian F1 driver who has driven for Williams
Notability: 11 race wins
Traits: Fast, wild and erratic as a rookie
Unusual ritual: Wears special underwear to race in, which he doesn’t wash until after race weekend
What they say: ‘I have special underwear which I race in most of the time. [I wear them] just for the Saturday and Sunday. I don’t wash but, two days, what’s the problem?’

Stuart Broad – Cricket

Net worth: $5 million
Background: Fast bowler and batsman whose father also played for England
Notability: Pacey bowler that’s not popular with Australians after refusing to walk after being caught out
Traits: Pacey bowler that’s not popular with Australians after refusing to walk after being caught out
Unusual ritual: Sprays on aftershave before going out to bowl
What they say: ‘I actually have a habit where I have to put a bit of Paco Rabanne Million on before I go out and bowl. It’s kind of a superstition because the first time I did it was before the Ashes in 2009 when we won so I’ve done it ever since’

Michael Phelps – Swimming

Net worth: $55 million
Background: A record a 22 Olympic medals
Notability: A record a 22 Olympic medals, including 18 gold
Traits: East huge amounts and watches films to relax before winning races
Unusual ritual: Walks to the starting block, takes off his headphones that have been blasting Michael Jackson, and swings his arms three times
What they say: ‘They feel more secure when doing these things,’ said Dr. Jens Kleinert, a Sports Psychology professor at the German Sports University Cologne. ‘It can be a way for them to concentrate’

Usain Bolt – Sprinting

Net worth: $30 million
Background: Jamaican sprinter who dominates the sport
Notability: Fastest man in history
Traits: Blowing away the competition and then celebrating in style
Unusual ritual: Weird eating habits before big races – mostly at McDonalds
What they say: ‘I had some plantains, some hash browns, fruit, then a wrap from McDonald’s. For lunch I had rice and pork and some apple juice. It had vegetables in it, so don’t judge me!’

Inspired By Unusual Rituals

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