Three separate incidents

Three deaths in short succession concerning three different sports took me down the memory lane, when the first thing in the morning was to read the sports page of newspapers. 

Boris Spassky played an epic match with Bobby Fischer during the height of Cold War between US and the erstwhile Soviet Union. Spassky, a three times world champion and favourite to win against the rank outsider Fischer, lost the title that ended decades of Soviet domination in chess and probably symbolised US domination in the then prevalent Cold War. The two icons had a rematch ( not recognised by FIDE) in 1992, when Fischer, who had withdrawn himself from the limelight after his famous victory in 1972 and then rather lowly ranked Spassky ( his world rank by then had plummeted to 106) , but ironically Spassky lost again. Spassky’s death on 27th February, 2025 brought back the memories of 1972. 

Much before Kapil Dev inspired a generation of fast bowlers in India and redefined all rounders, there was Abid Ali, gutsy and diminutive player, who opened the bowling for India, could bat anywhere, including as an opener and was a a brilliant fielder. His arrival at the wicket would always raise expectations and hope of a good fight. Many people feel that his game would have suited today’s style of cricket greatly. His death on 12th March 2025 has been widely condoled. 

Today’s newspaper announced the demise of all time boxing great George Foreman, who famously lost his world crown to another great Muhammad Ali in 1974 after which he quit active boxing and became a religious preacher only to don boxing gloves again in 1994 at the ripe age of 45 to reclaim world championship. Along with fellow boxers Frazier, Ali and Holyfield, Foreman brought much glory to the game of boxing. Such legends are rarely born. 

Three different sport icons representing three different sports but from the same era, when sports were much bereft of today’s money, glamour and hype, but were keenly followed by sports aficionados!  The above three icons would always be remembered for their resilience and contribution.