1991 in sports
Appearance
This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(January 2021) |
1991 in sportsdescribes the year's events in world sport.
Alpine skiing
[edit]- Alpine Skiing World Cup
- Men's overall season champion:Marc Girardelli,Luxembourg
- Women's overall season champion:Petra Kronberger,Austria
American football
[edit]- Super Bowl XXV– theNew York Giants(NFC) won 20–19 over theBuffalo Bills(AFC)
- Location:Tampa Stadium
- Attendance: 73,813
- MVP:Ottis Anderson,RB (New York)
- Thurman Thomasof the Buffalo Bills is named theNFL MVP
- Orange Bowl(1990 season):
- TheColorado Buffaloeswon 10–9 over theNotre Dame Fighting Irishto win theAP Pollnational championships
- Desmond Howard,University of Michiganwide receiverseals theHeisman Trophywith a 93-yard punt return in Michigan's 31–3 hammering ofOhio State.
- World Bowl'91:London Monarchswon 21–0 over theBarcelona Dragonsin the inaugural World Bowl.
- QuarterbackStan Gelbaughof theLondon Monarchsis named the World League of American Football's inaugural seasons Most Valuable Player
Artistic gymnastics
[edit]- World Artistic Gymnastics Championships–
- Men's all-around champion:Grigory Misutin,USSR
- Women's all-around champion:Kim Zmeskal,United States[1]
- Men's team competition champion: USSR
- Women's team competition champion: USSR
Association football
[edit]- European Cup–Red Star BelgradebeatOlympique de Marseille5–3 on penalties (0–0 aet)
- FIFA Women's World Cup–United Stateswon 2–1 overNorway
Athletics
[edit]- 1991 World Championships in Athleticsheld in Tokyo
- 30 August – Track & Field World ChampionshipMike PowellbreakingBob Beamon's 23-year-old Long Jump world record with a mark of 29' 4 1/2 "
Australian rules football
[edit]- Australian Football League
- TheAdelaide Crowsjoin the league
- 25 April –North MelbourneandSydneykick between them 32.18 (210) in the first half. It is the record aggregate score for a half of VFL/AFL football.
- 2 June –Carltonkick their first goal with 33 second to go againstFootscray,the closest a team has come to finishing goalless sinceRichmondkicked 0.8 (8) in1961againstSt. Kilda.
- 8 September –HawthornbeatWest Coast18.16 (124) to 15.11 (101) in the first final outside Melbourne.
- 1991 AFL Grand Final(28 September) – Hawthorn wins the 95th AFL premiership beating West Coast 20.19 (139) to 13.8 (86) in the only Grand Final atVFL Park.
- Brownlow Medalawarded toJim Stynes(Melbourne)
- 7 October – death ofDarren Millane,who played forCollingwoodbetween 1984 and 1991, from a car crash inPrahran.
Baseball
[edit]- Dave RighettibreaksSparky Lyle's major league record for left-handers of 238 career saves.
- 1 May –Nolan Ryanpitchers his seventh career no hitter with a 3–0 victory overthe Toronto Blue Jays
- 28 July –Dennis Martínezofthe Montreal Expospitches the 13thperfect gamein major league history, beatingthe Los Angeles Dodgers2–0.
- World Series–The Minnesota Twinswin 4 games to 3 overthe Atlanta Braves.The series MVP isJack Morrisof Minnesota.
- Cal Ripken Jr.ofthe Baltimore Oriolesis namedAL MVP
- Terry Pendletonofthe Atlanta Bravesis namedNL MVP
- Roger Clemensofthe Boston Red Soxis namedAL Cy Youngaward winner. It is his third of six in his career
- Tom Glavineofthe Atlanta Bravesis namedNL Cy Youngaward winner
- Chuck Knoblauchofthe Minnesota Twinsis namedAL Rookie of the Year
- Jeff Bagwellofthe Houston Astrosis namedNL Rookie of the Year
Basketball
[edit]- NCAA Men's Basketball Championship–Dukewins 72–65 overKansas
- Larry JohnsonofUNLVis namedNaismith College Player of the Year
- 9 February –Dee Brownwin theGatoradeSlam Dunk Contest
- 10 February –NBA All-Star Gameis held in Charlotte, North Carolina
- 12 June –NBA Finals:Chicago Bullswin 4 games to 1 overthe Los Angeles Lakersto earn the franchise's first championship, starting a run of six titles in eight seasons.
- Michael Jordanis named theNBA MVP,his second of 5 awards.
- 7 November – Lakers' superstarMagic Johnsonannounces he tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS, thus ending his career in theNBA.
- National Basketball League (Australia)Finals:Perth Wildcatsdefeated theEastside Melbourne Spectres2–1 in the best-of-three final series.
- 17 December –The Cleveland Cavaliersbeatthe Miami Heat148 to 80, the largest margin of victory in anyNBAgame.
Boxing
[edit]- 3 March –Mike TysondefeatsDonovan Ruddockin a seventh-round TKO
- 19 April –Evander HolyfielddefeatsGeorge Foremanto retainWBC,WBA&IBFHeavyweight titles
- 7 to 12 May –29th European Amateur Boxing Championshipsheld inGothenburg,Sweden
- 3 June –Thomas HearnsdefeatsVirgil Hillwith a unanimous decision to winWBALight Heavyweighttitle
- 1 June atPalm Springs, California–Terry Norrisknocked outDonald Curryin the 8th Round to win the WBC Super Welterweight Championship.
- 28 JuneMike TysondefeatsDonovan Ruddockin a rematch with a 12-round unanimous decision
- 2 to 18 August –Pan American Gamesheld inHavana,Cuba.
- 5 October –James ToneydefeatsMichael Nunnwith a TKO to winIBFMiddleweight title
- James Toneyis namedRing Magazine fighter of the year
Canadian football
[edit]- Grey Cup–Toronto Argonautswin 36–21 over theCalgary Stampeders
- B.C. LionsQuarterbackDoug Flutieis namedCFL Most Outstanding Player
- Vanier Cup–Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawkswin 25–18 over theMount Allison Mounties
Cricket
[edit]- South Africa readmitted to theInternational Cricket Councilfollowing the abolition ofapartheid,and play their first international game since 1970.
Cycling
[edit]- Giro d'Italiawon byFranco Chioccioliof Italy
- Tour de France–Miguel Indurainof Spain
- UCI Road World Championships – Men's road race–Gianni Bugnoof Italy
Dogsled racing
[edit]- Iditarod Trail Sled Dog RaceChampion –
- Rick Swenson won with lead dog:Goose
- Men's Champions Trophy:Germany
- Women's Champions Trophy:Australia
- World Figure Skating Championships–
- Men's champion:Kurt Browning,Canada
- Ladies' champion:Kristi Yamaguchi,United States
- Pair skating champions:Natalia Mishkutenok&Artur Dmitriev,Soviet Union
- Ice dancing champions:Isabelle Duchesnay&Paul Duchesnay,France
Golf
[edit]Men's professional
- Master–Ian Woosnam
- U.S. Open–Payne Stewart
- British Open–Ian Baker-Finch
- PGA Championship–John Daly
- PGA Tourmoney leader –Corey Pavin– $979,430
- Senior PGA Tourmoney leader –Mike Hill– $1,065,657
- Ryder Cup– United States team won 14½ – 13½ over the Europe in team golf.
Men's amateur
- British Amateur–Gary Wolstenholme
- U.S. Amateur–Mitch Voges
- European Amateur–Jim Payne
- Tiger Woods,at age 15, won his firstUSGAtitle, theU.S. Junior Amateur.
Women's professional
- Nabisco Dinah Shore–Amy Alcott
- LPGA Championship–Meg Mallon
- U.S. Women's Open–Meg Mallon
- Classique du Maurier–Nancy Scranton
- LPGA Tourmoney leader –Pat Bradley– $763,118
Harness racing
[edit]- North America Cup–Precious Bunny
- United States Pacing Triple Crown races–
- United States Trotting Triple Crown races–
- Hambletonian–Giant Victory
- Yonkers Trot– Crown's Invitation
- Kentucky Futurity–Whiteland Janice
- Australian Inter Dominion Harness Racing Championship–
- Pacers:Mark Ranover
- Trotters:Fraggle Rock
Horse racing
[edit]Steeplechases
Flat races
- Australia –Melbourne Cupwon byLet's Elope
- Canadian Triple Crown Races:
- Queen's Plate–Dance Smartly
- Prince of Wales Stakes– Dance Smartly
- Breeders' Stakes– Dance Smartly
- Dance Smartly becomes the country's third consecutive Triple Crown winner.
- France –Prix de l'Arc de Triomphewon bySuave Dancer
- Ireland –Irish Derby Stakeswon byGenerous
- Japan –Japan Cupwon byGolden Pheasant
- English Triple Crown Races:
- United States Triple Crown Races:
- Breeders' CupWorld Thoroughbred Championships:
Ice hockey
[edit]- Art Ross Trophyas theNHL's leading scorer during the regular season:Wayne Gretzky,Los Angeles Kings
- Hart Memorial Trophyfor the NHL's Most Valuable Player:Brett Hull,St. Louis Blues
- Stanley Cup
- Pittsburgh Penguinswin 4 games to 2 overthe Minnesota North Stars
- Conn Smythe Trophy–Mario Lemieux,Pittsburgh Penguins
- World Hockey Championship
- Men's champion:Sweden defeated Canada
- Junior Men's champion:Canada defeated the USSR
- Sheffield Steelersformed
- San Jose Sharksformed
- Northern Michigan Universitywins theNCAA Division I titlein hockey, 8–7 in the third overtime againstBoston University.
Lacrosse
[edit]- TheDetroit Turbosdefeat theBaltimore Thunderto win theMajor Indoor Lacrosse Leaguechampionship
Radiosport
[edit]- The Friendship Radiosport Games held inPortland, Oregon,United States was the first internationalAmateur Radio Direction Findingcompetition held in the Americas.
- Third EuropeanHigh Speed TelegraphyChampionship held inNeerpelt,Belgium.
Rugby League
[edit]- Penrith Panthersdefeat two-time defending premiersCanberra Raidersin theNew South Wales Rugby LeagueGrand Final at theSydney Football Stadium.It is Penrith's first premiership since their admission in1967.
- Wigan retained their title in the English Rugby League competition, with Oldham, Sheffield Eagles and Rochdale Hornets being relegated. To date this is Rochdale's last appearance in the top flight.
Rugby Union
[edit]- 97thFive Nations Championshipseries is won byEnglandwho complete theGrand Slam
- Australiawins the1991 Rugby World Cup
Snooker
[edit]- World Snooker Championship–John ParrottbeatsJimmy White18–11
- World rankings–Stephen Hendryremainsworld number onefor 1991/92
Swimming
[edit]- The sixthFINA World Championships,held inPerth,Australia (3 January – 13)
- EleventhPan American Gamesheld inHavana,Cuba (12–18 August)
- 20thEuropean LC Championships,held inAthens,Greece (18–25 August)
- FourthPan Pacific Championships,held inEdmonton,Alberta, Canada (22–25 August)
- FirstEuropean Sprint Championships,held inGelsenkirchen,Germany (6–8 December)
- 13 December –Steve Crockersets the first officialworld recordin the men's 50m freestyle (short course) inSheffield,United Kingdom, clocking25.64.
Taekwondo
[edit]- World Championshipsheld inAthens,Greece
Tennis
[edit]- 20 June – death ofMichael Westphal(26), German player
- Grand Slam in tennismen's results:
- Grand Slam in tenniswomen's results:
- Davis Cup– France won 3–1 over the United States in world tennis.
Triathlon
[edit]- ITU World Championshipsheld inGold Coast, Queensland
- ITU World Cup(eleven races) started in theUnited States Virgin Islandsand ended inMexico
- ETU European Championshipsheld inGeneva,Switzerland
Volleyball
[edit]Men's competition
- FIVB World League:Italy
- Asia Volleyball Championship:Japan
- Men's European Volleyball Championship:USSR
- Pan American Games:Cuba
Women's competition
- Asia Volleyball Championship:China
- Women's European Volleyball Championship:USSR
- Pan American Games:Cuba
- FINA Men's World Water Polo Championship:USA
- FINA Women's World Water Polo Championship: Netherlands
- EleventhPan American Gamesheld inHavana,Cuba[3]
- FifthAll-Africa Gamesheld inCairo,Egypt
- EleventhMediterranean Gamesheld inAthens,Greece
- SixteenthSummer Universiadeheld inSheffield,United Kingdom
- FifteenthWinter Universiadeheld inSapporo,Japan
- SixteenthSoutheast Asian Gamesheld inManila,Philippines
Awards
[edit]- Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year–Michael Jordan,NBA basketball
- Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year–Monica Seles,Tennis
- Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year–Michael Jordan
- James E. Sullivan Award– Olympic Long JumperMike Powell
References
[edit]- ^"USA Gymnastics Official Biography: Kim Zmeskal".usagym.org.Archived fromthe originalon 6 August 2016.Retrieved12 January2021.
- ^"Epsom Derby | History, Winners, & Facts | Britannica".www.britannica.com.Retrieved4 January2022.
- ^"FAQ: What are the Pan American Games?".Team Canada - Official Olympic Team Website.Retrieved4 January2022.