OPINION: Who was the most outstanding female athlete in the world during 2019? The Newshub sports team chimed in with an almost unanimous selection.
SIMONE BILES
At just 22 years old, Biles is the most dominant gymnast in history. Already the holder of several Olympic gold medals, the American added five world championship titles in Stuttgart in October.
That lifted her world championship medal count to 25 - the most ever.
She also introduced two brand new elements never seen in gymnastics - a 'double-double' (two twists, two backflips) in her floor routine and a 'triple-double' (three twists, two backflips) on the beam.
Biles also registered three 'perfect 10' scores on her floor routine throughout the year.
Brad Lewis, Fight Club & The Cup19 podcast producer
FALLON SHERROCK
Just days ago, the Milton Keynes hairdresser was an unknown in the sporting world and now she's an international superstar.
Sherrock became the first woman to win a match at the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championships, claiming a 3-2 first-round win over Ted Evetts.
Victory was not only historic for women's darts, but women's sport in general, due to all the worldwide coverage given to her achievement.
She'll look to make more history next year, as she seeks a PDC tour card at Q-School.
Ben Francis, Newshub online sports producer
SIMONE BILES
A legend in her prime, you can't look past Simone Biles.
Five gold medals at the world championships in October saw her surpass the all-time record for most medals at the bi-annual showpiece, which sat at the staggering number of 25.
Not to mention three 'perfect 10s' and two new moves named after her.
Biles is one of the greatest athletes ever and 2019 was arguably her best year.
Kristina Eddy, Newshub sports reporter/producer
MEGAN RAPINOE
Love her or hate her, Rapinoe made the Women's Football World Cup her stage, as she helped the United States retain their title.
On the field, she was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's top player and won the Golden Boot as its leading goalscorer.
At 34, she became the oldest woman to score in a World Cup final - her 50th international goal - and was named Player of the Match, after earlier match awards in the round of 16 and quarter-finals. Later, she was named Best FIFA Women's Player for 2019.
But the Americans - with Rapinoe at the forefront - were also just a little unlikeable, attracting criticism for their over-celebration of goals during their 9-0 romp over Thailand in their tournament opener.
Her achievements on the pitch provided Rapinoe with the platform she needed to drive the US women's campaign for equal pay with their male counterparts.
In March, Rapinoe and 27 of her teammates filed a lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation, accusing it of gender discrimination.
After winning the World Cup, the team's victory tour only strengthened their cause, with streets in every city lined with placards supporting their campaign.
Grant Chapman, Newshub online sports editor
SIMONE BILES
One of the smallest athletes on the planet continues to achieve massive things.
The 1.42m dynamo secured five gold medals at the gymnastics world champs in Stuttgart, tying the record set in 1958 for the most titles at a single event.
Biles is so good that she now has four gymnastic moves named after her. Enough said.
John Day, Newshub sports reporter
SIMONE BILES
The American staked her claim as the most dominant gymnast ever with a stellar 2019.
The 22-year-old won five gold medals at the world championships, giving her a total of 25 medals to become the most decorated gymnast ever.
Expect a massive Tokyo 2020 Olympics campaign.
Luke Robinson, Newshub online sports producer
