Three-time world champion surfer Mick Fanning has said he was “pretty flabbergasted” after being named as one of the eight new inductees to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Six athletes and two general members were named by Sport Australia on Thursday, with the official ceremony to be held next month.
Fanning, who was world champion in 2007, 2009 and 2013, is joined by former Kookaburras’ captain Mark Knowles, lawn bowls star Karen Murphy, Olympic gold medallist Sally Pearson, Supercars and Bathurst 1000 champion Mark Skaife and dual-sport Paralympics champion Liesl Tesch.
Inducted as general members to the hall of fame will be Gerry Ryan and the late basketball administrator Betty Watson.
“Australia produces so many incredible sporting stars and to be honoured as one of those, amongst the greats, I’m pretty flabbergasted, to be honest,” Fanning said.
“It’s not something that we ever look for when we’re doing our sport, but to be acknowledged later in life is very special and I’m very honoured to be able to share it with people who have supported me.”
Pearson, who is one of just nine Australian women to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field, described the honour as surreal.
“It feels like it just happens to people you see on TV,” she said.
“I still feel like that little kid watching these amazing athletes on TV. I still feel like I’m watching the Sydney Olympics and watching Cathy Freeman run.”
The formal ceremony will be held in Melbourne on November 18, where two existing members will be elevated to the status of Legends of Australian Sport.