Is Volk the Wollongong GOAT? Ranking Illawarra's Sporting Legends
Alexander Volkanovski once reigned as the world's premier pound-for-pound UFC fighter, and as the two-time featherweight champion approaches a pivotal Sydney showdown against Diego Lopes, discussion intensifies about his standing among Illawarra's athletic elite. At 37, the Wollongong warrior enters his career's twilight phase, yet he has firmly dismissed retirement speculation, vowing to continue competing beyond this weekend's highly anticipated bout.
Where Volkanovski Fits in Illawarra's Sporting Pantheon
Regardless of the Lopes fight outcome, Volkanovski will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the region's most accomplished athletes. Many argue he deserves a place in the top three Illawarra sportspeople of the past fifty years. The Windang native, now residing in Calderwood, made history in April 2025 by becoming the first fighter over 35 to win a UFC title fight at 155 pounds or lighter, defeating Lopes via unanimous decision. This victory moved him within one win of Jose Aldo's record for most featherweight title victories.
Volkanovski's journey began long before his UFC debut. In 2010, the Lake Illawarra High School graduate claimed the Michael Cronin Medal as Group Seven Rugby League's player of the year, and he tested professional boxing waters in 2015. His community recognition came in 2025 when new Lord Mayor Tania Brown presented him with Wollongong's keys, reversing a previous administration's reluctance due to concerns about combat sports.
The Undisputed Queen: Emma McKeon's Unmatched Legacy
The title of Illawarra's greatest sporting figure unquestionably belongs to swimming sensation Emma McKeon. Australia's most decorated Olympian shattered Ian Thorpe's record by securing her 12th Olympic medal at the 2024 Paris Games. Shortly afterward, North Wollongong Beach's promenade was renamed in her honour, celebrating an athlete who possesses more Olympic and Commonwealth Games medals than any Australian in history.
McKeon's accolades include receiving Wollongong's keys in 2016 following her Rio Olympics success and being named 2024 Young Australian of the Year. These honours underscore her status as a national treasure whose achievements have brought immense pride to the Illawarra region.
Other Illawarra Sporting Immortals
In 2025, the Illawarra Mercury commemorated its 170th anniversary by compiling a list of the region's sporting immortals from the previous two decades. Alongside Volkanovski and McKeon, wheelchair basketball star Tristan Knowles earned recognition. Knowles made history by being selected for his sixth Paralympic team in 2024, having previously secured gold in 2008 and silver in 2004 and 2012.
One notable omission from that list was cricket legend Brett Lee. The Oak Flats Rats junior recently entered the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, capping a remarkable career. Lee made history in 2007 as the first player to claim a Twenty20 International hat-trick. His Test career concluded in 2012 with 310 wickets from 76 matches, placing him seventh among Australia's all-time wicket-takers. The tearaway quick, who consistently reached speeds of 160 km/h, earned the 2008 Allan Border Medal after capturing 58 wickets at an average of 21.55.
The Original Immortals: A Legacy Continued
These contemporary stars join five elite athletes honoured during the Mercury's 150th anniversary celebrations in 2005. That original group of sporting immortals, selected from fifty regional greats, included:
- Wayne Gardner – Motorcycling world champion
- Sir Donald Bradman – Cricket's greatest batsman
- James 'Judy' Masters – Boxing champion
- Graeme Langlands – Rugby league legend
- Beverley Whitfield – Olympic swimming gold medalist
As Volkanovski prepares for his Sydney showdown, his legacy continues to evolve within this rich tapestry of Illawarra sporting excellence. Whether he ultimately claims the GOAT title remains debated, but his place among the region's athletic immortals appears secure.
