In Unbelievable Underdogs and Rebellious Role Models, James Stafford takes readers on an emotional roller coaster through some of the greatest upsets and shocks in the history of world sport.
It features incredible true tales of athletes who have overcome poverty, racism, injury, disability and even shark attacks to reach the top against all odds. Sports featured include football, basketball, baseball, surfing, athletics, rugby, ice hockey, American football, wheelchair racing, cricket, tennis, speed skating and boxing.
Teams and athletes include Leicester City (football), Jackie Robinson (baseball), Kurt Warner (American football), Tatyana McFadden (wheelchair track and field), Siya Kolisi (rugby), Caron Butler (basketball), Emil Zatopek (running), Emma Raducanu (tennis), Steve Bradbury (speed skating), Wilma Rudolph (athletics), Japan (rugby), Muggsy Bogues (basketball), Kathrine Switzer and Bobbi Gibb (marathon running), Bhagwat Chandrasekhar (cricket), Team USA (ice hockey), Bethany Hamilton (surfer), James J. Braddock (boxing), Jack Fleck (golf) and many more.
Packed with stunning illustrations by Tuan Nguyen that bring these epic stories and moments to life, this book will inspire, educate and entertain young readers and reveal the remarkable ability of humankind to prevail over seemingly insurmountable obstacles and challenges.
Founder of cult rugby website The East Terrace, James Stafford has written on rugby for publications such as The Daily Telegraph, Irish Independent, Metro, ESPN Scrum.com, Rugby World, South Wales Evening Post and Rugby (Journal), as well as penning pieces for official match programmes for Leinster and the British & Irish Lions. In 2017 his collection of short comics, The Sorrowful Putto of Prague, was published to critical acclaim in the Czech Republic – even drawing praise from Hollywood legend Samuel L. Jackson. He lives in Prague and is a coaches with Nyrsko RFC.
