The Greatest Welsh Athletes Of All-Time

Wales is a proud sporting nation, producing some of the greatest talents in sports such as rugby union, football and cycling. Some of the following Welsh stars have impacted sports betting events on the biggest stage of all – the Olympic Games.

Rugby is widely regarded as the country’s national sport but a range of athletes feature in our list of the greatest Welsh athletes of all-time, with just two union stars making the cut.

This article is being published on 1st March 2025, which just happens to be St David’s Day! Without further ado, here is our take on the greatest Welsh athletes of all-time…

Gareth Bale

In terms of his sporting achievements, Bale ranks right up there with the best athletes to represent Wales and he is undoubtedly the most naturally talented footballer to play for his country.

With 111 appearances for Wales, Bale was pivotal to his country’s success – helping the nation reach the 2016 European Championship semi-finals. He became the world’s most expensive player when moving to Real Madrid in 2013 and he played a key role for Los Blancos throughout his tenure at the club.

While things ended on a sour note, Bale will surely forever be remembered for his great moments at the Santiago Bernabeu rather than the off-field politics. He impacted Bet Builder tips with his on-field genius and his unwavering loyalty to Wales cements his status as a Welsh sports legend.

Sir Gareth Edwards

Widely regarded by rugby fans as one of the greatest players to play the game – not just in Wales but worldwide – Sir Gareth Edwards is a Welsh sporting legend. He boasted a set of skills far ahead of his time, with incredible vision and a sensational rugby IQ.

His long list of achievements on the rugby pitch puts him as one of the most decorated Welsh athletes of all-time while he has also been labelled as a kind and humble yet extraordinary human being by those close to him.

Joe Calzaghe

Calzaghe was born in Hammersmith but his heart belongs to Wales, with the Italian Dragon moving across the border during his early years. He eventually went on to earn the nickname ‘The Pride of Wales’, with Welsh boxing fans welcoming him as one of their own.

Undefeated throughout his professional boxing career, Calzaghe was the dominant force in the super-middleweight division – holding the WBO title for more than a decade during the peak of his powers.

He had speed, he had strength and he had agility and those three traits gave him a clear edge over his rivals in the ring. He is right up there with the greatest British boxers of all-time and he is one of Wales’ greatest ever sportspeople.

Alun Wyn Jones

Undoubtedly the greatest Welsh rugby player of the modern era, Alun Wyn Jones will go down in history for numerous reasons. First and foremost, his longevity on the rugby pitch is unrivalled, especially in such a physically demanding position on the field.

He was captain of the Welsh national team for many years, leading the squad to several Six Nations championships and Grand Slam triumphs. His commitment to Wales and the determination to keep on improving until the end of his career shows the kind of person that Jones is.

Truly a one-of-a-kind sporting icon, he is a certainty for any Welsh sporting heroes list.

Tanni Grey-Thompson

Born in Cardiff, Tanni Grey-Thompson is one of the most recognisable names when it comes to the Paralympic Games. She dominated wheelchair racing throughout her illustrious career, securing 16 Paralympic medals – 11 of which were gold.

Her indomitable spirit and dedication to the sport have helped to raise awareness of wheelchair racing, as well as inspiring a generation to take on a challenge. She is one of the most successful Welsh athletes of all-time and is well worth her spot on this list.