1996 in sports

1996 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.

Contents [hide] 1 Alpine skiing 2 American football 3 Association football 4 Athletics 5 Australian rules football 6 Baseball 7 Basketball 8 Boxing 9 Canadian football 10 Cricket 11 Cycling 12 Dogsled racing 13 Field hockey 14 Figure skating 15 Gaelic Athletic Association 16 Golf 17 Handball 18 Harness racing 19 Horse racing 20 Ice hockey 21 Lacrosse 22 Mixed martial arts 23 Motor racing 24 Professional Wrestling 25 Radiosport 26 Rugby league 27 Rugby union 28 Snooker 29 Swimming 30 Tennis 31 Volleyball 32 Water polo 33 Multi-sport events 34 Awards 35 References 36 Films

Alpine skiing
Alpine Skiing World Cup Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany

American football
Super Bowl XXX – Dallas Cowboys won 27-17 over the Pittsburgh Steelers World Bowl 96 – The Scottish Claymores won 32-27 over the Frankfurt Galaxy. 1995 NCAA Division I-A national football championship – the Nebraska Cornhuskers manhandle the Florida Gators, winning 62-24, along with their second back-to-back National Championship seasons on January 2, 1996. Cleveland Browns deactivate and move to Baltimore where they become the Baltimore Ravens and reactivate in 1999. The Big 12 Conference begins with its first college football game between Texas Tech and Kansas State. Kansas State won 21–14.[1]

Association football
For an extensive coverage see 1996 in Association football

Athletics
July–August – Athletics at the 1996 Summer Olympics held at Atlanta, United States

Australian rules football
Australian Football League North Melbourne wins the 100th AFL premiership (North Melbourne 19.17 (131) d Sydney Swans 13.10 (88)) Brownlow Medal awarded to James Hird (Essendon) and Michael Voss (Brisbane Bears) At the end of the season Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears merge, forming the Brisbane Lions.

Baseball
January 8; For the first time in 25 years, no one garners 75 percent of the votes needed to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Phil Niekro comes closest with 68 percent. The New York Yankees won 1996 World Series defeating the Atlanta Braves.

Basketball
April 1 – NCAA Men's Basketball Championship – Kentucky wins 76-67 over Syracuse

NBA Finals – Chicago Bulls win 4 games to 2 over the Seattle SuperSonics, after a record-breaking 72-10 regular season.

National Basketball League (Australia) Finals: South East Melbourne Magic defeated the Melbourne Tigers 2-1 in the best-of-three final series.

Boxing
March 16 – Christy Martin loses to Deirdre Gogarty by a decision in six rounds to retain her Women's boxing world title in front of a national TV audience. This fight is credited with making the general public aware of women's boxing. March 30 to April 7 – 31st European Amateur Boxing Championships held in Vejle, Denmark June 7 - Oscar de la Hoya defeats Julio César Chávez by 8th round to win the WBC's world Junior Welterweight championship.

Canadian football
Grey Cup – Toronto Argonauts win 43-37 over the Edmonton Eskimos Vanier Cup – Saskatchewan Huskies win 31-12 over the St. Francis Xavier X-Men Ottawa Rough Riders fold

Cricket
Cricket World Cup – Final: Sri Lanka beat Australia by 7 wickets

Cycling
Giro d'Italia won by Pavel Tonkov of Russia Tour de France – Bjarne Riis of Denmark UCI Road World Championships – Men's road race – Johan Museeuw of Belgium

Dogsled racing
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion – Jeff King wins with lead dogs: Jake & Booster

Field hockey
Olympic Games Men's Competition: Netherlands Olympic Games Women's Competition: Australia

Figure skating
World Figure Skating Championships – Men's champion: Todd Eldredge, United States Ladies' champion: Michelle Kwan, United States Pairs' champions: Marina Eltsova / Sergei Bushkov, Russia Ice dancing champions: Oksana Grishuk / Evgeny Platov, Russia

Gaelic Athletic Association
Camogie All-Ireland Camogie Champion: Galway National Camogie League: Cork

Gaelic football All-Ireland Senior Football Championship – Kerry 2-9 died Mayo 1-11 National Football League – Derry 1-16 died Donegal 1-9

Ladies' Gaelic football All-Ireland Senior Football Champion: Monaghan National Football League: Monaghan

Hurling All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship – Wexford 1-13 died Limerick 0-14 National Hurling League –

Golf
Men's professional Masters Tournament - Nick Faldo U.S. Open - Steve Jones British Open - Tom Lehman PGA Championship - Mark Brooks PGA Tour money leader - Tom Lehman - $1,780,159 Senior PGA Tour money leader - Jim Colbert - $1,627,890 Tiger Woods turns professional in September. In the last five regular tournaments of the year on the PGA Tour, his finishes were T5-T3-1-3-1, placing him among the tour's top 30 money-winners for the year and thereby qualifying him for the season-ending The Tour Championship. Woods named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.

Men's amateur British Amateur - Warren Bladon U.S. Amateur - Tiger Woods becomes the first golfer to win three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles. This was the sixth consecutive year in which he won a USGA championship, one short of Bobby Jones' record of seven. European Amateur - Daniel Olsson

Women's professional Nabisco Dinah Shore - Patty Sheehan LPGA Championship - Laura Davies U.S. Women's Open - Annika Sörenstam Classique du Maurier - Laura Davies LPGA Tour money leader - Karrie Webb - $1,002,000 - becomes the first ever woman to earn more than a million dollars in one golf season. The United States team retained the Solheim Cup beating the European team 17 to 11.

Handball
Men's European Championship: Russia Women's European Championship: Denmark

Harness racing
June 22 - the fastest race mile in harness racing history was set by Jenna's Beach Boy (1:47.3) at Meadowlands Racetrack North America Cup - Arizona Jack United States Pacing Triple Crown races – 1.Cane Pace - Scoot To Power 2.Little Brown Jug - Armbro Operative 3.Messenger Stakes - Go For Grins

United States Trotting Triple Crown races – 1.Hambletonian - Continentalvictory 2.Yonkers Trot - Continentalvictory 3.Kentucky Futurity - Running Sea

Australian Inter Dominion Harness Racing Championship – Pacers: Young Mister Charles Trotters: Pride Of Petite

Horse racing
Inaugural running of the Dubai World Cup, promoted as the "world's richest horse race", at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai.

Steeplechases Cheltenham Gold Cup – Imperial Call Grand National – Rough Quest

Flat races Australia – Melbourne Cup won by Saintly Canada – Queen's Plate won by Victor Cooley Dubai – Dubai World Cup won by Cigar France – Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe won by Helissio Ireland – Irish Derby Stakes won by Zagreb Japan – Japan Cup won by Singspiel English Triple Crown races: 1.2,000 Guineas Stakes – Mark of Esteem 2.Epsom Derby – Shaamit 3.St. Leger Stakes – Shantou

United States Triple Crown races: 1.Kentucky Derby – Grindstone 2.Preakness Stakes – Louis Quatorze 3.Belmont Stakes – Editor's Note

Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships: 1.Breeders' Cup Classic – Alphabet Soup 2.Breeders' Cup Distaff – Jewel Princess 3.Breeders' Cup Juvenile – Boston Harbor 4.Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies – Storm Song 5.Breeders' Cup Mile – Da Hoss 6.Breeders' Cup Sprint – Lit de Justice 7.Breeders' Cup Turf – Pilsudski

Ice hockey
Art Ross Memorial Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer during the regular season: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins Hart Memorial Trophy – for the NHL's Most Valuable Player: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup - the Colorado Avalanche defeat the Florida Panthers 4 games to 0 for their first-ever Stanley Cup title. It was also the franchise's first season since relocating from Quebec City, where they were known as the Nordiques. World Hockey Championship Men's champion: Czech Republic defeated Canada Junior Men's champion: Canada defeated Sweden

Lacrosse
The Buffalo Bandits defeat the Philadelphia Wings 13–12 to win the Major Indoor Lacrosse League championship

Mixed martial arts
The following is a list of major noteworthy MMA events during 1996 in chronological order.

It should be noted that before 1997, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was considered the only major MMA organization in the world and featured much fewer rules then are used in modern MMA.

Date Event Alternate Name/s Location Attendance PPV Buyrate Notes February 16 UFC 8: David vs. Goliath N/A Puerto Rico Bayamón, Puerto Rico 13,000 160,000 UFC rule change, timed rounds were changed to two 10-minute rounds for first two rounds of the tournament and a single 15-minute round in the tournament final and superfights. Introduction of judges. First MMA event to draw criticism from politicians. May 17 UFC 9: Motor City Madness N/A United States Detroit, Michigan, US 10,000 N/A First UFC event not to feature a tournament, however it was not the last. Closed fisted strikes to the head were banned for this event only, however this was not enforced. Following this event the UFC was removed from airing events on numerous cable systems, including TCI cable. July 12 UFC 10: The Tournament N/A United States Birmingham, Alabama, US 4,300 N/A This event was originally going to be held at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. September 20 UFC 11: The Proving Ground N/A United States Augusta, Georgia, US 4,500 N/A N/A December 7 The Ultimate Ultimate 2 Ultimate Ultimate 1996 UFC 11.5 United States Birmingham, Alabama, US 6,000 N/A UFC rule change, introduction of "no grabbing of the fence" rule. In promotion for this event, Ken Shamrock appeared as a guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Following this event Ken Shamrock would leave the UFC until 2002. And marked the last UFC fight of Don Frye.

Motor racing
Stock car racing – Dale Jarrett won the Daytona 500

NASCAR Championship - Terry Labonte Rusty Wallace wins the Suzuka NASCAR Thunder 100 at Suzuka City November 24, the first NASCAR event held in Japan. Jeff Gordon wins the Tyson Holly Farms 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway September 29,which was the final event at that track

Indy Racing League - Scott Sharp and Buzz Calkins tie for the inaugural IRL championship Indianapolis 500 - Buddy Lazier

CART - Jimmy Vasser won the season championship Formula One Championship - Damon Hill of Great Britain 24 hours of Le Mans – won by the team of Manuel Reuter / Davy Jones / Alexander Wurz driving a TWR-Porsche Rallying - Tommi Mäkinen won the World Rally Championship the team of Patrick Bernardini / Bernard Occelli won the Monte Carlo Rally driving a Ford Escort RS Cosworth

Drag racing - Kenny Bernstein won the NHRA "Top Fuel" championship.

Professional Wrestling
July 7: Hulk Hogan becomes a villain and forms the New World Order.

Radiosport
The second World Radiosport Team Championship held in San Francisco, California, US Gold medals go to Jeff Steinman KRØY and Dan Street K1TO of the United States.

Rugby league
January: England - The 1995–96 Rugby Football League season ends with Wigan declared champions. March 29: Paris – the new Super League competition, the first ever season of professional rugby to be played in summer, begins with new team Paris Saint-Germain's first match: a 30-24 win over Sheffield Eagles at Charlety Stadium before 17,873. April 27: London, England - The 1996 Challenge Cup tournament culminates in St Helens' 40-32 victory over Bradford Bulls in the final at Wembley Stadium before a crowd of 75,994. August 31: Salford, England - The 1996 Student Rugby League World Cup culminates in Australia's 28 - 16 defeat of Samoa September 29: Sydney, Australia - The 1996 ARL season culminates the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles' 20–8 grand final victory over the St. George Dragons at the Sydney Football Stadium before a crowd of 40,985 June 26: Cardiff, Wales - The 1996 European Rugby League Championship is won by England who defeated Wales 26-12 at Cardiff Arms Park before a crowd of 5,245 The 1996 Queensland Cup Season is won by the Toowoomba Clydesdales June 3: Sydney, Australia - The 1996 State of Origin series is wrapped up as New South Wales defeat Queensland 18–6 in Game II at the Sydney Football Stadium before a crowd of 41,955. Super League I ends with St. Helens being crowned champions for finishing on top of the League The Great Britain national team go on a their tour of the Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand.

Rugby union
102nd Five Nations Championship series is won by England SANZAR's new leagues the Super 12 (now Super 14) and the Tri Nations Series begin. The Super 12 is won by the Auckland Blues and the Tri Nations is won by the New Zealand All Blacks

Snooker
World Snooker Championship – Stephen Hendry beats Peter Ebdon 18-12 World rankings – Stephen Hendry remains world number one for 1996-97

Swimming
XXVI Olympic Games, held in Atlanta United States (July 20 – July 26) First European SC Championships, held in Riesa, Germany (December 13 – 15) Germany wins the most medals (39) and the most gold medals (14)

December 1 – American swimmer Misty Hyman clocks 58:29 to break the world record in the women's 100m butterfly (short course)

Tennis
Grand Slam in tennis men's results: 1.Australian Open - Boris Becker 2.French Open - Yevgeny Kafelnikov 3.Wimbledon championships - Richard Krajicek 4.US Open - Pete Sampras

Grand Slam in tennis women's results: 1.Australian Open - Monica Seles 2.French Open - Steffi Graf 3.Wimbledon championships - Steffi Graf 4.US Open - Steffi Graf

1996 Summer Olympics Men's Singles Competition – Andre Agassi Women's Singles Competition – Lindsay Davenport Men's Doubles Competition – Todd Woodbridge & Mark Woodforde Women's Doubles Competition – Gigi Fernández & Mary Joe Fernández

Davis Cup final: France wins 3-2 over Sweden

Fed Cup final: USA wins 5-0 over Spain

Volleyball
Men's World League: Netherlands Women's World Grand Prix: Brazil Olympic Games Men's Competition: Netherlands Olympic Games Women's Competition: Cuba

Water polo
Olympic Games Men's Competition: Spain Olympic Games Women's Competition: Netherlands

Multi-sport events
1996 Summer Olympics takes place in Atlanta, United States United States wins the most medals (101), and the most gold medals (44).

Winter Asian Games held in Harbin, China Athletic competition in the Big 12 Conference is inaugurated with a football game between Kansas State University and Texas Tech University, in Manhattan, Kansas on August 31.

Awards
Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year – Michael Johnson, Track and field Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year – Amy Van Dyken, Swimming

Films

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