Pita is the first Tongan athlete to compete at both a Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The Bachelor of Engineering graduate contested the Men’s +80 kg Taekwondo event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as the Men’s 15km Freestyle Cross-Country Skiing competition at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Pita was Tonga’s flagbearer at both events.
Jodie Fields was the first Queenslander to captain the Australian Women’s Cricket Team, leading the team to victory at both the 2012 Women’s World Twenty20 tournament and 2013 Women’s World Cup. Jodie received a Bachelor of Science in 2005, and Master of Business Administration in 2013.
David Theile is the only Australian to have won an Olympic Backstroke gold medal, achieving the feat at both the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympic Games. In recognition of Dr Thiele’s swimming achievements, the UQ Sport Aquatic Centre’s 50m Pool was named in his honour. Dr Thiele was awarded with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) in 1962, Master of Surgery in 1970, and Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa in 2001.
A towering Lock forward, Nathan Sharpe played 116 Tests for the Wallabies, captaining the team in 10 matches. Nathan won the John Eales Medal – awarded to Australia’s best Rugby Union player – in 2007 and 2012. Nathan received a Bachelor of Human Movement in 2000.
A member of the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame, Larry Sengstock represented the Boomers over 300 times, competing at four Olympic Games and four World Championships. Larry was the first player in NBL history to play 400 games and win five championships. He was also the inaugural NBL Grand Final MVP in 1979 – an award which is now named his honour. Larry received a Graduate Diploma in Education in 1982.
Kieren Perkins is regarded as one of Australia’s greatest distance swimmers, and was the first person in history to hold the Olympic, world, Commonwealth and Pan Pacific titles simultaneously. Kieren famously won the 1500m Freestyle at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics, becoming the first Australian since Dawn Fraser to successfully defend an individual Olympic title. In 2000, he received a Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa.
Affectionately known as ‘Madame Butterfly’, Susie O’Neill represented Australia at three Olympic Games (1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney), winning eight medals – including gold in the 200m Butterfly and 200m Freestyle. Susie studied a Bachelor of Applied Science at UQ.
Stephen Moore is the second-most capped Wallabies player in history, having represented Australia in 120 Test Matches – 26 as captain. Stephen, as well as fellow UQ alumni Nathan Sharpe, are the only two Australian players to have achieved 100 Test caps and 150 Super Rugby appearances. Stephen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2006.
A defender by trade, Clare rose through the ranks to captain the Australian Diamonds. Clare won three Trans-Tasman Netball Championships with the Queensland Firebirds, with the club taking victory in 2011, 2015 and 2016. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science in 2007, and Master of Speech Pathology in 2010.
Michael Lynagh was a champion Fly-half, and one of world rugby’s most prolific point-scorers. In a career spanning 16 seasons, Lynagh played 72 Tests for the Wallabies – including 15 as captain. He was a member of Australia’s 1991 World Cup-winning team, and remains the Wallabies’ all-time leading point-scorer. Michael studied a Human Movement degree at UQ.
An economical right-arm fast bowler, Michael represented Australia on 83 occasions at Test, One-Day International and Twenty20 level. Michael claimed 959 wickets over the course of his First-Class career – including 113 wickets from 38 Tests. He was awarded a Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership in 2010, Graduate Diploma of Business Administration in 2013, and 2013, and Master of Business Administration in 2014.
A member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Alan Jones coached the Wallabies between 1984 and 1988, recording 86 victories from 102 matches – including 23 wins in 30 Test Matches. Alan famously led Australia to a Grand Slam in 1984, as well as the Bledisloe Cup in 1986. Alan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1967.
James Horwill captained the Wallabies on 16 occasions, leading Australia to third place at the 2011 World Cup. A veteran of 62 Tests, James also represented the Queensland Reds on 116 occasions. James studied a Bachelor of Business Management at UQ.
Brenden Hall is one of Australia’s most successful Para athletes, having won numerous gold medals at the Paralympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships. In 2014, Brenden was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. He completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences degree at UQ in 2016.
Johns Eales is the Wallabies’ most successful captain, winning the 1999 World Cup, three Bledisloe Cups, two Tri-Nations, and the 2001 British and Irish Lions series. John was capped 86 times for Australia, captaining the team on 55 occasions. Prior to leading the Wallabies, he was a member of Australia’s victorious 1991 World Cup side. John was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in 1991.
Natalie Cook was the first Australian woman to compete at five Olympic Games. Her greatest achievement came at the 2000 Sydney Olympics when she won a gold medal alongside Kerri Pottharst in the Women’s Beach Volleyball event. Natalie studied a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at UQ.
Emilee Cherry is regarded as one the world’s premier Rugby Sevens players. A Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education graduate, Emilee was named World Sevens Player of the Year in 2014. She was also a member of the Australian team that won the inaugural Women’s Rugby Sevens gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
John Buchanan is Australia’s most successful cricket coach, leading the national team to two World Cups (2003 and 2007), as well as world records for consecutive Test Match (16) and One-Day International (21) wins. John was awarded a Bachelor of Human Movement Studies in 1977, and Doctor of The University honoris causa in 2006.
