Star Wars: 5 sports Masters & their Padawans that surpassed them

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | December 15, 2015

Ahead of the long-awaited ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ film coming out in cinemas on December 17th, which is expected to break the world box office record, Coral have found a way to link the franchise with the world of sport.

Many a Master have come and gone over the years in their respective disciplines, but every once in a while a few become teachers in their field and guide a Padawan-type prospect to the top and even surpass their achievements.

Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was famously the Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn, who also began to take on Anakin Skywalker before his death in the films, meaning the former was left to mentor the future Darth Vader.

So, here are our following five Masters and their Padawans that surpassed them in the world of sport, all of whom certainly very much had or still have the Force with them…

Sir Bobby Robson and Jose Mourinho

Durham-born Robson was one of the most loved and respected football managers to have come from England, and was even made a knight of the realm for his service to the sport.

However, while still an active coach, he mentored a youthful Mourinho, who had little experience in the game, and Robson clearly sensed strong Force in his young Padawan while his translator at Porto and Barcelona.

Chelsea boss Mourinho, who became the Special One rather than the Chosen One, has credited Robson for his knowledge and rise in management. Though, it is fair to say the Portuguese has more than surpassed the former England boss, having won numerous silverware for the likes of the Blues, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

Mourinho may be going through a woeful spell in charge of the Premier League champions, as they are down in 16th, but his side can be backed at 2/1 to finish in the top six.

Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor

Crafty Cockney Bristow can be credited for being one of the stars that has made darts so popular today, due to his colourful personality and achievements, claiming five world titles in the 1980s.

But, in a galaxy far, far away from his native London (Stoke-on-Trent to be exact), Bristow came across a Force never before witnessed in the sport and went on to created the monster that is Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor.

While Bristow began and guided the career of Taylor, even financing his development, he would soon live to regret that as his prospect was clearly the Chosen One.

Taylor’s rise was so rapid that the late great commentator Sid Waddell described him as being “the best that ever was and will be”, having claimed an unworldly 82 major titles across 25 years. He also has 16 World Championship crowns, and is 4/1 to win another this year.

The Power has also become somewhat of a mentor in recent years too, having guided his very own Padawan and fellow Stoke-born Adrian Lewis, who has two world titles thus far.

Ray Reardon and Ronnie O’Sullivan

Despite his Dracula or Sith-like appearance, Welshman Reardon was far from a wanderer to the dark side as he became a big part in reigniting troubled genius O’Sullivan’s career.

The duo joined forces in 2004, where The Rocket went onto win his second World Championship. Essex-based O’Sullivan is to take part in the 2016 Masters after a long break in the game, and is the 10/3 favourite.

Boris Becker and Novak Djokovic

Although Serb Djokovic had already won six Grand Slam titles by the time Becker took over as his coach, the German turned him from a great player to an almost-unstoppable force.

Becker even selflessly guided him past his own major success total of six, and has overseen the dominant world number one claim another four in just two years, including three in 2015.

Djokovic starts the defence of his Australian Open title next month, and is the heavy odds-on 4/5 favourite to win a record-equalling sixth at the men’s singles tournament Down Under.

Roger Mayweather and Floyd Mayweather Jr

In his own right, Roger (brother of Floyd Sr) was a Master of boxing, being a world champion a boasting a record of 59-13.

Though, it his skills as a trainer that have heightened his reputation, having guided his nephew to being a five-division world champion and undefeated from his 49 fights.

Floyd Jr may have now recently retired from the sport after matching Rocky Marciano’s remarkable record, but is being touted by many and even his father to return to claim a 50th scalp.

The American, nicknamed ‘Money’, has had his fair share of controversies in the past, so it is fair to say that he is the one who has stayed more closely to the dark side from this list.

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