World’s 20 Most Powerful Athletes for 2011

Manning

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback is more than simply the one of the best players in America’s sport. He’s also a model of class, sportsmanship and overall likability that fans (and sponsors) can’t get enough of. 19 More after the break...

02. Shaun White

White, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, combines dominance on the slopes with a friendly face and personality. All this adds up to instant marketability.

03. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods may have fallen from grace, but he hasn’t fallen far. Last year he still made $70 million in endorsements to remain America’s highest paid athlete. But guess who’s not far behind.

04. 04 Phil Mickelson

More than just a moneymaker and an ace golfer, Mickelson provided the feel good sports story of the year when his wife, recovering from breast cancer surgery, met him at the 18th hole of his third Masters victory.

05. Tom Brady

Although he couldn’t make it past Rex Ryan’s Jets, the three-time Super Bowl champ still led his New England Patriots to a staggering 14 regular season wins.

06. Shaquille O’Neal

At 38, the four-time NBA champ has a legitimate chance to earn his fifth ring as the back-up center for the Boston Celtics. Even if the big man falls short, it’s doubtful that his extreme marketability will suffer much.

07. Drew Brees

Want to know how to win the support of fans and sponsors the world over? Try bringing a championship to an American city that’s seen more hard-luck and shown more resiliency than any other. That’s exactly what Drew Brees did for New Orleans.

08. Lance Armstrong

Although Armstrong has seen his share of controversy over the past few years, no number of doping allegations can take away from his cycling accomplishments (winning seven Tour de Frances after beating cancer) and his charity work.

09. Albert Pujols

The perfect antidote to the backlash against baseball over Performance Enhancing Drugs, Pujols is proof that you don’t have to play dirty to dominate the game.

10. Apolo Anton Ohno

Ohno? Oh yes. The Olympic speed skater has won loads of gold medals, but he really captured America’s heart as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars.

11. LeBron James

To some, LeBron is a backstabber who betrayed his hometown team on national TV. To others, he’s a phenomenal player who, like many other athletes, simply wants the best chance to win. For the time being at least, it would appear the public has embraced the first perspective; LeBron slipped a whopping nine spots this year.

12. Michael Phelps

Although it’s been over two years since winning eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, that stellar achievement is enough for him to continue raking in the advertising bucks for years to come.

13. Lindsey Vonn

The darling of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vonn is a sexy, hardworking downhill phenom whose star should only continue to burn bright into the future.

14. Kobe Bryant

In 2009, Bryant won his first NBA title without the big man Shaq down low. But that clearly wasn’t enough for him. Last year he won another title and now has a solid shot of a 2nd three-repeat, a feat that would only be rivaled by the great Michael Jordan.

15. Roger Federer

The Swiss Maestro has won 16 Grand Slam singles titles, more than any other male tennis player in history. He held the ATP number one spot for 237 straight weeks until earlier this month, when the following athlete overtook him…

16. Rafael Nadal

Winner of last year’s French Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon, the dashing Spaniard’s advertising strategy is wildly varied: he’s been in a claymation viral video, but he’s also gearing up to be the new face (and body of course) of Armani underwear.

17. Eli Manning

While no match for big brother Peyton in the endorsement category, his heroics in Super Bowl XLII have made him a fan favorite pretty much everywhere outside of Foxboro.

18. Serena Williams

The accolades speak for themselves: 27 Grand Slam titles, 2 Olympic golds, and Williams shows no sign of slowing down. And with her fashion line and high-dollar endorsements, Williams’ influence is as potent as her crushing serves.

19. David Beckham

Plagued by injuries, Beckham didn’t exactly have a banner year on the field. But he’s the most recognizable face in international soccer which certainly counts for something ($40.5 million to be exact).

20. Dwayne Wade

Unlike LeBron, Wade didn’t have to betray anyone to get his own personal dream team in Miami. Nevertheless, it looks like he’s suffered from “guilt by association,” falling to number 20 after being ranked sixth in last year’s list.

Watusi Bull With Largest Horn

Frankly I can’t imagine how hard it must be for this fella to keep his head up with these things. This is Lurch, Lurch was born in Missouri, USA and is currently known as the bull with the largest horn in the world, the proud bearer of the world’s largest horns. Lurch is a Watusi bull living in an Animal shelter, whose horns measure 92.25 cm and weigh more than 100 pounds each. He’s quite the attraction in his home state and he’s favorite pass-time is acting as bodyguard for a crippled horse that’s being harassed by fellow horses. He looks amazing doesn’t he? 11 more images after the break...

Khiv Raj Gurjar — Power Yoga

Yoga master: Khiv Raj Gurjar thinks nothing of executing a few complex poses atop a rocky outcrop at dawn each morning

Expertly balanced 300ft up a rock face, Khiv Raj Gurjar is the world's finest exponent of Extreme Yoga. Using only a BMX bike for support, 61-year-old Khiv takes the ancient art of meditation to new levels as he performs complex forms of yoga merely inches from the sheer drop. Travelling to the top of the rocky outcrop near to his home of Jodhpur in the Indian state of Rajasthan, Khiv begins his exercises at dawn, so as to avoid the raging desert heat. 13 more images and video after the break...

Balancing act: The 61-year-old has studied yoga since the age of 13.

A student of yoga since the age of 13 and a keen sportsman, Khiv has combined his other great love, cycling, to create his new and extreme form.

'From my childhood I was passionate to do things which are extraordinary and look very dangerous,' says Khiv.

'I tried magic, learned acrobatics, yoga, did cycling, played football.

'As I grew into my twenties I found combining yoga and cycling stunts would be something very unconventional, but also deeply challenging.'

Presently able to perform up to 36 individual yoga poses on his bike, adventure enthusiast Khiv does his yoga exercises for one hour every day.

'I practise and exercise every day of the year,' explains the yoga master.

'This is enough time for me as I have been doing this since my childhood and I am very good at it.'

Khiv feels that his yoga, which takes him up clock towers in crowded bazaars and to the top of ancient forts is not only soul enriching, but exciting too.

Dawn rising: Khiv prefers to exercise at the start of the day, so as to make sure he avoids the raging desert heat.

'For me, it is like when children get excited about something that they do not have any reason for,' explains Khiv.

'That is the case with me. I am crazy about performing it. And as it is dangerous so much the better.'

A natural athlete, Khiv has represented his country at a national level as a cyclist and even competed in his country's national football league.

'I like adventures and I actively search for those that can suffice my appetite,' Khiv says.

'In addition to my yoga and cycling I do acrobatics, bodybuilding, football, mountaineering, trekking, rock climbing.'

Very much active for a man of his age, Khiv has no plans to retire to a quiet garden to a more sedate form of yoga.

'I perform for my personal satisfaction and I always want to be best,' says Khiv.

'Whatever sport I played or exercise I did, I did it for my self. But my passion brought me to the top.' 

Perfectionist: Khiv says he performs for his own personal satisfaction and is driven by his urge to be the best.

In a country not known for a history of extreme sports, Khiv and his inspiration stand out.

'I have never liked cricket. There is no question of playing, I haven't ever watched it, even on TV,' he says.

'My hero is Pele. He was poor but achieved great things with his natural talent.'

It is not just Khiv who has dedicated his life to keeping his body a temple.

'My wife Kamla never worries about my desire to push myself to the limit,' says Khiv.

'She works in the gym I run and was fully aware of my passions before we got married. In fact she gives me all the moral support that I need.'

It is no surprise then that Kamla and Khiv's son Harish is also heavily involved in fitness.

'My son has followed his father's example to be a fit and healthy man,' says a proud Khiv.

'He has become a personal trainer to the stars, such as Bill Gates and Daniel Craig.'

Having been perfecting his extreme yoga for almost 50 years, Khiv has travelled the world to demonstrate his skills.

'I have been to Australia, the UK and Thailand, taking my trusted BMX with me,' he says.

'I have plans to develop my art, but I am keeping these plans close to my chest.' Via — Link

Impossibility Challenger 2010 in Germany!

 During the Impossibility Challenger on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd October 2010 in Dachau near Munich eleven participants from seven countries set 4 Guinness World Records, 11 world records and 4 personal records on the grounds of the sports club ASV.

Yoga asanas are relaxing and improve your health. But doing 41 yoga poses and stretching exercises in 5 minutes 19 seconds and 31 poses in 4 minutes 5 seconds balancing on a BMX Bike without touching the ground is a challenge. 58-year-old Khiv Raj Gurjar traveled from Jodhpur in India all the way to Germany to accomplish these feats. Khiv Raj Gurjar, who studied yoga since the age of 13 and meditates regularly, balanced also for 11 minutes 18 seconds on a BMX Bike without contact with the ground. His three world records were part of the 17th edition of the Impossibility Challenger organised by the Sri Chinmoy Centres.

Katskhi Pillar – Going to Church on a Stairway to Heaven

Trust me on this, that headline has absolutely nothing rock’n'roll about it . Weirdly enough, it’s actually true and you can even go on to experience it yourself, provided you’re willing to travel. Travel a little or a lot rather depends on where you’re starting from as you’ll have to go to Georgia in order to live this out. Oh, and that’s not Georgia, the American state, but Georgia a small country that sits borderline between Europe and Asia. In this rather remote country, that’s seen it’s fair share of misfortune over the years for various political issues, economic and social pressures and so on, you’ll be able to find an unusual bastion of hope. 03 more images after the break...

Bungalows on the island of Moorea

Bipasha Basu Photoshoot For Maxim India (January 2011). Bipasha Basu is on a roll to get back her image of a $exy lady in tinsel town. I had already posted the cover of Maxim Magazine with Bipasha Basu bare act, then in Dabboo Ratnani Calendar also she goes b@re back. Now here is her exclusive photoshoot with Maxim India Magazine. More images after the break...