Legends All: 2014 International Sports Hall Of Fame Inductees

Every year, the great honor of being inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame (ISHF, for short) is bestowed upon a select few. This year's class, however, was off the charts.

What does it take to make it? The organization's mission statement stresses the importance of recognizing what Hall of Fame candidates have accomplished during their career but also what they do later in life. Inductees must give back and pay it forward. Each 2014 inductee has clearly secured his or her position in the pantheon of sports legends not only through their athletic achievements but also because they strive to make the world a better place.

This year's inductees included action movie star Jason Statham, 8-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney, movie star and karate champ Cynthia Rothrock, the illustrious Olympic wrestler Dan Gable, and the Weider family. Induction ceremonies are held annually at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Following tradition, the 2014 International Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place in March and was presented by the ISHF founder, Dr. Robert Goldman, and the legend of legends, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Let's take a closer look at each 2014 inductee to see how and why they earned this status.

1
Dan Gable

Dr. Robert Goldman: "For decades, any kid with dreams of Olympic Gold in wrestling had a poster of Dan Gable over the their bed (yours truly included) and tried to model one's work ethic, discipline and dedication after the man whose name is the symbol of excellence, perfection, and always striving for ever higher goals. Dan is not only an icon—as an undefeated Olympic competitive wrestler—but unequaled as a coach. His dedication to the sport and mentoring future champions makes him ideal for Hall of Fame Induction."

Born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, Dan Gable is the pride and joy of his hometown. Throughout his wrestling career, Dan killed it at every level of competition—be it high school, college, world championship, and even on the Olympic stage. Clearly, he excelled in pinning others to the ground; fables of his dominance continued on as a head coach to college athletes.

"My last mission is to expand and promote wrestling around the world," says Gable. "Wrestling is out there and we do a lot in our own community, but to be honored by a Hall of Fame that covers all sports is not only a wonderful honor but also an opportunity to share and increase awareness of our sport. I'm getting more excited about this every minute."

2014 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Dan Gable
Watch The Video - 06:23

Dan's Secret to Success

"I took [recovery] as seriously as I did the training. I came upon this technique one day after training and I've followed it ever since. I start with a cold shower for around 10-15 minutes followed by 10-15 minutes in a hot tub or a sauna. I repeated this one more time so I did cold and hot twice. The entire time I would replay my training and analyze mistakes I made. If I missed reps in the gym, I focused on that, and would commit to improving. This visualization helped me improve both on the mat and in the weight room. I believe this will help anyone, especially someone who plays a sport."

2
Cynthia Rothrock

Dr. Robert Goldman: "When you look for the ultimate combination of speed, flexibility, grace, class and world championship caliber skills in martial arts, Cynthia is the first to come to mind. She always makes time to inspire and educate up and coming athletes. With countless action motion pictures and five world championships under her belt, she is an ageless beauty and is truly the first lady of martial arts and the first female Martial Arts Master ever inducted into the ISHOF."

Known as the "Queen of Martial Arts Movies," Cynthia Rothrock is someone who won't settle for merely being good at something. In fact, she never settles for anything short of best. In her mind, second place is just first at being last. And third? Forget about it. "To me, losing would've been embarrassing and after I got good and won my first championship, I had a target on my back. The other competitors were training to beat me so I couldn't just train to stay as good as I was. They were getting better so they could beat me so I had to be better than my best the previous year to stay on top."

This fierce mindset has helped her snag an impressive martial arts pedigree: Five consecutive world karate championships in form and in weapons and five black belts in different martial arts, including Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Eagle Claw, Wu Shu, and Northern Shaolin. After a dominant sweep through competitive karate, she used her disciplinary fighting acumen to land her first gig as a prominent action star in Yes, Madam in 1985. Since then, her resume exploded to include roles in more than 50 films and television shows.

"I'm incredibly honored to have been offered induction into the ISHOF," Rothrock says. "It will be a career highlight for me to be given my award alongside the other great people going in this year." ISHF only adds to her remarkable achievements, including the Black Belt Hall of Fame and the Inside Kung Fu Hall of Fame.

2014 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Cynthia Rothrock
Watch The Video - 03:12

Today, Cynthia still stays highly involved in martial arts and teaches it on a regular basis. She teaches at seminars in the United States and throughout Europe and Russia every year. "I think anyone can do martial arts. I'm a big advocate that anyone young or old should learn martial arts to at the very least defend themselves. The great thing about learning martial arts is they are also improving their fitness levels. For children, it can also help teach discipline and focus as well as improve coordination."

Cynthia's Secret to Success

Do whatever it takes. "Most people settle or quit after winning," says Rothrock. "I knew I had to work beyond 100 percent to keep winning in competition and later to keep getting roles in future movies. So I had to give 110 percent and traveled as far as China and Taiwan to learn more and get better. I had to devote my life to it. So if you want it bad enough, then do what you have to do to get it."

3
Jason Statham

Dr. Robert Goldman: "The only way to describe Jason's athleticism, speed, balance, and staggering action skills in his movies is mind blowing! This former Olympic caliber diver, model, and martial artist is one of the true 'A' list major motion picture movie stars, and despite his global fame, is one of the most down-to-earth good guys one can have the pleasure of meeting."

Jason Statham is easily one of the most recognized and popular contemporary Hollywood stars based on roles in action-packed films such as "The Transporter" and "Crank." Before he became an elite actor, Jason was heavily involved in competitive diving, martial arts, modeling, and generally keeping in ripped shape for most of his life. The Shirebrook, England, native loved football (or soccer, for you North American heathens) and diving.

Although he's more widely known for his ass-kicking movie roles, his induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame alongside Lee Haney, Dan Gable, Cynthia Rothrock, and the Weider Family is legit. Sure, his movies involve a ton of choreographed ass-kicking, but Jason's foundation of martial arts is the real deal. He performs most of his stunts and scenes on set. His working knowledge includes a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, having practiced under the tutelage of Rendo Gracie. He's also well-trained in Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Karate, and kickboxing.

2014 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Jason Statham
Watch The Video - 03:40

"Working in the film business, sometimes you can lose sight of what life is truly about," says the actor. "But this honor brings me back to my roots of striving to be better than I was the day before. I am truly honored to be a part of this amazing group of athletes."

Jason's Secret to Success

"I think being a competitive diver for years helps you focus and dedicate yourself to what's needed."

4
Lee Haney

Dr. Robert Goldman: "When you think of awesome, class, and a great human being, you think of 8-Time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney. Lee's dedication to the sport of bodybuilding is only equaled by his greatness as a human being, with strong faith and giving back to youth. His 'Awesome' nickname was, and is, well earned, and no Hall of Fame with bodybuilding is complete without him."

With a career that has spanned decades and affected millions of people, it's easy to see why Lee Haney was selected for entry into the ISHF.

Among the 13 men who have earned the honor of calling themselves Mr. Olympia, Lee Haney is the first and one of two (the other is Ronnie Coleman) who has clinched the title on eight separate occasions, breaking Arnold's previous record of seven Olympias.

Haney sunk his teeth into bodybuilding early in life. His parents bought him his first weight set when he was just 11 years old. No one in the sport of bodybuilding was as successful in the 1980s as Lee. He won the first NPC Jr. Nationals in 1982 and moved onto his pro card as the first NPC Champion later that year. Lee continued to monopolize Olympia wins throughout the decade, eclipsing even the accomplishments of Schwarzenegger himself.

"The road that I took to get there—man, it was hard," says Haney. "I would ask 'Lord, how much longer will it be until I get there?' I was only 24 years old when I won my first Olympia. To be that young and the world champion was a lot of pressure. When I won the 8th one, I had the record, I was on top, that was the absolute best that I ever looked onstage, the best training and prep that I had done, and I had no regrets. I knew it was time to walk away."

2014 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Lee Haney
Watch The Video - 03:12

Beyond his bodybuilding, Lee has helped others shape their own physiques. He created the International Association of Fitness Sciences and, in 1992, founded Haney's Harvest House along with his wife Shirley. Harvest House aimed to help struggling and troubled young men grow up into responsible and respected adults in their communities.

Haney also is involved in various sports competitions and weight-loss challenges. He was named Chairman of The President's Council of Physical Fitness and Sports by President Clinton in the mid 1990s. Haney also had his own fitness TV show called "TotaLee Fit with Lee Haney" on Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Lee's Secret to Success

Haney always believed that one should "stimulate, not annihilate" when it comes to weight training. His philosophy worked for him as a past Mr. Olympia and still applies with his clients and students.

"I knew that I had to train with intensity and focus, but I never thought about the weight on the bar," says Haney. "I benched up to 500 pounds one day and decided that was enough because I knew the risk of a pec tear or a shoulder injury would be catastrophic to my bodybuilding career. I didn't train for powerlifting. I trained as a bodybuilder. I had to train to stress the muscle and not because of what was on the bar. I think my strategy was a good one because I have no aches, pains, or lingering injuries from training today. I feel great."

5
Weider Family

Dr. Robert Goldman: "When you think of bodybuilding, we all owe it to Weider family. They created and nurtured our sport against tremendous odds and spawned countless industries including nutritional supplementation, fitness equipment, and all of health and fitness field as we know it today. I still have the first letter I wrote Ben Weider at age 14, telling him I one day hoped to be a doctor and work with him. This very special groundbreaking, iconic family has had an impact on the world and changed it for the better forever. They are the first family to ever inducted into the ISHOF."

Long before the deluge of mainstream health clubs, self-help books, magazines, and a little site called Bodybuilding.com became devoted to helping people get in shape, two brothers from Canada initiated the fitness movement that would evolve into today's multi-billion dollar industry.

Known as the "Trainer of Champions," Joe Weider was the mastermind behind the Weider Training Principles. He founded numerous magazines that are among the top sellers in the industry today. He published the first issue of Your Physique, which would become Muscle & Fitness, and mentored one Arnold Schwarzenegger.

His brother, Ben Weider, is "the father" of the IFBB and promoted competitive bodybuilding throughout the world, making his league the largest sports organization in the world. Together, the Weider brothers revolutionized the fitness industry.

2014 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
The Weiders
Watch The Video - 04:34

Joe's wife, Betty Brosmer, was instrumental in promoting health and fitness for women and is the co-founder of Shape magazine. Considered by many to be the world's first supermodel, Betty has graced more than 200 covers. Today, Betty keeps her finger on the industry's pulse with two columns: "Body by Betty" and "Health by Betty," published in 17 different languages and seen by millions of people globally.

Her contributions over the last six decades have educated and inspired generations of mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives to improve their health. It has opened the doors for many of the top models and experts we know today.

Secrets to their success

"Strive for excellence, exceed yourself, love your friend, speak the truth, practice fidelity, and honor your father and mother. These principles will help you to master yourself, make you strong, give you hope and put you on the path to greatness."—Joe Weider

"I've dedicated 60 years of my life to bodybuilding and building the IFBB and I'm very proud, extremely proud."—Ben Weider

"I wanted to stress the importance of fitness and living a healthy lifestyle to women. I didn't see anything that spoke to the average woman and they needed someone to tell them the truth. No hype, no quick fixes, and no fad diets. It's about changing your lifestyle."—Betty Weider