Kurt Fearnley, Nova Peris, Johnathan Thurston, Tim Cahill inducted into Sport Australia Hall of Fame

Paralympic gold medal champion Kurt Fearnley doesn’t see himself as one of the greats, but now its official. Later this month he will be inducted to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame with a group including Nova Peris, Johnathan Thurston and Tim Cahill.

Three time Paralympic gold medal winner, four World titles and two Commonwealth Games gold medals – Kurt Fearnley seems to be the only one questioning his inclusion in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

The wheelchair racer has had an impressive career- spanning more than two decades and a list of accolades too long to include.

He is one of seven new inductees into the prestigious group with rower Kim Brennan, footballer Tim Cahill, aerial skiing champion Lydia Lassila, NRL legend Johnathan Thurston, Hockeyroo Nova Peris and rowing coach Tim McLaren, also earning a spot in the Hall of Fame.

But Fearnley isn’t convinced he belongs in the group.

“The one room that I’ve ever been overwhelmed in, that I’ve ever felt completely out of my depth in, is any function that I have been to with The Sport Australia Hall of Fame,” Fearnley said.

Kurt Fearnley with wife Sheridan, son Harry and daughter Emilia after his gold medal in the T54 marathon at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

“You look around and you see the legends of Australian sport.

“You know, collectively, that room is both incredible to be a part of and one of the most intimidating spaces I’ve ever been in.

“The absolute greatest who you idolised as a kid – you get, they are so personable and so open and so accessible as well.

“It’s one of those “is this real?” kind of moments.

“I don’t think it’s in me to ever feel that (like one of the greats).”

Fearnley has been recognised by the Australian Sports Hall of Fame before – winning “The Don” award in 2018 after his gold medal win at the 2018 Commonwealth Games marathon.

Dual sport star Nova Peris after becoming Australia's first Aboriginal Olympic gold medal winner at Atlanta in 1996. Picture: Brett Faulkner

“I’m a sports fan and I will always be a sports fan and I think any Aussie who is into that space and sits across from the likes of Dawn Fraser and John Bertrand, the great Louise Sauvage and Robert de Castella,” Fearnley said of his latest achievement.

“The list is just incredible and I don’t know if I’ll ever see myself that way but I’m grateful to be mentioned at the same time.”

Cahill is the only Socceroo to have played at four FIFA World Cups.

Across his career he donned the green and gold 108 times, scoring 50 goals – celebrated with his trademark shadow boxing routine with the corner flag.

Cahill was the first Aussie to score a goal at a World Cup and at an Asian Cup.

He also played domestically across four continents – playing more than 200 games for Millwall and Everton in the UK.

Tim Cahill was the first Australian man to score a World Cup goal in 2006. Picture: Ben Radford/Getty Images

“When John called me to tell me the news it was a mixture of shock and then gratitude,” Cahill said.

“I was sitting in my office and certainly not expecting to get a call like that. It’s been nearly five years since I retired so it was really out of the blue.

“It’s a very special feeling to see the list of athletes who have been inducted before me, with everything that they have achieved, and know that I will be joining that group.

“Like so many of them, my sporting career was made up of years and years of training, dedication and sacrifice, so to have this recognised by SAHOF is truly special.

“It made me reflect on all those who helped me along the way, my family, coaches, teammates and friends. My career doesn’t happen without them.”

The inductees will be honoured at a Sport Australia Hall of Fame event to be held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney on October 16.

Originally published as Kurt Fearnley, Nova Peris, Johnathan Thurston, Tim Cahill inducted into Sport Australia Hall of Fame