Wexford farmer James Kehoe is in the running to be named as the greatest athlete of all time by the organisers of the World Games.
The 63 year-old farmer represented Ireland in the Tug O'War at a whopping nine World Games, which showcases alternative sports that are not found in the Olympics.
Kehoe is the Tug O'War representative and currently finds himself in the Top 10 of voting, with Malaysia squash legend Nicol David out in the lead.
At the World Games, Kehoe won nine medals in total, with the Boley Tug O'War man winning two gold medals throughout his near 40 year international career.
A 63-year-old farmer from Co Wexford is in the running to be named the greatest athlete of all time. The online vote is run by organisers of The World Games, an international event that includes sports not included in the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/Lpyb1fZSgw
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 25, 2021
Speaking to RTE News, the tillage farmer said that his start in the sport came from family members trying to get him involved, which eventually morphed into him joining the Boley Tug O'War club.
The retiring Kehoe said that he had "no say" in his name being put forward, but the people of the Boley club are pushing Kehoe continually.
Martina O'Farrell, secretary of the Boley Tug O'War club says that the objective of the campaign is to push Kehoe as close as possible to first place.
"We have our man on the podium at the moment and we'd like to keep him there.
"I know first place seems far away at the minute but you have to believe that it is possible."
James' brother and coach, Bill, stated that the honour isn't only great for James, their family and Boley, but for the sport of Tug O'War as a whole.
"It's about Tug O'War, it's a team sport and James has been a great ambassador for the sport."
Voting continues until February 1st and can be done every 24 hours on the World Games website.
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