Vegetarian Athletes

By TreeLiving The health benefits of vegetarianism and also the environmental benefits of this ‘green’ diet are becoming more and more known and adopted by an increasing number of people around the world, including celebrities. But if you think that a vegetarian diet is not apt for athletes whose diets are known to include meat products for protein, you think wrong! There are many vegetarian athletes who have won laurels at national and international levels. Here is a list of some sports stars who understand the immense benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet and have adopted them with great results: Bryan Danielson – The American professional wrestler who is signed to WWE and has appeared on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion is a vegetarian. He is a former Ring of Honor World champion, a two time Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Champion and also a Westside Xtreme Wrestling Heavyweight champion. Scott Gordon Jurek – An American ultra marathoner, Jurek has won many of the sport’s most prestigious races several times. These include the Hardrock Hundred (2007), the Badwater Ultramarathon (2005, 2006), the Spartathlon (2006, 2007, 2008), and the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run (1999-2005). Jurek is also an accomplished amateur chef and of course a vegetarian! Mike Tyson – Everyone knows him! Though retired from professional boxing now, Tyson holds the honor of being the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. In 1988 he became the lineal champion knocking Michael Spinks out in first 91 second of fight. This prominent world champion follows a vegetarian diet! Venus Williams – The 31 year old American professional tennis player is a former World No. 1 player and became the first black woman to achieve this feat in tennis. She too is a vegetarian by choice. Patrick Neshek – The stylish baseball pitcher from Madison, Wisconsin pitched two innings and allowed only one hit in his major league debut. Neshek was also honored at the Annual Minnesota Twins Diamond Award Ceremony with the 2007 Dick Siebert Award. Pat knows the health benefits of a vegetarian diet. John Salley – Salley was the first player in NBA history to play on three different championship winning franchises. This 6 feet 11 inches tall athlete played both power forward and center for teams like Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Panathinaikos BC and Los Angeles Lakers. The benefits of a vegetarian diet are numerous…not only for your health and the environment, but to keep in great shape and achieve strength and stamina.