OF JUMBOS AND PIGEONS

I have utmost respect for my man Glenn McGrath, the Australian fast bowler who can be best described as a ruthless annihilator with a robot-like action: accurate and deadly. The Aussie sportsmen have a tradition to have a nick name, and Glenn's nick does not refer to his bowling prowess. He is called "PIGEON" as he has rather small feet compared to his height of 6 and a half feet.

Closer home, Anil Kumble is called "JUMBO" for the same reason- his large shoe size. Well, it is also due to his flight in his deliveries. Another interesting character Ian Thorpe, (THORPEDO or TORPEDO as he is called) the champion swimmer from Australia (where else?) has a flipper-like foot of size 17. Shaquille O'Neal (NBA, Miami Heat) sports a monstrous 22. I could never imagine your shoe extending nearly 2 feet away from your legs! My mom used to say that having large feet would make you have more balance while walking and standing- well, having such sizes would make you rooted, then!