What a year 2012 has been. Eventful for so many reasons, 2012 will be a hard act to follow but 2013 plans to deliver more as each New Year promises to be better than the last. Amongst all those men that have captured the attention through the year, Elysium has picked out five who have pushed themselves the hardest to achieve their goals and realise their potential. Here we present you with Elysium’s Men of the Year 2012 – The Discerning Gents.
Daniel Craig
Craig has arguably the hardest job in acting. He’s James Bond. His character is known never to fail but after Bond’s 2008 outing in Quantum of Solace questions were raised about 44 year old Craig cutting it as Bond. Fast forward four years and everything was pinned on Skyfall the 23rd Bond film in the year celebrating 50 years of 007. The pressure was on, but just like the character Craig plays, he delivered with aplomb. Skyfall was a resounding worldwide success, treating fans to James Bond in his rawest form. The film was a big hit for us at Elysium too (take a look here) – with Craig oozing the style and panache everyone loves about Bond. Skyfall went on to take more that $1billion at the global box office too, becoming the most successful Bond film in history. We’re all glad he’s signed up for another two films.
David Beckham
It’s been a stellar year for Beckham in what is now the twilight of his football career, but his 37 year old star continues to shine. Criticised for much of his stint with LA Galaxy, Beckham helped the team to win the MLS Cup in his final season with the club yet he was destined for even greater things that summer. The London 2012 Olympics enjoyed a spectacular opening ceremony with Beckham playing a central role that will feature as highlight memory of The Games. On top of all this, he continues to lead the style stakes in formal and casual attire. Quite simply, men still want to be David Beckham.
Usain Bolt
The showman of the London 2012 Olympics. Here we have an athlete who enjoys showboating and playing up to the cameras, but when he needs to deliver he’s there to cross the line first. In the lead up to The Games questions were asked about his professionalism and whether he still had the desire in him to achieve. Add to this the rising star of team mate Yohan Blake, who already beat Bolt twice this year, and the niggling injury issues hampering his preparation and thing weren’t looking good for the 26 year old sprinter. But Bolt stayed true to the one mantra he kept repeating this summer “I want to become a legend at London 2012”. The rest is history as he blew away all competition in the 100m and 200m finals whilst the Jamaican team obliterated the field in the 4x100m relay. Bolt picked up three gold medals an cemented his legendary status as the fastest man in the world. Then he goes and parties with the Swedish girl’s handball team. Legend.
Sir Bradley Wiggins
Recently Knighted in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list, Sir Bradley, or Wiggo as he is affectionately known as has a year not even he could have dreamt up at the start of 2012. It started when the 32 year old was crowned the Tour de France champion 2012, the first British winner since the competition began in 1903. He then went on to pick up gold in the Olympic road time trial, and shares the accolade of most decorated British Olympian along with Sir Chris Hoy. If that wasn’t good enough, picking up Sports Personality of the Year 2012 in December before capping it all off with a Knighthood must make Wiggo look like the man with the Midas touch. We definitely think he has it, and who knows what he’ll go on to achieve next year.
Barack Obama
2012 posed the biggest presidential challenge faced by Obama, arguably more so than 2008 election win. Back then America was ready for a change and he offered the nation the new hope they needed. In 2012 things were much more different coming off the back of a worldwide recession and voter confidence in the US at an all time low during his reign. To keep the presidency was going to be Obama’s biggest coup which the 51 year old did comfortably in the end. He now leads a nation fighting against economic hardship and this is something Elysium has to salute. Furthermore, Obama does this with a suave poise many find hard to dislike. As Obama said, “Four more years!”.
Do you agree with Elysium picks for Men of the Year 2012? If you think someone else has a stronger claim tweet us your thoughts!