Choke!: Sporting Flops, Fiascos and Brain Explosions

by Tony Davis

A quirky, amusing look at the most infamously legendary moments in sports. With photos, breakout boxes, lists, and quotes, the book includes legendary letdowns such as Greg Norman's assailing of his statistically unassailable position in the U.S. Open and Nigel Mansell's famous giveaway of the Japanese Grand Prix to Nelson Piquet when he accidentally hit the engine kill switch. All major train wrecks of sport have been compiled here from around world: the cerebrally challenged competitors who decked the ref, bit their opponents, or simply burst into tears and couldn't continue, and the fans who spectacularly interfered and changed everything. Fantastically unsuccessful cheats are also included, plus players and umpires who pocketed a fee for the right result, entire teams that took a dive in unison, and bizarre moments involving unexpected wildlife.

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

Tony Davis is widely blamed for LEMON! 60 HEROIC FAILURES OF MOTORING, an Australian bestseller that was published in US and UK editions – and which has been adapted into the hit book for kids, YOU MUST BE SKIDDING! He is also responsible for the eccentric literary memoir F. SCOTT, ERNEST AND ME, plus the new children’s series ROLAND WRIGHT, FUTURE KNIGHT.

Before courageously leaving a well-paid job to be a full-time author (at the end of 2005), Tony had a long and successful career in newspapers, magazines and publishing. He has worked at THE AUSTRALIAN and THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, has held senior editing and news roles, and has written extensively about popular culture, history, motoring, television and a myriad of other subjects.

Tony lives in northern Sydney with his wife Carolyn and their three sons, William, James and Daniel.