George Foreman
First crowned world heavyweight boxing champion in 1973, Foreman accrued a 45-2 record before going on a 10-year hiatus in 1977 aged 28. He returned in 1987 and, seven years later, aged 45 beat Michael Moorer to win the world title again.
Michael Jordan
Shocked the basketball world when he retired in 1993 on the back of three straight NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls. After two years of playing baseball, he returned to win another three consecutive titles, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in history.
Kim Clijsters
Injuries forced the tennis star into retirement in 2007, before she had a baby the following year. In 2009 she returned to the sport, winning back-to-back US Open titles and the Australian Open title in 2011.
Os du Randt
Propped the Springboks' scrum in their home 1995 World Cup triumph. Neck injuries forced him into retirement in 2000, but he returned to provincial rugby in 2003. A year later he was selected for the Springboks. In 2007 he once again propped a World Cup-winning South African scrum - the only player to feature in both wins.
Niki Lauda
The Formula One champion was lucky to be alive after being trapped in a serious crash in 1976 at the Nurburgring. He suffered extensive burns, inhaled toxic hot gas and was even given the last rites. Six weeks later, he defied the odds to return to the track and a year later reclaimed his championship. In 1979 he retired, before returning to the sport in 1983 and winning a third championship a year later.
