The Orange tenpin bowling star has been named as one of the world's most accomplished sportspeople, earning a place in the newly released The Sportspedia 100.

Belmonte was the highest ranked Australian on the list, coming in at No.29 ahead of the likes of Boyd Exell (Equestrian) and Tia-Clair Toomey (CrossFit), ranked 48 and 49 respectively, and Wheelchair Tennis star Dylan Alcott joined the illustrious line-up at No.55.

Meg Lanning is also on the list at No.90.

Using a complex formula with over 30 variables, NBA champion LeBron James (USA), topped the list of rankings.

The LA Lakers superstar's performances and historical significance was analysed against that of thousands of sportspeople from over 150 sports to determine the ultimate list of the best athletes in the world.

Tennis world No.1 Novak Djokovic came in at No.2, while Antoni Bou (Motocycling), Rafael Nadal (Tennis) and Franceso Friedrich (Bobsleigh) rounded out the top five respectively.

American basketballer Sue Bird was the highest ranked woman at No.6.

Belmonte edged out some of the most recognisable names in world sport, including Serena Williams (No.31), Lionel Messi (No.38), Khabib Nurmagomedov (No.44), Tiger Woods (No.62)

"The Class of 2020 of the 100 best sportspeople in the world competed in 39 sports and hail from 34 countries, from every permanently inhabited continent," the Sportspedia announcement said.

"Some sports and groups of sports were totally absent due to a total or partial shutdown during the pandemic, and some sportspeople did not compete at all due to travel limits.

"Nevertheless, the Class of 2020 saw several historical milestones being achieved and extended.

"Every single one of them has been a World Champion or equivalent and the majority already place among the all-time best in their disciplines, sports and/or group of sports ... we made sure not to miss any sports in the analysis - from Indian Kambala to Argentinian Pato to Irish Handball," it added.

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