espnW surveyed a panel of sports experts, former players and inspirational leaders, along with their own editors and executives to distinguish the 25 most impactful women sports figures of 2015.
And once they were chosen, there was only one way to honor them — Turning them into Marvel super heroes.
You can see the rest of the top 25 and their illustrations here.
On Tuesday, Dec. 8, espnW will release an all-access, behind-the-scenes profile of Rousey by Shelburne appearing in ESPN The Magazine’s Ideas of the Year issue and also featuring Rousey on the cover (on newsstands Friday, Dec. 11).
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
ESPN Marvel Top 25 Women Super Heroes
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Simone Biles
Air Apparent
Only 18-years-old, Biles became the first gymnast since 1992 to win three straight national championships before going on to win her third-straight world all-around title, the first gymnast ever to accomplish the feat.
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Misty Copeland
The Principal
The American Ballet Theater promoted Copeland to principal dancer in June, making her the first African-American woman to hold the title in the company's 75-year history.
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Erica Enders
Racer XX
The pro stock driver just secured her Second consecutive NHRA championship while also taking nine wins (most by a woman in single season)
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Chloe Kim
Teenage Pipe Dream
At just 14-years-old, Kim became the youngest gold medalist in a winter event after taking gold in the superpipe at this year's winter X
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Carli Lloyd
The Boss
During the US' 5-2 win over Japan, Lloyd became the second soccer player in history to score a hat trick in any senior FIFA World Cup Final.
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Ronda Rousey
Rowdy's Revenge
Made UFC history after a 14-second take down of Cat Zingano earlier this year before a domination of Bethe Correia.
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Dani Rylan
Ice Queen
Co-founder of the 4-team National Women's Hockey League.
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The USWNT
Who Run The World
Our girls brought home the World Cup title after the 5-2 Final against Japan, the most watched soccer match in US history.
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Jen Welter
The Ball Buster
A pro football veteran, Welter became the first woman to coach in the NFL as a Cardinals pre-season coaching intern.
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Serena Williams
Super Galactic Slam
53-3 in matches this year. Only player to rank in the WTA top 10 in wins on clay, grass and hard courts.
