InspirationalAli motivates Sonny Bill’s Rio dreams

Sonny Bill Williams says he is drawing inspiration from the late, great Muhammad Ali as he seeks to win an Olympics gold medal.

Williams is part of the New Zealand men’s sevens team, as the sport debuts at the Rio Games.

‘‘From an athlete’s point of view, for me, there was no one bigger than Ali,’’ Williams told ESPNscrum.

‘‘He’s my man. He won a gold medal, he was an Olympian and it would be awesome to say I am an Olympian as well.

‘‘His faith [was inspiring] and I guess, though he didn’t always say the right things, he always backed it up. I appreciate that from an athlete. I can only imagine the scrutiny and amount of people that would want to see him fail. But he kept on trucking on.’’

Williams has dabbled in boxing successfully, and starred in league and rugby, highlighted by his part in helping the All Blacks win two World Cups.

But this represents a new challenge. He’s excited by it and can’t think of anyone better for inspiration than Ali, a fellow devout Muslim who won lightheavyweight gold at the 1960 Olympics in Rome and went on to rule the professional heavyweight boxing scene.

Ali died last month at the age of of 74 after a long battle with Parkinsons syndrome. But he lives strong in the memory of Williams who remembers his achievements fondly.

‘‘There was that fight against George Foreman where no one expected him to win, the odds were stacked against him but somehow he did. It showed the character of him, the man he was.’’

‘‘It wasn’t just about his mouth, he had something deep inside him that allowed him to go to those dark places and come out on top.’’

Williams’ personality and popularity add to his value as a player, whatever challenge is in front of him. He’s certainly proven his worth as a sevens convert, impressing the notoriously tough New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens with his dedication professionalism and unique skills.

Williams emphasised he never wants the sideshows to distract from the main event.

‘‘I try and not let that dictate my life,’’ he told ESPNscrum.

‘‘I let my family and religion dictate that. Although I’m not perfect, I know where my happy place is.

‘‘I can veer off course but that’s where I have to get back to. That’s what I try and focus on. I’m a rugby player, this or that, but that’s not my whole life. That doesn’t dictate who I am. I know who I really am, what I stand for.’’