A panel of sports experts graded nominees from a wide range of sports in seven different categories, including strength, speed, agility, hand-eye coordination and endurance. In the final points tally, Tony placed seventh on the list ahead of such standouts as cyclist Lance Armstrong, baseball player Alex Rodriguez , golfer Tiger Woods, boxer Roy Jones, Jr. and NHL All-Star Sergei Fedorov. Named as the number one athlete on the list was Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
Included in the magazine’s story are comments on Tony’s abilities from judges. Among the quotes were “His upper body strength is superhuman. He’s been known to carry three opponents on his back and still score with his free hand” and “He must swim all-out for about three miles in the course of a 28-minute game, and up to 20 miles during an Olympic round-robin tournament.” In mid-May, Tony played for the United States National Team in the U.S. Cup Water Polo Challenge at Stanford’s Avery Aquatic Center. He was also one of three nominees for the 2003 Peter J. Cutino Award as outstanding male collegiate water polo player. The winner was to be named on June 14th. 
