You beauty . . . Dual US Open tennis champion Pat Rafter during the Davis Cup in 2001.

WHERE to start on a history of Queensland sports champions? With an image we all know — Kieren Perkins punching the air in Atlanta perhaps, or Artie Beetson punching The Crow at Lang Park?

So many games, so many champions. So much blood, sweat and tears. But this is supposed to be a history, not a scrapbook of golden memories, so let's start with something none of us remembers. Something most of us have never heard of.

The first sports in Queensland included such events as hide and seek, touch footie, soccer and wrestling. Long before Kieren or Artie slipped on a Speedo or strapped on a boot — hundreds of years before — the Aborigines of Queensland held their own sporting events.

Groups from around the state gathered and took part in events such as boomerang and spear throwing, as well as their own versions of those games which have since become popular around the world.

And what riches did the winners receive? Nothing actually. The giving of prizes was rare, and most games were played just for the enjoyment.

Times have changed. In recent years Queensland's champion athletes have been among the most lauded and highest-paid people in the state. Their exploits have become legendary, their bank balances awesome.

Fitting then, that a pastime based on money — horse racing — was one of the first to take hold in the recorded history of Queensland sports.

The first official race meeting in the state was held at New Farm in 1846. Thousands have followed, with Queensland racing producing many a champion — both human and equine. Names like Bernborough, Bore Head, Gunsynd, Eyeliner and Melbourne Cup winner Dalray fall into line easily alongside the hoops like George Moore, Neville Selwood, Darby McCarthy and Mick Dittman.

The Queensland Cricket Association was formed in 1876 and not even the unluckiest punter could match the losing streak Queensland's cricketers strung together — 69 straight seasons without winning the Sheffield Shield.

You want an image of Queensland sport? Maybe that's it: long-suffering Carl Rackemann lunging to take the two-handed catch at backward point which finally gave Queensland the Holy Grail.

Rugby union got on the board in 1883, and that same season Queensland beat NSW to start an interstate rivalry which burns as fiercely today as ever.

In 1967 the Queensland Rugby Union opened its own ground, Ballymore, where for the years to come players like Mark Loane, Tony Shaw, Paul McLean, Michael Lynagh, Andrew Slack, Tim Horan, Jason Little and John Eales would do their thing to the tune of an excited crowd chanting: "We want 50. We want 50 . . ."

Tennis made its debut in 1889. And what champions we would produce: Rod Laver, perhaps the greatest player of all time; Roy Emerson, who would win 12 Grand Slam titles; Mal Anderson and dual US Open winner Pat Rafter.

The next year the Brisbane Golf Club was formed. Queenslander Norman von Nida, Australian Open winner in 1950, 52 and 53, led the way overseas, winning 16 tournaments in Britain from 1946 to 1955.

His path was followed by majors winners Wayne Grady (1990 US PGA), Ian Baker-Finch (British Open 1991) and Australia's best known sporting export Greg Norman (British Open 1986, 1993).

Green queen . . . Karrie Webb, considered by many as the best golfer Australia has produced.

Rachel Hetherington-Teske and Karrie Webb, considered by many — including The Von — as the best golfer Australia has produced, have kept the state flag flying high on the women's pro circuit.

In 1909, rugby league came to Queensland. The state has produced some of the greatest of all rugby league players. Players such as Duncan Thompson, Herb Steinohrt, Duncan Hall, Tom Gorman, Brian Davies, Barry Muir and Noel Kelly were the best of their time.

But nothing could compare with the explosion on July 8, 1980, when Arthur Beetson led the Maroons on to Lang Park for the first State of Origin match. New names like Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and Allan Langer made their mark, ushering in a period when the game's popularity reached lofty heights.

Queensland cemented its position at the top of the rugby league heap with the emergence of the Brisbane Broncos in 1988, and Lewis, who led them out for their first stunning victory over Sydney premiers Manly, was crowned unofficial king of Queensland.

It was a position only one other athlete would come close to usurping: King Kieren.