- Jan 2 Raman Lamba, Indian cricketer (opening batsman 1986-87)
- Jan 5 Steve Jones, British aviator (Red Bull Air Race World Series)
- Jan 5 Glenn Strömberg, Swedish footballer
- Jan 6 Paul William Azinger, American PGA golfer (1987 Phoenix Open), born in Holyoke MA
- Jan 6 Paul Azinger, American golfer (PGA C'ship 1993), born in Holyoke, Massachusetts
- Jan 9 David Peoples, American golfer (1991 Buick Southern Open), born in Augusta, Maine
- Jan 9 Lisa Walters, Canadian LPGA golfer (Itoki Hawaiian-1992, 93), born in Prince Rupert British Columbia
- Jan 12 Dominique Wilkins, NBA forward (Atlanta Hawks)
- Jan 12 Rob Derksen, Australian baseball head coach (Olympics 1996)
- Jan 13 Takis Lemonis, Greek footballer and coach
- Jan 15 Tim Curtis, cricketer (England righty batsman in 5 Tests 1988-89)
- Jan 17 Chili Davis, American-Jamaican baseball outfielder (California Angels), born in Kingston, Jamaica
- Jan 19 Alfrederick Joyner, American triple jumper (Olympic gold 1984), Eastern St Louis
- Jan 23 Greg Ritchie, cricketer (Qld & Aust batsman Fat Cat Mahatma Cote)
- Jan 23 Patrick de Gayardon, French skydiver and skysurfing pioneer (d. 1998)
- Jan 26 Gary Plummer, NFL linebacker (San Diego Chargers, SF 49ers)
- Jan 26 Jeanette Bolden, 4x100m runner (Olympic gold 1984), born in Los Angeles, California
- Jan 29 Greg Louganis, American diver (Olympic gold 10m & 3m springboard 1984, 88), born in San Diego, California
- Jan 29 Sean Kerly, hockey player
- Jan 29 Steve Sax, 2nd baseman (LA Dodgers, NY Yankees, Chicago White Sox)
- Jan 31 Elaine Roque, American beach volleyballer (Olympics 1996), born in Santa Monica California