I know what most people are thinking. Whatever sport they play or are a fan of is the sport that requires the greatest level of athleticism. I’m sure there are even some golfers out there that think golf is the most athletic. It’s human nature to think that way. Spoiler alert: golf didn’t make the list.
In this article, we will break down the most athletic sports of all.
What is an Athlete?
Before we get into the sports with the best athletes, we should go over what an athlete is. An athlete is defined as a person who is skilled in physical exercise, sports, and games requiring strength, endurance, agility, power, speed and coordination. The more a sport requires these physical attributes, the higher it is on the list.
Now that we have the definition, let’s look at a few sports that stand out as sports with the best athletes.
#1 Basketball
First up on our list is basketball. Unlike most sports, basketball requires an immense amount of athleticism due to its fast pace and constant running up and down the court. The game relies heavily on speed and agility and if you aren’t in tip-top shape as a basketball player, you typically get left behind by the competition.
The game is also played almost always above the rim, which requires power, height and leaping ability to succeed. On top of that, many different skills are necessary while playing, including ball-handling, shooting, rebounding, etc.
It is clear to see why basketball is a sport that has some of the best athletes in the world.
Related: Top 15 Sports With The Fittest Athletes
Related: The 50 Greatest Athletes of All Time
#2 Baseball Shortstop
While most people might not think of baseball as a sport that requires much athleticism, those people would be wrong. Shortstops in particular have to be some of the most athletic players on the field.
The position itself is considered one of the hardest to play in all of baseball. A shortstop has to have great range defensively and also a strong arm to make the long throws across the diamond.
But what really sets a good shortstop apart from the rest is their speed and agility. A good shortstop needs to be able to run down balls hit in the gap and be quick enough to turn double plays.
There are very few players in baseball that have the combination of speed, agility, and athleticism that a good shortstop possesses.
Behind the shortstop in terms of athleticism would be the 2nd baseman and the centerfielder. Both of those positions also offer a high degree of athleticism.
#3 Football Wide Reciever
Next up on our list is football wide receiver. Much like basketball, football is a sport that requires a lot of athleticism. However, what sets wide receivers apart from other positions is the fact that they have to be some of the quickest and most agile players on the field.
Not only do they have to be quick, but they also have to have good hands and be able to run crisp routes. Wide receivers are also typically some of the best jumpers on the team, which allows them to go up and make tough catches.
All of these factors combined make wide receivers some of the most Athletic people in all of sports.
Just behind the wide receivers are the defensive backs and running back with very high degrees of athleticism.
Related: The 25 Most Jacked Football Players in the NFL
Related: The Most Annoying Fan Bases in All of Sports
#4 Soccer Forward
While this might not be one of the most popular sports in North America, it is easily one of the sports with the best athletes in the world.
Soccer stars are some of the fittest and most athletic players in all of sports. They need to sprint for long periods of time, make quick and precise turns, jump high to head the ball, and have excellent coordination.
Another thing that sets soccer players apart from other athletes is their endurance. Soccer games are typically 90 minutes long, with most players running nearly 5 miles during a single game. This requires a level of stamina and endurance that very few other athletes possess.
If you are looking for a sport with some of the best athletes in the world, then soccer is definitely a good choice.
#5 Tennis
While tennis might not be as popular as some of the other sports on this list, it is still a sport that requires a high level of athleticism.
Tennis players need to have excellent hand-eye coordination, speed, and agility. They also need to be able to generate a lot of power in their shots.
All of these factors require a tremendous amount of athleticism and make tennis players some of the best athletes.
#6 Lacrosse
Lacrosse is another sport that might not be as popular as some of the others, but it is still a sport with some of the best athletes in the world.
Lacrosse players need to have great hand-eye coordination, speed, and agility, much like tennis players. However, they also need to be able to generate a lot of power in their shots and have great stamina since lacrosse games are typically 60 minutes long.
This makes lacrosse players some of the best athletes around.
# 7 Rugby
Rugby is another sport that requires a high level of athleticism, speed, and agility.
Rugby players need to be able to run for long periods of time at top speeds, make quick and precise movements on the field, and also generate a lot of power in their tackles.
In addition, rugby has very few interruptions, and there also tend to be very few substitutions. This means rugby players are also some of the best-conditioned athletes out there.
Related: See The 15 Most Jacked Rugby Players in the World
#8 Hockey
Hockey is another sport that requires a high level of athleticism, speed, strength and hand-eye coordination.
Hockey players need to be able to skate at high speeds, make quick and precise turns, and also have great stamina since hockey games are typically 60 minutes long.
In addition, hockey players also need to be able to shoot the puck with a lot of power and accuracy.
Strength and size can also be helpful in hockey, especially if you are an “enforcer” who has to protect the team’s star players and punish those who try to score.
#9 Boxing
Boxing is a sport that requires incredible hand-eye coordination, endurance, and agility.
Boxers need to be able to react quickly and accurately when throwing punches, as well as having excellent footwork to evade their opponents’ strikes.
In addition, boxers also need to have phenomenal strength and conditioning in order to be able to generate power in their punches, as well as having the endurance to be able to throw hundreds of powerful blows over the course of a fight.
#10 Wrestlers
As a former wrestler I have to admit wrestlers arent the most athletic but they do nee to have great strength, speed, agility, and endurance.
Wrestlers need to be able to lift their opponents who can weigh up to 250lbs, as well as being able to move quickly on the mat.
They also need to have great stamina since matches can last up to 6 minutes.
In addition, wrestlers also need to be able to generate a lot of power in their throws, making them some of the better athletes out there.
11. Badminton
In order to succeed in badminton, players need to be able to move quickly on the court, as well as having excellent hand-eye coordination and stamina since matches typically last between 15 minutes and an hour.
Badminton players also need to generate a lot of power in their shots, making them some of the best athletes in the world.
#12 Handball
Handball players need to be able to run for long periods at top speeds, as well as make quick and precise movements on the court.
In addition, handball players also need to generate a lot of power in their shots, making them some of the best athletes in the world.
13. Gymnasts
Gymnasts are perhaps some of the most athletic people on earth, as they need to possess incredible strength, power, balance, and coordination.
Gymnasts need to be able to move quickly and accurately through various movements on the floor, balance beam, and bars.
In addition, gymnasts also need to generate a lot of power in their jumps and flips.
All of these skills make gymnasts some of the best athletes around. Whether it’s tumbling or vaulting, there is no doubt that gymnasts have some of the best athleticism in the world.
Final Word
While many sports require great physical ability, these 13 sports have some of the best athletes and most athleticism. Whether it’s speed, strength, hand-eye coordination, or stamina, all of these sports share a common need for athletes who are incredibly fit and talented. Whether you love watching boxing, gymnastics, or another sport, there is no doubt that these 13 sports feature some of the best athletes in the world today. So the next time you’re looking for a game to watch or a sport to try out, don’t forget about these incredible athletes and go support your favorite sport.
