There are many sports in the world, and they all vary in terms of their level of difficulty. Among these 14 sports ranked by difficulty, some sports are easy to learn, while others are more complex.
In this blog post, we will rank the top 14 sports in terms of their overall level of difficulty. Let’s get started!
See also: Judo And Karate: Which One Is Harder To Learn?
Top 14 Sports Ranked By Difficulty
These sports are ranked based on various factors, including the required training, the sport’s physical demands, and the rules’ complexity.
Here are the top 14 sports ranked by difficulty.
1- Water Polo
Water polo is a sport that requires speed, strength, and endurance. Players must be able to swim long distances and handle the ball well. It is a challenging sport that is not for the faint of heart.
Water Polo is typically played in Olympic-sized pools, which are 50 meters long. The game is divided into four equal quarters, and each team tries to score as many goals as possible.
Water Polo requires a high mix of strength, stamina, aerobic fitness, and the desire to beat several dozen wrestling competitions per game against frighteningly strong opponents.
2- Rugby
Rugby is widely considered one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The sport requires a high level of fitness, as players must be able to run, sprint, jump, tackle and ruck with great force.
Rugby also demands a great deal of mental toughness, as players must be able to make quick decisions and remain calm under pressure. It is no wonder, then, that rugby is often ranked as one of the most difficult sports to play.
3- Wrestling
Succeeding at the highest levels of wrestling requires a combination of speed, physical power, technical skill, and mental toughness, making wrestling one of the most challenging sports.
In addition, wrestling is a demanding and effortful sport that requires strength, speed, agility, and endurance. It also requires a high level of mental toughness, as wrestlers have to be able to handle being in close quarters with an opponent and endure the pain of being thrown around.
It is categorized as one of the harshest sports to master and is often considered equally mentally challenging.
4- Basketball
So what makes basketball hard? basketball is among the hardest sport because it involves the whole body performing many movements while completing the desired skills on the court, including balance, agility, and coordination.
To perform the necessary skills to win games, basketball players must have several hours of practice and repetition. Making the right court decisions also adds to the sport’s difficulty.
With basketball, what makes it difficult is the coordination required to play the sport. You need to be able to dribble the ball and shoot it into the basket, all while avoiding opponents who are trying to stop you.
This can be challenging for many people, especially if they don’t have a lot of experience playing the sport.
It can also be sometimes difficult to keep up with the fast pace of the game, which is why basketball is often considered to be a very challenging sport.
See also: Why Basketball Is Actually Better Than Football? (Here are 14 Reasons!)
5- Soccer
Soccer is globally ranked to be the most difficult sport in the world. The game requires split-second timing and precise control, and athletes must be able to think and react quickly while under intense pressure.
It is no surprise that many professional soccer players have come from countries with a strong footballing culture, such as Brazil, Italy, Argentina, and African countries.
6- Gymnastics
Gymnastics is globally known as one of the most difficult sports in the world. It requires immense physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance.
Furthermore, gymnasts are also required to have great mental focus and discipline. It is no wonder that gymnastics is often considered to be one of the most demanding sports, both physically and mentally.
7- Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh is one of the most dangerous and difficult sports in the world. It requires raw physical strength to push the sled and great mental focus to navigate the track.
Bobsleigh is also a very technical sport, and athletes need to understand the sled well to be successful. It is no wonder, then, that bobsleigh is often considered to be one of the most difficult sports to participate in.
8- Equestrian
Equestrianism is a demanding sport that requires a high level of skill and experience. Riders must be able to control their horse at high speeds and navigate difficult courses.
It is also a very technical sport, as riders need to understand the horse well to succeed. Equestrianism is often considered one of the most difficult sports due to the required skill and experience.
More importantly, equestrian is among the most dangerous hazardous activities. Equestrians are more dangerous than motorcycling, skiing, football, and rugby, according to a 2015 study.
9- Diving
Diving is another sport that is often considered to be very difficult. Divers have to perform a variety of complicated flips and twists while in the air, and they need to land perfectly to avoid injury.
In addition to being one of the hardest sports, diving is also a very dangerous sport, and even the slightest mistake can result in serious injury.
10- Ice Hockey
In ice hockey, a player must be able to skate well, have good hand-eye coordination, and be able to think fast.
Players also need to be tough, as they are constantly hitting and being hit by other players. Ice hockey is a very physically effortful sport, and injuries are common.
Ice hockey is a demanding sport because an Ice hockey game is played in three intense periods of 20 minutes where players are required to stay focused at all times.
Also, the players are trained to be emotionally and physically aggressive and are required to have great strength and stamina.
11- Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts is a harsh combat sport that lets you do both striking and grappling, letting you stand in any position that would suit your style. The first documented use of the term “mixed martial arts” was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993. The term gained popularity when new full-contact rules were enacted in the late 1990s.
Today, mixed martial arts is practiced widely worldwide and is one of the fastest-growing sports. It is regulated by many bodies, including state athletic commissions, international sanctioning organizations, and independent promoters.
See also: Jiu-Jitsu And Muay Thai: Which One Is Best For MMA?
12- Boxing
Boxing is a sport that requires critical decisions, lightning-fast reflexes, and explosive power. It is often referred to as “the sweet science” due to the immense amount of technique and strategy that goes into each bout.
Becoming a professional boxer takes many years of dedicated and consistent training, and even the greatest champions can be knocked out by a single punch.
Many people consider boxing the most difficult sport in the world due to its physical and mental challenges.
Boxing requires incredible hand-eye coordination and the ability to think several steps ahead of your opponent. It is a very demanding sport, with boxers often sparring for hours at a time.
13- American Football
The sport of American football is a tough one. The game is played with many physical contacts, and there is a significant risk of injury.
Players must be in perfect physical condition to compete, think quickly, and make split-second decisions. It takes an optimum deal of coordination and strength to be successful in football.
14- Tennis
Tennis is another sport that requires a high level of skill and athleticism. The game is played on a small court, and players must hit a ball over a net using only their racquets.
This requires precision, hand-eye coordination, and quick reflexes. Players must also be in excellent physical condition to compete at the highest levels.
See also: Tennis And Pickleball: Which One Is Harder?
Final Words
So there you have it, here were some of the most difficult sports in the world. They require a high level of skill, athleticism, and dedication to be successful.
These sports are worth considering if you’re looking for a challenge. It is essential to note that while these sports may be difficult, they are also very rewarding.
So don’t be discouraged if you don’t succeed at first because success in these sports takes time, effort, and determination. Never give up and keep trying!