Fans in the stadium, boxing ring, or television viewers can enjoy sports even if they are merely onlookers. Athletes who play competitive sports are well aware of the gruelling nature of the games they compete in. These demanding sports need strength, balance, and speed. It takes mental and physical strength. So let us look at the hardest sport to play in the world right now. Show Follow Sports Brief on Twitter for more trending and breaking news! Katie Taylor (right)and Amanda Serrano during their undisputed world lightweight championship fight at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA. Photo: Stephen McCarthySource: Getty Images Some sports require athletes to push their bodies to their physical limits to compete. There is a strong emphasis on competition in many of these sports. Competition in track and field, mountain climbing, and swimming at the Olympic level feature athletes who can run or swim a mile in under one minute. There is a lot of competition and hard work involved in these competitions. From the latest statistics, the following is the list of the top 10 hardest sports to play in the world right now. Top 10 hardest sports in order10. Water PoloA group of young men playing water polo in an indoor pool.Source: Getty Images What is truly the hardest sport? Did you ever go for a jog or a swim? If this is the case, you'll have no problem appreciating the sport's rigours. Water polo is a water-based team game. In a competitive game, two teams compete to throw a ball into the other team's goal. Water polo is one of the hardest sports in the Olympics because it involves swimming. Due to the difficulty of sprinting in the water, water polo is also one of the hardest physically. In addition, due to the difficulty of playing for long periods, the game's total time is divided into four halves. Other names for it include pool ball and water football. 9. RugbyFiji's Wainiqolo runs for the try in the men's pool B rugby sevens match vs Britain during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo on July 27, 2021. Photo: Ben StansallSource: Getty Images Rugby is another team activity that involves a great deal of physical exertion, stamina, and energy. ESPN has ranked it as one of the world's toughest sports. Two teams of 15 players each play Rugby or Rugby Union on a rectangular field. Rugby is a team game in which players sprint with an oval-shaped ball in hand towards the other side's goal point. As the other team's player attempts to pass the ball between themselves, their players attempt to halt and seize it. 8. WrestlingCroatia's Ivan (red) wrestles Ukraine's Zhan in their men's Greco-roman 87 kg wrestling match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, on August 3, 2021. Photo: JACK GUEZSource: Getty Images As a result, wrestling is one of the most physically demanding sports on the planet. In addition, wrestling comes in various forms, which are difficult for a player to master. Because of the high difficulty level, wrestling wears down its participants physically and mentally. Wrestling is unique among games because of the nature of the sport and the restrictions that apply to professional wrestlers. Wrestlers follow a script to perform in professional wrestling, an art form. However, nobody can tell it's a scripted act since they provide such a compelling presentation. 7. SoccerQuinn wrestles USA's Lynn (R) for the ball during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's football match between Canada and United States at Ibaraki Kashima Stadium on August 2, 2021. Photo: MARTIN BERNETTISource: Getty Images There are more than 4 billion soccer followers around the globe now. Between two teams of eleven players, football is a team sport. The goal of each team is to score by putting the ball into the other team's goal. Soccer, on the surface, appears to be a relatively simple activity, but in reality, it is one of the most physically demanding. For example, a 90-minute game necessitates a lot of sprinting. In addition, there are two 45-minute halves in a soccer match. 6. BasketballUSA's Jayson Tatum scores a basket in the men's final basketball match between France and USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on August 7, 2021. Photo: ThomasSource: Getty Images Basketball is a hugely popular game all around the world, especially in the United States. It is often regarded as one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. In addition, basketball is arguably the hardest sport for a girl. On a rectangular court, two teams of at least five players each compete in the team game of basketball. Throughout the contest, every player on both teams is involved. As a game, basketball is challenging since it requires a lot of energy and power. 5. GymnasticsUSA's Grace Mc Callum competes in the artistic gymnastics balance beam event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. Photo: Loic VENANCESource: Getty Images Gymnastics is one of the world's most difficult and dangerous sports. Gymnastics is a physically demanding sport, requiring a high degree of flexibility and strength. While it's a physically taxing activity, it also requires precision and coordination to succeed. For a gymnast to be a professional, they must have a strong body and robust stamina. It is one of the hardest sports, physically and mentally. 4. Ice HockeySkaters during the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers on May 26, 2022, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. Photo: Brett HolmesSource: Getty Images When it comes to winter sports, it's hard to beat ice hockey. Most of the time, it's played in Canada and other frigid locales. A lot of energy, a powerful physique, and power are also required to play ice hockey. The only difference is that it is played on ice rinks rather than grassy fields. Millions of people in the United States and the rest of the world like watching and participating in ice hockey. Ice hockey is the hardest sport to learn. 3. Martial ArtsPeople practice taekwondo at a park during the Chinese National Day Holiday on October 5, 2021, in Zaozhuang, Shandong Province of China. Photo: Sun ZhongzheSource: Getty Images Martial arts, often known as mixed martial arts, is among the world's most challenging sports for the same reasons as many others. It also requires a muscular physique and suppleness. 2. American FootballAn American football player in a helmet holding a ball and looking onSource: Getty Images Aside from being one of the world's most popular sports, American football is also one of the most-watched. It's a lot like rugby, but the rules are slightly different. The National Football League (NFL) is the most well-known American football league, including teams comprised of players from all over the world. When it comes to American football is a high-intensity, fast-paced sport that requires players to be constantly moving and sprinting. It is regarded as one of the most physically demanding sports in the world because of the high demands of its fast sprints and high contract nature. 1. BoxingDuke Ragan of the USA (left) and Albert Batyrgaziev of Russia during their men's featherweight final bout during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Stephen McCarthySource: Getty Images Right now, boxing is the world's most challenging sport. Protective gloves and other safety equipment are worn by both players when they fight in the two-player combat sport. Boxing is likewise a high-intensity sport that must be played in short bursts due to the difficulty of keeping a player engaged for long periods without a break. Millions of people worldwide follow the sport of boxing since it is so popular. Boxing is the hardest sport to go pro in. It is a physically demanding sport requiring high stamina and endurance levels. Professional women's boxing is becoming more common, and their strength and stamina are still way behind compared to their male counterparts. READ ALSO: Rafael Nadal's net worth, wife, world rankings, trophies, coach Rafael Nadal is considered one of the greatest tennis players. Few others have achieved what he has, including winning a record-tying twelve Rolland Garros tournaments. He is regarded as one of the best tennis players, alongside Roger Federer. Rafa proved why he is the best player in French Open history by defeating long-time rival Novak Djokovic in a late-night thriller to advance to the men's singles semi-finals in 2022. For more information about Rafael Nadal, read here. Subscribe to watch new videos Source: SportsBrief.com |