Many people like sports in general, not because of the specifics of any one game, but because they have a keen appreciation for peak physical performance. Right now, horse racing is arguably the biggest story in the world of sports. The Triple Crown series is about to begin with the Kentucky Derby.
Basketball
Basketball is arguably one of the most physically versatile sports. Around the world, players demonstrate tremendous strength, speed, and agility. They also generally just have the most physically advantaged physiques. They’re tall, muscular, with lengthy arms and legs.
It’s the kind of game where hard work will only get you some of the way where you need to be. You could practice basketball for 45 hours a week and perfect every technical detail of the sport. If you’re 5 feet 2, you probably don’t have a shot at the NBA, even with all of that taken into account.
Nevertheless, it’s an impressive game that showcases athleticism at its best.
Football
Football is interesting in that it, in some ways, represents the opposite end of the spectrum. Football players are generally big, but you could look at one wearing plain clothes and not immediately think “professional athlete.”
Some of them are overweight and not particularly fast. Nevertheless, they are incredibly strong and generally have tremendous hand-eye coordination. That’s what makes it possible to facilitate big plays across an open and chaotic field.
Golf
Golf is another example we might not have expected to make the list, but it warrants a position precisely because the physical attributes required are often surprising.
In the pre-Tiger Woods era of the sport, many professional players had little physically in common with what you might expect from a professional athlete. Craig Stadler, for example, was known professionally as “The Walrus,” both because of his bushy mustache and his, let’s say, very round frame.
He wasn’t the only one. There was John Daly, a younger Jack Nicklaus, and many other players with, let’s say, bulkier figures.
When Tiger Woods hit the scene in the 90s with a lanky build and muscular physique, the era of golfers with professional trainers was born. Even before athleticism became a professional requirement, albeit an unofficial one, it was an element of success.
Players might not have been traditionally athletic, but they did have world-class hand-eye coordination and dexterity, both abilities that are required to consistently hit the golf ball well.
Now, you look at your average professional golfer, and you’ll see a much more traditionally athletic build. Even without the physique, though, all professional golfers are leveraging valuable athletically oriented skills.
Baseball
Baseball is another sport that is not athletic in an obvious way. Admittedly, it’s possibly easier to recognize the athletic achievements of a baseball player when compared to a professional golfer, but again, it’s a case where players might have bulkier frames or slower running speeds than you would expect from a professional athlete.
Nevertheless, they do have tremendous hand-eye coordination, which allows them to catch balls moving at rapid speeds and facilitate complicated plays at the plate. They also have tremendous core strength, which allows them to hit the ball long and far.
America’s favorite pastime may not require ridiculous running speeds, but it does embody many core athletic traits.
Are Horses the World’s Greatest Athletes?
Admittedly, it’s not a fair comparison. Horses are biologically different than us in every imaginable way. Nevertheless, they accomplish things that are very literally impossible for humans. And since they do compete in professional sports, they more than justify inclusion on this list.
During the Kentucky Derby, the winning horse will likely run at a speed of nearly 40 miles per hour. For context, the fastest a human has ever run was at a speed of 27 miles per hour. This record was accomplished by Usain Bolt, widely known as the fastest man to ever live. He was able to hold that speed for 9.58 seconds.
People are studying the odds, going over their interactive horse betting payout calculator options, and maybe even planning a viewing party. However, it’s just one of many sporting opportunities to enjoy during the spring and summer.
Understand, however, that a much more average performance would be closer to 10 miles per hour.
Horses can also jump and maneuver at much greater levels than humans, and they are significantly stronger. Horses can pull approximately 3,000 pounds, which is more than some cars.
While they might not be eligible for the NBA or other sports that require high levels of athleticism, they are nevertheless world-class athletes who never cease to amaze.
