It’s not football or basketball: This is the world’s toughest sport, according to experts

It’s a conversation that has permeated the playgrounds, pubs, and dining room tables for generations, and one that will likely never end: what is the most difficult sport in the world?

There has never been, until now, a certain answer. ESPN have put together a list of the top 60 most difficult sports in the world, and the ranking will surely surprise most people.

Of course, this list is put together by ESPN, with the help of sports scientists from the United States Olympic Committee. We must, therefore, take into account a certain degree of American bias, and also remember that plenty of notoriously tough and physically demanding sports didn’t make the list. Take Gaelic football and hurling, both from Ireland, for example.

With that in mind, here’s what they had to say. The list takes into account various factors — strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility, nerve, durability, hand-eye coordination, and analytical aptitude — and gives them each a score for each sport. Those scores, out of ten, are then added together, creating the definitive ranking of a total of 60 sports.

Boxing tops the list with a score of 72.38, reflecting its high demands across most categories, particularly endurance, strength, and nerve. Other top-ranked sports include ice hockey (71.75), football (68.38), and basketball (67.88), each excelling in areas like strength, power, and agility.

In contrast, the lower end of the spectrum features sports like fishing, bowling, and billiards, with fishing scoring the lowest at 39.88. Of course, if anyone out there in internet land has ever tried fishing, they’ll realise exactly just how difficult it really is.

Related stories

Boxing

Terence Crawford: the man behind the fighter

Boxing

The confidant in Canelo's corner

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.