The Most Difficult Thing to Do in Sports, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the thing you think is the most difficult!

Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:26

Determining the hardest task in sports is not merely a fun debate starter—it serves a real purpose. By understanding and recognizing the toughest challenges across various sports, enthusiasts can appreciate the skill levels, dedication, and extreme effort athletes must put in to mastering their craft. This knowledge not only deepens our appreciation but also adds a layer of respect towards the athletes' commitments and the intricacies involved in their respective sports. This is exactly why your opinion matters in this discussion. By participating in the ranking, you contribute to a broader understanding of what it truly takes to excel in sports. Each vote helps to shape a more accurate picture of the sports community's views on these challenges. Engage with other sports fans, share your insights, and see how your views compare with the collective opinion.

What Is the Most Difficult Thing to Do in Sports?

1

203
votes
Hitting a Major League Baseball pitch

This is considered the most difficult thing to do in sports due to the combination of speed, spin, and movement of the pitch.
Hitting a Major League Baseball pitch is considered one of the most difficult tasks in sports. It requires immense skill, precise timing, exceptional hand-eye coordination, and the ability to make split-second decisions. The goal is to make contact with a small round ball, thrown at high velocities and varying speeds, using a cylindrical wooden or metal bat. Hitters aim to hit the ball with enough power, accuracy, and placement to elude fielders and score runs for their team.

Bat: Cylindrical wooden or metal bat

Ball: A small round ball made of cork and rubber, covered with cowhide

Velocity: Pitched at speeds ranging from 70 to 100+ mph

Variations: Different types of pitches, including fastballs, curveballs, sliders, changeups, and more

Strike Zone: A designated area over home plate within which a pitch must pass to be called a strike
2

50
votes
Performing a quadruple Axel in figure skating

This requires a skater to complete four-and-a-half rotations in the air, and only a handful of skaters have ever successfully landed it in competition.
Performing a quadruple Axel in figure skating is considered one of the most difficult and technically demanding elements in the sport. It involves executing four and a half rotations in the air while maintaining a perfect landing. The quadruple Axel has never been successfully completed in competition to date.

Rotations: 4.5

Difficulty: Extremely high

Landing: Must be clean and stable

Invented: Unknown

Entry Edge: Forward outside edge
3

24
votes
Completing a perfect 10 in gymnastics

A perfect score of 10 in gymnastics requires flawless execution of all elements of a routine.
Completing a perfect 10 in gymnastics is considered one of the most difficult achievements in sports. It involves performing a gymnastics routine flawlessly, displaying exceptional technical skills, artistry, and execution.

Accuracy: Each move, stance, and landing must be executed with precision.

Difficulty: The routine must include a series of complex and challenging skills.

Artistry: The gymnast should display beauty, creativity, and expressiveness in their movements.

Execution: Transition between skills must be seamless and performed effortlessly.

Control: Maintaining control throughout the routine is crucial.
4

29
votes
Breaking the 2-hour marathon barrier

Nike

This has been a long-standing goal of many elite distance runners, and was finally achieved in 2019 by Eliud Kipchoge.
Breaking the 2-hour marathon barrier refers to the ambitious goal of completing a marathon distance (42.195 kilometers) in under 2 hours. It is considered one of the most challenging and high-profile achievements in the world of long-distance running. The concept gained significant attention and interest after the Breaking2 project was introduced by Nike in 2016.

Distance: 42.195 kilometers

Target Time: Under 2 hours

Current World Record: 2:01:39 (Eliud Kipchoge, 2018)

Average Mile Pace: 4 minutes 34 seconds per mile or faster

Course and Conditions: Designing a fast and flat course, ideal weather, minimal wind
5

27
votes
Winning a gold medal in the Olympic decathlon

Pierre de Coubertin

The decathlon tests an athlete's abilities across 10 different events, including running, jumping, and throwing. Winning a gold medal requires exceptional all-around athleticism.
Winning a gold medal in the Olympic decathlon is considered one of the most difficult achievements in sports. The decathlon is a highly demanding athletic event that combines ten different track and field disciplines, testing the versatility, stamina, and skill of the athletes.

Number of Events: 10

Disciplines Included: 100 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 meters, 110 meters hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, 1500 meters

Duration: Over two days

Scoring System: Based on points accumulated in each event

Athletic Skills Required: Sprinting, jumping, throwing, endurance running
6

18
votes
Completing a Grand Slam in tennis

Bobby Jones

Winning all four major tennis tournaments in a single year is an incredibly difficult feat, and has only been achieved by a few players in history.
Completing a Grand Slam in tennis is considered one of the most difficult achievements in sports. It involves winning all four major tennis tournaments, the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, in a single calendar year. The creator of the Grand Slam concept in tennis is considered to be tennis player Bobby Jones, who first achieved it in 1930.

Number of tournaments: 4

Tournament names: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open

Calendar year: Single

Surface types: Hard court, Clay court, Grass court

Location: Australia, France, United Kingdom, United States
7

23
votes
Winning the Tour de France

Henri Desgrange

The Tour de France is one of the most grueling endurance events in sports, requiring cyclists to cover over 2,000 miles in three weeks.
Winning the Tour de France is an incredibly challenging accomplishment in the realm of sports. It is an annual men's multiple stage bicycle race that covers around 3,500 kilometers over a period of three weeks. The race includes various types of terrain, including high mountains, flat stages, and individual time trials. The competition takes place in France and sometimes extends to neighboring countries. It requires exceptional physical endurance, strategic racing skills, and mental fortitude to navigate the intense competition and grueling conditions. The winner is determined based on the lowest overall cumulative time at the conclusion of the race.

Physical Endurance: Exceptional fitness required

Racing Skills: Strategy, tactics, and teamwork

Distance: Approximately 3,500 kilometers

Duration: Around three weeks

Terrain: Includes high mountains, flat stages, and time trials
8

5
votes
Scoring a hat-trick in soccer

Arthur Fitzgerald

Scoring three goals in a single game is a rare achievement in soccer, and requires exceptional skill and timing.
Scoring a hat-trick in soccer refers to the remarkable feat of a player netting three goals in a single match. It is considered one of the most difficult accomplishments in the sport.

Goals Scored: 3

Time Frame: Within one match

Player Position: Typically an outfield player

Variations: Natural hat-trick (three goals in a row by one player), perfect hat-trick (one goal with each foot and one with the head)

Level of Difficulty: High
9

11
votes
Completing a 900 in skateboarding

Tony Hawk

A 900 is a trick in which a skateboarder rotates two-and-a-half times in the air, and has only been landed a handful of times in competition.
Completing a 900 in skateboarding is one of the most challenging feats to achieve in the sport. It involves the skater executing a two-and-a-half revolution aerial spin while in mid-air.

Rotation: Two and a half revolutions (900 degrees)

Difficulty Level: Extremely difficult

Aerial Spin: Skater performs the spin while in the air

Launch Ramp: Ramp used to gain momentum and height

Air Time: Skater spends a significant duration in the air
10

12
votes
Winning a gold medal in the Olympic pentathlon

Baron Pierre de Coubertin

The pentathlon tests an athlete's abilities across five different events, including shooting, fencing, swimming, running, and horse riding. Winning a gold medal requires exceptional versatility and skill.
Winning a gold medal in the Olympic pentathlon is considered one of the most difficult achievements in sports. The pentathlon combines five diverse disciplines, testing an athlete's versatility, skill, and endurance. It involves fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross-country running. Athletes must excel in each of these disciplines to have a chance at the gold medal. The demanding nature of the pentathlon makes it a true test of all-around athleticism and mental fortitude.

Disciplines: Fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross-country running

Versatility: Requires athletes to be proficient in a variety of skills

Physical demands: Combines endurance, agility, accuracy, and strength

Mental fortitude: Challenges athletes to remain focused and composed throughout the different disciplines

Competitive field: Attracts top athletes from around the world, making the competition intense

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Ranking factors for difficult thing

Physical demands

The level of physical fitness, strength, agility, and endurance required for the sport.
Skill level

The amount of technical skill, strategy, and expertise required for the sport.
Mental toughness

The level of focus, determination, and mental strength required to overcome challenges and perform consistently in high-pressure situations.
Competition

The level of competition within the sport, including the number of professional athletes, the quality of their performance, and the level at which they compete.
Training commitment

The amount of time, effort, and resources required for training and practicing the sport.
Risk of injury

The level of risk for injury or physical harm associated with the sport.
Environmental factors

The impact of weather, terrain, or other external factors on the performance and safety of the athlete.
Team vs individual sport

The level of teamwork and communication required in team sports or the high level of individual responsibility in individual sports.
Popularity

The global reach and popularity of the sport, which can impact the level of competition and resources available for athletes.
Accessibility

The ease of access to the sport, including the availability of facilities, equipment, and coaching necessary to learn and excel in the sport.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult thing to do in sports. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or thing is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

7517 views
203 votes
10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Hitting a Major League Baseball pitch
Performing a quadruple Axel in figure skating
Completing a Grand Slam in tennis
Winning a gold medal in the Olympic pentathlon

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each thing once every 24 hours. The rank of each thing is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most difficult thing to do in sports

Sports offer an exciting experience for both the players and the fans. However, some sports activities require exceptional physical and mental strength, which makes them more challenging than others. What is the most difficult thing to do in sports? This is a question that has been asked by many sports enthusiasts over the years. The answer to this question is not straightforward, as it depends on various factors, including the sport, the athlete, and the level of competition. However, some activities are widely considered to be more challenging than others, such as endurance events, acrobatic feats, and precision-based sports. In this article, we will explore some of the most demanding activities in sports and what makes them so challenging.