Best Athletes?

[Canuck]

Had an interesting conversation with my finacees father and brothers over Christmas. We were talking about sports (obv) and her dad made a comment about the sport of hurling having the best athletes in the world. I spit my beer across the table in astonishment. I assured him this was not the case. The conversation went on for some time to say the least.

I realise this question is quite arbitrary in that we all have different definitions of athletes and what sports should be matched up to which, but if you had to choose which sport physically demands the most from its players, what would it be?

[Sark79]

I think dowhnill skiiers are great atheletes, they are strong and very fit.  X Country skiiiers are fantastically fit.  Rugby players are also very fit and boxers.  For me cyclists and triathelets are amazing when it comes to fitness

[thetank]

Boxers, as far as I'm concerned the only debate is as to what weight division has the best athletes.

[bobby1]

Had an interesting conversation with my finacees father and brothers over Christmas. We were talking about sports (obv) and her dad made a comment about the sport of hurling having the best athletes in the world. I spit my beer across the table in astonishment. I assured him this was not the case. The conversation went on for some time to say the least.

I realise this question is quite arbitrary in that we all have different definitions of athletes and what sports should be matched up to which, but if you had to choose which sport physically demands the most from its players, what would it be?

Its a very tough question coz each sport can push players in different ways. The average top class career of a running back in the NFL is about 6 years due to the sheer volume of hits and work load that they are put through.

It is very rare to find a running back playing to a decent standard much after they are 30 years old, in fact Jerome Bettis retired last year after Pittsburgh won the Superbowl, this was 4 years after he had been given Monday to Friday off every week to allow his body to recover from each game.That is not too unusual in NFL either but I'm sure otehr sports can be just as tough.

[Graham C]

Cycling

[booder]

shove ha'penny

[Tonji]

Cycling

is right, at least the non dopers are.

strangely F1 drivers are also extremely fit.

[Nem]

Nadal

[Sark79]

Cycling

is right, at least the non dopers are.

strangely F1 drivers are also extremely fit.

F1 drivers lose more weight during a race than a top tennis player does during a match.

Nadal is a great athelete.

[Nem]

I would say Cross Country Skiers

[thetank]

Chun Li

[Sark79]

Chun Li

She was good about 10 years ago, but I think she may have lost her edge now. 

For lung capacity, the world champ free diver is awesome. I forget her name now, but she is the attractive blonde woman?

[Rod Paradise]

I'd have said tennis, boxing or the UFC.

Hurlers? Some of the top real amateurs in one of the best real local sports. Shinty counts for the same.

[Bazzaboy]

cycling

[booder]

iron man triathletes