Racquet Sports
Badminton
Badminton is a fast-paced sport where players use rackets to hit a shuttlecock over a net, aiming to score points by landing it in the opponent’s court. It’s played in singles or doubles, with games typically going to 21 points. The sport requires agility, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking. Major international tournaments, like the BWF World Championships and Olympic Games, feature top players such as Lin Dan and P.V. Sindhu. Badminton is enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels, offering both fun and competitive play.
Table Tennis
Table tennis, or ping pong, is a fast-paced indoor sport where players use paddles to hit a small ball back and forth over a net, aiming to score points by landing the ball on the opponent's side of the table. Played in singles or doubles, matches are usually played to 11 points. The sport requires quick reflexes and excellent hand-eye coordination. It is governed by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and features major events like the World Championships and Olympics. Popular players include Ma Long and Tomokazu Harimoto.
Squash
Squash is a fast-paced, competitive sport played indoors with two players (singles) or four players (doubles) using rackets to hit a small rubber ball against a front wall. The objective is to strike the ball in such a way that the opponent cannot return it within the boundaries of the court. Squash demands agility, speed, and strategy, as players move quickly around the court, employing a variety of shots such as drives, drops, and volleys. Governed by the World Squash Federation (WSF), squash features individual tournaments and prestigious events like the PSA World Tour, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games. The sport is known for its intense rallies, requiring both mental and physical endurance. Legendary players such as Jahangir Khan, Nicole David, and Ramy Ashour have made their mark on the sport, inspiring players worldwide.
Tennis
Lawn Tennis is a dynamic racquet sport where players compete by hitting a ball over a net into the opponent’s court, aiming to outplay them through skilful shots and strategic placement. It can be played in singles or doubles formats, with matches scored in sets. The game demands speed, precision, stamina, and mental focus. Globally celebrated tournaments like Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open showcase legends such as Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal. Tennis is popular among all age groups, offering a blend of recreational enjoyment and high-level competition.
Combat Sports
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art known for its emphasis on high, fast kicks, powerful strikes, and dynamic footwork. The sport combines physical techniques with mental discipline, focusing on respect, courtesy, and perseverance. Taekwondo competitions involve sparring, where opponents score points by landing controlled kicks and punches to designated areas of the body, typically using points-based systems. There are also forms (patterns) and breaking events in tournaments. The sport was developed in the 1940s and 1950s, drawing on traditional Korean martial arts and influences from other fighting styles. Taekwondo is practiced worldwide and became an official Olympic sport in 2000. Notable athletes like Steven Lopez and Lee Dae-hoon have gained international recognition for their achievements.
Judo
Judo is a martial art and Olympic sport that focuses on throws, joint locks, and grappling techniques. The objective is to throw the opponent onto the mat, pin them for an allotted time, or apply a submission hold such as a joint lock or choke. Judo emphasizes balance, leverage, and technique over strength, making it accessible to people of all sizes. It is practiced both as a sport and as a form of self-defense. Competitions are divided into weight classes, and matches are won through skillful throws or controlling the opponent. Judo was developed in Japan by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century and is now practiced worldwide, with notable athletes such as Tadahiro Nomura and Kayla Harrison achieving success at the international level, including the Olympic Games.
Boxing
Boxing is a high-intensity combat sport where two opponents face off in a ring, aiming to outscore or knock out each other using punches, defence, and footwork. Matches are divided into timed rounds, and success relies on strength, endurance, technique, and tactical thinking. It's one of the oldest sports in the world, featured in major events like the Olympic Games and professional circuits such as WBC and WBA. Icons like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Mary Kom have elevated the sport to global fame. Boxing appeals to a wide range of participants, from fitness enthusiasts to serious competitors.
Wrestling
Wrestling is a combat sport where two competitors engage in physical contests to gain control over each other, aiming to pin their opponent's shoulders to the mat or score points through various techniques. The sport is divided into several styles, with the most common being freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. In freestyle, athletes can use their legs for both attacking and defending, while in Greco-Roman, only the upper body is allowed for grips and throws. Wrestling requires strength, agility, endurance, and strategic thinking, as competitors must outmaneuver their opponent through a combination of skillful holds, takedowns, and escapes. Governed by United World Wrestling (UWW), wrestling is a key event in the Olympic Games, World Championships, and numerous regional tournaments. Iconic wrestlers such as Alexander Karelin, Dan Gable, and Saori Yoshida have made their mark, inspiring generations of athletes to pursue the sport.
Precision Sports
Archery
Archery is a precision sport where competitors use a bow to shoot arrows at a target, aiming to score points based on accuracy. Targets are marked with concentric circles, with the center, or bullseye, earning the highest points. Archery has various disciplines, including target archery, field archery, and 3D archery, with target archery being the most common in international competitions. It requires focus, steady hands, and a calm mind, as even slight adjustments can impact accuracy. Archery is governed by World Archery, and it is a popular Olympic sport, featuring individual, team, and mixed-team events. Athletes like South Korea’s An San and India’s Deepika Kumari are among the sport's most celebrated figures, inspiring archers worldwide.
Shooting
Shooting sports involve using precision, control, and focus to hit targets with firearms such as rifles, pistols, or shotguns. The sport includes various disciplines, such as pistol shooting, rifle shooting, and shotgun events like skeet and trap shooting. Competitors aim at fixed or moving targets, with scoring based on accuracy and consistency. Shooting sports are practiced recreationally and competitively, and they require a combination of mental concentration, steady hands, and proper technique. Governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), the sport features in major competitions like the Olympic Games, World Championships, and continental events. Notable athletes like Abhinav Bindra, who won India’s first individual Olympic gold medal in shooting, have brought international attention to the sport.
Strength Sports
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a highly skilled sport that combines strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination through a variety of artistic and acrobatic movements. It features multiple disciplines, including artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline. In artistic gymnastics, athletes perform routines on apparatuses such as the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor for women, and the parallel bars, pommel horse, rings, and horizontal bar for men. Rhythmic gymnastics focuses on graceful routines with equipment like ribbons, hoops, and balls, while trampoline involves performing aerial flips and twists. Gymnastics requires precision, creativity, and rigorous training, making it a showcase of athleticism and artistry. Governed by the International Gymnastics.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting is a strength-based Olympic sport where athletes lift heavy weights in two main disciplines: the snatch, a single continuous motion to lift the barbell overhead, and the clean and jerk, a two-part lift involving raising the barbell to the shoulders and then overhead. Athletes compete in specific weight categories, and their combined best lifts in both events determine their total score. Weightlifting requires immense strength, precision, technique, and flexibility. It has ancient roots but was formalized as a competitive sport in the late 19th century. Governed by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), the sport features major events like the Olympic Games
Athletics
Athletics
Athletics is a broad category of sports that includes running, jumping, throwing, and walking events, often considered the foundation of the modern Olympic Games. It encompasses disciplines such as sprints, middle- and long-distance races, hurdles, relays, high jump, long jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw, and race walking. Athletics requires a mix of speed, endurance, strength, and technique, with each event testing specific physical and mental attributes. Governed by World Athletics, it is a centerpiece of global sporting competitions like the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Continental Tours. Legendary athletes like Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, and Allyson Felix have set records and achieved iconic status, making athletics one of the most celebrated and universally accessible sports.
Team Sports
Basketball
Basketball is a fast-paced, team sport played indoors where two teams of five players each compete to score points by shooting a ball through a hoop. The game is played on a rectangular court, with the objective being to outscore the opposing team by making field goals or free throws. Players use a combination of dribbling, passing, and shooting to navigate the court and create scoring opportunities. Governed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), basketball features major tournaments like the FIBA World Cup, the NBA Finals, and the Olympic Games. It is a sport that requires skill, teamwork, speed, and strategic play. Legendary players such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant have made a lasting impact on the game, inspiring millions around the world.
Volleyball
Volleyball is a dynamic, team-based sport played on a rectangular court divided by a net, where two teams of six players each aim to score points by sending the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court. Players use their hands, arms, and occasionally their feet to hit the ball in a series of three contacts, with the primary goal being to prevent the ball from touching the ground on their side while trying to land it on the opponent's side. Volleyball can be played both indoors and on the beach, with indoor and beach volleyball governed by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB). It’s known for its fast pace, athleticism, and teamwork, and is a popular event in the Olympic Games and various international competitions. Iconic players such as Karch Kiraly, Giba, and Misty May-Treanor have elevated the sport, inspiring athletes across the globe.
Handball
Handball is a fast-paced, high-scoring team sport played indoors, where two teams of seven players each attempt to score goals by throwing a ball into the opposing team's net. The game is played on a rectangular court with goals at each end, and players pass, dribble, and shoot the ball using their hands. Handball is a blend of basketball, soccer, and water polo, requiring speed, coordination, and tactical play. The sport is governed by the International Handball Federation (IHF) and features major tournaments such as the Handball World Championship, European Handball Championship, and the Olympic Games. Known for its quick pace and high levels of physicality, handball has grown globally, with legendary players like Mikkel Hansen, Nikola Karabatic, and Ana Gros leading the way and inspiring new generations of athletes.