Think Twice Before Doing Any of These Sports
There’s no denying that sports, by their very nature, have some underlying risks to people’s safety and well-being. Yet, that doesn’t mean we stop doing them! Despite the demand that we go beyond our bodily capabilities and conquer new realms of reality, it’s still a fun activity that’s become a way of life.
Whatever the case, we analyzed the sports with the highest injury rates, the longest recovery times, and the highest annual death tolls to compile this list of the world's most dangerous. Listed below are some of the riskiest sports in the world—some might even be your favorite!
Cheering on the Edge of Danger
The dangers associated with cheering are there, even though it is neither an Olympic nor National Collegiate Athletic Association-sanctioned sport since its routines often involve gymnastics, tumbling, and even somersaults. Even though cheering is ranked second in injuries only to football by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports, numerous medical professionals strongly disagree with this assessment.
A Day on the Slopes
The average person can think of a dozen ways to perish when visiting a ski lodge. While schussing down a mountain, you could run into an avalanche, a tree, a tree well, or just bad luck with your landing. However, the vast majority of fatalities occur on well-groomed, intermediate-level slopes. An otherwise uneventful run might end tragically in an instant if the skier is careless!
A Tricky Underwater Adventure
Scuba diving has several lethal dangers, including drowning. Too rapid ascent to the surface, an improper mixture of gas in the tank, a head-first collision with a boulder, and sharks—the possibilities are endless! Regardless, keep in mind that the Smithsonian Institution reports sharks aren't deadly if you leave them alone. So, at least that’s one off the list.
As far as Bulls Go
Believe it or not, there are still areas where bullfights take place. The concept that stabbing a 2,000-pound beast with sharp horns is a good one is baffling. According to the BBC, scores of bullfighters are injured each year. This estimate, however, may be significantly low because many crimes go unrecorded. When a weapon is included, the risk is just slightly higher
Rugby as a Man’s Sport
There's nothing quite like two big, muscular guys crashing into one other with no protection. Furthermore, let's equip them with spikes for their toes to make the event even more exciting. Is it something one would feel comfortable doing? Rugby has a high risk of injury, making it one of the most physically demanding sports. Nevertheless, thousands of individuals engage in the activity annually all around the globe.
A Unique Game Name That Will Surprise Anyone
Anyone who plays Jai Alai would know just how challenging those rubber balls can be. Picture that tough rubber ball zooming around at almost 200 miles per hour. Those balls often maim instantaneously if they hit a person directly in the face. Britannica says the number of participants has decreased as the sport's popularity has waned in recent years. The sport remains extremely risky despite this.
The Highs and Lows of Hunting
Having an opponent who can harm one drastically alters the nature of competition, and that’s precisely how hunting works as a sport. From 2002-2007, the IHEPA documented an average of less than 100 yearly fatalities among hunters. In reality, the number of deaths was around twenty-five, with fewer than three hundred instances. Although the reported number of animal attacks is considerable, the actual number may be even higher if reported incidents and persons presumed to be missing are included.
Sky’s Not the Limit
Consider what would happen if the primary parachute failed while a person was skydiving. After a brief period of fear, one would calm down upon realizing the presence of the backup parachute. But what happens if that one doesn't work either? There's nothing we can do but pray and hope for the best, right? In 2020, the United States Parachute Association reported 11 fatal skydiving accidents, or 0.39 fatalities per 100,000 jumps. The number isn’t as high as others but considering how one ends up on the ground is simply too much.
Boxing Shouldn’t be Taken Lightly
In boxing and mixed martial arts, every fighter suffers some injury at some point throughout a match. Even very minor injuries, such as a black eye or a fat lip, can have a significant psychological and physical impact on the victim. According to CNN, thirteen professional boxers lose their lives annually due to injuries sustained during bouts. The number of persons who perish due to CTE's after-effects is equally important to think about.
The Perils of Mountaineering
Contrary to popular belief, mountaineering may be a hazardous activity. It causes dozens of injuries every year, like slipping on rocks and falling. These are the major contributors to such fatalities. As with any outdoor pursuit, mountaineers face the risk of bad weather. However, disappearances are far more prevalent than deaths.
When getting ready for a competition, an athlete needs to exercise, eat, and rest in the correct amounts. Still, other elements in the game are uncontrollable, and sometimes it’s just a matter of being lucky at that moment. So, it would be advisable to exercise extra caution when partaking in any sport, whether it’s skydiving or cheerleading. At the end of the day, the adrenaline rush is often worthwhile.