ESPN Sport rankings

Lists are fun to spark some controversy. I'll tell you this, I agree with boxing and steer rastlin'. I'd rather swim the 400IM naked in the arctic ocean with Ion as my coach and Shaky berating me from a boat than do either.

I just saw that ranking, too, and figured someone would mention it. Swimming was bound to come out in the bottom half the way they ranked the sports. Let's face it, swimming is somewhat one-dimensional. It's you against the clock (and the others in the pool). There are no plays to remember, no complex choreography, or serious risk of bodily injury. I don't know if that makes swimming less "tough," but it certainly guaranteed it would come out low on their list.

Correction, it was "difficulty" they were ranking, not "toughness." Still...

Badminton, as it is played throughout Asia, is a serious kick-yer-ass sport (as opposed to the "backyard diversion" type play you are most likely to encounter here in the US). A bit like the difference between Ping Pong and Table Tennis. It is EXTREMELY physical, very fast and requires very high levels of skill. Playing it well requires easily as much in preparation (technique, conditioning and experience) as nordic skiing or swimming.

...now, swimming discussion groups, on the other hand, would sometimes fill the bill; toughness, contact sport, etc

It's interesting that none of their panel of experts appear to have either competed in or coached swimming.

Well, I suppose I hate to say this, but one of the reasons I swim 10,000 yards a week is that I believe even the most intense swimming offers a minimal risk of injury along with aerobic/anaerobic conditioning. I'm thinking the greatest joint impact comes with the flip turn......... But to suggest it doesn't require the skill/technique of some of the other sports on the list offends me (otherwise, why would I swim drills 800-1000 yards a day?). Having said that, you'll never catch *me* in the ring............. not even strutting around holding the round number over my head. Kathy

I'm almost certain there are a lot of shuttle-**** related injuries following an especially intense badmitton contest. I do know you can get one heck of an egg on your forehead from a brutal ping-pong ball shot to the dome. OK, I'll admit it, badmitton can't be a tough sport, it's too darn silly looking. I bet they wear the 1980s NBA hand-me-down uniforms aka grape smugglers.

I agree with Leonard on the puke factor. I've never seen a badmitton player have to run from the court because the game got too intense. Except maybe on the college level where a stand-by keg of beer is a must for sport that can be played outside on a plush green lawn.:)

"geezer" ouch I understand your point but I would call him "a true athlete". One of our O*H*I*O Masters Swim Club male members (Yoshi Oyakawa) went a 1:06 for the 100 back at Indy and he is 70 years old.... Both men are awesome!!!!!!!