They didn't include the Triathlon because they included biking, running, and swimming. The Triathlon isn't a sport in itself, it's just a combination of other sports.

While someone could make a case for MMA, there isn't a clear version of it. On one end you have Bob Sapp who has no strategy and no real skills, and on the other you have some guys who grapple so much it looks like a wrestling match, you just don't often know what you're getting. Most MMA fights (that I've seen) are short and are tournament based, most boxing matches are scheduled for at least 8 and sometimes up to 15 rounds.

Thats true ofcourse. But it's just that combination of 3 sports that makes it so hard.

Yeah, Im not trusting too much to these figures. Tough to me implies most painful and difficult. Which would stack the field with endurance sports--cycling, triathlon, distance running, and some things like soccer, ice hockey, and the ilk. If you want to talk about overall most "athletic" sports, things that involve abilities other than the willingness and ability to inflict massive pain on yourself for long periods of time, then you can start throwing some of those other ones in there.

Besides, its a totally subjective thing.

I'm happy hockey got 2nd, im a little upset about some of the things rated higher than skateboarding, the handeye and endurance could have been a little higher, i agree with the rugby comments, espn is all about the base sports.

[QUOTE=nash]Hmm, I think wrestling (I'm a fan) should get more points in endurance and analytic aptitude. Durability is important depending on how many matches you wrestle in a day... Flexibility really isn't that important, maybe minus a point or so there. Strength helps, but not as much as most people would think -- skll is much more important. You have to anticipate moves and lure your opponent into a certain position or mindset in addition to executing your moves, so I think analytic aptitude should get a point or so there. Endurance because you are exerting 90% plus at all times, but they get ~30 sec breaks every two minutes or so.

Maybe we can critique some ratings of our favorite sports and see how they compare with ESPN's ratings.

I also think wrestling should have more pts in endurance as well as speed. Moves happen very quickly once they are initiated(though spectators may not see all the setups) and to be successfull you must be able to react to an opponents moves quickly or lose valuable points.

I also agree basketball should be much lower on the list. A durability rating of 7.75, higher the wrestling and lacrosse, yeah right.

It's good to see skiing in the top fifteen , however I think ESPN underestimates the strength and power it takes to flex a world cup ski(it not the same as any ski at the local shop, IT is built quite a bit stiffer).

A few more changes would be a much higher flexibility rating for golf and a greater analytical ability for volleyball(you do have read different defenses and blocking schemes and how to play against them).

Those are my 2 cents.