Triple Black

Tennis? Absolutely.

PGA Golfer? No.

Race car driver? Yes.

Soccer? Of course.

Volleyball? Sure

X Games? Yes.

 

Tennis is obvious, look at the neccesary physical requirements needed. Strength, speed, stamina and timing.

 

Golfer? Aside from a good upper body and precise eye movement, it doesn't require much physical skill.

 

Auto driving at a professional level is 200xs more difficult then our everyday driving. Hand-eye corrdination is crucial, mental stability. along with precise timing under intense heat, completely restrained (The drivers can't even move their heads to the side). The pit-crew members, these days are former NFL and professional wrestlers and they'll tell you how difficult and daunting their job is.

 

Soccer is an obvious athletic sport and those who play it are easily athletes. Requires good overall physical conditioning.

 

Volleyball is a tricky one.

 

X-Games like Motocross are atheletes for the same reasons auto race car drivers are but I feel hesitant to call Tony Hawk an athelete, instead when he is just an acrobatic performer. Someone I know once called Xgamers "Gymastics with a prop" and I thought was a good description.

Yes for all of them.

I'd say yes for all except skateboarders and half-pipe snowboarding. Skateboarding? Please.

The term "athlete" has very loose meaning.

 

But, I'll share my opinion.

 

Tennis? It's silly to even ask... try playing a competitive 5 set match and see how you feel. Not even mentioning the strength and agility you need to be competitive against world-class players.

 

Golf? Meh... golf's gotten to the point where it may help to be athletic for power and stamina reasons... but, when fat slobs like Daly and Mickelson can be amongst the top of the game, it's tough to defend that.

 

Race car driving? No. Not to say I don't respect some of these drivers because their job is very difficult... but split-second reactions, mental stability, being really hot in a tight space... that has nothing to do with being an athlete. As for pit crews, they're a different story.

 

Soccer? The amount of running alone forces you to be very athletic.

 

Volleyball? Definitely. While it's not as exhausting, it takes some physical skill and strength to dig balls, and more so if you're jumping at net and such.

 

X-Games? Depends. Snocross? No. Skate/Snowboarders/Bike Riders? Yes... but, the sport is at a very young level where stick boys like Shawn White can win gold medals. I assume these sports will grow to a respectable level eventually.