SPORTS IN MEXICO

Swathed in the garb of lush culture and affluent diversity, Mexico is a nation acclaimed for its idiosyncratic bevy of sports. Harboring an integral part in the Mexican culture the nation parades a rich plethora of indigenous sports. The Mexicans possess a predilection and fondness for their games which is garnished by the traditional customs that makes them one of kind. Here’s a bunch of sports which bestows the country with an eccentric aura and gifts the country the uniqueness it is fond for.

Mesoamerican Ballgame

Bearing the title for the oldest sport played in Mexico this game is an original and was played throughout the Central America. Despite having a myriad of Archaeological evidences studies have failed to unsheathe the precept governing this game. The intensive scrutiny have marshaled the people in concluding that the sport was played manipulating the ball forged out of solid rubber with rackets, bats or even one’s own body parts to move across the court and through the stone rings stationed at a height of about 6 meters. Corroboration connotes the game was utilized in ritual sacrifice, implying the losers were rendered with a funeral and not a rematch.

Bull fighting

Introduced into play by the Spanish conquistadors almost half a millennial ago, bullfighting is a sport that has been repudiated throughout the world by a lion’s share, being viewed as promoting cruelty towards the animals. Despite this pronouncement Mexico is one of the eight countries in the world that indulges in the sport which has bred to become one of the most popular. The sport embodies a multitude of rodeo events and folkloric dances. It involves the picador and the bull- fighter to stab the bull into exhaustion until finally it is killed in the act. Carlos Arruza was one of the most proclaimed bullfighters of the twentieth century Mexico prominent as “El Ciclon”. Host to the world’s best bullfighters Plaza Mexico, in the Mexico City, celebrated to be the largest bullring in the world certifies the popularity of the sport in the nation. Although possessing an iota of aberrance and peculiarity the sport charges and pumps the atmosphere with energy and verve.

Basque Pelota

The colonialization of Mexico by Spain around four centuries ago lugged along this sport that was revamped in the years. Jai-Alai, a version of the sport that employs hands, rackets or wooden bats to deploy the ball to swerve across the court towards the wall (also termed fronton) from where it bounces back coerces the player to serve again. While once popular with courts all around Mexico its charm and allure gradually went adrift to sports like soccer that rose to a lionized glory.

Charrería

Framed with formality and grace this Mexican sport bearing a close semblance to the American rodeo houses events like cattle roping horse riding and horse performances. Rooting from hacienda (ranch) culture the stylized and artistic sport of Charrería primarily was just an informal exchange between farm workers seeking to brandish their horse riding skills which gradually escalated to formal charreadas and orchestrated contests with soaring popularity as one of the most engaging tradition sports.

Lucha Libre

This freestyle wrestling prominent for its eccentric garb is played adorning colorful masks. The luchadores wrestling are a spectacle to behold with their artifices machination. Fabricating the atmosphere with a zeal and ardor with its brazen energy this sport grips the audience with a spirit of exuberance.

Boxing

Vouchsafing the reputation as one most popular and cardinal sport in Mexico boxing is an individual sport than has succeeded in garnering Mexico with thirteen Olympic medal establishing the second place in number of world champions produced. The stature of Mexico in the boxing world has been solidified by the celebrated players whose names are etched in the international hall of fame namely Julio César Chávez, Ricardo “El Finito” López, Carlos Zárate and many others. Boxing is a sport that possesses a perspicuous bequest and adorns a crowd of dedicated enthusiasts.

Soccer

Rising to trend like a shining star the sport was ventilated in the Mexican air by the British at the end of the nineteenth century and has maintained its regal repute ever since. Despite not shrouded in the traditional Mexican customs soccer, the team sport comprising of 11 players each, has the Mexicans spell bounded. Ranking as one of the top 15 for the FIFA world cups Mexican national football team is one of the best in Latin America. The Chivas, Pachuca, Monterrey and the Tigres are some of the finest teams of Mexico.

Baseball

Though not as hyped around as soccer, baseball is still a legacy that rivals football in many states around the Mexican nation scilicet Sonora and Sinaloa. Apart from yielding more than a 100 players into US major leagues Mexico embodies professional leagues of its own. Maybe not as popular it still broadcasts the Mexican culture and the ever blooming zest of the Mexicans for sports.

Basketball

Ranked as the third most popular sport of the nation this team sport has excelled at captivating the Mexicans interests. The Mexican flag has been raised to glory by eminent players like Manuel Raga and Horacio Llamas whose names have been etched on the FIBA hall of fame and the NBA. Saturating inspiration from these legends many other followed to garnish the Mexican name with prominence. Eduardo Najera, Earl Watson, Jorge Gutierrez and Gustavo Ayon are some of them. The Euro League also harbors the name of some of the Mexicans like Gustavo Ayon and Manuel Raga marked with remarkable triumphs. Established as one of the most important basketball league, The Liga National de Baloncesto Professional bears celebrated teams like Halcones UV Xalapa. The nation also is home to one of the most modern multipurpose venue located in the city of Monterrey, the Gimnasio Nuevo Leon Independiente inaugurated in 2013.

Manuel Raga

American Football

Though not as celebrated as the soccer and baseball, American football still holds its fame within the minority. A lauded sport at colleges and universities of Mexico the game bears the title of fourth most popular team sport in Mexico. The professional football league of Liga de Futbol Americano (FBA) braces the most prominent teams namely the Raptors, Eagles, Condors, Mayas and many others. With the progression of years the Futbol Americano de Mexico (FAM) emerged as a rival to the Liga de Futbol Americano (FBA) in realms of television, players, coaches and the general market segment. With the foundation of the professional leagues the sports promoted to the involvement of more and more universities and colleges. Owing to the escalation in the professional sphere the four categories called the Fuezras created in the early twentieth century upgraded to a national level by the latter half of the century. Participating in IFAF world cup, The Mexico national American football team has fished the second position in both competitions held in 1999 and 2003. Raul Allegre and Isaac Alarcon are some of the most famed football players who had played for eminent teams like the Baltimore Colts, New York giants, Dallas Cowboys and many others and colored the name of the nation with honor.

Rugby

A tradition that dates back to the early twentieth century introduced with the migration of the Europeans in Mexico. Though a minor sport the popularity of rugby in escalating in a fine and steady pace. With the establishment of Mexica Rugby Federation, housing around twelve teams competing professionally, the Mexicans raked famed in the international sphere including scoring the third place in the 2015 NACRA Sevens.

Polo

A sport which popularized the Mexican air by the Escandon- Barron family in the late nineteenth century. Home to a couple of Olympic medals Mexico hosted the world polo championship in 2008. Mexico has hoarded 2nd place in 1987 and 3rd places in 1995 and 2008 in the competitions held by the Federation of international Polo. Earning victory in the Abierto Argentino de Palermo tournament a total of five, the British open gold cup ten and the US open a total of nine time Carlos Gracida is reckoned to be among the best polo players in the history of the sport. Alongside Carlos, Memo Gracida has also heaved the titled of internationally renowned polo player.

Memo Gracida in Florida (2005)

Golf

Harboring over 150 golf courses, golf is a sport recognized as one of the most sought after. The popularity of the sport in the nation was proliferated by Lorena Ochoa who was designated the position of number one in the world alongside ushering the country’s name to a spotlight. Tournaments like the Corona Championship, MasterCard Classic, Lorena Ochoa Invitational, Mexican open and the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya- Cancun are some reckoned over professionally in Mexico.

Lorena Ochoa

The plaque bearing the name of Mexico in sports has metamorphosed with the advancement of the years. The nation clutches a strong history in the Olympic Games with its prominent bevy of athletes bestowing Mexico with sixty two medals. The Mexicans are riveted to sport like moth to the flame and it can be discerned by the gusto and fire with which they support and follow their sports.

Ms Susana Molina