10 Sports That Start With M (Origin and Where Each Is Played)
Sports are fun. They are a way to engage with other people and stay in shape. They are the very fabric of our culture. Likewise, people love to watch sports for the exciting finishes and the well-known players that take part in these events.
There is something about sports that start with M that makes you smile, as many of these activities are very popular. We will present a list of sports that start with M while also talking about where they came from and how they came to be. Additionally, we will present some fun facts about where you can see these sports.
10. Marathon
Running a marathon takes hard work. You need to build up some endurance to have a good chance even to run a marathon. If you try to run one without practice, you could seriously injure yourself. Therefore, it takes repetition and lots of practice.
Marathons have been around since the ancient times. Moreover, competitive running has evolved over the years. You will find marathons all across the United States. It is one of the various sports that start with M.
9. Martial Arts
Martial arts is one of the ancient sports you will see on this list. It is very combative, and there was even a successful movie franchise and subsequent TV show sequel based on the sport. It is very popular in China. Many believe that it goes as far back as the Xia Dynasty.
Martial arts are pretty standard. The object of the match is to gain points on your opponent and take them down. It requires some crafty footwork and excellent timing. It is one of the most historic sports that start with M.
8. Mini Golf
Many people don’t realize there is a Mini Golf League. People compete for prizes and make a living off mini golf. Of course, it is also a leisurely activity that you can do with friends. It is also a good activity for a date. But mini golf has a lot more to it than meets the eye.
The very first mention of mini golf happened back in 1912 in Europe. Slowly, people started playing it more as the years went by. The game requires putting a ball through a set of obstacles to get the ball to the other side of the green. Some of these obstacles are moving objects. It is called mini golf because it is a much smaller version of golf. Overall, it is a fun sport that starts with M.
7. Mixed Martial Arts
Nothing is more exciting than a cage match. MMA provides all that and more. You get to see two competitors battle inside a cage or an octagon to determine a winner. Ultimately, the only ways to win or knockout or submission. The fighters will do whatever they can, through legal means, to take down their opponent.
MMA traces much of its origins back centuries. However, the first sanctioned match happened in 1996 in Mississippi. It is one of the most volatile and exciting sports that start with M.
6. Mogul Skiing
There are several forms of skiing. Mogul skiing is an active competition that has skiers go down difficult slopes. The sport is contested by points. You get points for executing brilliant turns down the slopes. Furthermore, it also involves a lot of sharp turns, which require some precision. Turns account for 60 percent of your scoring. People also execute amazing jumps, which is 20 percent of the scoring. Likewise, the other 20 percent is based on the speed of the skier.
Mogul skiing started in 1971. It became an Olympic sport in 1988. Overall, it is one of the coolest sports with plenty of cool tricks.
5. Motocross
Off-road motorcycling is a fun venture. It also has a cool history. Motocross started as a branch that evolved from motorcycle races that Britain held in 1909. Later, it became more frequent as more people began doing off-road competitions. As the bikes grew more sophisticated, they became more popular.
Once the 1970s hit, the industry took off, and motocross became one of the more popular sports to attend. It is one of the coolest sports that evolved out of motorcycling.
4. Motorcycling
Motorcycling is always popular. But it is also a competitive sport. Motorcycle competitions are held throughout the country. Additionally, there is also some competition in other parts of the world. The competitions usually take place on closed-off roads.
It started in the early 20th Century. It has grown to the point where the bikes are newer and faster. There are fast and slow motorcycle races. Likewise, it takes time to understand the safety protocols of riding a motorcycle. Those who participate in these races should have a full comprehension of how to ride their bikes safely.
3. Motorsports
Motorsports are a historic sport that is older than you think. The automobile did not become a regular thing until the 20th Century. However, motorsports traces its origins back to the 19th Century. Allegedly, two men raced in carriages in 1867. The winner was Isaac Bolton. It was not exactly a legal competition.
Legalized auto racing finally became a thing later in the century. Then, it officially got going in 1894, with the first reported motor race. The next process was city-to-city racing. From that point on, people started building circuits. It was not until the 1950s that it started taking off in its own right.
2. Mountain Biking
People love to ride bikes. Mountain bikes, especially, are exceptional. They offer so much power and speed. It is something you can do on regular roads or on dirt paths. The first competitive match took place on May 31, 1868, near Paris.
You must be able to handle difficult terrain if you are riding a mountain bike. Also, You also must be able to pedal repetitively without feeling strained. Mountain biking is a fascinating sport to watch and an even better one to partake in. It is one of the more classic sports that start with M.
1. Muay Thai
This is probably the most interesting sport on this list. Muay Thai is basically like boxing. Instead of just punching someone in the face, you can also kick them in the legs. There are three different ways to win. The first and obvious way to win is to knock your opponent out. The second way to win is to gain points and win that way. Additionally, you can submit your opponent to the point where the referee declares a technical knockout.
Muay Thai started in Thailand around the 19th Century. It has evolved with many variations over the years and become one of the coolest sports to watch. It is probably the best sport that starts with M when it comes to using a distinct strategy to overcome your opponent.
Summary of the Sports That Start with M
Rank | Sport |
---|---|
1. | Muay Thai |
2. | Mountain Bikings |
3. | Motorsports |
4. | Mountain Biking |
5. | Motocross |
6. | Mogul Skiing |
7. | Mixed Martial Arts |
8. | Mini Golf |
9. | Martial Arts |
10. | Marathon |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © maria zheleznova/ via Getty Images