Explore new and unique activities in our article about “Sports with N.”
All of which have a common thread – their names commence with the notable letter “N.”
Let’s get started!
Sports that start with the Letter N
- Nordic Combined
- Netball
- Nordic Walking
- Nine-ball Pool
- Nine-pin Bowling
- Newcomb Ball
- Naginatajutsu
- Nunchaku-do
- Nia (aerobics)
- Nippers (surf life-saving)
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Table of Contents
#1 Nordic Combined
A winter sport combining cross-country skiing and ski jumping, Nordic Combined dates back to the late 19th century in Norway. It has been featured in every Winter Olympics since the inaugural games in 1924.
The Holmenkollen Ski Festival in Norway is one of the most prestigious annual competitions in the sport.
#2 Netball
Originating in England during the 1890s, netball is a derivative of basketball, primarily played by women in Commonwealth countries.
Netball has grown significantly in popularity with the Netball World Cup held every four years, showcasing the world’s top teams.
Although not an Olympic sport, it has been a staple in the Commonwealth Games since 1998.
#3 Nordic Walking
Initially introduced in Finland during the 1930s as a summer training exercise for cross-country skiers, Nordic Walking is now a popular recreational sport worldwide.
Participants use specially designed walking poles and a technique similar to cross-country skiing to maximize full body engagement.
#4 Nine-ball Pool
This cue sport, a variation of standard pocket billiards, arose in the United States during the early 20th century.
It is widely played today in professional tournaments and amateur leagues, particularly in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. The World Pool-Billiard Association organizes the World Nine-ball Championship annually.
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#5 Nine-pin Bowling
Originating in medieval Europe, nine-pin bowling is a predecessor to modern ten-pin bowling, predominantly played in Central Europe.
The game was introduced to the United States by European settlers but eventually outlawed in many states, leading to the adoption of the ten-pin variation.
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#6 Newcomb Ball
Also known as Newcombe, this sport is an early variation of volleyball, invented by Clara Baer in the United States in the late 1800s.
Teams pass or throw a ball across a net without letting it touch the ground.
Although not as popular as volleyball, Newcomb Ball has retained a place in physical education curriculums in schools.
#7 Naginatajutsu
Dating back to medieval Japan, naginatajutsu is a martial art that focuses on the use of the naginata, a long-handled weapon with a curved blade.
Predominantly taught to female warriors, the sport is now practiced in Japan and some other parts of the world, with the All Japan Naginata Federation hosting annual championships.
#8 Nunchaku-do
A modern martial art, Nunchaku-do focuses on the use of nunchaku, a traditional Okinawan weapon consisting of two sticks connected by a chain or rope.
It was made popular internationally by Bruce Lee in his martial arts films, and is practiced today as a form of self-defense and for performance demonstrations.
#9 Nia (aerobics)
Founded in the early 1980s by Debbie and Carlos Rosas, Nia is a body-mind exercise routine that combines dance, martial arts, and yoga.
Emphasizing joy of movement over athleticism, Nia has become a popular alternative to traditional fitness regimens and is practiced in over 40 countries worldwide.
#10 Nippers (surf life-saving)
Developed on the Australian coasts during the 1960s, Nippers is a junior surf life-saving program for children aged 5 to 14.
Its primary goal is to promote beach safety and skills, such as swimming, paddle boarding, and rescues.
Nippers competitions are held across Australia and other countries with major surfing communities.
More Sports with N
- Naked Running: A form of running performed without clothing, gaining popularity through various naked races and charity events worldwide, promoting body positivity and equality.
- Naked Yoga: A yoga practice performed without clothing, its roots trace back to ancient India. Nowadays, it is practiced for body awareness, acceptance and freedom from materialism.
- New Rules Football: An experimental modification of traditional American football aimed at reducing injuries, simplifying rules, and making the game more accessible and entertaining for spectators.
- Naval Pentathlon: A multidisciplinary military sports event for naval personnel, consisting of an obstacle course, swimming, shooting, and cross-country running. The sport has World Championships and has featured in the Military World Games.
- Net Games (various): A variety of games played with a net, such as badminton, sepak takraw, and pickleball, where players use unique techniques to hit a ball, shuttlecock or other object over the net.
- Novuss: A Latvian-originated cue sport, known as “coup pool,” in which participants strike wooden pucks across a square table with a cue, aiming to pocket their opponent’s pucks before their own.
- Ne-waza (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu): Ne-waza is the ground fighting aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, involving grappling, submission holds, and joint locks, primarily focused on self-defense and allowing a smaller person to overcome larger adversaries.
- Nordic Snowshoeing: A cross between snowshoeing and Nordic walking, this winter sport uses a combination of poles and snowshoes to traverse various terrains of snow and ice, offering a full-body workout.
- Neppis: A Finnish motor sport revolving around vintage moped racing on rugged off-road tracks, where participants often wear period-appropriate clothing while competing for the title of the Neppis Champion.
- Nguni Stick-fighting: A South African indigenous martial art that incorporates various techniques, focusing on striking opponents using sticks; historically used by Nguni warriors in combat and as a rite of passage.
- Ninja Warrior: A popular obstacle course competition inspired by the Japanese television show Sasuke, testing participants’ physical and mental strength, speed, and endurance. Various regional and national tournaments are held annually.
- Ninjutsu: A traditional Japanese martial art developed by ninja warriors, focusing on techniques in espionage, sabotage, and stealth combat. Modern practitioners study historical methods alongside contemporary self-defense techniques.
- Noodling: A form of fishing primarily practiced in the southern United States, where participants catch catfish using their bare hands by reaching into underwater holes and enticing the fish to bite, before pulling it out.
- Northern Praying Mantis: A style of Chinese martial arts characterized by its fast, fluid movements and emphasis on agility, making use of grappling and striking techniques inspired by the predatory actions of the praying mantis insect.
- Nascar: The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, founded in the United States in 1948, oversees numerous auto-racing events, including the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, featuring modified stock cars competing on various tracks.
- No-holds-barred Fighting: A type of combat sport that predates modern mixed martial arts, often characterized by minimal rules and regulations, allowing a wide range of striking and grappling techniques sourced from different martial arts styles.
- Non-traditional Volleyball: Refers to various forms of volleyball played with altered rules, equipment or team sizes, such as beach volleyball, footvolley, or reverse co-ed volleyball, emphasizing creativity and versatility.
- Nosework (dog sport): A canine sport inspired by professional scent-detection work, where dogs are trained to locate specific odors, such as essential oils, in various environments. It provides mental and physical stimulation for dogs of all ages and breeds.
- National Hunt Racing (horse racing): A type of horse racing primarily popular in the United Kingdom and Ireland, involving racehorses jumping over fences and ditches, with major events like the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National.
- New Age Kurling: An adapted version of traditional curling, designed to be accessible for people with physical disabilities. Played indoors on smooth surfaces, participants launch stones with ball bearings towards a target, aiming for the highest score.
- Norwegian Baseball: Also known as dødball or slåball, this Norwegian sport is a mixture of baseball and rounders, featuring two teams batting and fielding with modified rules, making it more accessible and enjoyable for participants of all ages and skill levels.
FAQ
Which sports start with the letter N?
Some of the sports that start with the letter N include Netball, Nordic combined, Nordic walking, Nine-ball pool, Nine-pin bowling, Newcomb ball, Naginatajutsu, Nunchaku-do, Nia (aerobics), and Nippers (surf life-saving).
What is the most popular sport that starts with N?
Netball is arguably the most popular sport that starts with the letter N. It is a fast-paced, team-oriented game played primarily by women in Commonwealth countries. Netball has grown significantly in popularity, with international competitions like the Netball World Cup showcasing top global talent.
