Are you enthusiastic about unusual hobbies?
Take a look at our “Sports with P” article, which showcases a wide range of enjoyable physical activities, ideal for individuals who seek exciting and pleasurable pursuits.
Prepare to be pleasantly amazed as you read this guide on popular, peculiar, and personalized sports that begin with the letter P.
Challenge yourself to participate in these incredibly enjoyable activities!
Sports that start with the Letter P
- Ping Pong (Table Tennis)
- Paddleboarding
- Pickleball
- Pole Vault
- Paintball
- Paragliding
- Parkour
- Pétanque
- Pilates
- Platform Diving
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Table of Contents
#1 Ping Pong (Table Tennis)
Originating from Victorian England as a parlor game for the upper class, Ping Pong, or Table Tennis, has become a popular sport worldwide.
It is especially prevalent in Asian countries, such as China, Japan, and South Korea.
The sport joined the Olympic lineup in 1988, with singles and doubles events.
The World Table Tennis Championships is another major event held every year, attracting top players globally.
Latest Posts about Table Tennis
#2 Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding traces its roots to Polynesian cultures and has become increasingly popular in various coastal regions, including Hawaii, California, and Australia.
Players stand or kneel on a board and propel themselves through the water using a single paddle.
The sport showcases various competitive events such as races and wave riding competitions.
Notably, the annual Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championship is held in Hawaii, drawing elite athletes worldwide.
Latest Posts about Paddleboarding
#3 Pickleball
Pickleball, a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and Ping Pong, was invented in 1965 in the United States.
It gained popularity in North America and is now starting to expand globally, with the sport’s international federation established in 2010.
Major tournaments include the US Open Pickleball Championships and the International Indoor Pickleball Championship, with doubles and singles events offered.
Latest Posts about Pickleball
#4 Pole Vault
Originating from ancient Greece, pole vaulting has evolved into a modern track and field sport featured in the Olympic Games since 1896 for men and 2000 for women.
The event is immensely popular in Europe and North America, with notable athletes hailed from Russia, the United States, and Germany. Athletes aim to jump over a horizontal bar using a long and flexible pole.
World Athletics Championships and continental championships are among the prominent competitions.
#5 Paintball
Paintball, a sport combining elements of tag and hide-and-seek, was created in the United States in 1981.
Although initially designed for recreation, paintball has since expanded into a competitive sport with various leagues and tournaments worldwide.
Notable events include the National Xball League (NXL), the Millennium Series in Europe, and the Asia-Pacific Paintball Championship.
Latest Posts about Paintball
#6 Paragliding
Paragliding, an airborne recreational sport, was developed in the late 20th century in France. It involves soaring through the sky on a non-motorized wing-propelled device.
The sport has gained popularity in various mountainous regions worldwide, such as the Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas.
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) organizes the Paragliding World Cup and the Paragliding World Championship.
#7 Parkour
Originating in France in the 1980s, Parkour is a discipline that involves moving quickly through urban environments by jumping, running, and climbing.
The sport has grown rapidly in popularity worldwide and is practiced by millions in Europe, North America, and Asia.
There are several Parkour championships, such as the World Parkour Championship and the North American Parkour Championships.
#8 Pétanque
A French game with ancient roots dating back to Greco-Roman times, pétanque involves throwing hollow steel balls at a small wooden target (cochonnet).
Mainly played in France, the game has spread to other countries, particularly in Europe, and boasts amateur and professional leagues.
Major tournaments include the Fédération Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal World Championships.
#9 Pilates
Pilates, a fitness discipline incorporating strength, flexibility, and balance, was created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century in Germany.
The method gained popularity in the United States during the 1920s, and today, Pilates enthusiasts can be found all over the world.
While not a competitive sport, annual conferences and expos such as the PMA Pilates Conference and The Pilates Gathering showcase industry developments and host workshops.
#10 Platform Diving
Platform diving, a discipline that entails launching from a fixed platform into the water, has its origins in Sweden and Germany in the 19th century.
The sport gained global recognition in 1904 when introduced as an Olympic sport for men, with the women’s events added in 1912.
Today, platform diving is popular worldwide, with prominent competitions including the FINA World Aquatics Championships, the Olympic Games, and the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in the United States.
More Sports with P
- Pogo Stick Jumping: A sport created from a simple toy, Pogo Stick Jumping sees athletes bouncing on a spring-loaded device, performing tricks and stunts. Big events include the annual Pogopalooza, where competitors showcase their skills and compete for titles.
- Pommel Horse: A gymnastics event, the pommel horse involves athletes performing routines on a padded, elongated apparatus featuring handles. As a classic discipline within artistic gymnastics, it has been part of the Olympic program since the first modern Games in 1896.
- Powerlifting: A strength sport, powerlifting involves athletes competing in three attempts at maximal weight single lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. Powerlifting events include the World Powerlifting Championships and various regional and national competitions.
- Powerboating: A type of water sport that takes place on speedboats with powerful engines, powerboating includes several disciplines, such as racing and water-skiing. Popular events like the Union Internationale Motonautique Class 1 World Powerboat Championship draw onlookers and enthusiasts worldwide.
- Powerchair Football: An adaptive sport for people with disabilities, Powerchair Football involves participants competing in electric wheelchairs in a game akin to soccer. Governing bodies include the International Powerchair Football Association, which hosts the Powerchair Football World Cup.
- Pencak Silat: A diverse group of Indonesian martial arts characterized by striking, grappling, and weapon-based techniques, Pencak Silat has spread to other Southeast Asian countries. The Pencak Silat World Championships and the Southeast Asian Games include the sport in their programs.
- Paddle Tennis: A racquet sport resembling tennis played on smaller courts, Paddle Tennis originated in the United States in the early 20th century. The American Platform Tennis Association’s National Championships and the World Paddle Tennis Championships are among its famous tournaments.
- Parachuting: Also called skydiving, parachuting involves jumping from an aircraft and controlling freefall motion before releasing a parachute. Competitive disciplines include formation skydiving and accuracy landing, with events like the World Parachuting Championships featuring the sport’s best athletes.
- Paddleball: A sport similar to racquetball, Paddleball is played with a small rubber ball and solid paddles in a four-walled indoor court. Competitions like the National One-Wall Paddleball Championship are organized across the United States, where the sport originated in the 1930s.
- Paratriathlon: A form of triathlon for athletes with disabilities, Paratriathlon includes a modified version of swimming, cycling, and running. The sport made its Paralympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, and other events include national and international championships.
- Pesa Melnichnaya: A traditional Russian sport, Pesa Melnichnaya involves throwing a cylindrical weight over a set distance. Participants use a swinging motion to launch the weight, originating from an old miller’s exercise for improving their work strength and efficiency.
- Peša (Croatian Handball): A traditional Croatian game played in Dalmatia, Peša involves groups of players using their hands to hit a small cloth ball filled with seeds or sand. It is played in various towns across the region, where it remains a cultural fixture.
- Pelota Mixteca: Hailing from Oaxaca, Mexico, Pelota Mixteca is an ancient ball game played with a heavy, elaborately decorated glove. Similar to handball, the sport’s object is to keep the ball in play within the court’s boundaries. Local championships are still held today.
- Pesäpallo (Finnish Baseball): Often referred to as the national sport of Finland, Pesäpallo is a fast-paced bat-and-ball game with similarities to American baseball. The Finnish Championships, or the Superpesis, is the top-level domestic competition, with both men’s and women’s leagues.
- Pitz (Mayan Ball Game): An ancient Mesoamerican ball game, Pitz was played in a stone court with a horizontal hoop. Players scored by passing a solid rubber ball through the hoop using only their hips, elbows, and knees. Ritualistic and ceremonial, the game carried significant cultural importance.
- Paleta Frontón: A Peruvian adaptation of Basque pelota, Paleta Frontón is often played on outdoor courts with wooden racquets and a rubber ball. Popular in Peru and parts of Ecuador, the sport has regional variations and is enjoyed by both casual players and professional athletes.
- Pärk (Estonian Ball Game): A traditional Estonian game, Pärk is a bat-and-ball sport with elements of baseball and cricket. Occasionally played during festivals and folk events, the game features defenders trying to catch a ball hit by the attacking team.
- Pochspiel (Austrian Bowling): Pochspiel, an old Austrian game played with pins and balls, is a precursor to modern ten-pin bowling. Participants roll a ball down an alley towards pins, trying to knock down as many pins as possible to score points.
- Poc Fada (Irish Long Puck): A traditional Irish sport, Poc Fada requires players to hurl a sliotar (small leather ball) using a hurley as far as possible. The annual All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship, held in County Louth, sees hurlers competing in distance and accuracy contests.
- Pétanque Libre: A variation of the traditional French game of pétanque, Pétanque Libre allows players more freedom in movement and positioning when throwing their boules. Played casually and in informal tournaments, it offers a fun, inclusive atmosphere for all skill levels.
- Pigeon Racing: An ancient sport involving the selective breeding and training of racing pigeons, Pigeon Racing has deep roots in Mediterranean cultures. Modern competitions include the South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race, with international entrants vying for the title.
- Pinfari Roller Coaster: Originating in Italy, Pinfari is a roller coaster design known for its compact size and portability. While not a competitive sport, Pinfari coasters have been featured at amusement parks and carnivals around the world, providing thrilling rides for many.
- Pushball: Developed in the United States in the late 19th century, Pushball is a sport involving two teams pushing a large, 6-foot diameter ball towards goal posts. While the sport’s popularity waned over time, it still enjoys a small following in local festivals and novelty events.
FAQ
Which sports start with the letter P?
Some of the sports that start with the letter P include Ping Pong (Table Tennis), Paddleboarding, Pickleball, Pole Vault, Paintball, Paragliding, Parkour, Pétanque, Pilates, and Platform Diving. There are many more P-named sports, each with its unique charm and appeal.
What is the most popular sport that starts with P?
Ping Pong, also known as Table Tennis, is arguably the most popular sport that starts with the letter P. It is a fast-paced racquet sport enjoyed by millions of participants worldwide and has gained significant recognition for its exciting gameplay, fierce competition, and presence in international tournaments such as the Olympics.