There are numerous sports around the world, each with its own set of challenges. Here are 11 sports that are widely considered to be especially difficult to master and play:

1. Gymnastics: Gymnastics requires an extraordinary amount of strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Training starts at a very young age, and mastering the various disciplines such as floor exercises, uneven bars, and balance beam involves years of dedication and practice.
2. Martial Arts: Martial arts like Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or Muay Thai demand not only physical strength but also mental discipline, technique, and the ability to anticipate an opponent’s moves. The mastery of different techniques and strategies often takes many years.
3. Ironman Triathlon: This sport involves swimming for 2.4 miles, biking for 112 miles, and running a marathon (26.2 miles). The sheer endurance and mental fortitude needed to complete an Ironman, coupled with the need to excel in three different disciplines, makes it one of the toughest sports.
4. Pole Vaulting: This track and field event combines speed, strength, agility, and timing. Athletes must sprint down a track with a long pole, then use the pole to catapult themselves over a high bar. The precision and physical prowess required are immense.
5. Rock Climbing: Whether it’s indoor or outdoor, rock climbing requires extreme upper body strength, endurance, flexibility, and problem-solving skills. Climbers must also manage fear and make quick decisions while suspended at great heights.
6. Water Polo: This sport combines swimming with a game akin to handball. It requires extraordinary swimming skills, strength, and endurance, as players must tread water and fight off opponents while trying to score goals.
7. Rugby: Rugby players need to have a combination of speed, strength, agility, and endurance. They have to be able to take hard hits and play efficiently as a team. The sport is physically demanding and involves complex strategies.
8. Decathlon: Involving ten track and field events over two days, the decathlon requires athletes to excel in a wide range of skills including running, jumping, and throwing. Training for the decathlon is extremely grueling as athletes must develop proficiency in multiple disciplines.
9. Ice Hockey: Ice hockey demands skating skills, hand-eye coordination, physical strength, and the ability to make split-second decisions at high speeds. The sport is also physically brutal and requires players to have the endurance to compete effectively throughout the game.
10. Ballet (considered a sport by many): Ballet may be considered more of an art form by some, but it requires incredible physical strength, flexibility, balance, and control. Ballet dancers often train for many years and need to maintain a high level of discipline and dedication.
11. Horseback Riding (Equestrian): Contrary to common perception, equestrian sports are not just about the horse. Riders need to have strength, coordination, timing, and a deep understanding of the horse’s movements. Riding and controlling a large animal at high speeds while navigating obstacles is extremely challenging.

These sports are considered difficult due to the high levels of physical and mental strength, dexterity, coordination, endurance, and discipline they require. Additionally, many of them demand years of training to reach proficiency.