Top 10 animal athletes

1. Fastest sprinter: Cheetah

The “World’s Fastest Animal” award goes to the cheetah (Acionyx jubatus). They are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour.

In comparison, the world’s fastest human, Usain Bolt, can sprint at a top speed of 43.99 kilometers (about 27.33 miles) per hour, which is still very impressive. Sha’Carri Richardson is the fastest women in the world sprinting 100-meters in only 10.65 seconds!

2. Best long-distance runner: Pronghorn antelope

The pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) is the second fastest land mammal in the world after the cheetah, but when it comes to distance, the antelope gets the gold medal. They can maintain speeds of 50 to 70-kilometers per hour over long distances, and up to 92-kilometers per hour in short sprints. In comparison, the human marathon world record holder, Eliud Kipchoge, runs at an average speed of 21.02 kilometers per hour over 42.1 kilometers. So, the antelope would lap even the fastest human runner twice!

Although it’s up for debate whether the antelope could run as far as ultramarathon runner Courtney Dauwalter. She is one of the most prestigious endurance athletes in the world, winning 160 kilometer (100 mile) long races!

3. Fastest swimmer: Sailfish

The fastest swimmer in the world goes to the sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus). They can reach speeds of 109 kilometers (68 miles) per hour. In comparison, Michael Phelps, the fastest human swimmer, swims at a top speed of 9.6 kilometers (6 miles) per hour. Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long stands as one of the world’s most decorated human athletes boasting an impressive tally of 23 Paralympic medals and 30 world medals!

4. Best endurance swimmer: Humpback whale

When it comes to long-distance swimming, the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is the winner, migrating thousands of miles each year. There is no way a human could do this, but human Sarah Thomas completed an impressive feat of swimming across the English Channel four-times non-stop!

5. Deepest diver: Cuvier’s beaked whale

The deepest diver (this one is for mammals only, no cheating fish!) is awarded to the Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris). These whales are capable of diving to depths of over 9,800 feet (nearly 2 miles) in one breath, lasting over 200 minutes (don’t try this at home!). Herbert Nitsch, the human who holds the record for the deepest free dive, has reached impressive depths of 702 feet (214 meters).

6. Highest jumper: Impala

For high jump, the gold medal would go to the impala (Aepyceros melampus), who can leap up to 10 feet (3 meters) into the air. The human comparison comes close: Javier Sotomayor is the human high jump world record holder with a record jump of 8 feet (2.45 meters)!

To be fair, the flea should also be recognized for their jumping ability – as they can jump up to 200 times their body length far surpassing the abilities of any human!

7. Longest jumper: Snow leopard

When it comes to long jump, the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) wins. They can jump 50 feet (15 meters) in a single leap. Humans can’t make it quite as far, but Mike Powell, the human long jump world record holder, holds an impressive record jump of 29 feet 4½ inches (8.95 meters).

8. Strength: Dung beetle

The strongest animal, relative to their body weight, goes to the horned dung beetle (Onthophagus Taurus). These impressive little bugs can pull over 1,000 times their own body weight!

There are many examples of incredible strength in the human world. Hafþór Björnsson for example, can deadlift 1,105 pounds (501 kg). While this is certainly impressive, relative to body size, that’s only 2.6 times his body weight so the beetle wins out on this one. 

If we are talking about sheer strength, the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana africana) gets the title of “World’s Strongest Animal”. They can lift up to 13,228 pounds (6,000 kg), far surpassing all other animals, including humans.

9. Mountain climbing expert: Alpine ibex

When it comes to the best mountain climber, the Alpine Ibex (Capra ibex) goat is a clear winner. They can easily navigate steep terrain and have been recorded scaling 57 degree slopes to lick salt on dams. Their incredible skills allow them to traverse the most treacherous cliffs with ease.

In the human world, Alex Honnold is renowned for his climbing skills. Known for his free solo climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, Honnold’s skills parallel those of the Ibex. Maureen Beck has been climbing mountains since she was 12-year-old. She has won 10 national titles and a gold medal at the Paralympics – all with only one hand!

10. Top flyers: birds, birds, birds

This might be an unfair category... but it’s no surprise that birds dominate when it comes to flight. In the longest flight without stopping event, the bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) wins. These birds migrate over 13,000 km (8,077 miles) without stopping!

For the longest migration category, the Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) wins. These birds migrate between England and Antarctica and back again, covering 96,000 kilometers (60,000 miles). The key difference is that terns touch down during their voyage for breaks.

Maybe the most impressive flyer of all is the common swift (Apus apus). These birds can stay in the air for 10 months without stopping. Yes, you read that right, 10 months! They eat, drink, mate, and may even sleep in the air! 

Although humans can’t fly, we have made impressive advancements in flight. From the very first successful airplane by the Wright brothers to the Solar Impulse 2, an aircraft that completed a flight around the world using solar power.

Bonus 11. Teamwork: African wild dogs   

When it comes to teamwork, African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) exhibit remarkable cooperation and coordination. They use teamwork to coordinate complex chases and bring down prey much larger than themselves.

These dogs' ability to communicate and strategize echoes the teamwork seen on a soccer field led by captains like human athlete Christine Sinclair. Not only has Sinclair scored more goals than any other player in the world, but she is also renowned for her strategic thinking, effective communication, and unwavering support for her teammates, making her the perfect captain and team player.