Sports in Puerto Rico 315915 225619536 2008-07-14T16:16:23Z Negron21 6220624 /* Track and Field */ '''Sports in [[Puerto Rico]]''' can be traced from the ceremonial competitions amongst the [[pre-Columbian]] Native Americans of the Arawak also known as [[Taíno]] tribes which inhabited the island to the modern era in which sports activities consist of an organized physical activity or skill carried out with a recreational purpose for competition. ==Brief history of sports in Puerto Rico== ===Pre-Columbian era=== [[Image:Tibes.JPG|thumb|150px|right|View of the Indigenous ballparks in the Tibes]] The Taínos who inhabited Puerto Rico before the arrival of [[Christopher Columbus]] in 1492, played a series of games which were both ceremonial and diversional, such as races, contests involving body strength and fishing. However, the two most important of these sports were the simulated warrior fights (similar to the gladiators) and ball playing. The ball game was played in a field, which they called "Batey", situated in the middle of the village. The fields were either shaped like a triangle or like a "U". The ball was made of vegetable leafs, which gave it flexibility. Two teams played against each other. The objective of the game was to keep the ball in constant motion. The players were allowed to use their heads, elbows, shoulders and knees. The team would lose a point, if for any reason the ball stopped moving. The score was kept with a mark on the ground and the game would end after the losing team received a certain amount of points. The winners were treated like heroes and the losers were sacrificed. The game had changed by the time the first Spanish settlers arrived. According to Fray [[Bartolome de las Casas]] the game was played in the following manner: "One team served the ball and the other team returned it, using anything but the hands. If the ball arrived at shoulder height, it was returned like lightning. When it came in near the ground, the player rapidly hit the ground, striking the ball with his buttocks. Play continued from side to side until an error was made." In 1975, [[archaeologist]]s from the Guaynia Society of Archeology and History at the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, members of the Archeological Society of the Southwest announced the discovery of the ruins of a "Batey" in an area called Tibes, on the outskirts of the city of [[Ponce, Puerto Rico|Ponce]]. A total of 9 ball fields were discovered under thick forest overgrowth dating back to [[Anno Domini|AD]] 25 in the area which is now known as "[[Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes]]" (The Tibes Indigenoius Ceremonial Center). The site is now a tourist attraction and is open to the public. Artifacts found on the site are on display and can be seen in a museum on the site and in the Ponce Museum of Art.{{inote| ref: http://ponce.inter.edu/tibes/ingles/historia.html}} ===Spanish colonization=== The Taínos suffered greatly during the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spanish colonization]] of Puerto Rico in the 15th century. Many died from the cruel treatment and disease inflicted upon them and their culture was destroyed. The first Spaniards to inhabit the island were soldiers (Conquistadores), later they were followed by farmers, miners and their families. Team sports were virtually unheard of however, there were other types of competitions and sports in which they participated. The most common sports were [[horse racing]], [[cockfight]]ing and [[dominoes]]. The first horse track was built in San Juan in 1887. One of the most popular sports was "Boliche". The men would gather in the town plaza and roll a small ball made of wood with the objective of knocking down pins. "Boliche" was similar to [[Bowling]]. Another popular sport was [[bullfighting]], which was limited to the larger cities of [[Ponce, Puerto Rico|Ponce]] and [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]]. ===Modern era=== ====Baseball==== During the late 19th century Puerto Rico was to witness the introduction of organized team sports. The game of [[baseball]] was first introduced to the island by a group of Puerto Ricans and Cubans who had learned the game in the [[United States]]. At first the sport was not well received by the local press and general public, it was looked upon as a silly game. The first two baseball clubs were founded in 1897. They were the Almendares Baseball Club, owned by Francisco Alamo Armas and the Borinquen Baseball Club owned by Santos Filippi. According to the daily newspaper "El Pais", on [[January 11]], [[1898]], the first organized baseball game was played in Puerto Rico at the old velodrome which was located at the Pda.15 in Santurce, San Juan. The Borinquen team beat the Almendares with a score of 3 to 0. The first game to go a complete nine innings was played on [[January 30]], 1898 and the Borinquen once again beat the Almendares with a score of 9 to 3. Puerto Rico became an American territory when the United States defeated Spain in the [[Spanish-American War]]. The American soldiers stationed in Puerto Rico were permitted to organize a baseball club to play against the local clubs as diversional outlet. On [[November 4]], [[1900]] the Almendares Baseball Club composed of Puerto Ricans and Cubans beat the American Baseball Club of the Second Regiment of Infantry with a score of 32 to 18. ====Basketball and Boxing==== The military government banned cockfighting and bullfighting from the island but introduced the sport of [[boxing]] and a "new" sport called basketball. Both boxing and basketball were used by the soldiers as part of their physical training. Boxing competitions amongst the soldiers were open to the public. The first boxing match in Puerto Rico was held on [[January 15]], [[1899]]. When the soldiers played basketball, they would use a plain straw basket which was cut open at both ends and place it on the highest end of a pole. For a ball, they used a football and the game was played without any established set of rules. In 1913, the [[YMCA]] of Puerto Rico oraganized the first game played using the official rules of basketball and in 1916, the YMCA organized the first basketball tournament. Teams formed in the other YMCA's in the island participated in the tournament. The first basketball organization in Puerto Rico was the San Juan Basketball League. [[Río Piedras, Puerto Rico|Río Piedras]] and [[Bayamón, Puerto Rico|Bayamón]] later followed and formed their own leagues. ====Olympics==== {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=100 style="margin: 0.5em 0 1em 1em; background: white; border: solid 2px red; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" | align=center colspan="2" | {| style="background:white;" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" |<center>[[Image:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg|100px]]</center> |- |- align=center |<center>Flag of Puerto Rico</center> |- |- align=center |<center>[[Image:German Rieckehoff Sampayo .jpg|100px]]</center> |- |- align=center |<center>German Rieckehoff</center> |- |-align=center |<center>[[Image:Salinas Olympic Committee.JPG|100px]]</center> |- |-align=center |<center>German Rieckehoff Alberque Olympico Logo</center> |- |-align=center |} | |} Puerto Rico participates in the Olympics as an independent nation and therefore Puerto Rican athletes have the option of either representing Puerto Rico or the United States in the games. Some, such as Gigi Fernandez in tennis, have won gold medals for the U.S. The [[1948 Summer Olympics]] celebrated in [[London]], was a historical one for Puerto Rico because it was the first time that the island would participate as a nation in an international sporting event. The island's delegation consisted of only three members. In their first participation, the Puerto Ricans had carried the [[United States|U.S.]] flag into the games. The United States protested, claiming that two nations could not use the same flag at the same time. The decree of [[Commonwealth (U.S. insular area)|Commonwealth]] on [[July 25]], [[1952]] would give the Puerto Rican delegation a flag of their own. In 1980, the United States boycotted the [[Olympic Games]] celebrated in [[Moscow, Russia]]. [[German Rieckehoff]], who was then the president of the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee, was against the boycott because he believed that politics should not get involved with sporting events. He was, therefore, denied economic support from the local government. Rieckehoff did however, manage to send one athlete to represent Puerto Rico in [[boxing]], [[Alberto Mercado]], who became the only American citizen to participate in the 1980 Olympics. In 1982, the [[Government of Puerto Rico]], headed by then governor [[Carlos Romero Barceló]], withheld economic support from the athletic delegation headed to [[Cuba]], where the Central American and Caribbean Games were going to be held. The Puerto Rican Olympic Committee, under the leadership of Rieckehoff, had to appeal directly to the people for donations and were able to send the delegation. The Puerto Rican Olympic Committee is also the organization in charge of selecting the Puerto Rican athletes which represent the island in the [[Pan American Games]] and the Central American and Caribbeann Games. Below is a list and a brief summary of some of the most common sports practiced in Puerto Rico. ==American football (NFL)== Although not a popular sport in Puerto Rico, American football nonetheless is played in the streets of the [[Caribbean]] island occasionally. [[Ron Rivera]] became the first Puerto Rican to play in the [[National Football League|NFL]] when he played for the [[Chicago Bears]] in the 1980s. In 1986, Rivera became the first Puerto Rican to win a [[Super Bowl]] championship ring. Other Puerto Ricans who have played in the NFL are [[O.J. Santiago]] of the [[Atlanta Falcons]], [[Marco Rivera]] who now plays for the [[Dallas Cowboys]] and who in 2002 became the first Puerto Rican to play in the [[Pro Bowl]] as a member of the [[Green Bay Packers]] (the first of three appearances) and [[Glenn Martinez]] who in 2005 played for the [[Detroit Lions]] Ken Amato who currently (2007) plays for the Tennessee Titans is of Puerto Rican descent. ==Baseball== [[Image:200-roberto.jpg|right|thumb|Roberto Clemente]] Puerto Rico has a winter baseball league named the [[Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League]] that has operated since the early 20th century. The champion of the Puerto Rico league represents Puerto Rico is in the annual [[Caribbean World Series]]. It currently has six teams: *[[Lobos de Arecibo]] ([[Arecibo, Puerto Rico|Arecibo]] ''Wolves'') *[[Criollos de Caguas]] ([[Caguas, Puerto Rico|Caguas]] ''Creoles'') *[[Gigantes de Carolina (baseball)|Gigantes de Carolina]] ([[Carolina, Puerto Rico|Carolina]] ''Giants'') *[[Indios de Mayagüez]] ([[Mayagüez, Puerto Rico|Mayagüez]] ''Indians'') *[[Leones de Ponce (baseball)|Leones de Ponce]] ([[Ponce, Puerto Rico|Ponce]] ''Lions'') *[[Atenienses de Manatí]] ([[Manatí, Puerto Rico|Manatí]] ''Athenians'') Puerto Rico has over 100 [[Major League Baseball]] players who are currently active, in addition to the hundreds others who have participated in the past. These facts combine to make baseball one of the most popular sports in the island. Some of the most famous baseball players from Puerto Rico include: Hall of Famers [[Roberto Clemente]] and [[Orlando Cepeda]], [[Roberto Alomar]], [[José Cruz|Jose "Cheo" Cruz]], [[Juan González (baseball player)|Juan González]], [[Edgar Martínez]], [[Iván Rodríguez]], [[Victor Pellot]], and [[Bernie Williams]]. '''Chronological order of major events''' * On [[January 11]] 1898 the first organized baseball game is played in Puerto Rico between the Borinquen team and the Almendares team. The Borinquen won 3 to 0. * In 1928, [[Emilio Navarro|Emilio "Millito" Navarro]] of the [[Cuban Stars]] became the first Puerto Rican to play in the [[Negro league baseball|Negro Leagues]] * In 1942, [[Hiram Bithorn]] of the [[Chicago Cubs]] became the first Puerto Rican to play in the major leagues. * In 1949, [[Luis Olmo]] (''El "Jíbaro" Olmos'') of the [[Los Angeles Dodgers|Brooklyn Dodgers]] became the first Puerto Rican to play in a [[1949 World Series|World Series]] game and the first one to hit a [[home run]] and to get three [[hit (baseball)|hits]], in the same game.[[Image:LuisRodriguezOlmo.jpg|right|thumb|100px|Luis Olmo]] * In 1951, Puerto Rico won its first and only [[Baseball World Cup]]. * In 1954, [[Rubén Gómez (baseball player)|Rubén Gómez]] of the [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] became the first Puerto Rican to [[pitcher|pitch]] in a World Series game and the first one to receive a World Series championship ring. * In 1971, [[Roberto Clemente]] of the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] became the first Hispanic to reach 3,000 hits and the first Puerto Rican to be enshrined in the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]]. * In 1984, [[Willie Hernandez]] of the [[Detroit Tigers]] became the first Puerto Rican to win both the AL [[Cy Young Award]] and the AL [[MLB Most Valuable Player Award|MVP Award]]. * In 1992, [[José Cruz|Jose "Cheo" Cruz]] was honored by the [[Houston Astros]] when his #25 was retired by the team. * In 1999, [[Orlando Cepeda|Orlando "Peruchin" Cepeda]] became the second Puerto Rican enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. * In 2001, Major League Baseball history was made when Opening Day was in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]] at the [[Hiram Bithorn Stadium]] with a game between the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] and the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]. * In 2003 as well as 2004, the former [[Montreal Expos]] played 22 home games each year at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, before moving to Washington, DC and becoming the [[Washington Nationals]]. ==Basketball== Basketball is also a very popular sport in Puerto Rico, thanks in part to the [[National Superior Basketball|BSN]], which has been around since the 1930s. During the early 1980s, with many games shown on television, the sport's popularity increased. [[Street basketball]] is popular among Puerto Rico's youth. There is also a women's professional league, which is affiliated to the BSN. [[Alfred Lee (basketball)|Alfred "Butch" Lee]], a member of the 1976 Olympic basketball team, became the first Puerto Rican in the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] when in 1978 he was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. Jose Ortiz was signed by the [[Utah Jazz]] in 1988. Rivas followed him two weeks later, being signed by the [[Boston Celtics]]. Ramos was signed by the [[Portland Trail Blazers]], but he never played because of a life changing accident. Arroyo now plays for the [[Orlando Magic]], and Santiago used to play for the [[Phoenix Suns]] and then with the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]. In 1988, [[Dick Versace]], became the first person of Puerto Rican descent to coach an NBA team. He was the head coach of the [[Indiana Pacers]] from 1988 to 1990. [[Puerto Rican national basketball team|Puerto Rico's national basketball team]] has reached the Olympic Games multiple times, including the [[Athens, Greece|Athens]] games in 2004, where they became the first team to defeat the United States [[Dream Team (basketball)|Dream Team]] during Olympic competition. Puerto Rico's national team has won gold medals in other international competitions. ==Bobsled== Puerto Rico had a Bobsled team in the 1992, 1994 and 1998 [[Winter Olympics]]. ==Boxing== [[Image:Venegas.JPG|100px|right|thumb|Juan Evangelista Venegas]] Boxing has, for many years, disputed the top spot for the Puerto Rican fan's favorite sport with Baseball and Basketball. Puerto Ricans have distinguished themselves both as amateurs and professionals. Puerto Rico has also been the site of many championship fights. ===Boxing in the Olympics=== In 1948, boxer [[Juan Evangelista Venegas]] earned Puerto Rico's first Olympic medal, finishing his participation in [[London]] with a bronze medal that year. Subsequently, Puerto Rico has earned five more medals in Olympic boxing, including a silver one by [[Luis Ortiz (boxer)|Luis Ortiz]] in 1984. That silver medal is the only silver medal ever won by any Puerto Rican at Olympic Games. Although he did not win a medal, [[Alberto Mercado]] became, in 1980, the only American citizen to actually participate in the [[Moscow, Russia|Moscow]] Olympics. ===Professional Boxing=== [[Image:Escobar sixto.jpg|100px|right|thumb|Sixto Escobar]] There are seven Puerto Ricans in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]], they are Puerto Rico's first world champion [[Sixto Escobar]], [[Wilfred Benitez]] (The youngest champion in boxing's history) who as of [[May 23]], [[1981]] became the youngest three-time world champion after knocking out World Junior Middleweight champion [[Maurice Hope]], [[Wilfredo Gómez]], [[Carlos Ortiz]], [[Edwin Rosario]], [[Pedro Montanez]] and [[Jose Torres|Jose Chegui Torres]]. Other boxers from Puerto Rico which have become famous include: [[Hector Camacho|Hector Macho Camacho]], [[Alfredo Escalera]], [[Belinda Laracuente]], [[John Ruiz]] who made history by becoming boxing's first [[Latin America]]n world Heavyweight champion ever, after beating [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] world champ [[Evander Holyfield]], [[Alex Sánchez (boxer)|Alex Sanchez]], [[Samuel Serrano]], [[Félix Trinidad]], [[Ada Velez]], who is the first Puerto Rican [[Women's boxing]] world champion and [[Miguel Cotto]]. In 2006, Puerto Rican [[Miguel Santana]] made boxing history by becoming the fighter who waited the longest after a title bout to find out he had become a world champion boxer. The IBF recognized Santana as a world Lightweight champion 18 years after his challenge of IBF Lightweight champion [[Greg Haugen]], who originally beat Santana by an eleventh round technical decision. Among the international boxers who fought in Puerto Rico in a title bout are [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Roberto Duran]], and [[Alexis Arguello]]. The 1970s became known in Puerto Rico as ''the golden era of Borinquen's (Puerto Rico's) Boxing''. ==Cockfights== Unlike in most states of the [[United States]], [[cockfight]]ing is legal in Puerto Rico, and there are many places that draw large crowds to see bantams fighting every weekend. Is known as the Gentlemans Sport due to the common practice of wagers being a verbal contract between two individuals and may range from $1 to thousands of dollars. Across the world, Puerto Rico has been seen as the largest capital for the controversial sport, as it is incredibly popular and often televised as other sports are. [[Rooster]]s are specially bred to fight, first entering the ring between one and two years of age. ==Equestrian== The sport of Equestrianism has certain popularity in Puerto Rico, more so among members of higher classes. Puerto Rico frequently sends contestants to different international tournaments, such as the Olympics. On [[August 16]], [[2003]], [[Mark Watring]]l from the town of Aguadilla, represented the [[United States]] in the [[Pan American Games]] celebrated in the [[Dominican Republic]]. The he won the "Gold Medal" with a final total of 13.66 penalties compared to the 21.87 posted by [[Mexico]]. When presented the Gold Medal, Mark unfurled and waved the [[Puerto Rican Flag]]. This win secured a berth in the [[2004 Olympic Game]]s in [[Athens, Greece]]. Mark represented Puerto Rico in the 2004 Olympics celebrated in [[Athens, Greece]]. ==Fencing== Fencing in Puerto Rico has become popular ever since [[David "Kike" Bernier]], [[Victor Bernier]] and the brothers [[Jonathan Peña|Jonathan]] and [[Marcos Peña]] have won medals in the 2003 [[Pan American Games]] celebrated in the [[Dominican Republic]]. [[Mirthescka Escanellas]] was also a popular Puerto Rican fencer. She participated at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia, United States]], among many other international events. ==Golf== While golf is not very popular in Puerto Rico, there are many golf courses across the island. The most famous Puerto Rican golfer is [[Juan "Chi-Chi" Rodríguez]] who was inducted into the [[World Golf Hall of Fame]] in 1992. Rodríguez used to put his hat over the hole whenever he made a [[Golf glossary|birdie]] or [[Golf glossary|eagle]]. After he heard that other golfers were complaining about his little act, he decided to try something new. Chi-Chi developed his signature "[[Torero (bullfighter)|toreador]] dance", where he would make believe that the birdie was a "bull" and that his [[Golf club (equipment)#Types|putter]] was a "sword" and he would terminate the "bull". Rodríguez represented Puerto Rico on 12 [[World Cup (men's golf)|World Cup]] teams. In 1986, he won the [[Hispanic]] Recognition Award. In 1988, he was named [[Replica's Hispanic Man of the Year]]. ==Horse racing== Horse Racing is a sport which was first introduced to Puerto Rico by the Conquitadores. Horse Races continue to be a very popular sport in Puerto Rico til this day. During the earlier part of the 20th. century, races were held at ''[[El Comandante]]'' race track. Since 1972, ''[[El Nuevo Comandante]]'' now called "Hipodromo Camarero", in [[Canovanas, Puerto Rico|Canovanas]], has been the home of Puerto Rico's Sunday horse races, and of the annual ''[[Clasico del Caribe]]'', a race that reunites important horses from many countries. Famous jockeys include [[J. A. Garcia]] and [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame|U.S. Racing Hall of Fame]] member, [[Angel Cordero, Jr.]] Cordero is one of the leading [[thoroughbred]] [[horse racing]] [[jockey]]s of all time in terms of wins. He was the first and only Puerto Rican jockey to win all three of the [[American Classic Races]] races which consist of the [[Kentucky Derby]], [[Preakness Stakes]] and the [[Belmont Stakes]]. Two of the most famous horses in Puerto Rican history were Camarero (world record holder for consecutive wins, Bold Forbes (1976 Kentucky Derby winner) and several Clasico del Caribe winners. == Road Races == [[Road running|Road race]]s have long been a part of Puerto Rico's sporting tradition. Many important races are run annually in the island, including the ''[[Maraton de San Blas]]'' in [[Coamo, Puerto Rico|Coamo]], long considered one of the most important [[half marathon]] races in the world. The [[World's Best 10K]] (WB10K), also known as ''Maratón Teodoro Moscoso'', is a [[road race]] of 10 [[kilometer]]s celebrated in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], [[Puerto Rico]] every year. It is certified by the [[Association of International Marathons and Road Races]] (AIMS) and by the [[International Amateur Athletic Federation]] (IAAF). The event was also the first race transmitted live through the Internet, with audio, video and results. WB10K was ranked among the 20 most competitive races in the world. Famous marathon runners include: [[Jorge Gonzalez (runner)|Jorge “Peco” Gonzalez]], [[Hunga Maldonado]]. ==Martial arts== Martial arts sports, specially [[karate]], have had a marked ascent in popularity in Puerto Rico since the 1970s, when [[Bruce Lee]] and [[Jackie Chan]] movies were very popular among Puerto Rico's youth. Taekwondo Past and Present Athletes *[[Christian Claudio]] &ndash; Puerto Rican [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] Team Member, [[Author]], Public Speaker, Co-Founder Pac Banc Mortgage ==Professional wrestling== Professional wrestling has enjoyed much popularity in Puerto Rico for a long time. Matches have been televised since the 1960s, and multiple, non televised matches are held each week across the island. [[World Wrestling Council]] is the main wrestling promoter in Puerto Rico. Famous Puerto Rican wrestlers have included [[Barrabas]], [[Carlos Colon]] and his son, [[Carlitos Colon]], ''[[Los Invaders]]'', [[Savio Vega]], WWF* Hall of Famer [[Pedro Morales]], and ''[[Los Super Medicos]]''. In addition, many [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE, formerly WWF) stars, such as [[Randy Savage]], and [[Ric Flair]] fought in Puerto Rico before. Women's wrestling has been gaining popularity in Puerto Rico since the 1990s. ==Sailing== Sailing as a sport has picked up in popularity in Puerto Rico since the middle 1990s, under the leadership of [[Enrique Figueroa]] and his wife, [[Carla Malatrasi]]. The pair have combined to win many international medals, and they competed at the 2000 [[Sydney, Australia|Sydney]] [[Olympic Games]]. Figueroa also participated at the 1992 [[Barcelona]] Olympics. On [[February 2]], [[2004]], Figueroa and fellow teammate Jorge Hernandez, won the [[Olympic Games Rolex Regatta]]. They were named champions by topping 29 entries in the tornado fleet. The [[regatta]] winners had their sights set on the [[2004 Olympic Games|2004 Olympics]] and Partalympic Games in [[Athens, Greece]]. 503 sailors participated with a fleet of 323 boats representing 39 nations. Figueroa went to the 2004 Olympic Games and represented Puerto Rico. ==Football== :''Football, also known as soccer refers to "Association Football", known in [[Spanish language|Spanish]] as "fútbol"'' [[Image:Magath2.jpg|right|130px|thumb|Felix Magath]] Football, unlike many of the Latin American countries, mainly because of the high American culture influence on the Island, did not enjoy high popularity during the 20th century. But since the new millennium it has slowly increased its fan base on the island. [[Puerto Rico]] has a [[FIFA]] sponsored federation, the [[Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol]] and a Senior National Team which is ranked 193 by [[FIFA]]. [[Puerto Rico]] has never fared well in international competitions and has not played since 2004. Current federation president Jose Serralta has stated that they will field a team for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers, but its main goal is to develop a team for the 2010[[Central American and Caribbean Games]] in [[Mayaguez]], [[Puerto Rico]]. There are professional leagues in [[Puerto]] Rico but there is a professional team, the [[Puerto Rico Islanders]], which play in the [[USL First Division|United Soccer Leagues First Division]],the second tier of the [[American Soccer Pyramid]], with rumors of more Puerto Rican pro teams to join the same league in the future. Since the creation of the Islanders several Puerto Rican pro football players have been classified as Baloneros Boricuas, including Marcos Velez, [[Alexis Rivera Curet]], and [[Yuri Morales]]. In 2008 the first profesional league of Puerto Rico the [[Puerto Rico Soccer League]] was created. Theres also to Semi-Pro leagues in [[Puerto Rico]], the Liga Premier and the Liga Mayor, with teams like [[Club Atletico River Plate Puerto Rico]] and [[Club de Fútbol Fraigcomar]]. [[Felix Magath]], whose mother is [[German people|German]], is the first person of Puerto Rican descent to play in the [[FIFA World Cup]] representing [[Germany]] in 1982 and 1986. ==Softball== Women's softball has enjoyed certain popularity in Puerto Rico. The women's national softball team has won many international events and participated at many Olympics. [[Lisa Fernandez]] has represented the United States as member of the U.S. Women's Olympic Softball Team, winning gold medals in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia and in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. She established a women's softball record when she struck out 25 members of the women's Australian Olympic Softball Team. [[Ivelisse Echevarria]] who in 2003 was inducted into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame is also considered by many to be the greatest pitcher born in Puerto Rico. Ten Puerto Ricans have been inducted into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame so far. The ten Puerto Ricans in International Softball Federation Hall of Fame are: Juan Pachot, Carlos Velazquez Class of 1997; Ismael "Chavalillo" Delgado, Jorge Tanco, [[Alejandro Cruz|Alejandro "Junior" Cruz]] Class of 1993 and Ivelisse Echevarria, Betty Segarra, Clara Vazquez, Jose "Tuto" Agosto, Rafi Serrano Class of 2003. ==Swimming (competitive)== [[Jesse Vassallo|Jesus "Jesse" Vassallo]], is considered by many to be the greatest swimmer to have been born in Puerto Rico. In 1997, he became the first and so far the only Puerto Rican to be inducted into the [[International Swimming Hall of Fame]]. He currently heads the Puerto Rico Swimming Federation. In 1966, 17-year-old [[Anita Lallande]] set a new record in the Central American and Caribbean Games celebrated in San Juan, when she won a total of 10 gold medals. [[Fernando J. Canales]] was a 100 meter freestyle finalist in the 1978 Berlin World Championships, earning a 5th place. He was the "first" Puerto Rican swimmer to final in the World Championships. He earned 5 gold medals and 1 silver medal during the 1978 Central American Championships in [[Medellín]], [[Colombia]]. He became the first Puerto Rican to medal in the [[Pan American Games]] by winning silver in the 100 meters free in 1979 (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and repeating that feat in 1983 (Caracas, Venezuela). [[Maritza Correia]], is the first black Puerto Rican woman in history to make the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team. She earned a silver medal swimming prelims of the 4oom free relay at the [[2004 Olympic Games]] celebrated in [[Athens]], [[Greece]]. Years after the demolition of the Escambrón Swimming Complex, San Juan Mayor [[Jorge Santini]] will open the new roofed San Juan Natatorium, developed by San Juan Sports Director [[María Elena Batista]], herself a former Olympic Swimmer. The official opening of the San Juan Natatorium was [[December 15]], [[2006]]. A second natatorium is scheduled to open in time for the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayagüez. ==Tennis== Tennis is not very popular as a fan sport in Puerto Rico, however, many Puerto Ricans practice it as a means of exercise. It should be noted, though, that the 1984 television match between [[Martina Navratilova]] and [[Gigi Fernandez]] was one of the most watched events of the year in Puerto Rican television. Gigi Fernandez is arguably Puerto Rico's most famous tennis player ever, having won doubles championships in Grand Slam tournaments, including [[Wimbledon championships|Wimbledon]], winning gold medals for the USA doubles team in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, being ranked no. 1 in the world for women's doubles tournaments, and being ranked among the top 30 singles players for most of her career. She is widely considered to be one of the greatest doubles players of all time. [[Kristina Brandi]] is the "first" Puerto Rican tennis player to win an [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] tennis match representing Puerto Rico. Brandi represented Puerto Rico in the [[2004 Olympics]], celebrated in [[Athens, Greece]], where she beat [[Jelena Kostanic]] from [[Croatia]] (7-5 and 6-1). [[Charlie Pasarell]] was another noted Puerto Rican Tennis player, having defeated [[Pancho Gonzalez]] in one of Wimbledon's most famous games ever. [[Rafael Jordan]] was a player that many considered had potential to become a men's professional tour champion, but he died after an automobile accident during the mid 1990s. ==Track and Field== [[Image:Rebekah Coleberg.JPG|thumb|Rebekah Colberg]] Track and Field has been another sport of note in Puerto Rico. Most schools there base their field days only on track and field events. Many Puerto Rican runners, hurlers and throwers have participated at the Olympics. Famous Puerto Rican track and fielders include: [[Rebekah Colberg]] and [[Angelita Lind]]. Rebekah Colberg, also known as "The Mother of Women's Sports in Puerto Rico", from 1932-1946, for fourteen consecutive years was Puerto Rico's [[tennis]] champion. In 1938, she won two [[gold medal]]s at the IV [[Centroamerican and Caribbean Games]], celebrated in [[Panama]], in the [[discus]] and [[javelin]] events. In 1946, when the games were celebrated in [[Mexico]], she won a gold medal in [[softball]]. While studying for her Masters Degree at Columbia University, she was in the university's [[field hockey]] and [[lacrosse]] championship teams. She was also a member of the undefeated women's [[basketball]] team of the University of Mexico. Angelita, known as "The Angel of Puerto Rico", has represented the island and participated in three [[Central American and Caribbean Games]] (CAC) and won two [[gold medal]]s, three [[silver medal]]s and one [[bronze medal]]. She also participated in three [[Pan American Games]] and in the [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Olympics]] celebrated in [[Los Angeles, California]]. ==Volleyball== [[Image:PR Volibol logo.JPG|right|thumb|Puerto Rico Volleyball Federation logo]] Puerto Rico's Volleyball Federation was founded in 1958, the first men's tournament organized was the 'Torneo Preolimpico'. The federation's first president was Jose L. Purcell. Ten years later the Women's League was established. Long considered the dormant sport among major sports in Puerto Rico, Volleyball has enjoyed much popularity since the 1990s, both in its professional and beach volleyball versions. Puerto Rico's ''Liga Superior de Voleibol'' has thrived in recent years, both in the men's and women's tournaments. In 1970, most of Puerto Rico's national women's volleyball team's members were killed when a plane that was flying them to [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]] from the [[Dominican Republic]] crashed shortly after take-off. In 1997, debut of foreign player in Women League. The most dominated are [[Laura Salinas]] from Monterrey, Mexico, lead the Mexican national team to several international competition. The foreign player debut in Men's League in 2000. Some of Puerto Rico's famous volleyball players are [[Willie De Jesus]], [[Raul Papaleo]] and [[Héctor Soto]]. Papaleo and Ramón 'Monchito' Hernández participated in 2004 Olympic Games in Athens in Beach Volleyball, first ever volleyball team in the Island Olympic history. Hector "Picky" Soto is the first Latin American player that has led the scoring in the World Championship's history. Soto won the Best Scorer award in 2006 FIVB World Championship in Japan and 2007 FIVB World Cup in Japan. During the World Cup, he scored 43 point against Korea, in the process establishing a scoring record. Outside of his international performance, Soto has played in the professional leagues of Italy, Tunisia, Japan and Russia. ==See also== {{portalpar|Puerto Rico}} *[[List of famous Puerto Ricans#Sports|List of famous Puerto Ricans - Sports]] *[[List of Puerto Rico-related topics]] *[[World's Best 10K]] (Maratón Teodoro Moscoso) *[[International Wrestling Association]] *[[World Wrestling Council]] ==References== {{reflist}} == External links== *[http://www.olimpur.com/ Comite Olímpico de Puerto Rico] *[http://www.fpvoleibol.com Federación Puertorriqueña de Voleibol] *[http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=3231&pID=11 Federacion de Baloncesto de Puerto Rico] *[http://fpba.tripod.com/ Federación Puertorriqueña de Boxeo Aficionado] *[http://www.fedefutbolpr.com/default.html Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol] {{Sports in North America}} {{Sport in Central and South America and the Caribbean}} [[Category:History of Puerto Rico]] [[Category:Sports in Puerto Rico| ]] [[ja:プエルトリコのスポーツ]]