Athletics: English Vocabulary List

the sport of competing in track and field events, including running races and various competitions in jumping and throwing

"School athletics program."

"She participates in school athletics and runs very fast in competitions every year successfully."

a series of sporting games in which teams or players compete against different rivals in different rounds until only one remains and that is the winner

"The tournament starts soon."

"The tournament brought together the best players in the region."

a group of sports clubs or players who compete against each other and are put together based on the points they have gained through the season

"The league is competitive."

"The soccer league consists of twenty teams that play each other twice every season once at home and once away before playoffs begin."

a person who watches sport competitions closely

"Each spectator cheered for their team."

"The excited spectator cheered loudly for his favorite team during the football match."

any type of sports that include fighting which are especially originated in the Far East, such as judo, kung fu, etc.

"Martial arts require discipline."

"She studies martial arts every week."

an official who is in charge of a game, making sure the rules are obeyed by the players

"The referee blew the whistle."

"The referee made a fair decision and kept the game under control."

to enforce the rules by presiding over a match or contest in sports such as baseball, cricket, and tennis

"He umpires baseball games on weekends."

"The experienced official was chosen to umpire the championship baseball game because he was known for making fair and accurate calls."

a sporting contest typically consisting of swimming, cycling, and running taking place in three different events

"Complete first triathlon."

"She trained hard for many months to complete her first triathlon successfully last summer vacation."

an athlete who is trained to perform gymnastics, especially in a competition

"Talented young gymnast."

"The talented young gymnast won gold medal in the international competition last year successfully."

having little weight or mass, making it easy to carry or move

"This jacket is lightweight."

"The lightweight jacket is perfect for spring because it keeps you warm without making you sweat at all."

an object that is awarded to the winner of a competition

"Win silver trophy."

"The team celebrated winning the big silver trophy after the final match yesterday afternoon."

the use of drugs by an athlete or racehorse in a competition in order to improve their performance

"Doping scandal shocked."

"The doping scandal shocked the entire sports world and many athletes were banned last year."

the success that is achieved in a competition, game, war, etc.

"The victory felt sweet."

"The team celebrated victory after a long and difficult season."

a running race of 26 miles or 42 kilometers

"Run first marathon."

"She trained for six months to run her first marathon successfully last year with great effort."

a sport that involves various athletic events, including running, jumping, and throwing competitions, that are held on a running track

"He competes in track and field."

"She joined the track and field team at school and specializes in running the hundred metre sprint."

a large open-air constructed area that is used for playing sports

"Sports arena full."

"The large sports arena can seat more than fifty thousand spectators during important matches every weekend."

a flat ground prepared and marked for playing particular sports, such as soccer

"Play on the pitch."

"The groundskeepers meticulously prepared the football pitch to ensure optimal playing conditions for the championship match."

a competition in which the best player or team is chosen

"Win championship title."

"The team worked very hard to win the national championship title this season successfully."

a platform surrounded with ropes on which boxing and wrestling competitions take place

"The boxers entered the ring."

"The two undefeated fighters prepared for their championship bout inside the brightly lit boxing ring."

an act of hitting or striking a ball with a bat, racket, club, cue, or hand

"His stroke was good."

"With a powerful and accurate stroke of the racket, she won the crucial point in the final set."

(baseball) a pitch that the batter swings at and misses, or that the umpire calls within the strike zone

"That was a strike."

"The batter swung hard but missed the ball, resulting in another strike."

to try to take the ball from the players of the other team, usually by forcing them down, in sports such as American football or rugby

"He will tackle the opponent."

"The formidable linebacker expertly managed to tackle the running back before he reached the end zone."

(in sports) the players of a team who are trying to score against the rival team

"The offense scored."

"The opposing team's defense struggled to contain the relentless pressure applied by our explosive offense."

the team, players, or tactics whose primary role is to prevent the opposing side from scoring or gaining advantage in a game or match

"The defense stopped them."

"The team's strong defense prevented the opposition from advancing past midfield for the entire second half."

(of two players or teams) to finish a game or competition with even scores

"They tie the game."

"The determined athletes managed to tie the score in the final minutes of the championship."

when neither player is able to win the game, typically because there are no more legal moves available or because both players agree to a draw

"The game was a draw."

"After a long and complex struggle, the players agreed to a draw due to insufficient material to force a win."

an act in a sport that is against the rules and is not allowed

"The referee whistles for a foul."

"The basketball player committed a foul when he made illegal contact with the shooter."

(in sport or law) used to show that two sides or teams are against each other

"Team A versus Team B."

"The court case was Smith versus Jones and it lasted for several weeks."

away from the roads and tracks and across the countryside

"We drove cross-country to California."

"We drove cross-country to California and saw many beautiful national parks and small towns along the way."

(in wrestling and boxing) a weight in the heaviest category which is above 91kg

"Heavyweight boxer won."

"The heavyweight boxer defended his title successfully in the big fight last weekend."

(in boxing) a weight usually between 59 and 61.2 kilograms

"Lightweight is 59 to 61.2 kg."

"The lightweight division was one of the most competitive with many talented fighters."

a type of running in which one runs full speed in a short distance

"Short sprint race."

"He won the short sprint race easily during the school sports day last week."

a group of sports players, their manager, and staff such as a soccer or baseball club

"Join the club."

"He was thrilled to be selected for the prestigious soccer club, a team known for its winning tradition."