The Best Country at Every Team Sport

Have you ever wondered which country is the best in each sport?
To answer this question, a detailed rubric was developed to evaluate the success of men’s national teams in competitions across various team sports. The rubric awards progressively more points to teams that advance further in international tournaments. This system was then used to determine the most historically successful national team in each team sport.
Based on the following article:
objectivelists.com/2023/04/23...

[@tobybw0]

South Africa should be up there with Rugby. They were not allowed to play in the World Cup till 95 and have since won it four times more than any other nation

[@martinjones2095]

I didn't know that. Makes sense. Was that because of sanctions against Apartheid?

[@objectivelists]

yes, this data should have reflected the latest world cup in which South Africa won. NZ would still be on top since they were 2nd place.

[@raycambridge8950]

It would be interesting to see the rankings from, say, the last 25 years, or so far this century.

[@objectivelists]

good idea

[@martinjones2095]

Japan makes sense in baseball, since they are absolutely crazy about it, although developed (evolved) mostly in the US and considered unofficially our national sport. Interesting you don't mention football (aka American football) which is similar to and co-evolved with Canadian football. I understand why: It really is only played in US and Canada, despite the attempt of the World Football League in the mid 70's. Why is it so popular in US and never caught fire in rest of world like basketball and baseball? I have some guesses but would be interested in other folks' thoughts.

[@objectivelists]

Yeah there is not real international competition for football involving top players, so it wasn't mentioned.

[@iicundyzz]

Probably because the rest of the world views American football as a less intense version of Rugby which is already an extreamly popular sport outside of the US

[@martinjones2095]

Your use of "intense" is thought provoking. I can see how football is "less intense" since there are so many stoppages of play for various reasons. However, baseball seems less intense as far as activity. You've got 9 defensive guys on the field and for the most part it is just the pitcher and catcher active. On the offense it is just usually the batter unless some are on bases. Despite this, baseball has found acceptance around the world. The reason I think football is not as acceptable in the world is actually because it is by far the 'most intense' of all team sports because of one distinguishing aspect. Want to guess? ;-)@@iicundyzz

[@carlosmejido3244]

Australia over South Africa for Rugby, when they have won more times and it's much much much more important for SA than for Australia in both their daily lives and their history against racism? Damn, I would even say they're on the same level as New Zealand and maybe start to be a little bit better...

[@johnjames6620]

South Africa has won the RWC 4X, LOL. When was this "objective" list done? I stopped watching after rugby. Even if done just after 2015 RWC, SA ranks above Australia!