View source for Sports in Puerto Rico

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{{Puerto Rican culture}}

'''Sports in Puerto Rico''' can be traced from the ceremonial competitions amongst the [[pre-Columbian]] Native Americans of the Arawak ([[Taíno]]) tribes who 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. One of the sports which the Taíno's played was a ball game called "Batey". The "Batey" was played in U-shaped fields two teams; however, unlike the ball games of the modern era, the winners were treated like heroes and the losers were sacrificed.

The Spanish Conquistadores who conquered the island introduced various sports such as [[horse racing]], [[cockfighting]], [[dominoes]] and a game similar to "Bowling" called "Boliche". The Spaniards however did not participate in team sports.

Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States as a result of their defeat in the 1898 [[Spanish–American War]]. American soldiers who organized games as part of their training introduced the sport of boxing and basketball to the people of Puerto Rico. The sport of baseball, which was invented in the United States, was introduced to the island by a group of Puerto Ricans and Cubans who learned the sport in the United States.

Puerto Rico participates in the Olympics as an independent nation even though it is a territory of the United States. Puerto Rico has participated as such since the 1948 Summer Olympics celebrated in London. On 2 March 1917, Puerto Ricans became citizens of the United States as a result of the enactment of the [[Jones–Shafroth Act]] (Pub.L. 64–368, 39 Stat. 951) and as such Puerto Ricans who resided in the United States mainland were and still are permitted to participate and represent that country in international sports events. However, their achievements representing the United States are part of the intertwined history of sports in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The following is the list and history of the most common sports practiced in Puerto Rico and other countries and of the Puerto Ricans or people of Puerto Rican descent who have excelled in those sports locally and/or in international events as representatives of Puerto Rico or any other country.

==Brief history of sports in Puerto Rico==

===Pre-Columbian era===
[[File:Tibes.JPG|thumb|250px|left|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 leaves, 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 number 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 [[Bartolomé 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, archaeologists 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 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ponce.inter.edu/tibes/ingles/historia.html |title=History |website=ponce.inter.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991103235020/http://ponce.inter.edu/tibes/ingles/historia.html |archive-date=1999-11-03}}</ref>

===Spanish colonization===
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]], [[cockfighting]] 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]].

===American (United States) colonization===
In the late 19th century "new" sports were introduced in Puerto Rico, after Puerto Rico became an American territory when the United States defeated Spain in the [[Spanish–American War]]. Baseball, which was invented in the United States, was introduced to the island by a group of Puerto Ricans and Cubans who learned the sport in the United States. The sport was also played by the American soldiers who organized games as part of their training. Puerto Ricans were also introduced to the sports of boxing and basketball by the occupying military forces.

==Modern era==

===Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans in the Olympic Games===
[[File:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg|200px|thumb|Flag of Puerto Rico]] [[File:Laurie Hernandez Rio 2016.jpg|200px|thumb|Laurie Hernandez]] [[File:Puig US16 (38) (29236398233).jpg|200px|thumb|Monica Puig won the first Olympic gold medal for Puerto Rico]]

Puerto Rico participates in the Olympics as an independent nation but because of Puerto Ricans having American citizenship, Puerto Rican athletes have the option of representing Puerto Rico or  moving to the United States, living there for 3 previous years or more and then representing that country in the games. Some Puerto Ricans, such as Gigi Fernández 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 a major international sporting event. The island's delegation consisted of only three members, two of which finished among the ten best in [[pole vault]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/farandula/nota/eranotrostiempos-215093| title=Eran otros tiempos| author=Alex Figueroa Cancel| publisher=Primera Hora| language=es| date=2008-07-30| access-date=2008-07-31}}</ref> In their regional participations, the Puerto Ricans had carried the United States flag into the games.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/farandula/nota/60anosdeolimpismoboricua-214804| title=60 años de olimpismo boricua| author=Alex Figueroa Cancel| publisher=Primera Hora| language=es| date=2008-07-29| access-date=2008-07-31}}</ref> 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 25 July 1952 would give the Puerto Rican delegation a flag of their own.

In 1980, the United States boycotted the Olympic Games in Moscow, Russian SFSR, USSR in protest of the [[Soviet invasion of Afghanistan]]. [[Germán 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 Caribbean Games.

The [[Puerto Rico national baseball team|Puerto Rican national baseball team]] won a bronze medal at the [[1988 Summer Olympic Games]] in Seoul, South Korea, but that medal is not counted among Puerto Rico's Olympic medals totals because baseball was only an exhibition sport during those games.

The [[1988 Winter Olympics]], officially known as the "XV Olympic Winter Games", was celebrated  in [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], [[Canada]] between 13 and 28 February. It was the first Winter Olympics ever held in Canada. It was also the first time that a Puerto Rican team was sent to represent the island in an Olympic ski competition. No Puerto Rican had ever skied in the Olympics. The six-person Puerto Rican ski team was made up of native Puerto Ricans. They were [[Félix Flechas]], [[Walter Sandza]], [[Kevin Wilson (skier)|Kevin Wilson]], his sister [[Mary Pat Wilson]] and [[Jason Edelmann]]. Mary Pat Wilson is Puerto Rico's first and only female Olympic skier. Even though the team did not do well in the competition, they were highly respected by their competitors.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/in-88-games-two-virginians-skied-for-puerto-rico/2014/01/30/70aea924-7892-11e3-8963-b4b654bcc9b2_story.html The Washington Post, "In ’88 Games, two Virginians skied for Puerto Rico"]</ref> Since then. Puerto Rico has participated in all but three of the Winter Olympic Games, missing those of 2006, 2010, and 2014.

[[Kristina Brandi]] represented Puerto Rico in the [[2004 Summer Olympics]] in [[Athens, Greece]]. She became the first tennis player representing Puerto Rico to win a singles match in an Olympic when she beat [[Jelena Kostanić]] from [[Croatia]] (7–5 and 6–1). She lost in the second round to Russian [[Anastasia Myskina]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200418070049/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/br/kristina-brandi-1.html Olympic results]</ref>

At the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in Rio de Janeiro, [[Monica Puig]] made Olympic history<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/thetorch/2016/08/13/489921211/monica-puig-makes-olympic-history-winning-puerto-rico-s-first-gold-medal Monica Puig Makes Olympic History Winning Puerto Rico's First Gold Medal]</ref> when she became the first person to win an Olympic gold medal for Puerto Rico by defeating Germany's [[Angelique Kerber]] in the [[Tennis at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's singles|women's singles tennis]] final. She became the first Puerto Rican female medalist in any sport.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/aug/13/rio-olympics-2016-us-medals-continue-to-flow-in-pool-as-solo-rant-causes-a-storm Rio Olympics: Monica Puig wins Puerto Rico's first ever gold – live!]</ref> On 2 August 2021, [[Jasmine Camacho-Quinn]] won Puerto Rico's second Olympic Gold Medal. She won the medal in the Women's 100m Hurdles in the Olympic games which were celebrated in Tokyo, Japan.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/athletics-puerto-ricos-camacho-quinn-wins-gold-womens-100m-hurdles-2021-08-02/ Puerto Ricos Camacho-Quinn Wins Gold]</ref>

===Olympics medalists===
The following table has a list of Puerto Ricans, including people of Puerto Rican ancestry, who won Olympic medals. "Puerto Rican" is a term also used to describe a resident of the United States who was "born in Puerto Rico or who traces their family ancestry to Puerto Rico."<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131218092749/http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/prnt_ed/five-million-puerto-ricans-now-living-in-the-mainland-u.s.-8675.html ''Five million Puerto Ricans now living in the mainland U.S.'']}} Caribbean Business. 27 June 2013. Vol 41. Issue 24. Retrieved 13 December 2013.</ref> Not all represented the island, some represented the United States. Puerto Ricans have won a total of 38 Olympic medals, 28 representing the United States and 10 representing Puerto Rico. 
{|class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|+[[File:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg|25px]] '''Puerto Rican Olympic Medalists'''
!#
!Name
!Medal/s
!Sport
!Year and place
!Country represented
|-
|1
|'''[[Juan Evangelista Venegas|Juan Evangelista Venegas Trinidad]]'''
|{{center|'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Men's Bantamweight Boxing}}
|1948 London, United Kingdom
|{{PUR}} 
|-
|2
|'''[[José Torres (boxer)|José Luis "Chegüí" Torres Rivera]]'''{{efn|name=born|Born in Puerto Rico.}}
|{{center|'''Silver'''}}
|{{center|Men's Light-Middleweight Boxing}}
|1956 Melbourne, Australia
|{{US}}
|-
|3
|'''[[Orlando Maldonado]]'''
|{{center|'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Men's Light-Flyweight Boxing}}
|1976, Montreal, Canada
|{{PUR}} 
|-
|4
|'''[[Luis Ortiz (Puerto Rican boxer)|Luis Ortiz Flores]]'''
|{{center|'''Silver'''}}
|{{center|Men's Lightweight Boxing}}
|1984 Los Angeles, United States
|{{PUR}} 
|-
|5
|'''[[Arístides González|Arístides González Ortiz]]'''
|{{center|'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Men's Middleweight Boxing}}
|1984 Los Angeles, United States
|{{PUR}}
|-
|6
|'''[[Aníbal Santiago Acevedo]]'''
|{{center|'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Men's Welterweight Boxing}}
|1992 Barcelona, Spain
|{{PUR}} 
|-
|7
|'''[[Gigi Fernández|Beatriz "Gigi" Fernández Ferrer]]'''{{efn|name=born}}
|{{center|'''Gold (2)'''}}
|{{center|Women's Doubles Tennis}}
|1992 Barcelona, Spain<br />1996 Atlanta, United States
|{{US}}
|-
|8
|'''[[Lisa Fernandez|Lisa Maria Fernandez]]'''{{efn|name=mother|Puerto Rican heritage comes from the mother.}}
|{{center|'''Gold (3)'''}}
|{{center|Women's Softball}}
|1996 Atlanta, United States<br />2000 Sydney, Australia<br />2004 Athens, Greece
|{{US}}
|-
|9
|'''[[Daniel Santos (boxer)|Daniel Santos Peña]]'''
|{{center|'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Men's Welterweight Boxing}}
|1996 Atlanta, United States
|{{PUR}} 
|-
|10
|'''[[Jonny Moseley|Jonathan William "Jonny" Moseley]]'''{{efn|name=born}}
|{{center|'''Gold'''}}
|{{center|Men's Mogul Freestyle Skiing}}
|1998 Nagano, Japan
|{{US}}
|-
|11
|'''[[Julie Chu|Julie Wu Chu]]'''{{efn|name=grandparent-maternal|Puerto Rican heritage comes from maternal grandparent.}}
|{{center|'''Silver (3)''',<br>'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Women's Ice Hockey}}
|2002 Salt Lake City, United States<br />2006 Turin, Italy<br />2010 Vancouver, Canada<br />2014 Sochi, Russia
|{{US}}
|-
|12
|'''[[Carmelo Anthony|Carmelo Kyam Anthony]]'''{{efn|name=father|Puerto Rican heritage comes from the father.}}
|{{center|'''Gold (3)''',<br>'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Men's Basketball}}
|2004 Athens, Greece<br />2008 Beijing, China<br />2012 London, United Kingdom<br />2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|{{US}}
|-
|13
|'''[[Maritza Correia|Maritza (Correia) McClendon]]'''{{efn|name=born}}
|{{center|'''Silver'''}}
|{{center|4×100m Freestyle Swimming}}
|2004 Athens, Greece
|{{US}}
|-
|14
|'''[[Benjamin Agosto|Benjamin Alexandro "Ben" Agosto]]'''{{efn|name=father}}
|{{center|'''Silver'''}}
|{{center|Mixed Ice Dancing Figure Skating}}
|2006 Turin, Italy
|{{US}}
|-
|15
|'''[[Jake Arrieta|Jacob Joseph "Jake" Arrieta]]'''{{efn|name=grandfather|Puerto Rican heritage comes from the grandfather.}}
|{{center|'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Men's Baseball}}
|2008 Beijing, China
|{{US}}
|-
|16
|'''[[Kyla Ross|Kyla Briana Ross]]'''{{efn|name=grandparent-maternal}}
|{{center|'''Gold'''}}
|{{center|Women's Gymnastics}}
|2012 London, United Kingdom
|{{US}}
|-
|17
|'''[[Javier Culson|Javier Culson Pérez]]'''
|{{center|'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Men's 400m Hurdles Athletics}}
|2012 London, United Kingdom
|{{PUR}} 
|-
|18
|'''[[Jaime Espinal|Jaime Yusept Espinal Fajardo]]'''
|{{center|'''Silver'''}}
|{{center|Men's 84kg Freestyle Wrestling}}
|2012 London, United Kingdom
|{{PUR}} 
|-
|19
|'''[[Jessica Steffens|Jessica Marie Steffens]]'''{{efn|name=father}}
|{{center|'''Silver''',<br>'''Gold'''}}
|{{center|Women's Water Polo}}
|2008 Beijing, China<br />2012 London, United Kingdom
|{{US}}
|-
|20
|'''[[Maggie Steffens|Margaret Ann "Maggie" Steffens]]'''{{efn|name=father}}
|{{center| '''Gold (3)'''}}
|{{center|Women's Water Polo}}
|2012 London, United Kingdom<br />2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil<br />2020 Tokyo, Japan
|{{US}}
|-
|21
|'''[[Laurie Hernandez|Lauren Zoe "Laurie" Hernandez]]'''{{efn|name=grandparents|Puerto Rican heritage comes from grandparents.}}
|{{center| '''Gold''',<br>'''Silver'''}}
|{{center|Women's Gymnastics (G),<br />Women's Balance Beam (S)}}
|2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|{{US}}
|-
|22
|'''[[Monica Puig|Monica Puig Marchán]]''' 
|{{center| '''Gold'''}}
|{{center|Women's Singles Tennis}}
|2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|{{PUR}}
|-
|23
|'''[[Jasmine Camacho-Quinn]]''' 
|{{center| '''Gold''',<br>'''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Women's 100m Hurdles Athletics}}
|2020 Tokyo, Japan<br />2024 Paris, France
|{{PUR}}
|-
|24
|'''[[Jack López|Jack Henry López Sánchez]]'''{{efn|name=born}}
|{{center| '''Silver'''}}
|{{center|Men's Baseball }}
|2020 Tokyo, Japan
|{{US}}
|-
|-
|26
|'''[[Sebastian Rivera]]'''
|{{center| '''Bronze'''}}
|{{center|Men's 65 kg Freestyle Wrestling}}
|2024 Paris, France
|{{PUR}}
|-
|}

'''Notes: Devin Booker was added as a Puerto Rican, but in fact he is of Mexican heritage''' https://www.nba.com/suns/features/suns-celebrate-rich-history-and-composition-our-community-aps-los-suns-night-tuesday and https://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/nba/id/18455058 and from a Booker interview https://www.chieftain.com/embed/video/7836433002/  {{notelist}}

{|class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|+[[File:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg|25px]] '''Total Olympic Medals'''
!Total of Medals for {{PUR}}
!Gold
!Silver
!Bronze
|-
|{{center|12}}
|{{center|2}}
|{{center|2}}
|{{center|8}}
|-
!Total of Medals for the {{US}}
!Gold
!Silver
!Bronze
|-
|{{center|28}}
|{{center|16}}
|{{center|9}}
|{{center|3}}
|-
!Total of Medals
!Gold
!Silver
!Bronze
|-
|{{center|40}}
|{{center|18}}
|{{center|11}}
|{{center|11}}
|-
|}

{|class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|+[[File:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg|25px]] '''Puerto Rican Medalists in Demonstration Olympic Sports'''
!#
!Name
!Medal/s
!Sport
!Year and place
!Country represented
|-
|1
|'''Albert Bracero'''{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
| rowspan=20| {{center|'''Bronze'''}}
| rowspan=20| {{center|Men's Baseball}}
| rowspan=20| 1988 Seoul, South Korea
| rowspan=20| {{PUR}}
|-
|2
|'''Elliot Cianchini'''
|-
|3
|'''Luis O. Dávila'''
|-
|4
|'''Jesús I. Feliciano'''
|-
|5
|'''James C. Figueroa'''
|-
|6
|'''Anthony García'''
|-
|7
|'''Efraín García'''
|-
|8
|'''Eddie Horrio'''
|-
|9
|'''José Lorenzana'''
|-
|10
|'''Víctor L. Martínez'''
|-
|11
|'''Roberto Mateo'''
|-
|12
|'''José V. Meléndez'''
|-
|13
|'''Ángel A. Morales'''
|-
|14
|'''Benedicto Poupart'''
|-
|15
|'''Mariano Quinones'''
|-
|16
|'''Luis Ramos'''
|-
|17
|'''Jorge Robles'''
|-
|18
|'''Abimael Rosario'''
|-
|19
|'''Roberto Santana'''
|-
|20
|'''Wilfredo Vélez'''
|-
|21
|'''[[Herbert Perez|Herbert J. "Herb" Pérez]]'''{{efn|Puerto Rican heritage comes from the father.}}
|{{center| '''Gold'''}}
|{{center|Men's Middleweight Taekwondo}}
|1992 Barcelona, Spain
|{{US}}
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' {{notelist}}

{|class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|+|[[File:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg|25px]] '''Total Olympic Medals in Demonstration Olympic Sports'''
!Total of Medals for {{PUR}}
!Gold
!Silver
!Bronze
|-
|{{center|1}}
|{{center|0}}
|{{center|0}}
|{{center|1}}
|-
!Total of Medals for the {{US}}
!Gold
!Silver
!Bronze
|-
|{{center|1}}
|{{center|1}}
|{{center|0}}
|{{center|0}}
|-
!Total of Medals
!Gold
!Silver
!Bronze
|-
|{{center|2}}
|{{center|1}}
|{{center|0}}
|{{center|1}}
|-
|}

===Puerto Rico at the Paralympic Games===
Puerto Rico debuted in the [[Paralympic Games]] on [[1988 Summer Paralympics|1988]].<ref name="Bustamante">{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/espanol/2008/08/21/2008-08-21_lista_la_delegacin_boricua_de_los_paralm.html| title=Lista la delegación boricua de los paralímpicos| work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]| language=es| date=2008-09-21| access-date=2008-09-07 | first=Prensa | last=Asociada}}</ref> In this event, [[Isabel Bustamante]] was awarded the first medals for the delegation, winning one gold and two silver medals in athletics.<ref name="Bustamante"/> In the [[2000 Summer Paralympics]], Alexis Pizarro became the first male athlete to win a medal for Puerto Rico, reaching bronze in athletics.<ref name="Bustamante"/>  Pizarro repeated this performance in the [[2004 Summer Paralympics]].<ref name="Bustamante"/>

On 20 August 2008, [[David Bernier]] awarded the flag of Puerto Rico to Nilda Gómez, who was selected to be the flag bearer in the opening ceremonies of the [[2008 Paralympics]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/farandula/nota/abanderanatletasqueparticiparanenjuegosparalimpicos-221495| title=Abanderan atletas que participarán en Juegos Paralímpicos| author=Omar Marrero| publisher=Primera Hora| language=es| date=2008-08-20| access-date=2008-09-07}}</ref> Three athletes that registered A-marks attended the ceremony, which also included Alexis Pizarro in athletics and Julio Reguero in sailing. Puerto Rico's first medal in this edition of the Paralympics was won by Gómez, who won bronze in [[Shooting sports|rifle shooting]].<ref name="Primera del ciclo">{{cite web| url=http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/farandula/nota/laboricuanildagomezganabronceenlosjuegosparalimpicos-227561| title=La boricua Nilda Gómez gana bronce en los Juegos Paralímpicos| publisher=Primera Hora| language=es| date=2008-09-07| access-date=2008-09-07}}</ref> She won bronze in the 10-meter trial, finishing with 489 points.<ref name="Primera del ciclo"/>

===Puerto Rico at the Special Olympics===
Puerto Rico's Special Olympics program was founded in 1970, since then it has offered services to more than a thousand athletes.<ref name="vocero"/>

In the [[2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games]], Puerto Rico won 57 medals.<ref name="vocero">{{cite web| url=http://vocero.com/noticias.asp?s=Deportes&n=76654| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011102902/http://vocero.com/noticias.asp?s=Deportes&n=76654| title=Tito Trinidad, Nestlé y Grande, aliados de Olimpiadas Especiales|  work=[[El Vocero]]| language=es| archive-date=2007-10-11| access-date=2008-09-07}}</ref>

Puerto Rico won a total of 34 medals in the [[2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games]], including 7 gold, 18 silver and 9 bronze medals. Due to the team's performance, the [[Senate of Puerto Rico]] organized a ceremony where the athletes and trainers received recognitions.<ref name="MP">{{cite web| url=http://www.senadopr.us/verfoto.asp?p=134UPCbPEUhMM&g=5KF2QE4KWCB&page=5| title=Senado Reconoce Atletas Participantes De Las Olimpiadas Especiales En Shangai| publisher=Senate of Puerto Rico|  language=es| access-date=2008-09-07}}</ref>

==Distribution and practice among sports==

===American football===
[[File:Ron Rivera (28639710560).jpg|thumb|200px|[[Carolina Panthers]] Head Coach Ron Rivera]]
[[Ron Rivera]] became the first [[National Football League|NFL]] player of Puerto Rican descent when he played for the [[Chicago Bears]] in the 1980s. In 1986, Rivera also became the first NFL player of Puerto Rican descent to win a [[Super Bowl]] championship ring.

Others who have played in the NFL are [[O.J. Santiago]] of the [[Atlanta Falcons]], [[Marco Rivera]] who played 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 played for the [[Tennessee Titans]] and [[Alvin Pearman]] who played with the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] are of Puerto Rican descent. [[Willie Colon (American football)|Willie Colon]] who was drafted by the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] in 2006 and won [[Super Bowl XLIII]] is also of Puerto Rican descent. [[Aaron Hernandez]], formerly of the [[New England Patriots]], was also of Puerto Rican descent. [[Victor Cruz (American football)|Victor Cruz]], another player of Puerto Rican descent, played for the [[New York Giants]] and was known for his salsa touchdown dance.  While all of these players are of Puerto Rican descent, there has yet to be a Puerto Rican born NFL player.

American Football has been played in the island for many decades, dating back to the installment of American military bases. Puerto Rico currently has 4 football leagues. PR Pee Wee league, for children 8-16, PRHSFL, for high school students, the newly created AFAF, for college students, and PRAFL, a semi-professional league. Although football has been in the island for so many years, it is not widely known. Many things attribute to this, for example lack of proper funding and advertising, lack of high school affiliated teams, both attributing to lack of good coaching. In July 2012, the Puerto Rico American Football Federation became a member of the [[International Federation of American Football]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ifaf.org/articles/view/1319 |title=IFAF Congress Ratifies New International Federation Structure |publisher=[[International Federation of American Football]] |date=2012-07-09 |access-date=2012-09-10}}</ref>

'''Pee Wee Football League'''
This federation has 4 divisions, with areas in: Baldrich, Parque Central, University Gardens, Parkville, Ft. Buchanan, Carolina, and lastly Caguas.<ref name="prpeewee">[http://prpeewee.com/default.aspx prpeewee]</ref> The league is played from January to March at "El Complejo Deportivo Roberto Clemente" in San Juan Saturday mornings. The following is a table with the years and weight distribution for each division:
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|-
! C Division
! B Division
! A Division
! AA Division
|-
| 8 Years - No limit
| 10 Years - No limit
| 12 Years - No limit
| 14 Years - No limit
|-
| 9 Years - No limit
| 11 Years - No limit
| 13 Years - No limit
| 15 Years - 200&nbsp;lbs
|-
| 10 Years - 105&nbsp;lbs
| 12 Years - 130&nbsp;lbs
| 14 Years - 150&nbsp;lbs
| 16 Years - 200&nbsp;lbs
|-
| 11 Years - 80&nbsp;lbs
| 12 Years - 105&nbsp;lbs
| 13 Years - 130&nbsp;lbs
|}
'''PRHSFL'''
This league has 6 Varsity teams and 3 teams at Junior Varsity level. the league is made up of 2 schools, Antilles High School Pirates, and Commonwealth Comets, and four clubs, Carolina Blittz, Bayamón Wolfpack, University Garden Dolphins, and Parque Central Blue Wave.<ref name="prpeewee"/>

'''AFAF'''
This league was founded in 2009 to rival the PRAFL and to one day be a part of local college athletics. There are four teams, Cataño Gators, San Juan Hurricanes, Carolina Blittz, and Baldrige Falcons.<ref name="prpeewee"/>

'''PRAFL''' ([[Puerto Rico American Football League]])
A semi-professional league founded in 1985, with 5 teams. The Bayamón Wolfpack, Baldrich 57 Falcons, Carolina Blitzz, Cataño Lancheros, and  Fajardo Cariduros.

The Cataño Lancheros were the 2011 PRAFL Champions.

===Baseball===
{{Main|Baseball in Puerto Rico}}

====Early history of baseball in Puerto Rico====
[[File:Old Pr baseball game poster.gif|right|200px|thumb|1924 poster announcing a game between a team from Puerto Rico (Porto Rico) and a team from New York made up of Puerto Ricans]]
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.<ref name="BPR">[https://web.archive.org/web/20010508194324/http://espanol.geocities.com/elpelotero_online/guante/puertorico.htm  Béisbol en Puerto Rico]</ref>

According to the daily newspaper ''El País'', on 11 January 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 30 January 1898 and the Borinquen once again beat the Almendares with a score of 9 to 3.<ref name="BPR"/>

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 4 November 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.<ref name="BPR"/> In the early 1920s, teams from Puerto Rico, such as the San Juan Stars, would travel to New York City and play against some of teams there which included teams made up of Puerto Ricans who lived there.

'''Modern era'''

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 notable baseball players from Puerto Rico are five Hall of Famers [[Roberto Clemente]], [[Orlando Cepeda]], [[Roberto Alomar]], [[Iván Rodríguez|Iván "Pudge" Rodríguez]] and [[Edgar Martinez]]. Another baseball player who is a Hall of Famer and who was born to a Puerto Rican father is [[Reggie Jackson|Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson]]. Also amongst the notable players or former players are [[José Cruz|Jose "Cheo" Cruz]], [[Juan González (baseball player)|Juan González]], [[Victor Pellot]], [[Jorge Posada]] and [[Bernie Williams]].

'''Chronological order of major events'''
[[File:Orlando Cepeda 1962.png|200px|thumb|Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda]] [[File:Alex Cora 2008 (cropped).jpg|200px|thumb|In 2018 Alex Cora, became the first Puerto Rican to manage a World Series winning team]]
* On 11 January 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 (East)|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 [[History of the Brooklyn 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.
* In 1951, Puerto Rico won its first and only [[Baseball World Cup]].
* In 1954, [[Rubén Gómez (baseball)|Rubén Gómez]] of the [[History of the New York Giants (NL)|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 ring]].
* In 1972, [[Roberto Clemente]] of the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] became the first Hispanic to reach 3,000 hits in what would prove to be his career's final at-bat.
* In 1973, following his death in a plane crash, Clemente became the first Puerto Rican born player to be enshrined in the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]].
* In 1984, [[Willie Hernández]] 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|José "Cheo" Cruz]] was honored by the [[Houston Astros]] when his #25 was retired by the team.
* In 1993, [[Reggie Jackson|Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson]], whose father is Puerto Rican, was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
* In 1995, [[Leon Day]], a Pitcher in the Negro leagues who played for "Los Tiburones de Aguadilla" the "Aguadilla Sharks" was inducted into the Hall of Fame. His love for the island is reflected in the fact that he is the only Hall of Famer to be enshrined with a cap of a team outside the mainland United States; his plaque depicts him as a "Aguadilla Shark".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/day-leon |title= About Leon Day |publisher= National Baseball Hall of Fame |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240104164114/https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/day-leon |archive-date= 4 January 2024 }}</ref>
* In 1999, [[Orlando Cepeda|Orlando "Peruchin" Cepeda]] became the second Puerto Rican born player to be 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, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], before moving to Washington, D.C. and becoming the [[Washington Nationals]].
* In 2011, [[Roberto Alomar]] became the third Puerto Rican born player to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
* In 2017, [[Iván Rodríguez|Iván "Pudge" Rodríguez]] became the fourth Puerto Rican born player to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
* In 2018, [[Alex Cora]] became the first Puerto Rican to manage a World Series winning team when the Boston Red Sox defeated the LA Dodgers.<ref>[http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25112018/mlb-david-price-steve-pearce-lead-boston-red-sox-world-series-win David Price, Steve Pearce lead Red Sox to World Series title]</ref>
* In 2019, [[Edgar Martinez]] became the fifth Puerto Rican born player to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

====Currently====
[[File:Puerto Rico national team logo.gif|thumb|200px|Puerto Rico national baseball team logo]]
Puerto Rico has a winter baseball league named the [[Puerto Rico 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 five teams:
* [[Criollos de Caguas (baseball)|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'')
* [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (baseball)|Cangrejeros de Santurce]] ([[Santurce, Puerto Rico|Santurce]] ''Crabbers'')
The [[Puerto Rico national baseball team]] competes in international events, including the [[World Baseball Classic]], separately from the United States. [[Hiram Bithorn Stadium]] in San Juan has hosted first-round games in each of the first three World Baseball Classic tournaments.

===Basketball===

====Early history of basketball in Puerto Rico====
[[File:J.J. Barea Mavs.jpg|right|200px|thumb|José Juan "J.J." Barea]]
Basketball was used by the American soldiers in Puerto Rico as part of their physical training. When the soldiers played basketball, they used a plain straw basket which was cut open at both ends and placed 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.<ref name="BenPR">[http://www.freewebs.com/bobbyjoehatton/historiadelbaloncesto.htm El Baloncesto llegó a Puerto Rico a raiz de la guerra Hispanoamericana]</ref>

In 1913, the [[YMCA]] of Puerto Rico organized the first game played using the official rules of basketball and in 1916, the YMCA organized the first basketball tournament in Puerto Rico. Teams organized in the other YMCAs 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.<ref name="BenPR"/>

Basketball became a popular sport in Puerto Rico, due 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. There is also a women's professional league, which is affiliated to the BSN. [[Street basketball]] is also popular among Puerto Rico's youth.<ref name="BenPR"/>

'''Chronological order of major events'''
* In 1913, the first game of basketball was played in Puerto Rico.
* In 1916, the first basketball tournament in Puerto Rico was organized.
* [[Butch Lee|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]]. Lee was also the first Puerto Rican to play on the NBA play-offs as a member of the [[1979–80 Los Angeles Lakers season|1979–80]] [[Los Angeles Lakers]]. He was awarded an NBA Championship ring, even though he did not participate in [[1980 NBA Finals|that season's]] [[NBA Finals]] because of his injuries.
* [[José Ortiz (basketball)|José Ortiz]] "Piculin" was signed by the [[Utah Jazz]] in 1988.
* In 1988, [[Ramón Rivas]] followed Ortiz two weeks later, being signed by the [[Boston Celtics]].
* [[Dick Versace]] became the first person of Puerto Rican descent to coach an NBA team in 1988. He was the head coach of the [[Indiana Pacers]] from 1988 to 1990.
* In 1989, [[Ramón Ramos]] was signed by the [[Portland Trail Blazers]], but he never played because of a life-changing accident.
* In 2000, [[Daniel Santiago]] was signed to play for the [[Phoenix Suns]].
* In 2001, [[Carlos Arroyo]] was signed by the [[Toronto Raptors]].
* In 2004, Puerto Rico's national basketball team became the first team to defeat the United States team in the Olympic competitions of Athens.
* In 2011, [[José Juan Barea]] became the first Puerto Rican to play in the NBA Finals for a championship-winning team, the [[Dallas Mavericks]].
* In 2015, [[Carla Cortijo]] became the first Puerto Rican born female to play in the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA). Her position in the [[Atlanta Dream]] was that of guard.<ref>[http://www.wnba.com/player/carla-cortijo/ WNBA]</ref>
* In 2016, [[Carmelo Anthony]], whose father is Puerto Rican, won his third Olympic Gold Medal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as member of the U.S. Olympic Basketball Team.
* The [[Portland Trail Blazers]] [[Maurice Harkless]] played for the Puerto Rican National Team in 2016<ref>{{cite web|last=Koivisto|first=Kris|url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/moe-harkless-having-too-much-fun-puerto-rico-national-team|title=MOE HARKLESS IS HAVING TOO MUCH FUN WITH THE PUERTO RICO NATIONAL TEAM|work=NBA.com|date=11 August 2015|access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref> and [[Shabazz Napier]] also with Portland has been in multiple talks since 2012 about joining Puerto Rico's national team.<ref>[http://www.basquetplus.com/nota-22099-olmos-hemos-hecho-todo-y-mas-para-conseguir-a-napier Olmos: "Hemos hecho todo y más para conseguir a Napier"]</ref>

====International Puerto Rican Basketball players====
[[Puerto Rican national basketball team|Puerto Rico's national basketball team]] has reached the Olympic Games multiple times, including the [[2004 Athens Olympics]], 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.

Puerto Ricans have also been members of the [[Harlem Globetrotters]]. In 1995, [[Orlando Antigua]], whose mother is Puerto Rican, became the first non-black in 52 years to play for the [[Harlem Globetrotters]].<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9900E3DD1239F93BA15751C1A963958260 New York Times - A Non-Black Player Joins Globetrotters]</ref> In 2008, [[Orlando Melendez]] a.k.a. "El Gato" became the first Puerto Rican-born player and the second Hispanic to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/espn/hispanicheritage2008/news/story?id=3641638 ESPN - Sports]</ref>

===Bobsled===
Puerto Rico had a Bobsled team in the 1992, 1994 and 1998 [[Winter Olympics]].

===Boxing===
{{Main|Boxing in Puerto Rico}}

====Early history of boxing in Puerto Rico====
[[File:Juan Evangelista Venegas.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Juan Evangelista Venegas]]
The sport of [[boxing]] was also introduced by the United States military which occupied Puerto Rico and, just as basketball was, boxing was used by the American 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 15 January 1899.

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. In 1917, [[Nero Chen]] became the first Puerto Rican professional boxer to gain international recognition.<ref name="PPNY">"Pioneros Puertorriqueños en Nueva York"; by Joaquin Colon Lopez; pages: 229, 230; Publisher: Arte Publico Press (November 2001); {{ISBN|978-1-55885-335-5}}; {{ISBN|978-1-55885-335-5}}</ref> 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 (Puerto Rican boxer)|Luis Ortiz]] in 1984. That silver medal is the only silver medal ever won by any Puerto Rican native 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 Olympics]].

====Professional boxing====
[[File:John Ruiz.jpg|200px|right|thumb|John Ruiz]]
There are fourteen Puerto Ricans in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]], they are Puerto Rico's first world champion [[Sixto Escobar]], [[Wilfred Benítez]], [[Wilfredo Gómez]], [[Carlos Ortiz (boxer)|Carlos Ortíz]], [[Edwin Rosario]], [[Pedro Montañez]], [[José Torres (boxer)|José Chegui Torres]], [[Joe Cortez]] (referee), [[Herbert Lewis Hardwick|Herbert "Cocoa Kid" Hardwick]], [[Félix Trinidad|Felix "Tito" Trinidad]], [[Hector Camacho|Hector "Macho" Camacho]], [[Mario Rivera Martino]] (writer), [[Miguel Cotto]] and [[Ivan Calderon (boxer)|Ivan Calderon]]. Benítez (The youngest champion in boxing's history) as of 23 May 1981, was the youngest three-time world champion after knocking out World Junior Middleweight champion [[Maurice Hope]]. Hardwick, was a member of the feared "[[Murderers' Row|Black Murderers' Row]]".<ref name="BR">[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/kid_cocoa.html International Boxing Hall of Fame]</ref> The late Mario Rivera Martino, served Puerto Rican boxing for more than 50 years as a writer and eventual commissioner.<ref>[https://www.badlefthook.com/2018/12/5/18127713/international-boxing-hall-of-fame-reveals-class-of-2019 International Boxing Hall of Fame reveals class of 2019]</ref>

Other boxers from Puerto Rico which have excelled in the sport include: [[Carlos De Leon]], [[Ossie Ocasio]], [[Alfredo Escalera]], [[Belinda Laracuente]], [[John Ruiz]] who made history by becoming boxing's first Latin American world Heavyweight champion ever, after beating [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] world champ [[Evander Holyfield]], [[Alex Sánchez (boxer)|Alex Sánchez]], [[Samuel Serrano]], [[Amanda Serrano]] (no relation), [[Ada Vélez]], who is the first Puerto Rican-native [[Women's boxing]] world champion and [[Jose Miguel Cotto]].

In 2006, Puerto Rican [[Miguel Santana]] made boxing history by becoming the fighter who waited the longest after a title bout to have a losing world title bout recognized as a mistake by a major organization. The IBF recognized Santana's challenge of IBF Lightweight champion [[Greg Haugen]] (who originally beat Santana by an eleventh round technical decision) as erroneous because of a fight-fixing and betting scandal that took place during the era the contest happened, and gave Santana a special recognition.

'''Chronological order of major events'''
{{external media
| float  = right
| audio1 = You may watch '''Wilfred Benítez''' vs. '''Antonio Cervantes''', [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwVzbGMU5vk '''here''']
| audio2 = and a documentary titled '''Puerto Rico's Finest Fighters''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYGQ8D5djU '''here''']
}}
* On 15 January 1899, the first boxing match was held in Puerto Rico.
* In 1917, [[Nero Chen]] became the first Puerto Rican professional boxer to gain international recognition.
* In May 1927, boxing was legalized in Puerto Rico by an order signed by US appointed governor  Horace Mann Towner.
* On 26 June 1934, [[Sixto Escobar]] became the first Puerto Rican to win an undisputed world championship
* On 11 June 1937, [[Herbert Lewis Hardwick|Herbert "Cocoa Kid" Hardwick]], a Welterweight, became the first Hispanic to win a title in the World Colored Championships.
* In 1948, boxer [[Juan Evangelista Venegas]] earned Puerto Rico's first Bronze Olympic medal.
* In 1956, [[José Torres (boxer)|José Torres]] won a Silver Olympic Medal for the United States at the junior middleweight division at the Olympics held in Melbourne.
* In 1972, [[Esteban De Jesús]] won a ten-round decision, in [[Madison Square Garden]], over undefeated Lightweight champion [[Roberto Durán]] in a televised bout.
* On 1 September 1973, [[José Roman (boxer)|José Roman]] made sports history by becoming the first Puerto Rican to fight for the World Heavyweight title when he fought and lost to World Heavyweight champion [[George Foreman]] in [[Tokyo, Japan]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Jose_Roman | title=Jose Roman - BoxRec }}</ref>
* On 20 February 1976, the first Heavyweight title fight in Puerto Rico was celebrated in San Juan between Muhammad Ali and Jean Coopman, Ali being the victor.
* On 6 March 1976, [[Wilfred Benítez]] became the youngest world champion in history at 17 years old.
* On 21 May 1977, Wilfredo Gómez won the WBC Super Bantamweight Championship. He eventually had a streak of 32 knockouts in a row.
* In 1980, [[Alberto Mercado]] represented Puerto Rico in the [[Moscow, Russia|Moscow]] Olympics. He was the only "American" citizen to actually participate in those Olympics.
* On 25 November 1980, [[Carlos De León]] became the first Latin to be world's Cruiserweight champion.
* On 30 January 1982, Wilfred Benítez outpointed legendary fighter [[Roberto Durán]] over 15 rounds.
* On 3 December 1982, the [[Carnival of Champions|only time Wilfred Benítez and Wilfredo Gómez fight on the same program]], Gomez defeats [[Lupe Pintor]] by a knockout in 14 rounds, while Benitez lasts 15 rounds with [[Thomas Hearns]], but loses by decision.
* On 20 May 1983, [[Edwin Rosario]] outpoints [[Jose Luis Ramirez]] over 12 rounds by unanimous decision (three judges scoring the bout 115-113) to win the vacant World Boxing Council's Lightweight title, his first of three reigns as world Lightweight champion and four world championship reigns overall. 
* In 1984, [[Luis Ortiz (Puerto Rican boxer)|Luis Ortiz]] earned Puerto Rico's first Silver Olympic medal.
* In 1991, [[Carlos Ortiz (boxer)|Carlos Ortiz]] became the first Puerto Rican inducted into the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].
* In 1994, Wilfred Benítez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
* In 1995, Wilfredo Gómez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
* In 1997, José Torres was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
* On 19 January 2001, [[Ada Vélez]] became the first Puerto Rican to win a women's world boxing championship.
* On 3 March 2001, [[John Ruiz]] became the first Hispanic to be crowned Heavyweight champion of the world after beating [[Evander Holyfield]].
* In 2002, Sixto Escobar was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
* In 2006, Edwin Rosario was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
* In 2007, Pedro Montañez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
* In 2011, [[Joe Cortez]] became the first Puerto Rican boxing referee to be inducted into the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]]
* On 10 June 2012, Herbert Lewis Hardwick a.k.a. "Cocoa Kid" was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.<ref>[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/kid_cocoa.html Boxing Hall of Fame]</ref>
* On 4 June 2014, [[Félix Trinidad|Félix "Tito" Trinidad]] was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2014 Boxing Hall of Fame Class |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207155233/http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/2014-boxing-hall-fame-class-21098855 |archive-date=2013-12-07 |url-status=dead |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/2014-boxing-hall-fame-class-21098855}}</ref>
* In 2016, [[Hector Camacho]],  a.k.a. Hector "Macho" Camacho, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
* In 2018, the late Mario Rivera Martino, became the first Puerto Rican boxing sports writer and commissioner to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Among the international boxers who fought in Puerto Rico in a title bout are [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Roberto Durán]], and [[Alexis Argüello]]. The 1970s became known in Puerto Rico as ''the golden era of Borinquen's (Puerto Rico's) Boxing''.
{{Puerto Ricans in the International Boxing Hall of Fame}}

===Cockfights===
[[File:PR Cockfight.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Puerto Rican cockfighting ring, circa 1937]]
Unlike in most states of the United States, [[cockfighting]] was legal in Puerto Rico until 2018, and there are many places that draw large crowds to see bantams fighting every weekend. It is known as the Gentleman's 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.

In 2018, the United States announced that it would ban cockfights in all its territories, including Puerto Rico. The ban began in January 2019.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.telemundo51.com/noticias/puerto-rico/Congreso-de-Estados-Unidos-ley-para-prohibir-peleas-de-gallos-Puerto-Rico-Islas-Virgenes-502665552.html | title=EEUU prohíbe las peleas de gallos en todos sus territorios }}</ref>

===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 16 August 2003, [[Mark Watring]]l from the town of Aguadilla, represented the United States in the [[Pan American Games]] celebrated in the [[Dominican Republic]]. There he won the "Gold Medal" with a final total of 13.66 penalties compared to the 21.87 posted by Mexico. When presented with the Gold Medal, Watring unfurled and waved the [[Puerto Rican Flag]]. This win secured a berth in the [[2004 Olympic Game]]s in [[Athens]], Greece. Watring represented Puerto Rico in the 2004 Olympics.

===Fencing===
Fencing in Puerto Rico has become popular ever since [[David "Quique" Bernier]], Victor Bernier and the brothers 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]], among many other international events.

===Golf===
While [[golf]] is not very popular in Puerto Rico, there are many golf courses across the island such as the one at [[Club Deportivo del Oeste]]. 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. Rodríguez developed his signature "[[Torero (bullfighter)|toreador]] dance", where he would make believe that the birdie was a "bull" and that his [[Golf club (equipment)#Club 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 Conquistadores. 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 [[Canóvanas, Puerto Rico|Canóvanas]], 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.

Notable jockeys include [[Miguel Rivera (jockey)|Miguel A. Rivera]], who won the [[1974 Preakness Stakes]] and [[Belmont Stakes|1974 Belmont Stakes]] aboard [[Little Current]], 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]] which consist of the [[Kentucky Derby]], [[Preakness Stakes]] and the [[Belmont Stakes]]. Two of the most famous horses in Puerto Rican history were [[Camarero]], a world record holder for consecutive wins, and [[1976 Kentucky Derby]] winner, [[Bold Forbes]].

===Road running===

[[Road running]] 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, and the [[Ponce Marathon]].

The [[World's Best 10K]] (WB10K), also known as ''Maratón Teodoro Moscoso'', is a [[10K run]] celebrated in [[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. Notable marathon runners include: [[Jorge González (Puerto Rican runner)|Jorge "Peco" González]] and Hunga Maldonado.

===Martial arts===
Martial arts sports, especially [[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.

===Olympic-style wrestling===
[[Jaime Espinal]] won a silver medal for Puerto Rico at the 84&nbsp;kg Men's freestyle category at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London, earning Puerto Rico its second ever silver medal at the Olympics, its first since boxer Luis Ortiz in 1984, and its first Olympic medal in wrestling.

===Professional wrestling===
{{main|Professional wrestling in Puerto Rico}}
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 Colón, Sr.|Carlos Colón]] and his sons, [[Carlito Colón|Carlito]] and [[Primo 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 with performers like La Tigresa, and Black Rose.

Two Puerto Ricans have been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. They are Pedro Morales (1995) and Carlos Colon (2014).

===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 Olympic Games]]. Figueroa also participated at the [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Olympics]]. On 2 February 2004, Figueroa and teammate Jorge Hernández, 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 Paralympic 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.

===Fútbol (soccer)===
{{main|Football in Puerto Rico}}
The sport known as "soccer" in the United States, is also known and referred to as "Fútbol" or in the Spanish language as "balompié". 
[[File:Islanderspuertorico.JPG|right|230px|thumb|Line-up of the [[Puerto Rico Islanders]] as of 2008–09]]
Puerto Rico has a Puerto Rico Soccer League which is sponsored by the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol. Fútbol, unlike in many of the other Latin American countries, mainly because of the strong 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 106 by [[FIFA]]. [[Puerto Rico]] has only made it as far as the second round or regional play for a [[World Cup Qualifier]], this was in 2008 when it beat [[Dominican Republic]] 1-0 in the first round and lost against [[Honduras]] in the second round with an aggregate score of 6-2.

[[Puerto Rico]] currently has a professional league called the [[Puerto Rico Soccer League]] which was founded in 2008 and is composed of 8 teams. It also had the [[Puerto Rico Islanders]], which played in the [[North American Soccer League (2010)|North American Soccer League]], the second tier of the [[American Soccer Pyramid]]. The team has been defunct since 2012; however, in June 2015 a new NASL team, [[Puerto Rico FC]], was announced.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2015/06/11/carmelo-anthonys-puerto-rico-fc-joins-north-american-soccer-league | title=Carmelo Anthony's Puerto Rico FC Joins NASL }}</ref>
In 2017, [[Puerto Rico Sol]] became the first women's pro soccer club in the Caribbean.

The following are among the players who have played for Puerto Rico: [[Héctor Ramos]], [[Alexis Rivera Curet]], [[Andrés Cabrero]]. There are several other Puerto Rican players or players of Puerto Rican descent playing abroad in foreign leagues.

===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 Echevarría]] 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 Velasquez Class of 1997; Ismael "Chavalillo" Delgado, Jorge Tanco, [[Alejandro Cruz (politician)|Alejandro "Junior" Cruz]] Class of 1993 and Ivelisse Echevarria, Betty Segarra, Clara Vazquez, Jose "Tuto" Agosto, Rafi Serrano Class of 2003.

[[Softball Superior Nacional]], a semi-professional women's softball league, exists in Puerto Rico.

===Swimming (competitive)===
[[File:Olympic Medalist Maritza Correia takes the Pledge (25899205524).jpg|250px|thumb|Olympic Medalist Maritza Correia]]
[[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 Cañales]] 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&nbsp;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 400m 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]] opened 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 15 December 2006. A second natatorium was scheduled to open in time for the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayagüez.

On 19 May 2012, [[Orlando Fernández (swimmer)|Orlando Fernández]], also known as "The Puerto Rican [[Aquaman]]", became the first Puerto Rican to swim  across the [[Strait of Gibraltar]].<ref>[http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/nota/cruceanadoenlaplayadeponceesteseptiembre-540042/ Cruce a Nado en la Playa de Ponce este septiembre]</ref>

===Tennis===
[[File:Gigi Fernandez.jpg|thumb|250px|Gigi Fernandez, as a tennis ambassador, speaking at a Hispanic Engagement Tennis Event]]
Tennis is not very popular as a fan sport in Puerto Rico, but many Puerto Ricans practice it as a means of exercise. The 1984 television match between [[Martina Navratilova]] and [[Gigi Fernández]] was one of the most watched events of the year in Puerto Rican television. Gigi Fernández 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]], where she beat [[Jelena Kostanić]] from [[Croatia]] (7-5 and 6-1).

[[Charlie Pasarell]] was another noted Puerto Rican Tennis player. He lost to [[Pancho Gonzalez]] in 1969, in the second longest singles match by number of games before the introduction of the tiebreaker. It took Pancho Gonzales 112 games to defeat Charlie Pasarell in the first round 22–24, 1–6, 16–14, 6–3, 11–9.

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.

[[Monica Puig]] became the first person to win an Olympic Gold Medal for Puerto Rico at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]]. She defeated Germany's Angelique Kerber in the women's singles tennis final.<ref name="MP"/>

===Track and field===
[[File:2012-06-07 Bislett Games Javier Culson01.jpg|200px|thumb|Javier Culson]]
Track and Field, also known as athletics, has been another noteworthy sport in Puerto Rico, with Puerto Rican runners, hurlers and throwers have participated at the [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] and [[Paralympic Games]] with two and five medals, respectively, as of 2021. Most schools base their field days only on track and field events.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=González Parés|first=Francisco Javier|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2420170734|title=Exclusión educativa: Análisis histórico-crítico de las políticas públicas educativas implantadas en el Departamento de Educación de Puerto Rico desde la perspectiva de la colonialidad del poder y del saber 1999–2018|publisher=[[University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus]]|year=2020|pages=253–254|language=es|trans-title=Educational Exclusion: Historical-Critical Analysis of the Educational Public Policies Implemented in the Puerto Rico Department of Education from the Perspective of the Coloniality of Power and Knowledge 1999–2018|chapter=Análisis de cartas circulares|id={{ProQuest|2420170734}} |trans-chapter=Circular Letter Analysis|url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[Enrique Laguerre]] held it in high regard for its nature as a "fair [or loyal] competition".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Plasencia|first=Gonzalo|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/302918757|title=Deporte y juegos en el ensayo hispánico contemporáneo|publisher=[[City University of New York]]|year=1979|pages=5|language=es|trans-title=Sport and Games in the Contemporary Hispanic Essay|chapter=Introduction|trans-chapter=Introduction|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904170924/https://media.proquest.com/media/pq/classic/doc/761094001/fmt/ai/rep/SPDF?cit%3Aauth=PLASENCIA%2C+GONZALO&cit%3Atitle=DEPORTE+Y+JUEGOS+EN+EL+ENSAYO+HISPANICO+CONTEMPORANEO.&cit%3Apub=ProQuest+Dissertations+and+Theses&cit%3Avol=&cit%3Aiss=&cit%3Apg=&cit%3Adate=1979&ic=true&cit%3Aprod=ProQuest+One+Academic&_a=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%2BgIBToIDA1dlYooDHENJRDoyMDIxMDkwNDE3MDQyMjk4Nzo5MzQzNjM%3D&_s=zRP9AGdjyo3YqBHOQ2uptJMI5BM%3D|archive-date=2021-09-04|id={{ProQuest|302918757}} }}</ref> It is taken to be one of the sports that should be considered outside of the traditional baseball, volleyball and basketball offerings, for children with [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]], as "the child manages to function better in sports where the emphasis is on improving their own performance".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rodriguez Colón|first=Edna Margarita|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/275851664|title=Estrategias para el manejo de conducta de hijos con trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad: Adiestramiento a padres de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Humacao|publisher=[[University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus]]|year=2001|pages=154|language=es|trans-title=Strategies for Managing the Behavior of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Training for Parents from the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao|chapter=Contrato conductual|trans-chapter=Behavioral Contract|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904195932/https://media.proquest.com/media/hms/ORIG/2/DawOH?cit%3Aauth=Rodriguez+Colon%2C+Edna+Margarita&cit%3Atitle=Estrategias+para+el+manejo+de+conducta+de+hijos+con+trastorno+por+...&cit%3Apub=ProQuest+Dissertations+and+Theses&cit%3Avol=&cit%3Aiss=&cit%3Apg=&cit%3Adate=2001&ic=true&cit%3Aprod=ProQuest+One+Academic&_a=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&_s=VVzAKJmZS17hjKfFdveRugcb%2BI8%3D|archive-date=2021-09-04|id={{ProQuest|275851664}} }}</ref> Famous Puerto Rican track and fielders include [[Rebekah Colberg]] and [[Angelita Lind]].

Juan Juarbe Juarbe, who would later serve as [[Pedro Albizu Campos|Pedro Albizu Campos']] personal secretary,<ref name=":1" /> was the first Puerto Rican to participate in any international sporting event, competing in the [[1930 Central American and Caribbean Games]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-03-16|title=Puerto Rico cumplió 80 años de participación en el deporte internacional|language=es|trans-title=Puerto Rico Celebrates 80 years of Participation in International Sport|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/puerto-rico-cumplio-80-anos-de-participacion-en-el-deporte-internacional/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904194334/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/puerto-rico-cumplio-80-anos-de-participacion-en-el-deporte-internacional/|archive-date=2021-09-04}}</ref> and the first to win a gold medal at an international track and field competition.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Martinez|first=Edgardo|date=1992-08-31|title=Fallece ex secretario de Albizu Campos|language=es|trans-title=Former Secretary of Albizu Campos Dies|work=[[El Diario La Prensa]]|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/368185739|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-09-04|issn=0742-9428|id={{ProQuest|368185739}} }}</ref>

[[Rebekah Colberg]], considered the "Mother of Women's Sports in Puerto Rico", was the Puerto Rico tennis champion for fourteen consecutive years, from 1932 till 1946. In 1938, she won two [[gold medal]]s at the IV [[Central American and Caribbean Games]], celebrated in [[Panama]], in the [[discus]] and [[Javelin throw|javelin]] events. In 1946, when the games were celebrated in Mexico, she won a gold medal in [[softball]]. While studying for her master's 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.

Even though [[Juan "Papo" Franceschi]] had been a drug addict at one point in his life, he set several national records on the track and had a street named after him is nis native [[San Antón|San Antón, Ponce]]. However, his name is not part of the [[Museo Francisco "Pancho" Coimbre|Francisco "Pancho" Coimbre sports museum]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cabrera Salcedo|first=Sunny A.|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/304516006|title=Hacia un estudio integral de la toponimia del municipio de Ponce, Puerto Rico|publisher=[[University of Massachusetts Amherst]]|year=1999|pages=39|language=es|trans-title=Towards a Comprehensive Study of the Toponymy of the Municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico|chapter=Importancia de los topónimos y la relación de la toponomástica con otras ciencias|trans-chapter=Importance of Place Names and the Relationship of Toponomastics with Other Sciences|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904192432/https://media.proquest.com/media/pq/classic/doc/733474961/fmt/ai/rep/SPDF?cit%3Aauth=Cabrera+Salcedo%2C+Sunny+A.&cit%3Atitle=Hacia+un+estudio+integral+de+la+toponimia+del+municipio+de+Ponce%2C+Puerto+Rico&cit%3Apub=ProQuest+Dissertations+and+Theses&cit%3Avol=&cit%3Aiss=&cit%3Apg=&cit%3Adate=1999&ic=true&cit%3Aprod=ProQuest+One+Academic&_a=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&_s=reZTjptI2R451VeDwZtfybSlSQo%3D|archive-date=2021-09-04 |id={{ProQuest|304516006}} }}</ref>

Heriberto Cruz Mejil, who as a kid, lacking access to a running track, used to run from the [[Guánica, Puerto Rico|Guánica]] pier to the Caña Gorda baths. He went on to win silver and gold at the 110 metre hurdle event in the [[1962 Central American and Caribbean Games|1962 Kingston]] and [[1966 Central American and Caribbean Games|1966 San Juan Central American Caribbean Games]], respectively, beating the then-fourth best runner in the world [[Víctor Maldonado]] in the latter. After which, he retired at age 27. Additionally, he was a [[Liga Atlética Interuniversitaria de Puerto Rico|LAI]] champion three consecutive years, competing at the [[Las Justas|''Justas'']] 110 metre hurdle, high jump and 4 x 400 metre relay events. Both his hometown's track and a tournament bear his name.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Montalbán|first=Efraín|date=2021-08-18|title=Heriberto Cruz Mejil: Una leyenda del atletismo boricua nacido en Guánica|language=es|trans-title=Heriberto Cruz Mejil: A Puerto Rican Athletics Legend Born in Guánica|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/heriberto-cruz-mejor-una-leyenda-del-atletismo-boricua-nacido-en-guanica/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828112435/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/heriberto-cruz-mejor-una-leyenda-del-atletismo-boricua-nacido-en-guanica/|archive-date=2021-08-28}}</ref>

Professional baseball player [[Roberto Clemente]] was Julio Vizcarrondo Coronado high school's most valuable player for three consecutive years, and was described as "excellent in the sport of track and field."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Vera Irizarria|first=Jesús|date=1997-12-29|title=Roberto Clemente, estelar jugador y mejor ser humano|language=es|trans-title=Roberto Clemente, Stellar Player and Best Human Being|work=[[El Diario La Prensa]]|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/368474069|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-09-04|issn=0742-9428|id={{ProQuest|368474069}} }}</ref> While Julio "Buyín" Camacho Mattei, who is better known for his professional volleyball career, also competed in track and field events, among other sports.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ribas Reyes|first=Fernando|date=2021-08-29|title=Julio "Buyín" Camacho: El yaucano que "le prestó" el número 10 a legendario Pelé|language=es|trans-title=Julio "Buyín" Camacho: The Yaucano Who "Lent" the Number 10 to the Legendary Pelé|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/voleibol/notas/julio-buyin-camacho-el-yaucano-que-le-presto-el-numero-10-a-legendario-pele/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831064936/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/voleibol/notas/julio-buyin-camacho-el-yaucano-que-le-presto-el-numero-10-a-legendario-pele/|archive-date=2021-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ayala Gordián|first=José|date=2013-11-16|title=Julio "Buyín" Camacho Mattei: El Da Vinci boricua|language=es|trans-title=Julio "Buyín" Camacho Mattei: The Puerto Rican Da Vinci|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/voleibol/notas/julio-buyin-camacho-mattei-el-da-vinci-boricua/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904153838/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/voleibol/notas/julio-buyin-camacho-mattei-el-da-vinci-boricua/|archive-date=2021-09-04}}</ref> Eduardo Hernández, who played for the Adjuntas Giants baseball team, was part of the [[Colegio Ponceño|Colegio Ponceño's]] track and field team.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ribán Reyes|first=Fernando|date=2011-11-22|title=Novato de impacto|language=es|trans-title=Impact Rookie|work=[[El Nuevo Día]]|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/905222813|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-09-04|id={{ProQuest|905222813}} }}</ref>

[[Angelita Lind]], often called 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]].

The [[Athletics at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games|2010 Central American and Caribbean Games athletics competitions]] were held at the [[Mayagüez Athletics Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Morales Nieves|first=Peter|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/305082725|title=Desarrollo preliminar de la arquitectura regional para un sistema de transporte inteligente para el municipio de Mayagüez|publisher=[[University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez]]|year=2009|pages=36|language=es|trans-title=Preliminary Development of the Regional Architecture for an Intelligent Transportation System for the Municipality of Mayagüez|chapter=4.1.2. Estado Futuro del Sistema de Transporte de Mayagüez|id={{ProQuest|305082725}} |trans-chapter=4.1.2. Future State of the Mayagüez Transportation System|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Puerto Rican athletes participated in the [[2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games]], competing in the 12, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,500 metres, as well as relay and shot put.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Maldonado|first=Héctor|date=2011-06-11|title=Equipajes llenos de esperanza|language=es|trans-title=Luggage Full of Hope|work=[[El Nuevo Día]]|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/871251231|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-09-04|id={{ProQuest|871251231}} }}</ref>

A survey in 2011 found that 75% of Puerto Rican university student athletes that attended private institutions of higher learning partake in this discipline.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Curet Molina|first=Nahomy|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/893761375|title=Análisis de los estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes extranjeros y los estilos de enseñanza de los profesores de tres universidades privadas de Puerto Rico|publisher=[[Ana G. Méndez University|University of Turabo]]|year=2011|pages=71|language=es|trans-title=Analysis of the Learning Styles of Foreign Students and the Teaching Styles of Professors from Three Private Universities in Puerto Rico|chapter=Capítulo IV Hallazgos|id={{ProQuest|893761375}} |trans-chapter=Chapter IV Findings|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Eight of the 23 athletes competing at the [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London Olympics]], were track and field: [[Jamele Mason]] (400 metre hurdles), [[Eric Alejandro]] (400 metre hurdles), [[Beverly Ramos]] (3000 metre steeplechase), [[Enrique Llanos]] (110 metre hurdles), [[Héctor Cotto]] (110 metre hurdles), [[Miguel López (athlete)|Miguel López]] (100 metre), [[Wesley Vázquez]] (800 metre) and [[Samuel Vázquez]] (1500 metros).<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|date=2012-06-28|title=Culson recibirá el domingo la bandera de P. Rico para apertura de Londres 2012|language=es|trans-title=Culson will Receive the P. Rico Flag for the London 2012 Opening on Sunday|work=La Información|url=https://www.lainformacion.com/deporte/culson-recibira-el-domingo-la-bandera-de-p-rico-para-apertura-de-londres-2012_tJyeSQJOWp6dPHPd6iZys/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125113610/https://www.lainformacion.com/deporte/culson-recibira-el-domingo-la-bandera-de-p-rico-para-apertura-de-londres-2012_tJyeSQJOWp6dPHPd6iZys/|archive-date=2021-01-25}}</ref> Additionally, [[Javier Culson]], who had become the first Puerto Rican track and field artist to be a flagbearer since the [[1948 Summer Olympics|1948 London Olympics]],<ref name=":3" /> made history by becoming the first Puerto Rican track and field runner in an Olympic Game, to win the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He won it in the [[Athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metres hurdles|400 metre hurdle competition]].

The [[Puerto Rico Department of Education|Department of Education]] has pushed for field day events to not be limited to track and field since 2015, arguing that "it must allow the participation of all students regardless of differences and interests."<ref name=":2" />

In 2019, 16 track and field athletes competed in the [[2019 Pan American Games|Lima Pan American Games]], of which 12 achieved minimum marks to qualify.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ribas Reyes|first=Fernando|date=2019-06-13|title=Aprueban 16 atletas de pista y campo para Lima 2019|language=es|trans-title=16 Track and field Athletes Approved for Lima 2019|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/aprueban-16-atletas-de-pista-y-campo-para-lima-2019/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904164745/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/aprueban-16-atletas-de-pista-y-campo-para-lima-2019/|archive-date=2021-09-04}}</ref>

Puerto Rico governor [[Pedro Pierluisi]] named retired long jumper and the [[University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez|University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez's]] Sport Affairs Director and lead coach [[Ray Quiñones|Ray J. Quiñones Vázquez]] as [[Secretary of Sports and Recreation of Puerto Rico]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-12-29|title=Pierluisi Urrutia hace nombramientos a DRD, DACO, PRIDCO, Comisionado de Seguros y DRNA|language=es|trans-title=Pierluisi Urrutia Makes Appointments to DRD, DACO, PRIDCO, Insurance Commissioner and DRNA|work=[[La Perla del Sur]]|url=https://www.periodicolaperla.com/pierluisi-urrutia-hace-nombramientos-a-drd-daco-pridco-comisionado-de-seguros-y-drna/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229153244/https://www.periodicolaperla.com/pierluisi-urrutia-hace-nombramientos-a-drd-daco-pridco-comisionado-de-seguros-y-drna/|archive-date=2020-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Departamento de Actividades Atléticas Personal Administrativo y Educativo|trans-title=Department of Athletic Activities Administrative and Educational Personnel|url=https://www.uprm.edu/p/actividadesatleticas/personal_administrativo|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904164030/https://www.uprm.edu/p/actividadesatleticas/personal_administrativo|archive-date=2021-09-04|access-date=2021-09-04|website=[[University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez]]|language=es}}</ref>

The first event held at the [[Carolina, Puerto Rico#Sports|Basilio Rodríguez Cruz Athletic Track]], [[Carolina, Puerto Rico|Carolina's]] running track, after its million-dollar recontrsuction after hurricanes [[Hurricane Irma|Irma]] and [[Hurricane Maria|María]] was the XV Spring Athletics Classic (''Clásico Primaveral de Atletismo'') a March 2021 Olympic and Paralympic qualifying event.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-03-19|title=Anuncian reapertura de la pista atlética de Carolina|language=es|trans-title=Carolina's Athletic Track Reopening Announced|work=Metro PR|url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2021/03/19/anuncian-reapertura-la-pista-atletica-carolina.html|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323062850/https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2021/03/19/anuncian-reapertura-la-pista-atletica-carolina.html|archive-date=2021-03-23}}</ref>

A change in the [[Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Qualification|qualifications for the athletic events at the 2020 Olympics]] by [[World Athletics]], the sport's international federation, making the [[Qualifying standards in athletics|first criteria to qualify time or minimum marks, and the second ranking]], was met with criticism in Puerto Rico. As most ranking events are held in Europe, making it less accessible from athletes from other continents. The ranking criterion is used to fill up vacant spaces. However, all four athletes whom met minimum marks, [[Jasmine Camacho-Quinn]] and [[Wesley Vázquez]], [[Ryan Sánchez]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Ribas Reyes|first=Fernando|date=2021-07-04|title=Malestar en el atletismo con el sistema de clasificación en pista y campo|language=es|trans-title=Upset in Athletics with Track and Field Classification System|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/malestar-en-el-atletismo-con-el-sistema-de-clasificacion-en-pista-y-campo/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705011438/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/malestar-en-el-atletismo-con-el-sistema-de-clasificacion-en-pista-y-campo/|archive-date=2021-07-05}}</ref> (the only debut in the quartet)<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ribas Reyes|first=Fernando|date=2021-07-27|title=Ryan Sánchez dice que está entrando a su peak en el momento perfecto|language=es|trans-title=Ryan Sánchez Says He's Hitting His Peak at the Perfect Time|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/ryan-sanchez-dice-que-esta-entrando-a-su-peak-en-el-momento-perfecto/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728033951/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/ryan-sanchez-dice-que-esta-entrando-a-su-peak-en-el-momento-perfecto/|archive-date=2021-07-28}}</ref> and [[Andrés Arroyo (athlete)|Andrés Arroyo]], were all eventually chosen and partook in the subsequent Olympics,<ref name=":0" /> arriving on 25 July to the [[Olympic Village]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ribas Reyes|first=Fernando|date=2021-07-25|title=Llegan a la Villa Olímpica los corredores boricuas|language=es|trans-title=Puerto Rican Runners Arrive at the Olympic Village|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/llegan-a-la-villa-olimpica-los-corredores-boricuas/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725144524/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/llegan-a-la-villa-olimpica-los-corredores-boricuas/|archive-date=2021-07-25}}</ref> The latter three all competed in the same event, making it the first time that Puerto Rico had three athletes competing at the [[Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's 800 metres|800 metre event]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-29|title=Ryan Sánchez, el corredor que temía competir y ahora anhela una medalla|language=es|trans-title=Ryan Sánchez, the Runner Who Was Afraid to Compete and Now Yearns for a Medal|work=[[EFE]]|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/america/deportes/ryan-sanchez-el-corredor-que-temia-competir-y-ahora-anhela-una-medalla/20000010-4597998|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904162831/https://www.efe.com/efe/america/deportes/ryan-sanchez-el-corredor-que-temia-competir-y-ahora-anhela-una-medalla/20000010-4597998|archive-date=2021-09-04}}</ref> Nevertheless, other athletes, such as Rachelle de Orbeta, [[Luis Castro (athlete)|Luis Joel Castro]], [[Grace Claxton]] and Ayden Owens failed to enter based on missing the ranking cutoff.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ribas Reyes|first=Fernando|date=2021-06-30|title=Sin clasificación directa a Tokio 2020 los atletas pista y campo|language=es|trans-title=No Direct Qualification to Tokyo 2020 Track and Field Athletes|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/sin-clasificacion-directa-a-tokio-2020-los-atletas-pista-y-campo/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630184010/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/sin-clasificacion-directa-a-tokio-2020-los-atletas-pista-y-campo/|archive-date=2021-06-30}}</ref>

[[Jasmine Camacho-Quinn]], who had debuted at the [[2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Rio Games]], competed in the [[Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metres hurdles|100 metre hurdle at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics]], winning gold and setting an [[List of Olympic records in athletics|Olympic record]], becoming the first Puerto rican to ever do so and the second Puerto Rican ever to win a gold medal while [[Puerto Rico at the Olympics|representing Puerto Rico]]. At 12.26 seconds, her personal best, she tied for the [[100 metres hurdles#All-time top 25|fourth fastest time in history]]. By winning the gold, she climbed to the top spot of the [[World Athletics Rankings]] in her event.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-08-17|title=Camacho-Quinn llega a Puerto Rico y encabeza una caravana luciendo su oro olímpico|language=es|trans-title=Camacho-Quinn Arrives in Puerto Rico and Leads a Caravan Wearing Her Olympic Gold|work=[[EFE]]|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/america/deportes/camacho-quinn-llega-a-puerto-rico-y-encabeza-una-caravana-luciendo-su-oro-olimpico/20000010-4610111|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904143437/https://www.efe.com/efe/america/deportes/camacho-quinn-llega-a-puerto-rico-y-encabeza-una-caravana-luciendo-su-oro-olimpico/20000010-4610111|archive-date=2021-09-04}}</ref>

During the [[2020 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony]], both [[2020 Summer Paralympics Parade of Nations|flagbearers]] of Puerto Rico's delegation, Yaimillie Díaz Colón and Carmelo Rivera Fuentes, who competed in the amputee and intellectual disabilities [[Para-athletics classification|classifications]], respectively, were track and field athletes.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-08-24|title=Delegación paraolímpica de Puerto Rico desfila en Tokio|language=es|trans-title=Paralympic Delegation from Puerto Rico Parades in Tokyo|work=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/delegacion-paraolimpica-de-puerto-rico-desfila-en-tokio/|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825054551/https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/notas/delegacion-paraolimpica-de-puerto-rico-desfila-en-tokio/|archive-date=2021-08-25}}</ref>

===Volleyball===
{{moresources|section|date=October 2024}}
The [[Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation]] was founded in 1958, the first men's tournament organized was the 'Torneo Preolimpico'. The federation's first president was [[José Luís Purcell Rodríguez|Jose L. Purcell]]. Ten years later the [[Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino|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 [[Liga de Voleibol Superior Masculino|men's]] and [[Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino|women's]] tournaments.

In 1970, most of Puerto Rico's national women's volleyball team's members were killed [[Dominicana DC-9 air disaster|when a plane that was flying them to San Juan, Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic crashed shortly after take-off]].

In 1997, debut of foreign player in [[Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino|Women League]]. The most dominated are Laura Salinas from Monterrey, Mexico, lead the [[Mexico women's national football team|Mexico national team]] to several international competition. The foreign player debut in Women's League in 2000.

Some of Puerto Rico's famous volleyball players are Willie De Jesus, [[Raúl Papaleo]] and [[Héctor Soto]]. Papaleo and [[Ramón Hernández (beach volleyball)|Ramón 'Monchito' Hernández]] participated in 2004 Olympic Games in Athens in Beach Volleyball, first ever volleyball team in the Island Olympic history.  [[Laura Daniela Lloreda]], meanwhile, is a Puerto Rican who played in Mexico's national volleyball team.

[[Héctor Soto|Héctor "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.

===Lacrosse===
For the first time, Puerto Rico will feature a national team at the 2022 [[Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships]].<ref>[https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1108412/lacrosse-world-u21 Record 23 lacrosse teams to play at Men's Under-21 World Championship] Ali Iveson ([[Inside the Games]]), 30 May 2021. Accessed 9 June 2021.</ref>

===Ice hockey===
First formed in 2020, Puerto Rico's national ice hockey team has competed in multiple regional tournaments featuring other Latin American and Caribbean teams. The Puerto Rican Ice Hockey Association became an [[International Ice Hockey Federation|IIHF]] associate member in 2022 and the sport continues to grow as more players register with the organization.<ref>[https://www.iihf.com/en/news/39327/welcome_puerto_rico! The International Ice Hockey Federation welcomes the Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association as its newest member.]</ref>

== Stadiums in Puerto Rico ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Stadium!!Country!!Capacity
|-
| [[Hiram Bithorn Stadium]] || [[Puerto Rico]] || 18,264
|-
| [[Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium]] || [[Puerto Rico]] || 12,500
|-
| [[Mayagüez Athletics Stadium]] || [[Puerto Rico]] || 12,175
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Puerto Rico}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico]]
* [[List of Puerto Ricans#Sports|List of Puerto Ricans - Sports]]
* [[List of Puerto Rico-related topics]]
* [[World's Best 10K]] (Maratón Teodoro Moscoso)
* [[International Wrestling Association (Puerto Rico)|International Wrestling Association]]
* [[World Wrestling Council]]
* [[History of women in Puerto Rico]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cite web | title=Ley Núm. 244 de 2010 - Registro Permanente de Deportistas Puertorriqueños Destacados|trans-title=Law # 244 of 2010 - Permanent register of Puerto Rican outstanding athletes | website=LexJuris de Puerto Rico | url=https://www.lexjuris.com/lexlex/Leyes2010/lexl2010244.htm | language=es | access-date=2021-09-01}}
* [https://archive.today/20130119200525/http://www.coquisports.com/ Coqui Sports de Puerto Rico]
* [http://www.olimpur.com/ Comite Olímpico de Puerto Rico]
* [http://comisionmotocross.com/default.asp Comisión de Motocross 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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109142125/http://www.fedefutbolpr.com/default.html |date=9 November 2007 }}
* [http://www.puertoricofootball.com/ Football Americano en Puerto Rico]

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[[Category:Sports in Puerto Rico| ]]
[[Category:History of Puerto Rico]]