We are used to seeing athletes in graceful superhuman poses and marveling at their agility and strength. This article is going to be the exact opposite of that. Unfortunately, in an attempt to get these perfect shots, Sports photographers also end up capturing some very unflattering angles.
And while sure, we feel bad that these athletes were caught at their worst, these photos made us giggle and thank the person who created single-lens reflex cameras so that we can point and laugh! Sorry!
Completely Relaxed
There are so many reasons to love this image, and we are going to start with the obvious! The yawn! We are confident that this athlete was not mid-way yawning after seeing this image; who really knows?
Source: VitaminNews
Imagine not only being able to pole vault 12 feet but doing it like you don’t even care about it! Judging by the form, we suspect this athlete might not have cleared her jump! Someone needs a cup of coffee!
Intense Tag
Say whatever you want about baseball, but this picture shows the complete motivation of the athletes who choose it as their sport of choice. Though, we question if maybe they are a bit too committed.
Source: VitaminNews
Talk about falling head over heels, not for someone special but to catch a ball! This photo was taken at the first 1991 World Series and, apart from being gravity-defying, also shows the resilience of its players.
Thunder
We all have seen cheer movies where the gorgeous cheerleaders are physically fit and look impeccable at all times. But unfortunately, the stereotype is that cheerleaders often look great while competing and off-duty.
Source: VitaminNews
Take a look at that picture and change that perception. While at first glance, you might think this is just a poorly timed photo, in fact, these athletes were using their routine to incorporate Maori haka to iterate the fact that beauty and strength aren’t always about looking a certain way!
Turning Heads
With so many recent studies published discussing the side effects of American Football, you would think that pictures like these should be further proof to make the sport less violent, but it’s the exact opposite.
Source: VitaminNews
The intensity of the athletes and the drama in these pictures only intensify fans’ devotion to the game. Unfortunately, though we are certain, Number 82 might need some serious surgery after having his head so violently pulled!
Unexpected
You might think of Sledding as a calming childhood favorite pastime, but some consider it a sport. Unfortunately, especially in the Nordic countries, and despite athletes spending years trying to get Sledding taken seriously in the community, this picture does the exact opposite.
Source: VitaminNews
While we know this person was just caught at the wrong time, this photo looks like it belongs in a comedy film rather than in the middle of intense and physically challenging competition.
Balling Without Grace
Now that is the attitude you want to see every time we watch basketball! Haah! We are tired of seeing tall balls that seem laser-focused on their sports to the point that they can barely smile even when they score!
Source: VitaminNews
The New York Knicks player captured in this photo seems to have forgotten about that prerequisite attitude of looking angry. Instead, it embodies a graceful and entertaining flair we are obsessed with.
Expressions
Athletes push their bodies and minds to the absolute brink. That is a well-established fact. And when doing so, most use quirky ways to get the job done. But, unfortunately, this diver, while having complete control over her entire body, seems unable to reign in her facial expressions.
Source: VitaminNews
And to be honest, we love it. It is pretty refreshing to see an athlete look like they are putting in effort while still staying graceful and in command. So we actually think this image is beautiful and instead needed in the sports community.
Posing For The Camera
Famous and accomplished tennis players have the world underneath their feet, from multi-million dollar brand deals to uncountable fans. They become instant celebrities and rub their elbows with the world’s elite.
Source: VitaminNews
Despite all that, it still doesn’t stop them from having a bad day! This tennis star was caught in the midst of one of hers and seemed a bit mortified to have messed this easy serve up, but at least she has the good grace to use humor.
Parallel
This star basketball player, Dennis Rodman, may be duly scrutinized for her questionable behavior since he left the NBA, but we can’t criticize his dedication to his craft. He remains an exceptionally talented basketball player, and this photograph proves it.
Source: VitaminNews
Snapped in 1997, Dennis is captured diving head first for the ball, and this perfectly timed picture displays the delicate balance needed between grace and strength to be a true athlete. At the same time, we have a sneaky suspicion that Dennis fell face-first a millisecond after this picture was taken but let’s not think about it!
Something Is Missing
Having the proper kit is essential to sports. In addition, it would be best if you had your hair done a certain way, your clothes made in a particular way, and your shoes to perform under stress. These are the three must-have basics for any athlete.
Source: VitaminNews
Except for this Ethiopian hurdler! Despite losing one of her shoes at the start of her set, the powerful and determined athlete finished the competition. She also went on to qualify for the final race in the Olympics!
The Face Of Intensity
Remember how we talked about athletes managing to be able to control everything in their bodies except their facial expressions? Well, here we are with exhibit b. This image proves our point further.
Source: VitaminNews
This photo shows a gymnast transforming into what we can only assume is the Incredible Hulk in mid-air! But, sorry, jokes aside, this perfectly timed photo encapsulates the amount of strength and control needed to perform even the simplest of gymnastics.
A Bit Awkward
Michelle Kwan is known for her graceful moves on the ice, but the photographer somehow captured the ice skater’s only lousy picture. And while it is a bit awkward, Kwan still looks absolutely beautiful!
Source: VitaminNews
There is something mystical about the image, and it mixes the discomfort of ice skating with the beauty of it in a way that we can’t help but stare. Side note: We can barely bend that far on solid ground, and, amazingly, Kwan can do that on skates!
Utter Disbelief
If you have ever seen a football match, this pose is pretty standard, though mostly the faces reflect gruff, angry men who look ready to commit murder. This photo captures the other side of that.
Source: VitaminNews
These seasoned players look like they have never taken a tumble in their life. We are so grateful to the photographer who somehow managed to immortalize the second when both players expressed a look of utter comical disbelief.
Importance Of Team Members
Synchronized swimming is underrated and underappreciated, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is an art on its own. The sport has a big focus on teamwork rather than individual glory, and nothing represents that better than this picture.
Source: VitaminNews
Here we see how one swimmer used the heads of her teammates to lift herself off the water, and while the swimmer on top looks graceful as ever, those bearing her weight show the real story!
Going For Gold
If this list has taught you anything, it should be that the photographers are always watching, especially the athletes. King James here, unfortunately, was caught while going for gold, and not the kind people came to watch him for!
Source: VitaminNews
We can’t stop giggling over this picture and also wonder how pesky this booger must be that King James couldn’t just wait till he was somewhere more private! He took a risk, and thankfully, we now have this masterpiece.
Seconds Before Impact
Let’s not use this picture to discuss the moral nature of WWE wrestlers. Instead, focus on how one photographer captured one of the most dramatic pictures at the perfect time. This one we can almost hear!
Source: VitaminNews
Yes! We can feel the crowd cheering and ooohhh with anticipation as it becomes evident that one of these wrestlers literally has no idea about what is behind her back! Ohhfh. This dropkick looks like it will hurt; look at those shoes!
Water Helmet
This picture looks more like it belongs in a high-tech science fiction film rather than a sports magazine. Taken at just the right millisecond, at first glance, it seems like this athlete is wearing a helmet made entirely out of the water!
Source: VitaminNews
Imagine if this was a thing – though we are certain the U.S Military would take control of it if it is the way. Again, though, how helpful would a water helmet indeed be? Apart from looking very cool, we think that’s about it.
Tossed Around
Another “sport” that is full of controversy, while it is a part of Spanish culture, it is also a fact that bullfighting is inhumane. But we will try to ignore the animal rights issues revolving around the sport to look at this picture objectively.
Source: VitaminNews
And actually, we like it! This photo focuses more on the power and agility of the bull and how humans do not stand a chance in front of them rather than glorifying bullfighting and animal abuse—one of the few shots from the sport that we can stomach.
Horse Play?
Working with animals can be tricky, but we can’t even imagine the discipline and patience it takes to compete with them. So, before we even look at the picture, we have to give kudos to horse jockey players!
Source: VitaminNews
Julien Leparoux, an experienced jockey, which is usually controlled on her stead, Sanibel Storm, happened to take a tumble in the middle of a race. But, of course, a photographer was there to capture the moment ideally to give us a gravity-defying balancing act.
Unusual Chair
Last but not least, this picture shows not only a struggling athlete but the coaches that get them there. And as seen below, they tend to use rather innovative methods to get their trainees into the right mindset and form!
Source: VitaminNews
Despite what it looks like, this Brazilian coach is not using this gymnast as his personal seat. Instead, he is applying pressure to her back, so the athlete can adequately stretch before her competition!