Say what you will about beach days and barbecues—the real highlight of summer is the sports! From the whimsy of breakdancing to the raw strength of weightlifting to the grace of gymnastics, there’s something for everyone. Which naturally got us thinking: Which Pokémon would make the best competitive athletes? Which Pokémon have what it takes to perform flawless floor exercises or record-shattering deadlifts? Here are our recommended Pokémon teams for 10 summer sports:
Breakdancing
Tierno’s Ludicolo is a breakdancing fiend, as seen in Episode 33 of Pokémon the Series: XYZ, “Valuable Experience for All!”
Our first pick for our breakdancing team is Blastoise: it was surely born to backspin on that shell. From there, we’re going with Metagross who should be able to put those long iron legs to good use. According to its Pokédex entries, Ludicolo’s muscles fill with energy when exposed to festive beats, so it’s making the cut. Plus, we’re confident this is a Miror B-approved recommendation. Last but certainly not least, if ever there was a Pokémon born to breakdance, it’s Hitmontop—even its Pokédex entry mentions that its kicks are dance-like.
Boxing
Not even Pikachu can withstand a flurry of Hitmonchan’s punches in Episode 28 of Pokémon the Series: Indigo League, “The Punchy Pokémon.”
Charjabug has already mastered the requisite box shape and is, therefore, our first choice for the boxing team. As the Punching Pokémon, Hitmonchan automatically has a place on the roster; plus, it comes equipped with its own boxing gloves, so it’s a budget-friendly option too. Next is Machamp: it has four arms and all of them are primed for KOs. And Muk’s our final choice because good luck landing a punch on this literal pile of toxic sludge.
Fencing
Sirfetch’d displays its leek fencing prowess in a fierce battle against Gallade in Episode 12 of Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series, “Beyond Chivalry… Aiming to be a Leek Master!”
“It has three poisonous stingers on its forelegs and its tail.” And that, distinguished sports fans, is why any opponent would surrender before facing Beedrill on the fencing piste. With a sturdy leek in hand, you won’t find Sirfetch’d ducking the competition. We’re pretty sure Kabutops isn’t capable of gripping the foil, but we’re equally confident that it doesn’t need to. And lastly there’s Kingler, who’s bringing claws to a swordfight. We’re here for it and confident Kingler could pinch out a victory.
Gymnastics
Alolan Marowak’s rhythm and dexterity are on full display during its Fire Dance in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon.
With its grace and affinity for dance, Kirlia is the captain of the Pokémon gymnastics squad. And, of course, its psychokinetic powers probably can’t hurt. Alolan Marowak’s rhythmic gymnastics routine would be straight fire; it’s been training for this moment since its Akala Island trial days. Ambipom’s rocking two arms plus two tails that happen to also have hands, which means it’s not monkeying around when it comes to the uneven bars. And Caterpie’s String Shot has to come in handy here somewhere.
Skateboarding
If you use the Synchro Machine, you can catch a glimpse of Gholdengo shredding in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 2: The Indigo Disk.
As the Pond Skater Pokémon, Surskit definitely knows how to shred. Not to mention the fact that it has four legs for greater balance. Slakoth’s on the team just on vibes alone. Gholdengo is going for the ghold: if you don’t believe us, just play some Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet and watch it shred. And don’t ask us to explain it but Tatsugiri belongs on a skateboard. Plus, without Dondozo to chauffeur it around, a skateboard might be its only method of land transportation.
Soccer
Scorbunny's on the ball and ready to score in this futsal-themed Pokémon Trading Card Game promo card, which was part of a limited-time gift-with-purchase promotion at GAME England stores.
Known for its speed and impressive stores of energy, Scorbunny is the obvious choice for striker because this is one Pokémon that knows how to score a goal. To truly succeed at soccer, you have to become the ball, and Donphan embodies the spirit of the ball; according to its Pokédex entries its “favorite attack is curling its body into a ball, then charging at its foe while rolling at high speed.” And you can just plop Snorlax in front of the goal and let it nap through the game—no one’s going to be able to shoot past that gigantic Pokémon. And Blaziken’s Blaze Kick is guaranteed to scorch its foes on and off the field.
Surfing
Mantine’s gnarly wave-carving skills are on full display in the Mantine Surf minigame in Pokémon Ultra Sun or Pokémon Ultra Moon.
Alolan Raichu comes equipped with its own surfboard, and it would be downright wrong to assemble a surfing team without an Alolan Pokémon. Lapras is the OG surfer of the Pokémon world, and its gentle personality would make it a good teammate. Mantine might be known as the Kite Pokémon, but it can carve waves as well as air. And Slowbro’s addition to the team is the equivalent of a personality hire. Between its psychic powers and the fact that it can learn Surf, we’re confident it can catch some waves like a pro.
Track and Field
Magikarp reaches for the sky in its namesake mobile game, Magikarp Jump.
Everyone loves an underdogfish, and we believe Magikarp would make a splash in the high jump. With its ninja-like speed and grace, Greninja was born to excel at the 100-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles. We’d enter Cyclizar in its Ride Form in any long-distance event: it is strong enough to run 70 mph with a human on its back. We’re just going to quote Rhyperior’s Pokédex entry to explain its obvious superiority for shot put: “It puts rocks in holes in its palms and uses its muscles to shoot them.” And we shouldn’t have to explain why Tinkaton is doing the hammer throw—if you’ve played Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, you’ll know exactly why it is known as the Hammer Pokémon.
Volleyball
Medicham’s athletic prowess bodes well for its ability to spike a volleyball in the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Evolving Skies expansion.
Medicham should be able to put those psychic powers to use to determine where its opponents will send the ball, and its elegant movement would make for an enjoyable spectator experience. Flygon’s ability to whip up a sandstorm by flapping its wings is strategically game-changing in a beach volleyball match. We’re throwing in Spiritomb because a chaotic tornado of 108 spirits charging around the court like a deranged pinwheel is exactly what we need to secure the W. And last but certainly not least, Alolan Exeggutor rounds out the team because if the Coconut Pokémon doesn’t belong on the beach playing volleyball, then who does? And at roughly 35-feet tall, all you need to do is prop Alolan Exeggutor right in front of the net and nothing is getting past it.
Weightlifting
In Pokémon TCG: Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery, Regigigas demonstrates its famed ability to pull continents, indicating it can certainly manage a deadlift.
You can’t spell swole without Buzzwole, and according to Pokédex entries, it loves showing off its muscles so there’s that. Feraligatr’s Pokédex entries don’t explicitly state that it’s a gym bro, but you can’t convince us that it’s not, and if there’s no rule explicitly stating that you can’t lift with your jaws, victory is all but assured for the Big Jaw Pokémon. If Regigigas can pull continents with ropes, it can certainly deadlift its way to first place. And then there’s Conkeldurr, the Muscular Pokémon, that literally throws around concrete pillars. No protein shakes required.
Which Pokémon would you choose for your summer sports teams?
