Most people have played some sport at least once in their life. Typically, that sport falls along the lines of soccer, dance, football, swim, etc; but have you ever wondered what it would be like to play a more peculiar sport? Although these sports may seem out of the ordinary in the United States, many other countries play and celebrate these competitions.
Chess Boxing
Since 1992 this sport has been global, being very popular in England, Germany, Netherland, France, Russia, and Japan. According to Rulesofsport chess boxing consists of eleven rounds, switching back and forth between boxing and chess. To win this game you either have to get a checkmate or a knockout. The same rules of boxing and chess apply. Although not many tournaments have been played throughout the year, an annual championship takes place every year.
Toe Wrestling
Toe Wrestling, according to Topendsports, has been played in England since 1970. It started when England needed a sport they would dominate at, and no one else played that game. First played in pubs, this interesting sport even had its own championship by 1976. To play: the two opponents must take their shoes off and interlock their big toes and try to force each other off the ‘todiem’. The sport has a championship every year in the same place, the ‘Ye Olde Royal Oke Inn’. The players even tried to get the sport to be a part of the Olympics in 1997, but it had been sadly rejected.
Extreme Sitting
Extreme Sitting comes from Germany. This sport, according to Theithacan, uses a type of stool called a ‘Sporthock’. The game resembles skateboarding and break dancing. To play, one must do a trick similar to one on a skateboard, including some cool dance moves that might be seen in breakdancing and land sitting. The judges critique players like they would at a skateboard competition.
Sepak Takraw
Sepak Takraw, according to Rulesofsport, comes from Thailand and has been played since the 15th century. This sport resembles volleyball in that they use the same court and share many of the same rules. However, for Sepak Takraw, three people must be on each side and can use any body parts except for hands and arms.
Wife Carrying
Wife Carrying, according to Businessinsider, comes from Finland but became popular in North America in the year of 1999. The race involves a man carrying a woman, usually his wife. The man must run through many obstacles without dropping his partner, or five seconds is added to their time. The ‘wife’ must weigh over 108 pounds or will be given a rucksack to hold onto. This race turned into a world event where each country can have three teams to compete and try to win. The world championship will be in Finland this year. Most come dressed in silly costumes with the main goal being to have fun.
These peculiar sports can be played anywhere. People do not have to be in Thailand to play Sepak Takraw, and while you may be the only one who wants to play you don’t have to go to England to practice toe wrestling. So, why not convince your friends to attempt extreme sitting with you?
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