With the Olympics running into its last days, I thought I would research some sports you would not find playing on your television this week. So, let’s dive into the fascinating world of unconventional sports that you might not have heard about, writes Danie van der Lith.
In a world where mainstream sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket dominate the headlines, there’s a rich history of lesser-known sports that offer unique thrills and challenges.
These sports, often deeply rooted in cultural traditions or born from the creative minds of enthusiasts, provide a refreshing perspective on human ingenuity and the boundless spirit of competition.
With the Olympics running into its last days, I thought I would research some sports you would not find playing on your television this week. So, let’s dive into the fascinating world of unconventional sports that you might not have heard about.
Sepak Takraw
Originating from Southeast Asia, Sepak Takraw is a captivating sport that combines elements of soccer and volleyball. Played with a rattan ball (traditionally made from the stems of the rattan vine), the game involves teams of three players on each team who use their feet, knees, chests, and heads to lob the ball over a net.
The athleticism and agility required to execute acrobatic spikes and saves make Sepak Takraw a mesmerising spectacle. Popular in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, this sport showcases the incredible talent and coordination of its players.
This is definitely one sport I would like to see in the Olympics one day.
Kabaddi
Kabaddi is a contact team sport that has its roots in ancient India. The game involves two teams of seven players each, with players taking turns to enter the opposing team’s half of the court. The raider must start repeatedly yelling “Kabaddi” before he crosses the midline and cannot stop repeating this word until he crosses back over to his team’s side. If he stops yelling or takes a breath on the opponent’s side of the court, even momentarily, he must return to his own side of the court, scoring no points.
The sport demands strength, strategy, and quick reflexes, making it both physically and mentally demanding. Kabaddi has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in India and parts of Southeast Asia, thanks to professional leagues and international tournaments.
Bossaball
Imagine combining volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, and capoeira, and if you can imagine that, then you get Bossaball. This high-energy sport is played on an inflatable court with a trampoline on each side of the net.
Teams of four players use any part of their body to hit the ball over the net, with points scored for successful attacks and acrobatic moves. Originating in Spain, Bossaball has gained a following in several countries, including Brazil and the Netherlands.
The sport’s emphasis on creativity and flair, along with its carnival-like atmosphere, makes it a joy to watch and play, so much so that the sport even has its own World Cup.
I personally think Bossaball takes more skill than conventional volleyball.
Quidditch
What started as a fictional sport in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series has become a real-life competitive game. Quidditch, also known as Muggle Quidditch, is played by two teams of seven players, all “flying” around on broomsticks.
The game involves scoring points by throwing the quaffle (a ball) through hoops while avoiding dodgeballs,called bludgers. Players also have to catch the elusive snitch, which is a tennis ball attached to a player known as the snitch runner.
Since its inception in 2005, Quidditch has grown into an international sport with numerous leagues and tournaments, showcasing the passion and creativity of its players. I get the concept of women flying around on brooms, but to me, the men do not quite fit the narrative.
Cheese Rolling
One of the quirkiest sports you’ll ever encounter is the annual Cheese Rolling event in Gloucestershire, England. Participants chase a wheel of cheese down a steep hill, with the first person to cross the finish line at the bottom winning the cheese.
The event, which dates back centuries, is both thrilling and dangerous, with competitors often tumbling head over heels in their quest for victory. Despite the risk of injury, cheese rolling attracts participants and spectators from around the world, eager to witness or take part in this eccentric tradition.
Here’s a quick riddle for you. Why did the cheese go to the gym?
To get shredded, of course.
Underwater Hockey
Also known as Octopus, Underwater Hockey is a unique sport played at the bottom of a swimming pool. Teams of six players use small sticks to push a puck into the opposing team’s goal.
The game demands excellent breath control, swimming skills, and teamwork, as players must coordinate their movements while holding their breath and navigating the three-dimensional playing field.
Underwater hockey is popular in countries like the United Kingdom and Australia, offering a challenging and refreshing alternative to traditional field sports.
Bog Snorkelling
You will find the sport of Bog Snorkelling taking place in the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells, on an annual basis. It’s a peculiar sport where participants swim through a water-filled trench cut into a peat bog (wetland). The competitors use snorkels, flippers and their sense of touch to navigate the murky water.
The challenge lies in bracing against the cold, muddy conditions and the need to complete the course in the fastest time possible. Bog Snorkelling has evolved into a series of quirky events, including mountain bike bog snorkelling and the Bog Triathlon, attracting adventurous athletes and curious onlookers.
I assume they are not seeing any Nemo’s or Dory’s in this snorkelling event.
Wife Carrying
Originating in Finland, Wife Carrying is a humorous yet physically demanding sport where male competitors race while carrying their female partners.
The objective is to navigate an obstacle course in the shortest time possible, with the winner receiving their partner’s weight in beer. Various carrying techniques are allowed, including the piggyback, the fireman’s carry, and the popular Estonian-style, where the wife hangs upside down on the husband’s back. Well, at least here, the wife is not sitting on her husband’s head for a change.
Wife Carrying has gained popularity beyond Finland, with competitions held in countries like the United States, Australia, and Estonia. I am left to wonder though, with beer as the prize, what’s in it for the wife?
Extreme Ironing
Combining the mundane task of ironing with extreme sports, extreme ironing is an eccentric activity that involves ironing clothes in unconventional and often dangerous locations.
From mountaintops and forests to underwater and while skydiving, participants take their ironing boards to the most unlikely places to complete the task.
The sport, which started in England in the late 1990s, has gained a cult following and continues to inspire adventurous ironers to push the boundaries of this everyday chore. They should come to South Africa and try to iron while driving on our roads while dodging potholes. Now that’s extreme!
Chess Boxing
A fascinating blend of brain and brawn, Chess Boxing alternates between rounds of chess and boxing. Competitors must excel in both intellectual and physical domains as they engage in a round of chess followed by a round of boxing, with the cycle continuing until a winner is determined by checkmate, knockout, or points.
The sport, conceptualised by French artist Enki Bilal and later formalised in Germany, has gained a niche following, particularly in Europe and Asia, highlighting the unique combination of strategy and strength.
That must be the most painful checkmate ever.
Ferret Legging
I thought I’d leave this one for last … for what you’ll see are obvious reasons.
Ferret Legging is a bizarre endurance test involving participants placing live ferrets inside their trousers and securing the waistband and ankles to prevent the ferrets from escaping.
The goal is to withstand the discomfort and potential bites for as long as possible, as the trapped polecat desperately tries to liberate itself from its dark, musty prison.
For those who’ve been wondering, the current world record stands at over five hours.
This peculiar sport, believed to have originated in Yorkshire, England, has a small but dedicated following, showcasing the eccentricity and tolerance for discomfort of its participants.
I personally think that’s “nuts”.
In Conclusion
The world of sports is incredibly diverse, with countless unconventional and lesser-known activities that challenge our perceptions of competition and entertainment.
These unique sports, steeped in cultural traditions or born from creative minds, offer a refreshing departure from the mainstream and showcase the limitless potential of human ingenuity.
Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, exploring these unusual sports can provide a deeper appreciation for the diverse ways in which people around the world engage in play and competition.
I think if we can have an unconventional category in the Olympics, more people would be glued to their screens. Imagine watching a wheel of cheese roll down a hill or a man trying to avoid being bitten by a ferret on his …
Well, that’s all from me, folks.
