Non-standard sports. Olympics

23.02.202127.05.2017

Today you will not find a person who does not know what football, baseball or hockey is. These basic sports are played literally everywhere: in the yard, at school, even in prisons. However, there are other, less popular, but much more exciting and unusual sports that you should know about.

The types we'll tell you about are probably too strange to be included in the Olympics, but there are still followers of such hobbies who even hold competitions all over the world - from local to international. This article covers the most extreme and bizarre of them, so prepare yourself - we will definitely surprise you. Here are 12 unusual species sports

Checkbox

Let's start with the strangest one. Can you tell me how it is possible to combine these two completely? different types sports? Yes, it's chess + boxing! In principle, both types are a strategic attempt to outwit the enemy. This is the ultimate task that requires the participation of both the brain and the muscles. In this hybrid sport, players alternate rounds of chess and boxing as they try to either knock each other down or checkmate their opponent. The game lasts up to 11 rounds, and the winner is either the one who ultimately wins the chess game or the one who knocks the opponent out of the ring. In some cases, the winner is determined by judges.

This sport is mainly played in Germany and England. It gained its popularity thanks to one comic book that was published in 1992, its author is the French comic book artist Enki Bilal.

Wife Transfer Obstacle Competition

This sport came to us from Finland. During this event, male competitors must overcome a series of obstacles, and the faster they do this, the better for them, but each man must carry his wife on his back. There are three ways to carry your spouse correctly: across the back, fireman (over the shoulder) or Estonian (on the back, upside down). The latter is obviously the most popular.

scuba diving

This is not just scuba diving, but swimming in a peat bog with a snorkel and fins. Regular equipment for such sports is not allowed here, but regular swimming trunks are recommended. The competition is held annually in Wales (UK).

Underwater hockey

This is a new hobby among Australian diving enthusiasts and fans of extreme sports, which viewers watch on monitor screens. The rules of underwater hockey are very similar to the classic game on ice. What's even more extreme is that the game is played under ice without oxygen, on a 6 x 8 meter wide skating rink. Each period lasts 10 minutes with a 10-minute break for divers to warm up. Players must come up for air every 30 seconds.

Quidditch

Yes, we have all read the Harry Potter books or watched the movies, and we all know what Quidditch is. For those who for some reason are not familiar with this sport, we will tell you. Quidditch is a magical competition played by two teams, each with seven players. They fly on brooms and the game involves four balls. Players mount real brooms for themselves and try to throw balls into round hoops at opposite ends of the field, much like the ones in the book.

Bossaball

This team sport came to us from Spain. Bossaball is very similar to volleyball, but also includes elements of football, gymnastics and capoeira. The game is played on a huge inflatable trampoline. Integrated additional trampolines on each side allow players to jump high enough to throw the ball. You won't believe it, but this game is very addictive!

Polo game on bicycles

This activity is much like regular polo, except that participants “saddle” unicycles to chase the ball. Imagine how difficult it is, because they have to balance on one wheel and at the same time try to hit the ball. Seriously, if you're bored or want to kill time, try something like this. It's quite fun.

Extreme ironing

It all started in England when a guy named Phil Shaw, who was bored, decided to take ironing to a whole new level. The meaning of this extreme sports is to take ironing boards and clothes and go to remote and unusual places where you will have to iron things and at the same time film everything on camera or just take photos. There is even a special television program called “Extreme Ironing.”

Games for brave firefighters

Firefighters are also bored, naturally, at a time when they are not saving people's lives. So they came up with a game. The rules are quite simple: competitors climb a high wall, set up a ladder, and then climb to the top. The winner is the one who gets to the top faster than his competitors. This crazy sport requires participants to have the speed of a sprinter, the grace of a panther and the headgear of a rock climber.

Bubble football/ball football

The rules of the game are almost the same as in standard football. All you need is a ball and a bunch of friends. Using an inflatable ball, you can push and knock down other players and score the ball. If playing football isn't that fun anymore, you can always try this weird variation.

Pumpkin racing

In principle, any pumpkin lover can take part in this strange, but at the same time fun race. All you need to do is find a huge pumpkin and make a boat out of it, that is, hollow out all the contents of the vegetable. It is also very important to decorate your boat in some way. So get creative! There are no special rules, but you need to swim very fast. The bottom line is that it is not entirely convenient to operate such an unusual device on the water.

Log throwing

This sport is special because, unlike those we talked about before, it has historical roots. The log toss is a traditional Scottish sporting event in which competitors throw large wooden poles. However, the point of the game is not to throw the log as far as possible, but to land as quickly as possible. upper part logs next to the person who throws it. And, of course, all competitors wear kilts.

There are hardly people who have not heard of basketball or baseball. These sports are spread all over the world. However, local sporting events deserve your attention no less. Let’s say right away that people’s creative approach to sports will not leave you indifferent. Here are competitions for every taste: from simple interpretations popular types sports to completely unique games, the originality of which reaches the point of absurdity. So, here are the 25 most unusual sports in the world:

25. Cooperschild cheese race

Every year, the picturesque Cotswold Hills host a game in which a crowd of daredevils race down the hill in pursuit of a wheel of Double Gloucester Cheese. People from all over the world come to Cooper's Hill to watch and even take part in this dangerous, but very fun competition.

24. Hurling

Can you imagine combining football, baseball and hockey? And in Ireland there is already a game called hurling, which fits this description perfectly. The hurler's equipment consists of: football uniform, protective helmet and wooden stick. The goal of this game is to earn as many points as possible by scoring goals into the opponent's goal.

23. Finnish running with wives

In Finland there is a very funny competition in which men have to overcome an obstacle course with their wives on their husbands' shoulders in a strange position upside down and head down. And to make things even more challenging, the 250-meter obstacle course features two barriers and a water pit. The main prize is an amount equal to the weight of the winner’s wife.

22. Buzkashi

The national sport of Afghanistan, in which players, while on horseback, must grab the carcass of a goat and hold it until they reach the goal line. Buzkashi resembles polo without a stick and ball, and in its roughness it is compared to American football, since Buzkashi is not complete without hitting, kicking and even shooting.

21. Eton wall

Traditional sports game, held exclusively for students at Eton College in England. Some compare it to rugby or football, but this is erroneous, as Eton wall is a completely different game in which playing field is the wall. Players move along the wall and lean on each other in the fight for the ball. If the player is close enough to the edge of the wall, he gets to kick the ball at a target, which can be a tree or a door. This game is not as simple as it seems, considering that last time the goal was scored back in 1909.

20. Jai-alai

Jai Alai is considered by sports fans to be a mixture of badminton and handball. It is usually played singly or in pairs. The goal of the game is to use a scoop-like racket to throw the ball at a wall in the opponent's area. And the opponent, in turn, must catch the ball right in the air or at the first bounce from the wall. Otherwise, the player or team loses points.

19. Checkbox

Imagine the picture: chess players moving pawns and rooks with boxing gloves, and boxers sitting on a chair and thinking about how to beat their opponent in chess. Strange, isn't it? You will be surprised, but in Finland there is already a certain game where boxing and chess go hand in hand. unlike any sport you know of. First, the players play a chess round, then a boxing round, and so on for 11 rounds.

18. Swamp swim on a mountain bike

It is truly surprising that a sport that involves riding a mountain bike while waist-deep in dirty and disgustingly stinking water has become incredibly popular all over the world. It involves not only local residents, but also contestants from different countries. What can I say - they even hold a world championship on it. To win, you need to drive through a ditch with swamp slurry back and forth in the shortest possible time.

17. Kabaddi

This interesting game begins with one team sending an "invader" into enemy territory. If the invader touches someone from the opposing team and runs into his territory, he earns a point. But if the invader was touched or was captured before he could escape, then the point goes to the opponents. Any player touched is out of the game. And so on until one of the teams loses all participants.

16. Royal Maslenitsa football

Can you imagine football match, in which the entire city with a population of several thousand people participates, where even women and children reach for the ball, forgetting about everything in the world? This is exactly how one can describe the royal Maslenitsa football, which is held in the small English town of Ashbourne.

15. Shin Kick Championship

This rigorous competition is quite popular in the Cotswolds, where the Cotswold Cheese Race is held. The essence of the game is simple, like its name. You need to kick your opponent's shin until he falls. Victory is yours if you win two out of three rounds.

14. Bossaball

Many of those who play beach volleyball would like to jump high above the net and perform a powerful attacking shot. And although it seems that only professionals can do such a complex element, any player, even an amateur, can do it by playing the Brazilian variety of beach volleyball - bossa ball. In this sport, a special inflatable platform with trampolines has been created especially for attacking players.

13. Jibbing

This unusual sport It will appeal to extreme sports fans who have not achieved much success in roller skating or skateboarding. For jibbing, all you need is a pair of sneakers with a special groove to slide along the railing. This trick is so popular that it is used by video game characters such as Sonic and Tidus from Final Fantasy X.

12. Holding a ferret in your pants

I’ll say right away that this is one of those games in which it is strongly recommended not to take part. Two angry rodents in your pants can quickly ruin your day. The record time a ferret spends in pants is 5 hours.

11. Towel throwing

In this game, participants are divided into two teams: “throwing” and “girdling”. The “throwing” team chooses one player, around whom the opponents gather in a round dance. The thrower must hit someone in the dance with a towel soaked in beer. If the thrower hits, the point is awarded to the throwing team. But if he misses, he drinks a certain amount of beer. The game ends when all 4 rounds have been played, or when no one is able to stand on their feet.

10. Hornussen

Hornussen is positioned as a game for farmers. It combines the features of hockey and baseball. One command launches with a flexible rod rubber ball, which is called "hornuss". In order to earn points, their opponents must hit the ball with a special racket that looks like a huge poster. Otherwise, the point is awarded to the serving team.

9. Skibob

Throughout the winter, snowboarding and alpine skiing They give us a lot of fun and thrills, but for beginners, riding at such breakneck speeds can lead to very unpleasant and even dangerous consequences for health. However, if you are a fan of winter extreme sports, then skibob will not leave you indifferent. Difference from others winter species sport in only one way: instead of skis and snowboards, you will have something like a bicycle.

8. Camel fights

Surely you have heard about cockfighting, pit bull fighting and even bull fighting. All of the above fights are extremely brutal and usually end in the death of one of the animals. But camel fights, which are held in Turkey, fortunately, do without blood and casualties. The fight ends when one of the camels either runs away or falls to the ground.

7. Extreme ironing

The essence of this sport is very simple: you need to take an iron, ironing board and iron something in the most unexpected place. This is where a pure flight of fantasy begins. You can move an iron across a board while skydiving or calmly iron things while on the top of Everest. Unfortunately, there are no specific guidelines for extreme ironing yet. sporting events, however, ironers continue to show the world yet another crazy way to iron things.

6. Todd River Race

Have you ever seen dragon boat races that move not on water, but on land? By the way, this funny competition is called the Todd River Race, which is held in Australia, in the town of Alice Springs. More than 20 teams are fighting for victory, among them are the names of famous corporations. All dragon boats have no bottom, so players must run in such a way as to reach the finish line without falling over.

5. Game of Trivia

Who would have thought that Winnie the Pooh could inspire people to create a new sport? As strange as it may be, the game of Trivia has become so popular in some parts of Europe that it is even used in world championships. Your task is to throw a stick from the bridge at the same time as other participants. The winner will be the one whose wand appears first from under the opposite side of the bridge.

4. “A real beer storm”

If you think it's simple bicycle race on a quiet afternoon, then you are very much mistaken. All is well as long as these guys drive straight and have a firm grip on the steering wheel. By the way, as part of the annual beer festival in Central Wales, an unusual cycling race is taking place. At control points, each participant is required to drink a certain amount of alcohol. The riders' task is to reach the finish line while being able to stay on the bike. Obviously, people with a high tolerance to alcohol have an increased chance of winning.

3. Worm Charming Competition

In the UK, worm charming is an official sport. It's so popular that Cheshire hosts the World Worm Charming Championships every year. The rules are quite simple. You are given a 3x3 meter plot of land, and you must lure out of the ground and collect as many worms as possible in 30 minutes. I bet this sport is ideal for those who need cheap fish bait.

2. Game of conker

The World Conker Championship is held every October in the small British village of Ashton, located in Northamptonshire, where conker players, the number of whom exceeds three hundred, come from all over the world. The goal of the game is to break your opponent's conker. “What are these conkers?” - you ask. These are horse chestnut fruits that are hung on a string. And the player himself must be fast and dexterous, otherwise his conker will be broken.

1. Bed racing

Back in 1965, only the American military organized bed racing, but over time this funny game became more popular. To win, you need to be the first to cross the finish line. But there are certain rules that must be followed. First, a bed with only one person in it must be pushed by six people. And secondly, the bed must float on the water, since the last stage of the race is crossing the river. Although quite often the last stage neglected.

Bonus:10 most unusual extreme sports:

For centuries, people around the world have invented a wide variety of entertainment. Sport has always been an important part of human culture, and many sports originated centuries, if not millennia ago, and have come to us in a modern interpretation. Modern people, compared to their predecessors, have a lot of free time - and this means that they can invent new sports and change old ones. And therefore it is not surprising that sometimes there are extremely unusual sports in the world. However, this doesn't mean that the world's weirdest sports are anything new: in fact, many of them were invented centuries ago, long before the Internet became a major source of entertainment.

10. Running with my wife and obstacles (Finland)

If you thought that Finland was a progressive country with full gender equality, think carefully. Finland is the country where one of the most strange species sports, steeplechase... and with my wife. It is an annual competition where husbands have to run and overcome various obstacles while carrying their spouses on their backs. And the winner receives an equally unusual prize - as much beer as his wife weighs. The most famous such competition takes place annually in Sonkajärvi, in eastern Finland - where the sport is believed to have been invented. The amazing invention has spread to other countries around the world - including Australia and the USA.

9. Sepak Takraw (Malaysia)

Sepak Takraw is an unusual sport that is especially popular in Malaysia and Thailand. It originated in the 15th century, and over time it became the official sport of these two South Asian countries. Literally translated, “sepak takraw” means “to kick a ball”, and this word consists of two words - the Malay “kick” and the Thai “ball”. A completely unusual combination of football and volleyball, sepak takraw has fairly simple rules. Two teams, each of 3 players, stand on opposite sides of the court, divided by a net, and then try to throw the ball into the opponent's half, hitting it from their own half. The most interesting thing is that you cannot use your hands for this - you can only throw the ball with your feet, knees or chin.

8. Hornussen (Switzerland)

The Swiss are known as the inventors of watches, but they are not exactly known as the inventors of new sports - and it was in Switzerland that Hornussen, one of the most unusual sports in the world, originated. The rules of the game are quite remarkable: the “puck” is sent into the air with a whip, and then the players of the opposing team try to knock it down with “shindles”, similar to large shovels with long handles, throwing them into the air. Teams consist of 18 players, and the game is divided into 4 rounds, or “quarters”. Hornussen is a fairly old sport (it was first described back in 1625), but outside of Switzerland it is just beginning to gain popularity. In 2012, the International Hornussen Association was founded.

7. Buzkashi (Afghanistan)

Buzkashi is played in many countries Central Asia, but only in Afghanistan is buzkashi considered national species sports Literally translated from Turkish, “buzkashi” means something like “beating a goat.” The rules of the game are as strange as its name: players, on horseback, try to drag the carcass of a goat to the goal. In the past, games could last several days, but modern buzkashi rules have a time limit. Riders wear thick clothing and follow a strict "code of honor" - they cannot intentionally knock other players off their horses or whip them. Buzkashi was banned in Afghanistan during the Taliban era, but the game has recently started to gain popularity again. The games usually take place on Fridays, attracting thousands of fans, and the most famous riders are sponsored by wealthy Afghans. This sport is controlled by the Afghan Olympic Federation.

6. Camel racing (Australia)

Australia is the only place in the world where you can watch the unusual spectacle of camel racing. Moreover: 2 major tournaments are held here annually - in Alice Springs and in Queensland (with prize fund at 25,000 dollars). Camels can reach quite a respectable speed - up to 65 km/h. Camel racing, just like regular camel racing horse racing, a very popular sport to bet on. Tournament participants often come from different countries of the Middle East - Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. Along with the races, “beauty contests” among camels are often held, and in some places you can not only watch unusual races, but also visit fairs where a variety of souvenirs and products (for example, camel milk) are sold.

5. Bossabol (Spain)

Bossaball is a truly international sport. Bossaball was invented by a Belgian, first played in Spain, and the rules of the game combine elements of football, volleyball, gymnastics and Brazilian capoeira. The playing field has two “springboards” on either side of the net and is actually a huge trampoline. According to the rules of bossa ball, the player of the first, attacking team serves the ball over the net, and the second, defending team must throw the ball over the net from their half of the field in no more than 5 touches. Bossaball is not only interesting to play, but this unusual sport is no less interesting to watch, since players sometimes have to perform real acrobatic feats in the air while bouncing on a trampoline.

4. Holding a ferret in your pants (England))

This strange sport originated in Yorkshire and, according to legend, was very popular among local coal mine workers. Also known as “ferret pants,” the sport is more of an endurance test in which competitors are required to stuff a ferret into their pants and hold it there by pulling the pants tight around their ankles. The one who lasts the longest wins. World record for at the moment– 5 and a half hours! Keeping a ferret in your pants is a fairly old sport, but it only gained popularity in the seventies and was revived thanks to the large-scale competition in Richard, which was held annually from 2003 to 2009.

3. Kabaddi (Bangladesh)

Kabaddi is a contact sport, an unusual combination of wrestling and tag. During the game, one of the players of the attacking team, the “tackler,” crosses the dividing line of the field and tries to “tag” the players of the opposing team by touching them with his hand or foot. And he can do this for an extremely limited period of time - until he catches his breath. To show that he has not taken a second breath, the player must constantly shout “Kabaddi!”, “Kabaddi!” And in order to calmly breathe again, the “invader” needs to return to his half of the field. Kabaddi is popular in many countries including India, Pakistan, Japan and Iran, but only in Bangladesh is Kabaddi considered a national sport. And professional leagues and various competitions are designed to increase the popularity of the game - for example, the Asian Kabaddi Cup and the World Kabaddi Championship.

2. Capoeira (Brazil)

Capoeira, or "War Dance", is a Brazilian martial art that combines dance, music and acrobatics. Capoeira is used both for self-defense and for performances, during which fighters, accompanied by music that sets the rhythm, amaze the audience with complex acrobatic tricks. The history of capoeira is not completely clear, but it is believed that this sport originated in Brazil in communities of slaves from Africa in the 19th century.

1. Yukigassen (Japan)

Yukigassen is an unusual sport that children will surely enjoy: it represents team game in the snow. This sport originated in Hokkaido, and its name literally means “snow battle.” Yukigassen is played by 2 teams of 7 players each. As soon as any player is hit by a snowball, he is out of the game. Special attention is paid to safety in this “snow battle”: all participants in the game wear special helmets with a face shield. Before the match, exactly 90 snowballs - “shells” - are prepared, and then the teams line up on the court - and the fun begins! Yukigassen competitions are held not only in Japan, but also in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Australia, and Canada. But the World Championship is held annually in the homeland of this unusual sport, in Hokkaido.

When talking about sports, it is customary to mention “Sport No. 1”, “The most popular sport”, “The Queen of Sports”, which is not surprising, given the increasing commercial component. This is where big money, scandals and major news revolve.

But initially, sport is a means to maintain a healthy state of mind and body. Today there are many sports in the world, although not as popular as, say, football, but no less exciting and exciting.

Some competitions may be unusual, but this gives them an extra flavor. Let's talk about the most unusual sports that have already received some recognition.

Underwater hockey

Despite the fact that ice hockey and field hockey are always on everyone’s lips, there is also an exotic variety of this sport. Moreover, it is already quite old, having been invented back in 1950 in the UK by local divers who decided to keep in shape in this way. And the popularity of this type is rapidly growing - after all, you don’t have to spend as much money on equipment as in traditional hockey. Moreover, the underwater variety can be played by people of different genders and physical training - underwater world significantly smoothes out the differences between people. There are 6 people on each side in teams. They drive the puck along the bottom of a pool 2 meters deep and 25x15 meters in size. The player puts on fins, a mask and a snorkel, gloves are on his hands, and a plastic stick 30.5 cm long acts as an analogue of a stick. Even a bathing suit is not required here, although it is advisable to have one. Gate to underwater hockey as much as 3 meters wide, and the puck weighs as much as 1.36 kg. The game is divided into 2 halves of 15 minutes each.

Swamp football

The most popular sport has many “younger” brothers. One of the most exotic is swamp football, which many have already heard about. After all, there is even a World Championship in this sport. This variety was not invented by a football player, but by skier Esa Romppainen. Perhaps he thus wanted to laugh at the glamorous modern football players, and the joke was to some extent a success. And swamp football quickly found fans. World championships have been held since 1989, and regular international competitions since 2000. Usually battles are held in the Finnish Hyrynsalmi. It must be said that swamp football is also played in Russia. Since 2000, the National Championship has been regularly held in the swamps near the village of Novaya, Tosnensky district, Leningrad region. The rules of the game are very similar to regular football, but there are some nuances. The game will certainly take place in mud or swamps, and players are prohibited from changing boots during the game. The size of the field here is 60 by 25 meters. Teams consist of 6 people, and the game takes place in 2 halves of 13 minutes each. This relatively short time is enough for the players to find themselves covered in mud from head to toe. To make substitutions, the game does not stop, and free kicks are awarded by hand. Swamp football brings great joy to both the fans and the players themselves. It often seems that the winner is not the one who scores the most goals, but the one who gets the most dirty.

Lawn mower racing

Few of those who use a lawn mower to create a beautiful lawn imagine the capabilities of this device as a means of transportation. The idea of holding unusual competitions matured back in the mid-70s. Then racing car It was too expensive (however, little has changed in this regard even now), so fans of speed competitions decided to use what was nearby - a lawn mower. The competition aims only to obtain positive emotions and have a good time, no prize money is provided. All profits from events are spent on charity. To participate in competitions, no special skills are required; athletes must be inspected and their equipment must be checked for technical compliance with the rules. There are even 4 groups of participants, depending on the equipment of the lawn mowers. Before the race, the blades are removed for safety reasons. Although from the outside such races seem fun and easy, in fact this activity is quite difficult and grueling, there are even 12-hour races. Lawnmower racing is very popular in the United States, but we can soon expect the sport to spread throughout the world among speed enthusiasts.

Checkbox

In this sport, its creators were able to combine two seemingly incompatible varieties. Chessboxing combines a fusion of mind and physical strength athlete. As a result, a person must be quite versatile, balanced and physically gifted. The first official battles took place quite recently, in 2003. However, in the short time of its life, chessbox has already gained quite a large number fans, an increasing number of athletes want to join smart boxing. There are only 11 rounds in chessbox, with six given to chess itself and five to boxing. IN last round They are just playing chess. Each game lasts 4 minutes, so each opponent is given 12 minutes to think about moves in the fast chess half of the match. If the time is exceeded, the batch is immediately stopped. In boxing, each round lasts 2 minutes. There is a 1 minute pause between rounds so that athletes can put on or take off gloves. Victory in chessboxing is awarded either by checkmating the opponent, or by the opponent exceeding the time to think about the move, or by the opponent surrendering. In the boxing part, what matters is a knockout or a stoppage of the fight by the judge due to a clear advantage of one of the parties. There is even a World Chessboxing Organization, which put forward the slogan: “Battles take place in the ring, but wars are fought on the board!”

Royal football

This type of football, by the way, is already 800 years old, although few people have heard of it. It is curious that royal football, in addition to regular football, includes many other sports: aquatics, rugby and others. And the name “football” itself stuck to this competition later. It used to be simple city fun. The term “royal” was attached to the sport in 1928, when the start of the next competition was personally given by the Prince of Wales. The competition is held annually during Olivet Week in Ashbourne, England. Just like in regular football, the main goal here is to score a goal. Only for this you will have to work hard. The gates are two large mills at different ends of the city, and the playing field itself is the city itself. The match takes place from 14 to 22 hours, the players are divided into “southerners” and “northerners”. The ball can be delivered to the target in any way, it is only prohibited to fight and use forceful techniques. The ball must not be transported vehicle or hide. Parks, cemeteries, and historical sites are excluded from the field of action so as not to cause harm to them. As a result, the action is very reminiscent of a large wrestling match, but people really like it.

Cheese race

Even the name of this sport makes you smile. After all, it’s usually the mouse that chases the cheese, what does that have to do with the man? In fact, in the pursuit of entertainment they come up with something else. In addition, in ancient times, people more urgently needed bright adventures, so this sport arose quite a long time ago. Today, even the British are arguing with the French about who exactly invented the cheese race. The meaning of the competition is quite simple. First, all participants stand on the top of the hill, then the cheese is thrown and everyone who has the strength runs after it. The winner is the one who catches the circle of dairy product at the foot of the mountain. The participant can wear absolutely anything. The winner receives not only a cash reward as the main prize, but also sports equipment- a cheese wheel weighing 3.5 kg. Although from the outside this kind of fun seems fun, in fact this sport is quite traumatic - a rare race goes without fractures and injuries. At one time, racing for cheese in England was even banned. After some time, competitions were allowed again, but herbs remained an integral attribute of the games. But can this stop fans of popular sports? Its popularity continues to grow today.

Racquetball

This game is similar in appearance to regular tennis, but it was created by mixing the fundamentals of handball and squash. The basic rules come from squash, but what does handball have to do with it? In 1949, Joe Sobeck suggested playing a game of squash on the handball field, and using short paddles instead of rackets. It is this man who is called today the creator of racquetball. He did a lot for the development of this sport and its popularization. In 1979, the International Racquetball Federation was founded, and 2 years later the first World Championship was held. This attracted attention that officially recognized the sport as developing. In 1995, racquetball was even included in the Pan American Games. Today, more than 17 million people from 70 countries around the world practice this sport. In Russia this type sport remains unusual, which was the reason for its inclusion in this list. The game is divided into two sets, which last up to 15 points. In case of a tie in games, a third set of up to 11 points is assigned. An interesting feature is that only the server can win a point, but if the receiver wins, he simply takes the serve without winning any points. A similar system existed recently in volleyball. The game is played by either 1 or 2 players. The main task is to hit the ball until it touches the floor for the second time, and the ball can also touch the walls. The position of the racket when touching the ball is very important. Ideally, it should be perpendicular to the floor upon impact. The list of required equipment includes a racket, ball, goggles and shoes. Shoes are usually chosen in white color so as not to leave marks on the floor. Racquetball is gaining popularity because it does not require special skills. In addition, here even an awkward shot can bring success, unlike tennis. Racquetball helps build endurance, significantly improving physical fitness.

Sports sauna

Many men will exclaim that a sauna simply cannot be a sport, how can a simple relaxation be for them? In fact, everything is not so, because athletes in saunas do not relax at all, but fight in endurance by the sweat of their brow, and in the literal sense. Endurance and excellent physical fitness. In fact, a sauna can be insidiously dangerous; it is no coincidence that an ambulance crew is always on duty at competitions. In this sport, the recognized favorites are the Finns; only once did a Russian woman manage to win at the World Championships in 2009. And don’t be surprised by the presence of such high-profile competitions. To take part in them, by the way, athletes need to pay 50 euros. For fans, admission costs 15 euros. The competition is quite popular - in 2009, 150 athletes from 22 countries took part in it. This sport is quite difficult, the participants literally exhaust themselves. After all, the sunna maintains a constant temperature of 110 degrees, and steam is released every 30 seconds. To do this, pour a liter of water onto the hot stones. You cannot lie down in the sauna, nor lean against the walls. Ultimately, the participant must be able to exit the sauna on their own.

Footballball

And there is no typo in this term. Few people have heard of this sport, because it is also only a few years old. The Ukrainian invention is distinguished by the fact that here they play with two balls simultaneously on the field. The first match took place on October 26, 2007 between the team of the bank and the construction institute. The organizers had to conduct a 10-minute briefing before the start of the fight to explain all the rules. However, neither the players nor even the judges really understood anything. There was a complete chaos going on on the field; even the score of the game was not immediately established. As a result, the bankers’ victory was somehow revealed with a score of 15:8, they were declared winners and immediately world champions. The Ukrainians decided not to complicate the fight for the title. The rules here are the same as in big football, the gates and the field are the same size. There are, as was said, two balls here - pink and blue. There are 11 players in each team, but an unlimited number of substitutions are allowed. Four referees monitor the progress of the game at once - two for each ball. The assistant flags are also colored in the color of the balls. The referees also have different whistles so that the players and spectators can understand exactly where the game has been stopped. But there is no offside rule here. The creators of footdoubleball are determined to develop their sport. In 2010, it is planned to hold the first championship of the city of Kyiv, in which 16 teams will take part. Although today both tactics and movement of players seem crazy, perhaps footdoubleball will take its rightful place among popular sports.

Mobile phone throwing

It seems that the motto of athletes of this type is: “Throw out everything old as far as possible.” And although laughter remains laughter, there is even a World Mobile Phone Throwing Championship. And there is a prize fund here, which is quite impressive. Interestingly, the winner is determined not only by the range of the throw, but by the artistry of its execution. Thus, in 2008, the winner was a dog that, with unprecedented grace, was able to throw a telephone several centimeters. The competition traditionally takes place in Helsinki. There is also a junior category, also with its own prize fund. The world record for throwing a mobile phone is now 95 meters! Tournament organizers attract celebrities to popularize this sport - Naomi Campbell and Russell Crowe are planned to participate in the 2011 competition.

Tourwrestling

Arm wrestling is known to everyone, but touring wrestling - wrestling using toes - is not so famous. Athletes enter the ring and interlock their big toes, although their posture for wrestling is rather awkward. World cups in this unusual sport have been held since 1970. Here the struggle is waged in different weight categories, separately on the right and left leg. The 2010 world champion was Allen Nash, a 49-year-old man. Perhaps one of his tricks was the pungent smell of socks and feet, for which the athlete even received the nickname “nasty.” But he became famous throughout the world after winning the 20-minute final. This same sport is known as foot wrestling. This sport is most popular in Asia, although it officially originated in Scotland back in the Middle Ages. There, knights loved to organize kick-fighting tournaments during rest stops of military campaigns.

Tractor racing

Although these competitions are not as fast as Formula 1, they are quite spectacular. Such races are held annually in Rostov region called "Bison Track Show". It is becoming a good tradition for agricultural producers from all over the country to come to participate in this extreme rally. In addition to the excitement from the feeling of speed, the winner receives as a prize new tractor with original tuning. As a result, both the participants and the spectators are satisfied, and this is the main thing in any competition. Every year the route is modified and made more and more difficult. Typically, the speed of tractors does not exceed 30 km/h, although in some areas they accelerate to 75 km/h. Special attention is paid to safety precautions here. It is recommended to watch the competitions while standing on a hill to protect against accidents in the behavior of formidable machines. However, technical inspection for cars is also mandatory; in addition, old engines are replaced with turbochargers with cooling, and other parts “sharpened” for racing are used.

Mustache and beard competition

Many will be surprised, but since 2007 this former carnival has been officially recognized as a sporting event. It is not clear what is sporting about wearing beards and mustaches, but the fact remains. The World Championship takes place every 2 years. Owners of the world's most unusual mustaches and beards compete there. The last time the competition was held was in 2009 in the city of Anchorage, Alaska. The championship has many different categories, ranging from the thinnest mustache to the largest and most unusual beards. At the same time, judges pay attention not only to the originality of facial hair, but also certainly check the authenticity of the hair, the degree of its silkiness and softness.

Sled dog racing without snow

For most people, dog sledding is strongly associated with winter and snow. But there is a sport in which dogs do not drag their sleds through the snow. Such races are already quite promoted. So, last championship Europe took place in the German city of Rasted. 300 athletes from 19 countries took part in it. The Poles performed best, winning 8 medals, including 6 gold. The closest competitors were the teams of Norway, Germany and the Czech Republic. The races themselves are held on special sleds that have wheels instead of runners.

Long jump on horses

This sport even managed to take part in the Olympics! True, this was quite a long time ago - in 1900 in Paris. The meaning of the competition is quite simple - long jump. Only instead of one person, the horse jumps along with the rider. During the awards ceremony, then, all the glory went to the people, but the horses themselves did not rise to the pedestal and did not receive the well-deserved glory and awards. Today, long jumps on horses, as well as high jumps on horses, are very popular in France. Moreover, now the caring French are preparing sets of awards for horses. The winner's sumptuous dinner includes oats, corn, peas, barley, beans, bran, beets, carrots and potatoes!

There are hardly people who have not heard of football, basketball or baseball. These sports are spread all over the world. However, local sporting events deserve your attention no less. Let’s say right away that people’s creative approach to sports will not leave you indifferent. There are competitions for every taste: from simple interpretations of popular sports to completely unique games, the originality of which reaches the point of absurdity. So, here are the most unusual sports in the world:

Cooperschild cheese race

Hurling

Can you imagine combining football, baseball and hockey? And in Ireland there is already a game called hurling, which fits this description perfectly. A hurler's equipment consists of a football uniform, a protective helmet and a wooden stick. The goal of this game is to earn as many points as possible by scoring goals into the opponent's goal.

Finnish running with wives

In Finland there is a very funny competition in which men have to overcome an obstacle course with their wives on their husbands' shoulders in a strange position upside down and head down. And to make things even more challenging, the 250-meter obstacle course features two barriers and a water pit. Main prize - quantity beer , equal to the weight of the winner's wife.

Buzkashi

The national sport of Afghanistan, in which players, while on horseback, must grab the carcass of a goat and hold it until they reach the goal line. Buzkashi resembles polo without a stick and ball, and in terms of roughness it is compared to American football, since Buzkashi involves hitting, kicking and even shooting.

Eton wall

A traditional sports game played exclusively for students at Eton College in England. Some people compare it to rugby or football, but this is a mistake, as Eton wall is a completely different game in which the playing field is the wall. Players move along the wall and lean on each other in the fight for the ball. If the player is close enough to the edge of the wall, he gets to kick the ball at a target, which can be a tree or a door. This game is not as simple as it seems, considering that the last time a goal was scored was back in 1909.

jai alai

Jai Alai is considered by sports fans to be a cross between badminton and handball. It is usually played singly or in pairs. The goal of the game is to use a scoop-like racket to throw the ball at a wall in the opponent's area. And the opponent, in turn, must catch the ball right in the air or at the first bounce from the wall. Otherwise, the player or team loses points.

Checkbox

Imagine the picture: chess players moving pawns and rooks with boxing gloves, and boxers sitting on a chair and thinking about how to beat their opponent in chess. Strange, isn't it? You will be surprised, but in Finland there is already a certain game where boxing and chess go hand in hand. Chessboxing is unlike any sport you know about. First, the players play a chess round, then a boxing round, and so on for 11 rounds.

Swamp ride on a mountain bike

It is truly surprising that a sport that involves riding a mountain bike while waist-deep in dirty and disgustingly stinking water has become incredibly popular all over the world. It involves not only local residents, but also competitors from different countries. What can I say - they even hold a world championship on it. To win, you need to drive through a ditch with swamp slurry back and forth in the shortest possible time.

Kabaddi

This interesting game begins with one team sending an "invader" into the enemy's territory. If the invader touches someone from the opposing team and runs into his territory, he earns a point. But if the invader was touched or was captured before he could escape, then the point goes to the opponents. Any player touched is out of the game. And so on until one of the teams loses all participants.

Royal Shrovetide Football

Can you imagine a football match in which the entire city with a population of several thousand people participates, where even women and children reach for the ball, forgetting about everything else? This is exactly how one can describe the royal Maslenitsa football, which is held in the small English town of Ashbourne.

Shin Kick Championship

Bossaball

Many of those who play beach volleyball would like to jump high above the net and perform a powerful attacking shot. And although it seems that only professionals can do such a complex element, any player, even an amateur, can do it by playing the Brazilian variety of beach volleyball - bossaball. In this sport, a special inflatable platform with trampolines has been created especially for attacking players.

Hornussen

Hornussen is positioned as a game for farmers. It combines the features of hockey and baseball. One team launches a rubber ball called a “hornuss” using a flexible rod. In order to earn points, their opponents must hit the ball with a special racket that looks like a huge poster. Otherwise, the point is awarded to the serving team

Skibob

Throughout the winter, snowboarding and alpine skiing give us a lot of fun and thrill, but for beginners, skiing at such breakneck speeds can lead to very unpleasant and even dangerous consequences for health. However, if you are a fan of winter extreme sports, then skibob will not leave you indifferent. There is only one difference from other winter sports: instead of skis and snowboards, you will have something like a bicycle.

Extreme ironing

The essence of this sport is very simple: you need to take an iron, ironing board and iron something in the most unexpected place. This is where a pure flight of fantasy begins. You can move an iron across a board while skydiving or calmly iron things while on the top of Everest. Unfortunately, there are no special sporting events for extreme ironing yet, but ironers continue to show the world yet another crazy way to iron things.

Todd River Racing

A real beer storm

If you think this is a simple bike race on a quiet afternoon, then you are very mistaken. All is well as long as these guys drive straight and have a firm grip on the steering wheel. By the way, as part of the annual beer festival in Central Wales, an unusual cycling race is taking place. At control points, each participant is required to drink a certain amount of alcohol. The riders' task is to reach the finish line while being able to stay on the bike. Obviously, people with a high tolerance to alcohol have an increased chance of winning.