Chess Boxing – Germany
Brain meets brawn in this intense sport of, as the name suggests, boxing meets chess. Players, or fighters, will alternate between a session of chess and a round of boxing. Particularly popular in Germany, the aim of the game is to either beat your opponent with a checkmate on the chess board, or by literally beating your opponent to a knockout victory in the boxing ring.
Cheese Rolling – England
Cheese rolling has a long history dating back to the 1800s. Participants chase a 9lb wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down the insanely steep Cooper’s Hill, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph. The first person to cross the finish line wins the cheese. Injuries are common and although no has died competing, a freak thunderstorm in 1982 saw four adults and four children struck by lightning.
Octopush – Canada
Octopush, or underwater hockey, began in England in the 1950s with the first official World Championship’s being held in Canada in 1980. Players use small sticks to push a puck along the bottom of the pool. It’s a fast-paced and physically demanding sport and the rules are essentially the same as regular hockey, only underwater. The name Octopush comes from the eight players on each team – no octopuses are involved, sadly.
Quidditch – U.S.A
Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, muggle Quidditch, renamed Quadball after a legal dispute with Warner Bros., is a real-life adaptation of the fictional sport. Teams of seven (including a Golden Snitch) ‘fly’ on broomsticks while aiming to score goals with a ball. Major League Quidditch was established in 2015 and the game in its current form is governed by the International Quidditch Association.
Yukigassen – Japan
Yukigassen, which means snow battle in Japanese, began in the 1980s. It’s a snowball fighting sport similar to capture the flag, with organized teams and tournaments, fighting around forts and barricades. The sport has become popular in snow-rich regions worldwide including Russia and Canada. Its rules are governed by the Japan Yukigassen Federation. Covid had a major affect on the league’s growth, but it is making a comeback.
Eukonkanto – Finland
Eukonkanto, a Finnish tradition, showcases male participants carrying their female partners through a challenging obstacle course, testing not only strength but also teamwork and strategy. The unique prize for the victorious pair is also uniquely Finnish—beer, awarded in the woman’s weight. This quirky sport has gained popularity, with the World Wife Carrying Championships held annually in Sonkajärvi, Finland.
Bossaball – Brazil
Looking like something straight out of American Gladiators, Bossaball is a unique sport that combines elements of volleyball, soccer, and gymnastics. It’s played on an inflatable court with trampolines on each side, with the aim of landing the ball in your opponents strike zone. Originating in Spain in 2004, it has gained popularity in countries like the Netherlands and Brazil.
Hornussen – Switzerland
Hornussen, deeply rooted in Swiss tradition, involves players using long, flexible bats to strike a small puck called a hornuss. In what sounds like a giant game of catch, the aim is to propel the hornuss as far as possible into the opposing team’s territory while the opposing team endeavors to stop it from touching the ground.
Bog Snorkelling – Wales
Bog Snorkelling, a Welsh tradition, sees competitors navigating a water-filled trench carved into a peat bog, armed solely with snorkels and flippers. The World Bog Snorkelling Championship, held in Llanwrtyd Wells every year in August, sees participants from across the world compete while raising money for various charities.
Shin-Kicking – England
Shin-kicking, or Hacking, has been a part of the Cotswold Olimpick Games since 1612. Contestants stuff their pants with straw and kick each other’s shins until one falls. Clogs or even steel-cap boots are traditionally worn. It’s a painful but traditional sport with deep roots in British history and, ever since the games were re-introduced in 1951, the sport still draws thousands of eager fans.
