12 Real Sports That Sound Made Up—but Aren’t
Though some games sound so strange they seem made up, sports are a fascinating aspect of human culture. From cheese rolling to wife carrying, the world has an astonishing number of sports that may seem made up but are quite real.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
All across the globe, unusual and sometimes bizarre sports could seem like they are creations of someone’s fantasy. Still, these games have passionate followings, rules, and actual players. This article looks at 12 of the most strange sports really played, exposing the unusual and surprising customs uniting individuals. Many have unexpected pasts and fan bases that sustain them, and these sports push our definition of what constitutes a game.
1. Underwater Hockey
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Sometimes called Octopush, underwater hockey is a sport in which players plunge into a pool and attempt to push a puck into the opposing side’s goal using a tiny stick. Participants wearing snorkels, masks, and fins play it underwater. Fast-paced and requiring great physical endurance and strategy, the game lets players control their breath underwater.
2. Cheese Rolling
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An old British custom, cheese rolling involves participants running after a wheel of cheese down a steep hill. The aim is to complete the race without falling or to catch the cheese. Though the concept is straightforward, it has grown into a worldwide event with participants endangering injury for the excitement of the race.
3. Kabaddi
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A contact sport enjoyed in India and other South Asian nations, kabaddi involves players trying to tag rivals while holding their breath. Teams alternate dispatching “raiders” to the opposite side to tag as many players as they can before returning to their own side. The game is a mix of pure willpower, agility, and strategy.
4. Extreme Ironing
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Extreme ironing is a sport that mixes outdoor adventure with the excitement of ironing clothes. While hiking, athletes carry an ironing board to extreme places, including mountain tops and even underwater. The aim is to iron a shirt or other garments in these severe environments, demonstrating both ability and courage.
5. Bog Snorkeling
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Bog snorkeling takes place in a muddy, boggy swamp. Participants race through a water-filled trench, donning snorkels and fins. Since the event is timed, participants must swim the whole length of the bog without touching the sides. Originating in Wales, this unusual sport has gained worldwide notice for its uniqueness and thrill.
6. Bossaball
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Played on an inflatable court with a trampoline on each side, Bossaball combines volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, and capoeira. As long as the ball remains in the air, players may strike it with any body part, including their feet, hands, head, and chest. The game is high-energy and calls for acrobatics as well as athleticism.
7. Sepak Takraw
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A Southeast Asian sport similar to volleyball, Sepak Takraw involves players using their feet, heads, knees, and chest rather than their hands. Rattan makes up the ball, and the court is divided by a net. Players execute amazing kicks and flips to keep the ball in the air, which calls for extraordinary flexibility and coordination.
8. Quidditch
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Inspired by the Harry Potter novels, Quidditch is a contact sport played on broomsticks. The game mixes aspects of rugby, soccer, and dodgeball, with players attempting to score points by tossing a ball through hoops. It has become more popular on college campuses and worldwide.
9. Zorbing
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With one or two people inside, zorbing is the practice of rolling down a hill inside a massive inflatable ball. Participants in the sport feel a unique sensation of tumbling, bouncing, and spinning as the ball moves down the slope, so they find it exciting. It is a well-liked pastime for thrill-seekers searching for a fresh and exhilarating experience.
10. Sandboarding
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Similar to snowboarding, sandboarding is a sport done on dunes rather than snow-covered inclines. Often racing or tricking, riders glide down sharp dunes on specially built boards. Popular in desert areas, it provides both thrill and adventure.
11. Lawn Mower Racing
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Lawn mower racing is just what it sounds like: racers run altered lawnmowers around a course. Originally a pleasurable hobby, the sport developed fast into a competitive event as lawnmower racing clubs sprang up all over the world. Making a lawnmower fast enough for racing calls for a combination of inventiveness and mechanical ability.
12. Eukonkanto (Wife Carrying)
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A Finnish sport called eukonkanto, or wife carrying, involves men competing against one another by carrying their wives over an obstacle course. The wives are carried in different positions, and the aim is to complete the course in the least time possible. The sport draws people from all over the world and has become a fun tradition.