15 Oddball Sports That Actually Have World Championships
Football, basketball, and soccer aren't the only sports in the world. There are world championships for some very unusual and bizarre sports. In addition to showcasing the variety and originality of athletic competition, these oddball sports bring a dash of humor and the fantastical to the concept of international sporting events.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
In this article, we’ll visit 15 of the most out-of-the-ordinary sports that hold annual global championships. Cheese rolling is just one example of how these unconventional sports challenge the status quo and highlight the inventiveness of people all over the world. Even though these niche sports don’t get much attention, they have devoted fans and offer something fresh in terms of entertainment and thrills. To find out who the real world champions are, you’re about to stumble upon some of the strangest and most unusual contests ever.
1. Cheese Rolling
Mark Stebnicki on Pexels
This competition in the UK involves chasing a wheel of cheese weighing nine pounds down a steep hill. The cheese is given to the first person to cross the finish line and get to the bottom of the hill. Competitors come from all over the globe to participate in this exciting and potentially dangerous event, which has been going on for centuries.
2. Extreme Ironing
Pixabay on Pexels
Extreme ironing is a sport that mixes the skill of ironing garments with the excitement of extreme sports. In this sport, competitors risk their lives by bringing their irons to extreme environments, such as underwater or atop a mountain. The objective is to iron a shirt while engaging in extreme sports like rock climbing or skydiving.
3. Toe Wrestling
ROCKETMANN TEAM on Pexels
Locking toes and attempting to pin the other person’s feet to the ground is the goal of toe wrestling matches. This strange but popular sport in the UK is structured similarly to arm wrestling. Whoever can keep their opponent’s toes under control for the longest duration wins.
4. Underwater Hockey
Jill Burrow on Pexels
Underwater hockey, sometimes called Octopush, is a fast-paced game played at the bottom of the pool. Each team uses a tiny stick to try to score goals against the other. As they dart in and out of the water, players must hold their breath. Physical stamina, agility, and teamwork are the hallmarks of this sport.
5. Bog Snorkeling
Ecrinn Burgazli on Pexels
Wearing only a snorkel and flippers, bog snorkelers must swim through a mucky, waterlogged trench. The sport is frequently staged in Wales, where participants attempt to finish the course in the fastest time possible while racing through the muddy bog. Despite its peculiar look, it has grown into a cherished tradition in some regions.
6. Kite Fighting
Sóc Năng Động on Pexels
Traditional kite fighting involves two teams attempting to knock each other’s kites out of the sky using their own kites. Kite flyers compete in this thrilling sport by using their flying abilities, strategy, and even a little luck to snipe their opponents’ kite strings. The play continues until one player’s kite is flown out of the sky.
7. Quidditch (Real-Life)
iddea photo on Pexels
The real-life version of the fictional Harry Potter video game, a combination of soccer, rugby, and dodgeball, quidditch is a broomstick sport. The goal of this seven-player game is to score points by catching the Golden Snitch and avoiding Bludgers with a ball called a Quaffle. Competitions at both the national and international levels showcase the sport’s global appeal.
8. Worm Charming
Sippakorn Yamkasikorn on Pexels
In a worm-charming competition, the goal is to pull out as many worms from the soil as possible within a given time limit. If the worms don’t come to the surface, the charmers will try other methods, like tapping the ground or playing music. Whoever can summon the most worms will be declared the victor.
9. Freestyle Library Racing
Andy Lee on Pexels
Competitors in this bizarre sport race atop library carts. The objective is to avoid hazards as quickly as possible without damaging the library’s collection of books. People from all walks of life participate in this entertaining and unique race, which is frequently held at community events or public libraries.
10. Rock, Paper, Scissors World Championship
Thirdman on Pexels
The game of Rock, Paper, Scissors has been taken seriously despite its simple reputation as a decision-making game. Competitors at the world championship test their mettle in a match that demands lightning reflexes, mental acuity, and strategy. This exciting, entertaining sport now has its own governing body and rules of participation.
11. Air Guitar Championship
Diva Plavalaguna
Athletes compete in the Air Guitar World Championships by showing how well they can play rock music without actually having a guitar. Spectacular performances, full of energy and flair, will fill the event. A performer’s charisma, stage presence, and overall performance determine the winner.
12. Human Tower Building
Manyacs Parets on Wikimedia
An ancient custom in Catalonia, Spain, known as “human tower building,” involves piling on top of one another to create artificially tall structures. The objective is for teams to construct human towers that are both tall and stable. The event calls for exceptional strength and coordination, and the towers can reach dizzying heights.
13. Zorbing
Bernard Spragg. NZ on Wikimedia
Zorbing is a sport in which participants, typically accompanied by a partner, roll downhill in a massive inflatable ball. Races can be held on either smooth or rough terrain, and participants pit their rolling speed against one another. Zorbing is an exciting new activity gaining popularity as a tourist attraction.
14. Sandcastle Building
IslandHopper X on Pexels
Every year, the world gathers to witness the finest sand sculptors compete in world championships, a sport that has developed from making sandcastles. Competitors have a set amount of time to build elaborate sandcastles with intricate designs. The works are evaluated according to their originality, style, and practicality.
15. Fierljeppen
Rob Bogaerts / Anefo on Wikimedia
Dutch athletes compete in fierljeppen, a sport that requires them to run down a lengthy runway, jump over a canal, and land on the opposite side. To jump as far as they can, athletes utilize poles to propel themselves across the water. It’s like a hybrid of long jumping and pole vaulting, but with a unique spin.