You don’t have to be a sports fan to answer questions regarding the most popular sports worldwide. Games like football, basketball, or tennis attract millions of viewers and are among the most talked-about topics in social networks, TV, or newspapers.
However, there is a fair share of sports that don’t attract that much attention. You will most likely not find them in the best betting apps for iPhone nor in your local sports newspaper. Moreover, you might find them rather silly.
After all, games like extreme ironing, cheese rolling, or competitive sleeping don’t sound overly exciting. Amusing? Yes, but it is fair to say they aren’t the most popular sports around. What is more, they are just the tip of the iceberg. Read on to discover the four most extraordinary sports worldwide.
Chess Boxing
This game is a hybrid between chess and boxing. It was first played in 2003 by Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh and middleweight fighter Jean Louis Veenstra. Rubingh wanted to combine two popular games, which are considered to promote intelligence and physical strength, respectively.
The rules of chess boxing are fairly simple. A player has to alternate rounds of chess and boxing for 11 rounds. The round of chess is played first and lasts three minutes. The boxer then spends a minute resting and enters the ring for another three minutes. After the boxing round, there is again a one-minute break, and then the cycle repeats itself.
Lumberjack
When it comes to the lumberjack, it is fair to say this sport isn’t exactly popular among young people. This is mainly due to the fact that lumberjacks are no longer a common sight. However, its most significant event, called the Lumberjack World Championships, still attracts plenty of people from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia who want to put their logging skills to the test.
Lumberjacking competitions are usually organized on a national level. At present, lumberjack events include several competitions such as log rolling, cross-cut sawing, speed climbing on a pole, or chopping down trees with an axe!
If you think this sport might be fun to see with your own eyes, you are in luck. The Lumberjack World Championships are coming back this year in July. The best at sawing, chopping and climbing will come to Hayward, Wisconsin. You do not want to miss it!
Quidditch
Unless you are a Harry Potter fan, chances are you never heard of this sport before. Quidditch was introduced in books written by J.K. Rowling and is now extremely popular among students around the world, especially those who attend universities such as Harvard University or Boston College. During their free time, they often organize tournaments involving several teams that play quidditch throughout the year.
While this sport was intended for children aged 14 to 18 years old, many adults also play it. It even has its own World Cup with the United States as the current champion. Since its creation in 2005, it has significantly grown its player base and became much more popular. Nowadays, there are even teams in Malaysia, Vietnam, and Uganda.
Pétanque
Pétanque is a French sport that is played by tossing steel balls called boules. It is believed that pétanque has a long history, reaching even the times of ancient Greece and Egypt. Nevertheless, its current design originated from a form of boules known as jeu provençal in 1910.
The main objective of pétanque is to throw your ball closest to a small target ball made of wood called a jack or cochonnet. This tiny ball has a diameter of 30 mm. If your ball is the closest one from the cochonnet, it counts as “having a point”. The game consists of seven rounds, also called ends or mènes.
This sport is highly prevalent in France, where people of all ages play it. There are professional teams that compete against one another in tournaments or leagues. For example, Germany, Spain, and England are known for their strong pétanque national teams.
The Bottom Line
There you have it! These are some of the most extraordinary sports in the world. Now all you need to do is try yourself in one of them or simply join their audiences and enjoy the show.
Chess boxing requires a unique blend of physical and mental prowess. On the other hand, lumberjack offers a spectacular show full of Hercules-like feats.
Another option worth considering is quidditch, regardless of your age. After all, everyone can find some joy in chasing after the Golden Snitch. Finally, pétanque is a game with a long history and straightforward rules that you can play almost anywhere.
All of these unusual games have fans in every corner of the world. It only goes to show that there are no limits to human imagination.
