Crazy sports around the world- When it comes to sports, there are a plethora of options that seem ordinary, ones you might’ve even enjoyed in school. But beyond the typical games like baseball, there are plenty of more unusual activities waiting to be explored. This list will take you on a journey to discover the most bizarre and quirky sports you might just be keen to try out!
Some are unique, while others are an intriguing fusion of sports and strange activities that wouldn’t fit the normal description of sports; these strange sports range from zorbing to wife-carrying, among others. Which is the strangest sport in the world right now? Well, let’s find out.
A list of the Crazy sports in the world
Sports are an integral aspect of human culture, and for centuries, we have created new pastimes to entertain ourselves. According to various statistics, the following sports are the top ten strangest ever invented.
1. Sepak Takraw
- Place of origin: Malaysia
- First played: The 15th century
Sepak Takraw, also called “kick volleyball,” is among the least eccentric sports on this list. It’s popular throughout Southeast Asia and very similar to volleyball. The distinguishing feature is that players can’t use their arms to hit the ball, only any other body part is allowed. The rules also call for a ball constructed of dried palm leaves.
Sepak Takraw’s early versions were cooperative exhibitions of talent designed to enhance the body’s ability, rather than competitive games. By the 1940s, the sport had widely spread across Southeast Asia, and informal rules had been incorporated to shape it into a structured game.
2. Tuk-tuk Polo
- Place of origin: Sri Lanka
- First played: 2016
Polo, once a sport for horses and elephants only, can now be played even in tuk-tuks – three-wheeled open vehicles most common in Thai cities. The game was invented as a more elephant-friendly alternative to the traditional format played atop these magnificent animals, which was abandoned in 2007 after an elephant ran amok.
The is played in teams of two, with each team riding two tuk-tuks. One team member acts as the driver while the other plays as the striker. The ball, resembling a cricket ball, is propelled using short sticks that resemble mallets. As with previous variations of polo, the objective is to score goals by kicking the ball through the goalposts.
3. Extreme Ironing
- Place of origin: Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
- First played: 1980
Source: Getty Images
Ironing has evolved from a mundane chore to a performance art and adventure cult, as enthusiasts seek out bizarre locations and methods to get their clothes wrinkle-free. Extreme Ironing, officially defined as “the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt,” as noted by the Extreme Ironing Bureau, is a prime example.
4. Cheese Rolling
- Place of origin: Cooper’s Hill, near Gloucester in, England
- First played: 1826
Cheese Rolling, a quirky event, entails chasing down a hill after a wheel of Gloucester Cheese. When this dairy delight is rolled down Cooper’s Hill close to Gloucester, England, a 7-9 pound Double Gloucester round acquires a one-second head start and may attain speeds of up to 70mph.
Although we don’t know where it originated from, cheese rolling used to be an event reserved for the locals, taking place every May’s end. Nowadays, people from all around the globe participate in the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, vying for a chance to claim the glory.
5. Wife-carrying
Source: Getty Images
- Place of origin: Finland
- First played: 1992
Wife-carrying competition has its origins in Finland. Yes, as the name implies, it involves carrying your wife over an obstacle course and racing for the fastest time. The course length is a fixed 253.5 meters, and the wife must weigh at least 49 kilograms. A fifteen-second penalty is charged for dropping your spouse. The global tournament takes place in July, with the champion receiving a prize equivalent to their wife’s weight in beer.