Cover One of the most unusual sports, extreme ironing involves participants going to remote, unconventional locations to iron clothing items underwater or while parachuting (Photo: Wikicommons)
One of the most unusual sports, extreme ironing involves participants going to remote, unconventional locations to iron clothing items underwater or while parachuting (Photo: Wikicommons)
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We all know what sports are featured in the Olympics, so let us give other obscure sports their time in the spotlight
The world of sports is incredibly diverse, just like the cultures from which they originate. While mainstream sports like football, volleyball, and tennis dominate the global stage and are featured in the Olympic Games, plenty of unrecognised and peculiar sports thrive in the shadows.
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From the rush of extreme ironing, where participants press garments in the most unconventional places, to the bewildering spectacle of chess boxing, which combines strategy with physical prowess, the world of unusual sports is a testament to the human pursuit of entertainment and creativity.
To celebrate these obscure games, we have compiled a list of some of our favourites.
Cheese Rolling
Above The Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling event (Source: Youtube/National Geographic)
The name of the game is self-explanatory—a 3 to 4 kg round of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down a hill, and competitors start racing down the hill after the cheese. Competitors aim to catch the cheese, which can reach high speeds, enough to knock over and injure a spectator. The first person over the finish line wins the cheese.
Held annually in Cooper's Hill, at Brockworth near Gloucester, England, for over 200 years, the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling event is now an international ordeal. Though it is uncertain when this tradition first began in the humble village, the game has attracted participants worldwide, including Belgium, Egypt, Japan, and New Zealand.
Extreme Ironing
Above Extreme ironing on a kayak (Photo: Facebook/@extremeironing)
Extreme ironing on a kayak (Photo: Facebook/@extremeironing)
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According to the Extreme Ironing Bureau (yes there is such a thing), extreme ironing is “the latest dangerous sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt.” The sport involves participants going to remote, unconventional locations to iron clothing items underwater or while parachuting. While there is ongoing debate about whether this can be considered a genuine sport, most people think it is tongue-in-cheek. Invented in England in the late 90s, the first Extreme Ironing World Championship occurred in 2002.
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Quidditch
Officially known as quadball as of 2022, Quidditch is entirely inspired by the fantastical Harry Potter sport. While magic flying broomsticks are unavailable to the players, much of the gameplay remains the same. Two teams of seven players astride regular, non-flying broomsticks aim to pass a ball through the other team’s hoops, though several other rules are involved.
The fictional sport was first brought to life in 2005 in Vermont and has grown to the point of establishing an International Quadball Association (previously the International Quidditch Association) in 2010.
Chess Boxing
Above Mogul Chessboxing Championship held in 2022 (Source: Youtube/Ludwig)
This hybrid sport unsurprisingly combines chess with boxing. Two opponents play alternating rounds of speed chess and boxing until one wins at either discipline or by time penalty in chess. First invented by French comic book artist Enki Bilal and adapted by Dutch performance artist Iepe Rubingh as an art performance, chess boxing has grown into an international competitive sport, especially popular in the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and France.
Bed Racing
Above The Great Knaresborough Bed Race in 2023 (Photo: www.bedrace.co.uk)
The Great Knaresborough Bed Race in 2023 (Photo: www.bedrace.co.uk)
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The first Knaresborough Bed Race, held in 1965, was only open to the US Army, Navy, and Marines, but now the competition is open to everyone. Competitors race in teams of six, plus an additional person who must sit on the bed. Each team must obtain and decorate their own bed, according to the annual theme. Beds run on four wheels but must be able to float, as a portion of the race involves crossing a river. The entire race is about three kilometres in total. While the sport hasn’t taken the globe by storm, it is slowly creeping up and spreading to different countries already.
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Wife Carrying
Above A competitor of the the North American Championship (Photo: www.wife-carrying.org)
A competitor of the the North American Championship (Photo: www.wife-carrying.org)
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Originating in Finland, this sport involves male competitors racing through an obstacle course while each carrying a female partner. Several carrying styles are possible: a classic piggyback, a fireman’s carry, or Estonian-style (wife upside-down on his back with her legs over the neck and shoulders).
The first modern day wife carrying event was held in Finland in 1992 and foreign contestants were admitted in 1995. This event is now held annually in Sonkajärvi, Finland as the World Championship. A North American Championship was started in 1999.
The carried wife can be your own or someone else’s. In fact, in its modern iteration the carried wife does not necessarily need to be a wife at all as long as the person being carried is over 17 years of age. While there are a few rules in place, the most important one is that all participants have fun. The most entertaining couple, the strongest carrier, and the best costumes are also awarded a special prize.
Lifesaving
Above A beginner's guide to Lifesaving with clips from participants during The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA (Source: Youtube/The World Games)
Established on March 27, 1910, in Paris, this sport was created with the primary goal of encouraging lifesavers to develop, maintain and improve the essential physical and mental skills needed to save lives in the aquatic environment.
It is divided into disciplines of pool and beach events based on skills and rescues, with beach events including disciplines such as rescue tube, paddleboarding, and surfing. In contrast, pool events primarily consist of freestyle swimming with an added rescue component.
It is contested at the World Games, a multi-sport event for IOC-recognised sporting events that are not yet in the programme of the Olympic Games.
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