There are hundreds of sports in the world, or thousands if we count all their sub-variants.
Among these are a number of rather bizarre disciplines from across the world that are somehow able to attract the curiosity and passion of an ever-growing audience.
Here are five that we’ve selected.
- UNDERWATER CYCLING
This is a type of cycling, obviously practiced underwater, using a special unpowered bicycle that’s specifically built to withstand underwater conditions. There are two types of underwater cycling race, one a sprint and the other a distance event.
2. SKYSURFING
An acrobatic parachuting technique in which the parachutist jumps with a surfboard attached to his or her feet. An unusual sport to say the least, with its fair share of risks and to be practiced with extreme caution.
3. YUKIGASSEN
Literally a “snowball match”. An unusual, fun sport that’s taken extremely seriously in its homeland, Japan. It’s played particularly in Hokkaido where every year, on Showa-Shinzan at Subetsu, the world championship is held.
4. UNDERWATER RUGBY
A team sport played in swimming pools with a depth from 3.5 to 5 m and a playing area of around 10 x 15 m. The aim of the sport is to get the ball in the basket defended by the opposing team, with the baskets placed at the bottom of the pool at each end of the playing area.
5. LIGHTSABER FENCING
Just like fencing, but using Star Wars lightsabers! Not just a sport, but an all-out tribute to the sci-fi movie saga conceived by George Lucas. Authentic fencing duels that, by recreating the fights in the films, are attracting more and more curiosity and enthusiasm.
Sources:
https://www.wired.it/lifestyle/sport/2019/09/02/sport-strani-mondo/
https://www.sportmagazine.it/ciclismo/2023/02/06/ciclismo-subacqueo-la-storia-dellunderwater-cycling/
