We inhabit an odd, odd world—a fact made generously clear when we examine how different cultures define the word “sport.” Ready have a trip to England for final ironing, in which competitors carry out the duties of domestic life while dangling from a cliff or strapped to the top of a moving vehicle and then Germany brought us a cycle ball, which is soccer played on bicycles with no brakes. These sports may be strange and hard to believe, but that's what makes them so great and hilarious. No matter where you go in the world, there’s an intriguing pastime to suit your fancy. So pack your bags, hop on a plane, and go watch a sport that defies logic and oftentimes gravity.
Ostrich, in South Africa, Ukraine
Ostrich racing originated in Africa and eventually made its way over to the US. It can reach a surprising speed of 43 miles an hour, and their legs can reach up to 16 feet in a single stride. During a game of ostrich racing, people sit on ostriches and race them around a track.
Chess boxing, Based in Netherland
As its name might suggest, chess boxing is a combination of two traditional sports: chess and boxing. The game alternates between serious games of chess and intense rounds of boxing. Chess boxing is a hybrid sport that combines the sport of boxing with games of chess in alternating rounds. Chess boxing fights have been organized since early 2003. The sport was started when Dutch artist. The sport has become increasingly popular since then.[To succeed players must be both skilled chess players and skilled boxers. The object of chess boxing is to either beat your opponent in alternate rounds of chess or boxing. Matches can be won from either discipline with the chess coming down to check mate or forfeit and the boxing in either a stoppage or points decision.
Pesäpallo, Finished Baseball, in Finland
Pesäpallo, the national sport of Finland, was born from the desire to carve a distinct national identity in the early days of the country’s statehood. It retains some strong similarities with baseball, while still bearing its own unmistakable identity. A favourite of men and women alike, pesäpallo is the sport of the whole Finnish nation.
Underwater hockey, in the Uk
Underwater hockey is exactly what it sounds like — a game of hockey, but underwater. It was invented in the UK in 1954. The game consists of 15 minutes halves and a three minutes half time. Each team is allowed one 60 seconds time out per half. The game clock stops for any infringements in the last 2 minutes of the game.
Toe wrestling, in England
So to give everyone some hope, they created a new sport – toe wrestling. The idea was that if they invented a new sport, the English would be the best in the world at it. The game is a bit like arm wrestling – competitors play with bare feet and link toes. In the very disturbing game of toe wrestling, two people lock feet and battle with their toes, attempting to pin each other's foot down.
Zorbing, in England
Although it's one of the strangers extreme sports out there, zorbing is actually pretty simple: Climb inside a big inflated ball and roll down a hill. If it sounds strange, you're right. If it sounds like fun, you're definitely right. The plastic ball is double-walled, so the rider (sometimes harnessed in, sometimes not) bounces around and gets the thrill of speed, but is protected from the full impact of hitting the ground repeatedly. Zorbing has been around since the mid-1990s when David and Andrew Akers came up with the idea in Rotorua, New Zealand. Since then, they've expanded the business globally, opening locations in seven countries, including the United States. Of course, they've generated lots of competition, with names like globe-riding, sphering, orbing, and the more generic hill-rolling.