Around the world, enthusiasts, daredevils, and offbeats have found that typical, popular sports just won’t do. For those adventurous individuals, beneath the surface in countries large and small, there’s a community of athletes pushing the limits, creating new sports, or riffing on old traditions.
Attending these games and contests can be thrilling events in themselves. Here’s our list of the world’s most unbelievable sports – the ones you have to work to find.
Jack Jumping – Dover, USA
The California Gold Rush era wasn’t all about the sparkle in the mountain; it was also about the sparkle on the mountains. Jack Jumping started in the 1850s as a swift means for prospectors and support staff to get down the mountain and quickly evolved into a competitive sport after hours of gold-digging. It gave birth to modern competitive skiing and held its own as a premier competition in the region for around 80 years. Following a lull, jack jumping has witnessed a revival, particularly in Vermont, rooted in French-Canadian logging history. Skiers race downhill using homemade, seated skis while leashing themselves to prevent runaway accidents.
More info: www.mountsnow.com/events/calendar/jack-jump-world-championships/
Sumo Wrestling – Tokyo, Japan
Although Sumo is popular, its mechanics and culture are unique to Japan, with nothing else in the world like it. Sumo originated from ancient Shinto rituals and began as entertainment in the 1600s. The Grand Sumo Tournament has been an annual event since 1958, occurring on several dates each year throughout the country.
More info: www.sumo.or.jp/En/
East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Race Championship – Baltimore, USA
Kinetic racing combines art with overall design determination. Each May, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) hosts the championship on the shores of Baltimore’s Harbor in central Maryland. The race spans 14 miles, primarily on pavement, but also includes challenges through the Chesapeake Bay and across mud and sand. These amphibious sculptures showcase thrilling racing, with Baltimore’s event regarded as one of the nation’s most dynamic.
More info: www.kineticbaltimore.com
Quidditch
Harry Potter fans have taken the fictional sport of Quidditch and turned it into reality. Players dash around with broomsticks between their legs, firmly planted on the ground, scoring with the quaffle and attempting to catch the Golden Snitch. The sport has a governing body and an official World Cup, with the 2020 edition held in Richmond, Virginia. Numerous teams compete for the title, and the USA currently holds the championship.
More info: www.iqasport.com
Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake – Brockworth, England
Each spring, a nine-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese begins its descent down a steep hill, with hundreds of eager participants rolling after it. The first person to cross the finish line wins the cheese. Although it has been discontinued as an official event, many continue to keep the tradition alive, tracing back to the 1800s and still thrilling participants today.
Shin-Kicking – Gloucestershire, England
Leave it to the Brits to have another unusual sporting tradition – this involves the literal kicking of each other’s shins to painful levels. As part of the Cotswold Olympicks, the goal is to outlast your opponent by being the last person standing. This brutal sport often requires medical attention following the bouts.
Portland Adult Soapbox Derby – Portland, USA
Portland summers are legendary. During typically mild weather, an annual race occurs every August at Mt. Tabor Park on the city’s east side. Amateurs construct full-scale soapbox cars and send them downhill at speeds ranging from blistering fast to crawling. The vehicle designs are often quirky, serving as much of a celebratory art piece as the eventual winner.
More info: www.soapboxracer.com
Cycleball
Imagine soccer, but on a bike. Athletes use special (and costly) bikes to maneuver a ball on a small court, aiming to score goals in a compact net. While its origins are debated, the sport has gained popularity across western mainland Europe and even as far as Japan. Officially organized through a broader cycling union, it has its own World Cup tournament.
More info: www.uci.org
Calcio Storico – Florence, Italy
The game of ‘historical football’ has roots in 16th century Italy, blurring the lines between soccer, rugby, and wrestling. A four-team tournament occurs annually with local teams in Florence, drawing thousands of spectators. Essentially, two teams of 27 players compete to score goals by any means necessary. With no padding, the game can get extremely physical, though recent efforts have been made to lessen the brutal outcomes of the contests.
More info: www.thestoryinstitute.com/calcio-storico
