The Fun Origins of Weird Sports Around the World

It is just wonderful to learn about the origins and history of the most common games in the sport world. This not golf, cricket, or football but here are sports practiced in different parts of the world, born out of strange stories and strange practices of people. Let's go over some of the funniest sources and weird sports stories behind some funny stories and great inspirations.

Cheese Rolling – The Cheese of Gloucester, England

The memory of cheese rolling will raise a smile on any person's face. However, it has been more popular as a sport in the English region called Gloucestershire. The game starts when a round piece of cheese is rolled down the hill and the contenders of the game start running towards it in the hopes of catching the cheese. There is the annual fun-game on a sloping hill called "Cooper's Hill.".

A story about the origin of this game is that it was originally part of a harvest festival. It originated as something fun to do with everyone during harvest time. But today it has become a traditional game in Gloucestershire, England, where local and foreign tourists and players come just to catch a cheese!

Bossaball – A fusion of Brazilian music and sports

Bossaball is actually a great fusion of music and sports. It is a sport played when volleyball, football, and gymnastics are played together while the games' tempo happens to match the rhythm of music. This game involves a net on one side and a trampoline on the other. Contestants jump and hit the ball while a DJ plays live music.

The sport started in Brazil where people meet others with music and sport to enjoy each other. This game suits those people who love playing and dancing.

Bo-Taoshi: Traditional Japanese team sport

A simply marvelous Japanese team game. Two teams of 35 compete with each other. One is trying to uphold a pole Upright and the other is bent on knocking it down. There is tension, conflict, powerful emotional content in the game.

The Japanese Defense Forces introduced the game for the first time, allowing their personnel to practice team strength and self-confidence. Even today, this game is played as a tradition in some schools in Japan.

Caber Toss (Caber Toss) – part of the old tradition of Scotland

This game in Scotland is very risky and great to see. It calls for the contestant to raise a huge wooden pole above his head and throw it away. The idea of the game is scoring points as far as the pole could be thrown. However, interestingly, it is really hard to keep the pole stable and perfectly balanced and to throw it accordingly.

The game originated in Scotland, where it was played to show the power of ancient heroes. According to legend, it is a game that symbolizes the courage and strength of the Scottish tribes.

Calcio Storico in Florence – Italy's traditional football battle

It's a game like football, but with fistfights, wrestling and fights. The game took its start in Florence; it's in strong influence by the ancient Romans. It looks more like a fighting game, sort of like Roman Gladiators.

The objective of the participants is to score goals by playing football, but it's not easy as all the players of both teams try to withstand the attacking power of the opposite one using their physical power. This is an age-old game of Italy and watching the game gives a really different experience.

Ulning (Ostrich Racing) – Started in Africa, Now a Beloved American Sport

It is quite funny to note that ostriches host racing competitions on their backs. Ulning was first used in parts of Africa when the game became a good alternative for human running.

It later spread to parts of America and it is still organized in some places to this day. In Ulning competitions, contestants ride each other, usually on the backs of ostriches.

Shin Kicking – Bizarre practice of England

As the name of this game hints, it can be quite painful. Two opponents use sticks to knock each other, and the goal of the game is to take as much beating as you can. It is one of the bizarre practices of England.

The story of fortune telling competition is really very old and interesting. People claim that this practice has originated as a custom when villagers wanted to test each other's strength. This odd game proves how the origins of really an odd competition go.

Bog Snorkelling – Unique water sport of Wales

Bog snorkelling is a very popular sport in Wales. In this particular game, under a muddy water, one has to snorkel and swim for some distance. The condition of the game is that one's face must be sub-merged while swimming and no swimming technique can be used.

This game was very popular in Wales in 1976. It is a pretty funny story when this game is introduced as part of a fun activity in some local festival and made joy to many.

La Tomatina-The tomato fight of Spain

Tomatina is actually another festival in Spain wherein there is like a war reeled out in its theme wherein tomatoes are used as weapons. In It, thousands of people went for their thing or two with the tomatoes, which is one of the traditions originally from Bunol where the Tomatina is held as part of a weeklong celebration.

Its origin traces back to a minor argument between locals in 1945, and then tomato hurling started to eventually become a type of festival still held every year in Spain.

Underwater Hockey – Playing Hockey Beneath the Water

Swimming is the basic technique that is used in underwater hockey. In this sport, players try to reach the opponent's goal post with a special hockey stick under water.

The game first started in England in 1950. Since the game takes place underwater, it is very much dependent on lung power and bodily fitness of the players.

Conclusion: Weird games are the world A special aspect of culture

Quirky and fun games entertain while also symbolizing people's culture and traditions. A game like cheese rolling or Tomatina, each of them tells us how human joy and tradition can be presented through an uncommon game. These games attract travellers all over the world and exhibit a specific form of each culture.