Buzz
Sport has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, with people enjoying activities like kicking a ball, hitting a bat or racquet, or engaging in physical challenges and competition. The first recorded Olympic Games took place in ancient Greece in 776 BC, where spectators cheered as athletes displayed their skills in wrestling, throwing, jumping, and running.
Even today, the Olympics remain a symbol of global sporting excellence, while other sports such as cricket, football, and baseball also capture international attention. Yet, some lesser-known, peculiar sports boast their own global championships, drawing participants and fans from all corners of the world.
Some of these unusual sports are so wild that you’ll be left wondering how they ever gained such popularity.
10. Ferret Legging
Ferret legging is thought to have started with miners in Yorkshire, Northern England. It's an endurance challenge where participants trap ferrets inside their pants. The victor is the one who can keep the ferrets in their trousers the longest. Though it may sound simple, there are some unusual rules, and the event can stretch on for several hours.
The event is restricted to male participants only. Contestants secure their pants tightly at the ankles to stop the ferrets from escaping. One ferret is placed in each leg of the trousers, and the belt is fastened at the top. The rules state that the ferrets must have teeth, must not be sedated, and the participants are not allowed to wear underwear.
Participants are only allowed to stop a ferret from biting from outside the trousers. The champion is the person who can endure the madness for the longest. The current record for ferret legging stands at an astonishing five hours and 30 minutes.
9. Wife Carrying
Wife carrying, a quirky sport that first emerged in Finland, has evolved into a global competition. Teams, consisting of a husband and wife or a man and his female teammate, race through an obstacle course. The winners are determined by the couple who complete the course the quickest and without making any fouls.
The course stretches 25 meters (831 feet) and includes both dry and water obstacles. To participate, wives must weigh a minimum of 49 kilograms (108 pounds), or they can carry extra weight to meet the required amount. Interestingly, the term ‘wife’ doesn’t necessarily refer to a legal spouse, so competitors can choose a ‘wife’ from friends or neighbors.
There are no fixed rules for how the wife should be carried, but the ‘Estonian carry,’ where the wife is held upside down with her legs draped over her husband's shoulders and her arms wrapped around his waist, is by far the most popular method.
Wife carrying competitions are held worldwide, and since 1995, Finland's Sonkajarvi has been the host of the international championship. For a brief period between 1992 and 1994, only Finnish participants were allowed to compete. The current world record stands at an impressive 55.5 seconds.
8. Cheese Rolling
Cheese rolling, a quirky sport that originated in Gloucestershire, UK, dates back to the 1800s. Initially part of a local festival to welcome spring each May, the event has since grown into the world-famous Cooper's Hill Cheese Roll, attracting competitors from across the globe.
The event takes place on a steep hill, where participants chase a 3.6-kilogram (8 lb) wheel of cheese as it tumbles down the slope. The first person to cross the finish line wins the cheese, with the wheel getting a one-second head start. However, the cheese can reach speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour (68 mph), making it a dangerous race.
Every year, injuries are reported, either from being struck by the fast-moving cheese or from tripping while racing down the steep hill. It seems like a hefty price to pay if you’re more into cheddar or brie than the local Gloucestershire cheese.
7. Bog Snorkeling
In Bog Snorkeling, competitors dive into a muddy peat bog, using only their flippers to propel themselves through the water. The annual World Championships are held each August in Llanwrtyd Wells, a town in Wales, where participants complete two laps of a 55-meter course, relying solely on their flippered legs.
For those who want an even tougher challenge, the Bog Triathlon combines a lap of the bog, a 19-kilometer (12 mi) mountain bike ride, and a 13-kilometer (8 mi) run. The current world record for bog snorkeling is an impressive 1 minute and 18.82 seconds. Beat that time, and you'll be as pleased as a pig in mud.
6. Toe Wrestling
Toe wrestling is a quirky spin on the classic pub game of arm wrestling, where competitors lock toes and try to pin their opponent's feet down. Originating in a pub in Derbyshire, UK, in 1976, the sport gained popularity despite a failed bid to include it in the Olympic Games in 1997. The world championships continue annually in Derbyshire.
The objective is to lock toes and wrestle the opponent's foot to one side while keeping both hands flat on the ground and the non-competing foot raised. The winner is determined by a best-out-of-three format. Broken toes and sprained ankles are occasional risks in this strange sport.
5. Extreme Ironing
Ironing is typically seen as a mundane task, not a sport or hobby. Yet, the Extreme Ironing World Championships have been a fixture since 2002. Participants from around the world take part in various categories, setting up their ironing boards in the most unusual and bizarre locations.
The possibilities for locations are endless, limited only by the competitors' creativity. Whether abseiling, scuba diving, water-skiing, or even horseback riding, extreme ironing fans are always finding new wild spots. Competitors are judged based on both the location and the quality of their ironing—no wrinkles or scorch marks allowed.
4. Kaninhop—Bunny Jumping
While horse jumping and dog agility events are well-established, Kaninhop—better known as ‘rabbit show jumping’—is rapidly becoming an international competitive sport.
Kaninhop originated in Sweden in the 1980s, with highly trained rabbits navigating obstacle courses. Since then, the sport has attracted global interest, with competitions now taking place in the US, Japan, and even Australia.
Rabbits are evaluated based on both the time it takes them to complete the course and the height of their jumps. The current world records for rabbit jumping are 100 centimeters (39 inches) for height and 3 meters (10 feet) for length. Across the globe, a number of training clubs have been formed where Kaninhop enthusiasts work with their long-eared companions.
3. Ostrich Racing
Ostrich racing has its roots in Africa and is a popular tradition in several African countries. In Florida, the sport has been a favorite since the 1890s when a theme park in Jacksonville offered visitors the chance to ride ostriches. The International Camel & Ostrich Races have taken place in Virginia City, Nevada, for over six decades.
The flightless ostriches are equipped with harnesses, much like horses. Riders climb aboard, clinging on as the birds sprint down the track at speeds of up to 69 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour). Ostriches are known to be much more difficult to control than horses, leading to many falls on the racetrack.
Ostriches can also be raced in a buggy with a harness, where the jockey precariously rides around the track, adding an extra element of challenge to the sport.
2. Camel Wrestling
The Turkish sport of camel wrestling dates back thousands of years, offering entertainment to Turkic tribes similar to European horse racing and cockfighting. Like other traditional events, bets are placed as camel owners parade their decorated animals to showcase their strength and skill before the match begins. The contest kicks off with a female camel in heat being shown to two male camels, who then battle for the 'prize.'
The male camels are specially fed to gain weight and improve their chances of winning as they push and shove each other in the arena. Eventually, one camel will retreat, with the victor chasing it until the competition ends. The winner is the first camel to make its opponent scream, fall, or flee.
1. Cardboard Tube Dueling
Hitting our friends and siblings with an empty Christmas wrapping paper tube used to be a fun holiday pastime. Now, cardboard tube dueling has evolved into an official 'sport' with an international organization that coordinates events around the world.
The Cardboard Tube Fighting League (CTFL) now operates in various countries including the US, Australia, Belgium, and the UK, where regular competitions take place. The goal is to recreate the carefree fun of childhood with organized cardboard duels and battles.
In a tournament, participants advance through several rounds, needing to use the same tube in both the first and second rounds. If the tube is damaged or broken, the competitor is disqualified from the early rounds. The final person left with an unbroken tube is declared the winner.
Only official tubes, measuring 91 centimeters (36 inches) in length and 3.8 centimeters (1.5 inches) in diameter, are permitted. Competitors can choose to duel individually or form teams for large-scale cardboard battles. Fancy dress, made from cardboard, is encouraged during certain events.
