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What do you envision when someone mentions 'professional sports'? Football, basketball, or soccer might come to mind. Throughout history, humanity has created and participated in countless games that reflect our deep-rooted love for competition and the desire to establish dominance. While many of us are familiar with mainstream sports, some professional games are downright unusual when you take a closer look.
These strange professional sports highlight humanity's fascination with unconventional athletic events. Join us as we explore the top 10 most bizarre professional sports that will leave you in disbelief.
10. Arm Wrestling
Arm wrestling is a pastime most of us have tried at least once, perhaps even triumphing over friends or family. Although it has existed for centuries, it only gained recognition as a professional sport in recent decades. Today, professional arm wrestlers, often called 'pullers' by enthusiasts, compete in high-stakes tournaments, pushing their physical and mental boundaries to the limit.
To participate as a professional arm wrestler in tournaments hosted by the World Arm-Wrestling League (WAL), registration is based on your dominant arm. You can register as left-handed, right-handed, or both. Competitions are divided into weight classes, with four categories for men. The sport is inclusive, offering women the opportunity to compete in their respective weight divisions as well.
Arm wrestling matches are overseen by referees who monitor for fouls and ensure proper alignment of shoulders and wrists. High-profile events even employ lasers at the center of the table to maintain fairness and precision. What makes this sport thrilling is its unpredictability—matches can conclude in mere seconds or stretch up to two minutes, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
9. Tug of War
Tug of war stands out as one of the most ancient and globally recognized games, with roots tracing back to Egypt, China, and Greece. This sport, which emphasizes teamwork and strength, might seem unusual at first glance. Governed internationally by the Tug of War International Federation, it has even been featured in the Olympic Games.
The rules of this unique sport require each team to consist of eight members who must collaborate to pull the rope. Matches are straightforward, often decided by the best-of-three format. The goal is to drag the opposing team across the centerline. Despite its apparent simplicity, tug of war demands intricate coordination, rhythm, and teamwork for success.
One of the standout features of tug of war is its simplicity—the only essential equipment is a rope measuring 11cm in width and 3cm in length, with plain and whipped ends. Since the sport doesn’t allow for ties, teams must win two out of three pulls to claim victory in a match.
8. Croquet
Croquet, a sport with an oddly intriguing name, is officially recognized as a professional sport by the World Croquet Federation (WCF). Once an Olympic event, croquet is celebrated for its inclusivity and was the first outdoor sport to champion gender equality.
Though often seen as a casual backyard activity perfect for barbecues and family events, croquet boasts a dedicated following, professional organizations, and clubs worldwide. Many players begin their journey in local club tournaments, honing their skills and gaining recognition over time.
Croquet competitions are typically divided into singles and doubles categories. In team tournaments, players maneuver three balls (blue, black, and green) while the opposing team handles their set (red, orange, and yellow). The game allows players to strike their opponents' balls, fostering teamwork, enjoyment, and social interaction.
A unique feature of croquet is the variety of specialized grips used by players. These include the Standard grip, Solomon grip, and Irish grip, each designed to ensure natural and comfortable gameplay for participants.
7. Tandem Racing
While two-seater bicycles are uncommon on regular streets, they elevate bike racing to an entirely new level in competitive sports. Tandem races, involving two riders, are thrilling spectacles that captivate audiences.
According to the International Cycling Union, tandem races are amateur events where two cyclists combine their efforts to achieve greater speed and efficiency compared to solo sprints. Professional racers benefit from the doubled power output, allowing them to pedal faster and more effectively.
One of the most remarkable aspects of tandem racing is its inclusivity for visually impaired cyclists. With a sighted pilot leading the way, blind athletes can compete in Paralympic events and complete races that would be unattainable individually. This sport truly embraces participation from all.
6. Polo
Few sports unite humans and animals as seamlessly as polo does. Often referred to as the 'game of kings' or a 'luxury sport,' polo stands out as an unusual activity that many find difficult to relate to due to its exclusivity.
Polo originated as a training exercise for nomadic warriors, designed to prepare them for battle. The idea was that mastering horse control while chasing a ball and working as a team would translate to superior battlefield performance. The modern iteration of this ancient game was popularized by British officers in India, who were captivated by its elegance.
The primary objective in polo is to outscore the opposing team. Players aim to advance the ball into the opponent's half and then strike it through their goal. With four players per team, the sport demands seamless coordination between the rider, their horse, and their teammates.
Success in polo hinges on selecting the right horse breeds. The ideal polo pony combines stamina, speed, agility, responsiveness, and intuition. Unique elements of the game include riding opponents off the field, hooking their sticks, and switching sides after each goal.
5. Solo Synchronized Swimming
Solo synchronized swimming is one of the most unconventional sports worldwide. It took three Olympic Games for organizers to recognize that synchronization is nearly impossible for a single performer. In this sport, athletes perform a form of aquatic ballet, meticulously aligning their movements with the accompanying music.
Initially limited to female athletes, the sport was often seen as isolating, as the performer danced alone under the scrutiny of judges and audiences. After acknowledging the challenges of evaluating a solo act, the Olympics expanded the event to include duos and eight-member teams.
This revised format allows for clearer observation of synchronization among participants and fairer assessment of their ability to harmonize. The primary objective is to impress the judges by flawlessly executing both technical and free routines.
During the technical routine, athletes demonstrate their proficiency in predefined positions and movements. In the free routine, they synchronize their performance with music played through advanced underwater sound systems. The sport demands not only exceptional skill but also cutting-edge technology.
4. Kabaddi
Kabaddi, an ancient contact sport originating from India centuries ago, is one of the most unique and unconventional sports globally. Professionalized in 2014, it is often likened to an intense, high-energy version of tag.
In kabaddi, teams consist of raiders and defenders. Raiders aim to tag opponents, while defenders attempt to tackle them to score points. Watching a kabaddi match can be overwhelming due to its fast-paced nature and the extraordinary physical demands, including immense strength and lung capacity.
The playing field is split into two halves. Raiders invade the defenders' side while continuously chanting 'kabaddi.' The rules require the raider to hold their breath and maintain the chant without interruption. Points are scored if the raider successfully tags a defender and returns to their half. However, if the raider is tackled, they are eliminated from the field.
Though many may view kabaddi as an unusual sport, it enjoys massive popularity in India. Its versatility, allowing play both indoors and outdoors, is gradually increasing its global appeal. In a few years, kabaddi may no longer be considered strange.
3. Face Slapping
Face slapping is a sport that needs no introduction, and let’s be honest, being on the receiving end of a slap isn’t exactly enviable. Yet, in Russia, this wild and unconventional sport draws massive crowds eager to witness two competitors deliver powerful slaps to each other.
In this oddly respectful yet cringe-worthy sport, participants stand on opposite sides of a white table, facing each other. The game follows a polite, turn-based format where each player patiently waits to receive a slap before they can retaliate.
The excitement of the 'Slapping Championships' lies in its no-holds-barred nature—matches continue until a player either surrenders, is disqualified, or collapses. One of the sport’s most iconic figures is Vasily Kamotsky, a Siberian farmer whose powerful slaps went viral. His battles often end in knockouts, though he himself was famously knocked out cold in 2019.
While face slapping may not be as intense as boxing or MMA, it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. If you ever have a dispute to resolve, entering the 'Slapping Championships' might just be the most respectful way to settle it.
2. Race Walking
Race walking has been an Olympic event since 1904. Originating as a Victorian-era pastime, it gained popularity in the United States as a spectator sport in indoor arenas. For sports enthusiasts, race walking is thrilling due to the immense physical and mental demands it places on competitors.
Race walking is governed by strict rules that make it uniquely challenging. Athletes must maintain constant contact with the ground with at least one foot, and any violation visible to the naked eye results in penalties. Additionally, competitors must keep their knees straight throughout the race; bending them leads to warnings. Accumulating three warnings results in disqualification.
In the Olympics, both men and women participate in the 20km race, while the 50km race is exclusive to men. The peculiar nature of race walking might make you reconsider how efficiently you walk in everyday life.
1. Equestrian Dressage
Dressage, derived from a term meaning 'training,' is a prestigious equestrian sport representing the pinnacle of horse training. In this unique discipline, riders and their horses execute a series of choreographed movements, judged for precision and artistic expression by both the audience and officials.
Dressage challenges riders to train their horses to perform movements that appear natural and effortless. During competitions, riders complete a variety of tasks, with top performers showcasing horses that respond seamlessly to subtle cues.
What makes dressage unusual? The horses are the true stars, performing like artists in the arena. While riders guide and train them, the focus of equestrian dressage is on the horse’s ability to execute intricate movements at various levels of difficulty.
Scores range from 0 to 10, with the rider-horse duo striving to excel in each segment to advance to higher levels. Factors influencing the score include the horse’s gait, energy, and responsiveness, all of which reflect the animal’s advanced training and the rider’s skill.
