The world is filled with a plethora of different sports and games. There is something for everyone and every age to enjoy. It’s not always possible to play these sports because they’re regional, expensive, etc., but it’s certainly interesting to know about them! Here are ten sports you’ve never heard of that will pique your interest.
- Curling (Scotland)
A sport similar to ice hockey that’s played on a sheet of ice and involves sweeping the rocks with a long, flat brush. It was popularized by the fact that it’s played on a frozen body of water. It was thought to have started in the 16th century, but as of today, there are several different organizations that claim to have originated the sport.
It played all over Europe, North America, and Asia; it may just be one of the most intriguing sports you’ve ever heard of.
- Mukbangs (South Korea)
Considered to be an extreme eating craze by some, these videos feature women eating large quantities of food for entertainment purposes. While most of the internet is filled with videos of people eating bugs or other creepy crawlies, South Korean women are at the forefront of this one.
- Quidditch (U.S.)
It might sound like a sport featured in “Harry Potter,” but it’s actually a competitive sport played by some athletes in the U.S. and Canada. The game was developed by author JK Rowling and featured a ball called “quaffle” that must be thrown through three hoops by two teams: Chasers and Keepers.
- Ice Hockey (USA)
It is a form of hockey that involves two skaters trying to maneuver a puck into their opponents’ net. If a goal is scored, the other team gets the point. Ice hockey was first played in 1875 but today is one of the most popular sports in the world.
The NHL, in particular, is one of America’s most popular sports and has been featured on a number of T.V. shows.
- Skateboarding (Southeast Asia)
Skateboarders skate across a group of planks mounted to metal supports and land on the other side of the planks and sometimes perform tricks along the way. While it might sound dangerous, skateboarders often perform tricks without falling off.
- Kendo (East Asia)
Kendo is a Japanese sword-fighting competition that involves blocking and punching in addition to the art of drawing swords. The competitive sport was actually banned in Japan until its introduction of aggressive rules.
- Poker (USA)
Looking at but not touching cards is a common gamble. A game is similar to blackjack that’s popular in Asia, especially in Japan. There are two main types of poker: Texas Hold ‘Em and Omaha.
- Sicbo (Philippines)
Sicbo is a popular game played with a ball that features three players throwing the ball toward a wall instead of into it. The object is to throw the ball bearings against the wall at one of three openings in order not to lose points for misses.
- Horse Polo (France)
A sport is similar to polo that was popular when French kings and aristocrats played it in the royal courts. Today, though, it’s mostly played as a spectator sport, with many countries organizing competitions that can draw up to 50,000 people or more.
- Table Tennis (China)
Ping Pong, as it’s sometimes known, is a hybrid of ping pong and tennis that’s popular in the Chinese community. It involves hitting a ball over a net with the goal of returning it to your opponent.