The history of sports goes back a long way. In cave drawings, wrestling can be seen as early as 3,000 B.C., and the ancient Olympics held their first race in 760 B. C.. Football, the most popular sport in the world, originated in China during the 3rd century B.C. It was in the 12th century that it reached Europe. American Indians started playing stickball, and golf was first introduced to Scotland during the 1500s. Sports have gradually evolved into more of a formalized form ever since. Although most of us know the most popular sports, there are some obscure ones that we should always pay attention to.
- Bog Snorkelling
Instead of colorful marine life and tropical waters, bog snorkeling involves equipment. This is a sporting event that involves a swim of about 120 yards in a trench that’s cut through a mud bog. The goal is to use only your flippers to propel yourself. The sport began after a bar conversation in Wales. It has been held annually since 1985 in the town of Llanwrtyd Wells. The world record for this event is over a minute.
- Bossaball
When you combine gymnastics, volleyball, and football with Brazilian beach culture and music, you get bossaball. This sport is considered to be a Brazilian style of play that’s similar to soccer. After spending time in Brazil as a band manager, soccer enthusiast, and former tennis player, Filip Eyckmans developed a bossaball while living in Spain. His goal was to capture the essence of Brazilian beach culture.
- Cheese Rolling
If you’re considering taking on the challenge of rolling a round of Double Gloucester, then bring your wheels. The cheese weighs around 7 to 9 pounds and can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour when rolled down Cooper’s Hill in Gloucester, England. Although the exact origins of cheese rolling are unknown, the event has been held annually at the end of May in Cooper’s Hill. Over the years, the event has attracted international competitors. Like any good sportsperson, you should always watch the cheese. It’s known to injure people.
- Competitive Sleeping
In 2010, Spain organized its first national napping championship. The event’s goal was to find the best napper, and all participants had to do was get enough sleep for about 20 minutes in a shopping mall. In 2018, Marpac, a sleep tools company, announced the launch of the CSL, a competition that started in 1998. The event was created after the company partnered with the California Sleeping Club.The concept of the CSL caught our attention, so let us know if it’s a real competition or a marketing strategy.