While most sporting codes require a bunch of like minded people and a ball, there are thousands of lesser known sports that require a lot less and different and unique attributes to what is generally needed to excel mainstream sports.
Sports is defined as: "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment."
That noted,
Betway takes a look at 5 of the world's most unusual sports, prepare to be surprised:
Chess Boxing
For the 'thinking' fighter. Invented by French comic artist Enki Bilal and adapted by Dutch performance artist Iepe Rubingh, chess boxing is a hybrid sporting code that combines two traditional pastimes: chess and boxing!
Want to challenge your brain and get a physical workout at the same time? Well, here is your sport! A chess boxing 'fight' consists of 11 rounds: 6 rounds of chess and 5 rounds of boxing and a victory in either chess or boxing wins and ends the entire contest. The first chess boxing competition took place in Berlin in 2003 and is particularly popular in Germany, the United Kingdom, India, and Russia.
Toe Wrestling
Originally created by four friends who were tired of not having any world champions from the United Kingdom in 1974, toe wrestling is making a comeback in countries like Pakistan, India and China.
Much like arm wrestling, toe wrestling is a battle between two competitors, but instead of locking hands opponents lock toes! The aim of the game is to pin (capture or trap) your opponents foot for three seconds while avoiding the same. There are three rounds played on a best two out of three basis.
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Cheese Rolling
More popular than the aforementioned sporting codes, cheese rolling takes working for one's food to a whole new level. The first event is estimated to have taken place in the 15th century and is still a yearly event held on the Spring Bank Holiday at Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester in England.
So what is the aim of the game? Pretty simple actually! Contestants chase a 7-9 pound round of Double Gloucester and the first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese. Simple, just keep your eye on the cheese. The popularity of the sport has attracted participants and winners from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal.
Wife Carrying
For those married couples with a very strong relationship. Eukonkanto, as it is locally known, originated in Finland and has progressed to become a yearly sport. Wife carrying is a contest in which male competitors race while each carrying a female teammate. The objective is for the male to carry the female through a special obstacle track in the fastest time.
The wife carrying world championship was first held in 1992 and the winner gets his wife's weight in beer! It is no surprise then that wife carrying has become popular in other countries across the world.
Face Slapping
The newest of the sports on our list, competitive face slapping first took place in Russia two years ago. Considering its simplicity, it is no surprise that the sport is already gaining a lot of popularity across the globe so don't be surprised if there is a slapping contents close to you in the near future! But make sure you are getting paid to do so before entering.
Two men (of any size and shape) take turns slapping each other until one taps out or gets knocked to the floor. Brutal.
Bet on boxing with Betway
If Chess boxing or toe wrestling is not your style then you can bet on boxing and a variety of sports at Betway.
We bring you the very best in boxing and you can now bet using your both mobile and desktop computer. Place your bets with ease and back your favourite boxers at a click of a button. Betway offers just what you want in the world of live betting on boxing. Roll with the punches and keep up with the action in the ring as we bring you competitive odds that’ll deliver the knockout punch.
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