Mainstream sports, like football and basketball, can get a little – how shall we put it? – samey. As a result, many more people are looking for something that is genuinely different and offers real interest. The good news is that there are loads of crazy people out there doing crazy stuff that totally breaks the mold. From oil wrestling in Turkey to camel racing in Dubai, here’s some of the most insane stuff out there.
Kabaddi in Mumbai
India is a chaotic place. If you’ve ever been, you’ll have quickly noticed that the roads and the roundabouts are a free-for-all where anything goes. Some of that chaos appeared to have rubbed off in the sport of kabaddi, a sort of hardcore game of tag where the aim is to invade the opposing side’s territory. It might sound relatively mundane, but kabaddi is famous for fast action and terrible injuries. You can catch up with this brutal sport in Mumbai – just ask your hotel or tour operator about when the tournaments will be held.
Camel Racing In Dubai
Dubai likes to do things big. The city has some of the tallest buildings in the world, the biggest venues, and the swankiest hotels. But there’s one area in which the city-state remains traditional: camel racing.
The camel races kick off at the Al Wathba racecourse, all funded by billionaire backers who love the sport. As camels race, supporters cheer them on from their 4x4s. Riders use a remote controlled jockey to steer their camels to victory.
Scooter Championship in Australia
Just a few years ago, trick scooters were just something you bought your kids. Today, though, the sport has grown into a global industry, attracting competitors from all over the world.
A scooter championship involves competitors doing tricks in custom-built skateparks, competing across several rounds and trying to impress judges.
Curling in Montreal
Curling has always been in the winter Olympics, but it’s still considered an alternative sport by many, just because it’s so unusual. The funny thing about curling, though, is that once you’ve got the bug, it’s hard to shake it off.
All you need to play the sport is an ice rink, a couple of brooms and, of course, the giant, polished granite stone. The home of the winter sport is Canada, so the best place to watch it is in cities like Montreal which host regular competitions and championships.
Oil Wrestling in Turkey
Every year, thousands of oil-drenched wrestlers arrive at the Kirkpinar Yagli Gures tournament to fight one another and achieve glorious victory. Oil wrestling is an ancient tradition in Turkey, one that has come down the centuries from ancient times.
Spectators cheer on as bulky participants duke it out in fights that sometimes last only minutes. If you’re traveling to Turkey outside of the main wrestling season, you can still watch smaller competitions in local villages during the summer months.
Bonus mention: Rodeo in Nevada
Watching cowboys trying to stay atop a bull can be a lot of fun – so long as nobody gets hurt. And the best place to watch such a spectacle is the Rodeo in Nevada in the heart of the wild west.
