Over time, it’s possible for any game to be turned into some sort of competition. Elite sports tournaments, such as those in football, tennis, golf and even chess, are considered to be the absolute pinnacle of competitive activity, but this piece will not be looking at this kind of competition. Instead it will be looking at the altogether more eccentric and obscure types that most people won’t even be aware of the existence of.
Wife carrying
This is an annual event which takes place in Finland – in Sonkajarvi to be precise. Believed to date back to the late 1800s when a robber named Herkko Rosvo-Ronkainen carried captive women away on his back – it is now a competitive championship involving husbands carrying their wives piggyback style in a race filled with obstacles. The rules are fairly simple, with the first couple to cross the line being the winners – but the wife has to weigh over 49 kilos.
Rock, paper, scissors
Most people will know of the game ‘rock, paper, scissors’, but few will realise they can actually play it competitively. This is a UK event and has been in existence for around a decade – although the game itself is a lot older than that. It takes place at a different venue each year – the 2016 championship is at the Green Man Pub in London – and involves entrants competing in seven knockout rounds, to decide the eventual winner. Alongside a trophy and £100 cheque, the winner here also gets a bottle of champagne – so polish your skills by checking out the Ladbrokes rock, paper, scissors guide.
Underwater rugby
It sounds like a Monty Python sketch, but there is an underwater rugby tournament. It dates back to 1961 and was invented in Koln, Germany. It is hugely popular in Nordic countries, where it is known as UW-Polo, and is played in swimming pools. There are teams of 15 players and halves lasting 15 minutes with six players each in play at any time – all wearing snorkels and diving masks. Otherwise, it is about scoring a try, just a whole lot more soggy.
Toe wrestling
This is perhaps the most bizarre one yet, and is another childhood favourite now played by adults as a competitive championship. It involves barefoot competitors trying to defeat each other in big toe wrestling bouts. The first championship was held in 1976, in Derbyshire and it’s still held in that area and has become popular enough for organizers to apply – unsuccessfully – for it to become an official Olympic sport.
Office chair racing
This is another German invention which sees entrant’s race each other using specially adapted office chairs. The race route runs 560 feet and has obstacles, so it’s not for the faint hearted. You do get to wear a helmet and padding though, and there is a separate prize event for best outfit.
These are all real competitive events, but only those with a surreal mind could have invented them.
