Today’s a big day in the world of sport, with the Japanese F1 and the mighty All Blacks taking on Argentina in the Rugby World Cup. But mainstream sports just aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. We’ve compiled a few of our favourite weird and wonderful competitions that people genuinely take part in around the world. Where the ideas came from we can’t quite fathom, but sit back, relax and prepare to be amazed at what people do to occupy themselves.

Wife carrying

This sport originated in Finland and, as you might expect, it involves men carrying their wives. They must complete an obstacle course in the fastest time possible. The fastest couple wins. In order to gain extra points, experienced wife carriers can opt to carry someone else’s heavier wife.

Skills needed: Brute strength and stamina.

Shin kicking

Very little explanation is needed here. You kick your opponent’s shins until one of you falls to the floor. No heavy boots are allowed and you can stuff your trousers with straw for protection. A ‘winner stays on’ system is usually in place, so winning isn’t always recommended.

Skills needed: Big trousers for maximum straw, tough shins, stamina, high pain threshold.

Chess boxing

This is taking off massively and is nearly becoming a ‘serious’ sport. It involves alternate rounds of four minutes of chess and three minutes of boxing. If after 11 rounds a checkmate or knockout hasn’t been achieved, the winner is decided on boxing points.

Skills needed: Strength, agility, strategic mind, great concentration.

Cheese rolling

Most people will recognise this event straight away. Every year on the Spring Bank Holiday, a competition takes place where competitors chase a round of double Gloucester cheese down Cooper’s Hill in the Cotswolds. Due to the steepness of the hill, several injuries occur, ranging from sprained ankles to broken bones and concussions. There have been threats in recent years to cancel the event because of health and safety breaches, but locals are showing no signs of giving up the tradition any time soon!

Skills needed: Strong bones, lack of fear, good balance, not easily embrassed.

Hill Climbing

From going down a steep hill to going up one. Hill climbing is a craze that’s going from strength to strength. The aim is to get to the top of a near vertical hill on your motorbike and not get killed when you come crashing back down. Whoever gets the furthest wins.

Skills needed: Balls of steel, balance.

Extreme facial hair growth

This isn’t a sport, but the competitive nature of extreme facial hair growing is fierce. Competitors from around the world meet up at events to show off their brilliant facial fuzz.

Skills needed: Good attention to detail, patience, creativity.

Until next time 8Ballers…….

In the mean time, seen as Halloween’s just around the corner, we’ve designed a load of awesome Halloween tshirts. Make sure you get yours ordered in time!