8 Most Unusal Must-See International Sports

What are the most common sports that come to mind? I think about baseball, football, soccer, basketball, and figure skating. In addition to these household sports, there are many must-see unusual sports from around the world just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. Here are eight unusual international sports.

* Rock, Paper, and Scissors: Rock paper scissors isn't just for kids anymore; now it is also has its own world championship. The players count to three and then the three players change their fists into one of the three objects. The goal of this game is to beat your opponent by choosing a weapon that beats theirs. Rock is a clenched fist and it wins against scissors because it breaks them. Rock loses to paper because paper wraps up rock. Paper is all fingers extended with the palm facing upwards. Paper wins against rock because it wraps rocks and it loses against scissors because scissors cut paper. Scissors are forefinger and middle finger extended and separated in a V. They win against paper because scissors cut paper; however, they lose to rock because rock smashes scissors. The game is played in a best two out of three format and it takes place in Canada.

* Sheep Counting: Australia is a country that loves its sports so it comes as no surprise that Australian love the unusual sport of sheep counting. Beware; this unusual sport is bound to put you to sleep. Here are the simple rules of sheep counting: about 400 sheep will make a mad dash past 10 competitors who will try to accurately count them. The person who makes to most accurate sheep count wins.

* Wife Carrying Competition: This unusual sport is held in Finland and requires a man to negotiate a 253.5 meter obstacle course while carrying their wife on their back. The prize for the winner is a cell phone and their wife's weight in beer. The wife must be over 17 years old and she must weigh at least 49 kilograms. Also, marriage to the wife isn't required, any woman is suitable and dropping and bouncing the wife incurs a 15 second penalty. It is very important to have fun.

* Milk Can Regatta: This thirsty unusual sport takes place in Australia and it concerns boats created entirely from milk cartons. This competition attracts many contests and over 50, 000 spectators; got milk cartons?

* Apple Racing: Have you ever raced an apple before? Well, if you go to the Huon River in Australia, you will be able to do some apple racing. This unusual sport involves launching a floating apple from the bridge in Huonville and watching it race 300 meters down the Huon River. The owner of the first apple that crosses the line wins. The buying of apples for $3 apiece is a fund raiser for The Rotary Club of Huron Valley. I wonder if apple racing will keep the doctor away?

* Canal Jumping: This unusual sport is located in Holland and involves aluminum poles. The contestants run and jump onto the pole and then they climb to the top of the pole with inner tubes strapped to their feet. Then they vault off the pole and land on the opposite bank. Bicycles can be used in order to help the contestants ascend the pole.

* Elephant Polo: The unusual sport of elephant polo has been around since the British first went to India and adapted their horseback game for using elephants. Rest assured that the rules are very similar to horse polo but the pitch is shorter and to riders have a trainer onboard to help control the elephant.

* Cheese Rolling: When I think of England, I naturally think of cheese. In fact, who doesn't associate England with cheese? Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the unusual sport of cheese rolling takes place in England. Each wheel p cheese weighs seven pounds and you must roll your cheese to the bottom of the hill following it anyway you can. Both the cheese wheel and the contestant can travel up to thirty miles per hour. Warning, people can get hurt pretty badly participating in cheese rolling.

When most people think about sports they think about baseball, football, basketball, swimming, and figure skating. I would guess that the sports of apple racing, cheese rolling, and wife carrying don't enter their minds. However, it is important to realize that there are many usual international sports just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. Source: http://www.topendsports.com