Hornussen (also called farmer's golf) is a Swiss sport that has elements of both golf and baseball. It involves a giant racket and a puck, which can travel at speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour. <strong>Scroll through the gallery to see more unusual sports from around the world.</strong>
Hornussen (also called farmer's golf) is a Swiss sport that has elements of both golf and baseball. It involves a giant racket and a puck, which can travel at speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour. Scroll through the gallery to see more unusual sports from around the world.
CNN
<strong>Sepak takraw:</strong> Also known as kick volleyball, this sports involves a rattan ball that players can hit only with their feet, knees, shoulders, chest and head. It was standardized in the 1960s by Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar and Malaysia, which considers it a national sport. Sepak takraw is a medal discipline at the Asian Games and is also played in Japan, the US and Canada. In the photo, Thailand and Myanmar battle it out at the Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
Sepak takraw: Also known as kick volleyball, this sports involves a rattan ball that players can hit only with their feet, knees, shoulders, chest and head. It was standardized in the 1960s by Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar and Malaysia, which considers it a national sport. Sepak takraw is a medal discipline at the Asian Games and is also played in Japan, the US and Canada. In the photo, Thailand and Myanmar battle it out at the Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP/AFP via Getty Images
<strong>Buzkashi: </strong>This traditional Central Asian sport's name translates literally to "goat grabbing." It is played on horseback and points are scored by throwing a goat carcass into a well. Played primarily in Afghanistan, the game and its variations are also popular in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Buzkashi: This traditional Central Asian sport's name translates literally to "goat grabbing." It is played on horseback and points are scored by throwing a goat carcass into a well. Played primarily in Afghanistan, the game and its variations are also popular in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP/AFP via Getty Images
<strong>Cheese rolling: </strong>The <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Race</a> is held annually at Cooper's Hill, in southern England. The aim of the race is to chase a round Double Gloucester cheese down a 200-yard hill, with the first one down crowned the winner. Minor injuries are frequent.
Cheese rolling: The Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Race is held annually at Cooper's Hill, in southern England. The aim of the race is to chase a round Double Gloucester cheese down a 200-yard hill, with the first one down crowned the winner. Minor injuries are frequent.
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
<strong>Dog surfing:</strong> Surf culture has extended its appeal to canine society. The <a target="_blank" target="_blank">World Dog Surfing Championships</a> have been<strong> </strong>held annually since 2016 in the San Francisco Bay Area for charity.
Dog surfing: Surf culture has extended its appeal to canine society. The World Dog Surfing Championships have been held annually since 2016 in the San Francisco Bay Area for charity.
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Extreme ironing: </strong>Taking the mundane to the maximum, extreme ironing involves taking your board to a remote, unusual, or dangerous location and producing a well pressed garment. Invented in England in 1997, the discipline has gained popularity since, and had its first world championship in Germany in 2002.
Extreme ironing: Taking the mundane to the maximum, extreme ironing involves taking your board to a remote, unusual, or dangerous location and producing a well pressed garment. Invented in England in 1997, the discipline has gained popularity since, and had its first world championship in Germany in 2002.
Johnny Green/PA Images/Getty Images
<strong>Wife carrying:</strong> Originating in Finland, this is a race in which male contestants must carry a female using one of three postures: piggyback, over the shoulder, or "Estonian-style," meaning the woman is upside down with her legs over the man's shoulders (pictured). A world championship has been held annually since 1997 and the sport has now expanded to more countries, including England.
Wife carrying: Originating in Finland, this is a race in which male contestants must carry a female using one of three postures: piggyback, over the shoulder, or "Estonian-style," meaning the woman is upside down with her legs over the man's shoulders (pictured). A world championship has been held annually since 1997 and the sport has now expanded to more countries, including England.
Gareth Fuller/PA Images/Getty Images
<strong>Chessboxing: </strong>Mixing intellect with brute force, chess and boxing are unified to create a paradoxical sport. Through alternating rounds of both disciplines, two players battle it out until one is either checkmated or knocked out. Invented by French comic book artist Enki Bilal, <a target="_blank" target="_blank">chessboxing</a> is growing in popularity<strong>,</strong> with countries like Germany, the UK and Italy all hosting competitions.
Chessboxing: Mixing intellect with brute force, chess and boxing are unified to create a paradoxical sport. Through alternating rounds of both disciplines, two players battle it out until one is either checkmated or knocked out. Invented by French comic book artist Enki Bilal, chessboxing is growing in popularity, with countries like Germany, the UK and Italy all hosting competitions.
Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images
<strong>Quidditch:</strong> Hogwarts isn't the only place wizards and witches can play <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Quidditch</a>, as Muggles put their broom riding skills to the test. Beginning as a passion project for two Vermont college students, it is now played in over 30 countries.
Quidditch: Hogwarts isn't the only place wizards and witches can play Quidditch, as Muggles put their broom riding skills to the test. Beginning as a passion project for two Vermont college students, it is now played in over 30 countries.
Jack Taylor/Getty Images
<strong>Toe wrestling:</strong> Since 1976, people from across the world have gathered in Ye Olde Oak Pub in Wetton, England for the Toe Wrestling Championships. Seventeen-time champion Alan "Nasty" Nash is pictured demonstrating his craft with Jay Leno, as Pierce Brosnan watches on.
Toe wrestling: Since 1976, people from across the world have gathered in Ye Olde Oak Pub in Wetton, England for the Toe Wrestling Championships. Seventeen-time champion Alan "Nasty" Nash is pictured demonstrating his craft with Jay Leno, as Pierce Brosnan watches on.
Margaret Norton/NBC/Getty Images
<strong>Footgolf:</strong> Combining two of the most popular sporting phenomena, <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Footgolf</a> uses the rules of golf, but swaps out the golf ball for a football and a much bigger cup. In its most modern incarnation, the discipline was created in the Netherlands in 2008, and has since been validated as an official sport by several golf sporting authorities, giving it the chance to one day become an Olympic sport.
Footgolf: Combining two of the most popular sporting phenomena, Footgolf uses the rules of golf, but swaps out the golf ball for a football and a much bigger cup. In its most modern incarnation, the discipline was created in the Netherlands in 2008, and has since been validated as an official sport by several golf sporting authorities, giving it the chance to one day become an Olympic sport.
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images