Horizon：Unique sports in the world
【明報專訊】Do you love sports? These are some of the most unusual sports in the world. Would you like to try any of them?
◆Japan - Yukigassen(雪合戰)
IN countries where there is sufficient snowfall, people throw snowballs at one another for fun. However, snowball fights are not just for fun in Japan. It became a kind of sport there in 1989. Two teams of seven persons throw 90 pre-made snowballs at the opponents. Players have to avoid being hit by snowballs or else they will be eliminated. The team with the most players remaining wins.
◆Southeast Asia - Kick volleyball
SEPAK takraw(藤球), or kick volleyball, is played in Southeast Asia. Although its origin is unclear, it is generally believed that this sport originated in Thailand or Malaysia about 200 to 500 years ago. It is similar to volleyball but players can only use their feet, knees and heads to touch the ball.
◆Germany - Chess boxing
THIS is certainly the most special sport in the world. Two competitors who wear boxing apparel compete in alternating rounds of boxing and chess in the boxing ring. This sport requires both mental and physical strength in order to win. It was invented by a French comic book writer and then it came to real life in Germany in 2003. People playing chess with all those protective equipment is a fun scene to watch.
■Gear up
Which of the following is true?
A. Yukigassen is a team sport.
B. Chess boxing has a very long history.
C. Kick volleyball is popular in Europe.
■Glossary
sufficient (adj) 足夠的
apparel (n) 服裝
alternating (adj) 輪流的
strength (n) 力量
[Smarties' Power English 第305期]
