I’m always on the lookout for new sports to feature on Topend Sports, and the more unusual the better. Have you heard of sign spinning? You probably have seen people standing by the side of the road holding up an advertising sign, promoting a nearby business. They might even jump around and wave the sign to get your attention. Well, this has become a competitive sport, and it is pretty good to watch. Check out the video below with the highlights of the 2024 World Sign Spinning Championships. See more about the sign spinning sport on Topend Sports.
Sports Videos
Entries Tagged as 'Unusual'
Flipping Out: The Wild Moves of Competitive Sign Spinners
March 20th, 2025 · No Comments · Unusual
Tags: Unusual
Tug-of-Oars: A new sport
September 20th, 2021 · No Comments · Sports, Unusual
Here’s an unusual sport that is described as Polish Dragon Boat Racing, but we like the alternative names that have been put forward, “tug of oars” or “dragon war”. This is a variation of the sport of Dragon Boat Racing, which uses the same boat but has been reconfigured for a tug-of-war type event. Watch the video to see how this is a worthy new sport and we can’t wait to see it become more popular.
Barrel Jumping – another sport we wished was still around
May 11th, 2021 · No Comments · Sports, Unusual, Winter
Why did I not know about this sport before? It looks like a lot of fun (to watch), though unfortunately, you don’t see it performed anymore. Maybe it is the injury risk, as no one seems to land on their feet. See more about the extinct sport of Barrel Jumping.
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The Issue with Camel Jumping
September 9th, 2018 · No Comments · Unusual, Vertical Leap
The camel jumpers in Yemen look impressive, though the ramp up to the take-off point gives them a good lift. It would be interesting to see how they would go doing a standard long jump, or for a long jumper or high jumper to have a go at camel jumping!
They usually jump between 4 to 6 camels, though the hight of the ramp and the height of the camel would obviously vary, and they also sometimes have saddles on the camels, so standardization is an issue. A new Olympic sport? There are a few things to sort out first, and sourcing a standard set of camels would be the first thing. See more about Camel Jumping.
Stupid Robot Fighting
August 17th, 2017 · No Comments · Unusual
On Topend Sports we have a section on new sports, where we get submissions from those wanting to promote the new sport they have invented. Some are great ideas that could potentially become popular worldwide, while other are wild ideas that maybe should be kept to themselves. The latest submission was stupid robot fighting from New Zealand. Sports that involve robots is not a stupid idea in itself, as there are already competitions of Robot Sports, including robot combat. Have a look and see what you think of this new robot fighting sport variation.
Headis: a hybrid of soccer and table tennis
February 24th, 2016 · No Comments · Football (Soccer), Sports, Table Tennis, Unusual
In my research for new sports to add to the complete list of sports, I came across this great one which is a hybrid of soccer and table tennis, which seems to have gained popularity in Germany. Here is a video of some Headis game highlights to show you what it is all about. It looks like fun to try, but maybe it is not as easy as it looks.
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Loop a new cue sport
July 20th, 2015 · No Comments · Unusual
The new sport of Loop (pool spelled backwards!) was created by British mathematician Alex Bellos in 2015. It is a new twist to an old game. Loop is played on an elliptical shaped pool table, with a dot at one focus point, and the pocket at another, requiring some calculated angles as shown here. See the first ever game played in the video below, and read more about LOOP.
Bo-taoshi, Unusual Japanese Sport
December 15th, 2014 · No Comments · Unusual
An interesting Japanese unusual sport is called Bo-taoshi, which is a capture-the-flag-like game with elements of rugby and war. Shown below is a game played at its highest level, between cadets of Japan’s National Defense Academy. Two teams of 150 players compete for each other’s pole, the aim is to bring the pole down to a 30 degree angle. You have to watch the video to see how this is done. See more about Bo-taoshi.
Tags: Japan
Gliding Demonstration Sport at the 1936 Olympics
February 20th, 2014 · No Comments · Unusual
There are many unusual sports that have been part of the Olympic Games as demonstration sports. Gliding, or aeronautics, was demonstrated in 1936, and also a gold medal awarded for Swiss Hermann Schreiber for a flight across the Alps in 1935. The IOC were ready to add this as an official sport in 1940, only for the Olympics to be cancelled by the outbreak of war. There was plenty of aeronautic skills shown in the skies during the war, but unfortunately it was never again considered for the Olympics. See more about Aeronautics at the Olympics.
Tags: 1936·1936 Olympics·aeronautics·berlin·demonstration sport·gliding·olympic games
New and Unusual Sport of 360Ball
September 12th, 2013 · 1 Comment · Unusual
Here is a really cool looking sport that has come out of South Africa, a bit like squash played on a circular court. Check it out. See more about 360Ball.
Tags: 360Ball
