Extreme sports were played on a large scale in ancient times. It was a means of exercise, recreation and keeping oneself fit, at the cost of risk. What it involved was fight, bruises and serious injuries due to the absence of rules and regulations. It was a means of showing brute power than skill. It was played to give entertainment to the audience. Some of these adventure sports have been adopted in the modern world into a newer format with rules and administration. I have discussed below some of the extreme sports which were played in ancient times.
.1. Land Diving
Land Diving was practiced in Pentecost, an island in South-Pacific. Men climbed on a 25-meter high platform and jumped on the soil. Their foot was tied with a vine, an elastic material. The soil was also soft tilled. This is a 1500 years old custom. It has become a tourist attraction now. Bungee-jumping is modeled on land diving.
- Calcio Fiorentino
Calcio Fiorentino resembles Rugby and Football. This was played in ancient Rome during the 16th century. Even popes played this sport. It was played by 27 players on each side. Players punched, kicked, and fought with other players to grab the ball. The team which scored the most won the game.
- Knattleikr
Knattleikr was played by Vikings and was essentially a bat and a ball game. The ball was hard and small, while the bat was modeled according to the need of the player. When the ball was in motion, players tackled each other physically. It was played from morning to night, drawing huge crowds.
- Water jousting
Jousting was played in France, Germany, and Switzerland. During the ancient times, players sat on horseback and hurled sharp sticks at another player to knock them off. Later, in the 17th century France, this was played on water boats. The players tried to knock their opponents off the boat, using the shield.
- Pankration
This resembled wrestling and was played in Olympics in ancient Greece. Two men fought each other until one of them lost. The players used techniques of wrestling and boxing. The rules involved no gouging, biting and hitting on genitals. This has now been adapted into Mixed Martial Art.
- Mob Football
During the 14th century in England, crowds of men gathered to play mob football. Excessive injuries and bleeding were most common during this riot game. It was mostly played between neighboring towns. Only manslaughter and murder was not allowed. This is the ancestor of Modern Football.
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