You think of food, language, art, music when you think of culture. But these characteristics are only part of what varies one country from another. Sports are an important component of this abstract notion, and as an extension, sport.
Sports, as they can bring nations together, are not only deeply rooted in tradition and history. Do not forget to try and grab some tickets for a local sporting event when you fly onto your adventure, search for culture and a foreign experience! From the extremely famous to the quite obscure, here’s a list of a few sports around the world you’re going to want to watch live while you are abroad!
Sumo
If you’re looking for a sport with full contact, don’t look any further! Sumo has a long tradition through influences from China and Mongolia, from its Shino roots and trial of strength to its growth. Two wrestlers face off in a contest, and the first to force his opponent to step outside the ring or touch any part of his body in addition to his feet on the ground wins. Matches usually end pretty soon. With little or no weight class in sumo, there is a definite advantage for those with greater size. Sumo wrestlers have a highly strict lifestyle, living in a group training stable among other professionals.
Cricket
Cricket can be linked back to the Tudors in England in the 16th century, one of the most common sports in the world. As the British expanded their kingdom, cricket was spreading as well. The game’s fundamentals will sound totally familiar; the bowler throws the ball and the batsman tries to hit the ball to score a run as far as he can. There are a lot of other complex rules, so find a local who can show you the inner workings of the game on your gap year in England, India, or Australia!
Muay Thai
One of Thailand’s martial arts, this combative sport is also referred to as the “art of eight limbs,” using fists, elbows, knees and shins, combatants attacking each other in great physical condition. Judges score the rounds, and the first two rounds lead to a draw, unless a fighter is completely dominant.
The third to fifth rounds will be decisive and the scoring will be continuous. Developed from actual combat tactics as well as kickboxing, muay thai became a competitive sport and was included in festivals. Both the long history of the sport and its characteristic sense of control makes your Thai gap year in Thailand a glimpse into Thai culture.
Rugby
It is said that football is the game of a gentleman played by hooligans, while rugby is the sport of a hooligan played by gentlemen. If you agree with it or not, you have to admit that to play it. A sport that is prone to injury, rugby is full of action and hard-hitting. There are two “styles” of rugby that are Rugby Union and Rugby League because of slightly different rules. These include lobbying and running the ball down the pitch to cross the line and making a goal.
Kabaddi
With teams on opposing sides of the line, sending a raider in each turn. The raider challenges the other team members for points and then returns to his side while he holds his breath and shouts “Kabbadi” throughout the attack. Tagged members are out and must immediately exit the playground. Defenders are attempting to stop the raider, forcing him to take a break before he returns and get him out. We can not say that we understand it in specific either, but we clearly want it to be played while you are abroad!
Conclusion
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