Since we wrote about alternative sports that could be in the next Olympics, I have noticed that some of us have some odd hobbies to say the least.
So how have some of these 'sporting traditions' become embedded into local traditions.
First on my list is a baby jumping festival (no babies were hurt in the process, probably). The Spanish festival of El Colacho has been held in the medieval town of Castrillo De Murcia since 1620.
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Babies are laid on the ground in swaddling clothes and grown men, yes adult lads, dressed as devils, jump over the infants. This is supposed to cleanse them of all evil doings. Course it bloody does!
Video credit: Lonely Planet/YouTube
Cheese rolling - Basically, he/she who can throw themselves down a hill, chasing a roll of cheese, the fastest, wins. The annual event takes place on Cooper's Hill In Gloucestershire. There isn't much else to it really. Competition is fierce so competitors don't hold back. As you can well imagine, casualties are inevitable...
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Boryeong mud festival - I have to do this... A series of events around the theme of, yes... you guessed it... mud! Once you complete it, medals are replaced with a bucket of mud being thrown in competitors' faces.
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Wife carrying world championships - requiring the ultimate set of teamwork skills, lads have to carry their wives on their shoulders. They have to complete an obstacle course, which is designed to test even the strongest of marriages. Enter at your own risk.
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Video credit: YouTube/No Comment TV
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World toe wrestling championships - If you don't like feet, scroll down now. This takes place in Derbyshire. The rules? You have to interlock the big toes, keep the leg you are not wrestling with on the ground and your arse and both hands remain on the ground. Get the beers in and I'm game.
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World gurning Championships - Who can pull the ugliest face? Please step forward. It's as simple as that. Perhaps you do take some MDMA beforehand? I don't know...
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World bog snorkelling championships - again in Wales, there is an annual event where contestants race for a world champ title by swimming though a swamp. Competitors have to paddle using their flippers down a muddy, dirty, probably riddled with all sorts, strip of water.
Video credit: YouTube/Expedia Ireland
World worm charming championships - This has got to be, hands down, the single most bizarre thing anyone can do. 'What did you do at the weekend?'
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'I charmed worms, Dave'.
Well, I'm planning my holidays for this year. I reckon I could do every one of these challenges with my allocated holiday allowance... I need to find a wife first but who cares about the minor details?
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