Bo-Taoshi (and people wonder why women live longer then men)

The above video shows some Bo-Taoshi matches. It is a Japanese sport where the goal is to lower the other team's pole to 30 degrees or less. Each team has 150 players, 75 to attack and 75 to defend. It used  to be common at high school sports festivals, but is now banned by most, only the National Defense Academy of Japan still does it annually.

The parenthetical quote is from Emily Bluntt in the comments to the video. That pretty much sums it up -- it is the type of rough housing that appeals to the male brain. Looks like fun in a painful sort of a way.

Sepak Takraw -- Kick Volleyball

Above is a Takraw match. It is a sport that is popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines that dates back to to at least the 15th century. It is a combination of volleyball and soccer. The spikes are amazing.

The US has an organization to promote the sport in the States. You can visit their site and read the rules at: Takraw USA. In 1989 the US team was invited to their first World Cup in Thailand. They got clobbered, but were well received because they were the first non-Asian team to compete in the championships.

(via: Daily Picks and Flicks)