Athletes Of The Obscure: Toe Wrestling | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Athletes Of The Obscure: Toe Wrestling

A quick glance into the world of one of the purest and most exhilarating sports still around.

276
Athletes Of The Obscure: Toe Wrestling

According to Webster's dictionary, the definition of sport is "to amuse oneself." I'm assuming everyone reading this already know what sports are but sometimes we get caught up in the prestige of certain sports. If they aren't mainstream enough we just chuckle at them as we brush them off our shoulders. The ones we do this to are usually the purest form of sport. When I say purest I mean closest to the original root and definition of the word. They're Just there to amuse us. Nothing more nothing less. Not for money, not for fame, not for glory, but for amusement.

Quite possibly the greatest gift we can receive. Many times the big mainstream sports are being played for all the wrong reasons, and as the consumers of this entertainment, I think we should hold them to a higher standard. I don't know about you but I would much rather watch a sport where the participants are giving it their all because they enjoy the sport and love what they do over watching a "sport" where athletes get paid millions of dollars a year but decide to blatantly disrespect not only the country that makes this possible but also all the brave men and women who died to protect that(cough cough Colin Kaepernick).

Luckily there are plenty of sports out there that are amusement in the most wholesome sense of the word. I will be your guide into this world of obscure sports that stay true to the real meaning of the word "sport." This week I will specifically be focusing on toe wrestling. Toe wrestling is a sport derived from the sports arm wrestling. Toe wrestling was first established in the united kingdom in 1974 as a way for the English to be the best in the world at something but was discontinued after a Canadian challenger took the title in 1976.

Despite being discontinued, the sport is making a come back thanks to flashy competitors like Alan "Nasty" Nash and Paul "Toeminator" Beech. This sport may not be recognized by the Olympic committee but to me, that is what makes the athletes that compete in this obscure but entertaining sport even more remarkable. The only thing pushing them to be the best is the intrinsic drive for greatness and love of the sport.

Now the rules for toe wrestling are virtually the same as the rules for arm wrestling except instead of a battle or arm strength it is a battle of foot strength and technique. The two competitors line up opposite from each other and lock their toes together, they then begin to try and knock the other person's foot off the stage. I can't speak for the rest of you but watching two grown men lock their toes together and begin grunting as they battle to dominate their opponent's foot sounds like good entertainment to me.

I think it's about time that we start following sports for the right reason again. That reasoning is the competitive fire that is within all of us that pushes us to be the best, and the whimsical child in us that stops us from taking everything too seriously.

Daniel signing out

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

132888
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

30881
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

28375
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments