All heave for the World Tug of War Championships!
When you think of tug of war, you probably picture school sports days and summer fairs. But for competitors in the World Tug of War Championships, this classic game is a serious sport. Organized by the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF), this annual event sees teams from around the globe battle it out for a gold medal in a display of pure strength and determination.
The Tug of War Origins
Tug of war isn't just some modern invention. This sport dates back to ancient Egyptian and Chinese times. Known as 'hook pulling,' it was once a royal pastime and, according to folklore, was even believed to be played by the sun and the moon as they wrestled over daylight and darkness. There’s evidence of the sport’s early existence in places like India, Myanmar, and New Guinea, with India’s history going back as far as the twelfth century!
Tug of War in the Olympics
Believe it or not, tug of war was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920! Although it's no longer part of the Olympics, it remains a featured event in the World Games, which highlights popular sports that aren’t Olympic disciplines. And of course, the World Tug of War Championships continue to bring the best teams together each year.
A Sport with Staying Power
Since the late 19th century, tug of war has been played as an organized sport, initially as part of athletics competitions. Despite being dropped from the Olympics, it has flourished at the national and international levels. The Tug of War International Federation, founded in 1964, now boasts 34 member nations. While the first European Championships were held in the same year, it wasn’t until 1975 that the first World Championships took place.
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