Unbelievable Athletics: Explore the Planet's Strangest Sporting Showdowns

Kemari

Advertisement

Kemari, an age-old Japanese pastime, marries teamwork, balance, and finesse. The mission is deceptively simple: keep the ball aloft through synchronized moves. Using heads, feet, knees, backs, and shoulders, players prevent the deer-hide “mari” from touching the ground. Grace counts as much as athletic ability, offering a graceful window into Japan’s cultural legacy.