Asian Games 2018: from pencak-silat to bridge, check out some of the more unusual sports featuring in Indonesia
A guide to the most unusual sports at this year’s Asian Games, including sepak-takraw and jet skiing
In addition to the Olympic events, there are a host of regional contests that many people may never have heard of, fewer still actually witnessed.
Fear not, here we offer a guide to a selection of some of the more esoteric offerings on show in Indonesia over the next two weeks.
Sambo
Sambo has the rather unusual distinction of being a Russian martial art. It’s not for everyone – UFC favourite Chael Sonnen famously declared that “sambo sucks” earlier this year, but several top MMA stars list sambo as an influence on their style including UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Its name is derived from an acronym meaning “self-defence without weapons” and it employs a combination of wrestling, judo, jiu-jitsu and boxing. The sport variation of sambo is similar to wrestling and allows various leg locks, but no chokeholds. Its practitioners wear snazzy red or blue uniforms during combat. Sambo will be making its debut at the 2018 Asian Games as the sport gains popularity.