Image source, World Dodgeball Association
“Punching” as it is known in Colombia has developed into a sport with its own world championship.
The game “quemado”, “ponchado”, “hidden ball”, “macho parado” or “cementerio”, as it is known in different parts of Latin America, is perhaps one of the most popular games in the world.
Many may associate it with the 2004 Hollywood comedy film starring Ben Stiller and Vincent Vaughn “Dodgeball” (“Balls in play“), where they mocked sports competition through this street game in which they try to hit members of the opposing team with the ball.
But in reality, playing dodgeball today is far from being a movie joke.
In recent years, it has transformed from being a street entertainment sport into a sport, and thanks precisely to its rapid growth, its first world championship was held in Manchester, United Kingdom, with teams of both genders and representatives from 10 countries in attendance.
“It's a sport Fast and agile, but anyone can run, throw and catch the ball can practice. Tim Hickson, president of the World Dodgeball Association, told the BBC: “This may be why it is becoming increasingly popular.”
In the United Kingdom, about 750,000 people currently practice this sport, while they are registered in the United States 9.7 million players Of both sexes and of different ages.
Image source, World Dodgeball Association
The idea of the game is to try to hit opposing players with balls. Pictured is the Welsh mixed team.
“I think part of our success is that we've created schools around the world in places that are not designed for sports practices, but where you can play dodgeball,” Hawke added. “This has brought a lot of people in touch with the game.” .
But how do you play?
Although Ben Stiller's 2004 film helped popularize the sport, Dodgeball game It originated in Japanese schools 60 years ago.
Its basic rules are written on the street: there are two teams of six people each, facing each other on a mid-section court.
hypothesis “burningDralso” He tries to hit the opponents of the opposing team with six balls prepared for the match in order to eliminate them from the field. The team that manages to eliminate all competitors wins the game.
But the team that, at the end of three-minute regulation time, has the most players on the field, also wins.
Image source, World Dodgeball Association
About 10 million people currently play dodgeball, which is known in Latin America as “quedao” or “ponchado.”
“Keep in mind that you have to move a lot to avoid getting hit.“But at the same time you have to develop the ability to catch the ball,” Ryan Hollinger, one of the stars of the Northern Ireland national team, told the BBC.
However, within the rules it is considered that when a player catches one of the balls thrown to him Login can be enabled For one of his colleagues who was eliminated.
Welshman Amy Jones is considered the fastest thrower on the European circuit.
Image source, World Dodgeball Association
The second World Dodgeball Championship is expected to be held in New York, United States, in 2018.
“It's true that it started as a street game, but it has become more and more demanding and competitive,” Jones said.
Olympic aspirations
The World Cup left England in the men and Australia as champions in the women.
But the goal of World Dodgeball Association It is to transform sport into an Olympic system.
That's why they work with schools in 57 countries, not only to promote the game but to develop highly competitive programmes.
“Our success in organizing the first World Cup is impressive and historic,” Hickson said.
Image source, World Dodgeball Association
For Northern Ireland player Ryan Hollinger, dodgeball is a sport where you have to learn to run, dribble and catch balls at the same time.
And I think so Within 15 years, Dodgeball could be on the IOC table.
He concluded: “We want to increase the participation of dodgeball in the world with people who attended World Cup matches as an audience or watched a match on our YouTube channel.”
The second World Championship is expected to be held in New York in 2018.
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