https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/obscure-sports/RSS feed for Obscure SportsenMon, 26 Jan 2026 22:00:14 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-how-alex-honnold-climbed-a-dizzying-1667-foot-tall-skyscraper-without-ropes-180988071/He became famous after scaling El Capitan without protective equipment in 2017. Now the 40-year-old athlete has completed the first free solo of Taipei 101 in TaiwanMon, 26 Jan 2026 22:00:14 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-how-alex-honnold-climbed-a-dizzying-1667-foot-tall-skyscraper-without-ropes-180988071/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-1907-this-daring-performer-walked-on-water-from-cincinnati-to-new-orleans-covering-nearly-1600-miles-in-40-days-180987576/Charles Oldrieve used custom-made wooden shoes to float on the water's surface and propel himself forwardThu, 30 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-1907-this-daring-performer-walked-on-water-from-cincinnati-to-new-orleans-covering-nearly-1600-miles-in-40-days-180987576/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/worlds-first-robot-olympics-features-soccer-kickboxing-and-lots-of-falling-down-180987199/Hundreds of humanoids from 16 countries stumbled over each other while competing in the World Humanoid Robot Games in BeijingTue, 19 Aug 2025 19:59:56 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/worlds-first-robot-olympics-features-soccer-kickboxing-and-lots-of-falling-down-180987199/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-american-toy-company-produced-the-worlds-first-frisbees-beloved-by-humans-and-dogs-on-this-day-in-1957-180985855/The flying disc had humble beginnings but has since become an international phenomenonThu, 23 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-american-toy-company-produced-the-worlds-first-frisbees-beloved-by-humans-and-dogs-on-this-day-in-1957-180985855/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/breaking-just-made-its-olympic-debut-will-it-return-in-2032-180984878/The event won't be featured at the Los Angeles Games in 2028, but that doesn't mean its Olympic journey is overTue, 13 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/breaking-just-made-its-olympic-debut-will-it-return-in-2032-180984878/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/questionably-fashionable-bowling-shirt-swept-the-nation-180984503/The gaudy top went from practical necessity to vintage treasureMon, 01 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/questionably-fashionable-bowling-shirt-swept-the-nation-180984503/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/for-75-years-runners-have-raced-in-colorado-tethered-to-donkeys-180984523/Harkening back to mining days, the sport has human-donkey teams navigating challenging mountain coursesThu, 13 Jun 2024 14:44:37 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/for-75-years-runners-have-raced-in-colorado-tethered-to-donkeys-180984523/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/breaking-will-debut-at-the-summer-olympics-180984199/This summer, 32 athletes will compete in what's commonly known as breakdancing, a dance sport that combines athleticism and artistryMon, 22 Apr 2024 18:09:23 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/breaking-will-debut-at-the-summer-olympics-180984199/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/obscure-sport-pickleball-became-king-court-180983454/With origins dating back to the 16th century, paddle sports have always had an unmistakable allureTue, 02 Jan 2024 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/obscure-sport-pickleball-became-king-court-180983454/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-most-popular-sailboat-ever-invented-180982345/The Sunfish taught millions of Americans to seize the breezeMon, 26 Jun 2023 13:41:21 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-most-popular-sailboat-ever-invented-180982345/