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

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Allow us to introduce you to some of the stranger sports at this year’s Asian Games. Illustrations: Brian Wang

Published: 3:15pm, 17 Aug 2018Updated: 5:55pm, 17 Aug 2018

As the most diverse mass games on Earth, the Asian Games brings together people, cultures and, most importantly, sports from across the world’s biggest continent. The 2018 edition will feature more niche sports than ever.

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.

Pencak-silat

Pencak-silat is a traditional Indonesian martial art form, and one the hosts are almost certain to medal in, hence its inclusion at this year’s Games. Indonesia took advantage of its obligation to include two sports of its choosing on the schedule, and picked one that not many other nations in Asia play (except for Malaysia, who will run them close for top honours and with whom there exists deep animosity when it comes to the sport). There are many styles of pencak-silat and there will be seven separate men’s combat categories and three for women, as well as an artistic category. The art form will be making its first appearance at the Asiad.