David Morey 
In the world of sports, hidden gems exist beyond the spotlight of mainstream attention. While many of us are familiar with popular games such as soccer or basketball, there’s a whole universe of niche sports thriving in competitive arenas.
From the obscure to the unconventional, these sports bring together enthusiasts from all walks of life to showcase their skills and passion. Read on as we dine into the fascinating realm of niche sports you might not know are played competitively.
Darts
Darts are commonly played among those who enjoy spending time in pubs and having a good time with their friends. World darts players have taken the game of darts to a whole new level and play it competitively too.
It is believed that it originated in the UK in the late medieval or early modern periods as a pastime in pubs and taverns. The game involves throwing small, pointed missiles known as darts at a target hung on a wall. Scoring is dependent on how close you get to the center of the target.
There are two main governing bodies in professional darts: the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and the British Darts Organization (BDO). there is a significant following of the sports in the UK and the Netherlands and it is also gaining popularity in other regions around the world.
Hobby Horsing
Hobby horsing is a sport that is still relatively new new and only originated in the early 2000s in Finland. It is a fun and playful activity that is popular among younger horse enthusiasts that has now become competitive among those who take it seriously.
In hobby horsing competitions, participants perform varying equestrian inspired routines and maneuvers while riding their hobby horse. It is important to note that a hobby horse is not a real horse, but closer to a childrens toy that is a stick with a stuffed animal horse head on the top.
There are organized events and competitions help globally with judges scoring and evaluating participants on their technique, creativity, presentation, group routines, and even costumes.
Disc Golf (Frisbee Golf)
Disc Gold also known as frisbee golf is a sport that emerged in the late 1960s as a variation of traditional golf. Players use flying discs that resemble frisbees instead of clubs and balls to compete for each hole.
The objective of the game is te same as gold, yuo just have different equipment. Just as you would with regular golf, you can choose to play a course consisting of either 9 or 18 holes each of which have a designated tee and a target.
Disc golf is played competitively at varying levels from local tournaments to international championships and major events. There is no doubt that the popularity of this sport has exploded in the last few years.
Crossfit
Crossfit is a sport that was founded in the early 2000s. In the beginning it originated as a strength and conditioning program aimed at improving ones overall fitness through high intensity workouts and functional movements.
Over the years, while people still participate in the sport for fitness reasons, many choose to participate in order to compete. The introduction of the Crossfit games came about in 2007 and has been going strong ever since. This competition is designed to find the “Fittest on Earth” as the title suggests.
Although the Crossfit Games are the major competitive event every year, there are many other crossfit competitions that take place globally for many to participate in. in this competitions you will earn points based on your performance in each event of the competition. These events include, lifting heavy weights, completing obstacle courses, performing gymnastics movements, and more.
Crossfit offers a challenging and rewarding experience for athletes of all levels, promoting a holistic approach to fitness.
