6 sports popular in Finland that hardly anyone else plays

Finland celebrates its uniqueness. Whether in language or culture, it is easy to find things that differentiate it from every other country. It is no surprise that Finland follows its own path in sport.

Finland does play one sport the rest of the world cares about, and when it wins the country stops entirely.

Whether sports Finns invented or those they simply love to play, many activities are uniquely Nordic. Here are six of the best.

1. Wife-carrying

Wife-carrying (Finnish: Eukonkanto) is a contest where male competitors race while carrying a female teammate. Legend says the sport originated with Herkko Rosvo-Ronkainen, a notorious robber of the late 1800s. Rosvo-Ronkainen and his gang were accused of stealing food and women from villages by running away with them as fast as possible.

In the modern version, the man carries the woman through different obstacles. The fastest man wins. The Wife-Carrying World Championships have been held annually in Sonkajärvi since 1992. The first prize is the wife’s weight in beer. Rosvo-Ronkainen would likely have approved.

2. Pesäpallo

Pesäpallo is a fast moving bat-and-ball sport often called Finnish baseball. Lauri “Tahko” Pihkala created it in the 1920s. Pihkala was a right-wing activist who supported eugenics to improve the military prowess of the Finnish people. Pesäpallo was a demonstration sport at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki but has not featured since.

Similar to baseball, the offence tries to score by hitting the ball and running through bases. The defense tries to get the runner out.

3. Ringette

Finland is one of only four countries that play Ringette, despite its Canadian origins. The sport is played on an ice rink, mostly by females, and requires ice skates. It is similar to ice hockey, but players use straight sticks and a rubber ring instead of a puck.

Juhani Wahlsten introduced the game to Finland in 1979. Wahlsten created teams in Turku. Finland’s first ringette club was Ringetteläisiä Turun Siniset.

4. Wellie Throwing

Wellie throwing (Finnish: saappaanheitto) originated in Upperthong, UK. The world championships are held annually in that Yorkshire village. Legend says the sport began after a pint of ale was spilt into a resident’s boot and someone was challenged to throw it. Finland is one of four countries to embrace the sport, alongside Poland, Germany and New Zealand. The aim is to throw the boot as far as possible.

5. Sauna bathing

Sauna is an inevitable part of Finnish sports. The World Sauna Championship was held annually in Heinola from 1999 to 2010. The rules were simple. The winner was the last person to stay in the sauna and walk out without help.

The starting temperature was 110 degrees Celsius. Half a liter of water was poured on the stove every 30 seconds. Competitors risked their health. In 2010, a finalist died. Organisers cancelled the competition indefinitely after the incident. Do not try this at home.