This is going to be a short post where I share with you a bit more about Thailand as I introduce most of you to a sport you have probably never heard of or seen before. Enjoy!
A young boy practices his Takraw footwork
Takraw is a sport native to Southeast Asia. Earliest historical evidence dates the sport as early as the 15 Century and murals depicted in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok (built in 1785) shows the Hindu god Hanuman playing takraw with a group of monkeys!
Takraw is a what I would consider to be a mixture of Hacky Sack, volleyball, badminton and some martial arts kicks thrown in as flavor. Usually, a team consists of three players who attempt to score points by causing a woven ball to touch the opponents court in-bounds. (Think volleyball). The catch is that you can only use your feet, legs, head, chest… well, anything except your hands and arms. (Think Hacky Sack). It’s played on a small court with a net. (Think badminton). And, since you can’t use your hands, you’ll have to spike the ball down with your feet… which usually consists of aerobatic flips and kicks and a sure fire way for me to find myself in a hospital if tried…
In the evenings here in Thailand you’ll find your average Thai boy kicking around a soccer ball or a takraw ball. Quite often you’ll see nets and makeshift courts set up in neighborhoods or across little back alleys where boyhood dreams of being a high-flying kick-spiker develop.
I’m sure the idea is confusing most of you, so here, watch this 1 minute video. Some of the stuff these guys can do without breaking their faces is astounding!
Brook-
this looks like a sport you would be better at WATCHING!