AS THE RANGE of strange sports and competitions grows, TheJournal.ie takes a look at a selection of odd and dangerous events which are attracting increasing interest from competitors around the world.

Please don’t try these at home, folks.

1. Cheese Rolling:

This involves a group of people chasing a huge hunk of cheese down a very steep hill at break-neck speed. Ankle and wrist injuries are commonplace among competitors. The winner is the person who catches the rolling cheese. And the prize? Cheese.

2. Extreme Ironing:

This involves setting up an ironing board in increasingly unlikely and dangerous conditions, and – you’ve guessed it! – ironing. The winner is the person (or persons) who are photographed in the most outlandish situation. On the practical side, it helps with the laundry.

3. Nettle Eating:

Dorset in England is home to the World Nettle Eating Championship, which reputedly began after a disagreement between two local farmers as to whom had longer nettles on their land. The competition is pretty self-explanatory: the winner is the person who can eat the most stinging nettle leaves in one hour.

4. Chess Boxing:

Competitors box then play chess in alternating rounds, beginning with a four-minute chess round. Contests can win by a knockout in the ring or on the board (checkmate). If a competitor fails to move a chess piece in the allotted time, he is disqualified.

5. World Wife Carrying Contest:

Male competitors carry their ‘wife’ across an obstacle course and through a pool of water. The main danger in this event is the carrier being assaulted post-competition by the carried.