For most people around the world, pillow fighting is just a fun game we play at sleepovers... but in Japan, they have a national-level competition!
Yes, in Japan, pillow fighting is a recognised sport and every year, teams from every province of the country come in dozens with full preparation.
Photo via Japan Info
Imagine, people coming to a competition, bringing pillows!
The All Japan Pillow Fighting Championship started after they noticed pillow fighting became popular among students in the country and now, Japan is the ONLY country in the world to have made pillow fighting a national-level sport.
According to News 18, students on school and college trips used to play this game. Inspired by this, a Pillow Fighting Tournament was started in 2013.
The very next year in 2014, this championship reached the national stage.
Whether you’re a 4-year-old boy or a 60-year-old grandmother, everyone can take part in this championship.
Photo via HowStuffWorks
To play this game, you have to wear a traditional Japanese dress called Yukatas, which is usually worn in the summer.
Then, team members have to pretend to sleep, and as soon as the referee whistles, they start beating the other team with pillows. Sounds like so much fun!
Ahh, we hope that this sport will be recognised internationally and who knows, we might see a pillow fighting event at the Olympics one day!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
