Rugby meets mixed martial arts in the brutally violent calcio storico, a traditional sport of Florence, Italy, that dates back nearly 500 years.

Scotland's Highland games combine a cultural celebration with challenging athletic tests of strength — including the unique caber toss.

For many in the Philippines, freediving without oxygen is a way of life. It's also a demanding sport that pushes the limits of the human body.

In Austin, Texas, skaters find an inclusive and supportive community in roller derby, a competition that blends high speed and physical combat.

Professional wrestling in the Congo mixes athleticism and showmanship, but adds a layer of voodoo mysticism that makes it unlike anything else.

Unique to Bali's Jembrana region, Makepung Lampit puts its own spin on drag racing. The vehicle is a water buffalo, the track a flooded rice field.

Athletes have grappled in Pehlwani wrestling contests for centuries in India. Now women are competing in an arena once reserved for men.

In Kyrgyzstan, players throw themselves into the national sport of kok boru, a rough pololike game played on horses — with a dead goat as the ball.