Underwater hockey tournament tests athletes in Hong Kong
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Hong Kong recently hosted its annual underwater hockey tournament, drawing competitors from across Asia to play a physically demanding sport.
Players compete in a swimming pool, using snorkels, fins, and short sticks to move a weighted puck into the opposing team's goal. The sport, known as octopush, began in England in 1954 as a way for divers to stay fit during the winter. Each team fields six players for 30-minute matches, and the game lacks traditional goalkeepers.
Players must carefully manage their breath while coordinating with teammates and tracking the puck across the pool floor. Competitors like Leo Lines, who travelled from Hokkaido, Japan, appreciate the challenge of balancing physical exertion with breath control. The tournament also serves as preparation for the Elite World Championship in France next April, where around 20 countries are expected to compete.
Organisers hope that improved underwater cameras and live broadcasts will increase the sport’s visibility and attract new players, despite it not currently being an Olympic event.
