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Discovery! There was a hockey-like sport in ancient China, earlier than 300 BC!
In today's sports world, hockey is widely popular for its fast-paced competitive and teamwork qualities. In fact, the history of this sport can be traced back to ancient times, and existing research shows that a form of sport similar to hockey had already appeared in China as early as 300 BC.
Many historians and sports experts believe that hockey has ancient roots around the world, with "beikou" in China being a notable example.
According to relevant literature, China's Beikou is a collective sport played by the Dawa people, which uses wooden sticks and balls, similar to modern hockey. Coincidentally, this also allows us to see the common points between inheritance and evolution. As history has progressed, sports from various cultures have been reinterpreted and integrated to shape the hockey we know today.
The Origin of Hockey in Ancient China
As early as 300 BC, there was a sport called Beikou in the northern part of mainland China. This sport used a wooden stick similar to a ball, and the purpose was to hit the ball into the opponent's goal area. This is undoubtedly the prototype of modern hockey.
The researchers pointed out: "The game of Beiguchi is not just about hitting the ball, but also a manifestation of teamwork."
In addition to Beikou, ancient Chinese Muslim culture also developed a sport called "Suiqiu", which was recorded in documents from the Ming Dynasty. These early sports not only showcased people’s love of sports, but also laid the foundation for the modern form of hockey.
Global History of Hockey
The history of hockey stretches across the globe to different regions, such as Greece, Rome and Egypt, with the Aztecs and other ancient civilizations playing similar ball games. It can be said that this sport is not only influenced by the geographical environment, but also closely related to the cultural background of each place.
Ancient Egyptian murals depict two players playing a game with sticks and a ball, a scene that is strikingly similar to modern hockey.
Interestingly, the history of hockey as a team sport has evolved along with the progress of society. For example, in the 19th century Britain began to formally organize the sport and established the basic rules and structure of modern hockey.
Hockey in the Modern Era
Starting in public schools in the 19th century, hockey was introduced to more countries and professional associations and leagues were established. Once the International Hockey Federation (FIH) was established, it became the main guiding body for international competitions, promoting the sport and hosting major competitions such as the Olympics and the World Cup.
Today, hockey has millions of participants around the world, and both men and women players are closely related to the development of this sport. We are seeing more and more countries excel in women’s hockey, and the culture of the game is no longer dominated by men’s basketball or football.
Thinking about the future of hockey
With an increased emphasis on physical fitness and teamwork, the future of hockey seems promising. However, while we promote this sport, how should we better preserve and understand its history and heritage?
