Underwater hockey combines breath‑holding, fast‑moving sticks and a weighted puck at the bottom of a pool, creating a sport that feels like voluntary drowning. Its extreme physical demand makes it a fascinating, lesser‑known athletic pursuit.

There are six players on each side and no goalkeepers, while referees watch for fouls and can send players to a penalty box for serious rule‑breaching. Games last 30 minutes and are split into two halves with a three‑minute break in between.

Underwater hockey, previously known as “octopush”, was invented in England in 1954 as a way to keep divers fit during the off‑season winter months. The sport has since spread worldwide, retaining its original training purpose while becoming a competitive game.

The gruelling sport has created a tight‑knit community, as Malaysian player Hui Chin Teoh explained: “It’s like that sadistic study that forces everybody to survive together and then you stick together for a long time.” Head coach and tournament director Nowie Ignacio added that improving underwater camera technology and social‑media exposure are making the spectator experience more active and even televised live.

While not yet an Olympic sport, underwater hockey is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and debuted at the Southeast Asian Games in 2019. Ignacio summed up the ambition: “The dream is the Olympics,” highlighting the sport’s growing push for Olympic inclusion.