Athletic competitions have been a part of human culture and society for as long as humans have had civilizations. In the earliest civilizations, sportsman would frequently engage in wrestling competitions for fun or for sport. Games like cuju (China), episkyros (Greece), and many more were fun past times for our ancient ancestors.
The enduring popularity of sports in human culture has ensured that these types of competitions would enter the public zeitgeist. Betting is just one example of how sports affect entertainment. Fans can fing guides to the best bookmakers on Vegas Aces and wager on their favorite teams. But betting and sports in general also greatly influence creatives. Let us find out how.
Sports in Film
Of course, we have to start with film, as it is the most popular entertainment medium today, especially as it relates to sports. Sports films are a staple of the film industry, with some of the greatest and most celebrated movies of all time falling in the sports genre. However, as film is a relatively new medium, the sports most often depicted are also the ones that are popular in the modern age.
For example, boxing films are quite a hit. The primary example that many will jump to here is Rocky, a 1974 film written and starring Sylvester Stallone. A timeless tale of an underdog competing against the odds, Rocky still resonates with people to this day, which is probably why it has spawned a series of reboots, titles Creed.
Creed puts Rocky in a mentorship role, as he guides Adonis Creed, the son of Rocky Balboa’s long-time rival and friend, Apollo Creed. The films see Sylvester Stallone reprise his role as Rocky Balboa, starring alongside Michael B. Jordan in the role of Adonis. But, while boxing films are a huge success, they are not the only sports films that get a lot of traction.
Football is widely regarded as America’s favorite sport. Every year, millions of Americans tune in to watch the NFL Super Bowl game, as well as bet on the NFL odds. Since the American film industry is currently the biggest, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn that movies about American football are also quite a hit. The Longest Yard, Rudy, Remember the Titans, etc., are some of the most well-liked sports films of all time.
Sports in Manga and Anime
The Japanese manga and anime industry basically refers to comic books and cartoons created in Japan. Whereas in the United States, most people associate comic books with super heroes, and cartoons with children, in Japan they create diverse comics and cartoons for people of all ages. And one of the most popular genres of manga and anime is the sports genre.
Once again, boxing plays a huge role in the world of sports manga, with two of the most celebrated ones being Ashita no Joe and Hajime no Ippo. Vastly different in tone, themes, and character development, these two shows have played a huge role in influencing artists, writers, and even film directors. Even Michael B. Jordan admitted that Hajime no Ippo was a primary influence on the third installment of Creed.
Another incredible sports manga, that many might not even think of as being in the sports genre is Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run. Jojo’s is a long-running manga series about the struggle of the Joestar family to take down the vampiric influence of Dio Brando. So, where do sports fit in? Well, the creator, Hirohiko Araki, decided to reboot the universe after the sixth part, and start the story anew.
In Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7, Araki introduces the Steel Ball Run, a horse racing spanning from one end of the United States to the other. The main character, the paraplegic Johnny Joestar, competes in the Steel Ball Run, hoping to earn the grand prize, a magical artefact said to grant any wish. Johnny hopes to attain this artefact so that he can cure his condition. Despite the fantastical elements, Steel Ball Run actually portrays the sport of horse racing quite well. Unsurprising, as it is a huge phenomenon in Japan.
Sports in Literature
Literature is one of the oldest art forms. From the epic poetry of the Ancient world, to the romance of the Middle Ages, and finally the novel of the modern era, literature has endured and evolved alongside humanity. From that point of view, literature certainly has something in common with sports, which is why it isn’t surprising that there is such a thing as “sports fiction.”
The “sports fiction” genre refers to fictional stories told about athletes, sports, etc. And no sports fiction novel has had greater impact on the world of literature than David Foster Wallace’s magnum opus, Infinite Jest. A metamodernist work of literary expression, Infinite Jest is a 1000-page doorstopper, set in the near future of the United States. The main story takes place in a tennis academy for gifted youngsters.
Despite the novel’s setting being a tennis academy, the book is much more than simply about tennis. It is a novel about inter-personal relationship, national identity, and addiction, in which tennis is used as a sort of metaphysical activity. To this day, Infinite Jest remains one of the most important works of the 20th century, cited by many as one of the greatest works of literary fiction.
However, what if you are looking for a work of literature more explicitly about a sport? Well then, you will probably get a kick out of Hemingway’s trilogy of short stories that follow the life of boxers, and discuss the sport of boxing. Hemingway developed a keen interest in boxing at the age of 16, and infused his love of the sport in three of his most famous works; The Killers, Fifty Grand, and The Battler.
Conclusion
Sports have played a big role in the development of human culture, society, and even psychology. That is why many creatives remain inspired by sports, and do their best to represent their favorite athletic competitions with care and honesty. Of course, there are also many creatives that like to glamorize and lionize certain sports, which also has its merits as far as fictional portrayals are concerned.
