Lapta: Russia's own bat-and-ball game

Feb 10 2011

The rich tradition associated with Russian lapta helped save the sport; it only needed state support to recover. The Russian lapta championships for men first took place in 1990 and have since become an annual event.

Konstantin Salomatin (Russky Reporter)

Russian writer Alexander Kuprin gave a vivid description of lapta: “This folk game is one of the most interesting and beneficial games around. Lapta requires resourcefulness, controlling your breathing, being true to your team, being alert, dexterity, fast running, good marksmanship, strong hands and enduring confidence that you cannot lose. There’s no place for the lazy and cowardly in this game.”

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