Fortuna: Difference between revisions

The most popular sports in Fortuna are, by far, combat based, mostly in the form of individual sports. In nearly every ''donavi'', a small, flattened, and fenced-off area is assigned for a variety of combat sports to take place in, often referred to as the ''fostimente''. Fighting areas are not as common within ''donavi urbani'', although small stadiums are easily available in more urban areas. Larger stadiums are also available for regional and national competitions, although these are usually shared with other sports. An exception to this is the Destino Grand Fostimente Stadium and the Valence Fostimente Stadium, both designed specifically to host individual, combative sports. Teriduche and regional competitions are held for nearly every combative sport, consisting of governing associations, thousands of participants of different age groups, regional rivalries, and millions of spectators yearly. Multiple forms of martial arts are practiced in Fortuna with varying differences from region to region. ''Fosticircolare'' is the general name for the technique of close combat native to the Fortunan Archipelago. Able to be used for both defense and offense, ''fosticircolare'' consists of circular evasions and quick jabs to disarm and incapacitate an opponent. Although it has military use, the practice of ''fosticircolare'' is advocated by the state to promote health, fitness, and preparation for military service at any given time. It is overseen by the Fortunan Fosticircolare Association who regulate rules and sponsor regional and national competitions. Other close combat sports include wrestling and boxing which only began gaining a following in the early 20th century.

 

''Fostispada'' refers to the schools of Fortunan swordsmanship that formed over the years with varying fighting styles depending on the weapon. ''Spenada'' is a blade technique based around the use of a ''spenaspada'', a one handed, double-edged straight sword that is native to the Fortunan Archipelago. Another popular blade technique is ''cortada'' which consists of the use of a ''cortaspada'', a short, single-edged curved long knife. The ''cortaspada'' was first designed as a cutting tool for clearing vegetation, although it also was wielded as a weapon in the rural areas where it was used. As the archipelago began to become more urbanized, the knife's effectiveness in close quarters made it a viable weapon. With the adoption of firearms over the years, the use of blades and the different techniques evolved into competitive sports seen today. The Fortunan Fostispada Association is the governing body over Fortunan swordsmanship sports. Regional and National competitions see large participation of competitors and spectators. School club competitions are also quite popular, with thousands of students competing each other from around the nation.

 

A native sport practiced among residents of more secluded fishing communities is ''tavo equili''. The sport consists of two contestants who stand opposing to each other on separate boards floating in shallow waters or pools. Each contestant is given a pole to assist in navigating their boards with the sole purpose in knocking their opponent into the water. Contestants are not allowed to make any physical contact with each other and are only allowed to make contact with their opponent's board, usually by just prodding with their pole. The boards are also designed to be fairly difficult to stand on, giving the sport a higher learning curve. ''Tavo equili'' is seen to promote balance, strength, and precision which are skills that are viewed highly among these communities.

 

Fortunans also indulge themselves in other individual, non-combative sports. Track and field events rose in popularity in the late 20th century as an effort by the state to promote athleticism. The events that Fortuna has had the most success at is [[wikipedia:Running|running]], in the form of [[wikipedia:Sprint (running)|sprinting]] and [[wikipedia:Marathon|marathons]], and [[wikipedia:Throwing sports|throwing]], specifically the javelin throw. The largest stadium built to host track and field events is the Eleusium Stadium in IFC. Three yearly cycling tours are held in Fortuna, one on each major island of the Fortunan Archipelago. Fortunan athletes have seen success in swimming sports, especially in [[wikipedia:Open water swimming|open water swimming]] events with a handful of recordholders in longest ocean swims. [[wikipedia:Triathlon|Triathlons]] in Fortuna see thousands of participants yearly to test a triathlete's skills in swimming, cycling, and running.

 

The art of sailing is tightly entwined into Fortunan history and culture, now with dozens of different competitions and races held all around the isles. Aspirian Isles Sailing is the governing body over the region who oversee membership of smaller sailing clubs and associations, along with defining rules, regulations, and specifications for sailing boats. Individual and team races are available across the Aspirian Isles with the largest race being the Circle Run where teams race along a circular route within the inner sea of the Fortunan Archipelago. The oldest race is the Mediumese Sailing Event where participants travel between the major islands of the Medium Isles. Started in 1875, the event was held yearly the islanders, only pausing during the early years of the Great War, the dissolution of the Mediumese Republic (1910), and the annexation of the islands by Fortuna (2012-2013). On a smaller scale, non-regulated competitions are commonly seen to be held by small fishing communities as a form of entertainment and to train young community members in the art of sailing.