highly sexed crickets take to the ring in china
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Highly sexed crickets take to the ring in China

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Highly sexed crickets take to the ring in China

Beijing - AFP

Unlike many sportsmen who avoid sex the night before a match to ensure they have enough strength, Chinese crickets are encouraged to enjoy as much hanky-panky as possible on the eve of a fight. "Crickets need lots of sex," said Guo Junxiong, 60, after watching one of his long-antennaed insects overpower an opponent in a bloodless battle held in Beijing during the annual cricket fighting season. "They should live as couples otherwise the male won't fight." Cricket fighting, a Chinese tradition dating back more than a thousand years to imperial times, remains a popular pastime for many men who gather every autumn to watch their insects fight in specially designed glass enclosures. At a recent tournament in the Chinese capital dozens of men -- mostly middle-aged and smoking heavily -- crowded around white plastic tables to watch pairs of male crickets fight for a gold trophy and $300 in prize money. "I always want to be the winner," said Zhao Boguang, vice president of the Singing Insects Association in Beijing and owner of a store specialising in cricket equipment. The best fighting crickets -- always male -- are found in the eastern province of Shandong where they are reputed to be the biggest in China. A single insect can cost between a few dollars and $300 -- or more. Enthusiasts sped hours every day feeding and watering their chirping pets, with some keeping them in their bedrooms so they can be easily checked during the night. Yang Yupeng, 82, said he has been playing with crickets since he was 10 and credits the harmless creatures with keeping him healthy in body and mind. "The more I watch them fight the happier I am," said Yang, wearing a grey suit of a kind made famous by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. "Playing with crickets can alter your mood -- it can keep you feeling calm, happy and solve your worries." Before a tournament begins, each cricket must be weighed on a tiny set of scales. Owners carefully remove their crickets from small clay pots using wooden scoops and then gently slide them into a plastic cup or modified beer can, which is hooked onto the scales. After their weight is recorded on a white strip of paper, the crickets are returned to their container where they wait for battle. "I've been playing with crickets since I was very young," said Yu Xin, 30, one of the youngest participants at the tournament in Beijing. "Now I work in an office with computers and playing with crickets brings me closer to nature." In the seconds before a fight begins, owners "tease" their crickets by stroking their backs, head and antennae with a long piece of dry grass. Aroused and ready to fight, the crickets grab at each other with their front legs for an intense but shortlived battle before breaking apart and one of them -- the loser -- scurrying away. Although betting on cricket fights -- or any other type of competition -- is illegal in China, it is common for Chinese to have a discreet flutter. "I've been involved in cricket fighting for 40 years and I still find it interesting, they can bring you happiness," said Man Zhiguo, 48. Cricket fighting is a male dominated sport and, according to Man, that is the way it should be. Women "don't have the skills to buy, raise or fight crickets and also going to the countryside to find the crickets is hard and hot work," he said. During their short life -- about 100 days -- crickets are fed a diet of soya beans, carrots and corn, while some enthusiasts even give their beloved insects doses of Chinese traditional medicine to boost their performance in the ring. And, of course, there is the "excessive sex" needed to enhance their fighting prowess. "Crickets must have female companions so their bodies can be strong," said Yang. "I check them every day to see if their mood is good or not. If not, I have to find them a new partner."

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

highly sexed crickets take to the ring in china highly sexed crickets take to the ring in china

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

highly sexed crickets take to the ring in china highly sexed crickets take to the ring in china

 



GMT 14:05 2017 Wednesday ,15 November

Saudi, Egyptian foreign ministers hold talks

GMT 18:15 2013 Saturday ,24 August

GM unlocks RemoteLink for Microsoft Windows phones

GMT 05:06 2016 Thursday ,20 October

Turkish designer takes on Trump on Tokyo runway

GMT 16:06 2017 Monday ,06 November

Texas mass shooting leaves US mourning

GMT 20:34 2017 Friday ,27 October

Terror attack in Egypt a heinous act

GMT 10:00 2017 Thursday ,09 February

Feng Shui Style Is The Best For Your Kid’s Room

GMT 06:00 2017 Sunday ,29 October

Childrenswear brand Once appoints Dyelog

GMT 18:26 2018 Friday ,14 December

Mashrou’ Leila headline Apple event in Dubai
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday