No pain, no gain: A marathon in the desert, bullfighting, a brutal bicycle race and ice swimming push people to the brink, mentally and physically.

From a ritual war game to a nomadic hunting tradition, tests of bravery, skill and strength are fueled by the needs for food, survival and glory.

Young men in Madagascar grapple with a zebu to enter adulthood as boys elsewhere try to master Kung Fu, sumo wrestling and reindeer racing.

A surfer sets out to ride a massive wave. A diver attempts a deadly plunge. A female racer in Palestine and a wheelchair bodybuilder create spectacles.

From mountaineering in the face of death to a game for a fruitful harvest, sports are spiritual experiences for those seeking signs from a higher power.