Sport in Karjania
In the United Socialist States of Karjania, sport is one of the most popular activities, with the government placing a focus on the development of sporting talents. There is no officially designated national sport of Karjania, but the most popular ones include football, ice hockey, motorsport, Pesäpallo and various forms of horse racing. The Ministry of Sport is responsible for most sporting events and competitions, and is headquartered in Pietari.
Domestic Football
Football is the most popular sport by attendance in most of Karjania, including in Pietari. The domestic first division, the Karjanian Premier League was founded in 1920 after the civil war. The origins of Football in Karjania date back to the 1880s, when a domestic competition between teams, representing regions, The Royal Shield, was first organized. The inaugural Royal Shield, held in 1883 was won by Pohjanmaa over Helkanmaa 2-1 in the final, with a late winner from Aino Y. Hestanen. In 1890, the competition was turned into the Royal Cup, which was held between teams instead of regions. The first one was won by Roudanjärvi JK over VKS, and the final held in Vostamo was attended by over 20,000 people. The predecessor of the KPL, the Karjanian Royal 1st League was first held in the 1896/97 season, when Pietari FK were crowned champions after 27 rounds. The currently used format of the KPL was adopted in the 1924/25 season. The most successful team is Roudanjärvi JK, with 12 league titles and 3 Cup victories. The Karjanian Football Pyramid consists of 3 Divisions, and 42 teams. Overseas, both the Frederikka Islands and Kullanmaan have their own football competitions, but their teams also compete in the Karjanian Cup.
Karjania at the Football World Cup
The Karjanian National Football Team has competed in the Football World Cup over 10 times, including the inaugural competition in 1900. The team’s biggest success came in 1904, when they were crowned champions of the world after defeating the Holy Evrian Empire 3-1 in the final. They played in 2 other finals, in 1912 and 1930, losing to Reino and Nichirin. Karjania finished 3rd place in 1908, 1918 and 1933. The Frederikka Islands and Kullanmaan have never qualified for the World Cup. In 1930, Karjania placed a bid to host the competition, but lost out in favour of the E.S.U..
Motorsport
Motorsport is one of the most attended sports throughout the USSK, and is most popular in the regions of Inkeria and Helkanmaa. The First Karjanian Grand Prix was held in Pietari in 1899, and was won by Routan driver Teemo Korhonen in his Pohja PHP25. The Karjanian Grand Prix Championship was established in 1920, with Aino Korhonen winning 8 championships in the next decade. The competition consists of 8 Gran Prices, including the prestigious Karjanian Grand Prix, which awards double points. Aallon is the most successful constructor and team, winning 17 Karjanian Grand Prixes throughout its history. The Karjanian Rally Championship (KRC) was created in 1928, and has only been won by Aallon machinery. It's most important and historic event is the Rally Karjania.
Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey is the second most popular team sport in Karjania, and is the most attended sport in the Usumi Region. Its history in Karjania dates back to the 1910s, when the Pietari Ice Hockey League was founded. The first nationwide league, the Royal Ice Hockey Shield was held in 1919, and was disbanded by the USSK a year later. The Karjanian Ice Hockey League, which is still held today, was established in 1922. The most successful team is 1830 Pietari with 6 titles, while Musta Roudanjärvi have 4.
Pesäpallo
Pesäpallo is a bat-and-ball sport unique to Karjania invented and popularized by the Ministry of Sport in 1920. It is similar to the more popular sport baseball, but has many different aspects. The main domestic competition for Pesäpallo in Karjania is the Superpesis, founded in 1921. The most successful clubs are Roudanjärvi Musta-Veikot, who won 5 total titles and Pietari Karhut, who have 7. Pesäpallo is most popular in Roudanjärvi, Usumi and Kajuunia.
Harness Racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing most popular in the Savio and Usumi regions of Karjania. Horse racing is one of the oldest forms of sport in Karjania, dating back to before the 1800s. The first official harness race was held in Syväsjärvi in 1826. The most common horse breed used for harness racing is the unique Karjanhorse. The most prestigious race is the *Karjanmaa-Ajo *,held at the Åulot Racecourse over 1600 meters. This race is contested by horses from several nations inside and outside of Evria. Harness racing is mostly held in the western half of the country while flat racing is more popular in the Northeast region, mainly in Arkankeli and Kivijärvi. Harness racing was the most popular sport for betting before restrictions placed by the Socialist government.
Flat Racing
Flat racing is a less popular form of horse racing than harness racing but still has a significant presence in Karjania, especially in the Northeast. The prestigious Thousand Lakes Derby has been held in Arkankeli every year since 1920, attended by over 25,000 people every year. The races are contested only by the Thoroughbred. Pietari is the only city in Karjania where both harness and flat racing events are held annually. The Thousand Lakes Derby is contested by horses from multiple countries, including ones outside of Evria, such as Auritania.
Athletics
Athletics are popular in Karjania, especially running and javelin throwing. Karjanian athletes have enjoyed great success in both domestic and international competitions throughout the years. The Laatokka Marathon is a prestigious race held yearly in Pietari. Karjania's most successful events are the Javelin throw, the 400 meters and the Marathon.
Skiing
Skiing and Ski Jumping are some of Karjania’s most successful sporting events. Karjanian athletes have won several world and regional championships in both disciplines. Karjania has also claimed success in Biathlon.
Cycling
There are several cycling races held annually in Karjania, with their history dating back to the 1890s. The most prestigious race is the Karjanmaan Ympäriajo, a multi-stage race held over 20 stages and over 3000 kilometers across 18 days, each day a stage except for the first and last days, when there are 2 stages a day. The winner of the event has been Karjanian in over 5 sixths of the events, and the 1927 edition was won by Frederikkese Daniel Topponen.
Sport Shooting
Shooting Sports is a popular sport in Savio and Keskie, and Karjanian athletes have experienced success in several competitions worldwide. Karjania’s best event is trap. Shooting sports have a long history in Karjania, dating back to the 1700s, when royal competitions were organized between soldiers, with larges rewards.
Water Polo
Water Polo was introduced to Karjania in the 1920s, and the Karjanian Water Polo League was founded in 1932. The inaugural season ended with 1830 Pietari defeating Pietari Saukot in the Grand Final and ending up champions. There are facilities fit for professional water polo in 9 different cities in Karjania.
Handball
Handball was first played in the 1910s in Pietari, but a league was not created until 1932, which consisted of 8 teams. The inaugural winners of the Käsipalloliiga were Red Star Käsipallo, defeating Vostamo Sport in the finals.
Tennis
Tennis was first played in Karjania in the 1870s, and the first Karjania Open was held in 1906, in Roudanjärvi. The tournament was moved to Pietari in 1919. Throughout it's lifespan, the competition has had players from 3 different continents. The 1932 tournament had athletes from 4 nations competing, including Varahmehr. The edition was won by Karjanian Eino Erkkilä.
