1,000 athletes show Hong Kong the ropes

About 1,000 athletes from 20 countries and regions are taking part in this week's World Rope Skipping Championships in Hong Kong, and they and their fans come proclaiming rope-skipping's right to be taken as a serious sport.

"We want rope skipping to be part of the Olympics, or at least the World Games," said Fransiska Deberdt, who flew from Belgium to watch her son, Alec, compete. "But it's difficult because it's not known and people often think it's just what you play at kindergarten."

"You can't compare it to any other sport - it's just so varied," said Sude Tamer, 13, who arrived from Hamburg, Germany, to compete in the youth tournament. "I think it's stupid that it's not in the Olympics. It's not that famous now but it's getting more popular," she added.

While some are eager to see jump-rope win wider recognition, Hong Kong contestants Yip Men-wai, 15, and Kung Ching-yan, 18 - who train three to four times a week - enjoy the unique appeal of their niche sport.

There are team and individual contests, including speed relays and freestyle, where routines look like breakdancing and performers are scored on creativity and musicality along with their physical prowess.

Yip and Kung performed a high-energy synchronised routine set to a dubstep track.