At first glance, tug-of-war looks like one of the simplest competitions in the world. Two teams grab opposite ends of a rope, dig their heels into the ground, and try to pull their opponents across a line. It is the kind of activity most people associate with school sports days or summer camp. But behind this familiar game lies a demanding competitive sport that requires strength, technique, teamwork, and extraordinary mental discipline that you wouldn’t associate with the sp
