YouTube's most popular sports videos: Indian pole gymnastics, soccer replays

No longer a training exercise for Indian wrestlers, three men clad only in orange trunks hurl themselves at a vertical wooden pole over 2.5m high and capture the public imagination as 'Indian Pole Gymnastics' becomes the most viewed sports video for the week leading up to August 18.

Ascending and rotating around the Mallkhamb Pole in increasingly agile ways, some of the biggest cheers hailing these athletes come for moves that not only demonstrate athleticism and strength, but also endanger the more delicate parts of the male anatomy.

In its current form, the practice dates back around two hundred years and came to be recognised as a gymnastic sport in its own right, and certainly has a visual impact. "I'm impressed", wrote one viewer "but as a guy, I feel sorry for their balls".

Elsewhere, a soccer match between two Brazilian clubs' youth teams is ignited with a goal straight from kick-off. The Corinthians' striker William lofts a shot from the half way line and ASA de Arapiraca's goalkeeper is in a daze as it barrels over the line.

Other soccer highlights include footage of new Manchester United signing Bebé, Mauro Camoranesi's involvement in a horror tackle early in his career, and clips of recent international friendlies between USA and Brazil, Mexico and Spain, England and Hungary, and the English Premier League game between Wolverhampton and Stoke.

Finally, stunt basketball crew The Legendary Shots sink a sweet three-pointer from atop a theme park ride in Alabama, USA.

1) Indian Pole Gymnastics - 1,217,323 total views
2) ' Long goal' - 701,729 total views
3) Camoranesi's injury - 476,982 total views
4) Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Stoke City: Dave Jones' free kick - 449,326 total views
5) USA vs Brazil (0-2) all goals & highlights - 329,587 total views
6) The Legendary Shots: Free fall shot - 632,314 total views
7) ' Chicharito Hernandez goal: Mexico vs Spain 1-1' - 304,734 total views
8) Official match highlights - England 2 Hungary 1 - 278,178 total views
9) Manchester United sign Bebe from Vitoria de Guimaraes - 250,402 total views
10) HD is going to Raleigh, North Carolina (casting for MLG) - 229,561 total views