By the second half of the 19th century, bandy has become popular among the masses throughout the Russian Empire. Traditionally, the Russians use a longer skate blade than other nations, giving them the advantage of skating faster. However, they find it more difficult to turn quickly. A bandy skate has a longer blade than an ice hockey skate, and the "Russian skate" even longer.
The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York plays two matches with the Washington club, soon afterwards named Gotham. These are the second and third meetings between two clubs under "Knickerbocker Rules" after one played five years earlier. For 1851 to 1853, two annual Knicks-Gothams games are the only known matches between clubs, the Knicks winning all six.
Tom Hyer announces his retirement (though he will make a brief but unsuccessful comeback in 1854) and relinquishes the Championship of America. The title is claimed by Yankee Sullivan who fought Hyer in 1849 but he is not generally recognised.[1]
29 September — William Perry defends the Championship of England title against the welterweight Harry Broome at Mildenhall. Perry is disqualified in the 15th round for striking Broome while he is kneeling. Broome is the new English champion.[2]
16 December — future champion Tom Paddock fights Harry Poulson at Belper in Derbyshire. Paddock wins in the 86th round but the fight ends in a riot. Paddock and Poulson are both jailed and sentenced to ten months hard labour.[3]
Anderssen wins the London tournament and, as he is one of the strongest players of his time, is considered by many to be the first World Chess Champion.
^Tasmania was still called Van Diemen's Land until 1856; their opponents actually represented the southern part of New South Wales that became Victoria. In cricketing terms, the two sides are always referred to as Tasmania and Victoria, this match being their collective debuts in senior cricket.
