“Marathon” is the original inventors of the synthetic Takraw ball. The Marathon Olympic is the “Asian Games Official Competition Ball”, for 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006.

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
Sepal Takraw is said to have been created by the Malaysian Royal Family around 500 years ago. The name itself comes from two languages. Sepak is "kick" in Malay, and Takraw is the "ball" in Thai.

It looked very similar to the Japanese traditional game, "kemari", where the players form a loose circle and count the number of times the ball is kicked before it touches the ground. (Very similar to the modern game of footbag, aka hacky sack.)

In 1965 the game was changed to resemble the modern game of volleyball, using a net and international rules. However, unlike volleyball, you are not allowed to use your hands, and must rely on kicking the Takraw with your feet or the occasional header.


SPECIFICATIONS

• Circumference: 43 cm (17 inches)
• Weight: 180 gms (6.5 ounces)