9.20 p.m. in Yoyogi Park

A summer evening in Yoyogi Park, a sanctuary of green amidst Tokyo's urban sprawl. Mosquitoes buzzed, their tiny bodies a nuisance against the backdrop of the serene Zelkova trees. 

As I wandered, a cacophony of uneven footsteps caught my ear. From a distance, it just looked like they were jumping rope, until one of them did a backflip and a split all while keeping time with the slaps of the rope.

It wasn't the traditional jump rope I remembered from childhood. These weren't children skipping for fun. They were athletes, performers, artists. Each flick of the rope, each jump, each spin, was a testament to their skill. Their movements were synchronised, a dance of rhythm and precision. The air was alive with the energy of their performance.

Streetwear adorned their bodies, a hint to this activity's urban roots. Elbow pads and knee pads hinted at the physicality of their craft. The skipper, the focal point of their routine, commanded attention, which made it easy to forget that this is a three-person sport -- a misstep from a rope-swinger could disrupt the entire performance. Their voices, counting in perfect rhythm with the music, echoed through the park.

At the center of the action, the skipper took flight. They performed a series of intricate jumps, twists, and turns, their body contorting into gravity-defying shapes. A backflip with a leg split, a windmill turn, or a headspin are just a few of the mind-boggling moves I witnessed them execute. On either side, the rope swingers coordinated their movements with the skipper. They had to maintain a steady rhythm, ensuring the rope passed beneath the skipper's feet at the precise moment.

Ages varied, from teenagers to adults. A diverse group, united by their passion. They were split in groups of three to eight but the group totalled approximately 30 enthusiasts. The park, an unspoken haven for this subculture, buzzed with their energy.

I wondered about their reception in Japanese culture. Skateboarding had gained respect, thanks to the country's athletic prowess. But jump rope hip hop? A blend of the traditional and the contemporary, it defied categorisation. Was it a sport, a dance, or something more? The hip hop elements were undeniable, a fusion of breaking, popping, and downrocking to the stylings of Jay-Z and NWA (quite old school).

I certainly hope Red Bull or the X-Games adds this to its list of competitions because I think the adroitness required for this activity surpasses that of both dance and sport, a spectacle of athleticism and artistry with all three players having a keen ear for music, excellent pattern recognition and, of course, incredible physicality.

That being said, I don't think I could be paid to try this for I will inevitably be sent to the A&E. For now, I would simply admire their skill from afar, a grateful spectator in the heart of Yoyogi Park.