Hylembo (hiy-lem-bow)

Hylembo is a sport from ancient Kyberus and early ryclin sentience, started in similar origin circumstances as the Prey Pounce dance between show-offish hunters after a full meal. In older times of belief where Hylas was thought to be a divine property, assertive ryclin would try to contest each other at hunting down meals, and then they would go to fight each other in non-fatal wrestles out in open fields underneath the glow of Hylas, often after sunset. It was believed this exercise used more of a ryclin's weight above kicking or claws, and was a test of both their hunting prowess and then their stability and balance afterwards. In the end, the winner proved their might and honor to their icon of faith, but even losers were often considered respectful and vilified for their efforts. This has long since developed as both a viewable sport across the Orbital Archipelago, to even just a small recreational activity between competitive friends.
In modern times this evolved into a sport that some still carry out today in different methods and rules. Often its more regulated to conditions to ensure hunts are safe, and contestants more fair or equal. Some places will supply ryclin with equal portions of food, while in other cases a truly wild hunt is considered a more authentic and valued part of the sport confined only with a time limit. They will then meet in a designated ring, and wrestle each other until one falls out the ring, or is pinned down for four seconds - the odd choice of number four, referring to an old superstition of four being a number of power and change.
Ryclins may not kick, but leg sweeps, tail swings, and simple arm-wrestles and belly-bumping are all allowed. Acid, biting, kicks, and scratching are prohibited across all areas of sport, and contestants aren't allowed any tools in the rings. Common tactics include to push one off their balance with their arms and belly, and to force their full belly over top the opponent's fallen one to pin them. Other tactics include lifting & swinging the belly itself, or simply trying to out-push the opponent out of the ring. Inconsistencies such as a more fussy struggling prey are accepted and won't change a referee's opinion of the outcome. Height differences may occur to small degrees, but dramatic variance (0.6m differences) are sometimes professionally avoided in classes of match-ups to keep some balance and fairness. Often broadcasted sports of these events are had in numerous rounds and at least three match-ups.
The sports form with free hunting is considered Forager's Hylembo, which often have camera-chasing drones set to record both contestants for viewers and fair hunting conditions, and tend to be timed within a marked perimeter territory. If they fail to catch & eat 40% of their weight before the time limit, or eat above their mobility, they automatically lose and forfeit the fight phase. The type with pre-planned portions is designated Speed Hylembo because its simply straight to the ring rounds. Both variants have forgone the traditional spiritual rule of playing the ring under Hylas, and the sport may be held away from Kyberus entirely. Uniforms for the general sport have become tops that cover only the chest and sleeves, with the long sleeves having special grip and traction so the competitors can lock on or push/pull each other around without clawing. Pants are kept close to Keeper standard. The belly is left bare, since its expected to become as big as one can manage. Most Forager matches require the arena staff to hold selmzi medication on standby, in case a contestant proves to have eaten something contaminated.
Sport viewership mostly has a ryclin following, but has garnered surprising traction across other races, with events even held on Cauven outside the OA system. Its often believed to be compared with most species having a similar form of arena-border matchups, such as humans and sumo wrestling, and the added depth of tracking hunters in Forager ruleset adds an extra dynamic some races like Ho'nahts and Gearmen are easily thrilled by. During big tournament days, its tradition for sports bars that serve ryclin to give out at least one complimentary dish that usually includes either an Ikh bowl, or a live fish tray. More ryclin-centric clubs may have an assigned Prey Pounce dancer for pre-show or commercial parts of the event, and many ryclin believe the dance and tournaments pair well to honor their traditional affinity for hunting. Yet contrary to the other famed ryclin sport of Holosphere, its very rare for fans to commit their attention to precise contestants. Likewise, players don't often spend long careers in the field, the skill to enter is considered low, and the sponsorships are smaller. The main drive for playing and watching is entertainment, and players only get high profits if they have the connections and luck to enter and score well on tournaments.