Final answer:
In the 16th century, Aztec athletes played a ritual ball game called õllamaliztli. The object of the game was to move a solid rubber ball through a stone ring without letting it hit the ground. The game held religious significance and successful ballplayers were adored and favored by the gods.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 16th century, Aztec athletes played a ritual ball game called õllamaliztli. The object of the game was to move a solid rubber ball through a stone ring without letting it hit the ground. The game was considered important and had religious significance, as the fate of the game and the player was believed to be determined by the gods.
Players wore protective gear to avoid injury, as the heavy rubber ball could weigh more than seven pounds. While the exact rewards for putting the ball through the ring are unknown, successful ballplayers were celebrities in Mayan society and were adored by women and favored by the gods.