The Bentley Brook Inn in Derbyshire hosts the Ben & Jerry's World Toe Wrestling Championship - a feast of foot foolery, bad wrestling outfits and toeriffically treacherous puns. All proceeds from the event go to the Derbyshire charity When You Wish Upon a Star.
Contestants sit opposite each other on the "Toedium" and, locking big toes, place their feet on a small wooden frame, imaginatively termed the "Toesrack". At the cry of "Toedown" they wrestle both right and left feet, in a straight knockout competition with the winner being the person who pushes his opponent's foot to the bookend on the side of the frame. It's a game of theatrics, awesome ankle power and, of course, plenty of ale and ice cream - courtesy of the sponsors - for the audience.
Conceived in the 1976 by a bunch of Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn locals, in nearby Wetton, imagine their consternation when a Canadian walked off with the crown in 1977! Shocked, the toe wrestlers fell dormant until landlord George Burgess rediscovered the rules in 1990 and resurrected the noble sport.
Competition is fierce, dominated by colourfully-named characters such as Alan "Nasty" Nash (five times reigning champion, who managed to win with an undisclosed broken foot in 2000) or Ian "The Destroyer" Davies (winner 1998). It's not a men-only occasion, with Destroyer's wife, Karen "Kamikaze" Davies, reigning champion of the women's event for four years, (1999-2002).
If you fancy taking part, be sure to give your feet a good clean first or you won't get further than the referee's inspection. Application forms are available from sponsor Ben & Jerry's website.
Conceived in the 1976 by a bunch of Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn locals, in nearby Wetton, imagine their consternation when a Canadian walked off with the crown in 1977! Shocked, the toe wrestlers fell dormant until landlord George Burgess rediscovered the rules in 1990 and resurrected the noble sport.
Competition is fierce, dominated by colourfully-named characters such as Alan "Nasty" Nash (five times reigning champion, who managed to win with an undisclosed broken foot in 2000) or Ian "The Destroyer" Davies (winner 1998). It's not a men-only occasion, with Destroyer's wife, Karen "Kamikaze" Davies, reigning champion of the women's event for four years, (1999-2002).
If you fancy taking part, be sure to give your feet a good clean first or you won't get further than the referee's inspection. Application forms are available from sponsor Ben & Jerry's website.
