There are a lot of strange competitions in the world. Some of them appeared centuries ago, while others have appeared in the new millennium and are designed to attract tourists into a small town. Such “championships” have ceased to be a national entertainment. Their popularity is growing: Every year more and more visitors from around the world take part in these competitions. Perhaps, it is worth to travel to watch from the side or even to take part in an unusual tournament.
Finland
Wife Carrying Championship
It turns out, that carrying women on hands is not only for proving your love, but also for earning money. Every year world championships are held for carrying second half on hands. The most popular championship is held in the Finnish village Sonkajarvi. It is held in memory of those times when men had to steal their future wives. A daunting 250-meter track with obstacles and even a small pit with water is prepared for the “sportsmen”. It is impossible to pass this test, having wives in the arms, and that`s why the participants of the tournament usually drop their wives. There is little romanticism in this run, during the entire path each representatives of the beautiful sex is repeatedly dropped, so that they can not avoid bruises and scratches. Everyone can participate in the competition after submitting an application in town site.
Recently, such unusual sport games appear also in other countries. These championships take place in Denmark, Latvia, Sweden, Estonia, South Korea.
Italy
Championship of Mosquito Killing
Contest for the destruction of blood-sucking insects is held in Italy every year. For example, in San Nazzaro-Sesia participants are given the same flytrap approved by the judges and they are given 10-minutes for murder. It is important not to forget to preserve the bodies, because the winner will be determined by this criteria. Those, who win the first three places, will receive 10 euro for each destroyed mosquito. However, the rules may vary.
Similar competitions were organized in the Lomellina valley, south of Milan. But there “sportsmen” had to kill mosquitoes with his bare hands.
Japan, Poland
Championship of loud shouting
Visit Japan during this event and you will never believe in the myth of the quiet and restrained Japanese. Crier competition is held in Oita prefectures every year. Over one hundred participants are trying to talk to each other – they are able to roar with volume exceeding 100 decibels – more than the roar of rock breakers or noise from the carrier at full speed trains. Each one invents the main word combination himself. However, according to psychologists, this discharge will certainly help the Japanese, who are locked in the office, working almost without rest, and forced to comply with a lot of conditions.
The Poles, too, decided to take care of their health and nervous system, and organized a similar tournament in the city of Goldap.
United Kingdom, Singapore
Races of plastic ducks
We speak about the same yellow ducks which are used to entertain children, when taking a bath. People across the planet with the same gambling made this stupid occupation. They launch ducks in rivers and seas. Competitions in Singapore are like the lottery: buying a toy, you should write your name on it and hope for the favor of fortune. All the ducks are dropped into the water. Toys rush to the finish under exclamations of fans. Owner of the winner will receive one million dollars.
At Misty Albion a no less exciting racing is taking place: in various cities throughout the country hundreds of thousands of ducks have to swim upstream some distance. Similar competitions have already been held on the river Avon, the Thames, Ray.
Finland
Championship of mobile phones throwing
If you ever wanted to throw your mobile phone away with all the force, do not just break it. It is better to take part in the championship for throwing phones in the Finnish town of Savonlinna. For the first time this competition was held in 2000, but it quickly gained popularity. Organizers claim that good environmental targets are pursued – old mobile phone is not released somewhere, it is utilized by all the rules. Competitions take place in the men’s, women’s and junior categories. Besides you do not have to damage your own cell phone: Organizers will provide the rules of props – you can choose any brand, any model weighing 200 to 440 grams.
Following the Finnish national competitions such competitions were held in Germany, Great Britain, Norway and other countries. The prize for the winner is a trip to an international tournament in Finland.
