Mike Owuor
For all those who thought their dreams of a career in sports had hopelessly ended, here is something to keep you on your toes. Why not take part in the World Toe Wrestling Competition?
The contest, according to news.bbc.co.uk, was first started in 1976 at a pub in Derbyshire, UK. Apparently, the British were performing so poorly in conventional sports that the patrons of Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn decided to start a game Brits could win, under the slogan "There’s no ‘arm in it".
But, according to cnn.com, the competition was abandoned in 1977 when a Canadian tourist took the title thus going against the game’s founding principles. However, the competition was revived in 1994 and since then contestants have regularly been going toe to toe.
HUMOROUS
"It’s all down to perseverance, ankle strength and having a ‘toe-riffic’ sense of humour," George Burgess, who rediscovered the contest, is quoted saying in the article. And there is even a body governing the competition: The World Toe Wrestling Organisation (WTWO). It’s a pity their listed website, www.worldtoewrestling.org, appears to be "toe-tally" out of action. Nevertheless, according to a story on the BBC website, the organisers had in the past unsuccessfully applied to make toe wrestling an exhibition sport in the Olympics.
Like arm wrestling, contestants in toe wrestling are matched in pairs. After taking off their footwear they sit down facing each other on the podium, known as "toe-dium", and link their big toes. And, writes wikipedia.com, it is not uncommon for players to remove each other’s shoes and socks as a sign of courtesy.
CLEANLINESS
But first there is an official toe inspection to ensure cleanliness and trimmed nails. After a short starting chant (Something like, "I declare a toe war") the toe tussle begins with the aim of pinning the opponent’s foot down for three seconds. The winner is decided in the best of three ‘toe-downs’ and there is always a referee to ensure all is well.
If a competitor is in pain in the course of the contest, they can surrender by shouting "toe much". By the way, no artificial stimulants are allowed, apart from tobacco and alcohol.
In 2005, reports the BBC, the men’s and women’s titles were won by a couple. Paul ‘The Toeminator’ Beech said: "This was one of the toughest competitions yet but this year I’ve been doing extra training and it totally paid off."
On her part, ‘Mrs Toeminator’ said she owed her victory to copying some of her husband’s tactics.
There’s really no ‘arm in toe wrestling, is there?
