14 September,2024 07:45 AM IST | tokyo | A Correspondent
Toe wrestling
While most sports enthusiasts may not have toe wrestling on their radar, the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, practically treats it like a local religion. If Japan is the mecca for sumo, this town in the UK could probably be called the holy ground for toe tussling - an offbeat sport that requires strength, strategy, and stamina. Every year, enthusiastic competitors from far and wide descend upon the town to engage in this toe-to-toe battle of willpower.
The local legend and six-time world champion, Lisa Shenton aka "Twinkletoes" had her eyes set on yet another victory this year, and (spoiler alert) she didn't disappoint. Shenton snagged her seventh title just two weeks ago and walked away with the coveted foot-shaped trophy, proving once again that her toes are not to be trifled with.
Ben Woodroffe a.k.a "Toe-tal Destruction": this year's men's division champion
Twenty-eight participants locked toes in this bizarre yet fierce competition, which unfolds on an appropriately named eight-foot platform: the "toedium." This year, over 200 spectators turned up to witness the contest, a contest that combines all the thrills of arm-wrestling but with, well, toes.
Toe wrestling is no joke in Derbyshire, but it wasn't always the finely tuned competition it is today. It got its humble start back in 1974 when a group of drunk locals came up with the idea. Little did they know, they were creating a sport that would one day become the pride of Derbyshire.
Ben Woodroffe, who goes by the name "Toe-tal Destruction," is this year's men's division champion. For him, toe-wrestling is an art and he has committed himself to this artform by dedicating himself to daily toe-stretching workouts and rigorous training. To the average Joe, toe wrestling might seem like a playful pastime, but it takes serious strength, balance, and a surprising amount of technique to emerge victorious.
While toe injuries, bruises, and blisters are just part of the package, competitors keep coming back for more, driven by the thrill of victory. And while toe wrestling hasn't quite made it to the heights of international fame yet, there's still hope. If breakdancing can make the Olympics, why not toe wrestling? After all, this oddball sport has already proven it can capture hearts, one toe at a time.
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