In-focus

WeirdNews

Former champ comes back to regain toe wrestling title

Dunya News

Former champ, Alan 'Nasty' Nash regains his lost title of World Toe Wrestling Champion.

Alan Nasty Nash nailed this years World Toe Wrestling Championship to regain the title in style on Saturday (July 14), at Bentley Brook Inn, Fenny Bentley in Derbyshire.Toe wrestling began in 1976 when regulars at the Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn, in Wetton, Derbyshire set about searching for a game that the British could win. With a lack of any talent in existing sports, a decision was made to invent a new one. The event gained momentum and is now held at the Bentley Brook Inn in Fenny Bentley.Toe wrestling is a bit like arm wrestling but with feet, or to be exact toes.There are two people in each bout and each bout is the best of three rounds. Matches involve two players locking big toes to try to force their opponents digit to the floor.The contestants start by locking right toes, then left, then right again. There is a mens and a womens championship as mixed matches are not allowed.Hygiene is of paramount importance and toe inspections take place prior to the initial heats before a contestant will be given the all clear to compete.An arena or Toedium is where the bouts are staged and an adjudicator (referee) ensures each competitors feet are correctly positioned on the red marker before the bout begins with the words Toes away or 3, 2, 1.The rules also mean that the opposite leg has to be raised off the ground to ensure it is the leg with the toes engaged that apply the necessary pressure.As the competition reached its climax reigning world champion Paul Beech (known as the Predatoe) was matched in the final against his arch-rival, and former world champion, Alan Nash (known as Nasty Nash).The final proved a tense affair and several rounds within the bout were abandoned as the adjudicator ruled countless break offs - where opponents toes parted or slipped away.Eventually the referee called for the toes to be tied to stop the break offs occurring and then it was finally Alan Nasty Nash who prevailed to take the title.In the womens championship Becca Beech was able to do what her father could not by taking the 2012 womans title.