Toe wrestling competition returns for 50th year

Ben Woodroffe says his secret toe wrestling weapon is that he has had his big toenails surgically removed to "aid dexterity and toe stamina"

An international toe wrestling competition returns to Derbyshire for its 50th year on Saturday.

Competitors from as far away as the US, China and India will be flexing their feet for the World Toe Wrestling Championship.

Organisers of the event say the sport, founded in a pub in the 1970s, is "like arm wrestling, but with feet".

Two contestants battle on a special podium with two walls either side by locking toes and trying to push their rival's foot or toe to the opposite wall.

There are adult and junior categories at the championships

Reigning men's champion Ben Woodroffe, from Fenny Bentley in Derbyshire, is taking part for the 15th time, as he seeks to win his third golden toe.

Known as "Toe-tal Destruction", Mr Woodroffe started toe wrestling at the age of 14 and has been competing for more than 20 years.

He said: “[Alan] Nasty Nash has come out of retirement and has 17 championship title wins under his socks, so it’s going to be tough this year.

"However, I’m confident, and my toes feel seriously strong after a strict regime of fortifying oat drink, foot baths and toe deadlifts.”

Lisa "Twinkletoes" Shenton says she once had to drop down on the dancefloor of a club to toe wrestle to prove that she was a champion

Lisa "Twinkletoes" Shenton, from Ashbourne, will be defending her title in the female division.

The winner receives a bronze-cast trophy in the shape of a foot, with £500 each going to the champions of the men and women's categories.

All contestants go through inspection beforehand, where referees check there are no infections, verrucas or warts.

The championships, held in Ashbourne Marketplace from 12:00 BST, can be watched live at the Haig Bar in Ashbourne on Saturday or on the World Toe Wrestling championship’s YouTube channel.

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