Bavarian Finger Wrestling Championships

Bavarian Finger Wrestling

Article by: © Michael J. Rosen 2012

"You Have to Have a Fat Finger, so That the Strap Has a Good Hold."

- veteran finger wrestler Anton Utzschneider

Finger wrestling, or Fingerhakeln, is said to have settled disputes in the Alps as early as the 17th century. Why not actual wrestling, you ask? Was it that no one wanted to soil their lederhosen (those Oktoberfest leather shorts, suspenders, and knee socks)? Was it because their Tyrolean hats (think Peter Pan) are easily flattened?

Instead, at the Bavarian Finger Wrestling Championships in Germany and at Austria's Alpine Championships, the sport's only injuries include some skinned fingers or the occasional dislocation. Sitting on opposite ends of a table, competitors chalk up, hook middle fingers in a tough leather strap, and attempt to pull their opponent out of his seat and onto or over the table.

Some wrestlers train by doing pull-ups with their middle fingers only. Some use only their digits to lift over 100 pounds. Others merely enjoy rounds of Weizenbock (7 to 10% alcohol content), and consequently make good use of the "catchers" who protect competitors should one be pulled hard enough to fly completely over the table.

No Dribbling the Squid

Bavarian Finger Wrestling Championships Dates, Location and Further Information

For more Finger Wrestling info, use that digit to click on over to the Visit Bavaria web site.

More Bavarian Finger Wrestling Championships