Saturday, September 23, 2017

Hard Core

Today's post should be filed under the heading bizarre competitions. The World Nettle Eating Championship takes place at a pub in Dorset,England and started in 1997 when two farmers bet on who had the worst nettle problem,the loser had to eat a stem of nettles. Fast forward to today and the competition is limited to 65 entrants and the winner is determined on how many feet of nettles they consume in an hour. Last year a chef won after eating 86 feet. He claimed it isn't that bad,it just kind of tingles. I beg to differ as those things sting like crazy when you touch them and you'll note they don't even don gloves before shoving the stingers into their faces. One competitor said the secret is to wash them down with plenty of beer...did I mention they leave your tongue black? Oh and if you're wondering what the prize is for this self abuse I never found one so I assume it's a bragging rights kind of deal.
The nettle eating champion of the world
The male division champion Phil Thorne (left) and the womens division champion Naomi Harris
Male division champion Phil Thorne (right)
World Nettle Eating Championships

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