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| | The year 2003 marked the TENTH anniversary of the Great World Toe-Wrestling Championships - which took place in the tiny village of Wetton in the Staffordshire Peak District.
This year the toe-nament took place on June 21st, Midsummer's Day... and ended in a somewhat controversial way.
See preview of this year's championships - who were the favourites, what are the rules, the history of the championships
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Toe-tal confusion
Withe ladies' final over and won (by Natalee Cartwright from Nantwich in South Cheshire, who claimed: "... everything went right after I got my bottom right..."), the stage was set for the battle of the two giants - Nasty Nash and The Toe-Minator.
The Toe-minator, in his Matrix outfit, was formidable, and won the the first toe-off, with Nasty pulling back on the second - so all rested on the third and deciding stage.
Sudden Confusion!... Without warning, the Toe-Minator leapt to his feet convinced he'd won the shove; jostling supporters crowded in; Nasty looked totally surprised and not convinced; one of the three referees also looked taken aback.... there was hush - the referees, under immense pressure, conferred .... a minute, later, yes, they said, it looked like the man in black had done it... by a toe!
Tough toe-ties
The Toeminator, aka Paul Beech from Burton, admitted later the final had been much the toughest of the matches he'd had to undertake...
And then, graciously, like the true five-time champion he is, Nasty (but with his fans still unconvinced) conceded victory.
....But more controversy was to come.
In a measured award speech, Nasty said he was not alone in regretting that thr the tone of the crowd attending the championships that year had changed, and that an unruly, unpleasant section of the crowd, by swearing and yelling, had made the event less of a family day out, and he pointed out that a visiting foreign camera crew had been abused.
What would Toeminator say?
As up-front as Nasty, he too said an incident ahd happened, but he said he believed it had been a genuine mistake, and he said he hoped the camera crew would not take it to heart... and then, of course, he truned to his fans - to reclaim the title for Burton...!
It'd been away toe-long from the town, he said...
And, so for a year, the Toeminator is undisputed champion.
But as Nasty said this is one contest that is.... toe be continued!
For pix - thanks to: Amina, Mick Grimmett & Ellen, Phil Tufnel, George Burgess, Oliver Elen, The Count, Jenny Arthur, Steve Martin, Teresa Burgess, Paul McCann, Natalee Cartwright
We'd be interested in knowing your thoughts about the noble art of toe-wrestling, or indeed if you have any other puns you can add....!
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Re: spoiled
There were disturbances, but they were from one individual, and were made light heartedly. Nasty may have made the comment regarding this individual because he was part of the 'Toe mernator's' fan base. As for the fact that it was an event that children were present for, well it was held at a pub, so I feel parental caution is essential when bringing children to a public house, where adults are likely to be cosuming alcohol.
Emma
Burton
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spolied
sorry but i agree with nasty... there was an element of lads that were effin and blindin, walking up to women and making remarks about their breasts, and even mooning.
there were lots of kids at something that is otherwise a real family event - why does these people have to spoil it?
even george (the MC) was upset, which so unfair, because it's all for charity
joan
ashbourne
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