In the Bavarian town of Pang, about an hour from Munich, 180 competitors gathered Sunday for the 64th German Fingerhakeln (finger wrestling) Championship. This traditional Alpine sport, which dates back to the 19th century, sees participants dressed in traditional Bavarian lederhosen and embroidered suspenders compete in a contest of finger strength and technique.
The rules are simple yet demanding: Two men sit across a table from each other, hook their middle fingers through a small leather loop and at the referee’s signal, attempt to pull their opponent across the table. These intense battles typically last mere seconds, with winners advancing to the next round.
“It’s not dangerous at all,” insists Georg Hailer, chairman of Germany’s oldest fingerhakeln club. “Of course, there will be open wounds and small injuries on the fingers from time to time. It looks worse than it really is, because there’s blood.”
While casual observers might see only brute force at work, competitors emphasize the technical aspects of the sport. “There are different techniques — how do I sit at the table? How do I transfer my power as quickly as possible to the loop?” explains Maximilian Woelfl, a wrestler from Laufach. “And of course you need a well-trained finger.”
These athletes take their preparation seriously, warming up by lifting heavy blocks or pulling cables with their competition finger. The sport follows strict regulations, including precise measurements for both the table and leather loop.
Historically, finger wrestling served as a method for settling disputes in the Alpine regions of Germany and Austria. Today, it has evolved into an organized sport with thirteen clubs across both countries. The competition features different weight and age categories, with safety attendants positioned behind competitors to catch them if they lose their grip and fly backward.
The tradition remains exclusively male, with participants proudly wearing the traditional Bavarian tracht during competitions. Following this championship, athletes will prepare for the upcoming Bavarian championships in Mittenwald later this summer, where their fingers will once again be put to the ultimate test.
Read more: Bloody fingers are just part of the game in traditional German sport of fingerhakeln
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