28 August 2023 , 08:17
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A unique British sporting competition sees contestants wrestle each other to the ground in a pool of gravy in front of excited crowds.
The fifteenth annual World Gravy Wrestling Championships will take place at 1pm on Bank Holiday Monday outside the Rose 'n' Bowl pub near Bacup, Lancashire.
A total of 16 male contestants and 8 female contestants will face off in the ring for two minutes while swamped in the tasty savoury sauce, with points scored for fancy dress, comedy effect, and entertainment.
Judges will choose a winner at the end of each bout, who will progress to the next round. A referee will also be present to ensure a fair game, while hundreds of litres of gravy will be used to top up the pool throughout the day.
A total of 16 male contestants and 8 female contestants will face off in the ring for two minutes in a pool of savoury sauce (James Maloney/Lancs Live)Determined gravy wrestlers will take part in up to four matches for men - and three for women - to make it to the final, where they stand the chance of taking home the Gravy Wrestling World Championship Trophy for the next year.
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All winners will also have their name engraved on the accolade, and will be handed a cash prize of £50, which they can choose to keep or add to their charity sponsorship. Contestants are allowed to choose their own charity, with the event raising funds in aid of East Lancashire Hospice.
Wrestlers will raise money for charity, and stand the chance of taking home the Gravy Wrestling World Championship Trophy (Phil Taylor / SWNS)As with any other sport, there are plenty of rules in place to maintain its fairness and integrity, and wrestlers have been warned that "serious aggressiveness, roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification". Anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol will also be removed from the competition.
Showers are meanwhile provided for gravy-soaked sportspeople, who have been told to remember to bring along towels and a change of clothes - as "you’ll need them".
Judges will award points for fancy dress, comedy effect, and entertainment (Heather B Studios)A bouncy castle, face painting, Pokémon stall and tombola stands will also be at the event to keep families entertained between bouts, and for the first time ever, the Top Rope Wrestling Academy will be there on the day to put on an exhibition match. Food and drink will be served all day, and the fire brigade will be there to wash down wrestlers between bouts.
Previous years have also seen children hop in the ring to have fun in the gravy during breaks, though organisers say this is no longer allowed due to "insurance purposes". Celebrity entrants in past years include Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps star Will Mellor, and comedian Romesh Ranganathan.