Winners of 15th annual World Gravy Wrestling Championships announced

29 August 2023 , 13:12

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Winners of this year's World Gravy Wrestling Championships have been announced (Image: Phil Taylor / SWNS)

Bank Holiday Monday (August 28) saw the 15th annual World Gravy Wrestling Championships take place near Rossendale, Lancashire.

The event, outside Stacksteads' Rose 'n' Bowl pub saw 16 male and eight female contestants face off in the ring for two minutes whilst swamped in gravy.

Judges awarded points for fancy dress, comedy effect, and entertainment, with the winners of each bout progressing to the next round.

Overseen by the watchful eye of a referee, the 24 participants were subjected to hundreds of litres of gravy poured into the pool throughout the day as they fought.

Now, the winners - who have been awarded £50 in prize money and seen their names engraved on their respective trophies - have been announced.

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Rain Gravy won the men's event (Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

World Gravy Wrestling Championships results

Scooping the accolade in the men's division was 'Rain Gravy', whilst 'Bacup Bavarian' scooped the women's gong in front of hundreds of spectators.

Organisers took to Facebook in the evening to pay tribute to everybody involved.

"To everyone today, who got involved a massive thank you, it wouldn't happen without you," they said.

"But an extra special thank you to our wrestlers, some of you come back year after year and some of you came today not having a clue what it would be like. Every single one of you put on an amazing show. Again Thank you!"

Bacup Bavarian was crowned women's champion (Phil Taylor / SWNS)

And a spokesperson for East Lancashire Hospice - for whom the event raised money for - expressed their gratitude to the volunteers who arranged proceedings.

Jackie Morris wrote: "On behalf of myself and everyone at East Lancashire Hospice, thank you to everyone at Rose n Bowl, The Real Lancashire Black Pudding Factory and everyone involved you really don't give yourself enough credit for how much hard work and effort you put in for this event! Absolutely amazing day."

Celebrity entrants in past years include Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps star Will Mellor, and comedian Romesh Ranganathan.

Alan Johnson