The Strange History of Toe Wrestling

Not many know about toe wrestling, but more people definitely should. It is a game of strength where two opponents lock feet and attempt to pin the other’s foot down. Just don’t get too intense, or you may have to visit your local foot doctor!

The game was invented by a group of drinkers in Wetton, Staffordshire in 1974. They were at the Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn upset over the fact that the United Kingdom struggled when it came to winning world championships. Instead of getting better at an existing sport they decided it was more logical to create a new sport that no one else knows about so their country would have a champion. The rules were produced by some of the employees working at the Yorkshire Evening Post, and they also had a small trophy made for the winner.

The first winner was Mick Dawson, who also retained his title the year later. He was later defeated by a visitor from Canada who competed in 1976. With an outsider coming in and taking the crown the game had somehow lost its meaning and was discontinued for a long time. But the sport is making its return, which will be good for business for many a foot doctor in Utah and around the world. It is not acknowledged by the Olympics but toe wrestling has a world championship at the Bentley Brook Inn.

Toe wrestling is very similar to traditional arm wrestling. In order to play the players must remove their shoes and socks, so it’s recommended that you regularly visit a foot doctor before (and after) you play, whether you are in the United Kingdom or Utah. Traditionally it is common courtesy for each player to remove their opponent’s shoes and socks.

Once each player is barefoot they must link toes, resting their own foot perfectly flat on the other person’s foot. Once instructed to proceed, the opponents attempt to pin the other’s foot. In order to win a player must pin the opponent’s foot for at least 3 seconds while avoiding the same. There are three rounds played as a “best out of three” series. Each player alternates from their right foot, to their left foot and if necessary back to the right foot.

While the sport isn’t very popular, it does have its own number of potential Hall of Famers. One of the more popular toe wrestlers is Alan ‘Nasty’ Nash, who appeared on an episode of “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno following his championship win in 1997. Some other famous players were Paul “Toeminator” Beech and Tom “100m” Martin. If you’re wanting to try out this unique sport for yourself, just remember to consult a foot doctor before trying anything to intense. Good luck.

Vincent Otiede is a health writer. Information provided by Wasatch Foot and Ankle Institute, a foot and ankle care center with locations in Ogden Utah; Evanston and Rock Springs Wyoming. He writes for Fusion 360, an advertising agency in Utah.