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History of Toe Wrestling
The Origins (or So the Legend Goes)
Some like to trace toe wrestling all the way back to ancient cave drawings in the Ecton Hill area of Staffordshire, hinting that our Neolithic ancestors might have locked toes thousands of years ago (though you’d be forgiven for questioning whether they truly had official “toe-downs” back then!). Through the Middle Ages, there are scraps of rumour—foot-wrestling matches scrawled in old manuscripts—suggesting the tradition may have persisted in one eccentric form or another.
Modern Beginnings: A Pub Sport Is Born
In 1974, a group of friends at Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn in Wetton, Staffordshire—fed up with seeing England lose at nearly every other world championship—decided it was time to create a sport the English could actually win. Facing the universal question, “Who’s the greatest?” they devised a brand-new test of might: toe wrestling. These pioneers locked their big toes over a simple wooden board in a spirited match for the ages. Ironically, in 1976, a Canadian visitor walked in, took on the local challengers, and won—handing England another defeat! Disheartened, the originators let the competition fade into obscurity for almost 20 years before toe wrestling found its second wind.
Revival and the World Championship
In the early 1990s, George Burgess—then landlord of Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn—discovered a dusty old ‘toedium’ locked away at the back of his pub, complete with its original 1970s rule sheet. Intrigued by the sport’s quirky past, he decided the world needed toe wrestling back. By 1994, a new era dawned with official toe-wrestling championships. Sponsors soon hopped on board—footcare brands (naturally), ice cream companies, and fellow pubs—all thrilled to support a spectacle so unusual it had to be witnessed firsthand.
Since then, the World Toe Wrestling Championship has traveled between venues such as Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn and, later, the Bentley Brook Inn. It has even headlined festival stages (Ben & Jerry’s “Sundae on the Common” included) and grabbed TV airtime on shows like Channel 4’s Big Breakfast. Over time, charismatic champions—some famously dubbed “The Toeminator” or “Nasty Nash”—emerged and became living legends of the toedium.
Heroes of the ‘Toedium’
Over the years, many colorful personalities have battled for toe glory. Alan “Nasty” Nash, holding multiple championship titles, is often declared the sport’s most formidable icon. He has braved countless toe-to-toe clashes (and the occasional bruise and broken toe) on his way to Guinness World Records fame for “Most Toe Wrestling World Championships won” by a man. Karen “Kamikaze” Davies has similarly notched victories in the women’s division, proving toe wrestling is far from a men-only affair.
How It’s Done
Toe wrestling unfolds on the “toedium,” a low platform that keeps the action front and center. Players lock big toes and try to pin the rival’s foot to the board, best two out of three—right foot, left foot, then right again if necessary. As if the rules alone weren’t wild enough, the proud tradition includes a hearty welcome to any folks who want to watch, grab a pint, and see if their big toe has what it takes.
Today and Beyond
Each year (barring the occasional pause for pandemics or other curveballs), toe wrestlers gather to challenge the reigning champions. Pubs cheer, festivals roar, and cameras roll; the sport’s blend of humor, camaraderie, and genuine competitive spirit keeps fans coming back in droves. If you fancy bragging rights or simply want a toe-tally hilarious story, there’s no better invitation than the call of the toedium.
Hall of fame
2024 Men's Champion
2024 Women's Champion
2024 Women's Champion
Ben 'Toe-tal Destruction' Woodroffe
Wins: 2022, 2023, 2024.
Special skills: Mind over matter
Foot size: Twelve
Motivational quote: If you think you’re a loser, you are; but if you believe you’re a champion, you’ve already won.
Reigning world champion Toe Wrestler Ben Woodroffe first discovered toe wrestling in the original home of the spor
Ben 'Toe-tal Destruction' Woodroffe
Wins: 2022, 2023, 2024.
Special skills: Mind over matter
Foot size: Twelve
Motivational quote: If you think you’re a loser, you are; but if you believe you’re a champion, you’ve already won.
Reigning world champion Toe Wrestler Ben Woodroffe first discovered toe wrestling in the original home of the sport, the Bentley Brook Inn. At just seven, he made it his dream to one day become a champion. He started competing in the sport from age fourteen, even removing his toenails in order to mitigate any risk of toe related injury. He later went on to win the world title in 2022 aged thirty four, knocking Alan Nasty Nash into early retirement.
2024 Women's Champion
2024 Women's Champion
2024 Women's Champion
Lisa 'Twinkletoes' Shenton
Wins: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2018,
2019, 2023, 2024.
Special skills: Hidden strength due to working on a farm
Foot Size: Four
Motivational quote: Your feet can take you wherever you want to go
In 2007, Lisa turned up at Bentley Brooke Inn for a chance to meet Paddy McGuiness who was competing in the sport as part of a TV
Lisa 'Twinkletoes' Shenton
Wins: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2018,
2019, 2023, 2024.
Special skills: Hidden strength due to working on a farm
Foot Size: Four
Motivational quote: Your feet can take you wherever you want to go
In 2007, Lisa turned up at Bentley Brooke Inn for a chance to meet Paddy McGuiness who was competing in the sport as part of a TV show. After a few pints, she got involved but lost in the final. She quickly realised how serious the sport could actually be and regretted drinking during the competition. After some training, she came back in 2009 and took home the women’s title; ever since she has continued her training regime and her championship title. Lisa is the face of women in weird sports. WIWS. She stands tall as the female toe wrestling champion.
The Granddad
2024 Women's Champion
The Granddad
Alan 'Nasty' Nash
Wins: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021.
Special skills: The ankle cracker
Foot size: Ten and a half
Motivational quote: Everyone can be the best, if you don’t think the time is right, CHANGE THE TIME.
Alan has taken home the world championship title seven
Alan 'Nasty' Nash
Wins: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021.
Special skills: The ankle cracker
Foot size: Ten and a half
Motivational quote: Everyone can be the best, if you don’t think the time is right, CHANGE THE TIME.
Alan has taken home the world championship title seventeen times and owns the Guinness World Record for most consecutive toe wrestling wins. He is the only sportsman in history to have won seventeen titles. In 2023 he came out of early retirement in order to try and win the championship one last time, but was knocked out by Toe-tal destruction. Alan is so dedicated to the weird sport that he has continued to play despite snapping toes mid game, his sporting roar has been compared to a bear during battle.