Anglo-American Summit of the World Finger Jousting Federation

News from the Anglo-American Summit of the World Finger Jousting Federation.

Visit the World Finger Jousting Federation website for details of the recent Anglo-American Summit of the WFJF. An historic and landmark event in the fine sport of finger jousting.

President of the WFJF, and Lord of the Joust, Julian Gluck meets Richard Gottfried, British Consul to the Federation and head of operations in Europe

Back in 2006 I became the first international member of the WFJF. Check out the news item heralding my arrival.

Check out this video of a finger jousting contest between Squire Richard of Surleigh and Sir Myles of Hampshire.



Related blog posts:
- Finger Jousting
- The second ever blog post on the Ham & Egger Files

Links:
- World Finger Jousting Federation website
- World Finger Jousting Federation on Facebook

Finger Jousting videos from the World Alternative Games 2014

Competitors from five countries competed in the World Finger Jousting Championships at the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales with Sara Galvao of Portugal and Denis Taylor of Russia crowned as new world champions.

The Finger Jousting Champions and Corinthian competitors at the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells

Following the event the World Finger Jousting Federation, the governing body for the sport of Finger Jousting, has uploaded a number of videos with action from the event to the WFJF YouTube Channel.

Video: An introduction to the official 2014 World Finger Jousting Championships

Check out the World Finger Jousting Federation's YouTube Channel for more videos from the 2014 World Finger Jousting Championships.

You can read the report from the World Finger Jousting Championships on the WFJF website.

Links:
- World Finger Jousting Federation
- World Finger Jousting Federation on YouTube
- World Alternative Games

Related blog posts:
- Finger Jousting
- World Alternative Games

World Finger Jousting Championships at World Alternative Games 2014

Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, UK, 10 August 2014 - Competitors from five countries competed in the World Finger Jousting Championships at the World Alternative Games in Wales. Sara Galvao of Portugal and Denis Taylor of Russia crowned as new world champions.

The 2014 World Finger Jousting Championship competitors

On Sunday, 10 August 2014 the official World Finger Jousting Championships were hosted by the World Alternative Games 2014 and sanctioned by the sport's governing body, the World Finger Jousting Federation (WFJF). The tournament took place in Britain's smallest town, Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales.

Split into two categories - Male and Female – the competition was once again a truly international affair with competitors hailing from Russia, Portugal, New Zealand, Wales, and England. Players competed in a round-robin format played to a six-point victory, or a time-limit, over three quick-fire, 30-second rounds of finger jousting action.

Finger jousting – known as Ymwan Bys in the Welsh language – is a sport where two consenting players square off in an attempt to prod their opponent with their lancing (right) index finger before the opposing player can. The competitors must keep their right hands locked in an arm wrestling fashion and not use their legs or latent (left) arm in an offensive manner. The competitors are known as jousters, and the act of touching the other person's body with the index finger is known as lancing.

Tazzy Cadman (ENG) and Jasmine Reah (WAL) Finger Jousting in Llanwrtyd Wells

The day of the tournament saw ex-Hurricane Bertha land on the British Isles, but that didn't put off the hardy competitors at the World Alternative Games, with outdoor events including worm charming, a space hopper race, and egg throwing taking place outside.

During the morning a number of exhibition matches and preliminary contests took place to whet the appetite for the afternoon's major tournament. A number of local competitors lined-up to take on the tournament referee and the WFJF's British Consul, "Squire" Richard Gottfried, in a mixture of Quick Play and Point Play Rules matches.

Rhodri Haines (WAL) vs Marc Broughton (ENG) at the World Alternative Games 2014

The afternoon saw competitors able to head indoors to the Victoria Hall (Neuadd Fictoria) which was home to the World of Grip, the Portaputt Crazy Golf course and the stage for the World Finger Jousting Championships.

To read the full tournament results, report and to see more photos of the event please visit the World Finger Jousting Federation website.

Finger Jousting Win-Loss Record

'Squire' Richard of Surleigh's Finger Jousting Win/Loss Record from 2006-2014.

With the 2014 World Finger Jousting Championships taking place at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales fast approaching here is an update of my Finger Jousting Win/Loss Record as 'Squire' Richard of Surleigh.

Career Win-Loss Record Stats
- Played 132
- Won 120
- Lost 9
- Tied 3
- % Won 90.91%

Matches (Pre-Official Membership of the WFJF)
- Played 14
- Won 9
- Lost 5
- Tied 0
- % Won 64.29%

Matches (Since Official Membership of the WFJF)
- Played 118
- Won 111
- Lost 4
- Tied 3
- % Won 94.07%



Finger jousting is a sport where two consenting players square off in an attempt to prod their opponent with their lancing (right) index finger before the opposing player can. The competitors must keep their right hands locked in an arm wrestling fashion and not use their legs or latent (left) arm in an offensive manner. The competitors are known as jousters, and the act of touching the other person’s body with the index finger is known as lancing.

Since the 5th October 2006 I have faced over 30 different opponents in 24 different locations and I am undefeated for over seven years (21.12.06 - present) - an 89 bout undefeated streak.

Links:
- World Finger Jousting Federation
- World Alternative Games 2014

Related blog posts:
- Finger Jousting video - Squire Richard of Surleigh vs. Sir Myles of Hampshire
- News Release - World Finger Jousting Championships at World Alternative Games 2014
- Finger Jousting in Llanyrafon, Cwmbran, Wales
- Finger Jousting

News Release - World Finger Jousting Championships at World Alternative Games 2014

Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, UK, 28 July 2014 - Competitors invited to take part in official World Finger Jousting Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells.

On Sunday, August 10th competitors will square-off to compete in the World Finger Jousting Federation’s international championship in Britain’s smallest town, Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales. The tournament will be hosted by the 2014 World Alternative Games.

Finger Jousting Competitors at the 2012 World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales

Finger jousting is a sport where two consenting players square off in an attempt to prod their opponent with their lancing (right) index finger before the opposing player can. The competitors must keep their right hands locked in an arm wrestling fashion and not use their legs or latent (left) arm in an offensive manner. The competitors are known as jousters, and the act of touching the other person’s body with the index finger is known as lancing.

Entry to the World Finger Jousting Championships cost £4 per person and players can enter and pay on the day or secure a place by registering to compete in advance via the World Alternative Games website.

The World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells were created in 2012 as an alternative to the “other big event” taking place in the United Kingdom that year. In 2014 the World Alternative Games will hold their over 60 interesting sports, games, and events between Friday, August 8th and Monday, August 25th.

Read the full news release on the World Finger Jousting Federation website.

World Alternative Games - Go West!

Details of the 'World Alternative Games Go West' sports events taking place in Whitland and St Clears in June and July 2014.

The World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells were created in 2012 as an alternative to the 'other big event' taking place that year. In 2014 the World Alternative Games will be taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August with over 60 interesting sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games.

Competitors at the 2012 World Alternative Games Finger Jousting tournament

This year there will also be two 'World Alternative Games Go West' events taking place in St Clears and Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Wales on Saturday 21st of June and Sunday 27th of July respectively.

One of the events taking place in the St Clears and Whitland Games (as well as the August main-event) will be Finger Jousting!

The World Alternative Games Go West events are being led by local volunteers and as well as Finger Jousting, sporting events on offer to participants in the St Clear's Games on the 21st of June will be Caber Tossing (using a fence post!), Bung the Boar, Baili Chase, Sandbag Quoits, Rock Paper Scissors, Tractor Crank, Dizzy Challenge and 'Sheepdog' Trial (a pairs event). It sounds excellent. Check out the St Clears Celtic Lowland Games Scorecard below for details of the event sponsors too.

The World Alternative Games Go West event in Whitland on the 27th of July will also feature Finger Jousting, Caber/Fence Post Tossing, Rock Paper Scissors, Quoits along with an Assault Course and the intriguingly named Bog Squatting! Details of the events and sponsors can be seen below.

People taking part in three or more events at a World Alternative Games Go West event will receive one of the prestigious World Alternative Games Corinthian Medals.

All World Alternative Games events are run with the Corinthian Spirit in mind, and while Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded to top placed competitors the most important thing is that visitors to Llanwrtyd Wells (and St Clears & Whitland) get as involved as possible in the fun and activities. Every participant in an event will receive one of the Corinthian Medals for taking part.

Egg Throwing medal winners at the 2012 World Alternative Games - Jas Kukielka, Richard Gottfried & Seve Kukielka

Later this summer, on Saturday 9th of August, the World Alternative Games at the Seaside event will take place at Pendine Sands in Carmarthen Bay.

Pendine Beach is well known for its association with speed sports and events, and the seaside Games will see such events as 'Land Speed Wife Pulling' (a variation of sorts of the Wife Carrying events Llanwrtyd Wells is famous for) and 'Human Hamsters' - a land zorbing race!

Emily and I visited Pendine Sands on our tour of the Welsh coast in 2009 and we played the 129th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour there. A nice seaside spot it was too.

The World Alternative Games is a mammoth feast of sporting events, ranging from fun and recreational activities to those at the elite, extreme and physical ends of the spectrum. In 2012 there were over 2,000 participants in 35 events, while this year will see 60+ contests and events! There really is something for everyone at the World Alternative Games.

We had a great time in Llanwrtyd Wells in 2012 running the Finger Jousting Championships and competing in the Egg Throwing and we can't wait to be a part of the 2014 World Alternative Games.

Further details about the World Alternative Games Go West can be found on the event Facebook page here and on page 11 of the 2014 World Alternative Games brochure here.

Check out the links below for more information about the events.

Links:
- World Alternative Games 2014 events list and dowloadable event brochure
- World Alternative Games website
- World Alternative Games on Facebook
- World Alternative Games Go West on Facebook
- World Finger Jousting Federation
- World Finger Jousting Federation on Facebook

Related blog posts:
- Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
- 2014 World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
- Becoming a World Champion in Egg Throwing!
- Finger Jousting to feature as a sport at the 2012 World Alternative Games!

Finger Jousting in Llanyrafon, Cwmbran, Wales

Results of the Finger Jousting match between Squire Richard of Surleigh and Jas 'The Polish Hammer' Kukiela.

Following our few days spent at the World Alternative Games 2012 in Llanwrtyd Wells where Jas Kukielka and I become the World Egg Throwing Champions and we ran the International Finger Jousting Tournament we headed to Llanyrafon in Cwmbran for the weekend and spent some time at the town’s Boating Lake.

Jas, aka The Polish Hammer, had been too injured to compete in last Friday’s Finger Jousting event, however once I spotted the ideal arena for a Finger Jousting Championships he made a miraculous recovery and so we had a Quick Play Rules match in the Llanyrafon Amphitheatre!

Squire Richard of Surleigh faces off against Jas 'The Polish Hammer' Kukielka at the Llanyrafon Finger Jousting Arena in Cwmbran, Wales

The match was played to one-point, with the first combatant to strike a prod or poke on his opponent declared the winner. Jas, well known for his Finger Jousting prowess on the international circuit (especially by the Dutch), started strongly, but fatigue and his minor middle finger injury that had hindered his attempt to win the World Alternative Games Finger Jousting title meant that I managed to pick up the win after a hard fought bout!

Squire Richard of Surleigh tries to get the upper hand on Jas 'The Polish Hammer' Kukielka at the Llanyrafon Finger Jousting Arena in Cwmbran, Wales

The victory meant that my Finger Jousting Winning Streak has now been extended to 87 matches!

The Finger Jousting battle between Squire Richard of Surleigh and Jas 'The Polish Hammer' Kukielka used the full space of the Llanyrafon Finger Jousting Arena in Cwmbran, Wales

My career Win-Loss record now stands at 118 wins from 130 contests, with 109 wins from 116 matches since I became an official member of the World Finger Jousting Federation in 2006.

Links:

- World Finger Jousting Federation

- World Alternative Games 2012

Related Blog Posts:

- Finger Jousting