Strange World Competitions and Why We Love Them
From hurling sausages to chasing cheese, why do we enter bizarre contests? Explore the world's most absurd traditions and the spirit behind them.
Best quote from Strange World Competitions and Why We Love Them
These weird competitions often take a very mundane, everyday task and elevate it to a level of high-stakes performance, proving that humans will find a way to make a contest out of literally anything.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
The hosts welcome viewers to the Real English channel and invite them to subscribe. The topic of the episode is funny and ridiculous competitions and contests from around the world. At the end, the hosts remind viewers to subscribe to the channel and leave a like, then say goodbye.
Frequently Asked Questions
The World Pesto Championship is held in the historic Palazzo Ducale in Genoa, Italy, and is open to professionals, amateurs, and children. The competition is strictly traditional, meaning the use of blenders is considered sacrilege; participants must use a mortar and pestle to achieve the correct texture. Competitors are judged on their technique and their ability to balance authentic ingredients like basil and pine nuts. The event features qualifying rounds worldwide, leading to a final where one hundred participants are split into ten groups, with only the top person from each group advancing to the final round.
These events are often rooted in local history, folklore, or rebellion. The Fireball Festival (Bolas de Fuego) in El Salvador commemorates a 1658 volcanic eruption, transforming a traumatic historical event into a celebration of resilience and survival. Similarly, the Battle of the Oranges in Italy symbolizes a historic rebellion against tyranny, with different squads representing nobles and commoners. While physically demanding and messy, these contests serve as a visceral way for a community to connect with its shared history and identity.
The script suggests that the line between a fun, unusual contest and a dangerous endurance test is often very thin. Quirky competitions like "Extreme Ironing" or "Worm Charming" focus on performance art, humor, and community fundraising with minimal physical risk. In contrast, events like the World Sauna Championships were permanently cancelled after 2010 because the extreme heat led to a tragedy. Other high-stakes events, such as the Jungle Marathon or the Dakar Rally, are classified more as survival tests than festivals due to their high exhaustion rates and history of fatalities.
Most of these events are community-focused and volunteer-run, making them accessible to anyone willing to register in advance. For established contests like the World Pesto Championship, aspiring competitors can look for local qualifying heats. For those wanting to start something new, the script suggests taking a mundane task—like sock-sorting or pancake-flipping—and treating it with the seriousness of a professional sport. The key to success in these "absurd" competitions is to embrace the art of the activity, practice the specific skills required, and be willing to let go of vanity.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
