At the World Gurning Championship, pulling the most absurd face is not just a talent, it’s an artform. Held annually in Egremont, Cumbria, this quirky contest sees gurners return year after year, perfecting their masterpiece
Claire Lister, winner of the women’s prize eight years in a row. Pics/metro.co
Most people outgrow pulling ridiculous faces sometime between their first pimple and prom, but not the gurners at the World Gurning Championships in Egremont, Cumbria. Here, face contortion isn’t just child’s play—it’s a serious sport, and these competitors are the Michelangelos of mugging.
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Kendal Lister, 10, is carrying on her mum Claire’s tradition
Take Tommy Mattinson, for instance, who just clinched his 19th men’s title. Gurning runs in his blood; his dad was a champ too, and Tommy’s not stopping until he hits 30 wins. Meanwhile, Claire Lister is the queen of the women’s competition, winning her eighth consecutive title this year, while her daughter Kendal gurned her way to victory in the junior category.
Tommy Mattinson, winner of the men’s prize, 2024
It’s a family affair, folks! What seems to have been a part of the Egremont Crab Fair since 1267, gurning is scored by how much you can distort your face. Forget anti-aging creams and botox, this is transformation, at its weirdest and best!
30
No of wins Mattinson wants to reach
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