Summary

Mobile Phone Throwing is an official sport in Finland, with annual World Championships and various categories for competition.

Abstract

Finland hosts the World Mobile Phone Throwing Championships every August, an event that began in 2000 and has since become an official sport in the country. Participants throw mobile phones provided for the event, not their own, and are judged on distance or style, depending on the category. The sport has gained international attention, with countries like Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the US holding national championships. The current world record, set by Dries Feremans of Belgium, stands at an impressive 110.42 meters. The competition includes four categories: Juniors, Freestyle, Original, and Team Original, each with its own set of rules and criteria for judging. The event is sponsored by companies that provide the mobile phones used in the throws, with an emphasis on not polluting the environment by leaving the phones behind after the event.

Opinions

The author finds the sport of Mobile Phone Throwing to be both interesting and a great way to reduce frustration.
The sport is seen as fun and enjoyable, as evidenced by its popularity and the establishment of national championships in several countries.
The author expresses amazement at the world record distance for a mobile phone throw, highlighting its unbelievable nature.
The inclusion of different categories, including one for juniors, suggests an inclusive approach to the sport, making it accessible to a wider audience.
The author emphasizes the importance of environmental responsibility by reminding participants to collect their phones after the competition.
The article concludes with a personal note, inviting readers to explore more of the author's writings and to consider joining Medium or trying out an AI service recommended by the author.

Mobile Phone Throwing Is Actually an Official Sport In Finland

Finland organizes World Mobile Phone Throwing Championships every year

Did you know that every year in August, Finland organizes World Mobile Phone Throwing Championships?

The truth is — Mobile Phone Throwing is actually an official sport in Finland. A very interesting one, I must say.

Many of us have thrown our mobile phones on different occasions. Maybe because of bad network during an important call, being angry with our beloved, or just getting tired of scrolling twenty-four seven.

But have you ever thought that this mobile phone throwing might turn into an official sport of any country?

Here is how it began.

A Little History of Mobile Phone Throwing Sport

In 2000, Fennolingua, a translation and interpretation company, organized this exciting sport for the first time in Savonlinna, Finland. But why did they do it? Well, their intention was great. They inspired their employees and others to reduce their frustration by throwing mobile phones.

In case you are wondering — no one threw their own mobile phones. Instead, they threw the mobile phones provided to them for this sport. And winners were judged based on the distance they covered.

Anyway, it was great fun, and people just loved it so much. Since 2000, every year in August, Finland has organized the Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships. It also became an official sport of Finland.

Many other countries, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the US, embraced this sport and started national championships too.

The current world record holder, Dries Feremans (Belgium), threw a mobile phone at the National Mobile Phone Throwing Championships in Kessel-Lo, Belgium, and covered 110.42m distance. Yes, 110.42 meters!! That’s more than the size of a football field. Isn’t that unbelievable?

Rules of Mobile Throwing Competition

There are four categories, and your kids can join the sport as well. The categories are — Juniors, Freestyle, Original, and Team Original. Now let’s have a look at the rules for each of these four categories.

Juniors

The participant will be allowed to throw two different mobile phones one after another with a maximum one-minute interval. The longest one will be measured.

Over the shoulder throw
Age: 12 years and under
The one who will throw the mobile phone furthermost will be the winner
Two throws per competitor

Freestyle

In Freestyle, there is no age limit. You can throw as a team (max. three persons) or individual. Your throwing style and aesthetics will be judged, and overall appearance is crucial too.

One throw per competitor
The jury panel of 3 persons will judge the performance; grading is from 1 to 6 points.
The competitor with the highest score wins.

Original

In this category, you have to throw traditionally, which means over the shoulder, and only the length of the throw will be taken into account. And the person who will cover the longest distance will be the winner.

Two throws per competitor (must be thrown by different mobiles one after another, max. 1 minute between throws, the longest one will be measured)
Own series for men and women

Team Original

In every team, there will be a maximum of three persons (male/female).

One throw per competitor
Team members’ scores will be summed up.
The highest score wins.

An official jury panel is always there to observe and accept each throw and approve results. Sadly, there is no scope for appeals.

Who Does Provide All Those Mobile Phones?

Different companies sponsor this super interesting sport event, and they provide all the mobile phones.

The weight of those phones must be between 220gm to 400gm. And the participants get the liberty to choose the mobile phone they want to throw.

Now, if you have a dead mobile phone, you can give it a try. Just throw it using your arm power and see how far you can get.

But, please don’t forget to collect the phone after the playing is done. Don’t pollute the environment, okay?

Have fun!

Thank you for reading!

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