Finger pulling: A serious sport in Germany
If you thought that you pulled your friend’s finger out of a joke or to play some kind of a game, then let us tell you that it is actually a serious sport in some parts of the world like Europe, though not India. Once used to settle disputes, finger pulling or finger wrestling is now a full-fledged competition in Germany and Austria. But who is the winner? The one who manages to pull the other person on his side just by the force of his finger!
Origin of the sport
The sport is practised in many European regions including Bavaria, Austria, Scandinavia, and Finland. Traditionally, ‘fingerhakeln’, as it is called in German, started in the 17th century in the Alpine region of southern Germany and Austria as a way to settle disputes. However, it is much more of an organised sport now. Every year, Bavarian, Austrian, German, and Alpine championships in different weight and age categories are held.
Rules of the game
Want to know how this game is played so that you can also try it out sometime with your friends? Here is how it unfolds.
You and your opponent sit at a table opposite each other and try to pull each other towards themselves over the table using only one finger. You are allowed to use any finger in principle (but not the thumb). However, most of the time, the participants hook their middle fingers in a leather strap (which they pull). Sometimes, only the index fingers are hooked into each other without a strap.
Now, you need to pull your opponent to your side by using force and technique. Remember, you will face a lot of pain when your finger is stretched but overcoming that you have to still keep going and defeat the opponent.
The standard rules for the measurements of the leather strap, table placed between the opponents, stools on which both the parties sit, and distance between the middle line and the sidelines need to be followed.
Here are the standard dimensions:
Leather strap-4 inches long and 6 to 8 mm wide
Table-79 cm high, 74 cm wide and 109 cm long
Stools-40 by 40 cm, 48 cm high
Distance between the middle line and the sidelines-32 cm
The winning factor
If you have a fat finger, you have higher chance to win because it would be able to better grasp the leather band. Finger training is very important; squeezing tennis balls and lifting heavy weights with just one finger are both parts of the routine. To win, technique and physical strength are important, as is a high pain threshold.
Hazards of the game
You would be wrong if you are thinking that it is just a fun game. Injuries in these competitions include cuts, friction burns and even broken or dislocated fingers.