Buzz
Facial hair is often viewed as either a nuisance or a stylish addition, depending on personal opinion. However, for these ten individuals, it represents a yearly competition. Known as 'international bearding,' this event has been around since the late 1900s, though its exact origin is debated. The World Beard and Moustache Championships, held every odd-numbered year since 1995, experienced a break in 2014. This exception allowed American competitors, unable to travel to Europe, to showcase their beards locally. While the competition typically alternates between Germany and the US, these two countries have the largest number of participants.
Throughout November, men worldwide take part in the widely recognized 'No-Shave November' tradition, growing out their facial hair for the entire month. This movement was initially created to raise awareness and funds for cancer prevention and research. Over time, many have embraced it simply to see how impressive (or not) their facial hair can grow. The 2017 World Beard and Moustache Championship, held in Austin, Texas, coincided with this month-long tradition, but it was already underway well before the No-Shave November craze took hold.
The competition, which took place from September 1 to 3, is divided into three main categories: mustaches, partial beards, and full beards. These categories are further split into more specialized divisions, such as natural mustaches, Dali mustaches, English mustaches, imperial mustaches, Hungarian mustaches, and freestyle mustaches. Other categories also have their own divisions. Winning in any of these areas is a significant achievement for past and present champions, and the 2017 competition certainly did not disappoint. Here are ten of the winners from that year's World Beard and Moustache Championship.
10. Wolfgang Schneider
We start with the classic and timeless style: the natural mustache. While anyone can let the hair on their upper lip grow out and call it a natural mustache, those competing in this competition might chuckle at such an attempt. These men dedicate themselves year-round to cultivating impressive natural mustaches with the ultimate goal of winning the coveted First Place trophy every few years.
Naturally, this falls under the mustache category, but there are specific rules for entry into this division. Competitors must have mustaches that can be styled without using any products, and the mustache hairs may start growing from up to a maximum of 1.5 centimeters (0.6 in) beyond the lip's edge.
This past September in Austin, Wolfgang Schneider, an IT engineer from Germany, claimed the top prize. He traveled all the way to the States to compete and earned a remarkable score of 49.8, narrowly defeating the second-place contestant by 1.6 points.
9. Nathan Wilson
Salvador Dali, often regarded as the most famous surrealist painter in history, is celebrated not only for his extraordinary artwork but also for his legendary mustache. In the early 1900s, Dali decided to grow a mustache, which would become an unmistakable part of his persona. Initially, it resembled a regular mustache, but it was styled to curve upwards, defying gravity in a truly unique manner. The mustache was famously described as being in the '10-past-10 position,' resembling the hands of a clock at 10:10.
In June 2017, Dali's remains were exhumed to provide DNA for a paternity test. Spanish officials discovered that, upon unearthing his body, his iconic mustache remained perfectly intact and still held its signature '10-past-10' position.
For the Dali mustache category, competitors must have a mustache that is slim with tips pointing upwards or arcing. These mustaches are allowed to start growing only up to the edge of the upper lip, and no aids are permitted. This year's winner was Nathan Wilson, a data architect from Virginia, who scored 48.3 and triumphed over the second-place competitor by a margin of 0.8 points.
8. Jeffrey Moustache
With the most aptly chosen name for this competition, Jeffrey Moustache claimed this year's award for the best Hungarian mustache. The Hungarian mustache is clearly inspired by Hungary's historical figures who sported these distinct styles of facial hair.
According to the World Beard and Moustache Competition, a true Hungarian mustache is large and full, starting from the center of the upper lip and sweeping outward. The mustache hairs can grow up to 1.5 centimeters (0.6 in) beyond the edge of the lip. Unlike some other categories that forbid the use of aids, participants in this event are allowed to use products to help extend and shape the mustache further.
Mr. Moustache emerged as the champion this year, though it wasn't a runaway victory. He narrowly defeated Tyson Burlile by just 0.3 points, earning a winning score of 48.9.
7. Erwin Butsch
The Three Musketeers are most famous from their films, where they battle evil forces threatening the French throne and ultimately all of Europe. This timeless story, passed down through generations, has left a lasting legacy in the form of a mustache known as the Musketeer. The World Beard and Moustache Championships describe this style as a long, slender mustache that can extend up to 1.5 centimeters (0.6 in) beyond the upper lip.
The Musketeer mustache falls under the partial beard category, which allows for the use of aids to create a pointed beard alongside the mustache. Like the mustache category, the partial beard category offers a variety of divisions for participants. This year's Musketeer division champion was Erwin Butsch, who triumphed over his competitor with a full point lead, earning a score of 49.6.
6. Sean Raiger
The Fu Manchu stands as one of the most iconic partial beard styles globally. It can evoke a sense of wisdom, often worn by a seasoned Asian martial arts master, or exude toughness and determination, reminiscent of a 1970s beat cop. Regardless of the interpretation, the Fu Manchu is sure to make an impression.
The World Beard and Moustache Championships describe the Fu Manchu as a mustache that begins no more than 2 centimeters (0.8 in) below the end of the upper lip, with a clean-shaven chin. Participants are permitted to use aids to help shape the tips of the mustache, allowing them to extend downward as far as possible.
This year's winner of the Fu Manchu category was Sean Raiger, former president of The Moustache and Beard Social Club. His victory was hard-earned, with a near-perfect score of 49.9, edging out the second-place competitor by just 0.4 points and the third-place competitor by 0.9 points.
5. Michael Wallage
While most people try to avoid the stage in their hair growth cycle when their sideburns become overgrown and ragged, resembling the frayed hem of a pair of jeans, these men fully embrace the wild, bushy sideburns that extend outward.
The Natural Sideburns category, a division within the partial beard category, celebrates these men and their remarkable sideburns. Participants in this division must have a beard that connects from everywhere except the chin, and no aids are allowed to shape the sideburns. Essentially, they must sport a full beard with thick sideburns and a sizable mustache.
This year’s winner in the Natural Sideburns category was Michael Wallage, who scored 49.3, securing his victory by narrowly beating second-place finisher Patrick Quinn by just 0.1 points.
4. Aaron Johnston
The natural goatee, which falls under the partial beard category, consists of facial hair only around the chin and the upper and lower lip areas of the face. This style must be achieved without the use of aids and includes a clean-shaven strip at least 4 centimeters (1.6 in) wide, extending from the hairline to the start of the beard. While a mustache isn't required, most entrants still opt to add one for extra flair.
Aaron Johnston triumphed over his competitor, Patrick Dawson, by a slim margin of 0.1 points, securing the first-place prize with an impressive score of 49.8.
3. Michael Wollin
The final division is for men who aim to grow the most impressive beard possible, without any frills. The largest full natural beard division spans beards from 45.1 to over 60 centimeters, which translates to lengths between 18 and more than 24 inches! No mustache styling, no aids—just natural, massive beards on men with impressive facial hair growth.
This year, Michael Wollin emerged victorious in the division with an impressive score of 49.5.
2. Scott Metts
Some men have a natural talent for growing facial hair, and many find themselves competing in the Full Beard with Styled Moustache division. Much like the Verdi category, entrants are required to have both a full beard and a styled mustache. However, unlike Verdi, there are no restrictions on the beard’s length. These beards must grow naturally, and aids are only allowed to shape the mustache.
With a winning score of 49.3, Scott Metts clinched the top prize, justifying his weeks of dedication and the itchy discomfort of his growing beard.
1. Karl Roos
The full beard category is where things start to get truly intense. (Apologies, I couldn’t help myself.) The Verdi division, the first in the full beard category, has the strictest maximum length limits. Beards in this division must be kept short, not exceeding 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length. A styled mustache must accompany the short beard, which is why aids are permitted for shaping.
Karl Roos managed to clinch the division title with a narrow 0.1 point margin, securing a win with a score of 49.4.
