Mobile Phone Throwing Championship - what?

Why do people throw a cell phone?

Finland is known as the home country of the mobile phones and Finns have always been very fashion-conscious about the phones. Many Europeans wonder why the Finns buy brand new phones when the old one is still working.

Cell phones are an essential part of us that connects us to nearly anywhere in the world but when you most need it the battery runs out or your sweetheart does not answer or someone does not return your call they can also become part of your frustration. Hope, anticipation, passion and frustration concentrates on your cell phone. Cell Phone Throwing, the only sport where you can pay back all the frustrations and disappointments caused by these modern equipments.

There are officially two categories in the Mobile Phone Throwing.
1) Traditional style - over the shoulder throw, where the length of the throw is crucial.
2) Freestyle - the style is free and the contestant gets points for aesthetics and creative choreography from 4 to 10.

In both categories the contestant with the highest score wins. Mobile Phone Throwing is a modern (funny) Finnish sport that suits for people of all ages. It combines recycling philosophy and fun spirit in active sport. A part of the philosophy is also a spiritual freedom from being available all the time.

Cell Phone Throwing became a hit when first arranged in year 2000 in Savonlinna. Organizer was a translation and interpretation company Fennolingua. It’s multinational personnel and many carnival spirited athletics threw away their frustrations along with the mobile phones. Local recycling center was a partner and they collected all the toxic waste and people could also buy a new mobile phone at the Championships. The first prize was of course a new mobile phone. Throwers and international media were immediately very interested and every year the Championships gather a wide range of nationalities to Savonlinna to throw the mobile phones or to report from the Championships.

The proper equipment -
The mobile phones used at the Championships are original phones with batteries.Competitors can use only the phones provided by Fennolingua. Some competitors have wanted to throw their own phones as far as possible but that is against the rules. The organizer has received a lots of mobile phones, all kinds of brands and models. The phones are checked and approved as official Championships equipment. The weight of the phones varies from 220 grams to over 400 grams. Competitors can choose the phone that fits best to his/her hand or looks the nicest. There are clearly two parties in this; some believe that the heavier phones flies further than lighter ones and others think just the opposite. There are no favorite brand, often colorful covers or convenient form might be the argument.

The Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships has been arranged every year since year 2000 in Savonlinna in late August. All the international interest on the Championships has now led to official national championships all over Europe. Cell Phone Throwing as a phenomenon speaks to people and interests people all over the world. The mobile phone is an amazing invention that makes the distances shorter and makes people available anywhere and anytime. Humour connects people globally and is also part of this sport. The children are thrilled since they are allowed to throw these expensive phones.

The Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships has become an annual event with other happenings during the last weekend of August in Savonlinna. More national championships are coming all over the world since this is just such a funny sport.
Mr. Mikko Lampi from Finland holds the world record in Original category from year 2005. The numbers were 94,97 meters. More information, photos etc. are at Savonlinna Festivals website.

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