Wife-carrying
Wife carrying (Finnish: eukonkanto or akankanto, Swedish: kärringkånk or kärringbärning) is a contest in which competitors race while each carrying a partner. While most teams consist of a man carrying a woman, there are generally no rules about gender or marital status.[1] The objective is for the runner to carry their team‑mate through a route in the fastest time. The sport was first introduced in 1992 in Sonkajärvi, Finland.
Several types of carrying may be practiced: a classic piggyback, a fireman's carry (over the shoulder), or the Estonian‑style (the 'wife' upside‑down on the carrier's back, with her legs over their neck and shoulders).
History
[edit]Eukonkanto originated in Finland. Tales have been passed down of a man named Herkko Rosvo‑Ronkainen (also known as Ronkainen the Robber[2]). This man was thought to be a robber in the late 1800s who lived in a forest. He supposedly ran around with his gang of thieves causing harm to villagers. From what has been found, there are three ideas as to why and how this sport was invented. Firstly, that Rosvo‑Ronkainen and his thieves were accused of stealing food and abducting women from villages in the area where he lived, then carrying these women on their backs as they ran away (hence the 'wife' or woman carrying). The second suggestion is that young men would go to neighboring villages and abduct women to forcibly marry, often women who were already married. These wives were also carried on the backs of the young men; this was referred to as 'the practice of wife stealing'. Lastly, there is the idea that Rosvo‑Ronkainen trained his thieves to be "faster and stronger" by carrying big, heavy sacks on their backs, from which this sport evolved. Though the sport is often considered a joke, competitors take it very seriously, just like any other sport.[3]
Wife‑carrying contests have taken place in Australia, the United States, Hong Kong, India, Germany, the UK, and other parts of the world besides Finland and nearby Sweden, Estonia, and Latvia, and the sport has a category in the Guinness Book of Records.[4][5][6]
World champions
[edit]| Year | Carrier | Carried | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Taisto Miettinen | Katja Kovanen |  Finland |
1:04.4 |
| 2025 | Caleb Roesler | Justine Roesler |  United States |
1:01.1 |
| 2024 | Vytautas Kirkliauskas | Neringa Kirkliauskas |  Lithuania |
1:03.5 |
| 2023 | Taisto Miettinen | Katja Kovanen | Finland |
1:06.2 |
| 2022 | Taisto Miettinen | Katja Kovanen | Finland |
1:04.3 |
| 2019 | Vytautas Kirkliauskas | Neringa Kirkliauskienė | Lithuania |
1:06.7 |
| 2018 | Vytautas Kirkliauskas | Neringa Kirkliauskienė | Lithuania |
1:05.1 |
| 2017 | Taisto Miettinen | Kristiina Haapanen | Finland |
1:08.6 |
| 2016 | Dmitri Sagal | Anastasia Loginova |  Russia |
1:04.1 |
| 2015 | Ville Parviainen | Sari Viljanen | Finland |
1:02.8 |
| 2014 | Ville Parviainen | Janette Oksman | Finland |
1:03.7 |
| 2013 | Taisto Miettinen | Kristiina Haapanen | Finland |
1:05.0 |
| 2012 | Taisto Miettinen | Kristiina Haapanen | Finland |
1:12.2 |
| 2011 | Taisto Miettinen | Kristiina Haapanen | Finland |
1:00.7 |
| 2010 | Taisto Miettinen | Kristiina Haapanen | Finland |
1:04.9 |
| 2009 | Taisto Miettinen | Kristiina Haapanen | Finland |
1:02.0 |
| 2008 | Alar Voogla | Kristi Viltrop |  Estonia |
1:01.9 |
| 2007 | Madis Uusorg | Inga Klauson | Estonia |
1:01.7 |
| 2006 | Margo Uusorg | Sandra Kullas | Estonia |
0:56.9 |
| 2005 | Margo Uusorg | Egle Soll | Estonia |
0:59.1 |
| 2004 | Madis Uusorg | Inga Klauson | Estonia |
1:05.3 |
| 2003 | Margo Uusorg | Egle Soll | Estonia |
1:00.7 |
| 2002 | Meelis Tammre | Anne Zilberberg | Estonia |
1:03.8 |
| 2001 | Margo Uusorg | Birgit Ullrich | Estonia |
0:55.6 |
| 2000 | Margo Uusorg | Birgit Ullrich | Estonia |
0:55.5 |
| 1999 | Imre Ambos | Annela Ojaste | Estonia |
1:04.5 |
| 1998 | Imre Ambos | Annela Ojaste | Estonia |
1:09.2 |
| 1997 | Jouni Jussila | Tiina Jussila | Finland |
1:05.0 |
| 1996 | Jouni Jussila | Tiina Jussila | Finland |
1:05.8 |
| Year | Carrier | Carried | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Teemu Tuovinen | Jatta Leinonen | Finland |
| 2025 | Severi Allonen | Karla Könönen | Finland |
| 2024 | Elliott Earnshaw | Adelaide Taylor |  Australia |
| 2023 | Ilpo Haalisto | Jenni Piippo | Finland |
| 2022 | Joni Juntunen | Jaana Haavikko | Finland |
| 2019 | Ilpo Haalisto | Jenni Piippo | Finland |
| 2018 | Thomas Kueng | Sandra Burch |  Germany |
| 2017 | Philipp Spiess | Kim Stella Müller |  Switzerland |
| 2016 | Joni Juntunen | Jaana Haavikko | Finland |
| 2015 | Joni Juntunen | Jaana Haavikko | Finland |
| 2014 | Joni Juntunen | Jaana Haavikko | Finland |
| 2013 | Alar Voogla | Kristi Viltrop | Estonia |
| 2012 | Joni Juntunen | Jaana Haavikko | Finland |
| 2011 | Alar Voogla | Kristi Viltrop | Estonia |
| 2010 | Alar Voogla | Kristi Viltrop | Estonia |
| 2009 | Renno Remmel | Merlin Linnusaar | Estonia |
| 2008 | Joni Juntunen | Jaana Haavikko | Finland |
| 2007 | Ranner Kuningas | Inga Klauson | Estonia |
| 2006 | Renno Remmel | Kati Elmi | Estonia |
| Year | Winning Team | Members (Carriers & Carried) | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Team Beer For My Horses | Andrew Lee, Devon Lee, Joshua Crafter, Vytautas Kirkliauskas | United States / Lithuania |
| 2025 | Team Big Beef | Joni Juntunen, Siiri Koskinen, John Lund, Elliot Storey | Finland / United States |
| 2024 | Team Australia | Elliott Earnshaw, Angus Mcdonald, Patrick Mahony, Adelaide Taylor | Australia |
| 2023 | Maailmanmestaruuden metsästäjät | Joni Juntunen, Antti Siltala, John Lund, Jaana Haavikko | Finland / United States |
| 2022 | Serti | Joni Juntunen, Toni Hynynen, Timo Pudas, Jaana Haavikko | Finland |
| 2019 | Serti | Toni Hynynen, Timo Pudas, Jaana Haavikko, Joni Juntunen | Finland |
| 2018 | Serti | Sami Tervo, Timo Pudas, Jaana Haavikko, Joni Juntunen | Finland |
| 2017 | Serti | Toni Hynynen, Timo Pudas, Jaana Haavikko, Joni Juntunen | Finland |
| 2016 | Serti | Toni Hynynen, Timo Pudas, Jaana Haavikko, Joni Juntunen | Finland |
| 2015 | Sonkarun | Toni Hynynen, Mika Suomalainen, Jaana Haavikko, Joni Juntunen | Finland |
| 2014 | Sonkarun | Toni Hynynen, Mika Suomalainen, Jaana Haavikko, Joni Juntunen | Finland |
| 2013 | Sonkarun | Toni Hynynen, Mika Suomalainen, Jaana Haavikko, Joni Juntunen | Finland |
| 2012 | Sonkarun | Toni Hynynen, Mika Suomalainen, Jaana Haavikko, Joni Juntunen | Finland |
| 2011 | Sonkarun | Toni Hynynen, Mika Suomalainen, Jaana Haavikko, Joni Juntunen | Finland |
| 2010 | Konkurendid | Kristi Viltrop, Alar Voogla, Renno Remmel, Marek Zahka | Estonia |
| 2009 | Sõbrad | Merlin Linnusaar, Mauri Zahkna, Marek Zahkna, Renno Remmel | Estonia |
| 2008 | Sõbrad | Merlin Linnusaar, Mauri Zahkna, Marek Zahkna, Renno Remmel | Estonia |
| 2007 | Sõbrad | Merlin Linnusaar, Mauri Zahkna, Marek Zahkna, Renno Remmel | Estonia |
| 2006 | Sõbrad | Kati Elmi, Mauri Zahkna, Marek Zahkna, Renno Remmel | Estonia |
| 2005 | Sõbrad | Merlin Linnusaar, Mauri Zahka, Renno Remmel, Marek Zahka | Estonia |
| 2004 | Äntu Farm | Ivi Löömets, Ants Einsalu, Margo Hussar, Janek Löömets | Estonia |
| 2003 | Äntu Farm | Ivi Löömets, Ants Einsalu, Jaanus Pajula, Janek Löömets | Estonia |
| 2002 | Iisalmen Putkiasennus Oy / Äntu Farm | Joni Juntunen, Jorma Ryhänen, Petri Vinkki, Johanna Jauhiainen / Estonia | Finland / Estonia |
| 2001 | Väike-Maarja Vald | (Individual squad members not archived) | Estonia |
| 2000 | Ylä-Savon kihlakunnan poliisit | Marko Tervo, Tuomo Eskelinen, Jari Rytkönen, Sirpa-Riitta Patronen | Finland |
| 1999 | Iisalmen Putkiasennus Oy | Joni Juntunen, Jorma Ryhänen, Arto Lappalainen, Katri Rask | Finland |
| 1998 | Ylä-Savon kihlakunnan poliisit | Jari Rytkönen, Jorma Rannio, Pekka Korhonen, Sirpa-Riitta Patronen | Finland |
| 1997 | Ylä-Savon kihlakunnan poliisit | Tuomo Eskelinen, Pekka Korhonen, Marko Tervo, Marja Pääkkö | Finland |
| 1996 | Ylä-Savon kihlakunnan poliisit | Marko Tervo, Reijo Kärkkäinen, Pekka Korhonen, Marja Pääkkö | Finland |
| Rank | Country | Gold (Main) | Gold (Sprint) | Gold (Team) | Total Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finland |
13 | 10 | 18* | 41 |
| 2 | Estonia |
11 | 6 | 10* | 27 |
| 3 | Lithuania |
3 | 0 | 1* | 4 |
| 4 | United States |
1 | 0 | 3* | 4 |
| 5 | Australia |
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | Russia |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Switzerland |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Germany |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | All countries | 29 | 19 | 31 | 79 |
*Note: Contains at least one team championship won as part of a mixed-nationality or international squad.
Countries
[edit] | This section needs more citations. (March 2020) |
Australia
[edit]Australian Wife Carrying Championships have been held annually since 2005.
| Year | Winners | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Anthony Partridge & Angela Cafe | Australia |
| 2006 | Kal Baker & Kelly Smith | Australia |
| 2007 | Anthony Partridge and Angela Moore | Australia |
| 2008 | Jason Doyle & Lyneece Garland | Australia |
| 2009 | Anthony Partridge & Kath Whalan | Australia |
| 2010 | Anthony Partridge & Kath Whalan | Australia |
| 2011 | Michael & Emma Blenman | Australia |
| 2012 | Beau Mynard & Ellie Gresham | Australia |
| 2013 | Amiee & Jamie Graham | Australia |
| 2014 | Jade Cupitt & Luke Papworth | Australia |
| 2015 | Jess McCallum & Ben Gregg | Australia |
| 2016 | Adrian and Amanda Betts | Australia |
| 2017 | Adam Cullen & Tylee Robinson | Australia |
| 2018 | Dylan Hedges & Alana Flemming | Australia |
| 2019 | Nicholas Metcalf & Jess Codrington | Australia |
| 2022 | Nick & Ashleigh Topham | Australia |
| 2023 | Elliott Earnshaw and Adelaide Taylor | Australia |
| 2024 | Oliver Klotz & Emma Bestic | Australia |
| 2025 | Ben & Jess Gregg | Australia |
Finland
[edit]The Finnish Wife Carrying Championships were first held in 1992 in Sonkajärvi, Finland. Following the rapid growth and international interest in the event, the national competition expanded into the official Wife Carrying World Championships in 1996. From 1992 to 1995, the event was run as a national Finnish championship before transitioning into the World Championship era.
| Year | Winners | Hometown | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Jouni Jussila & Tiina Kaipainen | Raisio | Finland |
| 1993 | Jouni Jussila & Tiina Kaipiainen | Raisio | Finland |
| 1994 | Jouni Jussila & Tiina Kaipiainen | Raisio | Finland |
| 1995 | Ilpo Rönkkö & Anneli Rönkkö | Vieremä | Finland |
United Kingdom
[edit]The United Kingdom Wife Carrying Race was introduced in 2008, though the "sport" is claimed to have taken place "with help from our Scandinavian cousins" for around 1200 years from 793AD when Viking raiders raided villages and abducted wives.[10]
| Year | Winners | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Joel Hicks & Wendy Cook |  Great Britain |
| 2009 | Matt Evans & Jatinder Gill | Great Britain |
| 2010 | John Lund & Rosa Fenwick | Great Britain |
| 2011 | Sammy Trowbridge & Nathalie | Great Britain |
| 2012 | Tom Wilmot & Kirsty Wilmot | Great Britain |
| 2013 | Mike Witko & Lindsey Finn | Great Britain |
| 2014 | Rich Blake Smith & Anna Smith | Great Britain |
| 2015 | Jonathon Schwochert & Charlotte Xiong | Great Britain |
| 2016 | Jonathan Schwochert & Charlotte Xiong | Great Britain |
| 2017 | Jack McKendrick & Kirsty Jones | Great Britain |
| 2018 | Chris Hepworth & Tanisha Prince | Great Britain |
| 2019 | Chris Hepworth & Tanisha Prince | Great Britain |
| 2020 | Mark Threlfall & Cassie Yates | Great Britain |
| 2021 | Event not held | — |
| 2022 | Alex Bone & Millie Barnham | Great Britain |
| 2023 | Vytautas Kirkliauskas & Neringa Kirkliauskiene | Lithuania |
| 2024 | Stuart Johnson & Hattie Cronin | Great Britain |
| 2025 | Stuart Johnson & Hattie Cronin | Great Britain |
| 2026 | Teemu Tuovinen & Jatta Leinonen | Finland |
United States
[edit]The US final takes place on the second weekend of July in Menahga Minnesota (MN-St. Urho Wife Carry for Charity Challenge). [citation needed] Wife-carrying competitions are also held in Monona, Wisconsin, Minocqua, Wisconsin and Marquette, Michigan.[citation needed]
The North American Wife Carrying Championships takes place every year since 1999 on Indigenous People's Day Weekend in October at Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine.[citation needed]
In popular culture
[edit]- North American champions Ehrin and April Armstrong were featured as guests on a first-season episode of GSN's revival of I've Got a Secret.
- BBC Presenters Mike Bushell and Steph McGovern reversed the roles when they took part in the UK annual wife-carrying competition in 2013, she carried him. Bushell said this was a first.[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Goodyear, Sheena (9 March 2026). "What do you get when you win the U.K. Wife Carrying Race? Bragging rights and a barrel of ale". As It Happens. CBC Radio. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
- ↑ Wife‑carrying is a thing in Finland, SCMP, 8 July 2018
- ↑ English, Nick (16 November 2016). "Wife Carrying Is the Latest Strength Sport for Couples". BarBend. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
- ↑ "The Strange Sport of Wife Carrying | bettor.com". Archived from the original on 19 February 2011.
- ↑ Thomas, Guy. "Wife Carrying World Championship". Funny Jokes.
- ↑ "Maine couple wins North American Wife Carrying Championship at Sunday River Ski Resort".
- ↑ Eukonkanto Oy / Sonkajärven kunta: Wife Carrying World Championship Official Results Archive.
- ↑ Eukonkanto Oy / Sonkajärven kunta: Wife Carrying World Championship Official Sprint Winners Archive.
- ↑ Eukonkanto Oy / Sonkajärven kunta: Wife Carrying World Championship Official Team Winners Archive.
- ↑ "The UK Wife Carrying Race". trionium.com.
- ↑ "BBC pair swap roles for 'wife carrying' race". News UK. BBC. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
External links
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