There are generally two types of sports: the popular sports, and the unusual and enticing ones. The  sport of Gurning falls into the unusual sports category.

    Gurning means to “pull the face” and there is actually a World Championships for it. Gurning Contests are believed to have originated in 1267 at the Egremont Crab Fair, which is named after the crab apple that is so sour; whoever eats it is considered to “gurn”. Everyone gathers around to see who can make the ugliest face. The contest requires carrying a small horse collar while gurning. Gurning through a horse collar is also known as “Gurnin’ through a braffin’ ”. Gurning contests are usually held in mid-September. There are three competition groups: men, ladies, and kids. England’s best gurner was Peter Jackman, who won the world championships four times beginning in 1998 with a nasty face called the “Bela Lugosi” after the actor who played Dracula. Peter Jackman had all his teeth removed to make transforming his face easier.

In a Gurning Contest, the contestant with the worst face is actually the one with the best face.