Summer's Weirdest Competition: Wife Transfer Championship

The Wife Carrying Championship takes place as part of a three-day festival in Sonkajärvi, Finland, and this year it took place on July 6th. This bizarre competition consists in the fact that a man must overcome a distance of 253.5 meters with his "wife" on his shoulders, and at that time she hangs on him upside down. Women participating in the championship as cargo must be over 17 years old and weigh at least 49 kg. Didn't fit? Don't worry, the members don't actually have to be married.

We present you a series of funny photos taken during this year's championship by Finnish photographer Roni Rekomaa. Pay attention to the serious faces of the athletes - the concentration is no worse than at the Olympic Games!

(Total 11 photos)

1. Alexander Pikhlainen and Siiri Sally from Finland take part in the Wife Transfer Championship in Sonkajärvi, Finland.

2. Alar Voogla and Kristi Viltrop from Estonia finished second in the Championship.

3. Matt Vitko (left) and Hattie Archer (right) from England took bronze for the run.

4. Tony and Heidi Kaerkkainen from Finland during the competition.

5. Yoni Juntunen and Jaana Haavikko from Finland placed fifth in the Championship.

6. Alar Voogla and Kristi Viltrop from Estonia.

7. Yoni Juntunen and Jaana Haavikko from Finland.

8. Taisto Miettinen and Kristiina Haapanen from Finland during the competition.

9. Taisto Miettinen and Kristiina Haapanen from Finland.

10. Beau Minar and Ellie Gresham from Australia take part in the Championship.

11. Kristiina Haapanen and Taisto Miettinen of Finland celebrate winning the Wife Transfer Championship.