Every two years, the owners of the world’s most elaborate facial hair come together for the World Beard and Moustache Championships.From 1990, the championships feature competition in a variety of categories that include everything from the delicate Dali moustache to the outrageous full beard freestyle.This facial-hair celebration is open to everyone and spectators are welcome. On 2007, Brighton (UK) hosted the championships, and the City of Anchorage (Alaska, USA) will host the next one on 2009.

Meet some of the craziest beards and mustaches we’ve found at the championships.



Willi Chevalier, Germany, 2001 World Champion of Full Beard Freestyle



Jack Passion, a 23-year-old American crowned natural beard champion of the world at Brighton 2007

Karl Heinz-Hille, winner of Imperial moustache category at the 2007 Championship in Brighton, UK

Elmar Weiser, from Germany

Ernst Krause from Steinau cultivated on this creation for weeks

Gandhi Jones, 34, from Seattle, 1st Place winner in the Freestyle Moustache category in 2007

Former Beard World Champion Gerhard Knapp

The “aviator”