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Feel The Gurn.

The word legend is over used, almost as much as saying that using it too much is overused.

It applies in the case of Tommy Mattinson though: A true legend in the world of competitive gurning, he successfully defended his World Championship Title for a record 19th time at this year's Egremont Crab Fair.

For my money, pound for pound, he's the best gurnsman in the business.

He's a gurnsman, and his father was a gurnsman before him; Tommy started gurning when he was a young boy, inspired by his father, Gordon Mattinson, who formerly held the record with 10 wins from 1967-77.

Aged 11, Tommy entered and won the first ever junior competition, and a few years later, in 1986, he achieved his first win in the men’s category.

Sure, we've all known people who we think could give Tommy a run for his money, but comparison to him would be akin to comparing your average flat roof pub brawler to Daniel Dubois.

Tommy's reputation as the best gurnsman in the business earned him an audience with the Queen in 2008, and a Guinness World Record.


Gurning isn't just a men's preserve any more either: Claire Lister defended her title for a record breaking 8th time this year, with her daughter Kendal carrying on a proud family tradition by scooping the junior championship.

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