Turkish welder again wins World Black Pudding Throwing Championships in Ramsbottom

Hundreds of black puddings were thrown at piles of Yorkshire puddings as competitors took part in the annual World Black Pudding Throwing Championships held in Ramsbottom, east Lancashire on Sunday. The contest is thought to date back to Lancashire v Yorkshire food fights during the Wars of the Roses when legend has it food was thrown when ammunition ran out.



Competitors stand at the ‘Golden Grid’ and hurl three regulation Bury black puddings at a stack of Yorkshire puddings balanced on a 20ft-high platform. The ‘golden grid’ is transported to Ramsbottom on a steam-hauled train, and then laid down to the accompaniment of Scottish bagpipes. The puddings each weigh 170 grams and are wrapped in pantyhose, to prevent them from disintegrating when thrown.

The winner is the competitor who dislodges the most Yorkshire puddings. This year saw a first in the history of the competition – welder Huseyin Ozluk, who was also crowned champion in 2009, took victory. Mr Ozluk, originally from Turkey and now living in Ramsbottom, clinched the prize after knocking six puddings from the scaffolding.

The Hairy Bikers visiting the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships a couple of years back.

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He also beat two other competitors with the same score in a head-to-head lob off. Mr Ozluk, aged 44, said: “I am so happy to be the champion again and I am sure to be back next year. It feels amazing to have been the only person to be world champion twice so I will have to come back and defend my title.” He was awarded a trophy and £100 cash prize.