Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships

A teenaged circus performer has won the freestyle gold medal at the Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships for juggling mobile phones. Taco Cohen of the Netherlands, who was celebrating his 19th birthday, used acrobatics and juggling in his performance, which was judged on aesthetics and artistic impression.

He says his performance reflected his training in a youth circus. "Juggling I have done for many years with balls," he said. "[But] these are irregular shapes and weights - it is difficult."

Finnish domination in the distance event continued when Tommi Huotari took gold with a throw of 89.62 metres, a few metres short of the world record.

"I have never thrown a phone before but have been participating in potato-throwing ... surprisingly, a potato flies further," the 38-year-old engineer said. I am sure everyone would like to throw their phone away every once in a while."

Event organiser Christine Lund says the contest reflects people's love-hate relationship with the mobile phone. "This contest speaks to people the world over as mobile phones are a blessing and a curse," she said. "Phones have become a part of the modern man, and sometimes many of us would like to remove that part."

Originally a local event in this small town close to the Russian border, the contest drew contestants from Canada, Europe and the United States.