Brave kid’s
Hip, hip, hairy... New Zealand wins right to host world’s best beards comp
NOWKiwi men finally have their excuse to bin their razors.
Auckland will host the World Beard and Moustache Championships in 2021, thanks to The Fellowship of the Beard NZ president Ygnacio Cervio.
Cervio, whose beard seems to be a mash-up of Salvador Dali’s moustache and Gandalf’s beard, worked with Auckland Convention Bureau and Tourism New Zealand to secure the event which will attract bearded fellows from across the globe.
And that means New Zealand will see a full range of beards in the 18 category competition and plenty of beard-envy.
Cervio recently came sixth in the ‘full beard with styled moustache’ category at a world champs, and wants to encourage Kiwi males to grow, style and groom their facial hair.
His Fellowship of the Beard started as a ‘‘one-man-dream’’ and turned into a community for bearded men that also helps charity organisations in New Zealand.
‘‘We’ve wanted to host the world champs here for some time, and we know some competitors will be travelling a fair distance to compete, so want to make their stay unique,’’ he said.
‘‘Our wish is for all of them to have a great time, meet old friends, make new ones and take home the best memories from our vibrant city.’’
The two-day competition will include the 16 traditional categories of judgement in The World Beard and Moustache Championships, plus a ‘Whiskerina’ category for women to enter, and ‘Crowd Favourite’, where attendees will choose the winner.