Mobile phone throwing is an international sport that began in Finland in the year 2000. It's a sport in which participants throw mobile phones and are judged on distance or technique. The world record holder is Dries Feremans, with an official Guinness World Record throw of 110m 42 cm. There are usually four categories in the sport:
Original (also called "Traditional"): an over-the-shoulder throw with the farthest distance winning (best of three) Freestyle: contestants get points for aesthetics and creative choreography Team original: up to three competitors have one throw each, with their scores combined at the end Junior: for children aged twelve or younger The phones used vary not just between events but between competitors, with any phone that weighs over 220 grams being acceptable. At some events, the choice is down to personal preference from phone models provided by the event organisers, while other events provide the same phone model to all contestants.
Rules The sponsor provides the phones used in the Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships. There are many different kinds of phones to choose from, weighing between 220g to 400g. Every competitor can choose between any of the phones that are provided. During the throw, the competitor must stay within the throwing area. If the thrower steps over the area, the throw will be disqualified. The phone must land within the marked throwing sector. The official jury of the competition will accept or disqualify the throw. Also, there is no drug testing but if the jury believes the competitor is not mentally or physically fit to throw, they will not be allowed to enter. The jury's decisions are final and cannot be protested.
Rules for Juniors: Traditional over-the-shoulder throw. Only for children 12 years and under (ID must be presented upon request). The one who can throw the phone farthest is the winner; there's one throw per competitor. Rules for Freestyle: No age limits. Team and individual series teams can comprise from men or women, max. 3 people per team. In this category, throws will be judged by their style and aesthetics. Points are awarded on a scale from 1 to 6 and the competitor with the highest score wins. One throw per competitor. Rules for Original: Traditional over-the-shoulder throw. Only the length of the throw counts, the one who can throw the mobile phone the furthest is the winner, one throw per competitor, a separate series for men and women. Rules for Team Original: Traditional over-the-shoulder throw. Max. 3 persons per team. Teams can either be men or women, team members' scores will be summed up and the highest score wins. One throw per competitor.
History Mobile Phone Throwing became a hit when first arranged in year 2000 in Savonlinna, Finland. Its organizer was the translation and interpretation company Fennolingua. Its multi-national personnel and many athletics threw away their frustrations along with the mobile phones. Local recycling centers were a partner and they collected all the toxic waste. The Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships has been arranged every year since the year 2000 in Savonlinna in late August. All the international interest on the Championships has now led to official national championships all over Europe. The first national championships were organized in Trondheim, Norway in June 2004. The first prize was a trip to the World Championships to Savonlinna, Finland. In February 2005 there were the first winter championships in Stoos, Switzerland. The winners from both Original and Freestyle categories won trips to the World Championships to Savonlinna. The first German championships were arranged in June 2005 in Northern Germany. People could also buy a new mobile phone at the Championships. The winner gets a new mobile phone. Throwers and international media were immediately very interested and every year the Championships gathered a wide range of nationalities to Savonlinna to throw the cell phones. Lawrence University has hosted a Rotary Phone Throw in 2005, 2006, and 2007. This competition has similar rules to the mobile phone throw, yet uses rotary phones.
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