In one of the most unlikely sporting stories to emerge from Australia, two brothers from Queensland have taken the niche Finnish sport of Eukonkanto - better known as wife-carrying - by storm, earning themselves the nickname 'The Finskaroos'.
The Cool Runnings Inspiration
Much like the iconic Jamaican bobsled team immortalised in Cool Runnings, Sam and Tom Hall had no background in their chosen sport when they decided to compete in the 2024 World Wife Carrying Championships in Finland. Their training regimen, as Sam describes, was equally unconventional: "He trained us like Cool Runnings - we had no idea what we were doing."
From Queensland Backyards to Finnish Forests
The brothers' journey began when Tom discovered the sport online and convinced his brother to join him in this bizarre athletic pursuit. With no wife-carrying tracks in Australia, they improvised training sessions in local parks and backyards, carrying each other and anyone willing to participate.
"People thought we were mad," Tom recalls. "We'd be running through suburban Brisbane with someone thrown over our shoulders, getting some very strange looks."
Conquering the World Stage
Their dedication paid off when they travelled to Sonkajärvi, Finland, competing against seasoned veterans from Nordic countries where the sport has deep cultural roots. The Finskaroos not only completed the challenging 253.5-metre obstacle course but achieved a respectable mid-field position, astonishing organisers and competitors alike.
The Art of Wife-Carrying
For the uninitiated, Eukonkanto isn't simply about strength. The sport requires competitors to carry a teammate - who doesn't need to be their spouse - through an obstacle course featuring water hazards and sand traps. The most efficient carrying technique, the 'Estonian carry', involves the carried person hanging upside-down with their legs wrapped around the carrier's shoulders.
Aussie Determination Meets Finnish Tradition
What the Australian brothers lacked in technique, they made up for with raw athleticism and the characteristic Aussie 'have a go' attitude. Their performance has not only earned them international attention but has sparked interest in the sport back home in Australia.
"We might have looked ridiculous training in Queensland," Sam laughs, "but we proved that with enough determination, you can compete with the best in the world at anything - even carrying people through Finnish forests."
The Finskaroos plan to return to Finland next year, better prepared and determined to climb higher in the rankings, proving that sometimes the most unlikely athletes can excel in the world's most unusual sports.
