Hong Kong adopted the tradition, which originated in Finland. Photo / Reuters
Hong Kong debuts in the ancient Finnish tradition of wife-carrying ahead of Valentine's Day
In the run up to Valentine's Day, Hong Kong holds its first wife-carrying championship, a tradition originating in 19th century Finland when bandits stole women from neighbouring villages.
Marrying sport, fun and romance --
a dozen Hong Kong couples took part in the city's first wife-carrying contest before Valentine's Day. The lovers -- young and old, hopped onto one another while watched by hundreds in a busy shopping centre.
Balancing wives on their backs, the men, some donning suits and Chinese wedding costumes, dashed over obstacles and scooped up roses in the name of love. The wife-carrying tradition which originates in ancient Finland, when bandits stole women from neighbouring villages, proved popular among the Chinese participants, keen to sweep their loved ones off their feet.
The oldest contestants were 70-year old Wong Chi-hung and his 60-year old wife. Won Chi-hung said "When we go out, I buy my wife whatever she likes," he said.
Eventual winners Michael and Cora Fung, fittingly dressed as superman and wonderwoman, said such piggy-backing, like marriage, had its challenges. Cora Fung said "If we have any arguments, the most important thing is to be understanding, but my husband really supports me." Besides a trophy and memories of this funny Valentine's, the Fung's took home a pair of airline tickets to Shanghai.
