‘World’s laziest man’ wins China bed-rotting contest after 33 hours

A Chinese competition has crowned the "world's laziest man" in a 33-hour bed-rotting competition. Photo / Ute Grabowsky, Getty Images

The “world’s laziest man” has been crowned in China’s annual bed-rotting contest, lying flat for a whopping 33 hours with no bathroom breaks.

Starting at 10.18am, a homeware store in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, held its third annual lie-in on November 15, Britain’s Sun reported.

Competitors sought to outlast one another as they lay on provided mattresses, occupying themselves with phones or books to pass the time.

They were allowed to turn over but not to sit up or go to the bathroom.

Some of the 240 contestants wore nappies, bringing food and power banks to sustain them throughout the event.

With no set end time, entrants were challenged to last until just three remained.

Only 54 were able to endure until the 24-hour mark, dwindling in numbers until one man took home the title of “world’s laziest man”.

The winner lasted an astonishing 33 hours and 35 minutes, finally tapping out at 19.53pm the next day.

He received CNY3000 ($755) for the feat of extraordinary idleness.

The notion of “bed-rotting” has been popularised by TikTok, referring to the act of lying in bed outside of sleep time.

Bed-rotters can engage in several self-care activities, from consuming media to doing literally nothing – whatever it takes to unwind.

However, the Sleep Foundation said the trend can have negative impacts on muscle strength, mental health, and even the quality of our sleep.

“Sleep experts recommend people only use their bed for sleeping and for sex.

“Spending time in bed while awake could cause an association between wakefulness and being in bed, which could contribute to trouble sleeping.”

The foundation recommends considering other relaxing activities to decompress, such as meditation, spending time with friends, or going for a walk.