[Photos] Japan's bald-head tug-of-war contest using suction pads, red rope

Bald headed men in the Japanese city of Tsuruta in the northern prefecture of Aomori, gathered to compete in tug-of-war contest but not with their hands as is usually the case.

The unique contest employed primarily the use of their bald heads, red rope with suction pads. There is a referee who checks with the help of mechanism that serves as the middle ground.

A red rope with suction pads on each end is attached to two bald heads, with both sides attempting to pull the pad off their opponent’s head. The person outlasting their opponent would move onto another round with another bald competitor.

Other games included bald men showing off only the top of their heads through a hole in the wall for people to guess who the head belonged to.

The event is in its 29th year. It is held every February 22 ever since the club’s inauguration in 1989. The club now boasts over 65 members from all over the country.

The club’s motto is to “view baldness in a positive manner, to have fun, and to brighten the world with our shiny heads,” according to its website.

Chairman of the club, Teijiro Sugo, disclosed that they had dreams of making it to the Olympics some day, “I want all the bald men all over the world to gather here so we can organize a bald men’s Olympic tournament.”