Octopus wrestling

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Three divers holding the largest catch of the 1963 World Octopus Wrestling Championships, a 57 pound North Pacific Giant Octopus.
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Three divers holding the largest catch of the 1963 World Octopus Wrestling Championships, a 57 pound North Pacific Giant Octopus.

Octopus wrestling is a sport that involves a diver grappling with an octopus in shallow water and dragging it to the surface. Octopus wrestling was relatively popular in the coastal United States during the 1960s. At that time, annual World Octopus Wrestling Championships were held in Puget Sound, Washington. The event was televised and attracted up to 5,000 spectators each year. Trophies were awarded to the individual divers and teams who caught the largest animals. The octopuses were either eaten, given to the local aquarium, or returned to the sea.

In April 1963, 111 divers took part in the World Octopus Wrestling Championships. A total of 25 North Pacific Giant Octopuses were captured that day. They ranged in weight from 4 to 57 pounds.

[edit] References

  • Norman, M.D. (2000). "Octopus Wrestling". In: Cephalopods: A World Guide. ConchBooks, pp. 217-218.
  • Anonymous (July 1963). "1963 World Octopus Wrestling Championships". Skin Diver Magazine.
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