Home » Goanna Pulling: Rules, How to Play, Championship (2024)

Goanna Pulling: Rules, How to Play, Championship (2024)

Picture of Goanna Pulling
Goanna Pulling is a Australian power sports I.C.- Facebook

What is Goanna Pulling?

Goanna Pulling, are you connected with this name? 

It is very well known to the Aussie fellow. Aussie lizards are called Goannas. The tugging of lizards is not about Goanna Pulling.

The contestants look like Goannas in this contest. That is the reason for the name. It’s a game of heavy leather belts around the necks of two men.

Behind the scene

In Wooli, Australia, in 1985, Goanna Pulling was first practiced. Goanna pulling evolved as a basic form of tug of war.

Over time, the it has become a classic. Currently, it takes a spot along the banks of the Wooli River.

Tools

We cannot watch much use of tools in the Goanna Pulling game. It doesn’t need as much equipment as other games.

A simple leather belt enough for it. Two contenders use the belt and compete against each other.

Rules of Goanna Pulling

The rules for Goanna Pulling are easy for us. Even if you’ve never played before, you can understand the rules and play with ease.

So let’s see the simple rules.

  • At a time, only two people.
  • A match may take many minutes or end in a couple of seconds.
  • It has no gender restrictions.
  • In the middle, there is a white line that separates both contestants.
  • In the shape of a lizard, two players should touch the ground.
  • Players should ensure that their hands are always behind the white line.
  • Ensure that the belt is securing their heads.
  • Using force on the abdomen, they will pull each other.
  • To cross the white line, contestants rely on upper body strength.

Championship

The Goanna Pulling Championships have been held yearly at Wooli, Australia, since 1985. It is considered the main event in the small seaside town of Wooli.

Every October, it draws a large number of visitors. Children and adults alike will enjoy the event. Men and women compete in separate weight divisions.

Weight categories for men range from under 63 kgs to 63 kgs-82 kgs to 82 kgs-95 kgs and over 95 kgs. 

In 2018, Goanna Pulling Championship
Goanna Pulling Championship in 2018 I.C. – Facebook

For the women’ it starts from under 70kgs and ends with over 70 kgs. The Goanna Pulling Championships targeted the family audience. Each Yearly Championship winner receives a cash prize. The perpetual shield of the Australian Open champion bears the champion’s name. Undoubtedly, you shouldn’t miss this event.

How to play?

You already know that Goanna Pulling is an Australian Sport. It requires two persons to hold a thick strap against each other. It is a game of pulling each other across the centerline, and whoever crosses first wins. There were weight categories for men and women. It is an individual sport.

During this game, two players face each other. The game takes place on a flat surface on the ground. Players sit on a flat surface on their knees, balancing themselves. With the help of hands, they also get support. A white line separates at an equal distance from each player. It is a game of strength. 

The players join with a heavy leather strap on their necks. Like the other sports, the referee is in charge of the game. In this tug of war, the referee controls the game from the middle of the pitch, and players pull out each other simultaneously.

They generate power through their head, neck, and abdomen and pull their opponent. Leather straps help them to accelerate more strength. Strength is most important to win this game. The winner is the player who successfully pulls their opponent over the centerline.

Last Word

Thank you for reading the article so far. I have tried to give you a brief overview of Goanna Pulling in this article. In the future, I will try to discuss this in more detail and bring something new to you.

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