If you go ...
What: Tug-of-War International Federation World Championships
When: Thursday-Sunday
Where: Olin Park, Madison
Schedule: Open 700 kilogram: 9:30 a.m., Thursday; Open 580 kilo, 1 p.m. Thursday; USA 700 kilo, 9:30 a.m. Saturday; USA 580 kilo, 1 p.m., Saturday; co-ed 600 kilo, 9:30 a.m., Sunday; USA 640 kilo, 1 p.m, Sunday
MONROE - Tug-of-War, like paper, rock and scissors, are more than just playground games to Bryon Feller.
Feller won't have to drive too far to compete in his first Tug-of-War International Federation World Championships starting Thursday in Olin Park in Madison. The world championships are sponsored by the Madison Area Sports Commission, and there will be a local flavor in this year's event Thursday through Sunday.
Feller, 35, of Monticello, is on the Mount Vernon Tug-of-War team that won the 580 kilogram, 640 kilogram and 700 kilogram Tug-of-War national championships at the Green County Fair. That qualified the Mount Vernon team to compete in the world championships. Feller will pull on the 700 kilo team in the open competition Thursday. He will then pull in the 700 kilo USA national team Saturday. Thirteen countries have a team set to pull Saturday in the world championships closed event.
Feller has been part of the Mount Vernon Tug-of-War team for several years. He will team up with six other Mount Vernon teammates and his father Tim Feller to compete for the U.S.
"It's an honor any time you get to wear the USA jersey," Bryon Feller said. "To sleep in our own bed will be really nice. It's the best competition in the world. Hopefully, we will represent everyone well."
The world championships are hosted every two years. In 2012, the Mount Vernon team finished fourth place in the world championships in Switzerland in the 580 kilo class. The top three teams in each event receive medals.
"It's the best any team from the U.S. has ever done," he said.
Feller is excited about the opportunity to represent the U.S. with his father on the same team. Bryon's father, Tim, has been involved with the Tug-of-War sport for 40 years.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Bryon Feller said. "Not many people get to do that. It means a lot. He got me into the sport. He has given it his all."
Feller said his father has taught him about the importance of hard work to become successful and building camaraderie with teammates.
"Everyone wants to win," he said. "Some of the work we put in isn't always fun all the times. Once we go to a competition, we see it pays off."
The Mount Vernon team will compete in the 640 kilo world championship Sunday and are working to get a U23 team together.
"Our bread and butter is our 580 and 640 classes," he said. "They are the ones that have a good chance to medal. I think there are a lot of big and strong teams in the 700 kilogram class. Our goal is to come home with a medal in one of the weight classes."
Madison representatives are eager to kick off this year's world championships.
"This is the type of event that fits Madison perfectly," said Jamie Patrick, director of Sports Sales and Program Development for the Madison Area Sports Commission. "With the grounds of Olin Park and Lake Monona serving as a beautiful backdrop for these competitions, we're delighted to be able to host so many teams from around the world in our community."
Feller won't have to drive too far to compete in his first Tug-of-War International Federation World Championships starting Thursday in Olin Park in Madison. The world championships are sponsored by the Madison Area Sports Commission, and there will be a local flavor in this year's event Thursday through Sunday.
Feller, 35, of Monticello, is on the Mount Vernon Tug-of-War team that won the 580 kilogram, 640 kilogram and 700 kilogram Tug-of-War national championships at the Green County Fair. That qualified the Mount Vernon team to compete in the world championships. Feller will pull on the 700 kilo team in the open competition Thursday. He will then pull in the 700 kilo USA national team Saturday. Thirteen countries have a team set to pull Saturday in the world championships closed event.
Feller has been part of the Mount Vernon Tug-of-War team for several years. He will team up with six other Mount Vernon teammates and his father Tim Feller to compete for the U.S.
"It's an honor any time you get to wear the USA jersey," Bryon Feller said. "To sleep in our own bed will be really nice. It's the best competition in the world. Hopefully, we will represent everyone well."
The world championships are hosted every two years. In 2012, the Mount Vernon team finished fourth place in the world championships in Switzerland in the 580 kilo class. The top three teams in each event receive medals.
"It's the best any team from the U.S. has ever done," he said.
Feller is excited about the opportunity to represent the U.S. with his father on the same team. Bryon's father, Tim, has been involved with the Tug-of-War sport for 40 years.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Bryon Feller said. "Not many people get to do that. It means a lot. He got me into the sport. He has given it his all."
Feller said his father has taught him about the importance of hard work to become successful and building camaraderie with teammates.
"Everyone wants to win," he said. "Some of the work we put in isn't always fun all the times. Once we go to a competition, we see it pays off."
The Mount Vernon team will compete in the 640 kilo world championship Sunday and are working to get a U23 team together.
"Our bread and butter is our 580 and 640 classes," he said. "They are the ones that have a good chance to medal. I think there are a lot of big and strong teams in the 700 kilogram class. Our goal is to come home with a medal in one of the weight classes."
Madison representatives are eager to kick off this year's world championships.
"This is the type of event that fits Madison perfectly," said Jamie Patrick, director of Sports Sales and Program Development for the Madison Area Sports Commission. "With the grounds of Olin Park and Lake Monona serving as a beautiful backdrop for these competitions, we're delighted to be able to host so many teams from around the world in our community."
