Auderghem hosts Christmas tree-throwing championship

The Brussels municipality of Auderghem played host to its traditional annual Christmas tree-throwing championship this weekend, with the winner throwing a tree an impressive 8.72 metres.

This was the eighth edition of the event, Bruzz reports.

“This year no new record distance was thrown, but the good atmosphere was on target,” said Samuel Serck, chairman of the non-profit organisation Motum, which is responsible for organising the championship.

The Christmas tree-throwing championship is gradually becoming a festive tradition in Brussels, with no fewer than 33 groups participating in the team competition this year.

Additionally, 538 individual throwers also attempted to become Christmas tree-thrower of the year. Among them was a remarkable number of children – some 232 – who hurled the 2kg tree into the air.

Because besides being playful and fun, it is also rigorous: all the Christmas trees were carefully calibrated by the judges and the exact landing spot of each thrown Christmas tree is measured by an official jury.

This year's champion was Alexandre Rossini with a throw of 8.72m, so the record remains in the name of Andy Hannon who in 2019 threw a Christmas tree 10.77m.

The Belgian championship was created after the classic Christmas tree burning was banned. For eight years, non-profit organisation Motum has organised the tree-throwing event as an alternative in collaboration with local merchants.

Photo: Gaelle Ponselet/Belga