September 20, 2026
Tug of War World Championship 2026 in Mossel Bay: some things you have to experience
The Tug of War World Championship in Mossel Bay, South Africa, is behind us. Three of our pullers — Petr Popelka, Kristýna Zemanová and Jakub Kolařík — competed in the colours of the local club Oudtshoorn Toutrek Klub, which invited them into its line-ups for the championship.
Weigh-in was on Tuesday 15 September, and the Club Championship began the next day, 16 September. On day two, 17 September, Petr Popelka and Jakub Kolařík pulled in the men's 640 kg category. That was the end of the competition for us. The following two days belonged to the World Championship for national teams, which we watched from the stands.
Oudtshoorn came to Mossel Bay much as we did — mainly to gain experience on the big international stage. Taking on the best teams in the world alongside people who welcomed us as their own was exactly what we went there for. The atmosphere at the championship was incredible, and the team chemistry in Oudtshoorn was outstanding.
There are things you can describe in vivid detail. And then there are moments you simply have to experience — and this was one of them. Words and pictures are not enough. The energy, experience and friendships we gained in South Africa will keep us going for a long time.
Thank you to Oudtshoorn Toutrek Klub for the invitation, and for making us feel at home halfway around the world. And thank you to everyone who kept their fingers crossed for us.
How we got to the championship is covered in Three of us at the World Championship. The next goal is clear: we want to be at the 2027 World Championship in Italy as a full team.
