The worlds two best thumb wrestlers are husband and wife and live together in their marital home – which begs the question as to who is under the thumb?
Paul, 36 and Becky Browse, 29, entered the annual competition – which draws contenders from around the globe – for the first time three years ago.
The World Thumb Wrestling Championships have been running for 10 years Paul claimed his victory in 2016 and 2017, the second-time champion dad of three.
Thumb-master Paul said: “It’s not all about size, you can be tactical as well, like me- my thumbs are just quick and nimble and that’s what’s important.
“Mine’s about three and half inches when stretched out, maybe one and a half inches in girth.
“In the first year that I won, the last guy I was against had a massive thumb, it was absolutely huge and almost didn’t fit into the arena.
“I didn’t take my first competition in 2016 seriously when my brother-in-law asked me to get involved, but this year, I had to defend my title so it got really serious.”
The competition features a women’s and men’s division all competing to be the best thumb wrestler in the world.
Paul said: “Over the last year, I’ve followed a very serious regime, lots of thumbs up and thumbs down, thumb presses and stuff.
“I don’t really want to tell you too much about this because the opponents will be absorbing all of my tips and tricks for next year.”
Wife Becky Browse, who is an administrator, was champion in the women’s division last year but lost her title this year when she ran out of time in her finale match.
Paul said: “You compete in three matches against each opponent, all of which are one minute each.
“Thumb wrestling gets really intense, you don’t ever make eye-contact once you’ve started, but you keeps your eyes on the opponent’s thumb.
“It’s like a mix between 110m hurdles and world championship boxing, you have to be strong and aggressive, and agile and tactical, it really is a mixture of sports.
“The competition does take its toll after a while, you don’t want to expel all of your energy at once and you do need to pace yourself.
“You’ve got to be strong, aggressive, agile and tactical, and very brave and it does get sweaty- in the breaks between the matches, you do need to wipe your thumb off.
“I follow a strict diet of carbohydrates only on the night before I compete, and during the competition I ensure I have bananas and chocolate snacks to hand.”
Paul, who is an offshore diver, has three children but says that he is keeping them away from the sport until they are old enough to decide if it is for them or not.
The family, who live in Lowestofte, Suffolk are training for this year’s championships, which are at a venue that is yet to be confirmed.
This year’s championships were held at The Locks Inn, in Suffolk, but the competition will be moving to Epic Studios in Norwich, Norfolk.
Paul said: “When my thumbs aren’t sipping on whisky sours and fine wine, lapping up Mediterranean sun, or winning world titles, they like to join me carp fishing and watching motorcycle racing.
“I’m nimble and fierce- I advise anyone who challenges me to bring a thumb First Aid kit, splints, bandages, absolutely everything.”
