REPORTING LIVE Sydney’s Himbo Championship proves that, yes, this city will turn literally anything into an event
BY: Kartya Vucetic
If you’ve ever wondered how far Sydney will go to fill a weekend, the answer came on Saturday: all the way to St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt in 30-degree heat to watch five men do push-ups for glory.
The Sydney Himbo Championships (yes, that’s a real thing) took place under the kind of blazing sun that makes you question God, fitness culture, and the limits of human thirst. We first spotted a flyer for it taped to a George Street pole last month, and honestly, we should’ve known then what we were in for.
Said flyer spotted on George Street | Image: Reddit
The turnout? Slightly grim. The energy? At best, bizarre. The vibes? Strange enough to have me questioning whether I’d accidentally had three margaritas before attending. About twenty spectators braved the concrete inferno to witness what can only be described as a chaotic mix of flexing, panting and forced charisma.
Contestants were judged on the sacred trifecta of Himbo-ness: looks, biceps, and how well they could answer “What’s the best post-gym protein meal?” There were push ups. There were tears. There were long pauses where everyone pretended not to be melting.
This round required the Himbos to wear really small shirts
Ultimately, Colin (or, as one spectator tagged him, ‘Mr Florida’) took out the crown, proving that persistence, a strong jawline, and a general sense of oblivion will get you everywhere in this city.
And while the whole thing looked like a lost subplot from budget version of Love Island, it was strangely wholesome. It was a reminder that Sydney will find a way to turn literally anything into a competition.
Colin, aka ‘Mr Florida’, aka Australia’s Next Top Himbo
Because sure, some cities have film festivals, food expos, or cutting-edge art shows. We have five sweaty blokes doing push-ups in front of a cathedral. And that’s kind of beautiful, in its own deeply unhinged way.
Don’t believe me? Neither would I, so best to scroll down to check out some of the highlights from the afternoon.
