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Beauty

World’s wildest beards and mustaches

There was facial hair here, there and everywhere at the Beards and Moustaches World Championship 2011 in Norway, as competitors vied to see who had the most elaborate – and eccentric – handlebars, horseshoes, Van Dykes, Fu Manchus and more.

/ 21 PHOTOS
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Now that's a stiff upper lip

The Beards and Moustaches World Championship 2011 took place in Trondheim, Norway, featuring "the world's most elaborate facial hair."

Contestants are judged in several categories, including "sideburns freestyle" and "Fu Manchu."

Though Germany has historically dominated the sport, the United States has continued a climb that began in 2009 (when the competition was held in Alaska) to vie for the lead, according to the contest's official site.

This year, the USA took home six golds, while Germany garnered seven. 15 countries competed; the man pictured here is Swiss. Click through for some seriously hirsute hijinks.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Going full circle

American contestant Bill Mitchell won the Sideburns Freestyle category.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Catching the wave

Germany's Gerhard Knapp was a prize winner in the freestyle category, which his country swept.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Spread thin

Jake Crage of Britain didn't take home an award for this pin-thin moustache.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Going out on a limb

Overall winner Elmar Weisser of Germany took home first place in the competition for this widly elaborate facial decor.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Hello, Dali

American Johan Dominic won the Moustache Imperial category with this style reminiscent of surrealist painter Salvador Dali.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Groom and bear it

Germany's Pia Weis prepares her husband Hans-Peter for the Full Beard Freestyle event.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Get the point?

This devilish participant is one of 163 who competed for world bragging rights.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Winging it

German competitor Jurgen Daheim (R), and his teammate Karl-Heinz Hille (who took home a prize in the partial beard category) clearly know their country's got a lock on the competition. But will their dominance last forever? The USA's on the rise.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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OctoBeard

This squiggly-bearded competitor takes in the Norwegian scenery. The USA competition will take place in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Winning combo

The competition is held every two years in different locations around the world. Here, a competitor shows off his beard/'stache combo. It's hard to tell where one starts and the other ends.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Cheered beard

American beard enthusiast Rooty Lundvall (not a member of ZZ Top) waits his turn to be judged at the event.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Dis-Orienting

Lutz Giese of Germany poses won first place in the Chinese category.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Keeping it under his hat

Burke Kenny of the US picked up the prize for first place of the Full Beard Natural with styled Moustache category.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Going around in circles

Dieter Besuch of Germany took home first prize in the Partial Beard Freestyle category.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Put on a happy face

Karl-Heinze Hille of Germany was crowned with the first place prize in the Imperial Partial Beards category.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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En garde!

Jurgen Draheim of Germany won first place in the Musketeer category.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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He won by a whisker

Wolfgang Schneider of Germany was deemed tops in his category -- natural moustache.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Swiss bliss

This smiling Swiss participant is thrilled to be a part of things, even though his country only took home four prizes.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Hot wheels

Freestyle champ Dieter Besuch of Germany shows off his free-wheeling 'stache.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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Where the curls are

Germany's Gerhard Knapp prepares for the big show; he was a freestyle full beard winner.

Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
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