As the “founder and self-appointed captain” of Beard Team USA, he was responsible for bringing the sport of competitive bearding to the United States in 2003.
Since then, things have, well, grown.
“It really is quite amazing,” Olsen said from his home in California. “Interest in bearding worldwide has taken off.
“You see more and more facial hair everywhere you look, and every time, it feels like a little victory for me. Men are finally liberating themselves.”
The weird world of ‘competitive bearding’
Olsen is one of the “bearders” behind the World Beard and Mustache Championships, which took place in Portland, Oregon, this weekend. Hundreds competed in categories including “full beard natural,” “full beard styled mustache,” “imperial” and “freestyle.”
World’s most frustrating objects
Interest in bearding worldwide has taken off.
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Where now for the beard? Peterkin believes that the nature of fashion is such that every peak will be followed by a trough, and we shall soon see a decline in the level of enthusiasm for facial hair.
Olsen, however, thinks the revolution is only beginning.
“People need to realize that not all beards are created equal,” he said. “There is a beard to suit every face. They can be groomed, they can be cleaned, and they can be tamed.
“As soon as people start to realize that having a beard isn’t the same as not brushing your teeth or taking a shower and that there’s something for everybody, the sky’s the limit.
“Men need to break free. I would like to see the beard championships grow and eventually become on a par with the Olympics.”
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