Bearded champions
Most men can grow a half-decent mustache, beard or sideburns. But the contestants at the Beard Championships in Leogang, Austria take facial hair very seriously. We show the best hairy works of art.
Hairy battle
A total of 350 men from 20 nations were battling it out to win a title in 18 different categories as not all beards are created equal, of course. But the jury's verdicts were not always unanimous.
A beard less ordinary
Whether combed, colored, curly, decorated - or all of the above, as you can see here - the 1,500 people who came to see the event were not disappointed.
The Kaiser - the beard that is
In 1900, no one would have batted an eyelid seeing one of those - the "Kaiser mustache" with its curled up ends. This style even has its own category at the World Cup. The US' Jackie Lynn managed to steal that crown from Germany's Eugen Hipp. And the US never even had a Kaiser!
US glory
This man from New York City is flying the flag for his hometown. The other US contestants didn't do too badly either. They took six of the 18 titles available, more than any other country.
Attention to detail
It's a tough job being on the jury, as every little detail counts. If, for example, a beard is not combed in the correct way, points are immediately deducted.
Full and mighty
One of the classic categories is the full beard. This year, local top beard Hans Gassner clinched that title. But the men in this picture look like they're auditioning to play with famously bearded rock legends ZZ Top.
2017 World Cup in Texas
If you lost out this time, do not fret and don't shave off that beard! In two years' time you can try your luck at the next championships in Austin, Texas in the United States.