Unusual Sports: Inaugural Flatpack World Championship
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The first Flatpack World Championship, held in London on 4 May 2025, has been won by Hayley McAuley, who is from Wigan in the North of England.
It took her just nine minutes and 33 seconds to build a bedside table and, as such, to be crowned Flatpack World Champion. She remarked that she was “thrilled” to win and that it had been a "rollercoaster" for her.
She added that she had always been "a bit of a machine" as regards flatpack furniture.
Eight competitors took part in the Championship, battling it out to build, as quickly as they were able to do so, flatpack bookcases and bedside tables, which were donated by the British Heart Foundation Charity.
The winner won a golden hex key medal.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
