Canada Rocks, Again

Some are born great Canadians, and others have greatness thrust upon them. For the second year in a row, a Canadian has dared to become Rock, Paper Scissors Champion of the World.

Andrew Berger, 29, a Toronto lawyer, thrilled the hometown crowd with a winning throw of paper to take the gold medal and the $7,000 first prize. Berger defeated California student Stan Long, who received $1,500 for his second-place finish.

The Toronto Star (registration required) quotes Tournament Director Graham Walker:

Past champions have appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Ellen Degeneres Show. "Now he is going to be a serious C-level celebrity," Walker said. "It's going to change his life, if not for the next 15 minutes, then for the next year."

The competition can get intense, with participants hurling around as much trash-talking as hands, Walker said. But no actual rocks or scissors are brandished. The losers get over their crushing defeats with a good sense of humour and a beer, he said. While Walker believes the sport is both entertaining and practical, he said it wouldn't work to settle such disputes as softwood or the Iraq war.

"We're trying to keep the game far away from politicians," he said. "We don't think they're ready for it because it's a gentlemen's game and you have to abide by the outcome."

Thank heavens for small mercies.