Making History in Finland
Caleb and Justine Roesler have become the first Americans to win the Wife-Carrying World Championship, a quirky yet physically demanding competition held annually in Sonkajärvi, Finland. On July 5, Caleb carried Justine upside down across a 250-meter course that included water obstacles and hurdles, finishing in a record-breaking 1:01.17. Their victory secured not only global recognition but also Justine’s weight in beer — a unique prize tradition of the event.
The couple’s achievement was especially significant given the championship’s history. Since its inception in 1992, only teams from Finland, Estonia, Russia, and Lithuania had claimed the world title. Their win marks a milestone not just for themselves but for the United States, which had long seen its national champions fall short at the global level.
A Sport With Unusual Roots
The origins of wife-carrying trace back to a 19th-century Finnish legend about a bandit named Herkko Rosvo-Ronkainen, who reportedly trained his followers by having them carry heavy sacks or even abducted women. Though its beginnings were dubious, the modern sport is inclusive: anyone can carry anyone, regardless of gender or relationship. The competition now includes various divisions, such as over-40s and women-only categories.
Caleb discovered the sport on a television segment featuring the world’s wildest races. Intrigued, he and Justine entered a local competition in Wisconsin in 2021. Their chemistry as athletes was immediate. After dominating state and regional events, they went on to win the North American Wife-Carrying Championship three times from 2022 to 2024.
The pair credit their success to strength, technique, and trust. They use the “Estonian carry,” where Justine hangs upside down with her legs wrapped around Caleb’s shoulders and her arms under his arms. The method frees Caleb’s hands and allows greater balance and speed during the race.
Training, Family, and Surprises
Training for the event has raised eyebrows in their hometown of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Locals have occasionally reacted with confusion, especially when spotting the pair rehearsing in parks. One memorable encounter involved a dog walker who reacted with visible disapproval, thinking the couple’s unusual practice was a cause for concern.
Despite raising four children, Caleb and Justine have managed to make time for the sport. The trip to Finland was their first attempt at the world title, making the stakes even higher. The most challenging part of the course turned out to be the water jump, something they had never encountered in North American competitions.
Caleb recalls the moment he landed in the water: “I went completely under and swallowed water. I was worried Justine would panic, but she held on.” Justine, from her inverted position, had only a brief warning of what was coming. “I peeked around his back and just thought, ‘Close your eyes, hold your breath, we’re going under,’” she said, laughing.
A Global Triumph
The 2025 edition of the championship welcomed a record number of competitors from 18 countries. Being the first team to run, the Roeslers had to wait anxiously as other teams completed the course. When their winning time held, cameras and microphones swarmed them at the finish line, confirming their place in history.
They beat reigning champions Vytautas Kirkliauskas and Neringa Kirkliauskiene of Lithuania by more than three seconds. For the Roeslers, the victory was validation for their years of effort, travel, and dedication to a sport many still find unconventional.
“It’s not the Olympics,” said Caleb, “but it means a lot. We finally got an American to win.” The win has brought them not only recognition, but perhaps a bit more understanding from the curious dog walkers they encounter back home.