Why have a World Championship?

In some sports they may encourage you to fight for the team, give your all for the cause, even encourage you to compete to the death. Not many take this literally, and perhaps the one world championship where you shouldn’t be taking it seriously, a competitor did, with tragic consequences.

Russian Vladimir Ladyzhenski lost his life whilst competing in the Sauna World Championships in Finland, with the fellow finalist Timo Kaukonen still in hospital with severe burns. Read more.