2014 World Beard and Mustache Champion Madison Rowley is the pride of Portland

This year, 300 people tossed their facial hair into the ring for the annual World Beard and Mustache Championships in Portland, Ore. Home field advantage worked wonders for local Madison Rowley, who took first place in the Garibaldi category, plus the top prize overall.

 

My mom was overjoyed! Thanks again to friends and family who came to show their support!

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Oct 10, 2014 at 10:27am PDT

 

Champion of the World!! Never expected to win first in my category and best in show! Thanks to all who came and showed their support!

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Oct 10, 2014 at 7:39pm PDT

A cinematographer, actor, and director, Rowley has faithfully documented his now-legendary beard’s rise to prominence on Instagram. It’s one thing to assess whiskers like these in the sterile milieu of competition, quite another to behold its majesty in the wild.

 

Stetson

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Oct 10, 2014 at 6:59pm PDT

 

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Oct 10, 2014 at 12:34pm PDT

 

#koernercamera

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Aug 8, 2014 at 9:35am PDT

 

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Aug 8, 2014 at 12:53pm PDT

 

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Jul 7, 2014 at 9:55am PDT

 

Wind slap in the Hood. @harraikhalsa

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Jul 7, 2014 at 7:29pm PDT

 

Behind the beard. More beard. @kylethomaseaton

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Jul 7, 2014 at 1:29am PDT

 

A photo posted by Madison Rowley (@maaddogg) on

Sep 9, 2014 at 12:01pm PDT

Allow us to be the first to theorize that that thing is sentient. Your move, Williamsburg.

Photo via maaddogg/Instagram