Sixty-four people are vying for the crown of fastest leg shaker, transforming a habit considered uncouth into a thrilling contest

Mindless habit becomes competitive sport in quest for Hong Kong’s first leg-shaking champion

A habit widely considered unrefined is getting a serious twist with dozens of contestants – shortlisted from hundreds – set to compete in Hong Kong’s first leg-shaking contest this Saturday.

The finals of the quirky competition, featuring 64 contestants vying for the crown in Kai Tak’s Airside on Saturday, follow two qualifying rounds that involved more than 600 participants over the past two weekends.

The event is organised by the World Serious Organisation, a group popular among young people with 345,000 Instagram followers, whose mission is to “take meaningful things seriously” while bringing fun to stressed-out Hongkongers.