Whiskered winner

OLYMPIA – Burke Kenny said it’s not unusual to notice people staring at his chest.

“I have to say, ‘I’m up here,’” he said, pointing to his face. “Just like a girl.”

Of course, they’re probably not really staring at his chest so much as they’re looking at what’s covering it: an amazingly full and curly brunet beard with auburn undertones that contrast against the straight black hair on his head.

The 26-year-old Olympia resident recently returned from the World Beard and Mustache Championships in Trondheim, Norway, where he took first place in the full beard with styled mustache category. He won the same title four years ago in England, when he became the youngest international facial hair champion.

The international competition featured about 20 categories. Americans brought home six gold medals, four won by Washington state men from the West Side, Kenny said.

“I don’t take it extremely seriously,” said Kenny, who often dons a top hat and vintage jacket for competitions. “I like to be an honorable gentleman and present myself honorably.”

Of course, that’s his approach. What about his competitors?

“They’re out to get me, for sure,” Kenny said. “A lot of people take it really seriously. There’s a lot of drama and a lot of big egos.”