University of Arizona student Josh Swain messaged multiple users named Josh in April 2020 and challenged them to a group fight scheduled for April 24, 2021. The message immediately became a viral meme – with multiple Josh’s planning to meet up in Lincoln, Nebraska to participate in the ‘Battle of the Josh’s’.
Swain sent the message to the Facebook group – welcoming the Josh’s to battle:
“You’re probably wondering why I’ve gathered you all here today. Precisely, 4/24/2021, 12:00pm, meet at these coordinates (40.82232286 -96.7982002) we fight, whoever wins gets to keep the name, everyone else has to change their name, you have a year to prepare, good luck”.
— The Meme Factory (@_thememefactory) April 27, 2020
A year after Swain put up the challenge, the Battle has finally come to fruition: Josh’s from all across the United States gathered on April 24 to determine who would become the ultimate Josh. The games commenced with organiser Josh Swain and another contender Josh Swain battling it out in a game of rock, paper, scissors – with the organiser taking the first win.
Historic moment: #JoshSwain of Arizona defeats #JoshSwain of Omaha in Rock-Paper-Scissors to become the true #JoshSwain. pic.twitter.com/VJQaqGLs8p
— Yousef Nasser (@YousefKLKN) April 24, 2021
The games continued with the Josh’s fighting in a pool noodle battle – with the last man standing winning the ultimate title of the best Josh. Many of the participants were dressed in Spiderman or Jedi costumes – creating a truly entertaining scene for spectators filming the battle.
The battle was ultimately won by 4-year-old Josh Vinson Jr. who participated alongside his dad. He was nicknamed “Little Josh” by the organizers and was crowned with a paper Burger King crown.
LETS GOOOO LIL JOSH WON #JoshFight #JoshSwain #JoshvsJoshvsJosh #JoshFight2021 #JoshBattle #Josh
pic.twitter.com/K1ARYBwFH9— ye (@Azxurite) April 24, 2021
Swain revealed that the challenge was initially created after he struggled to get the social media handle ‘Josh Swain’:
“For a long time I’ve gone on Twitter and Instagram and I’ve tried to get the handle of just ‘Josh Swain’ and it’s always been taken. One day I was like, ‘All right, we can fix this.’”
Social media users from all across the world tuned into the event through multiple live streams. The event also acted as a charity fundraiser and earned over $13,000 – with proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center.