Athlete's Half-Beard Makes Him a Star

Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi rocks a strange look

By Newser Editors, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2015 11:24 AM CDT

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Athlete's Half-Beard Makes Him a Star — Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi reacts after unsuccessful attempt in the men's high jump during the Athletics Indoor European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, Saturday, March 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

One of the biggest names in track at the moment is an Italian high-jumper named Gianmarco Tamberi. And though he's a decent high-jumper, the reason he's making headlines is because he's wearing a half-beard. Tamberi says it's a good-luck charm, reports Quartz, and he did manage a second-place finish over the weekend at a Diamond League meet in London. (Who finished first? Who knows?) It's a "bizarre facial spectacle," declares Esquire, while GQ has more photos but warns away people with OCD. (Read more beards stories.)