What started as a whimsical challenge of endurance turned into a bizarre news story when the winner of a “lying down” competition was reportedly taken into police custody. The annual event, a satirical jab at the stereotype that Montenegrins are lazy, has a simple rule: the last person lying down wins.
The competition, now in its 12th year, is held in the resort village of Brezna. This year’s winner, Žarko Pejanović, from the northern city of Podgorica, outlasted 20 other participants, enduring a grueling 60-hour marathon of horizontal stillness. For his patience, he was awarded the coveted title of “Laziest Citizen,” a prize of €1,000 (approximately ₹88,000), as well as a free restaurant dinner and a weekend stay at the resort.
However, a dramatic twist unfolded when local authorities, reportedly acting on a tip, took Pejanović into custody moments after he was declared the winner. While the exact reason for the arrest has not been officially disclosed, local sources have suggested it may be related to an outstanding warrant for a minor offense.
According to the competition’s rules, participants are allowed to take a 10-minute break every eight hours for bathroom visits. They are also permitted to use their mobile phones and read books, with the only strict rule being that they must remain lying down.
The competition, which was first established to poke fun at the common misconception that Montenegrins are lazy, has grown in popularity and attracted participants from neighboring countries, including Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. This year’s dramatic conclusion, however, has made it a truly unforgettable event.
