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User:JoshFight/Josh fight

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This page serves as draftspace for an expanded version of the Josh fight article, which has been restructured and better-referenced. Last updated May 25th, 2021.

JoshFight/Josh fight
DateApril 24, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-04-24)
VenueAir Park, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Coordinates40°51′31″N 96°47′03″W / 40.858689°N 96.784136°W / 40.858689; -96.784136
Organised byJosh Swain
Participants100+ and 700-2,000 (spectators)

The Josh fight was a viral internet meme, mock fight and charity fundraiser at Air Park in Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 24, 2021.[1] The event was originally conceived by 22-year-old civil engineering student Josh Swain[2] from Tucson[3], Arizona[4] on April 24, 2020.[5][6][7][8] It gained popularity after a screenshot of a Facebook Messenger group chat involving several users named Josh Swain spread widely on the internet.[9][10][11]

Swain encouraged participants of the chat to meet at a set of coordinates and compete for the right to use the name Josh[12][13]. The event, though initially intended as a joke, drew a crowd of 700[14][15]-2,000[16][17] on the day of the event[18].[19][20] Despite the title, the gathering was lighthearted and there was no actual violence involved.[21][22][23][24] The Wall Street Journal wrote that the event became a "global news phenomenon."[25]

Background

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On April 24, 2020, ten[26] Facebook Messenger users, all named Josh Swain[27], were added to a group chat that read,

Josh Swain (event creator) – You're probably wondering why I've gathered you all here today[.]

Unknown – Because we all share the same names....?

Josh Swain – Precisely, 4/24/2021, 12:00 PM, meet at these coordinates, (40°49′20″N 96°47′54″W / 40.8223286°N 96.7982002°W / 40.8223286; -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[.][28][29]

Swain explained the idea for the event was conceived out of boredom from the COVID-19 lockdowns[30][31][32][33][34] and out of frustration from being unable to receive an exclusive handle on social media due to the high frequency of people who shared his name[35][36], but did not expect the invitation to go viral.

joshua swain  
@joshswainaz

there can only be one https://pic.twitter.com/VPamxjJ0yL

April 24, 2020[37]

Swain posted a screenshot of the conversation on Twitter the same day. The tweet received 64 thousand likes and 21 thousand retweets within two weeks.[38][37] Although Swain said the tweet was, "entirely a joke[39]," the conversation became a meme on social media.[40][41][42] Days before the event, Swain took to Reddit in order to announce a fundraiser for the event to benefit the Children's Hospital & Medical Center (CH&MC) Foundation in Omaha, Nebraska, along with a request for non-perishables to start a food drive for the Food Bank of Lincoln.[6][40][43] In the same post, Swain also encouraged attendees to bring pool noodles as mock weapons for the planned fight.

Swain picked Lincoln, Nebraska as a site for the event due to its central location within the United States. However, the specific, randomly-picked[44][45] coordinates were located on private property. The property owner did not agree to host 'such a ridiculous event',[21] and as such the fight was relocated[46] to Air Park approximately 2.6 miles (4.2 km) away.[47][48]

Event

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On the chosen day, nearly a thousand people, including at least 50 named Josh, congregated at Air Park.[6][22][49] Attendees came from as far as New York, Washington, and Texas, with some dressed in superhero and Star Wars costumes.[5][50][51][52]. Others came suited with DIY costumes, consisting of body armor fashioned from soda 6-pack boxes, fast food packaging, and other objects brought in from home.

Three 'fights' were held – one game of rock paper scissors[43] for those named Josh Swain, a second with pool noodles[53][54] for all attendees named Josh, and a third and final all-in battle for anyone in possession of a pool noodle willing to participate.[55] Only two of the individuals in attendance were named "Josh Swain" – Josh Swain, the event's creator, beat a rival 38-year-old Josh Swain from Omaha in the rock paper scissors event.[25][56][57][58] A local four-year-old boy named Josh Vinson Jr., dubbed 'Little Josh', who had been treated at Children's Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha for seizures when he was two years old[59][60], was declared the overall winner.[61][62][63] Vinson Jr. was crowned with a paper crown from Burger King as well as a replica AEW World Championship belt.[48][56][64][65] Vinson Jr.'s father, Josh Vinson Sr., said afterward that his son had "had the time of his life."[25]

Joshua Vinson, Jr.

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Joshua Vinson, Jr., colloquially called "Josh" or "Little Josh" was proclaimed the winner[66] of the event by other attendees, winning the pool noodle mock fight for all attendees named Josh. Vinson was subsequently crowned with a Burger King-branded paper crown, as well as a replica AEW World Championship belt and a small trophy. Dubbed "Little Josh" by the crowd, who went on to chant this nickname as he was crowned; some other attendees subsequently dubbed the four-year-old "King Josh".

A local from Nebraska, Vinson Jr. was treated at the Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha at the age of two for seizures. Coincidentally, the event also raised money for that same center.

Fundraisers

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The gathering raised over US$13,300 for the Children's Hospital & Medical Center—over 13,000% of its initial goal of US$1,000—and collected over 1,800 pounds (800 kg) of food for the nearby food bank.[6][67] The Center has since shown appreciation for the fundraiser on social media.[68]

Additionally, an online fan teamed up with Vinson Jr.'s father to start a college fund[69] for the winner via internet fundraising service GoFundMe. While this fundraiser aimed to raise $10,000, it had raised only $1,360 from almost fifty patrons as of April 29th, 2021. Artists from RelentlessMerch also started a merchandise range with designs featuring an artistic likeness of Vinson Jr.[70], donating US$8 per item sold[71], or 38-41% of the revenue[72].

Aftermath

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Media coverage

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The mock fight was covered by a number of outlets from all across the globe. The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Daily News, the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox News and hundreds of other media outlets in the US covered the story. It was also covered in Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, Italy, France, New Zealand and Germany. The event was covered by media in at least thirty countries.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page)., United States of America.</ref>

Google Maps listings

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Air Park, the venue of the event, was satirically renamed to "Legendary Josh Battlefield" (see right) on Google Maps by fans of the event on April 24th, 2021. During this time, the newly-renamed venue was also designated a 'religious destination'[73] by fans. The change was undone on April 27th 2021.

Following its removal, a new listing of the same name was erected separately to Air Park across Google services. Designated a 'historical landmark' on the platform, it contained dozens of unrelated, meme-related images.[74] As of April 28th, 2021, it had over 188[75] five-star reviews, before being removed circa May 2nd, 2021. As of May 25th, 2021, all listings for the "battleground" on Google Maps were removed, with none remaining.

Future events

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Potential second Josh fight

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“It’s kind of like asking, ‘Hey, do you want to do a blind half-court shot again?’ It’s like, ‘Yeah, I mean, that would be awesome[...]it would have to be like, a lot more controlled, a lot less spontaneous. But I think there is definitely that potential there.”

— Josh Swain, interview with ABC-8 News Nebaska, on the possibility of another Josh fight[76]

In an interview with KLKN (a local ABC affiliate from Nebraska), event creator Josh Swain stated that creating another Josh fight would be difficult, but that he would be open to the idea[71]. However, no concrete plans have been made for a second fight, and it seems unlikely in the near future.

Other events

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Meanwhile, many similar, homage events have already been planned with different names, such as Kyle, Karen, Heather and Nathan; screenshots of which have been circulated via Facebook meme groups. However, it appears unlikely such an event would actually go ahead in the near future.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Josh fight: Hundreds battle over rights to name at US park in event that went viral". uk.news.yahoo.com. Yahoo Newsflare. April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Scripps National, Associated Press (April 27, 2021). "Hundreds show up in Nebraska for fight over name Josh". KMGH. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Hundreds of people named Josh show up to Nebraska park to "fight" for their name". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  4. ^ "Phoenix student sparks viral 'Josh Fight' in Nebraska". 12news.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Josh fight: Crowds show up in US park for pool noodle battle to win rightful ownership of their name". Sky News. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Paybarah, Azi (April 26, 2021). "Josh Is the Name, and They Will Fight You for It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Hundreds show up in Nebraska for fight over name Josh". Huron Daily Tribune. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  8. ^ "Nebraska man challenged everyone he could find with the same name as him to a fight - and hundreds showed up". The Independent. April 25, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  9. ^ Pellot, Emerald. "What is the Josh fight? Social media users are preparing for an epic battle". In The Know.
  10. ^ ""Josh fight" began a year ago. Last week, a crowd of people named Josh showed up to duel with pool noodles". Washington Post.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "Viral meme results in wholesome 'Josh fight'". Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  12. ^ "Editorial: Joshing around for a good cause". Bangor Daily News. April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  13. ^ O'Neill, Natalie (April 26, 2021). "Hundreds of people named Josh battle in mock-duel over shared name". New York Post. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  14. ^ "Josh fight: Hundreds join friendly battle for naming rights". BBC News. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  15. ^ "Watch now: Hundreds show up for Josh fight in northwest Lincoln". Lincoln Journal-Star. April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ Seline, Libby. "'Little Josh' dubbed winner of the Battle of the Joshes; community also benefits from event". JournalStar.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  17. ^ “I am having, like, an out-of-body experience. I’m sitting in my hotel room alone, just trying to act like I wasn’t with 2,000 people just fighting for their name. It’s incredible.” Event creator Joshua Swain to the Lincoln Journal Star, April 24th 2021
  18. ^ (KPNX), NBC News 12. "Phoenix student sparks viral 'Josh Fight' in Nebraska". 12news.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Why Dozens of People Named Josh Battled It Out With Pool Noodles". CBC Radio. April 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ -- "As It Happens: April 26, 2021 Episode Transcript". CBC Radio. April 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) For a transcript only consisting of parts of the interview pertaining to Joshua Swain and the Josh fight, go here: -- Josh fight and Joshua Swain interview (transcript). Abridged from the transcript of the April 26, 2021 episode of CBC Radio's As It Happens. PasteBin.
  21. ^ a b Hammack, Zach (April 22, 2021). "Calling all Josh Swains: The battle for your name is taking place right here in Lincoln". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved April 24, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ a b "Hundreds show up in Nebraska for fight over name Josh". Associated Press. April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  23. ^ Griffith, Nicole. "Joshes get together to fight in Josh Fight 2021". 1011Now. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ (Video) Hundreds show up for Josh fight in Lincoln, Nebraska, retrieved April 28, 2021. KTV 3 News Now on YouTube. April 25, 2021.
  25. ^ a b c Gay, Jason (April 26, 2021). "The Day People Named Josh Fought in Nebraska". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  26. ^ Johnson, Alyssa. "Josh Swain's Lincoln meme fight leaves Joshes slain from across the U.S." The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  27. ^ Shively, Michael (April 24, 2021). "Massive crowd gathers for Josh Swain battle, started by internet meme". central.newschannelnebraska.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ https://thetab.com/uk/2021/04/21/josh-fight-meme-april-24th-202825
  29. ^ https://news.yahoo.com/hundreds-people-named-josh-gathered-044540079.html
  30. ^ "Hundreds show up in Nebraska for fight over name Josh". Toronto Star. April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ Australian Associated, Press (April 25, 2021). "Hundreds 'fight' over name Josh in US". The Standard. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ "Crowds turn up for inaugural Josh Swain fight". The Independent (British newspaper). April 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ^ "Hundreds show up in Nebraska for fight over name Josh". Fox 28 Spokane (Fox affiliate. Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America. apr 25 2021. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ^ Swain, Josh. "Official Josh Swain Fund for CH&MC Foundation". Almost one year ago, under a spell of pandemic boredom, I made a groupchat of all the people on Facebook that I could find with the same first and last name as mine, and challenged them to fight for the right to keep this common name.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ^ Pavia, Will. "One true Josh emerges from field of fun". The Times. New York City, New York. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  36. ^ Hammack, Zach. "Calling all Josh Swains: The battle for your name is taking place right here in Lincoln". Lincoln Journal-Star. Retrieved April 29, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ^ a b joshua swain [@joshswainaz] (April 24, 2020). "there can only be one https://pic.twitter.com/VPamxjJ0yL" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2021 – via Twitter. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; May 3, 2020 suggested (help)
  38. ^ Paybarah, Azi (April 26, 2021). "Josh Is the Name, and They Will Fight You for It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  39. ^ Tremoglie, Christopher. "Group Of Men In Nebraska Fight For Right To Be Named Josh". The Daily Caller. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ a b Vlamis, Kelsey. "Hundreds of people named Josh met up in Lincoln, Nebraska, to battle with pool noodles over their shared name, videos show". Insider. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  41. ^ "There Can Only Be One: Battle Of The Joshes Brings Hundreds To Nebraska". NPR.org. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  42. ^ Schrader, Adam (April 25, 2021). "Hundreds of guys named Josh went to Nebraska to battle with pool toys". Mail Online. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  43. ^ a b Swain, Josh (April 21, 2021). "IMPORTANT: I am Josh Swain, and here are the official details of the event. See you soon". Reddit.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ^ Press, Associated. "Hundreds show up in Nebraska for fight over name Josh". WCJB. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  45. ^ "What's the 'Josh Fight'? There can be only one... Josh". oregonlive from The Oregonian. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  46. ^ "The 'Josh Fight' actually happened—and a winner for the name has been declared". The Daily Dot. April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  47. ^ Springman, Ashley (April 24, 2021). "VIDEO: Viral event 'Josh Fight' chooses Lincoln as its battleground". KLKN-TV. Retrieved April 25, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  48. ^ a b Best, Paul (April 24, 2021). "Nebraska Josh fight: Horde of dudes named Josh fight for right to name". Fox News. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  49. ^ Raphael, Shannon. "Remember that Viral "Joshua Fight" Meme? It Actually Happened, and It Was Epic". Distractify. Retrieved April 25, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  50. ^ Griffith, Nicole (April 24, 2021). "Joshes get together to fight in Josh Fight 2021". KOLN (TV). Retrieved April 24, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  51. ^ Cohen, Kelly (April 25, 2021). "The #JoshFight is over, all hail 'Little Josh' and his pool noodle skills". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  52. ^ Viral pool noodle brawl started as a 'pandemic boredom' joke. CNN.
  53. ^ "Hundreds 'fight' over name Josh in US". The Border Mail. April 25, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  54. ^ (TikTok) Coan, Max T., And today, only one remained...#joshfight #joshfight2021 #joshfightday #nebraska #childrenofreddit, retrieved April 28, 2021. April 24th, 2021.
  55. ^ Saxena, Akanksha. "Ultimate 'Josh' Fight: Hundreds of men named 'Josh' come to Nebraska to fight over their name". www.timesnownews.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  56. ^ a b Seline, Libby (April 24, 2021). "'Little Josh' dubbed winner of the Battle of the Joshes; community also benefits from event". Lincoln Journal-Star. Retrieved April 25, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  57. ^ "Hundreds show up in Nebraska for fight over name Josh". Twin Cities. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  58. ^ Hooper, Ben (April 26 2021). "Hundreds of people named Josh battle with pool noodles in Nebraska". UPI. Retrieved 2021-04-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  59. ^ Layton, Josh (April 27, 2021). "'Little Josh' fans raise money for college fund after he wins battle of Joshes". Metro. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  60. ^ Acharya, Bhishu (April 26, 2021). "Josh Vinson Jr Age Birthday And Little Josh Instagram". Celebpie. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  61. ^ Cannon, Jay. "Hundreds gather in a Nebraska field for a pool-noodle brawl over the name Josh". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  62. ^ Layton, Josh (April 26, 2021). "Josh, 4, wins huge noodle fight where only people called Josh could take part". Metro. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  63. ^ Flores, Adolfo. "A Viral Tweet Promised A Battle Between People Named Josh And It Actually Happened". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  64. ^ Nambiar, Prerna (April 25, 2021). "Who won the Josh fight? Here's what happened at the event!". HITC. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  65. ^ Papenfuss, Mary (April 25, 2021). "Just Joshin': Mighty 4-Year-old Wins Wild Noodle-Bashing Battle Of Hundreds Of Joshes". HuffPost. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  66. ^ (Image) Pool noodle fights and a game of rock paper scissors ended in Josh Vinson Jr, right, being crowned winner and named "The Josh". Photographer: Ferriera, Kenneth. Lincoln Journal-Star via the Associated Press
  67. ^ Evans, Greg (April 25, 2021). "4-year-old boy triumphs of hundreds of man with same name in first-ever 'Josh Fight'". www.indy100.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  68. ^ Children's [@ChildrensOmaha] (April 24, 2021). "#JoshFight is trending, and we are the lucky recipients of this viral fundraising event! So far, the Joshes have raised $8,000! So awesome! 🙌" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  69. ^ Layton, Josh (April 27, 2021). "'Little Josh' fans raise money for college fund after he wins battle of Joshes". Metro. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  70. ^ "OFFICIAL LITTLE JOSH FUND[R]AISING STORE -- LITTLE JOSH Fundraiser 2021". ItemOrder by OrderMyGear. Retrieved May 2, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  71. ^ a b Nasser, Yousef (May 2, 2021). "After week of their lives, Josh Swain and Little Josh look to the future". KLKN-TV. Retrieved May 2, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  72. ^ The most expensive item is US$21, and the least expensive one is US$18. US$8 is donated to Vinson Jr.'s college fund on AMightyCause for each item sold, regardless of price, meaning that between 38.1 and 42.1 percent of the items' prices go towards the fund.
  73. ^ "Boredom to benefit : The 'Josh Fight' that broke the internet". Israel National News. April 25, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  74. ^ "Legendary Josh Battlefield". Google Maps. April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |Updated= ignored (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  75. ^ "Josh Legendary Battleground listing on Google Maps (April 28th 2021)". CubeUpload (imagehosting site). April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  76. ^ https://www.klkntv.com/after-week-of-their-lives-josh-swain-and-little-josh-look-to-the-future/
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