Hong Kong man named top Santa

GALLIVARE, Sweden, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- A Hong Kong man was named the world's top Santa in a Swedish competition that included reindeer races, porridge eating and chimney climbing events.

Jim Cheng of Hong Kong bested eight competitors from diverse locations including South Africa and Australia at the 2009 Santa Games in Gallivare, Sweden, The Local reported Monday.

Elisabeth Landby, head organizer of the event, said the participating countries each had different criteria for choosing their representative Santa, but each of them had to endure rounds of chimney climbing, porridge eating, present wrapping and reindeer racing while maintaining jolly dispositions during Sunday's event.

Landby said "several hundred" people braved subzero temperatures to watch the games.