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By Mike Barnhardt

Enterprise Record

Hunter Kelly can’t grow a nice, full beard.

He really can’t.

But what about that moustache?

It’s the best. Really, it is.

Last weekend at the Honest Amish National Beard and Moustache Championships in Daytona Beach, Fla., Kelly came home with the Best Handlebar Moustache award.

The Mocksville man, 24, has sported a moustache off and on for several years, but began letting it grow about two years ago.

Last year, he also entered the contest. “I was robbed,” he said, quickly adding that there is a lot of friendly banter among competitors.

He was convinced by social media followers not to cut it, and then a company sent him some wax for his moustache as a sponsor. “It snowballed from there,” he said. “We have three times as many watching on Tik Tok and Instragram.”

Yes, there was a prize. And no, he’s not a professional. Kelly is a personal trainer in Mooresville.

“This is my side job, but not lucrative. I like to call it bragging rights,” he said. “We have a friendly community, and it’s great to get together. It’s a great time.”

While in Florida, he was part of the world record longest moustache chain – 20 feet and four inches.

His family has mixed feelings about his new look. His dad sports a goatee.

Kelly plans to enter the competition next year, and had these words for other contestants.

“They had better get used to seeing it (first place) on me.”