Moment daredevil SOMERSAULTS down hill in pursuit of 7lb wheel of cheese in bonkers annual competition
The mystery man, who was dressed as a wizard, was attempting to break the course record for fastest descent when he did the cartoon-style flip.
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The man ended up backwards as he sprinted down the steep hill
Credit: Alex West
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Audience members watched on in awe as he ended up airborne
Credit: Alex West
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Some turned away as he took a heavy fall on his back
Credit: Alex West
Some audience members struggled to watch as the speedster landed flat on his back after the acrobatic fall.
Incredibly he managed to escape without breaking any bones during the event at Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire on Bank Holiday Monday.
He joined dozens of others in the unofficial competition to chase a wheel of Double Gloucester down the steep grassy slope.
Gardener Will Matthews, 23, from Thornbury, Glos, was in the same race and spoke to the man at the top.
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He said: 'He was dressed as a wizard and he said his name was Tye.
'Apparently he was trying to break the record for the fastest descent.
'I understand he was in the pub afterwards. There were a few people who had to go to hospital with injuries but he wasn't one of them.
'I'm feeling very sore today so he must be really feeling it.'
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The annual cheese rolling festival, which has gone on for over 200 years, attracts people from all over the world determined to keep the strange tradition alive.
Fellow entrant Will, who was taking part in the eccentric competition for the first time, said: 'It was exhilarating.
"It's definitely something ticked off my bucket list.
'I think my mum would kill me if I tried to do it again.'
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The second men's race was delayed briefly after a contestant was carried away from the first event on a stretcher.
German YouTuber Tom Kopke won the event for the second year in a row.
Speaking after the event, he said: "All the people at the top said they were going to steal my title, but this is mine.
"I worked for this. I risked my life for this. It's my cheese back to back.
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"This year was different. I shut off my brain and went for it."
Do you know who the somersaulting man was? Call 020 7782 4103 or email
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Kopke holds the cheese wheel aloft after winning the first race.
Credit: Reuters
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Contestants in the Mens Downhill Race chase the cheese down the hill
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One contestant in the Mens Downhill race had to be supported by medical staff
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