Latest news with #TomKopke
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cheese Rolling Contest: People sprint to catch a 7-pound wheel of cheese
Every year on a steep hill in Gloucestershire, England, hundreds gather to chase a rolling 7-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a dangerously steep slope. Known as the Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling Contest, the event is chaotic, absurd, and completely thrilling. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With participants tumbling, somersaulting, and crashing their way to the bottom, the headline 'People sprint to catch a 7-pound wheel of cheese' is technically accurate, but it doesn't quite capture the madness, tradition, and injuries that define this bizarre British spectacle. So, is it a good headline? That depends on what you're hoping to convey. What is the Cheese Rolling Contest The Cheese Rolling Contest is an annual event held on Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. Dating back at least two centuries, and possibly much longer, the race involves competitors hurtling down a 200-yard slope after a large wheel of cheese. The goal? Be the first to reach the bottom and claim the cheese as a prize. It sounds simple, but the event is notorious for its steep incline, dangerous tumbles, and frequent injuries. The thrill and risk of the chase The hill is so steep that it's nearly impossible to stay upright. Most participants end up tumbling head over heels, colliding with each other or the ground. Gravity takes over quickly, and the cheese, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph, is almost never actually caught. Still, competitors willingly risk sprains, fractures, and concussions for a shot at glory and a round of cheese. Image: AP 2025 highlights: Familiar faces and dramatic falls This year, German YouTuber Tom Kopke claimed victory for the second year in a row. Shirtless and triumphant, he declared, 'I risked my life for this. It's my cheese. Back to back.' On the women's side, Ava Sender Logan from London tumbled repeatedly but emerged victorious, saying, 'It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now I'm fine.' Around them, spectators packed the woods and fences for a glimpse of the chaos. Is it just madness or tradition While the event may seem absurd to outsiders, for locals and returning participants, it's a point of pride and cultural identity. Despite calls to regulate or cancel it over safety concerns, the contest continues to thrive, drawing international competitors and media attention. Volunteers, medics, and long-time residents treat it as an important local tradition
ABC News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Runners trip, stumble and fall down Cooper's Hill in annual cheese-rolling competition
A German YouTuber has tripped, stumbled and tumbled his way to victory for the second year running at one of Britain's zaniest sports contests. Tom Kopke, of Munich, was king of Cooper's Hill in the annual cheese-rolling competition in which runners plunge down a 180 metre perilously steep pitch in pursuit of a speeding wheel of double Gloucester cheese. Mr Kopke was the first to reach the bottom of the hill behind the cheese. "All the people at the top said they were going to steal my title but this is mine," a shirtless Mr Kopke declared as he clutched his prize. The prize was a 3 kilogram circle of cheese. The contest, traditionally held on the late-May public holiday near Gloucester, about 145 kilometres west of London, dates back at least two centuries, maybe longer. It is attended by thousands, who pack the woods flanking the hill or take cover behind fences at the bottom, as competitors from around the world risk serious injury in the hope of glory. Gravity and acceleration combine to leave few runners on their feet, leading to epic wipe-outs that can result in twisted ankles, broken collarbones and concussions. Ava Sender Logan, from London, won the women's race after somersaulting and rolling at least a dozen times as she clutched her head. "I will probably feel it tomorrow," she said. "It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. I'm down. That's what matters. I'm fine." AP
South Wales Guardian
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Gloucestershire cheese rolling race won again by German YouTuber Tom Kopke
Brave competitors sprinted, tripped and tumbled down Cooper's Hill in Brockworth to try and win the 8lb double Gloucester. The recent dry weather had made the racetrack harder and slower but more dangerous for the competitors who were cheered on by thousands of spectators. The winner of the first men's downhill race was German Tom Kopke, 23, from Munich, who retained the title he won last year. 'It was crazy. This year was different,' Mr Kopke, who runs his own YouTube channel said. 'Last year the hill was muddy and this year it was dry and dangerous and people got injured. 'I shut off my brain and went for it. '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.' Rebel cheese rollers have been staging their own unofficial event after health and safety fears caused the official competition to be cancelled in 2010. The cheese is chased 200 yards down the 1:2 gradient Cooper's Hill at Brockworth. After a year's hiatus, when police warned against the use of a real cheese, the imitation lightweight foam cheese was replaced with the genuine article. Long-time cheese-maker Rod Smart, who has produced cheese for the chase for more than 25 years, once again provided the wheels for this year's event. Four cheeses weighing about 3kg each and three smaller ones, weighing about 1.5kg, are used. The unusual event has been celebrated for centuries and is thought to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring. The official event was cancelled after more than 15,000 people turned up as spectators to watch the 2009 competition. Since then, it has been held unofficially with the police keeping a watchful eye. Local roads have been closed up to two-and-a-half miles around the slope. Some competitors travelled from across the world to take part in the series of madcap races, which attracted TV crews from around the world. The second men's race was won by Luke Preece, from Gloucester, who flew down the hill race dressed in a Superman costume. 'I am absolutely buzzed, amazing… the adrenaline,' he said afterwards. 'My dad did it, I can't believe it, it's amazing.' The women's race was won by Ava Sender Logan, 20, who was racing for the Refugee Community Kitchen, which supports displaced people in northern France and homeless people in London and Edinburgh. 'This is my first time,' the university student, from London, said. 'I thought it was such a tradition, and I will probably feel it tomorrow. 'I can't believe it, I can't believe it. 'It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. I'm down, that's what matters. I'm fine.' The final men's downhill race was won by Byron Smith, 33, from New Zealand, who had to settle for second place last year. 'It feels great, yeah,' he said. 'I did it last year and came second in my heat and I thought I could do it this year and I did. 'I ran as fast as I could and tried to get back up and this year I did.'
Sky News AU
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Sky News AU
Competitors participate in annual Cooper's Hill cheese rolling race
Competitors from around the world arrived in Gloucestershire, England to participate in Cooper's Hill annual cheese rolling race. Thousands of spectators cheered as people tumbled down the hill – however, recent dry weather has made this track harder for participants this year. German YouTuber Tom Kopke won the wheel of Double Gloucester for the second year in a row.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
AP PHOTOS: Runners trip, stumble and roll their way to victory in annual downhill cheese chase
BROCKWORTH, England (AP) — For the second year running, a German YouTuber was the big cheese Monday at one of Britain's zaniest sports competitions. Tom Kopke slipped, stumbled and tumbled his way to victory in the annual Cooper's Hill cheese rolling race. 'All the people at the top said they were going to steal my title but this is mine,' a shirtless Kopke declared as he clutched his prize, a 7-pound (3-kilogram) wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. 'I risked my life for this. It's my cheese. Back to back.' Kopke, from Munich, won the first race of the day as men and women competed in several groups to chase a wheel of cheese down the 200-yard (180 meter) perilously steep pitch near Gloucester, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of London. The first to reach the bottom of the hill behind the speedy cheese wins the wheel. The contest, traditionally held on the late-May public holiday, dates back at least two centuries, maybe longer. It's attended by thousands, who pack the woods flanking the hill or take cover behind fences at the bottom, as competitors from around the world risk serious injury in the hope of glory. Gravity and acceleration combine to leave few runners on their feet, leading to epic wipeouts that can result in twisted ankles, broken collarbones and concussions. Ava Sender Logan, from London, won the women's race after somersaulting and rolling at least a dozen times as she clutched her head. 'I will probably feel it tomorrow,' she said. 'It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. I'm down, that's what matters. I'm fine.' This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
