German YouTuber Tom Kopke won the first race of the annual Cooper's Hill cheese-rolling event for the third consecutive year [5].
The victory cements Kopke's dominance in one of the world's most dangerous traditional sporting events, where participants chase a wheel of cheese down a steep hill.
Kopke, who is known online as Tooleko and is 24 years old [4], competed in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, England. He secured the title by outrunning Chris Anderson, a local competitor and Guinness World Record holder. The race consists of a chaotic downhill chase where contestants attempt to catch a rolling cheese wheel.
The cheese wheel used in the event weighs seven lb, or three kg [1]. Because of the steepness of the terrain, the wheel can reach speeds of up to 70 mph [2]. The event drew thousands of people as spectators to watch the descent [3].
Kopke's third straight win marks a rare streak of success in a race often defined by unpredictable tumbles and injuries. By defeating a record holder like Anderson, the YouTuber has established himself as the premier competitor in the current era of the event.
“Tom Kopke won the first race of the annual Cooper's Hill cheese-rolling event for the third consecutive year.”
The continued success of an international competitor like Kopke highlights the growing global visibility of traditional English folk customs, aided by social media platforms like YouTube. His ability to consistently beat local experts suggests a shift in the competitive landscape of the event.
