Championship Title Contender in the Unexpected Shin Kicking Competition
The annual Shin-Kicking World Championship, a unique and quirky sporting event, took place recently at the Cotswold Olimpick Games on Dover's Hill in Gloucestershire, England. This traditional English rural contest, over 400 years old, retained its reputation for toughness, despite the modern safety measures in place.
The defending champion, whose name remained undisclosed, emerged victorious after a series of intense contests, leaving his opponents with a series of contusions. Approximately 2,000 spectators watched the action unfold, their eyes fixed on the competitors as they vied for the title of world champion of shin-kicking.
Historically, shin-kicking dates back centuries as a rustic rural competition. Early contestants sometimes wore iron-capped boots and even hardened their shins with hammers, making the contests extremely painful and brutal. This harshness eventually led to bans on the sport at times. However, the event has survived as part of traditional English rural culture and has been revived as a unique folkloric contest.
Competitors face each other and aim to strike their opponent's shin to force them to the ground, typically while both hold each other's shoulders for balance. The winner is the first to force the opponent to the ground a certain number of times, often two falls in a round. Participants often wear white coats and white hats, and softening the impact with straw or similar padding on the shins is sometimes used for safety in modern times.
One of the most anticipated matches was between the defending champion and many participants, who faced him for the first time. Volunteers for the event should have strong legs and a hard head, reflecting the physical demands of the sport. Shin guards are prohibited in this discipline, adding to its unique nature.
The competition was started as a form of defiance towards the Puritans, making it a symbol of English spirit and resilience. Mike Newby, the world champion of shin-kicking, was defending his title. He prepares for the event by doing martial arts and hitting his shins with a hammer, a testament to the sport's toughness.
Despite his victory, the defending champion announced his retirement after the match, leaving the title up for grabs next year. His fiancée suggested that he should focus on the wedding instead of shin-kicking, a sentiment shared by many.
The event, organised by the Robert Dover's Games Society under the presidency of Andy Norton, takes place in England, attracting participants and spectators from far and wide. Paramedics are present at the event to ensure the safety of all participants. Elimination matches follow one another, and the objective is to inflict bruises, not to score goals.
The Shin-Kicking World Championship is a historic, somewhat eccentric sporting event celebrating an old English tradition with a blend of competitive combat and cultural festivity. It is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the English people, a tradition that has survived for centuries and continues to captivate audiences today.
After his successful defense of the title, the revered shin-kicking champion decided to hang up his boots, trading his white coat and hat for a tuxedo in preparation for his upcoming wedding. The sport of shin-kicking, known for its physical demands and unique nature, will now see a new contender vying for the world championship title next year.
