Gloucestershire cheese rolling: Tom Kopke wins once more

German Tom Kopke was once victorious on the Gloucestershire cheese-rolling tournament for the second one 12 months in a row, pronouncing he “risked his life” to win.

Mr Kopke, 23, who runs his personal YouTube channel, was once considered one of dozens of competition who took phase within the conventional annual tournament down the steep slopes of Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire.

“Last year the hill was muddy and this year it was dry and dangerous and people got injured,” he stated after his victory.

There have been seven races in all, two of them in reminiscence of former cheese rolling winners who’ve since died.

“It was crazy. This year was different,” stated Mr Kopke, who publishes content material to his 366,000 subscribers below the title Tooleko. “I shut off my brain and went for it.

“All the folk on the most sensible stated they have been going to scouse borrow my identify, however that is mine.

“I worked for this. I risked my life for this. It’s my cheese – back to back.”

One spectator from Mr Kopke’s race was once taken to health center from the development, which the native government say is bad and places a pressure at the county’s ambulance provider.

Thousands of other people watched the races from the aspect, most sensible and backside of Cooper’s Hill.

The 2d males’s race was once received by way of Luke Preece, from Gloucester, who flew down the hill race wearing a Superman gown.

“I am absolutely buzzed, amazing… the adrenaline,” he stated afterwards.

“My dad did it, I can’t believe it, it’s amazing.”

The girls’s race was once received by way of London college pupil Ava Sender Logan, 20.

“This is my first time,” she stated.

“I thought it was such a tradition, and I will probably feel it tomorrow.

“It felt reasonably lengthy coming down after which I hit my head. I’m down – that is what issues.”

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 nice, yeah,” he stated.

“I did it ultimate 12 months and got here 2d in my warmth and I assumed I may do it this 12 months and I did.

“I ran as fast as I could and tried to get back up, and this year I did.”