Tom Kopke Triumphs Over Chris Anderson at Annual Cheese-Rolling Event
Tom Kopke, a 24-year-old YouTuber from Germany, outpaced local favorite Chris Anderson to claim victory at the annual cheese-rolling competition held on a hot day in Gloucestershire, England. This marked Kopke's third win in the event, which features a steep and challenging downhill race.
Dubbed the great cheese-off, the race is a fast-paced, physically demanding descent down Cooper’s Hill. The competition pitted the all-time champion, 38-year-old Chris Anderson, against the young contender Kopke. Despite Anderson initially taking the lead, Kopke ultimately prevailed.
Following the race, Kopke commented at the base of Cooper’s Hill:
“If that hill is hell, I’m the devil.”
He also reflected on his mindset during the race:
“I thought: ‘I’m going to get his ass.’”
Kopke secured the prize, a round of Double Gloucester cheese, which he and the other competitors pursued down the steep hill. When asked about his preparation, he advised:
“Shut off your brain and go for it.”
After the race, the two competitors embraced. Anderson, who finished second, admitted to feeling apprehensive at the top of the hill and realized his chances diminished when he saw Kopke speeding past him.
History and Tradition of Cheese-Rolling
The origins of the cheese-rolling event are uncertain, with written records dating back nearly 200 years. However, Anderson, a ground worker from Brockworth—the village hosting the event—and a 23-time winner, speculates the tradition may be around 600 years old. He suggested it might have begun as an ancient pagan ritual intended to bring good luck for the harvest.
Anderson shared his strategy for the race:
“Obviously you need to be fast but overall it’s better to stay in control rather than going flat out.”
Growing Popularity and Global Reach
Once a local event, cheese-rolling has evolved into a global spectacle, attracting participants from around the world. Social media influencers and YouTubers have contributed to its popularity by sharing videos of their daring descents down the hill’s 1:2 gradient.
Kopke, who produces content under the name Tooleko and has nearly 500,000 rs, participates in various extreme activities, including underground Thai fighting and reindeer racing, in addition to cheese-rolling.
The event’s popularity has led to increased media coverage; the BBC broadcast this year’s competition on , deploying three reporters on site and two editors managing a live blog.
Event Structure and Safety Concerns
The race in which Kopke and Anderson competed was one of seven held over several hours. The schedule included three men’s downhill races and one women’s downhill race, alongside uphill races for children and mixed adults, which are less hazardous but physically demanding.
Due to the risks involved, the event has been officially classified as “unsafe.” Murray Stewart, the local council’s lead member for environmental services, stated:
“The cheese rolling is a unique tradition in our county and we have no desire to stop it.”
However, safety groups have expressed concerns about emergency response capabilities in the event of a serious incident involving multiple casualties.
Cheese Condition and Family Participation
While participants often sustain bumps, bruises, and other injuries, the cheeses themselves typically remain intact and edible after the race, even in this year’s high temperatures. The cheeses are refrigerated until use and carefully wrapped to maintain their condition.
Despite Anderson’s disappointment in the race outcome, his family still secured a prize. His son, William, won one of the children’s uphill races, earning a round of cheese. The 11-year-old expressed his intention to continue the family tradition by competing in the downhill race when he is old enough.
