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The Cotswold Olimpick Games, an event with origins dating back over four centuries, welcomed a new shin-kicking champion during this year’s festivities. Held annually since 1612, the games took place once again on Dover’s Hill near Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire. The competition is hosted in the very arena named after its founder, Robert Dover, a local lawyer who sought to encourage friendly rivalry among the area’s residents.
The traditional rural games feature a variety of challenges, including the long jump, wooden pillar throw, sack race, and the notably intense shin-kicking contest. In shin-kicking, competitors protect their shins by stuffing their trousers with straw before attempting to force their opponents to the ground by kicking. This particular event has maintained its rough-and-tumble character, often eliciting audible reactions of sympathy from the crowd, which numbered over 2,500 spectators this year.
The historical significance of the games is profound, having predated the modern Olympics by nearly three centuries. It is believed that William Shakespeare may have witnessed the event shortly before his death in 1616. The games have evolved over time, at one point including activities like greasy pole climbing with a piglet as the prize, horse racing, hare coursing, and shooting. However, the games have faced interruptions, with former chairman Tom Threadgill noting, “It got shut down for the last time in the mid-1850s because of 30,000 people coming,” and reflecting on its history of bans throughout its 400-year run.
Among the competitors this year was Gareth Way, who is in his second year of participation. He shared insights on the shin-kicking event, saying that while the goal is to kick the opponent’s shins, approximately half the effort involves shoving and wrestling: “You feel that more than you feel your shins,” he joked. The new 2026 shin-kicking champion, Andrew Bailey, was declared winner by the newly appointed stickler, Mike Newby, a three-time former champion. Notably, Bailey competed without straw padding, demonstrating remarkable resolve. Spectators included visitors who traveled from far afield, such as North Carolina, USA, underscoring the enduring appeal of this historic event
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