In pictures: Daredevils tumble for glory at Gloucester's annual cheese-rolling race

A German YouTuber and a London thrill-seeker took top honours (and likely a few bruises) at one of Britain’s most chaotic and bizarre sporting traditions: the annual Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling Race.

For the second year in a row, Munich’s Tom Kopke threw caution to the wind, hurtling down the 200-yard, nearly vertical hill after a runaway wheel of Double Gloucester in front of thousands of spectators.

“All the people at the top said they were going to steal my title but this is mine,” a shirtless Kopke declared as he clutched his prize - the 7-pound (3-kilogram) circle of cheese. “I risked my life for this. It’s my cheese. Back to back.”

In the women’s race, Ava Sender Logan from London came out victorious. “I will probably feel it tomorrow,” she said. “It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. I’m down, that’s what matters. I’m fine.”

The origins of this wild event remain unclear, though it’s believed to date back much further than its first recorded mention in 1826.

Take a look below to see the day’s dramatic moments captured in photos.

Participants start in the men's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire (Participants start in the men's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire)

Participants compete in the women's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill (Participants compete in the women's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill)

Participants compete in the men's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire (Participants compete in the men's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire)

Two participants take a tumble in the men's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill. (Two participants take a tumble in the men's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill.)

Ava Sender Logan shows the cheese roll after winning the women's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest (Ava Sender Logan shows the cheese roll after winning the women's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest)

German YouTuber Tom Kopke holds the cheese after wiining the men's downhill race category of the Cheese Rolling contest. (German YouTuber Tom Kopke holds the cheese after wiining the men's downhill race category of the Cheese Rolling contest.)

A signpost warns participants and spectators of the dangers of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest (A signpost warns participants and spectators of the dangers of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest)

A participant rests after the women's downhill race of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill (A participant rests after the women's downhill race of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill)

Participants compete in the men's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill (Participants compete in the men's downhill race category of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill)