He’s kicking me so hard, he’s hurt himself... on me.
My name is Tom, and I like to challenge myself
because I want to become a legend.
Argh!
So close, yet so far.
Argh, argh.
I’m here in Chipping Campden,
home of ye olde Olimpick sport of shin kicking,
to meet a legend that needs no introduction,
Zac Warren, a three time shin kicking world champion
who’s come out of retirement to teach me about this deadly martial art,
and literally kicked the absolute shin out of me.
My beautiful shin.
Goodbye, sweet prince.
-Hi, are you Zac? -How are you doing, you alright?
-Hi, I’m Tom. -Nice to meet you, Tom.
-How’s it going? -Yeah, all good, man.
[Zac Warren and The Shin Kicking Challenge]
You won the shin kicking championships
three times in a row, is that true?
-Yeah, three times. -Nice.
Tell me a bit more how you got into shin kicking.
I broke someone’s leg in football a few years back, just accidentally.
And then, basically, a bit of a bet at work that I wouldn’t win,
and obviously, I went and won it the first time,
went back and did it again.
So basically, all your work was like,
“Yeah, safe. That’s the guy who broke that guy’s shin,
let’s get him into the shin kicking championship.”
-And you won first time. -Kind of thing, yeah.
And what does it feel like to be the champion of this particular year?
Well, quite surprised actually because it’s been a big joke at work.
And then obviously I’ve come here this evening and won it,
it’s going to be quite interesting when I go back to work Wednesday.
Do you do any other martial arts as well?
I used to do kickboxing a few years ago.
Because you do look really **** hard, that’s the whole thing,
so I’m actually kind of scared at the moment, do you know what I mean?
But how do you become the shin kicking champion?
Did you do any training, or...
No, just turn up on the day really, and hope for the best.
-Really? -Yeah.
And then suffer for weeks after.
What’s the worst injury you got from shin kicking?
Well, broken rib in the semis, the year before last.
-Yeah. -That definitely was the worst.
Nine times out of ten, I break a bone as well, in at least one of my feet.
-Nine times out of ten? -Nine times out ten, yeah.
Cool. So that’s a 90 percent chance
I’m going to break a bone,
-One or the other. -doing this. Nice.
So, this whole thing sounds pretty **** terrifying for my shins
and just for my general well-being.
What kind of things that we got in the way of protection and rules?
You’re better off asking Ben that.
He’s got some protection and the rules, just over here he is.
You’re Ben.
Yeah, I certainly am, how’s it going?
-I’m Tom, nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you too, sir.
So you’re the ref, a.k.a. the stickler?
The stickler, and that’s where the term
‘stickler for the rules’ comes from.
And that’s why I’ve got the stick,
so I can hit you with it if anyone gets out of line.
That's good to know, I guess.
So, how do I protect myself whilst getting the **** kicked out of me?
You’ve only got straw I’m afraid, my friend,
to push as much as you can down your trousers.
Right. So I don’t have any shin pads?
No, all that’s all modern, none of that.
-Just straw. -Straw.
So, this is the straw we’ve got here then, yeah?
Yeah, this is the straw here, that I brought along.
Could you tell me a little bit more about the rules?
-No kicking below the ankle. -Right.
-No kicking above the knee. -Right.
If you let go, it’s against you.
-Obviously, no headbutting? -No headbutting, no eye gouging.
Knees to the balls... hopefully, as well.
Well if I don’t see it, you’ll be alright.
-Nice. -And you literally have to keep
hacking at his legs until he goes down.
So now, I recommend you get your coat on and start shoving as much straw
down your pants as you can.
OK. Thanks, mate.
No problem. I wish you luck.
The things I do to become a local legend.
Put your arms bind onto the shoulders.
Either side of his. Zac, on to his.
Right then.
Gentlemen, ready?
-When I pull the stick out, fight. -Right.
Gentlemen, kick.
**** hard. Oh, **** hell, man.
That was way harder than it should have been.
-Damn it. -Yup.
That was a really **** hard kick, man.
I know it was.
The first kick was like, **** hard, man.
The hay does nothing, man. My ****--
Does nothing.
I’m not going to lie, I thought I’d have at least have a chance.
Right, bind gentlemen.
-Yep. -Kick!
Good kick.
Take down!
Argh, man!
Argh, argh!
It’s when they overextend, all the weight’s on that one.
-Gone. -Well, thanks for telling me, guys.
Right, let’s do the third one anyway, **** it.
I haven’t broken anything yet, so... -You heard the man.
That first kick, I **** hurt my foot on his shin, man.
He’s kicking me so hard, he’s hurt himself... on me.
Fair play to you then. Right, bind.
Ready, kick.
I fell. -Here you go, mate.
I think you might need that to walk home.
I was so close.
I was so close on that one.
I almost ****...
You look like something out of
I almost **** got him on that one, man.
Almost. Ah, **** hell.
That was so painful, though.
Zac, bring it in.
That’s why you’re a local legend, mate.
By three rounds to none,
Zac retains champion.
Fair play, fair play.
So I came up from London today to Chipping Campden,
thinking I was super hard,
and that I was just going to come up against some old, weird fogey
who smelled like he’s been drinking too much cider his whole life.
And I was going to batter him.
But the fact is, I got the absolute shin kicked of me
for three rounds straight.
So, in terms of what I learned about shin kicking...
not a lot.
But in terms of what I learned about pain...
I learned a great deal.
[Legend Status 0% Achieved]
Look at my beautiful...
my beautiful babies.
So battered and bruised.
Don't worry, my friends.
Ah, this is going to be so uncomfortable on the way back.