High kick

The high kick is a traditional Inuit event performed at the Arctic Winter Games, the World Eskimo Indian Olympics and other traditional events.

In this competition the competitor stands on one foot, jumps in the air and hits a ball or piece of seal such as a ringed seal, which is suspended from a gallows and then lands on the same foot.

The one foot high kick tests the strength and agility of a hunter.

[1] A short film made by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver shows Arctic Winter Games champion Johnny Issaluk performing a one foot high kick.

[2] The two-foot high kick (akratcheak) is a traditional Inuit jumping event that occurs at many Arctic sports competitions.

An athlete performing a two-foot high kick at the Arctic Winter Games