The high kick is a traditional Inuit event performed at the Arctic Winter Games, the World Eskimo Indian Olympics and other traditional events.
The Inuit one-foot high kick is a traditional competition that is similar to the two foot high kick.
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. It was also used to signal a successful hunt in some communities.[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. In the two-foot high kick, athletes must jump using two feet, touch a hanging target with both feet, and land on both feet, maintaining balance.[3] The event is often considered the most demanding Arctic sport.[4]
The event has its origin in subsistence whale hunting: when a whale was taken, a messenger would run to the village and kick both feet in the air once within eyeshot.[3][5] Villagers would then know to prepare to harvest the whale.[3][5]
As of 2007, the men's record in the event was 2.64 m (8 ft 8 in); the women's record was 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in).[5]
Balance on one foot while holding the other. Kick a target straight above with the balancing foot to reach a target, then land on the balancing and kicking foot.[6]
