Boxing on the Teufelsrad, Oktoberfest 2008

The ride is called the Teufelsrad (which translates to something like The Wheel of the Devil). After enjoying multiple beers and bratwurst in the festzelt, my German colleageThomas, his girlfriend, and two other friends went to try the Teufelsrad, which is supposed to be the oldest ride at Oktoberfest (1910).

They alternated by playing variations of hanging on in a pig pile of people, while they turned up the speed on the turntable, until the centrifugal force becomes too much.

Then they had guys in lederhosen, holding on to a rope ring in the center, while straddled by girls in dirndls. That was cool.

Then they did boxing. They give gloves to two guys to box and a whistle to a girl to referee (and just generally try to avoid getting clocked, herself).

After seeing a couple of rounds of this go down, I just had to try it.

I jumped into the center and raised my hand, saying Ich bin Amerikaner! Ich bin Amerikaner! The old Bavarian guy, who is the MC/heckler, pointed to me and motioned to give him(i.e. me, the American) the gloves. And whom shall we have him fight? Ah, yes, der jong Max Schmelling.




The footage you see was taken by Thomas and is actually only the last 2 times of about five times that I hit the floor. I think he broke my nose—seriously, I havent breathed right since then, and it was sore for days. I cant even get Thomas to tell me what the old guy was saying about me, while I was getting my ass kicked. :)

but it was so much fun!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Teufelsrad
• Oktoberfest
• Weisn
• boxing
• travel