Hungarian Gold Medals at Highland Games

The troops of the multinational UNFICYP mission recently had opportunity to participate in the Highland Games sports event, which dates from the 1700s and evokes Scottish and Celtic culture. The Slovak, Serb, British, Ukrainian, Scottish, Argentine and Hungarian participants of the event were welcomed by UNFICYP Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Kristin Lund.

The sports games organized by the Black Watch Battle Group go back to the 11th century when King Malcolm III of Scotland summoned contestants to a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich. The winner of the race, the fastest runner in the land became his royal messenger.

The modern Highland Games are a Victorian invention that developed and took their present shape after the economic and cultural changes in the late 1700s. There is a document from 1703 summoning the Scottish Clan Grant, which shows that some feats of arms were also involved in the modern-day Highland Games, which are meant to celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture in Scotland and around the world.

Some elements of the games, like the Scottish bagpipes and kilt, have become emblems of Scotland, excellently symbolized by the wear and equipment of Scottish competitors. The Scottish piping and drumming during the daylong hard physical competition in the blazing sun made the completion of the challenging events somewhat more entertaining.

The Hungarians achieved good results at the sports competition. CPL Anita Arnót won the women’s 10-km field running event, and Capt. Attila Tóth was placed first in the traditional Scottish Welly wanging event. The gold medalist of the stone put was Judit Vaszily in the women’s category.

By the overall results, the team of the Hungarian–Serb contingent in Sector 4 came in third at the events unusual to them.