A competitor builds up momentum for the weight throw contest at the Torii Station Highland Games in Okinawa, Japan, Saturday, March 18, 2017. (Jessica Bidwell/Stars and Stripes)
A competitor builds up momentum for the weight throw contest at the Torii Station Highland Games in Okinawa, Japan, Saturday, March 18, 2017. (Jessica Bidwell/Stars and Stripes)
A competitor takes part in the weight for height event during the Torii Station Highland Games in Okinawa, Japan, Saturday, March 18, 2017. (Jessica Bidwell/Stars and Stripe)
A man competes in the hammer throw during in the Torii Station Highland Games in Okinawa, Japan, Saturday, March 18, 2017. (Jessica Bidwell/Stars and Stripe)
A competitor prepares for the stone put event during the Torii Station Highland Games in Okinawa, Japan, Saturday, March 18, 2017. (Jessica Bidwell/Stars and Stripe)
OKINAWA, Japan — Gaelic revelry flooded an Okinawa beach over the weekend during the inaugural Torii Station Highland Games.
The Morale, Welfare and Recreation-hosted event featured Celtic cultural staples such as Scotch eggs, bagpipe music and unorthodox athletic competitions featuring kilt-wearing servicemembers and civilians.
Events included the shot put-like stone put, hammer throw and caber toss, in which competitors flip a long, tapered pole.
Army veteran Aaron Rennie came up with the idea for bringing the games to Okinawa, but credited MWR with organizing the event.
“What a great turnout,” he said, as festivities went on nearby. “A lot of these guys are first-timers, some civilians, but most are military.”
Competition was fierce and involved some impressive displays of brute strength.
“Camaraderie. That’s what motivated me [to attend the event],” said competitor Lauryn Burleson. “I wasn’t into it at first, but today has surpassed my expectations.”
