The Spanish Village Where People Go Crazy Throwing Ham

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Football or rugby not your thing?

Perhaps your calling is the sport of meat throwing.

Every August, the eastern regions of Spain become the stage for a unique competition.

Although this year's chance has been missed, preparations for 2026 can begin now.

Video footage of the event shows participants launching whole hams into specially marked areas similar to an athletics track.

A long-standing tradition has turned the local competition into a real magnet for tourists.

The tiny village of Carrascosa de la Sierra, with 70 inhabitants, welcomes up to 400 guests in the summer.

The Campeonato de Lanzamiento de Pernil imitates the principles of hammer throwing, but instead of the sports equipment, it uses dried pork ham.

Story by Jam Press (Ham Throwing Competition) Pictured: Footage of villagers in a Spanish village holding an unusual annual competition to see who can throw a ham the furthest. VIDEO: Meat that suits you! Spanish village holds unusual ham throwing competition A Spanish village holds an unusual annual competition to see who can throw a ham the furthest. Footage from this year’s event shows contenders hurling hefty hams into a designated area, reminiscent of the landing area of a hammer throw. The unusual competition takes place every August in Carrascosa de la Sierra. Situated in the Spanish province of Soria, the village is home to just 70 permanent residents – but the population swells to 400 during the festive season. Known as the Campeonato de Lanzamiento de Pernil — the Ham Throwing Championship — the tradition began decades ago as a joke between friends at a local bar. It went viral this year thanks to 24-year-old Taglia Benedicto, who hails from the village and shared a montage of the event on social media. The thrown ham doesn’t go to waste — it’s wrapped in tape and bubble wrap before being launched, and serves as a trophy for whoever throws it the furthest. Tradition dictates, however, that the winner shares it with locals and visitors. This year’s men’s champion was Sergio Garcia, whose throw reached 20.55 meters, according to What’s The Jam. There are also categories for women, who throw the ham from the shoulder; children, who throw the salchichon; and even toddlers, who throw the mini-fuet. What began in 1997 as a quirky idea to liven up the August festivities has become a defining symbol of the village. “The locals are very happy because we have put Carrascosa on the map,” Talla told local media. Carrascosa is not the only town on Spain’s unusual festival scene. Carcabuey, in Cordoba province, hosts an olive pit-spitting championship. Galicia has a special turnip-top-throwing competition. Navarre hosts an espadrille-throwing competition. And in Castilla y León, competitors throw hoes in a bid for glory. EDITOR’S NOTE: Quotes have been translated into English. We recommend that the faces of the children in the crowd featured in the video be obscured before publication. Footage has been blurred for reference. License to use video: (NON-EXCLUSIVE) We have obtained a non-exclusive license from the copyright holder. A copy of the license is available upon request. Restrictions on video use: none.
Air-cured ham in flight (Photo: Jam Press/@talii__128)

The unusual tradition began as a friendly joke in a village pub in the late 90s but has grown into an annual ritual.

To preserve the delicacy, it is wrapped in protective materials, and participants joke that the fall only improves its texture.

Although the champion takes the meat prize, it is customary to divide it among all those present.

Story by Jam Press (Ham Throwing Competition) Pictured: Footage of villagers in a Spanish village holding an unusual annual competition to see who can throw a ham the furthest. VIDEO: Meat that suits you! Spanish village holds unusual ham throwing competition A Spanish village holds an unusual annual competition to see who can throw a ham the furthest. Footage from this year’s event shows contenders hurling hefty hams into a designated area, reminiscent of the landing area of a hammer throw. The unusual competition takes place every August in Carrascosa de la Sierra. Situated in the Spanish province of Soria, the village is home to just 70 permanent residents – but the population swells to 400 during the festive season. Known as the Campeonato de Lanzamiento de Pernil — the Ham Throwing Championship — the tradition began decades ago as a joke between friends at a local bar. It went viral this year thanks to 24-year-old Taglia Benedicto, who hails from the village and shared a montage of the event on social media. The thrown ham doesn’t go to waste — it’s wrapped in tape and bubble wrap before being launched, and serves as a trophy for whoever throws it the furthest. Tradition dictates, however, that the winner shares it with locals and visitors. This year’s men’s champion was Sergio Garcia, whose throw reached 20.55 meters, according to What’s The Jam. There are also categories for women, who throw the ham from the shoulder; children, who throw the salchichon; and even toddlers, who throw the mini-fuet. What began in 1997 as a quirky idea to liven up the August festivities has become a defining symbol of the village. “The locals are very happy because we have put Carrascosa on the map,” Talla told local media. Carrascosa is not the only town on Spain’s unusual festival scene. Carcabuey, in Cordoba province, hosts an olive pit-spitting championship. Galicia has a special turnip-top-throwing competition. Navarre hosts an espadrille-throwing competition. And in Castilla y León, competitors throw hoes in a bid for glory. EDITOR’S NOTE: Quotes have been translated into English. We recommend that the faces of the children in the crowd featured in the video be obscured before publication. Footage has been blurred for reference. License to use video: (NON-EXCLUSIVE) We have obtained a non-exclusive license from the copyright holder. A copy of the license is available upon request. Restrictions on video use: none.
A participant demonstrates preparation for a throw (Photo: Jam Press/@talii__128)

Separate nominations are provided for women with throws from the shoulder, children with salchichones and toddlers with reduced fouettes.

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This year's record was set by Sergio Garcia with a result of 20.55 meters.

Although the event is not as well-known as La Tomatina, it gained widespread attention in 2025 thanks to TikTok videos by local resident Thalia Benedicto.

“We gave Carrascos worldwide publicity,” she said in an interview.

Sourse: metro.co.uk

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