College Student Breaks 45-Year Greased Pole Walk Record
A University of Alaska sophomore just shattered a world record that stood for nearly half a century at a competition celebrating Indigenous survival skills. Leif Richards walked over 15 feet on a grease-slicked pole, beating a mark set in 1981.
Sometimes the longest journeys happen on the shortest paths.
Leif Richards, a 20-year-old aviation technology major at the University of Alaska Anchorage, just broke one of the oldest records in World Eskimo-Indian Olympics history. On July 16, he shuffled an incredible 15 feet, 4.5 inches across a pole slicked with animal fat, shattering Gene Andrew's 1981 record of 13 feet, 6 inches.
The greased pole walk might sound quirky, but it represents something profound. The event honors the real-life skills Indigenous hunters and fishers need when navigating slippery sea ice, wet glaciers, and fish wheel logs during subsistence activities. One wrong move means a dangerous fall.
Competitors step barefoot onto the grease-covered plank and shuffle horizontally for as long as balance and nerves hold out. The event tests mental focus, core stability, and the survival skill of staying calm when conditions turn treacherous.
Richards' victory came after years of persistence and humility. Just last year at the same competition, he recorded negative two inches on the greased pole walk. That means he didn't even make it onto the pole before falling.
Why This Inspires
Richards' approach to competition shows what really matters. "I come here for the community and to help people out," he told KTUU. "Winning is just like a little fun upside."
He competed at the WEIO in 2022, 2024, and 2025 before his breakthrough moment in 2026. Each year, he showed up not for glory but for connection. The record became almost accidental, a byproduct of commitment to community and cultural celebration.
The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics have brought people together in Fairbanks every summer since 1961. The games preserve traditional skills and stories while building bonds across Alaska Native communities. Events like the greased pole walk keep ancient knowledge alive for new generations.
A college student who couldn't stay on a greased pole one year just became a world record holder the next, proving that showing up matters more than showing off.
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Based on reporting by Google: athlete breaks record
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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