Strongman is a strength sport, where athletes compete over a series of events to test their strength in various ways, including lifting barbells and other implements for the heaviest weight or the most repetitions, carrying heavy objects or loading concrete stones to platforms. It originated with the World’s Strongest Man competition, established in 1977, but is now a popular and widely contested strength sport.
Writes Ralph S (L6th)
I started strongman in October 2023 having been going to the gym for a few months, and soon signed up for my first competition. I have been training and competing since then, and my goals are competing at the official strongman games in the USA and the Cumbrian Invitational at Kaos Gym in Preston.
My recent win was at World’s Strongest U23, held at Foundry Gym in Paisley, Glasgow. I took 1st place in the U19 category against stiff opposition from six other athletes, originating from Norway, the USA, Ireland and Greenland. I am proud to have placed in the top three in all my events, including three event wins in the 21” Viking deadlift, the crucifix hold and the atlas stones (my personal favourite event). I am very proud of my performance; my training paid off, with a strong execution of planned techniques on the day.
My next competition is the UK Natural Strongman, England’s Strongest Man, where I will be competing in the U90kg weight class against some of the country’s top athletes. It will be held at Loughborough University on the 9th of February.
