Athletes from around the country arrived in Southport to battle it out for the title of Southport’s Strongest 2023.
There were four categories, Novice, Intermediate and Open men, and Intermediate women (novice being new to the sport/competing through to Open category being the most experienced athletes).
The athletes gave it their all over 5 gruelling events which were:
Event 1 – Deadlift – as many reps as possible in 60 seconds.
Some refer to deadlifts as the ultimate test of strength, whether you agree with that statement or not, picking up a bar loaded with weights and putting it down again as many times in 60 seconds is certainly a test of strength and fitness.
The lightest weight lifted was 150kg whilst the heaviest was 300kg. For context a can of beans weighs around 500 grams. The weights lifted equate 300 and 600 cans respectively!
Event 2 – The CTC Press Medley
Athletes had to pick up from the floor and overhead press an Olympic bar, an Axle bar and a strongman log in order and then in reverse within a 60 second time limit.
The weights ranged from 80kg up to 130kg and if you wanted to relate that to a real world example that would be around 16 large 5kg bags of potatoes and 26 bags respectively!
Event 3 – The Reillys Removals Truck Pull
Athletes had 60 seconds to pull a truck over a 20 metre course using nothing but a harness, a rope and their own strength!
The truck on the day was the Riley’s Removals Scania at a mere 13.5 tonnes!
Event 4 – The Alex Scott Super Yoke
The athletes had to pick up a frame on their shoulders which is 3.5 metres wide and carry 2 IBC containers on the frame over a 20 metre course with the fastest time winning. Weights ranged from 200kg up to 300kg on this event and it certainly pushed all athletes to their limits!
Event 5 – The Gods of Grip Hercules Hold
If you watch strongman on TV you may be familiar with this event. Hercules Hold or Pillars of Hercules the athletes stand between two pillars, pivoted to fall outwards. The athlete must simply hold them up for as long as possible. This excellent bit of kit was supplied by Gods of Grip who also refereed this event. This may sound easy but with added weight on the pillars it certainly an epic grip challenge to finish the day with. The weights used ranged from 100kg up to 160kg with no athlete holding longer than 90 seconds!
After an epic day of competing the following athletes took home trophies.
Intermediate Women
1st Place
Charlotte Warden
2nd and 3rd place were tied on points. After reviewing countback both athletes had the same amount of event wins and placings also. After discussing the situation with the athletes we agreed to have a joint second placing.
2nd Place
Pandy Nicholas
2nd Place
Nicola King
Novice Men
1st Place
Philp Savin
2nd Place
Wayne Griffiths
3rd Place
Samuel Lindsay
Intermediate Men
1st Place
David Brodie
2nd Place
Stuart McWilliam
3rd Place
Lewis Williams (Southport Resident)
Open Men
1st Place
Daniel Chapman
2nd Place
Chris Sharkey
3rd Place
James Appleyard
Organisers said: “A massive thank you to our local business sponsors who have helped immensely with the competition, without their help this would not have been such a success.
Please support our local businesses.”
Alex Scott Ltd – For all your plumbing, heating and gas installation needs.
https://www.alexscottplumbing.com/
Gods Of Grip – Local business supplying grip tools and gym equipment.
Riley’s Removals – Southport company specialising in removals, transport and storage.
https://rileysremovalssouthport.com/
The Mob Club – A modern gentleman’s barbers based in Southport highly experienced in both modern and classic cuts, beard sculpting and open razor shaving.
KC Workwear Sportswear T Shirt Printers – Call KC Workwear for all your workwear, business promotional, personalised sportswear & custom football strips requirements.
Photo Credits
Steve Strongmanfan
Mathew Simpson
Rick McNally
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