Athletes from around the country strode into Southport to compete for the title of Southport’s Strongest 2022.
There were five categories: Novice, Intermediate and Open Men, Novice and Intermediate Women.
Novice is new to the sport / competing through to the Open category being the most experienced athletes.
The athletes gave it their all over the five gruelling events which were:
Event 1 – Axle Deadlift
As many reps as possible in 60 seconds.
The bar the athletes used was 60mm thick, roughly the same thickness as a Coke can! The lightest weight lifted was 100kg whilst the heaviest was 280kg. For context this equates to 50 bags of sugar and 140 bags respectively!
Event 2 – 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 heaviest truck on the day was the Riley’s Removals Scania at a mere 13.5 tonnes!!!
Event 3 – 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 4 – Fingal Finger
The athletes had 60 seconds to flip a giant metal finger over, run round and flip it back with the most reps being the winner. Weights ranged from 60kg up to 150kg!
Event 5 – Saxon Bar Hold
For the final event the athletes’ grips were tested by asking them to pick up an extra thick Saxon Bar and hold it 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 organisers added weight to challenge everyone and the weights used ranged from 20kg up to 50kg with no athlete holding longer than 2 minutes!
Trophy winners
After a gripping day of competing the following athletes took home trophies.
Novice Women
1st Place Jessica Bowen
2nd Place Jayde Harrison
3rd Place Helen Maxwell (Southport Resident)
Intermediate Women
1st Place Emma Hunt
2nd Place Amy Bradburn
3rd Place Charlotte Warden
Novice Men
1st Place Jay Evans
2nd Place Ewan Thompson (Southport Resident)
3rd Place Paul Rogers
Intermediate Men
1st Place Kenny Powell (Southport Resident)
2nd Place Mark Buxton
3rd Place Alex Reid
Open Men
1st Place Vinny Jones
2nd Place David Dempsey
3rd Place Max Rogers
Organiser Stuart Scott 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.
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