Novikov, it was commonly accepted, should do well in the loading race. Spectators recalled past performances, as people attempted to predict how well each of the 30 individuals would fare. But once the athletes had finished, this gave way to quiet contemplation and analysis as the course was reset. Conscious of the heat, the competition’s crew ran over to the athletes with ice and hand fans, dumping water over their backs like trainers do with racehorses.Īs the strongmen competed, the crowd predictably went wild, with hysterical shouting and screaming.

The strongmen, wearing sweat-soaked T-shirts and large lifting belts around their waists, heaved and sprinted and heaved again, slumping over the platform after lifting the final object. Photograph: Joe Martinez/World’s Strongest Man Spectators recalled past performances as they sought to predict how each competitor would do. The event involves athletes racing to lift five heavy things – a big stone ball, a 275lb anvil, a beer barrel and two sandbags – off the ground, and carry each of them, running about 20ft before dumping them on a four-and-a-half-foot-high platform. They were here for the “loading race”, a fan favorite and the opening event of this year’s contest. The first glimpse of the towering athletes was met with lusty applause, some of the strongmen raising giant arms in response. The sporadic palm trees lining the mall offered little respite from the belting sun and scorching temperatures, which reached 97F (36C) on the first two days.īy 8am on Tuesday 24 May, hundreds of spectators had gathered, many wearing tank tops and T-shirts bearing the names of favorite strongmen, some waving signs, others armed with Sharpies and cellphones, hoping to collect signatures and selfies. It was an attractive location but an unforgiving one, with the athletes competing on an exposed strip of land. This year’s strongman competition was held on the Capitol Mall, in front of the looming white dome of the California state capitol building. It will support our army and the men who defend our country. “Whatever the country that wins this competition, its people will be the strongest nation,” he says. Photograph: Andri Tambunan/The GuardianĪfter friends died and he was forced to shelter underground as Russian forces shelled Kiev, the war in Ukraine has provided Novikov with extra motivation.

Rob kearney strong book