It is the dream of every strongman athlete to make it to the World’s Strongest Man. That dream has another path now, as Official Strongman Games (OSG) has unveiled a new competition that can lead athletes to the big show.
Things are looking exciting for the world of strongman, heading into 2021. Things are looking even better now, as strongman veteran Laurence Shahlaei announced in a video to his YouTube channel, that a new contest is coming to town.
Currently expected to take place November 11-14th, the OSG organizers revealed that they are holding a competition, simply called “The Event.” This is an invitational event with a variety of ways to qualify.
The top 10 winners of the 2020 Official Strongman Games are automatically entered for “The Event.” Additionally there will be regional and online qualifiers, as well as special invitations in order to compete in November.
What To Expect From This Contest
According to Shahlei, “The Event” will be somewhat of a stepping stone for strongman athletes to earn a spot at the World’s Strongest Man. This is because the top three finishers in the men’s open here will be invited to a Giants Live contest.
From there, the three competitors have the ability to become one of the top three finishers at the Giants Live event. If they can do this, it earns them an invite to the 2021 WSM.
There are 11 confirmed divisions for “The Event,” including the new U73kg division for women. Below is a breakdown of all the divisions which will be included in this event.
Men’s Divisions
- Open
- Masters Men 40+
- Masters Men 50+
- Under 80kg (176lb)
- Under 90kg (198lb)
- Under 105kg (231lb)
Women’s Divisions
- Open
- Masters Women 40+
- Under 64kg (141lb)
- Under 73kg (161lb)
- Under 82kg (180lb)
In terms of fan attendance, the hope is that an audience will be allowed at “The Event,” which is slated to take place at the Ocean Center Arena in Daytona Beach, FL. Although that is of course subject to change, depending on the state of things at that point.
Competition Schedule and Events
Throughout the three days of “The Event” there will be six individual events, spanning the two semifinal days and the finals. The top ten athletes from the semifinals move on to the finals.
Below is a breakdown of the entire competition.
Semifinal Day One (Friday, November 12th)
Log Press (1:00pm – 3:45pm EST)
As many reps as possible in 60 seconds
Men’s Weights:
- Open: 165kg (365lb)
- Masters Men 40+: 147.4kg (325lb)
- Masters Men 50+: 115.6kg (255lb)
- Under 80kg: 155.6kg (255lb)
- Under 90kg: 133.8kg (295lb)
- Under 105kg: 147.4kg (325 lb)
Women’s Weights:
- Open: 106.6kg (235lb)
- Masters Women 40+: 79.4kg (175lb)
- Under 64kg: 79.4kg (175lb)
- Under 73kg: 83.9kg (185lb)
- Under 82kg: 93kg (205 plbunds)
Car Walk (4:00pm – 7:00pm EST)
Scored for time, athletes carry car frame for 50 feet
Men’s Weights:
- Open: 453.6kg (1,000lb)
- Masters Men 40+: 408.2kg (900lb)
- Masters Men 50+: 317.5kg (700lb)
- Under 80kg: 317.5kg (700lb)
- Under 90kg: 362.9kg (800lb)
- Under 105kg: 408.2kg (900lb)
Women’s Weights:
- Open: 317.5kg (700lb)
- Masters Women 40+: 249.5kg (550lb)
- Under 64kg: 249.5kg (550lb)
- Under 73kg: 249.5kg (550lb)
- Under 82kg: 272.2kg (600lb)
Semifinal Day Two (Saturday, November 13th)
Deadlift Ladder (10:00am – 12:45pm EST)
Athletes complete four consecutively heavier deadlifts within 60 seconds
Men’s Weights (in kilograms):
- Open: 306.2 / 328.9 / 347 / 369.7
- Masters Men 40+: 265.4 / 288 / 306.2 / 328.9
- Masters Men 50+: 206.4 / 247.2 / 265.4 / 288
- Under 80kg: 206.4 / 247.2 / 265.4 / 288
- Under 90kg: 224.5 / 265.4 / 288 / 306.2
- Under 105kg: 265.4 / 288 / 206.2 / 329.9
Women’s Weights (in kilograms):
- Open: 183.7 / 206.4 / 224.5 / 247.2
- Masters Women 40+: 142.9 / 165.6 / 183.7 / 206.4
- Under 64kg: 142.9 / 165.6 / 183.7 / 206.4
- Under 73kg: 165.6 / 183.7 / 206.4 / 224.5
- Under 82kg: 165.6 / 183.7 / 206.4 / 224.5
Carry and Drag (1:00pm – 5:00pm EST)
Scored for time, athletes carry a sandbag and Husafell stone, and drag a sled pull for 50 feet.
Men’s Weights (sandbag / Husafell stone in kilograms):
- Open: 131.6/147.4
- Masters Men 40+: 136.1 / 136.1
- Masters Men 50+: 99.8 / 113.4
- Under 80kg: 99.8 / 113.4
- Under 90kg: 120.2 / 124.7
- Under 105kg: 136.1 / 136.1
Women’s Weights (sandbag / Husafell stone in kilograms):
- Open: 99.8 / 102
- Masters Women 40+: 79.4 / 79.4
- Under 64kg: 79.4 / 79.4
- Under 73kg: 79.4 / 90.7
- Under 82kg: 99.8 / 90.7
Finals (Sunday, November 14th)
Sandbag Toss (11:00am – 12:45pm EST)
Scored for time, athletes toss six increasingly heavy sandbags behind them, over a high bar.
Men’s Weights (in kilograms):
- Open: 15.9 / 18.1 / 20.4 / 22.7 / 25 / 27.2
- Masters Men 40+: 13.6 / 15.9 / 18.1 / 20.4 / 22.7 / 25
- Masters Men 50+: 9.1 / 11.3 / 13.6 / 15.9 / 18.1 / 20.4
- Under 80kg: 9.1 / 11.3 / 13.6 / 15.9 / 18.1 / 20.4
- Under 90kg: 11.3 / 13.6 / 15.9 / 18.1 / 20.4 / 22.7
- Under 105kg:13.6 / 15.9 / 18.1 / 20.4 / 22.7 / 25
Women’s Weights (in kilograms):
- Open: 9.1 / 11.3 / 13.6 / 15.9 / 18.1 / 20.4
- Masters Women 40+: 4.5 / 6.8 / 9.1 / 11.3 / 13.6 /15.9
- Under 64kg: 4.5 / 6.8 / 9.1 / 11.3 / 13.6 / 15.9
- Under 73kg: 6.8 / 9.1 / 11.3 / 13.6 / 15.9 / 18.1
- Under 82kg: 6.8 / 9.1 / 11.3 / 13.6 / 15.9 / 18.1
Atlas Stones (1:15pm – 3:45pm EST)
Athletes lift six stones in ascending weight, whoever lifts the most stones in the quickest time within 75 seconds wins
Men’s Weights (in kilograms)
- Open: 136.1 / 147.4 / 158.8 / 170.1 / 181.4 / 192.8
- Masters Men 40+: 124.7 / 136.1 / 147.4 / 158.8 / 170.1 / 181.4
- Masters Men 50+: 102.1 / 113.4 / 124.7 / 136.1 / 147.4 / 158.8
- Under 80kg: 102.1 / 113.4 / 124.7 / 136.1 / 147.4 / 158.8
- Under 90kg: 113.4 / 124.7 / 136.1 / 147.4 / 158.8 / 170.1
- Under 105kg: 124.7 / 136.1 / 147.4 / 158.8 / 170.1 / 181.4
Women’s Weights (in kilograms):
- Open: 90.7 / 102.1 / 113.4 / 124.7 / 136.1 / 147.4
- Masters Women 40+: 68 / 79.4 / 90.7 / 102.1 / 113.4 / 124.7
- Under 64kg: 68 / 79.4 / 90.7 / 102.1 / 113.4 / 124.7
- Under 73kg: 79.4 / 90.7 / 102.1 / 113.4 / 124.7 / 136.1
- Under 82kg: 79.4 / 90.7 / 102.1 / 113.4 / 124.7 / 136.1
There will an awards ceremony that takes place after the finals of “The Event” conclude, from 4:00pm – 5:00pm EST.
This contest is shaping up to be a great addition to the list of strongman events for 2021. It gives a massive opportunity to those who can find success here, and beyond.
