Well, that's me if you're wondering about the thumbnail picture in the above of a fellow flipping a 450lb tire. That picture was taken 2 months ago, so I've gotten better and little bigger since then. Having a 17-inch arm is no easy task. But it's not the size that counts, its the pure raw strength and power. As y'all might have figured it out, or not, I'm preparing myself for a strongman competition to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 20, 2006 for the
High Desert Challenge II. Only 4 months away. Currently at 188lbs. I need to continue to put on more weight til I get to at or just under 200lbs to meet the under 200lbs weight category. Has anybody in the deaf community ever competed in strongman competitions before besides Andy Medak? A rare breed indeed.
Here are the events for my weight category (under 200lbs or "Lightweight" - LW). The picture you see below as taken by
Mr. and Mrs. Clary. They are the ones to host Desert Challenge II.
Tire Flip - 80 feet - 3 flips each.
All weight category, men flip 500, 800, and 1130lb tires. 90 seconds max.

The tires you see here will be the actual tires for the DCII.
For a perspective on size, take look at the
500lb,
800lb,
and
1130lb tires.
Keg Clean & Press Medley - timed (90 seconds max)
All weight category, men lift 100, 120, 140, 160, 180 and 200lb kegs
Conan's Wheel for distance (90 seconds max)
LW Men carry 500lbs
Truck pull with harness and rope. 80 feet, timed (90 seconds max)
LW Men pull full size truck,
Atlas Stones - timed (90 seconds max)
LW Men lift 180, 240, 260, 280.
The tire flip I expect to flip the 500 and 800lb tires. I regularly flip the 450lb tires up 12 times without much problems. So, the 500lb tire will not be a problem. The 800lb tire I hope to flip it at least once. I'll know more on how I can do with a 800lb tire once I get two more tires later on this week from the local landfill a dollar each for a 600lb and a 800lb tire. The 1180lb tire at this DCII contest is much too heavy for me and will probably be achieved by a heavyweight (over 260lbs). Maybe a very strong middleweight might do it if he weighs closer to 260lbs.
The kegs? I have no idea what I am capable of. I can do a strict military press with a barbell up to 215lbs so far, almost making a personal record of 225lbs. But handling a keg is very different from a barbell. There is sand and water inside of it so it'll "slosh" around a little. I'll know next month when I visit a strongman's house in Albuquerque and try out his implements. But I should be able to do the 100, 120 and 140lb kegs. The 160 might be a challenge. Never handled a keg. Should be interesting.
The Conan's Wheel? Never done it.
This is what it looks like. In that picture, it's 550lbs while the DCII event calls for a 500lb Conan's Wheel lift. You lift it up with your arms while the pole rest in them and you go around in a circle for as long as you can.
Truck pull? Never done but it sure does look fun. But this is the one event that could cause you to end up puking because you'd be breathing so hard. Don't eat before a strongman event. Something like a banana fruit and little drink a few hours before the event.
Atlas stones? Never done it. This might be my weakest event since if you notice the table used to place the stones on, it's high up. Not good for a shorter person. Also, as you may have noticed, no handles! Uber hard to lift w/o handles. But I know a guy in town who owns two Atlas stones weighing 160 and 220lbs that I can practice on. He won't be back from his military duty until later this March. Enough time to try practice in April before the competition in May. But I'll get some first hand experience with the stones up in Albuquerque next month.
Why am I doing this? I've always wanted to try it. I've done powerlifting. So, why not strongman competition? Looks fun.
Now, you know who that guy is in the picture. Me! Click on my
Deaf Strongman blog to see my ongoing journal as I improve and get stronger for the upcoming Desert Challenge II.
Your very own "Kokonut Pundits" guy flipping a
450lb tire. Picture taken in November 2005 at 180lbs.
Currently at 188lbs with 12 more pounds to go til contest time.
It's not often you have a guy with brains and brawn at the same time. Now, are you a wimp or what? Lifting pansy 15lbs dumbells ain't gonna help ya. You gotta play with the big dogs. Woof!