Projo Fitness Blog

It should be quite a spectacle Saturday and the 7th Annual Rhode Island Strongman Championships, from noon to 5 p.m. at Glen Park in Portsmouth.

Providence Journal file photo Michael Petrarca, of Cranston, lifts barbells, each holding 180 lbs. of weight while competing in the 'Farmer's Walk' event of the R.I. State Strongman Championships in 2003.

The event listing on projothebeat.com notes the competition "brings out the biggest and strongest men, women and teens from the Northeast."

Event organizer Rick North, who along with his wife Michele owns Functional Adaptive Sports Training (F.A.S.T.). in Portsmouth, notes that after seven years of hosting the competition, it's built up quite a following.

"We get anywhere from 20 to 30 competitors from all over New England," North said, adding they've even had some come from as far away as Long Island and Maryland.

Friday was the deadline for advanced registration, and as of Monday there were no females registered to take part in the event. But North said they always get a few walk-on registrations the day of the competition.

"We do have several teens competing this year and some (men in the) under 175 (pound category.)" In addition, North reports that R.I. Strongman Championships typically draw about 75 to 150 spectators, depending on the weather.

Competitions include Atlas stones, keg press, tire throw for distance, sled drag, tire flip medley, and it's the only contest in the United States that boasts a car carry.

To get some idea of what the competitors have to go through, read the official event rules.

The top two people in each weight division we receive their "pro card," which allows them to compete nationally, in the North American Strongman Inc. events.

North says he expects some tough competition this year, as a training partner of Derrick Poundstone -- crowned champion recently at Mohegan Sun in Conn. -- is taking part in the Portsmouth competition.

Here's a video of Poundstone in action:

 Tags  Portsmouth RI Strongman weight lifting

Comments

Rick North said:

This event is always a blast. This is where all strongman competitors start their careers. We have several past champions go on to become Professionals!!!

Link | July 10, 2009 7:27 AM
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