White T-Shirts and Fun in Ballymoney

Thursday 20th of May 2010 02:31:18 PM

White T-Shirts and Fun in Ballymoney

Dave Warner was wearing one of the white t-shirts seen around the festival, some with logos, as he lifted a model onto his shoulder to introduce the arm over arm event. Except in the real event it is heavy metal chains that are used and not real people. Letting the model sit on his arm as he held his arm up was just one event among many at North Ireland’s Strongest Man competition held 15-May-2010 in Ballymoney.

The event was sponsored by Complete Gyms and held plenty of amazing sights as professional weight lifters and strong men tried to qualify for the under 90kg British Championship to be held in July. The show of strength among the competitors was a sight to see. For example, the Farmers Walk, Yoke & Carry Medley required competitors to lift a cast iron disc that weight 90 kg and then carry it 15m and back again. Immediately upon return the competitors then had to do the same with a 100 kg iron in each hand. On the third leg they toted a 260kg Yoke and carried it one way. There were 12 competitors in this battle of the muscles.

In the Arm Over Arm, the competitors were required to pull 350kg of heavy chains for 15m while seated. The chains are pulled arm over arm. There was the Steel Log Lift, the Deadlift, the Beer Barrel Loading and the Stones for Strength competitions.

As spectators watched enormous muscles straining the tees they wore, the competitors did not fail to impress. This was a fun event for everyone who attended and the whole affair created a festive air in Ballymoney. The winner of the competition was Colin McCrellis who will attend the British Championships as will the second place winner Denver McGugian. Third place went to Wallace Clark and fourth place winner was Oliver Cummings.