10.08.2024
Competition recap: Strongman Battles in Nijemegen, Netherlands
So as those of you, who have read my log recently, might guess: I have not been feeling good mentally lately. Understandable but shitty nontheless.
Just 3 weeks ago I did the team competition and now I went on to compete in Holland. I didn’t have anyone to accompany me which made me extra anxious and unmotivated to go through with this. This was also the heaviest competition I have done so far, I think.
The show was run very well. It had a very different feel from how our league competitions are but it was very nice and I met some super nice people, which made not having a handler a lot more bearable.
Also these shows are categorized into levels, based on your abilities (you can choose which one you want to do from level 1 to 4) and weight classes (u90, u105, open). So unlike my league competitions, weight classes actually mattered here, haha. I competed in the level 3 open category. The division into so many sub categories had the consequence that each class was pretty small (they do 4 of these competitions throughout each year and this time not that many people in total signed up - likely bc of the time of year). So that meant that my class only had 4 guys in it. One was an influencer with a 260 kg competition bench press and 160 kg strict axle who was build like a brick house, lol. Also another powerlifter who recently switched and had much bigger static lift numbers than I. The third guy, I didn’t know anything about but he was a seasoned athlete apparently and a big fella. Well and then there was me, haha. All guys were super duper nice btw., including the influencer dude.
Event 1: Natural stone to shoulder for max. weight
You had a whole bunch of stones in front of you and a 2 minute time limit. The heaviest stone shouldered in that time counted as your score.
I got a 105 kg stone and went on to also secure a 113 kg boulder with a very awkward, almost quader like shape. - shared 3rd place.
I didn’t really know what to expect but got done what I came up with as a game plan during warm ups. The 113 kg one was super brutal. It quite literally pressed out all air I had in me, which put an end to the possibility of attempting a third one.
This landed me in 3rd place
Event 2: 110 kg axle for reps in 75 seconds (clean each rep)
Got 5 reps for 2nd place
The setup was a little odd because we had to stand in front of the lighter of the two selectable weights and run to the heavier one. Not sure why.
5 reps was exactly what I set out to do, with the option to go for a 6th if things go well. I am happy with how consistent I am being lately with overheads! However this was actually a bit harder than in training, so a 6th was not in the cards. This performance should go on to save my day.
3rd event: Carry medley - 300 kg yoke into 130 kg per hand farmer’s walk for 15 m each
They changed the farmer’s weight from 125 to 130 last minute. I was already really scared of this event because my grip was a struggle lately, so this didn’t increase my confidence. The handles on the farmer’s did not have any knurling and were significantly thicker than the standard (normal bar). So I was quite anxious. It was quite a high pick up though, which I prefer. The yoke went well, like I expected. I took my time and set the grip perfectly. Unfortunately my right hand gave out close the finish line! I was able to pick it up again and finish. This was not a bad result for the heaviest carry medley I have ever done, but I remain a little disappointed that I couldn’t finish in one go.
35,44 sec. for 3rd place
4th event: 140 kg husafell sandbag for max. distance
Okay so for this one I was scared shitless that I would just not be able to pick it up. Then they brought out the 120 kg bags for the lower tier levels. They were big! But went fine on warm ups. After they were finished, the 140 kg bags were brought out… holy shit they were menacing! I was scared. I decided for the tactic to first row, then extend, set it on the legs, squat down and set your grip, pulling the bag into the chest. The pick up actually worked out fine but when I wanted to set it onto the legs and squat down, that fucking bag just wouldn’t stick! I tried a few times but it continued to just slide down the thighs. So I eventually just started to waddle forward, with the bag in front of my legs. Obviously I didn’t get far. Super disappointed with this one!
Got 12,7 m - which, looking at the video and how I positioned the bag, is kind of amazing 
.
5th event: Power stairs
** 160 kg, 175 kg, 190 kg 4 steps each and 75 sec. time cap**
Forever impressed with the portable setup they brought out here!
So going into this, I was very very worried about my grip being the limiting factor. I was fatigued, my back was done from the previous events and from sleeping on the world’s softest mattress in the hotel and the hands were tired. I got some very valuable tips beforehand from one of the other guys, that helped tremendously.
Well as it turned out, the grip was not an issue. Went through the first two implememts without a struggle and not too much fatigue. Then I went to the final one. And … I still don’t know why exactly (well too weak), but I couldn’t lift it high enough to place it on the step! I couldn’t believe it because the one before felt so easy and this was only 15 kg heavier… but it should remain that way.
4 reps with 160 kg and 175 kg, 0 with 190 kg
This ultimately put me in 3rd place.
Not too exciting, considering I placed 3rd out of 4. But you know what? It felt good to stand on the podium and to be handed a little plastic trophy. It isn’t my fault that only 4 people signed up for my class. I trained hard, showed up alone and in very difficult personal circumstances and competed in the category that had weights exceeding those I usually have to handle in competition. I could have just as well went down a level and competed for the win. But that’s not how I do things. Despite the last two events being so disappointing, I had a great day and I am proud of my performance!
I definitely have to congratulate the crew for putting on a great show at a unique and amazing venue.
As a learning from the last two competitions, I will have to focus a lot on back extension in training! It’s not even (only) my deadlifting abilities but more so the ability to extend my back by itself (think stones after the lap, sandbags and so on!)
Thank you for reading if you did and your continuued support!
