Dude, what?!! That sounds a bit….tough. Are these from 18 inches or something?
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14 inch I think
Good luck today mate. Or possibly yesterday?
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Ok strongman fans here is what you have been waiting for.
Comp day - Royal Geelong Strongman Show.
The strongman show was at the Royal Geelong Country show. It’s basically a show that brings the country to the city. Think animals shows, horse events, sheep shearing, food competitions. Mixed with a big fun fare and a mix of other entertainment events.
The strongman show was in the sheep shearing sheds - it doesn’t get more Aussie than that.
Turned up early, got my event shirt and signed in. Found somewhere to drop my bags and then had about an hour to catch up with the other competitors. Lots of faces that were at the last show I did , so it was nice to catch up with everyone.
Athlete briefing was quick and efficient. And then it was time to go. There were going to be three lanes going for 3 of the events which helped to move it along quicker, 2 lanes for the tractor pull (men and women) and just 1 Conan’s wheel for the last event.
There were 3 people in the Masters under 105KG class. This was me and the same 2 guys I competed against last time.
First event was Axle clean and press. this was a rising bar, starting at 75 and adding 10KG each rep. Athletes had 10 seconds after the bar was loaded to start the next rep.
Because i signed up for the show first out of the 3 master competitors that meant I got to go last in the first event. That made me very happy.
One of the guys only got one rep and the other 3 reps. I was expecting to get 2 reps for this and then just see what I could do.
75 x 1 no problems
85 x 1 again no problems
95 got the clean but couldn’t press it
That meant I Came 2nd. Happy with that.
Second event was the Tractor pull. This was a 5 tonne tractor and watching some of the other athletes it looked heavy and I was a little worried. I had never done any kind of vehicle pull before and was giving away 10KG to the other 2 guys.
Strapped in, took the slack out of the rope and waited for the go. Pulled hard and drove my hips forward hard. It was heavy but it started to move. Just focused on little steps and trying to move fast. I was wobbling all over the place but didn’t stop and ended with a time of 30.67 for 15m
Came last. The guy who came second beat me by 1 tenth of second. The winner got 22. Was still happy with my effort here.
Third event was the Loading race. 4 implements to carry 15m.
Block - 90KG
Barrel - 60KG (this was slippery as hell)
Sandbag ball - 100KG
Dinnie handles - 90KG each.
Watching the competitors who went before me I could tell this event was brutal with most people getting only 2 implements and some 3. Any implements that you didn’t get the full distance they measured. The barrel seemed to be giving people the most problems as it had no handles and was slippery and awkward. I have my very similar green barrel at home and was used to picking this up so wasn’t worried.
Athlete ready - Go.
I went with the 90KG steel block first. The pick was hard but I had no problem carrying it. Next I went for the barrel, nice easy clean and good carry the whole way. By now I was breathing hard. Next I took the sandbag, the pick was good and the carry was horrible. about 10m and I started seeing stars. Another meter and the vision started going dark. Had to drop it. They told me I had 10 secs left but the world was spinning and there was no way I could pick it up again.
Still really happy with my effort here and it was good enough for another 2nd place. One guy got 3 and the other only 2 and ran out of time before he started the third.
Forth event was Axle wagon wheel Deadlift - 14 inch
This was 220KG which I knew would be a tough ask for me.
Strapped in, pulled hard, broke the floor but it wasn’t going up Zero.
One guy got zero too and the other guy got 3 reps.
Onto the last event which was Conan’s wheel.
This was 190KG and I knew it would be horrible.
I got to go second here which turned out to be a blessing. The guy who went first managed 1/4 of the circle and it looked hard work. This made me even more nervous.
Got under the handle, athlete ready, Go. The pick was really heavy, my back was already hurting from the deadlift and carry events. The handle felt damn heavy in my arms. No time to waste, I just stumbled forward straining to keep the handle up. I got past 1/4 and just needed one more section. I passed the next section and that was all I had. 3/8 of the circle was good enough for another 2nd place.
My left bicep was really really sore after this, not sure if it was just cramped, bruised and a little tear but I could not flex that arm and it was hot and sore for the next few hours. Luckily that was the last event so I can live to fight another day.
Overall second place and had a really good day competing and pushing myself. New events I have never tried and happy with my performance.
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Awesome work Simo, you made that tractor pull look easy!
Love how often you get to competing, inspirational stuff!
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Holy guacamole! That was awesome! I’m so glad you share you videos. They are so much fun to watch. 
Great job!!!
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That looked like a really tough show, mate! Massive well done my friend. You put in the work and got to see the results.
A bit gutted for the deadlift of course but you left it all out there and that is what counts.
Next time you pull a vehicle, get yourself down close to the ground! There is a lot more in the tank there for you.
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Very impressive Simo! Hope the bicep is ok. Those clean and press numbers are impressive, even with the 95KG miss.
Great job getting that tractor moving.
Those loaded carries looked brutal.
Nice effort on the deadlift. Way to keep at it and a hell of a try.
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Way to go Simo! Congratulations! You looked knackered by the time you got to the deadlift. Great effort.
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you are amazing. congrats. nice work.
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Awesome write up and great job!
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That was awesome mate.
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It definitely wasn’t easy. When you only video yourself it’s hard for people to see the range of good vs less good. There were lots of people who didn’t finish but there were lots that were quicker than me too. This is definitely an event where experience counts.
The events are fun to do too. Well if you think a mix of nerves and fear before followed by pain and feeling sick after is fun. LOL
It was a pretty tough day and a very arm and back heavy comp, we had one guy tear a bicep on the carry event and one person collapse. Everyone else got though with just bumps and bruises.
They really were horrible. I wish I has some footage of other competitors trying to pick up and move the barrel so you could see how awkward it was. 60KG doesn’t sound like a lot but sometimes it is the shape and size that catches people out.
It was a long hot day and the carry event took a bot out of my back for sure. So I was pretty tired by the fourth event. I know my deadlift and my overhead needs to improve overall so that gives me something to work on.
from you that is high praise sir, thanks.
Seemed like a lot of words when you write it out but I am glad you liked it.
Thanks buddy.
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Stellar work and congrats mate, those video’s really emphasised how tough it looked out there!
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Nope, pulling a tractor almost certainly isn’t 
But I meant what I said, you’re inspirational, so much so that I signed up to my first comp myself - I’ll be competing in June next year! Cheers for leading by example!
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That is awesome news mate, can’t wait to see how the training goes over the next 6 months
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I have a massive post competition hangover today. I didn’t sleep well last night and had lots of weird dreams when I finally got to sleep. I am at work and am extremely tired and have absolutely no ability to focus or think clearly. Back is sore, both biceps are sore, but right one is worse. No major bruising of the bicep and range of motion is good, I just cant flex it very well without pain. I wont train tonight, but I have to re arrange the garage which will involve some lifting of gym gear.
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I for sure would have taken a vacation day after that work! But then, I would take a vacation day for a briskly paced walk. So I might not be the best example. 
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I originally was convinced the comp was on a Saturday, but realised about 2 weeks before that I had had a senior moment and got the date wrong. I then forgot to book the Monday off work, and it is not a great time for me to take leave right now anyway. I will just solider through.
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Getting some gentle walking in would possibly help too mate, low impact but get the blood moving.
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