Who’ll be named the strongest man in Qatar?

  • Technical meeting was organised for the participants to explain the rules and regulations
  • First-place winners in their respective category are each awarded a car
  • Free entry, entertainment and food available for spectators

The first day of this highly-anticipated ‘Qatar’s Strongest Man’ (QSM) competition, organised by Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) for the fifth consecutive year, will kick off on Friday in Aspire Park at 4:30 pm. The first day of the competition is allocated for the expatriate competitors’ category, comprising eight participants from Egypt, Syria, Kenya and the United States.

Meanwhile, the Qatari nationals’ will compete for the QSM 2017 title on the second day of the competition; Saturday, November 25th.

In preparation for the event, the organising committee led by Mr. Abdullah Al Khater, Events Manager at Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF), and Mr. Ibrahim Al Hilal, Chairman of the QSM 2017 organising committee, recently held a technical meeting this week to explain the competitions’ rules and guidelines to the participants.

First, second and third places will be awarded to competitors in each category based on who has the highest number of points across all five challenges. If two competitors are tied in terms of number of points, they will participate in a deadlift challenge.

The winners of the respective Qatari and expat categories stand to win a car from the event’s sponsor, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co., the exclusive agent for Nissan Qatar. Meanwhile, second and third place winners in each category will receive cash prizes worth QR 20,000 and QR10,000, respectively.

The QSM 2017 strength challenges

To win the title of “Qatar’s Strongest Man”, competitors must successfully complete five different challenges:

  1. The Truck Pull – Competitors get three minutes to pull a truck over a finishing line using the ‘pulling harness.’ The time count starts as soon as the truck crosses the designated start line from when competitors but then pull towards a finish line as fast as they can.
  2. The Sand Bag Lift – Competitors have five minutes to lift sand bags off the ground and place them on top of a platform five metres away from the start line as fast as possible. Players are free to choose whatever technique they want to place the bag on the platform, and if one of the sandbags is dropped, competitors can pick it back up.
  3. The Giant Tyre Lift – Participants must flip – not push – a 120kg tyre over 25 metres within three minutes. Those unable to reach the complete the task will receive points based upon total distance covered.
  4. The Farmer Walk – Competitors are required to walk for 25 metres while carrying heavy weights on each arm. The fastest to cross the finish line wins. However, participants will be disqualified if judges decide they and have run or thrown weights across the finish line in an attempt to finish. If the weight is dropped midway, participants are permitted to pick it up and continue.
  5. The Car Lift OR Conan’s Wheel – The jaded participants will be asked to lift a stationary car while maintaining a ‘correct’ posture, as many times for three seconds at a time over two minutes, or lift push a bar with heavy bags attached to them in an anticlockwise direction.

Fun family events to be organised on the side-lines  

AZF will set up food trucks for visitors at this year’s event and families and friends can enjoy popular games such as Dragon Punch and King of the Hammer. Two bed bungee trampolines and obstacle courses will be available for children to enjoy.

The QSM is an annual competition that enables Qatari and expatriate sports enthusiasts who are passionate about strength training to take part in a number of challenges, mentioned above. The winner will have accumulated the most points after the five challenges. Entry is free for all attendees.

More information about the competition can be found on www.lifeinaspire.qa.