‘Phenomenal show’ at Guernsey’s Strongest

The ninth edition of Guernsey’s strongman and woman competition was held in glorious sunshine on Saturday.

For the first time, the competition took place in St Peter Port, with competitors taking part in five events on the waterfront at Cambridge Berth behind the White Rock Cafe.

‘It’s really great to bring the event into Town,’ said Gail Girard, who organised the competition with her husband Casey, both of whom were previous holders of the Guernsey’s strongest title.

‘We are hoping it will encourage more people to come along and watch.

‘We would love to incorporate it into a Seafront Sunday one year, and we can guarantee the good weather as we always seem to have sunshine.’

They said before the event that fierce competition was expected, especially in the men’s open section, where holder Jon Jordan was up against 2022 champion Ravis Bazjuks.

During the first event, the tyre deadlift, a new Guernsey record was set, with 360kg raised off the ground.

This was followed by a truck pull, in which athletes dragged trucks weighing up to eight tonnes along a short course, a push, carry and drag medley with wooden logs and iron bars, then ‘rolling thunder’, a head-to-head grip challenge, and finally the power stairs, where exhausted competitors carried weights up and down a short staircase.

Keeping a careful eye on events were referees Rob Frampton, three times a World’s Strongest Man competitor and now a regular on the world arm wrestling circuit, and Katie Smith, England’s strongest woman and Europe’s third-strongest woman in 2024.

At the end of seven gruelling hours, Lizzie Singer was crowned women’s champion and Raivis Bazjuks took back his 2022 men’s title.

After the presentations, Mrs Girard reflected on a fantastic day.

‘The crowd really spurred on all the amazing athletes and really pushed them through – they all brought their A game,’ she said.

‘They really put on a phenomenal show for the crowd with lots of personal bests.

‘Here’s to 2025 and some more exciting events which Casey and I have already been discussing with the inspirational Rob Frampton and Katie Smith.’