Kenyan participant Cristopher Oketch was named this year’s strongest expat on Friday at the ‘Qatar’s Strongest Man’ (QSM) 2017 competition, organised for the fifth year by Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) at Aspire Park. His fellow countryman Joseph Iroo Ekadeli and Egyptian contestant Mohamed Dweidar came in second and third place, respectively.
Eight Qatari nationals, including defending two-time champion Fahad Al Haddad, will compete on Saturday evening from 4pm. Kenyan ambassador Galma Mukhe Boru was present at the venue to witness his compatriot Oketch retaining the title he won last year as well. While Ekadeli was the 2014 title holder, Dweidar was the 2016 third place runner-up.
More than 1,500 spectators had gathered on Friday to witness the performances of eight participants.
(image)
The winners and participants with officials. Supplied Picture
(image)
A contestant pulls a truck during Qatar’s Strongest Man (QSM) contest in the expatriates’ category yesterday. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam.
“The 2016 edition generated incredible feedback, and the surge of QSM’s popularity has encouraged AZF to take the competition to a higher level, thus, extending the challenge over two days,” QSM 2017 organising committee chairman Ibrahim al-Hilal said.
“Building on the competition’s success over the past few years, AZF has also decided to take in more participants this year – expanding it from 14 to 16,” he noted, adding that the event also aims to promote the culture of physical activity among members of the community. The contestants went through a series of challenges such as the truck pull, sand bag lift, giant tyre lift, farmer walk, and car lift or Conan’s Wheel.
The first, second and third place winners 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. Winners of the Qatari and expatriate categories will take home a car from the event’s sponsor, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co., the exclusive agent for Nissan Qatar. The second and third place winners in each category will receive QR20,000 and QR10,000 cash, respectively.
The first day of the QSM on Friday also saw fun-filled family events and popular games on the side-lines such as ‘Dragon Punch’ and ‘King of the Hammer’ while two bed bungee trampolines and obstacle courses were set up for children. Food trucks also offer families and children an array of snacks and drinks to enjoy while watching the competition, participating in the games or having a picnic at the park.