The Static Monsters Worldwide Competition has taken place in Mount Gambier for the first time in seven years.
The 2021 Static Monsters Worldwide Competition involves around 70 locations across the globe with competitors testing themselves on two lifts – the log overhead and 18-inch deadlift.
Povey Performance Coach Rob Povey said he has been pushing to get the globally ranked ‘log and deadlift’ strongman competition to Mount Gambier.
“I have always been told that you have to go to the city to compete, but because of what has happened with COVID lately they have decided to open it up to a few more regional places,” he said.
“This year they have the biggest turnout on record. I wanted to give other people opportunities to compete, so I have been trying to bring more events into Mount Gambier.
“They used to have it in Warrnambool once or twice, but it just makes it easier because I have been competing in strongman for a lot of years and I have never been able to compete in one just because of the travel.
“When it was in Warrnambool it did not line up with my comps because I had other comps on.”
Povey said he would be putting his case forward for the competition to take place in Mount Gambier again next year.
“Some competitors have been doing it for years and they have never competed, so it just gives it more opportunity to have a go,” he said.
“You cannot always travel five hours to compete and some of these guys are trying to compete three or four times a year.”
As part of the Static Monsters event, each competitor has three attempts to lift the heaviest weight, with both event scores combined to form a total which is ranked against all the other competitors across the world.
Competitors who place within the top 10 of each division will receive an opportunity to compete at the World Static Monsters event in Ohio, USA.
Povey described the event as a mix between both strongman and strength competitions.
“It is a good competition because in strongman you do not have a lift that you can keep testing yourself on like this one.
“Strongman events will constantly change in what you lift and the events you compete in.
“No matter how experienced you are, you can still set personal bests for yourself,” he said.
The Mount Gambier leg of the competition had 14 entrants from the city, Naracoorte, Bordertown and Nhill.
“Everyone did extremely well and there was a lot of personal bests,” Povey said.
“It is good for people to be able to compete in what they love because a lot of competitions have been cancelled for competitors over the last year and a half.
“Everyone was different but there were a few stand-out performances.
“Jennifer Simmons performed well, it was her first competition since having a baby and she lifted some good numbers.”
Mount Gambier Strong Man Shane McArthur achieved a total of 450.75kg between both lifts, with a 331kg deadlift earning the biggest total for the day.
“I would assume Bradley Wagner and Carly Van Der Hoek will get the highest rankings but that is just assumptions at this stage,” Povey said.
Blue Lake Cranes, Lucindale Spraying and Naracoorte Betta Home and Living sponsored the event clothing and prizes for the day.
“I gave FitBits to who I thought were the best male and female performer on the day which went to Carly and Shane,” Povey said.
“Jennifer and Brad got a box of wine each for their notable performances.”
“I would love to do it again with more people and keep growing the sport.”
World Rankings are yet to complete being tallied and will be announced in the near future.
