CNP Professional Strongman Premier League: fledgling competition ‘already a success’
Strength athletics is big business – the World’s Strongest Man (WSM) is regularly watched by millions around the globe. And while the sport is currently dominated by Eastern Europeans, Britain has an honourable history in it: Geoff Capes was the first non-American to capture the WSM crown, back in 1983.
But while there have been single Strongman events in the UK, there hasn’t been a Strongman League – until now. The UK’s first Strongman League has been launched and will be sponsored by CNP Professional, the sports nutrition specialists.
Best of all, the League’s ‘open door’ policy means fans can get to see the big men strutting their stuff for free. Each of the CNP League fixtures sees a variety of strength events, up to six during the day, including popular crowd pleasers like the Vehicle Deadlift, Viking Press, Truck Pull and Atlas Stones.
The league’s first fixture took place at The Fitness Factory, Burnley (May 4th). "It’s one of the best shows I’ve competed in," said overall fixture winner Mark Westaby, who took three of the six events on the day, finishing with a staggering 17.4 seconds to lift all five Atlas Stones onto the platforms. "My body knew it had been pushed, but I really enjoyed the show," he added.
With serious prize money for the top-placed athletes the CNP Professional Strongman Premier League has already attracted several of the sport’s big hitters and WSM competitors. Alongside Mark Westaby, who himself made a significant impact in WSM 2007, are Mark Felix, who came second and seventh in WSM ’06 and ’07, and Oli Thompson, Britain’s Strongest Man 2006, who is making a comeback after injury wrecked his season in 2007.
The next Strongman League fixture is on Saturday 19 July at Burnley Athletics Stadium, when the already strong field will be joined by the likes of Jamie Redwood (Wales Strongest Man 2007 and 2008) and Gary Gardner, at 6 foot 9 inches one of the rising stars of British Strongman. The final event for 2008 will be at the Seedhill Athletics Stadium, Nelson on August 10.
Organisers are delighted by the response both from high-calibre entrants and the public. "The level of interest has been huge – despite the bad weather we had hundreds of spectators at The Fitness Factory," say Derrick Lynagh of 2 Bold Productions. "Many of the UK’s top strength athletes are involved, several have pulled out of alternative events to focus on the CNP League. It’s created a huge buzz – the strongman community has been talking about this exciting new format.
"All at 2 Bold Productions are delighted with the how the first show went and are excited about how the league will take shape this year," he adds.
As well as committing the funding to make the League happen, CNP Professional has agreed to supply sports nutrition and protein supplements for competitors – particularly the company’s popular Pro Slam pre-exercise booster.
"Sports nutrition is still much misunderstood, even by the top athletes and trainers," says CNP’s Kerry Kayes. "Sponsoring events like this helps us push the nutrition message – give your body the right fuel and it’ll perform better and for longer."
Pro Slam delivers a source of amino acids to help the body repair and build muscle. Supplied in a ready to drink, one-portion 86ml vial, it provides 27g of quality protein with zero fat and zero carbohydrate. "The Pro Slam formula also includes beta Alanine, a carnosine synthesizer that delays muscle fatigue – it’ll help the athletes put on a top quality show, and help them recover for the next one!" adds Kerry Kayes.
The CNP Professional Strongman Premier League is organised by 2 Bold Productions. For information phone 07790 484 382 or email cjlynagh@hotmail.co.uk.
CNP Professional is one of the UK’s leading sports nutrition specialist companies. For more information visit www.cnpprofessional.co.uk or call +44 (0) 161 320 1212 for sports nutrition advice and +44 (0) 161 320 8145 for sales.
Notes for editors:
The CNP Professional Strongman Premier League
Three fixtures during summer 2008. At each venue doors open at 12 noon and each show will last up to five hours. Entrance is free.
- 4 May 2008 at The Fitness Factory, Burnley.
- 19 July 2008 at Burnley Athletics Stadium.
- 10 August 2008 at The Seedhill Athletics Stadium, Nelson.
Each fixture will feature six strength events. The events at The Fitness Factory, Burnley were:-
- Farmer’s Walk – 128kg in each hand over 20 metres. 156kg in each hand over 20 metres.
- Vehicle Deadlift – 330kg on the handles.
- Loading Event – Four 100kg cylinders each carried 10 metres and placed on the back of a flatbed lorry. The athlete must then press a 100kg log once.
- Truck Pull – features a 7.5 tonne lorry pulled over a 30 metre course.
- Viking Press – The athlete must press a 125kg motorcycle overhead.
- Atlas Stones – Ranging in weight from 110kg to 150kg. Each stone to be placed on platforms starting at 6ft and getting lower as the weight increases.
Prize money will be paid to the top three athletes. They will also receive prize money for each individual event win. Additional prize money will be paid to the top three in the league at the end of the season.