The quest for the title of World’s Strongest Man reaches a fever pitch in Heat 3, as British contender Adam Bishop fights for a spot in the Grand Final. Standing in his way is a formidable lineup, including New Zealand’s top-seeded Matt Ragg, a McDonald’s shift manager with a side hustle of crushing cars and hoisting boulders. Now that’s what I call a McFlurry of muscle.
This heat features six grueling events, from the Webster Stones to the resurrected Viking Press. Competitors will also face the Deadlift Ladder, requiring them to lift a combined weight of 1700kg in under a minute – a feat that sounds frankly absurd. Returning favorites like the Car Walk and the Stones are sure to deliver the kind of jaw-dropping spectacle that makes this competition so compelling. It’s a test of not just brute strength, but also sheer willpower and the ability to ignore the screaming protests of one’s own body.
This heat also marks a pivotal moment for Rob Kearney, an openly gay athlete in the often hyper-masculine world of strength sports. Kearney, who plans to retire after this year’s competition, is sure to inspire with his grit and determination. Rounding out the diverse group are Latvian veteran Aivars Smaukstelis, Irishman Pa O’Dwyer, and American Thomas Evans. Presiding over the mayhem are James Richardson, Eddie Hall, and Michelle Ackerley, with commentary from Colin Bryce and Danny Wallace.
World’s Strongest Man airs on Channel 5, Sunday, December 29, 2024.
