Strength, sweat, and maybe a little eggnog? Channel 5 offers a decidedly different kind of Christmas Eve entertainment with the World Open and World Log Lift Challenge. These feats of Herculean effort, taking place at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, might make your own holiday exertions – like wrestling that inflatable Santa onto the roof – seem paltry by comparison.
Iron Biby, a name synonymous with gravity-defying lifts, will attempt to surpass his own World Log Lift record of 230kg. That’s roughly the weight of a small grand piano, for those keeping score at home. Witnessing Biby in action is less a sporting event than a physics experiment gone gloriously right.
Reigning World’s Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper will also be in attendance, proving that the holidays are no excuse to skip leg day. He’ll face fierce competition from fellow Canadian Maxime Boudreault, a perennial podium contender. The presence of these two titans alone guarantees a clash of epic proportions.
Adding to the spectacle is the return of Luke Richardson, the youngest-ever Europe’s Strongest Man winner. After a nearly three-year hiatus due to injuries, Richardson is back to prove he still belongs among the elite. This comeback narrative adds a compelling human element to the sheer spectacle of strength on display.
With two major titles up for grabs, the stakes are high. James Richardson and Laurence Shahlaei will present, offering expert analysis and color commentary, while Danny Wallace and Colin Bryce provide play-by-play action. Expect grunts, groans, and perhaps the occasional gasp of disbelief.
Tune in to Channel 5 on Tuesday, December 24, at 7:15 PM for all the action.
