Muscles were flexed as the strongest men of south east England gathered to display their herculean strength.
More than 40 men, aged between 19 and 50, went head-to-head at New Road, Gravesend to stretch, lift and pull their way to the title of strongest man.
Not your average walk in the town - farmer's walk event (Photo credit: Jason Arthur)
Event founder and revered commentator Martin Cee, 41, said: “It was overwhelming, absolutely crazy.
“A lot of the competitors don’t know what to expect but the crowd were really fantastic, and as a commentator it was easy because the crowd was on such top form.”
The South East England Strongest Man competition, which took place last weekend, is the first of its kind and seems to have been a big hit with audiences.
Over 800 spectators gathered to watch the 40 titans battle it out, with Colin Hawkins named as the overall winner of the open competition.
Local strongman Martin Povey, a lorry driver from Gravesend, took the title in the novice category.
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Britain’s Strongest Man and nine time finalist of the World’s Strongest Man, Dartford’s own, Terry Hollands, refereed the event as tyres, cars and girders were lifted to the air.
Mr Cee, from Crayford, said: “I think the world lacks a bit of old fashioned fun and community spirit.
"That’s what the event brought to Gravesend.”
The competition tested the contestants stamina, as well as strength, with five tests following in succession: a log press and a car dead-lift challenged each strongman’s sedentary form, while the super yoke event and farmer’s steel girder walk, pushed for speed.
If that wasn’t enough, audiences were teased with flying tyres in the loading medley where 100 kg rubber wheels were hurled over a high bar.
Mr Cee added: “I think people love it so much because it’s a bit like a circus.
"It transfixes audiences of all ages - crazily big men lifting bigger weights.
"Men, women and children appreciate it on all levels because it appeals to all people.”
The loading medlay (Photo credit: Jason Arthur)
The event was hosted with the Gravesend Town Centre Management who gave their energies to the strong man plan alongside Mr Cee and Mr Hollands' expertise.
Rumours have started circulating already that another South East England Strong Man competition is set to happen next year.
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