CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Punk-rock and bass-heavy beat tunes reverberated through the Pershing Boulevard parking lot Saturday during an amateur strongman competition.
Twenty male and female contestants hailing from Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska pushed themselves to the limit as they competed in five separate lifting events during the Colt Breakers Novice-Only Strongman Competition. The competition left some legs bruised and palms bloodied, but every contestant pulled through with each challenge, leaving their bodies exhausted but spirits brimming with accomplishment.
The competition was organized by Cheyenne fitness facility Above the Rest Training Systems. Travis Bogard, event director and owner of ATR, hosts the competition every April for amateur strongmen to test their strength. The Colt Breaker event is sanctioned by the United States Strongman athletic organization, and the following individuals qualify for the novice event:
- Anyone who has never won a competition in the Novice Category accredited by United States Strongman.
- Anyone who has never competed in the Open Category at a competition endorsed by United States Strongman.
The 20 Colt Breakers competitors were split into divisions based on weight and sex. The lifters earned points while performing in five separate events:
- Max Log Clean and Press: Competitors snatch and press a log overhead.
- Atlas Stone to Shoulder Ladder: Strongmen lift a stone, adjust it onto one of their shoulders and balance it with one arm.
- Duck Walk to Load Medley: Participants grip a handle attached to a stack of weights, carry it between their knees across a 30-foot path, and place it atop an 18-inch platform.
- Death by Frame Deadlift: Competitors continually perform deadlift repetitions while holding a car frame as event organizers pack more weight onto the frame.
- Sandbag Steeplechase: The strongmen clutch and carry weighted sandbags 20 feet to a bar, load it over the bar, and then carry it another 20 feet to place it atop a 44-inch-high platform.
First-place winners in each division earn their right to compete in Open Class competitions for USS. Saturday’s winners will be eligible to compete at the upcoming USS Nationals competition in Denver on June 8.
The following competitors placed in the top three for each division at Saturday’s event:
Women’s Lightweight (<165 pounds)
- Izzy Carbungco
- Kayla Ledvina
- Rebecca Aker
Women’s Heavyweight (>165 pounds)
- Kelsie Sherman
- Jasmine Potter
- Kaitlin Johnson
Men’s Lightweight (<220 pounds)
- Micheal Kozlowski
- Larry Loyd
- Mathew Kozlowski
Men’s Heavyweight (>220 pounds)
- Grant Conquest
- Petro Ivanusa
- Paige Chamberlain
The final results for each competitor, including their point totals, can be found here.
