Strongman competitors from North America put on a dazzling show of strength and feat of endurance during the Magnus Classic Gimli Strongman competition on Aug. 2 at the 136th Islendingadagurinn.
The strongman event in Gimli highlights traditional Icelandic and Viking strength training using natural elements such as stones and trees.
The event’s founder, Iceland-born Magnus Ver Magnusson, is a four-time champion of the World’s Strongest Man competition. He partnered with the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba four years ago to create the Gimli strongman event, which serves as a qualifier for his annual strongman competition in Iceland.
Twelve athletes from Canada and the United States took part in the gruelling four-hour test of strength at Gimli’s Viking Park on a sweltering day with hundreds of people cheering them on.
The six strength events, adjudicated by Magnusson, consisted of the arm-over-arm pull, the overhead medley, deadlift medley, yoke & farmer’s walk medley, Fingal’s fingers (progressively heavy hinged poles) and natural stones.
“Pretty simple,” said Magnusson as he introduced the ostensibly “straightforward” hand-over-hand pull, (in the sitting position) of a Ford pick-up truck and attached Viking ship, without mentioning their rather alarming combined weight of 13,000 pounds. “Most of the events are pretty simple.”
After winning multiple world championship in the 1990s and other competitions such as Iceland’s Strongest Man and Europe’s Strongest Man events, Magnusson is no longer competing. But he said he wants to provide young and seasoned athletes alike with an opportunity to get on the strongman podium. With ties to the Icelandic community in Gimli, it was a natural fit to hold a competition here.
“This is a special place and a special atmosphere,” Magnusson told the Express on a break between events. “And I have these relations with the Icelandic [community].”
He first came to Gimli about a quarter century ago to helm one of the Icelandic Festival’s parades and did some strength demonstrations, then came back a couple of time over the years, he said. Four years ago, the then festival president Jenna Boholij contacted him about setting up a show in Gimli.
No one had to strongarm him into it.
“It was a great thing. We started it and we’ve kept it alive every year since. People love it,” said Magnusson. “I have retired and stopped doing shows, but I want to be involved in this one.”
The 12 athletes who competed during the one-day event were Landon Whitt (USA), Lance Lavallee, Travis Klassen, Levi Strong (USA), Josh Cloherty, Jonathan Wimberly (USA), Dave Blake, Ryan Vance, Andrew Langelaar (from Selkirk), Dan Cadger (from Sandy Hook), Larson Hehr and Colten Sloan.
According to the website www.strongmanarchives.com a day after competition wrapped up, Levi Strong from the USA and Colten Sloan from Alberta (who placed 4th in 2024 during Canada’s Strongest Man competition) tied with 63 points. Andrew Langelaar from Selkirk chalked up 57 points, placing third.
Strong’s faster time in the stones competition broke the tie.
The winner is invited to participate in the Magnus Strongman Classic in Iceland Nov. 15-16. The annual Iceland competition serves as a springboard to qualifying for the World’s Strongest Man competition.
The Gimli strongman team thanked sponsors for their support: Brad Hirst (Royal LePage realtor who co-hosted the event), Cardinal Capital Management, Gilbart Funeral Home, Steeltown Ford (Selkirk), Integrity Home Inspections, and the Iron Image Barbell Club (Selkirk).
