The Strongman Champions League, which just brought its website live on Thursday, has held the first of its qualifying events today, and it was won by Jarno Hams (Holland).


Today, Strongman Champions League held the first of its qualifying contests, a concept that Strongman Champions League co-founder Marcel Mostert told IronMind® would be more fully developed in 2009, bringing new talent into strongman. IronMind® | Logo courtesy of Marcel Mostert.

This was a six-event contest: truck pull, farmer's walk (160 kg/hand), yoke (405 kg), log lift (140 kg/reps), Hercules hold (cars), and Atlas stones (130 kg - 175 kg).

Here are the top five:

1. Jarno Hams (Holland) 45 points
2. Ervin Katona (Serbia) 44
3. Steve MacDonald (USA) 43
4. Jimmy Laureis (Belgium) 41
5. Pedro Moraeira (Spain) 34

First place paid, 2,000 Euros (about US$2,700), second place paid 1,000 Euros (about US$1,350) and third place paid 600 Euros (about US$800).

Marcel Mostert told IronMind® that his co-organizer, Juan Carlos, would well have gotten a top place, but he broke a finger one week ago and could not compete.

"The top two from this contest, Jarno Hams and Ervin Katona, have qualified for invitations to 2009 Strongman Champions League contests," Mostert said, adding that invitations might go lower as well.

This was the first qualifier run by Strongman Champions League, and it is a concept that Mostert plans to develop as it fits with his strategy of seeking new strongman talent: "We are always looking for new people to come into our competitions . . . We look for strong, good people who are unknown."

Mostert said that he was very happy with the way today's contest ran, noting that about 2,500 spectators turned out to watch the action in Los Barrios, Spain, and he was quick to praise co-organizer Juan Carlos.

Watch for more complete coverage of this contest on the newly-launched Strongman Champions League website.