Men and women from all over the south east gathered at Ollie’s Neighborhood Grill for The Keg Party Strongman Showdown presented by local gym, The Bar, North American Strongman, and Mega Muscle Sports Nutrition. First-timers and experienced Strongman men and women, young and old cleaned and pressed “logs” (90 lb metal tubes with handles and room to add weights), lifted concrete-filled kegs over a bar, carried a yolk weighted with kegs, and dead lifted vehicles. During the reading of the rules, Dan Belanger, coach at The Bar and host of the event, said jokingly, “There’s one rule. Pick up heavy stuff. Put it down, gently.”
Chris McMullen, owner of the Bar participated for his first time in a Strongman competition. He said he was used to power lifting competitions but Strongman is different. “It’s more about brute strength. There are more awkward positions,” he said.
Phil “Bambam” Daru also competed, owner of Daru Fitness Performance gym and seven-year mixed martial arts fighter competed as well. Mel Camden found out about the event, she said, from Daru and both she and her mother competed. Marie Fejeran, Camden’s mother, said she competed in a 2008 Strongman competition. At the time, she said she was with the Florida National Guard, Bravo Company 146 ESB out of Pensacola, now with Charlie Company 146 ESB in Jacksonville. Fejeran was not the only military representative. Brandon McConnell from Fort Walton Beach competed in his first Strongman as well, but has spent three and a half years in the Air Force.
Another military competitor, John “Skeeter” Stafinski said he was discharged from the Army in 2011 due to injury. He said he was in a wheelchair and through physical therapy was able to get back on his feet and now helps veterans himself. His roommate, Sara Dailey, competed as well for the first time and trains with Stafinski. He was quick to point out, though this was her first Strongman, she did win the Arnold Classic arm wrestling competition. Will Kingston also came with something to prove. “I had both my arms replaced,” he said. According to Kingston, back in September, he needed four surgeries to replace the tendons in his arms. “I like to get out here with these young kids,” the 42-year-old from Mississippi said.
Joseph Brooks was one of those young kids, a college student, but already done with his Bachelor’s degree. Brooks said he’s working on his Master’s degree in exercise science and currently plays rugby with the Tampa Krewe. September 7 is the Krewe’s next scheduled event at the University of Southern Florida Bulls.
Mark Phillips won the truck dead lift. “It felt about 600 to 650 pounds of effort,” he said. He had possibly the most logical reason to be so strong as a salesman and installer of gym equipment.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Strongman competitors test their muscle