If you want to spectate incredible feats of strength and hear humans make thunderous noises like descendants of Thor, come and watch the Africa Strongman Record Breakers on Saturday 29 April.
Roodepoort, 24 April 2023: On Saturday 29 April, don’t be too alarmed when you hear thunder even when the sun is shining, because giants are going to do battle! The African Strongman Record Breakers event is going to test the strongest men and women in the country to see who reigns supreme as the strongest static athlete in the South Africa. The Log, Deadlift and Axle Championships will host these athletes in a day-long competition.
AFRICA STRONGMAN RECORD BREAKERS
The event will comprise of athletes from all kinds of backgrounds in three static strength events you would often see in strongman events on TV and around the world. Each athlete will choose their opening event weights and after each lift, choose their next weight and be limited to 3 lift attempts each per impliment.
Africa Strongman Record Breakers schedule
DEADLIFT AND SA RECORDS
The deadlift consists of a barbell loaded with weight plates which will then be lifted from the ground. An athlete will get a successful lift when their knees, hips and shoulders are locked out.
NOTABLE ATHLETES
Chris van der Linde is South Africa’s first 1000 pound (455kg) deadlifter which is a record he broke at last year’s competition and just missed it again ath the World Deadlift Championships hosted by Giants Live in 2022. The open class Masters record is held by the legend and World’s Strongest Man competitor, Ettien Smit at 380kg.
| WEIGHT CLASS | WEIGHT | ATHLETE |
| OPEN CLASS | 455KG | CHRIS VD LINDE |
| U/105 | 415KG | BLAKE LOUWRENS |
| U/90 | 340KG | TERRENCE VIVIERS |
| U/80 | 280KG | MARKUS JV VUUREN |
| MASTERS OPEN | 380KG | ETTIEN SMIT |
| MASTERS U/105 | 325KG | ANDRE ENGELBREGHT |
DEADLIFT WOMEN
| WEIGHT CLASS | WEIGHT | ATHLETE |
| OPEN | 260KG | CHERRY MUCHINDU |
| U/82 | 210KG | DANIELLE VILJOEN |
| U/74 | ||
| U/64 | 192.5KG | TAMARA PAULSE |
LOG PRESS AND SA RECORDS
The log press might be one of the first strongman events most new athletes find themselves doing. it consists of lifting a log or iron cilinder with handles to the lap, rolling it onto the chest, before lifting it overhead. The lift is called successful when shoulders and elbows are locked out above the head with the head facing forward.
NOTABLE ATHLETES
Tobelani Mabaso holds the record at an impressive 201kg. George Lopez, u80kg log record holder at 120kg and u90 record holder at 130kg will attempt to beat his u90kg records on the weekend.
| WEIGHT CLASS | WEIGHT | ATHLETE |
| OPEN CLASS | 201KG | TOBELANI MABASO |
| U/105 | 165KG | BLAKE LOUWRENS |
| U/90 | 140KG | GEORGE LOPES |
| U/80 | 120KG | GEORGE LOPES |
| MASTERS OPEN | 170KG | FRANK OKALOME |
| MASTERS U/105 | 120KG | JAN GREYVENSTEIN |
LOG PRESS WOMEN
| WEIGHT CLASS | WEIGHT | ATHLETE |
| OPEN | 100KG | XENA BOTHA |
| U/82 | 100KG | FAITH TOTIYANA |
| U/74 | ||
| U/64 | 80KG | GERALDINE V ASWEGEN |
APALONS/AXLE PRESS AND SA RECORDS
The axle press or apalons consists of picking up and pressing a barbell similar to a train axle overhead. It’s an unconventional but impressive feat of technique and strength that has been in the competition for the last few years. A successful list needs the elbows to be locked out with the weight overhead and head facing forward.
NOTABLE ATHLETES
Markus Jansen van Vuuren, six-time u80kg SA strongman champion and 2022 Africa’s Strongest man, holds the u90k record at 130kg but will compete in the u80 class this weekend.
| WEIGHT CLASS | WEIGHT | ATHLETE |
| OPEN CLASS | 175KG | CHRIS VD LINDE |
| U/105 | 155KG | BLAKE LOUWRENS |
| U/90 | 130KG | MARKUS JV VUUREN |
| U/80 | ||
| MASTERS OPEN | 130KG | VUYANI MSESWA |
| MASTERS U/105 | 130KG | JAN VAN BAVEL |
AXLE PRESS WOMEN
| WEIGHT CLASS | WEIGHT | ATHLETE |
| OPEN | 85KG | XENA BOTHA |
| U/82 | 95KG | FAITH TOTIYANA |
VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETES
| WEIGHT CLASS | WEIGHT | ATHLETE |
| OPEN | 100KG | XENA BOTHA |
| U/82 | 100KG | FAITH TOTIYANA |
WHERE CAN YOU WATCH THE AFRICA STRONGMAN RECORD BREAKERS?
Where: Area51 Strength and Conditioning
763 Cypress Road
Zonnehoewe AH
Roodepoort
1724
When: Saturday 29 April
Time: 8:30
Entrance Fee: R50
All of the athletes are ready to perform an magnificent show of strength and grit. If you’ve ever wanted to hear thunder created like descendants of Thor, make sure that you come and spectate the greatness on Saturday.
