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Talal al-Kuwari was crowned the strongest man in the Qatari category while Christopher Oketch from Kenya claimed the title in the open race category in the second edition of Aspire Zone’s Qatar’s Strongest Man event held over the National Day weekend. |
Fahad al-Haddad was awarded second place while Rashid al-Marri was the third place winner in the Qatari nationals category.
Christopher Oketch pulling a truck.
In the open race category, the second and third places also went to Kenyans, Joseph Iroo Ekadeli and Meshack Otieno Ogo, respectively.
In the Qatari category, Ali Essa Albinali and Abdulla Majid Allaq finished joint fourth, Abdulla Essa Albinali was fifth, Salah Abdulrahman Zaenalabdeen sixth and Mohamed Jarlla Almarri seventh.
In a contest witnessed by thousands of spectators, 16 competitors in two categories battled it out over five gruelling tasks, which pushed the men’s physical and mental strength to the absolute limit.
The challenges were weightlifting, lifting a fixed car, pulling a truck, moving a giant tyre and moving an Atlas stone and sand bags.
“I am ecstatic with my win, but it was still a really tough race as the standard this year was exceptionally high,” said al-Kuwari.
“I would like to thank Aspire Zone for putting on an amazing event and the second edition of Qatar’s Strongest Man was definitely one of the standout events during the Qatar National Day weekend,” he added.
Twenty-four-year-old Oketch, one of the youngest participants, dominated in each of the five tasks. “It was a thrilling event and a very close race between all the contestants, and I look forward to the opportunity to defend my title next year,” he said.
The open race category was held on Thursday and the exclusive event for Qataris on Friday.
Congratulating the winners, Abdullah al-Khater, Aspire Zone events manager, announced that a GCC category would be added to the event next year.
“Aspire Zone has worked hard to put together a fantastic event for participants, spectators and the whole community. Aspire Zone will continue organising fun activities that the community and all families can enjoy.”
