ELMSDALE, P.E.I. — The pandemic proved to be no match for P.E.I.’s strongest men and women.
Despite having to deal with COVID-19 restrictions, the recent 2020 P.E.I. Strongest Man/Woman competition in Elmsdale proved to be a success with a total of 23 competitors.
“We had some exciting races for the medals during the day,” said Zane Nicholson, one of the organizers and a competitor at the event.
“We had 20 competitors signed up in the first 48 hours of the event being announced, showing the strongest man/woman is a great, growing sport in P.E.I.”
The top finishers in each division were:
Women
- Nicole Kenny,
- Amy Kinch,
- Stacey Leger.
Men
- Mitch Kinch,
- Alex Wallace,
- Nicholson.
They competed in Car Deadlift Hold, Yoke and Farmers Carry, Deadlift for Reps, Bag Over Bar, Log Ladder and Atlas Stone Over Bar events.
The other co-ordinators were Ryan March and Jordan Dukart.
Nicholson said the pandemic forced organizers to make changes to the event, which is usually held during the Prince County Exhibition in Alberton, attracting athletes from the Maritime region.
This year’s event was moved to the Westend Elite gym – owner Wallace donated use of the venue - and featured mostly Island competitors, many of whom were competing in their first strong man/woman event.
No spectators were at the event, athletes were not allowed to bring significant others or handlers, the gym was given a good cleaning before the athletes arrived, athletes were broken up into two groups during the competition and some of the events were held outside.
Nicholson credited the event’s success to the efforts of the volunteers, including Troy MacCallum and Mike McTague, the head referees and Dukart, who was the head of competition.
“It really humbles us that so many people were so willing to give up their Saturday to a little sport like us.”
Nicholson is already looking ahead to the future for the event.
“Assuming we have a vaccine, the competition will go back to being a part of the Alberton exhibition, and we will have a lot of new athletes showing their skill in front of the roaring audience.”
