Now that we know who is competing at the North American Championships and how they stack up, we’re taking a deeper dive: What needs to happen for your favorite strongman to grab a podium spot and qualify for World Strongest Man™?

In Part 2 of the two-part event breakdown, we will look at the medley, frame carry, and atlas stones.

Medley

The distance is to be announced, so this will be a surprise for everyone. However, two bags and two kegs at 250lbs for any distance is insane. Look for highly conditioned strongmen to be toward the top in this event including Best, DeVaughn, Ostlund, Felix and Benzel. This event will reveal the athletes that slacked on their conditioning.

How do you train for an event like this? Run kegs back and forth on Venice Beach, of course

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEby_n9BP86/" hide_caption="0"]

Frame Carry

For this event, the strongmen will get in the middle of a giant, 62-foot timber frame, carry its weight (just over 800lbs) in their hands 60ft, turn around, and come back. Best is the favorite in this event; Felix has a world-class grip; and Pritchett performed well on the frame carry at the Arnold Classic the past two years. The long distance and heavy weight will tax their grips, and leave many athletes fighting for that extra few feet of distance to pick up valuable points.

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFxnx-ct5Vr/" hide_caption="0"]

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BGiR7ZTpuk7/" hide_caption="0"]

Atlas Stones

The most iconic event in strongman is also one of the most decisive. Stones this weekend will range from 275-410lbs. and if no one takes an early lead, points could swing drastically. Pritchett, Felix and Ostlund have been great stone loaders in prior contests, but Benzel could shock a few people as well—in the video below, he smoothly loads a 467-pound stone!

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BE4X0CyH5Qf/?taken-by=bbenzel" hide_caption="0"]

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BGoxy7lJuqU/" hide_caption="0"]


Did you miss Part 1, or just want to check it out again? Find it here. And if you sign up this weekend, you'll not only get all the action at OSM and Giants Live North America, you'll also get to watch Europe's Strongest Man on July 9th, featuring Hafthor "The Mountain" Bjornsson, Eddie "The Beast" Hall, Zydrunas "Big Z" Savickas, and more!

By Kalle Beck