Strongmen Wow the Crowd
Strongmen Wow the Crowd Save Email Print
Posted: 7:02 PM Sep 6, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:02 PM Sep 6, 2008
 Reporter: Carrie Jones
Email Address: Carrie.Jones@wsaz.com
21 comments
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CHARLESTON, W.Va (WSAZ) -- It's a showdown of strength in Charleston. The "World's Strongest Man" competitiors took over Magic Island Saturday showing off their skills.

Hundreds of people turned out for the big events, which included the loading race and the keg toss.

Hometown favorite and former Strongman winner Phil Phister breezed through the event, tossing all of the kegs over the sign in less than 75 seconds.

Some competitors had a little trouble finishing the event, but the crowd cheered them on to the finish.

Sunday, the Strongmen will take part in the fingal fingers and truck pull events.
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Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 06:23 PM
No booger, I think you misunderstood. Its not the Strongman contest that someone was talking about it was the keg tossing that got the hick comment. Well that's how I took it anyway. Maybe I misunderstood, anyway I do think its a good thing...I'll have my little boy on the Blvd on Friday for the car event.
Posted by: booger on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I don't think the Strongman Contest has anything to do with us being called "hicks." We've been called that for a long, long, long time.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 07:22 AM
carl, why couldn't you compare these guys to other strong men that have had great success with their strength. Look at Arnold Swartzennegger, he's in the Guiness Book of World records for the the best developed man. 1970 something. Shaqueel using his fame and good fortune to give back to the community, and Lou Ferrigno (overlook my misspellings) famous for the tv series The Incredible Hulk. Sometimes it takes more than just a strong body to be strong. These guys are very dedicated to what they do and those mountains of muscles prove that... Good luck gents. Hope your stay is WV is a good one. I think this is great for WV
Posted by: Michael on Sep 8, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Iwas there Sat. and Sun. with my wife and children. We all had a great time. Good clean fun.
Posted by: Ray on Sep 8, 2008 at 07:51 AM
To ..., This is a world event and over the years it has been held in numerous locations worldwide! We are lucky to have it in the USA and for it to be in West Virginia is HUGE! Competitors from all over the world compete! This is something that will be shown on ESPN about one hundred times once it airs. You must be the true “hick” if you honestly had no idea about this sporting event which is global.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Hi RA, they said on tv that this sport is geared toward the tv coverage and not necessarily a spectator sport. They said there would be alot of down time between events and would have activities set up for children. One thing that I do have to agree w/ Ra is that people are rude..
Posted by: R.A on Sep 7, 2008 at 09:49 PM
This is nice for the state and espn but there is no way to see it well, it should have been more friendly to people who wanted to watch just VIP got really good views and small childern forget it people were rude . I know its really hard to have everyone see good but I think they could do a better job. Like have some not all at the ball field we just paid for ?
Posted by: ADAM on Sep 7, 2008 at 09:48 PM
carl wrote "people should not be rewarded for physical strength.o j simpson micheal vick mike tyson are just a few examples of strong bodies but weak minds.we should set better examples for children" - and what exactly are YOU doing to set a better example? better yet - how would you set a better example - people are all different and great in their own way... some people are smart, some are fast and some are strong etc. i think this is one of the best things to happen to WV, because this is a WORLD EVENT - many countries will be watching at Christmas time when it is aired and YOU should be out cheering everyone on - showing the world how friendly and hospitable WV truly is.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Well now let's look at this for a moment. Throwing a KEG does sound a little redneckish. lol..No disrepect is intended, just a little redneck humor. As a former bartender I know how heavy those kegs are and it takes one heck of strong body to do what these guys have done. I think that Phil has worked hard to bring something good to WV. I mean we have people from all over the world here in our city, that's pretty cool. Good luck, WV has your broad backs. hehehe
Posted by: Caligula on Sep 7, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Uh oh! Someone got Pfisted!
Posted by: JC on Sep 7, 2008 at 05:01 PM
I disagree with the comment that people should not be rewarded for physical strength. I don't know about everyone else, but I am a pretty smart person and cannot seem to disclipline myself enough to work out all the time. Having muscles does not make you stupid, it makes you strong-minded because you have to have a strong mind to disclipline yourself, make a commitment and push your body through such a regimen. Everyone is good at something and they all should be rewarded, even if it is not something that is interesting to some people. They could have been spending all their time getting fat and messed up sitting at some bar someplace. I congratulate anyone who can accomplish something and if it weren't for strong people, there wouldn't be rescuers out there with the ability to save people in certain situations.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Tell me that you cannot respect the dedication and efforts these guys put forth for what they believe in.
Posted by: Pablo on Sep 7, 2008 at 02:08 PM
My feelings are if a West Virginian is offended because they think the World Strong Man Contest held in our state makes us all look like hicks, then perhaps those that feel that way should leave. Send me your mailing address and I'll see that you get directions our of West Virginia. Provided of course that you don't come back. We don't want you here anymore than you wish you weren't here. Go, no one is stopping you.
Posted by: Donna on Sep 7, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I think that someone is just trying to stir the pot. Grow up dude
Posted by: carl on Sep 7, 2008 at 09:36 AM
people should not be rewarded for physical strength.o j simpson micheal vick mike tyson are just a few examples of strong bodies but weak minds.we should set better examples for children
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 08:06 AM
aw forget the hick comment, hes just jealous... this is WV's time to shine in front of the World Stage
Posted by: Carina on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:02 PM
My question is, why wasn't our wonderful mayor dressed in something decent instead of gym shorts and sleeve cut shirt? Was he in the competition, because otherwise helooked like he was a little underdressed for someone in the spotlight....
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:31 PM
I went to this contest today and it was awesome! We had a blast.
Posted by: anon on Sep 6, 2008 at 09:46 PM
explain yourself ... (7:49PM). It does not make sense. This event could have taken place in another country. Would they also be considered hicks?
Posted by: ... on Sep 6, 2008 at 09:29 PM
How can this be considered something hicks do? It is a competition people come from all over the world to be apart of. I thought this was awesome to see, because its not something you see all the time.
Posted by: ... on Sep 6, 2008 at 07:49 PM
And this is why everyone thinks we're hicks.
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