The world’s strongest men showcase their strength in Nõo Meat Factory

On July 20th, the Strongman Champions League gathered 12 of the world’s strongest men in Tartu, where they pulled the famous Jõmmu ship upstream along the Emajõgi River. Before that, the strongmen visited us to demonstrate their power by pushing a truck.

“The Tartu competition is one of the toughest challenges in this year’s Strongman Champions League, where participants will have to lift and pull much heavier loads than usual,” said Ervin Toots, Estonia’s strongest man and the main organizer of the event. The strongmen have come to Tartu to compete from various European and African countries, including this year’s overall leader in the Champions League, Latvian Aivars Šmaukstelis. Estonia will be represented by Ervin Toots and Gunnar Gimbutas.

“Before the big event, we organized a warm-up at the Nõo processing facility, pushing a large meat truck, as it’s not possible to pull a heavy vehicle on Tartu’s Autovabaduse Boulevard, and meat plays an important role in the strongmen’s daily diet. To stay fit, we eat a very diverse and healthy diet, and among other things, we consume meat at least six times a day,” Toots explained.

Simmo Kruustük, Chairman of the Board at Nõo Meat Factory, said that the strongmen are a great example to everyone, demonstrating the importance of a balanced diet and the consumption of quality meat, which provides essential nutrients and makes us strong.

Seated on Tartu’s Kaar Bridge, participants had to pull the nearly 25-meter-long, 60-ton Jõmmu ship against the current. The competition program also included lifting a 150-kilogram metal structure from the ground to straight arms, pushing an 800 kg quad bike and a large cart loaded with people, carrying four women seated on a metal structure, throwing several dozen kilograms of sandbags over a distance of 4.3 meters, and dragging weights of 200-275 kg up the stairs. The Strongman Champions League is one of this sport’s most prestigious competition series worldwide.