Australia has emerged as a powerhouse in the world of strongman and strongwoman competitions. With the sport steadily growing in popularity, a group of eleven men and nine women recently gathered in Melbourne to showcase their strength and determine which athletes stand out across the country. The 2023 Australia’s Strongest Man and Australia’s Strongest Woman competitions, held on March 18-19, proved to be a true test of endurance and power, with Josh Patacca and Nicole Genrich emerging victorious in their respective divisions.
The two-day event featured the same eight events for both men and women, with competitors showcasing their strength in a series of grueling tests. Patacca and Genrich proved to be dominant forces in their divisions, accumulating a significant lead over their opponents and emerging as clear winners. The level of skill and athleticism on display was a testament to the growing popularity of strongman and strongwoman competitions, and a clear indication of Australia’s position as a force to be reckoned with in the world of strength sports.
Results of the 2023 Australia’s Strongest Man competition are as follows:
Josh Patacca – 76.5 points
Ryan Rullis – 67 points
Macauley Tinker – 59 points
Jordan Osborne – 57.5 points
Sean Gillen – 51.5 points
Aidan Canini – 46.5 points
Hank Theunissen – 46 points
Dylan Lockard – 36.5 points
Jihad El Masri – 35 points
Maximus McCall – 21.5 points
Nathan Woods – 9 points
The 2023 Australia’s Strongest Woman competition yielded the following results:
Nicole Genrich – 62.5 points
Megan Clark – 51.5 points
Nichole Wight – 45.5 points
Rebekah Chessum – 43 points
Katie Blunden – 39.5 points
Ari Mann – 34.5 points
Camilla Fogagnolo – 29.5 points
Joe Kimitaunga – 29 points
Elly Smith – 21 points
View this post on Instagram
Events at the 2023 Australia’s Strongest Man and Woman Competition
Event One — Yoke Athletes kicked off the 2023 Australia’s Strongest Man & Woman competitions by carrying a massive Yoke for 20 meters. The men had to bear the weight of a 450-kilogram Yoke, while the women carried one weighing 300 kilograms. Participants were given a time limit of 60 seconds to finish the event, and those who didn’t complete the entire distance were scored based on how far they managed to carry the Yoke.
Event Two — Axle Overhead Press The second event of the competitions required participants to perform a typical Axle Overhead Press for max weight. Women were required to lift a minimum opener weight of 90 kilograms, while men had to lift at least 140 kilograms. Refereeing for this event was strict, with athletes having to fulfill multiple criteria, including fully locking out the bar above their head and controlling it on the way down. Participants had one minute to complete their attempt.
View this post on Instagram
Event Three — Tyre Flip The third event of the 2023 Australia’s Strongest Man & Woman competitions was the Tyre Flip, which tested the participants’ strength by requiring them to flip a heavy tyre. The approximate weight of the women’s tyre was 260 kilograms, while the men’s tyre weighed between 360 and 400 kilograms.
Event Four — Frame Hold The fourth event of the competition tested participants’ grip strength. Participants were required to deadlift a frame and hold it for as long as possible, with no equipment allowed apart from chalk. The men’s frame weighed 300 kilograms, while the women held a 200-kilogram frame.
Event Five — Max Deadlift The fifth event of the competition was the Deadlift for max weight, which was one of the most iconic tests of strength in multiple sports. The standard deadlift rules applied, with suits not allowed. Participants had 60 seconds to complete their attempt.
View this post on Instagram
Event Six — QEST Stone Carry The QEST Stone Carry was the sixth event of the competition and tested participants’ endurance. Athletes were required to pick up and carry the stone for the maximum distance possible, with no additional attempts allowed. The men’s stone weighed 160 kilograms, while the women’s weighed 110 kilograms.
Event Seven — Composite Dumbbell Reps The penultimate event of the 2023 Australia’s Strongest Man & Woman competitions focused on shoulder strength. Participants were required to press dumbbells for as many reps as possible within a 60-second time limit, with the weights of the dumbbells set at 50 kilograms for women and 90 kilograms for men.
Event Eight — Stone To Shoulder The final and deciding event of the competition was Stone To Shoulder, which required participants to move a stone from the floor to their shoulder. The opposite hand also had to be clear of the stone, and the stone had to be clearly on the shoulder and under control for the rep to count. The weights used for the final event were 150 kilograms for men and 90 kilograms for women.
View this post on Instagram
Australian Strongman & Strongwoman Competitions 2023: Josh Patacca and Nicole Genrich Emerge as Winners Amidst Stiff Competition
The 2023 Australian Strongman & Strongwoman Competitions lived up to their billing with a highly competitive roster and impressive displays of strength. Josh Patacca and Nicole Genrich emerged as champions in their respective categories, showcasing their exceptional abilities amidst a field of exceptional athletes. With the bar set high, anticipation is high for future competitions as the Australian strongman and strongwoman scene continues to evolve and grow.
Courtesy Image @ big_g_strongwoman (Instagram)
