Beloved strongman community figure Laurence Shahlaei, known as “Big Loz,” has been hinting at a comeback to the sport he is passionate about, even after retirement. In a recent feat of strength at the Donald Dinnie Day event, Big Loz demonstrated that he’s back in full form, setting a new Dinnie Stone Carry World Record.
A Memorable Day: The Donald Dinnie Day Event
The Donald Dinnie Day event held on August 6 was an exhibition of elite strongman competitors, including renowned names such as Martins Licis, Tom Stoltman, Luke Stoltman, Donna Moore, and Chloe Brennan.
The Iconic Dinnie Stones: A Legendary Challenge
Named after the first man to carry them barehanded in 1860, Donald Dinnie, the Dinnie Stones consist of two boulders of different weights. The challenge of maintaining balance while carrying the 144.5-kilogram (318.5-pound) smaller stone and the 188-kilogram (414.5-pound) larger stone has tested many athletes over the years.
“Big Loz” Breaks World Record in Dinnie Stone Carry
Adhering to the Scottish tradition, Big Loz donned a kilt for the challenge. He successfully carried the stones and set a new record of 22 feet and 4 inches, breaking his previous record of 14 feet and 7 inches.
“It feels amazing to still be breaking records at this stage in my lifting journey,” Shahlaei expressed on Instagram.
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Setting the Record Straight: Kevin Faires’ Feat
It’s crucial to distinguish between Big Loz’s achievement and the record set by Kevin Faires at the 2023 Rogue Record Breakers event. While Faires did carry two Dinnie Stones over a distance of 31 feet and 7 inches, his feat involved replica stones, earning him the Replica Dinnie Stones World Record.
Looking Forward: Big Loz’s Upcoming Competitions
Currently, Big Loz is preparing for the 2023 Official Strongman Games, where he will compete in the 40+ Masters age division. The winner of this competition, scheduled to take place from December 1-3 in Charleston Coliseum, West Virginia, will be crowned the World’s Strongest Masters Athlete.
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A Glorious Career and Transition to Coaching
Throughout his strongman career, Big Loz has participated in 65 international and national competitions, claiming victory 11 times. His most prestigious title is his 2016 Europe’s Strongest Man win. More recently, he has shifted his focus to coaching, contributing to Mitchell Hooper’s success as the 2023 World’s Strongest Man champion. Nevertheless, his love for the sport persists, as evidenced by his ongoing participation in competitions and setting of new world records.
Overview
Former strongman competitor Laurence ‘Big Loz’ Shahlaei recently signaled his return to the sport with a record-breaking feat at the Donald Dinnie Day event. Known for his love for the sport, Big Loz has been hinting at a comeback following his retirement a few years ago. At the recent event, he successfully set a new Dinnie Stone Carry World Record, demonstrating he’s back in full form. The Donald Dinnie Day event featured several elite strongmen and strongwomen competitors and became the platform where Big Loz outperformed his previous record in the Dinnie Stone Carry. He is now preparing for the 2023 Official Strongman Games, where he will compete in the 40+ Masters age division.
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