Strongman Showdown: Luke Stoltman Triumphs at Rogue Invitational 2024
The highly anticipated 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational event reached a thrilling conclusion with the Circus Medley challenge. Defending champion Mitchell Hooper held a commanding lead going into the final event, but it was Luke Stoltman who emerged victorious, claiming his first Rogue Invitational event win.
The Circus Medley consisted of a grueling test of strength and endurance, featuring overhead presses with a 210-pound kettlebell, a 253-pound Cyrbell, and two axle barbells weighing 375 and 405 pounds. Hooper, who had dominated the competition, was poised to secure the title after the first heat saw Tristain Hoath and Pavlo Kordiyaka fail to score any points.
“However, in a dramatic turn of events, Luke Stoltman and Hooper were the only two athletes to complete the entire event, with Stoltman clocking a faster time of 1:45.69 compared to Hooper’s 1:51.61. This impressive performance earned Stoltman his first-ever Rogue Invitational event win, much to the delight of the cheering crowd.”
The other competitors faced various challenges throughout the Circus Medley. Tom Stoltman, Evan Singleton, Hafthor Björnsson, Thomas Evans, Mathew Ragg, and Bobby Thompson all struggled to complete the course, with most of them failing to lock out the weights for the necessary time to earn points.
Kordiyaka and Hoath’s opening heat showcased a clear technique issue, as they repeatedly hoisted the kettlebell overhead but were unable to hold it long enough to get the judge’s down signal. Thompson and Luke Stoltman fared better in the second heat, with Stoltman advancing to the axle presses and becoming the first strongman to complete the entire event.
The third heat saw an impressive performance from Evans, who breezed through the kettlebell and dumbbell portions before slipping up on the first axle. Ragg also struggled with the dumbbell, while Singleton and Tom Stoltman battled it out in the penultimate heat, with Stoltman narrowly missing out on the final axle press.
Ultimately, it was the reigning champion Hooper and Björnsson who closed out the competition in the final heat. Hooper, already assured of the overall title, cruised through the event, while Björnsson fought to fend off Tom Stoltman for the second-place spot on the podium.
The 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational has once again showcased the incredible strength and determination of the world’s top strongmen, with Luke Stoltman emerging as the winner of the thrilling Circus Medley event.
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