Monster dumbells, tractors, huge loads of concrete - all part and parcel of the first ever Pembrokeshire Strongman event at KeyHolder Gym in Pembroke Dock.

The event, held on Saturday, September 8th, was won by Rory Brown, who trains at SAW and is already well renowned in Wales for his 'Strongman' exploits.

Rory edged out Wayne Rogers (Neyland) after an epic battle in the Intermediate category while Adam James was the Novice winner.

It was Adam's first-ever Strongman competition and the determination of the Haverfordwest cricketer shone through as he took the title from Darren Talbot, who travelled down from Devon. Clarbie Road footballer Tom Reubens was third.

The novelty of the event was evident as despite persistent rain, a large crowd turned out and a superb £605 was raised for Pembrokeshire Mind, with supporters making voluntary contributions and taking part in a charity raffle.

In the Intermediate category the battle began with the 'Axle Squat' - Rogers edged out Brown by completing 11 squats to 10.

But Brown fought back in the overhead medley, where entrants were forced to list a 100kg bar, 110kg log, 120kg axle and 70kg monster dumbbell - and he extended his lead in the 'race' with the 300kg yoke, and by recording the fastest time in the 20-metre long farmer's walk with 120kg in weights in each hand.

The pendulum swung again as each competitor had to pull a seven-tonne tractor down a 20-metre stretch of tarmac and Rogers showed incredible strength and technique to become the only one to complete the course in the allocated time.

But then came the Atlas Stones Lift, where each contestant lifted huge concrete balls from the floor onto a five feet high platform, with their respective weights being 110kgs, 125kgs, 135kgs, 145kgs and a 160kgs (more than 17 stone).

And it went down to the wire as Brown beat Rogers by just one second to take the overall title, presented by referee Gavin Bilton (Caerphilly) who is currently Wales' second strongest man and ranked ninth in the UK.

Intermediate category:

1st: Rory Brown (SAW & Key Holders' Gym)

2nd: Wayne Rogers (Neyland)

3rd: Steve Mynott (Devon)

4th: Alyn Morris (Bridgend)

5th: Dean Innes (Key Holders' Gym)

6th: Mark Davies (Key Holders' Gym)

Novice Category:

1st: Adam James (Haverfordwest)

2nd: Darren Talbot (Devon)

3rd: Tom Reubens: Clarbeston Road

4th: Carl Rees (SAW Gym)

5th: Lloyd Davies (Tenby)

6th: Thomas Johns (Haverfordwest)

7th: Jamie Condon (SAW & The Power Shack)

8th: Rodney Phillips (Key Holders' Gym)

  • Organisers thanked the weight loaders, Adam Bentley and Mark Coaker, and also Johnny Gammon, the owner of the Key Holders' Gym, plus all the supporters who helped make the event such a success.