Strongman Cologne 2024 - results and reportage

On Sunday, 18th August, the race in Kolín took place in an alternative date for June, when the organizers headed by Jiří Dejmal decided to postpone the whole competition due to bad weather. "Extreme wind and rain with the possibility of flooding and cloudbursts" was the forecast at that time. It is logical that, although everything was prepared and arranged, human health took precedence, not only of the competitors but also of the spectators. How did the race in Kolín, Central Bohemia, turn out? Let's take a look at that.

Jiří Dejmal and his team have been organizing the races for some time now, previously it was together with Pavel Zadrazil in Kutná Hora, where the races won a great response among the general public and their quality among the competitors. Now in Kolín, only under the baton of Jirka, the races continue every year. And this year professional strongmen competed, supplemented by several amateur fighters. On the alternate date the weather was good and the race could start. The execution of the disciplines and the correct number of repetitions was supervised by strict but fair Pavel Chama. The voice of the race, as it is a standard in Cologne, was Leoš Kubeš.

A total of 11 riders competed in five disciplines, which is our standard, the races do not last long or short and everyone can come to their own.

Pressure Medley

A composite of the pressure disciplines, which the competitor must complete in the shortest possible time. First the competitor had to lift a 130 kg log, followed by a 130 kg axle, i.e. an axle with a thick grip, and finally a142 kg log. All overhead and all until the referee's whistle. Due to the fame of the local competitions, right from the start there were a couple of hundred spectators who were eagerly awaiting the performances of their favourites.

The bronze in the first event went to Patrik the Rooster with a time of 15.1, managing to lift only the first two weights, but in the fastest intermediate time. The first two places were then taken by the fighters who managed the third log without any problems. Pavel Zadražil took the silver right from the edge, having done everything in less than half a minute, i.e. 29.95 seconds. And that it was going to be an exciting race was evident right from the beginning when Jiri Dejmal won the gold on the discipline just by a few hundredths of a second, his time 29.55 seconds.

Car deadlift

The car deadlift is always a crowd pleaser because when a barbell is lying in front of you it can look big and heavy, but when a competitor lifts a car off the ground it disarms everyone. Car + 220kg of iron loaded in the boot, side grip, snatches allowed. Feel weight according to competitors over 300 kg. Third place with massacre 10 reps Pavel Zadražil, second place with fantastic 12 reps František Nový, first place with bestial 15 reps on Mr. Viking Dominik Ponocný.

Super Yoke

Generally running disciplines are not very popular, especially with strongmen of bigger size, Super Yoke will put a strain on the whole body, if you overdo it you will get injured, you need to have strong legs, back and a damn strong middle of the body... In the past there was a super yoke in Cologne made out of a car, modelled on the big Giants live competitions, a beautiful spectacle, a beautiful experience, but there were balance problems with the car, so the organisers went for standard equipment this time, but that doesn't mean it should be easy, then everyone would do it.

In Cologne the Super Yoke was loaded to 450 kg and went 20 meters. It was on cat heads, so care had to be taken. That kind of weight gave everybody a hard time. Only one competitor made it to the finish line for the whole course. The rest of us had to measure the distance. Third place Pavel Zadražil 15, 49 meters. Second place Jiri Dejmal 16,05 meters. Dominik Ponocny, finished the whole 20 meters with a piece of his own soul in 59,75 seconds.

Farmer's Walk

The popular suitcases, in Cologne weighed 152 kg, so the competitors in both hands together 304 kg. The spicing up of this discipline was not intended, but it just happened. In fact, a shorter shower came before the trunks, which dampened Cologne. However, in the temperatures that prevailed it quickly became dry. And there was no shortage of torn callouses, the most common injury from the grip disciplines. Third place Franta Nový, in one go and without laying down, carried the suitcases on the 20m course in a time of 24.77 seconds. Second place Pavel Zadražil, who is said to have a stone grip, with a time of 22.84. First place Jiri Dejmal 21.22 seconds.

Atlas stones

Atlas stones, a royal finish also in Cologne, the competitors had to throw 4 concrete balls weighing 160, 180, 195 and 205 kg over the bar. With the last of their strength they fought to the end. Unfortunately, in the humidity, after the rain and in the last discipline, all these are the reasons why 4 competitors scored zero on the discipline and only 3 competitors managed 180 kg heavy stone and only one managed 195 kg. Third place Pavel Zadražil, 2 stones in a time of 41,33 seconds. Second place Jiri Dejmal 2 stones in 32,03 time. Dominik Ponocny won the discipline, he managed 3 stones in the intermediate time of 46,52 seconds.

It's over, the spectators are excited, the competitors were not seriously injured and so everything is sunny again. Maybe Jiri Dejmal is a bit disappointed, he probably lost the gold thanks to the failed Car Deadlift, but that's sport, it doesn't always work out, moreover Jiri didn't race much last season and devoted himself to work and family. On the other hand, the races were prepared perfectly, everything was perfect and I'm looking forward to next year's event, because it will be a great race again, great spectacle, great action.

If you look at such an interesting information in the results list, the surname Svoboda appears 3 times in total. I should add that it is just a coincidence and the gentlemen are neither brothers nor cousins.

One more small insertion, after the race Dominik Ponocny tried to break the national record in Atlas stone throwing. The current one was held jointly by Jiří Dejmal and Luboš Klinecký, which they set together in Vrdy 2023, weighing 200 kg. Dominik threw 210 kg during the training and then officially set a new national record of 205 kg at the competition.

Third place overall, Jiri Dejmal with a total of 42 points. Second place, Dominik Ponocny, also 42 points, but better placing on the disciplines. In addition Dominik was 2 days before Cologne at very hard competitions in Poland, so hats off to him. First place experienced matador of strongman sport Pavel Zadražil, who uses not only his huge strength, but mainly his years of experience and not only at home, but also all over Europe. Pavel collected 47 points. Congratulations.