The Giants Live tour visited Scotland for the first time ever on Saturday, and the local fans could not have been happier with the result... they were treated to a Stoltman 1-2!
Luke, Not Tom
Just a few weeks ago, 36-year-old Luke Stoltman had no international titles to his name. He now has two! Luke delivered a consistent performance in Glasgow, only getting maximum points in the Log Lift (tying with his brother) and amassing 37.5 out of a possible 50 points.
Still, Luke could hardly have done any better on these events. In the Atlas Stones, his impressive run of 19.91 seconds proved to be enough as his rivals faltered.
"I'm the best in the world, and I will prove that to you next year", Stoltman said.
A Rarity in the Stones
Going into the final event at the Giants Live World Tour Finals, Tom Stoltman had a one-point lead over Evan Singleton. That seemed insurmountable, given the fact that Luke's younger brother had won each of his last 10 stone lifting events in competition.
However, unbelievably, Stoltman mistimed his lift on the fourth stone. The 160 kg rock hit the lip of the platform and crashed to the ground, knocking the heavier fifth stone away in the process.
That was the opening Evan Singleton was looking for, but he made the same mistake and also saw his fifth stone roll away! The two men lost loads of time, and this allowed Luke Stoltman to win the competition. Tom finished one point back with 36.5, while Singleton amassed 33.5 points - just enough to hold off his countryman Kevin Faires.
Two New World Records
The day started with Cheick "Iron Biby" Sanou attempting the log lift world record. The athlete from Burkina Faso had been unable to attend the World Log Lift Championships on September 4 due to a missed connection at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Iron Biby was able to seize his opportunity. He made quick work of 180 and 207 kg before taking on the 229 kg world record attempt. Unlike the Axle Press record he set in July, there was no need for multiple tries! Biby pressed the log with ease, taking the record away from strongman legend Žydrūnas Savickas, who had held it since May 1, 2005.
Sanou was performing in honor of his father, Lancina, who passed away on August 21. Like his son, Lancina Sanou was an educated man: he founded the Alpha Solidarité schools in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso and dedicated his life to helping the youth learn.
Another world record was broken shortly after Sanou had left the platform. The Nicol Stones had been carried 21.50 metres by Scotland's Andy Black earlier this summer, but Kevin Faires was able to set the new mark at 22.20 metres. Black then tried to get his record back, but fell just short at 21.86 metres.
Find full results
here.