Europe’s Strongest Event Information

Event rules

Please note that any rules not followed can result in a score of zero for that event.

Kit

For all events the following kit is allowed; elbow sleeves, knee sleeves, belts, under-belts, wrist wraps, chalk, compression cuffs, all neoprene products, lifting straps. 1 garment per joint (you are allowed a belt over an under-belt). If it is not listed then it is not allowed. If an athlete is found to have been wearing kit that is not allowed for an event, or wearing kit the wrong way, their score will be zero for that event.

Competition t-shirt must worn at all times, failure to do so will result in a score zero of the event affected. Athletes can not touch/ rearrange any implements before the whistle on any event (at referees discretion). Athletes can not wear headphones/ earphones while on the competition floor, doing so will result in a score zero of the event affected. Athletes must only wear on to the competition floor clothing/ items that they intend to wear for the event (other than walking out in shoes if deadlifting barefoot, and smelling salts), any extra clothing or items brought on to the competition floor will result in a score zero for the event affected.

Baby powder, Talc, Pool chalk, baby oil or any similar product cannot be used for deadlift or any other event, if an athlete is found to have used these their score will be zero for that event.

Event 1 - Log/ Axle Back & Forth. 60 sec time limit.

Factory Weights/ Strength Shop 50KG Log (32cm diameter), Cerberus Axle (25KG), axle will be on 13” Wagon wheels.

There are 2 weight options, there will be 1 set of loaded logs/ axles left out, meaning you need to choose weight in advance and stick with this, weight selection to be given at weigh-in/check-in. Athletes can start on whichever implement they choose, they will start hands off, once a rep is scored on an implement, the next rep must be scored on the opposite implement.

Standard overhead rules apply, the log is brought from the pads to overhead for the first rep, at the top you must have the implement locked above your head each time with elbows locked and head through, knees and hips must also be locked and feet in-line to get the down command, after the down command the log must be brought down to the pads in a controlled fashion, before the athlete moves on, the axle must be lifted from floor or from drop pads, and must be brought back down safely and under control in order for the rep to count, no head touch or resting is allowed on axle or log. Should the log or axle roll off, the athlete must go and get it, should the log or axle be dumped in a reckless manner, the rep will be disallowed.

Regardless of whether the athlete thinks that they have achieved all of the points to make successful rep or not, the athlete MUST wait on the referee’s down command in order to receive the rep. Down command must be given before the whistle at the end of 60 seconds for the rep to count.

Event 2 - Axle Deadlift for reps. 60 sec time limit, you strap in on your own time.

Cerberus Axle Bars, regular bar height.

Standard deadlift rules apply, conventional stance, at the top you must stand up straight with knees and hips locked with shoulders back and feet in line and wait on the referees down command to be awarded the rep. Athlete starts hands off, touch and go reps are not allowed, slack must be taken out of the bar at the bottom of the deadlift before going for your next rep.

Event 3 - Yoke into Sandbag. 60 sec time limit.

Factory Weights Yoke, Cerberus Sandbags.

Yoke will start behind line, athlete should start standing underneath the yoke ‘ready to go, please note that when athletes are called out we will start promptly, if athlete is not ready to go that is on them’.. On the whistle athlete will carry the yoke 10m until the front of the yoke is fully over the line, before running back 10m to pick up the sandbag, carry the sandbag 10m and load it over the yoke, before carrying the yoke back 10m until the front of the yoke is fully over the line where you started, before running back 10m to pick up the sandbag, carry the sandbag 10m and load it over the yoke at which point the clock will be stopped and athletes time will be recorded. If athlete doesn’t complete the course they will receive a split time from the last implement that they completed. Note, yoke must be carried on the athletes back, any other position will result in a score of zero for this event. Yoke must be dropped over the line and not slid over the line, doing so will result in a 2 second penalty.

Event 4 - Bag Toss. 45 sec time limit.

Women’s Frame Heights: 57/64/LWM = 4m, 73/82/OWM/J/ Open = 4.1m

Men’s Loading Heights: 72/80/LWM//OWM/J = 4.1m, 105/Open = 4.2m

Cerberus Throwing Bags. Small bags used up to 15KG, bigger bags used from 16KG.

Athlete starts with one hand in contact with the frame, on the whistle, athlete will throw the lightest bag over the frame, before moving on to the next bag, bags must be thrown over the frame in chronological order. However, should an athlete throw a heavier bag over before realising that a previous bag went over, they will be allowed to continue, as long as they go back and throw the lighter bag over, but will incur a 1 second penalty on their final time. The time will be stopped/ rep recorded when the bag hits the floor at the other side of the frame. Should the bag land on top of the frame and stay there, the rep will count if the bag settles on top of the frame for 2s. Bags must be throw directly over your frame. 1st Bag will be 3m out from frame uprights.

Event 5 - Circus DB Press Ladder. 60 sec time limit.

Any dumbbells with 0 on the end are Factory Weights, any with 5 on the end are from Nathan Holle.

Athlete starts hands off the implement. When the athlete completes a rep and brings the implement back down to the pad they then move on to the next implement and do the same. On Circus DB athlete must bring the implement from the floor/ pad up to their shoulder, and then from their shoulder to a locked out position overhead (feet in line, knees, hips and elbow locked with the dumbbell stable and not moving above head and their feet stable and planted) to be given a down command, after the down command athlete must bring the dumbbell safely back to the pad, any reckless or dangerous throwing of the dumbbell will result in a no lift. The dumbbell must be pressed (or moved from shoulder to overhead) with only 1 hand on the implement, 2 hands can be used to get it from the floor to their shoulder. Dumbbells must be lifted lightest to heaviest, reps will be split timed. Down command must be given before the whistle in order for the rep to count.

Event 6 - Sandbag Dash, Carry & Load. 60 sec time limit.

Cerberus Sandbags.

Women’s Loading Heights: 57/64/LWM=44”, 73/82/OWM/J=46”, Open=48”

Men’s Loading Heights: 72/80/LWM=48”, 90/OWM/J=50”, 105/Open=52”

Athlete starts with 1 hand in contact with the yoke. When the whistle blows, athlete runs 10m, picks up sandbag and carries it 10m before loading it over the yoke as many times as they can. All reps awarded when the bag hits the floor, must hit the floor before the whistle goes in order for the load to count. Athletes can go around or under the yoke, please note if the athlete goes under the yoke and bangs their head, that is on them.

Weights can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWDvM3DAoMF/?img_index=1

Qualification spots

The top 5 in each category - Qualify for World’s

Extra invites may be awarded, at Natural Strongman’s discretion, to athletes in large categories or categories of very high standard.

Competition Start times

All Women: 10AM

All Men: 2PM

Subject to Change

Weigh-ins

All weigh-ins will be at the competition venue, The Doncaster Dome, Doncaster

Friday - June 5th

Women only - 10-11AM

Men weigh-ins begin - 2-3PM

Extra slot - 5:30-6PM

Saturday - Day of competition

Last chance: 7:45-8AM

Opens, Open Master’s and Juniors can sign-in during any of the above slots OR will be able to sign-in online, online sign-in will open on competition week.

Competition Day

If you’ve already weighed in or checked in, you can arrive anytime after 7:45am.

There will be no full and detailed athlete meeting, so please ensure you’ve read the event rules in advance.

There will be a short group Q&A for any questions:

Women: 8:45am
Men: immediately after the women finish competing

Doors open for spectators at 9:15AM

Appeals Process

Natural Strongman is committed to the continual improvement of its competitive standards, officiating processes, and overall athlete experience. Following a comprehensive review of the 2025 competition season, we identified several areas requiring greater clarity, consistency, and procedural transparency in order to further strengthen the integrity of our events. As a result, this Appeals Policy has been developed to provide athletes with a clear, fair, and structured mechanism to raise concerns that may arise during competition, while also supporting referees and officials with a consistent framework for decision-making. This policy is designed to ensure all appeals are handled efficiently, respectfully, and decisively within the constraints of live competition, and will be implemented on a trial basis for the 2026 UK and Ireland National Championship events.
Athletes are strongly advised to review the full Appeals Policy document prior to competition, which can be downloaded below.

Download the Natural Strongman Appeals Policy (PDF)