Entrants had to lift a car, concrete weights and a barrel

Sidmouth Herald: Jordan Davies won the overhead lifting medley in the Strongman competition. Picture: Chels UnderhillJordan Davies won the overhead lifting medley in the Strongman competition. Picture: Chels Underhill (Image: Chels Underhill)

Seventeen muscly males gathered at Canaan Way for the annual Ottery Strongman Competition on Saturday, August 25.

And while demonstrating their prowess in a series of weightlifting challenges, they were also raising money for the Ottery Tar Barrels.

The five gruelling events included deadlifting a car which weighed 250kg, an overhead lifting medley which included a barrel, and the classic Atlas stones, which are used in the official World’s Strongest Man competitions.

The winner in the novice category was Matt Dicker from Cullompton, and in the Intermediate class was Jordan Davies from Yeovil, aged just 21 and having never entered a Strongman contest before.

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery man Paul Harradence competing in the car deadlift class in the Strongman contest. Picture: Chels UnderhillOttery man Paul Harradence competing in the car deadlift class in the Strongman contest. Picture: Chels Underhill (Image: Chels Underhill)

Local man Paul Harradence from Ottery came ninth.

The event was sponsored by local companies Strawbridge & Sons builders and JPC Tree Care.

It has raised £700 for the Tar Barrels fund, with the money coming from competitors’ fees, a barbecue and a share of the bar takings.