Bearded like a strongman from a bygone age, 28-year-old Luke Slotemaker’s powerful frame strains under the immense Atlas stone he carries. His raw power and strength are obvious as the sweat pours from his brow.
Strongman is a sport that harkens back to an era where explosive power was a way of life. Farming, forestry, mining and the railway are all part of our pioneering roots where functional strength forged our young nation.
Studying for a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at the Auckland University of Technology, Slotemaker has created the Vortex Top of the South Strongman Competition to be held at the Nelson A & P show later this year.
With a unique rural flavour, contenders will test their strength and vie for the title of the strongest man in the top of the South. They will tow farm trucks and race to flip super-sized tractor tires among other events. Mixed with a strong entertainment factor for the crowd the event will run over two days.
Slotemaker expects most of the contenders will be local, but the call is going out to strongmen nationwide to partake in what will be a unique spectacle of raw strength.
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