The Strongman Champions League will make its US debut later this month in Ohio, thanks in large part to a Columbus power couple.
Why it matters: The league is the only global competition circuit for professional strongmen and has a sizable following. The premieres in Toledo and Sandusky will undoubtedly enhance Ohio’s reputation in the world of strength sports.
Strongman Ilya Khazov tells Axios that Columbus has been building its own legacy for quite some time.
- Khazov, also known as “Lion of Limassol,” is the strongest man from Cyprus, a Mediterranean island nation. He lives and trains here during the league’s offseason.
- He has hosted some events, and through his connections and networking, was able to lure the competition to the picturesque Lake Erie shores.
Flashback: Khazov ended up in Central Ohio thanks to his wife, Lily Starobin, one of the world’s top female powerlifters.
- From Westside Barbell’s innovations in the ’80s, to the rise of local fitness giants like Rogue and EliteFTS, Columbus has been considered “mecca of powerlifting,” Starobin, who moved here years ago, tells Axios.
- That was even before the Arnold Sports Festival took off.
How it works: The Strongman Champions League holds 16 contests per year, each in a different country.
- Athletes collect points and a champion is crowned in November.
- The competitions are globally televised and available on Amazon Prime and Peacock, and BCSN and its app will broadcast Ohio’s events.
Zoom in: Toledo will host a preview on September 19, while Sandusky will host the competitions on September 20, which will include truck and ferry pulls as well as a dramatic keg toss into the bay.
The festivities will feature family-friendly entertainment and food trucks.
The events are free to attend, and Khazov and Starobin anticipate that many Central Ohioans will take the road trip.
The bottom line: Despite the fact that they are not Ohio natives, both say they are “Ohio proud” and are excited to showcase local communities on a global scale — for the first time, hopefully not the last.
