Dubai to groom world’s strongest men
dubai — Dubai is not just about constructing the biggest structures and tallest buildings but is also grooming the world’s strongest men.
The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) launched on Monday the World’s Ultimate Strongman (WUS) incubator programme — “an innovative, intensive training programme to take athletes with potential and turn them into world beaters.”
Based in Dubai, the programme will see athletes from all over the world come to the emirate to elevate their level of performance to compete with the best on the planet, according to the DSC.
“All the trainings, coaching, accommodation, rehabilitation and recovery will be taken care of by the DSC to provide the athletes the very best learning and development environment.”
The initiative further reinforces Dubai’s status as the home of strongmen, following the hosting of the World’s Ultimate Strongman (WUS) in October last year, the DSC added.
No less than the reigning world’s strongest man, Hafthor Bjornsson, nicknamed Thor and more popularly known as Gregor ‘The Mountain’ Clegane in the hit TV series Game of Thrones, was on hand to flex his muscles and launch the programme at the DSC headquarters.
DSC secretary-general Saeed Hareb said: “We are pleased to see Bjornsson supporting this visionary initiative with his presence. We are confident we will see many strongmen come through this incubator programme in the coming months and years.”
For his part, WUS founder Mark Boyd said: “The WUS Incubator is a unique addition to the world of strongman, and it is only fitting it takes place in Dubai — the city that is leading the way when it comes to the sport’s development.
“We want to give athletes with potential the training, knowledge and knowhow to help them on the path to becoming the best in the world. While in Dubai, they will be in the perfect training environment, with top-level coaching, and expertise to maximise nutrition and recovery,” Boyd added.
Dubai-based Fuel Up will provide food and nutrition to the athletes. They will be staying at Meydan Hotel and the training facilities and coaching will be provided by Emirates Strength at the Train SF facility, while the DISC and RehabNmotion
You should have the right training and mindset. It’s not just about physical strength but mental prowess, speed and discipline as well.”
You have to be very consistent — it’s not just about physical strength but mental prowess, speed and discipline as well.” Hafthor Bjornsson, world’s strongest man
The WUS Incubator is a unique addition to the world of strongman, and it is only fitting it takes place in Dubai.”
Mark Boyd, WUS founder
We are confident we will see many strongmen come through this incubator programme in coming months and years.” Saeed Hareb, secretary-general, Dubai Sports Council
will offer recovery and rehabilitation. When not training, the athletes will enjoy downtime with Recharge DXB who will offer hospitality and activity tourism.
The first athlete to sign up for the WUS Incubator programme was American athlete Larry Wheels. A power-lifter, 24-year-old Wheels can routinely lift over 800lbs on his squat, 850 on deadlift and more than 600 on his bench press.
Wheels will be trained by Bjornsson for the first two weeks of the WUS incubator programme.