Throwing the hammer Tossing the caber And beating the bookie

Punters have flutter on strongmen

Mark Howarth Punters will be able to bet on the Highland Games for the first time this year.

For centuries, communities have come together to take part in sports such as the caber toss, hammer throw and the sheaf toss.

But now fans will be able to get involved in a different way as McBookie.com launch odds for the competitors.

It means they can put money on who they think will lift the Highland Games Heavyweight League title.

The games season kicks off today, with Home Counties ex-shot putter Scott Rider the favourite to defend his crown as heavyweight champ.

His main challenger is expected to be giant “ne w Scot” Lukasz Wenta, who moved from Poland to East Kilbride just to compete in our summer meets.

McB o o k i e spokesman Paul Petrie said: “Offering the chance of a flutter on the Highland Games is something new for us and for the industry as a whole.

“To those who don’t know Scotland well, there’s maybe a temptation to dismiss the Highland Games as just quaint community events.

“But the reality is that these heavyweights are dedicated, talented and, to be honest, pretty scary athletes and this is proper top-drawer sport.

“They are performing superhuman feats in front of big crowds every weekend.

“Scotland should be proud that it can lay on thi s remarkable programme of Mechanic, 27, Blair Atholl, Perthshire The main hope from the Games’ heartlands, he was crowned world record holder for Haggis Hurling in 2013 after he launched it 217ft. Personal trainer, 38, East Kilbride At 19st, he takes on 3000 calories a day, including five eggs for breakfast, and trains for 12 hours a week. He moved from Poland five years ago to compete in the Games.

We are expecting a tight, exciting race for the title

sporting events year after year and yet still keep that informal, local, friendly and traditional atmosphere.”

“We’ve had f ive dif ferent winners in the last five years so we’re expecting a tight, exciting race for the title.

“Scott Rider’s performance last year shows he is the man to beat – but you keep hearing whispers about the Czech Tulacek and we’re anticipating some backing for the local favourites too.”

The season’s first Games is at Gordon Castle in Fochabers, Moray, today and 60 more will be held around the country, finishing at Invercharron in Sutherland in September.

Each meet awards points for athletes according to how far and high they can throw the hammer and stone and how well they can toss the caber.