Prepare for surprises in 5th OKS challenge
KOTA KINABALU: It will be anyone’s game, or at least that is what organisers believe when participants take to the field at the Sabah Strongest Man Challenge (OKS - Orang Kuat Sabah) happening at Padang Merdeka here this weekend.
Casero Events managing director Steve Mositun said there are a total of 16 participants vying for honours in this fifth comeback edition of the annual competition, which was first introduced in 2010 and last held in 2013.
Only six of the participants hail from Sabah and Steve believes the rest of them, who come from elsewhere in Malaysia and Singapore, will give the local contenders a run for their money.
Among those who are tipped to lift the crowd is 21-year-old Zarol from Selangor.
“Zarol has won numerous titles within Malaysia in 2014 and in 2015 in both strongman and powerlifting competitions.
“He also represented Malaysia in Hungary for the World Natural Strongman Federation Intercontinental Team Championships alongside OKS multi-title winner Ahmad Taufiq,” Steve said, while adding that Zarol will be a favourite for a top three finish. Another outsider to look out for is Ridwan Ahmad, 30, who finished third in the Static Monsters Singapore last year.
“He was also runner-up of the Philippines Strongest Man Challenge in 2016 and was fourth in the Arnold’s Strongman in Hong Kong the same year,” Steve said.
There is also an entry from the Philippines aside from the entries from Peninsular Malaysia states and Singapore.
According to Steve, Ray Jefferson will be the tournament’s dark horse, whose sights are set for a podium finish.
He said the 30-year-old from Cebu was the champion of the Philippines Strongman Championship in 2015 and runner-up at the Asia Pacific Strongman Championship the same year.
“He has not declared to take a shot at winning the title, but he will be eyeing a spot on the podium,” Steve said.
Meanwhile, with local talents never failing to come up short at previous editions of the OKS, Steve said there could be surprises from one or two top names from Sabah.
He did not disclose any of their names but promised that the list would include some faces who the crowd are familiar with.
“Just like all previous editions of the tournament, it is always anybody’s game where the champion could be anybody.
“What is certain is that the event will bring plenty of action for everyone to enjoy, not just from the tournament but also from the side events that we have lined up. We hope to see everyone there for an action-packed and funfilled weekend,” Steve said.
For the record, the twoday tournament will feature six classic strongman events including the Tyre Flip (500kg), Circus Dumbbell (54kg-75kg) and Last Man Standing Dead Lift (260kg380kg) which will be contested on Saturday beginning 9am.
The other three to be featured on Sunday are the Bus Pull (10-15 tonne), Atlas Stone (135kg-155kg) and Loading race (100kg x 4).