Thirty muscle-bound athletes from all over the world have arrived in the country to compete in the thrilling battles of human strength and willpower of the 41st World Strongest Man (WSM) starting this weekend in various Philippine tourist destinations.
The Department of Tourism said the popular sports television series would be shown in over 70 countries and feature select destinations, such as Rizal Park, Intramuros, Bonifacio Global City, Corregidor Island, Tagaytay City, Bataan, Davao City and Coron Island, Palawan.
British muscleman Eddie Hall, a.k.a “The Beast,” will defend his “World’s Strongest Man” title against 29 other competitors, including several former titleholders.
Victor in Botswana
The 30-year-old Hall won last year’s WSM competition held in Botswana, where he posted a world record dead lift on a 462.66-kilogram (1,020-pound) long bar.
Among the athletes already in Manila are the United States’ Bryan Benzel and Iceland’s Hafþór Júlíus “Thor” Björnsson, who plays “The Mountain” in the TV epic series “Game of Thrones.”
“This year’s edition of the World’s Strongest Man will not only be a ‘Thrilla in Manila’ (in reference to the unforgettable boxing fight topbilled by Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in October 1975) as it will showcase some of our top tourist destinations and promote the country as a venue for international sports events,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said.
The WSM events will take place for nine days starting on Saturday. —JEROME ANING