Old-Time Strongman 2025

UPDATE: Unfortunately, as an organisation just restarting All-Round Weightlifting in NZ, we were unable to get volunteers and lifters to make this event happen. 
We will refocus on getting members involved to put on some great events in 2026

For the first time, New Zealand will be hosting a leg of the Old-Time Strongman World Championships

AWNZ, IAWA, and USAWA are drug-tested organisations. Any use of WADA banned substances is not allowed and random drug testing protocols are in place for all competitions. 
Additionally, competitors suspected of using any sanctioned performance-enhancing drugs, non-permitted equipment, or any other breach of IAWA rules may be asked to provide a drug test administered by a reputable 3rd party or other evidence pertinent to their suspected breach of rules. 

Date

Saturday, December 13. [Details TBD]

Venue

CrossFit Daedalus
​18 Hannigan Drive, St Johns, Auckland 1072

Format

This event is a postal one. That means events will occur on the same day in different countries, judged by IAWA accredited referees and results will be submitted to IAWA for tabulation. ​

The Competition Lifts

This year's event will feature 3 Old-Time Strongman Lifts:

1. Dumbbell to Shoulder
2. Hackenschmidt Floor Press
3. Peoples Deadlift

Explanation of Lifts:

Dumbbell to Shoulder
A dumbbell will be taken from the floor to the shoulder using any method the lifter wants to employ.
The dumbbell may be lifted with two hands, continental style, or may be rested on the belt during the lift by any part of the dumbbell. Hands may grip the plates, bar, collars, or any part of the dumbbell.
Any size plate may be loaded onto the dumbbell.
The lift is completed when the lifter is standing upright, with the dumbbell resting on the shoulder, and the lifter demonstrating control. Both hands may remain on the dumbbell to complete the lift, or with one hand or both hands off the dumbbell.
A time limit of 1 minute is given to complete the lift. An official will give a command to end the lift.

Hackenschmidt Floor Press
A press (with standard Olympic bar) will be performed while lying flat on the floor/platform.
The bar height, measured to the bottom of the bar, should be no greater than 15”.
The bar/plates may rest on blocks or supports to achieve this height.
The lift starts when the lifter, while lying under the bar with the bar above the chest, starts to press.
A time limit of 1 minute is given for each attempt, meaning the lifter may reset as many times as necessary within this time limit to complete a legal lift.
The lift is complete when the bar is pressed completely with the lifter’s elbows locked out. It is not an infraction to press unevenly, lock out at different times, raise the head, or allow the bar to lower during a part of the press. It is an infraction if the hips/legs rise off the floor/platform during any part of the lift.
Once complete, an official will give a command to end the lift.

Peoples Deadlift
This is a partial deadlift, where the bar height must not be over 18” from the platform (measured to the bottom of the bar). The plates or bar may be supported on stands, rack supports, or blocks to obtain this height.
The lifter must have the bar in front of the legs, as defined by the rules of the deadlift. The hands must be on the outside of the legs (NO SUMOSTANCE) during the entire lift.
Lifting straps or any other gripping aid is not allowed. It is NOT an infraction to drag the bar up the legs, bounce the bar up the legs, or support the bar on the legs during the lift (hitching).
A one minute time limit is allowed for the lifter to make a legal lift, during which time a lifter may make multiple
 tries. Once the lifter is totally upright and the bar motionless, an official will give the command to end the lift.