Lifting stone explained

Lifting stones are heavy natural stones which people are challenged to lift, proving their strength. They are common throughout Northern Europe, particularly Iceland (where they are referred to as steintökin), Ireland, Scotland, Basque Country, Faroe Islands, Wales, North West England centered around Cumbria, Switzerland, Southern Germany centered around Bavaria, Austria and also in the United States and parts of Asia such as Japan.[1] [2] [3]

Recently, lifting stones have been incorporated into the World's Strongest Man and other similar strongman competitions, using various cast, found, or established challenge stones such as the Húsafell Stone, Dinnie Stones, Steinstossen, Nicol Stones and Odd Haugen Tombstone. They also do modernized versions of events derived from ancient contests, in which athletes would see who could load the heaviest stones onto a platform, known as Atlas stones or Castle stones.[4]

Famous lifting stones from around the world and the greatest stone lifters are listed below.

Iceland

In Iceland, lifting stones were traditionally used to qualify men for work on fishing boats. To qualify, a man would have to lift at least the hálfdrættingur stone (described below under Dritvík Stones) to hip-height onto a ledge. Lifting heavier stones would entitle the man to a greater share of the catch. The ultimate objective is to reach "fullsterkur" status, proving the lifter is "fully strong" by lifting the heaviest stones. Some famous Icelandic lifting stones are described below.[5]

Icelandic lifting stones

Húsafell Stone

See main article: Húsafell Stone. The most famous of Iceland's legendary lifting stones is the Húsafell Stone, named after the west country farming estate where it is located, about 132 km north east from Reykjavík by road. The triangular-shaped stone which weighs 186 kg (410 lb) is said to have been crafted from a large rock over two centuries ago, when a local pastor named Snorri Björnsson used it as the door to his sheep and goat pen. Nicknamed the 'Kviahellan' (pen slab) by Snorri, the stone has been since used by strongmen as a test of strength, either by simply lifting the stone to the knee and waist, or by lifting it all the way up to the chest and carrying the stone around the perimeter of the pen for fullsterkur status.

Dritvík Stones

At the tip of the west coast, on Djúpalónssandur beach at the foot of Snæfellsjökull, at the western end of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, there lies 4 four-hundred year-old stones which are called Dritvík Stones. Historically, the sailors and fishermen who rowed out from this port would lift the stones to prove their worth to a ship's crew and earn themselves better pay. The four stones are classified as:

Judas Stone

Located in the Látravík cove at the westernmost point of the Westfjords region, the Judas Stone earned its name more than a century ago, when local farmers repeatedly tried to use it in the construction of a wall, only to have it 'betray' them like Judas by always slipping out of place due to its unbalanced nature. The stone weighs 127 kg (280 lb).

Brynjólfstak Stone

The heaviest of Iceland's legendary lifting stones is the 281 kg (620 lb) Brynjólfstak Stone, a 1.5 meter long basalt located near Tálknafjörður in the Westfjords region. Legend says that the stone was first pulled from the sea in 1845, when a mighty farmer named Brynjólfur Eggertsson asked four of the strongest men in the area to lift the giant slab on to his shoulders. From there, Brynjólfur is said to have attached the stone to him with straps and carried it uphill, to the nearby ridge where it is currently located. The stone has since been named in his honor.

Latra Stones

Also located in the Westfjords region between Tálknafjörður and Bíldudalur in the famous seabird cliffs are four stones called Latra Stones. For many generations, local fishermen used them to stay fit and to gain bragging rights in their little time on dry land. Like the Dritvík Stones, there is a hierarchy based on their size: 96 kg (211 lb), 107 kg (236 lb), 144 kg (317 lb), and the heaviest of the four: 177 kg (390 lb) which is called the 'Alsterkur'.

There is also an additional fifth stone called the 'Klofi stone' weighing 200 kg (441 lb).

Leggstein Stone

This pillar-like stone which is also known as the Tomb Stone is said to mark the spot where an unfortunate farmer made a pact with the devil. As the story goes, the lazy farmer wanted a fast track to an easier, more prosperous life, so the devil offered him his dream if he could simply complete one task: lifting the 220 kg (485 lb) Leggstein stone. It is located in the middle of the Westfjords region in Heydalur near Reykjanes. The legend says the farmer is buried under the massive plinth near the stone, to be carried around the plinth for several revolutions for his salvation.

Petursstein Stone

Near Dynjandi waterfall in the Westfjords lies a black slate stone known as the Petursstein Stone weighing 175 kg (386 lb).

Árbær Stones

Located near Árbæjarsafn, an outdoor museum near Reykjavík, are eight stones called the Árbær Stones, with the heaviest of them weighing 143kg (315lb).

Others

Some lesser known Icelandic stones are: Bessasteinn, Brúarásskóli, Engjasteinar, England i Lundarreykjadalur, Haukadalur, Hestastein at Laufas Turf House, Myrdalssandur, Pakgil Stones, Porsteinshaf, Sjómannagarðurinn Power Stones and Vegatorfustein.

Scotland

Scottish lifting stones

Clach cuid fir

Gaelic for "manhood stones", these originate from Scotland. Manhood stones were used there for centuries as tests of strength. Typically, a young man was welcomed into manhood when he was able to lift his clan's testing stone to waist height.[6] There are many examples in Scotland, including:[6]

Clachan-ultaich

A Clach-ultaich (in Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic pronounced as /kʰl̪ˠaxˈul̪ˠt̪ɪç/; plural Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: clachan-ultaich) is another type of lifting stone found in Scotland. Examples are:

Lifting Stane

Near Auldgirth in Dumfries and Galloway is a small farm named Liftingstane where a large stone with an iron handle once stood that was used as a test of strength.[17]

At Old Dailly in South Ayrshire are the 'Blue or Charter Stones' that were used for trials of strength to the extent that the local council has bound them with metal bands to prevent their continued use.[18]

The 'Leper's Charter Stone' at Kingcase in Prestwick, South Ayrshire was made of black basalt and kidney shaped, used as a lifting stane until it was broken; although the parts remain, built into the walls of the old chapel.

Other

Faroe Islands

Every settlement in the Faroe Islands used to have its local lifting stone, called Hav,[19] derived from the verb hevja which means 'to lift'. Visiting men would be challenged by the locals to show off their strength.

One such stone is now part of a mural in the village of Mikladalur. Known as "Marjunar hav", it is said to have been lifted by Marjun, a milkmaid, in the 16th century.[20]

Wales

According to Y pedair Camp ar Hugain Welsh for "The 24 feats", stone lifting was a common practice. It was usually performed by young boys as a rite of passage into manhood. It is said that once a young boy could lift the stone to his waist he was considered a man. Furthermore, the stone was used to develop a man's strength in preparation for battle.

There was no set size, shape or weight for each stone. Stones varied, depending on what was available within the locality or on what was selected by the king of each region.

The king's teulu ("personal army", or "household") were selected from each village or town within his borders, based upon a man's ability to lift stones, run, jump, leap, wrestle, fence, shoot a bow and arrow and throw a spear.

To date, a 136 kg (300 lb) lifting stone called Garreg Orchest (also known as 'Ysbyty Ifan Stone)' is still in place in the town of Criccieth in Gwynedd, North Wales. Competitors travel from all across the UK to attempt to lift and carry this large stone. In 2012 David Horne walked it for 62 feet (18.9m).

Basque Country

Stone lifting is also a traditional Basque Country sport involving the lifting of stones, called harri jasotzea. Basque country is located in the western Pyrenees, straddling the border between France and Spain on the coast of the Bay of Biscay.

There are several varieties of traditional Basque stones. 'Stone dragging/ giza proba' where a very heavy rectangular stone is attached to a chain to be attached to the athlete around his waist or just to be gripped by a handle and to stone to be dragged for the furthermost distance. Cubic stones (Kuboa), rectangular stones (Laukizuzena), cylindrical stones (Zilindroa) and spherical stones (Biribila) are to be lapped and shouldered for as many reps as possible or for a one rep max.[21] For his prowess with both ancient and modern stones, Iñaki Perurena is considered the greatest Basque stonelifter in history.

Another Basque sport is the ontzi eramatea, where the weights were originally milk canisters prior to stones.

Switzerland

See main article: Steinstossen. In Switzerland, affiliated to the Unspunnenfest, a festival held once every twelve years, a historic stone weighing 83.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on is thrown overhead for the longest distance. THe event is known as Unspunnen stone throw. The contestants begin on a 6.1m (20feet) runway, hurling the Aare granite stone as far as they could into a 4adj=midNaNadj=mid sand pit. In 2004, Swiss carpenter Markus Maire established the current record in this event with a 4.11m (13.48feet) throw.[22]

Bavaria

In Southern Germany centered around Bavaria, stone lifting has been a traditional sport since 1950s.[23] The most notable event is the Bavarian stone lift, where competitors have to lift a rectangular shaped stone attached to a ring, starting from a squatting position. Austria's Martin Wildauer holds the word record in this lift.

United States

Events involving carrying, walking, shouldering, loading, holding and throwing stones have become very popular in the US across many American highland games competitions. Organizations such as 'New England Stone Lifting' also arrange competitions like 'Festival at Fort 4' to popularize stone lifting among the general public.[24] Below are some of the most iconic stones.

Lundstrom Stones - At the Loon Mountain Highland Games in New Hampshire, there's a popular farmers walk event with a pair of stones which weigh 124.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on and 106abbr=onNaNabbr=on respectively. It was originated in 1983 and pioneered by stone-lifter John Lundstrom. In 2015, Iceland's Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson made a guest appearance and carried the stones for 140 ft 6 in for a new world record.[25]

Jón Páll Sigmarsson Stone - A sharp edged flat stone weighing 220abbr=onNaNabbr=on named after Jón Páll Sigmarsson which is kept in New Hampshire, and used in American Highland Games.

Odd Haugen's Tombstone - Norwegian Strongman Odd Haugen was gifted with a 186abbr=onNaNabbr=on oval shaped stone on his 58th birthday and since has featured at the Arnold Strongman Classic a number of times in the Stone to Shoulder event. Only 8 Strongmen (Marunde, Licis, Kieliszkowski, Shivlyakov, Björnsson, Belsak, Thompson and Novikov) have lifted this stone to their shoulder.[26]

Manhood Stones - In 2007, when Slater Strength Co. introduced the 237abbr=onNaNabbr=on Max. Atlas stone over 4ft bar event for the Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio, it went on to be popularized as the Manhood Stones. Throughout the years, stones got heavier and was frequently featured at Rogue Record Breakers. During 2024 Strongest Man on Earth competition at Shaw Classic in Colorado, Iceland's Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson broke the world record for the heaviest Manhood Stone ever lifted within a full competition by repping a 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on stone twice. Scotland's Tom Stoltman holds the world record for the heaviest Manhood Stone ever lifted at 286abbr=onNaNabbr=on.

Asia

Japan

See main article: Chikaraishi. In ancient Japan, stone lifting was carried out around Shinto shrines as a sport. サシ石 (Hiragana: さしいし)(sashi-ishi) ("overhead pressing stone"), 石担, (ishikatsugi) ("shoulder carried stone") and 石運び (ishihakobi) ("stone carrying") are some popular disciplines.[27]

Other parts of Asia

Rock carrying is traditional in Tibet, where the rocks weigh up to, and the rest of China.[28] [2] Mongolia is also famous for their stone lifting. In India and Pakistan, rocks of over are carried in many different ways.[29]

Notable stone lifters

NameWins
(Events)
Win %World Records
126 (46)56.52%Húsafell Stone WR, Lundstrom Stones WR, Jón Páll Sigmarsson Stone WR,
Manhood Stone for reps (250kg) WR, 6 Atlas Stones (100–200kg) WR
5 Atlas Stones (130–186kg), (120–200kg), (140–200kg) WRs
Atlas Stone over bar (200kg) WR & Atlas Stone to Shoulder (142kg) WR
225 (59)42.37%5 Atlas Stones (120–180kg), (130–180kg), (140–195kg) WRs &<br>Manhood Stone for reps (243kg) WR
321 (93)22.58%5 Atlas Stones (110–180kg) WR
417 (42)40.48%Replica Húsafell Stone (93% and 87.5% of original) WRs
517 (53)32.07%Africa Stone WR
6 15 (29)51.72%Manhood Stone (Max Atlas Stone) WR
5 Atlas Stones (100–180 kg), (150–210 kg) WRs & Ardblair Stones WR
714 (30)46.67%
813 (32)40.63%5 Atlas Stones (125–215kg) WR
912 (34)35.29%Odd Haugen Tombstone to Shoulder WR, Replica Steinstossen (84kg) WR
1011 (67)16.41%5 Atlas Stones (100–160 kg) WR

- As at 17 August 2024

See also

References

  1. Web site: A Brief History Of Stone Lifting - Culture Of Stone Lifting: Iceland & Scotland. Aleksander . Saks. Physical Culture Study. May 30, 2007.
  2. Web site: Fisher . Grace . 2023-03-02 . Discovery of women's lifting stone sheds light on Irish traditions . 2023-09-01 . HerSport.ie . en.
  3. Web site: Martin Wildauer win the traditional stonelifting competition in Munich, Germany. Randall J.. Strossen. IronMind Enterprises, Inc.. March 31, 2015.
  4. Web site: How to make an Atlas Stone . bodyresults.com . 2015-06-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150619020329/http://www.bodyresults.com/s2stone.asp . 2015-06-19 .
  5. Web site: FULLSTERKUR . Rogue fitness . 2022-04-06.
  6. Web site: The Art of Stone Lifting: Nature's Gym - by Scott Shetler . 2011-10-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110723142102/http://www.halfsquare.net/shetler_112306.php . 2011-07-23 .
  7. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1095572/index.htm
  8. Web site: Atlas Stones . theworldsstrongestman.com . 7 June 2010.
  9. Web site: Everything You Need To Know About Hoisting Atlas Stones . Michael Gill for Barbend.com . 9 June 2021 . 9 February 2022.
  10. Web site: How Using Atlas Stones Can Benefit Almost Every Type Of Athlete . Matthew Barker for Barbend.com . 27 August 2017 . 27 August 2017.
  11. Web site: 2023 World's Strongest Man Event Six "Stone-Off" Results . Phil Blechman for Barbend.com . 21 April 2023 . 28 April 2023.
  12. http://www.thedinniestones.com/Photo%20Gallery/Dinnie%20Steens%20Weight%20Cert%202014.pdf
  13. Web site: Menzies Clan Society Newsletter.
  14. Dwelly, Edward (1911), Faclair Gàidhlig gu Beurla le Dealbhan/The Illustrated [Scottish] Gaelic-English Dictionary (4th ed.), Glasgow: MacLaren & Sons
  15. Love, Dane (2009). Legendary Ayrshire. Custom: Folklore: Tradition. Auchinleck : Carn Publishing. pp. 16 - 17.
  16. Robson, M. Rona the Distant Island (1991) Acair
  17. Book: Watson, R.. 1901. Closeburn (Dumfrieshire). Reminiscent, Historic & Traditional. Inglis Ker & Co.. 54.
  18. Book: Love, Dane. 2009. Legendary Ayrshire. Custom: Folklore: Tradition.. Carn Publishing. 978-0-9518128-6-0. 16–17.
  19. http://www.visiteysturoy.fo/uk/data/attachments/61561FEE-C20F-4D6A-8EF6-CCD5670AF30F/8F6E45FB-5360-4867-BF2F-BFAAA4F83408.pdf Visit Esturoy
  20. Web site: Marjunar Hav . 2020-03-15.
  21. Web site: Levantadores – Basque Country stone lifting heritage. USA. Rogue Fitness. IMDB. December 1, 2015.
  22. Web site: Markus Maire war nicht zu schlagen . Franz Hess . Env-afgn.ch . 20 September 2006 . 28 April 2023.
  23. Web site: Bavarian Stone Lifting. John. Wood. www.oldtimestrongman.com. December 29, 2012.
  24. Web site: Attention! The inaugural New England Stone Lifting Competition at Festival at Fort 4 proudly presents a competition with five events - Featuring: Stone to shoulder for reps, Swiss Stone throw, Timed front hold, A stone load medley, and The World Famous Lundstrom Walking Stones!. 6 June 2024. INSTAGRAM @fort4fest. 3 July 2024.
  25. Web site: HEAVY ATHLETICS. 18 October 2015. newhampshirescot.org. 7 April 2022.
  26. Web site: Odd Haugen's Tombstone. 7 April 2022. liftingstones.org. 7 April 2022.
  27. Book: Allen. Guttmann. Lee Austin. Thompson. Japanese Sports: A History. 9780824824648. University of Hawaii Press. 2001. 39–41.
  28. Web site: The Tibetan sport of rock-carrying _News_TIBET . 2023-09-01 . m.tibet.cn.
  29. Web site: Not too many fit enough for Illavata Kal challenge . 2023-09-01 . The New Indian Express.
  30. Web site: Most Successful Athletes: Stones. March 3, 2024. Strongman Archives. March 3, 2024.
  31. Web site: Most Successful Athletes: Distance Carry. March 3, 2024. Strongman Archives. March 3, 2024.