King Kong 2024

Top Row: Katherine, Marc, Kathy Jacob, Daniel

Bottom Row: Akeem, Broc, Andrew, Sanjiv, Lewis

King Kong 2024 was exciting with a new venue on the front range and a great group of competitors including newcomers and experienced athletes ranging in age from 7 to 95 years old.

The event was sponsored by Marc Brothersom and Akeem Jenkins.  Marc is recently off of a record setting performance at the Arm Lifting USA Super Series in Las Vegas.  Akeem is big and strong.  We were joined by newcomers Katherine, Broc, Andy, Kathy and Jacob.  Louis and Daniel had more experience with grip.

Entry was pre-paid at registration and weigh in was easy.  I squeaked in at 204.6 pounds (92.8 kg) by taking off my t-shirt.  I did not warm up much, but did utilize my gripprotrainer.

The implements were reasonably well seasoned and felt very similar to what I use at home.  We used crossbar and knock bar by Barrel Strength Systems.  The implements and loading apparatus were weighed together and then we utilized Rogue calibrated kilogram plates.

The event was last man standing:

• Crusher – 45.67, 48.17, 50.67, 55.67, 60.67 kg (PFP 60%; in line with last year at 56.25 kg) 216th
• IronMind Block – 14.07, 15.32, 16.57, 17.82, 18.32 kg (PFP 19%; well behind last year when I pulled 21.9 kg) 235.5th
• Finnish Ball (13” Lift) – 9.16, 11.66, 14.16, 16.66, 17.91, 19.16 kg (PFP 21%; well behind last year at 23.5 kg) 229.5th
• Little Big Horn – 40.62, 43.12, 48.12, 50.12, 54.37, 55.62 kg (PFP 60%; PR! versus 52.27 kg at home) 199th

Overall I was 230/243 men, 35/37 93kg men and 8/8 50+ 93kg men

It was a well balanced performance besides dropping to the bottom of the field.  Benchmark on pound for pound (PFP) excellence is 120%, 50%, 50%, 120% respectively.

I did better with my increment jumps this year.  Last year was pretty granular and I felt myself wearing out.  It was nice having a little extra in the tank.  I was off of last year primarily due to limited training.  Dropping 4 kg on the Block and Little Big Horn is just being unprepared.

We got started on time with weigh-in at 8:00 AM and were packing up by noon.  We used one main platform and a side platform for two lifters.  I was impressed by the organization and judging.  All of the standards I expect were met.  It certainly had a lower pressure feel.  At Carbondale it was clear that folks were gunning for World Records.  Less care was taken to keep skin oils off of the implements at this venue.